ATLANTA – State Representative Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine) today announced that the Commercial Spaceflight Federation has recently expressed support and endorsement for the passage of HB 734, the Georgia Spaceflight Act (GSA), sponsored by Rep. Spencer.
“I am pleased that industry leaders have weighed in on the Georgia Space Flight Act,” said Rep. Spencer. “This legislation will allow the State of Georgia to enhance its recruiting of the commercial space industry to Georgia and make our state competitive. Industry leaders need another east coast launch site to perform launch operations, and the Camden County site is the last place on the east coast of the United States where this can occur. Georgia cannot afford to let this opportunity slip through our fingers. Our time is now.”
The GSA is modeled after the Texas law, Limited Liability for Space Flight Activities, and defines procedures for spaceflight activity. The bill limits a willing space flight participant’s ability to sue for damages related to spaceflight activities for which the participant must give informed consent. The GSA does not protect against injuries suffered by non-consenting third parties, with exception to noise and nuisance protections. This language is the foundation of the bill and introduces an industry standard that is used in all other “space friendly” states.
In a letter to the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Wendell Willard, Eric W. Stallmer, President Commercial Spaceflight Federation wrote:
“As the commercial space industry continues to grow from its current base of $330 Billion per year, Georgia has an opportunity to position itself as an attractive hub for the industry’s future business activities and operations, bringing significant economic and inspirational benefits to the citizens of Georgia. With this growth there is need for additional launch capacity on the East Coast of the United States that is not a government-centric launch site, and southeast Georgia is probably the last and best place to site such an installation.
“Already Georgia has a number of attributes that will make it fertile ground for future commercial space activities including an existing robust aerospace industry, access to a talented pool of Georgia Tech, Georgia, Columbus State and other graduating engineers, as well as launch and manufacturing at the future Spaceport Camden. With the FAA-led Environmental Impact Study (EIS) wrapping up in the next few months, having the Georgia Spaceflight Act in place as law will be a critical signal to industry that Georgia wants the jobs, innovation economy, and inspirational aspirations that come with the commercial space industry.”
For more information on HB 734, please click here.
Representative Jason Spencer represents the citizens of District 180, which includes Camden, Charlton, and Ware counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2010, and currently serves as the Secretary of the Special Rules Committee. He also serves on the Game Fish & Parks, Human Relations & Aging, and Juvenile Justice committees.
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