ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives today passed House Bill 1, the Georgia Space Flight Act (GSA), sponsored by State Representative Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine), by a vote of 162-5. The bill would define procedures for space flight activity in Georgia.
“Today’s passage of HB 1 sends a clear message to the commercial space industry that Georgia is serious about bringing much needed high-tech jobs to our state,” said Rep. Spencer. “I am grateful to my colleagues who voted to bring these high-tech jobs to Georgia.”
The GSA defines procedures for spaceflight activity. The bill limits a willing space flight participant’s ability to sue for damages related to space flight activities for which the participant must give informed consent. This bill introduces an industry standard that is used in all other “space friendly” states.
“With the passage of the Georgia Space Flight Act, the state is on its way to re-branding Georgia’s coast to become ‘Georgia’s space coast,’” added Rep. Spencer. “The commercial space industry continues to grow from its current base of $330 billion per year, and Georgia and Camden County are becoming well positioned 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.”
HB 1 will now go to the Senate for consideration.
For more information on HB 1, 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, Juvenile Justice, and Science & Technology committees.
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