[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 976 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 976
To promote the development of a United States commercial space resource
exploration and utilization industry and to increase the exploration
and utilization of resources in outer space.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 16, 2015
Mrs. Murray (for herself and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote the development of a United States commercial space resource
exploration and utilization industry and to increase the exploration
and utilization of resources in outer space.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Space Resource Exploration and
Utilization Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. TITLE 51 AMENDMENT.
(a) In General.--Subtitle V of title 51, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:
``CHAPTER 513--SPACE RESOURCE EXPLORATION AND UTILIZATION
``Sec.
``51301. Definitions.
``51302. Commercialization of space resource exploration and
utilization.
``51303. Legal framework.
``Sec. 51301. Definitions
``In this chapter:
``(1) Space resource.--The term `space resource' means a
natural resource of any kind found in situ in outer space.
``(2) Asteroid resource.--The term `asteroid resource'
means a space resource found on or within an asteroid.
``(3) State.--The term `State' means any of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other
commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.
``(4) United states commercial space resource utilization
entity.--The term `United States commercial space resource
utilization entity' means an entity providing space resource
exploration or utilization services, the control of which is
held by persons other than a Federal, State, local, or foreign
government, and that is--
``(A) duly organized under the laws of a State;
``(B) subject to the subject matter and personal
jurisdiction of the courts of the United States; or
``(C) a foreign entity that has voluntarily
submitted to the subject matter and personal
jurisdiction of the courts of the United States.
``Sec. 51302. Commercialization of space resource exploration and
utilization
``(a) In General.--The President, acting through appropriate
Federal agencies, shall--
``(1) facilitate the commercial exploration and utilization
of space resources to meet national needs;
``(2) discourage government barriers to the development of
economically viable, safe, and stable industries for the
exploration and utilization of space resources in manners
consistent with the existing international obligations of the
United States; and
``(3) promote the right of United States commercial
entities to explore outer space and utilize space resources, in
accordance with the existing international obligations of the
United States, free from harmful interference, and to transfer
or sell such resources.
``(b) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, the President shall submit to Congress a
report that contains recommendations for--
``(1) the allocation of responsibilities relating to the
exploration and utilization of space resources among Federal
agencies; and
``(2) any authorities necessary to meet the international
obligations of the United States with respect to the
exploration and utilization of space resources.
``Sec. 51303. Legal framework
``(a) Property Rights.--Any asteroid resources obtained in outer
space are the property of the entity that obtained such resources,
which shall be entitled to all property rights thereto, consistent with
applicable provisions of Federal law.
``(b) Safety of Operations.--A United States commercial space
resource utilization entity shall avoid causing harmful interference in
outer space.
``(c) Civil Action for Relief From Harmful Interference.--A United
States commercial space resource utilization entity may bring a civil
action for appropriate legal or equitable relief, or both, under this
chapter for any action by another entity subject to United States
jurisdiction causing harmful interference to its operations with
respect to an asteroid resource utilization activity in outer space.
``(d) Rule of Decision.--In a civil action brought pursuant to
subsection (c) with respect to an asteroid resource utilization
activity in outer space, a court shall enter judgment in favor of the
plaintiff if the court finds--
``(1) the plaintiff--
``(A) acted in accordance with all existing
international obligations of the United States; and
``(B) was first in time to conduct the activity;
and
``(2) the activity is reasonable for the exploration and
utilization of asteroid resources.
``(e) Exclusive Jurisdiction.--The district courts of the United
States shall have original jurisdiction over an action under this
chapter without regard to the amount in controversy.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters for title 51, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end of the items for subtitle
V the following:
``513. Space resource exploration and utilization........... 51301''.
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