[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5529 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 5529

To require a study of the risk of space debris impacting a metropolitan 
                     area, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 18, 2023

  Mr. Santos introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
              Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To require a study of the risk of space debris impacting a metropolitan 
                     area, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. STUDY OF RISK OF SPACE DEBRIS IMPACTING A METROPOLITAN AREA.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with 
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the 
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and 
the Secretary of Defense, shall carry out a study to examine the risk 
of space debris impacting a metropolitan area within the next 25 years.
    (b) Contents.--The study required under subsection (a) shall 
address the following:
            (1) In the next 25 years, the probability of a space-based, 
        manmade object impacting a populated area exceeding 1 million 
        inhabitants.
            (2) The ability to predict such an incident.
            (3) The ability to warn the affected area, including 
        regarding the amount of time needed to do so.
            (4) Would an evacuation process be possible, and if so, how 
        such would be carried out.
            (5) How could relief via a Federal response be provided, 
        and an identification of which agencies would be tasked with so 
        responding.
            (6) Options to defend against an imminent impact.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 28 months after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the Committee on 
Homeland Security, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on Armed 
Services of the Senate a report containing the results of the study 
required under subsection (a).
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