[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

118 STAT. 2432

Public Law 108-428
108th Congress

An Act


 
To extend the liability indemnification regime for the commercial space
transportation industry. NOTE: Nov. 30, 2004 -  [H.R. 5245]

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

SECTION 1. INDEMNIFICATION EXTENSION.

Section 70113(f) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``December 31, 2004.'' and inserting ``December 31, 2009.''.

SEC. 2. STUDY.

Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Transportation shall enter into an arrangement with a
nonprofit entity for the conduct of an independent comprehensive study
of the liability risk sharing regime in the United States for commercial
space transportation under section 70113 of title 49, United States
Code. To ensure that Congress has a full analysis of the liability risk
sharing regime, the study shall assess methods by which the current
system could be eliminated, including an estimate of the time required
to implement each of the methods assessed. The study shall assess
whether any alternative steps would be needed to maintain a viable and
competitive United States space transportation industry if the current
regime were eliminated. In conducting the assessment under this section,
input from commercial space transportation insurance experts shall be
sought. The study also shall examine liability risk sharing in other
nations with commercial launch capability and evaluate the direct and
indirect impact that ending this regime would have on the
competitiveness of the United States commercial

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118 STAT. 2433

space launch industry in relation to foreign commercial launch providers
and on United States assured access to space.

Approved November 30, 2004.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 5245:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 150 (2004):
Oct. 8, considered and passed House.
Nov. 16, considered and passed Senate.