(a) Policy.—It is the policy of the United States to provide oversight and continuing supervision of nongovernmental space activities in a manner that encourages the fullest commercial use of space, consistent with section 20102(c) of title 51, United States Code.

(b) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) increased activity and new applications in space could grow the space economy;

(2) it is in the national interest of the United States—

(A) to encourage and promote new and existing nongovernmental space activities; and

(B) to provide authorization and continuing supervision of those activities through a process that is efficient, transparent, minimally burdensome, and generally permissive; and

(3) to conduct those activities in a manner that fully protects United States national security assets, NASA human spaceflight and exploration systems, NASA and NOAA satellites, and other Federal assets that serve the public interest.

(a) In general.—Section 50921 of title 51, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by inserting “(b) Authorization of appropriations.—” before “There” and indenting appropriately; and

(2) by inserting before subsection (b), the following:

“(b) Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.—The Assistant Secretary for Commercial Space Transportation shall serve as the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.”.

(b) Establishment of Assistant Secretary for Commercial Space Transportation.—Section 102(e)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “6” and inserting “7”; and

(2) in subparagraph (A), by inserting “Assistant Secretary for Commercial Space Transportation,” after “Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology,”.

(a) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that, in the absence of comprehensive regulatory reform, the Secretary of Transportation should make use of existing authorities, including waivers and safety approvals, as appropriate, to protect the public, make more efficient use of resources, and reduce the regulatory burden for an applicant for a commercial space launch or reentry license or experimental permit.

(b) License applications and requirements.—Section 50905 of title 51, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking “subsection (b)(2)(D)” each place it appears and inserting “subsection (b)(2)(E)”; and

(B) in paragraph (2)—

(i) by inserting “software,” after “services,”; and

(ii) by adding at the end the following: “Such safety approvals may be issued simultaneously with a license under this chapter.”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(e) Use of existing authorities.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary—

“(A) shall use existing authorities, including waivers and safety approvals, as appropriate, to make more efficient use of resources and reduce the regulatory burden for an applicant under this section; and

“(B) may use the launch and reentry payload review process to authorize nongovernmental space activities that are related to an application for a license or permit under this chapter and are not subject to authorization under other Federal law.

“(2) EXPEDITING SAFETY APPROVALS.—The Secretary shall expedite the processing of safety approvals that would reduce risks to health or safety during launch and reentry.”.

(c) Definitions.—Section 50902 of title 51, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (21) through (25) as paragraphs (24) through (28), respectively;

(2) by redesignating paragraph (20) as paragraph (22);

(3) by redesignating paragraphs (12) through (19) as paragraphs (13) through (20), respectively;

(4) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:

“(12) ‘nongovernmental space activity’ means a space activity of a person other than—

“(A) the United States Government; or

“(B) a Government contractor or subcontractor if the Government contractor or subcontractor is performing the space activity for the Government.”;

(5) by inserting after paragraph (20), as redesignated, the following:

“(21) ‘space activity’ has the meaning given the term in section 60101 of this title.”; and

(6) by inserting after paragraph (22), as redesignated, the following:

“(23) ‘space object’ has the meaning given the term in section 60101 of this title.”.

(d) Restrictions on launches, operations, and reentries.—Section 50904 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(e) Multiple sites.—The Secretary may issue a single license or permit for an operator to conduct launch services and reentry services at multiple launch sites or reentry sites.”.

Section 50906 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(j) Use of existing authorities.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall use existing authorities, including waivers and safety approvals, as appropriate, to make more efficient use of resources and reduce the regulatory burden for an applicant under this section.

“(2) EXPEDITING SAFETY APPROVALS.—The Secretary shall expedite the processing of safety approvals that would reduce risks to health or safety during launch and reentry.”.

Section 50903 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(e) FACA.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) does not apply to such space-related rulemaking committees under the Secretary's jurisdiction as the Secretary shall designate.”.

Section 50901(b)(2)(B) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking “and encouraging”.

(a) Definitions.—The definitions set forth in section 50902 of title 51, United States Code, shall apply to this section.

(b) Findings.—Congress finds that the commercial space launch regulatory environment has at times impeded the United States commercial space launch sector in its innovation of small-class launch technologies, reusable launch and reentry vehicles, and other areas related to commercial launches and reentries.

(c) Regulatory improvements for commercial space launch activities.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than February 1, 2019, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise any regulations under chapter 509, United States Code, as the Secretary considers necessary to meet the objective of this section.

(2) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of this section is to establish, consistent with the purposes described in section 50901(b) of title 51, United States Code, a regulatory regime for commercial space launch activities under chapter 509 that—

(A) creates, to the extent practicable, requirements applicable both to expendable launch and reentry vehicles and to reusable launch and reentry vehicles;

(B) is neutral with regard to the specific technology utilized in a launch, a reentry, or an associated safety system;

(C) protects the health and safety of the public;

(D) establishes clear, high-level performance requirements;

(E) encourages voluntary, industry technical standards that complement the high-level performance requirements established under subparagraph (D); and

(F) facilitates and encourages appropriate collaboration between the commercial space launch and reentry sector and the Department of Transportation with respect to the requirements under subparagraph (D) and the standards under subparagraph (E).

(d) Consultation.—In revising the regulations under subsection (c), the Secretary of Transportation shall consult with the following:

(1) Secretary of Defense.

(2) Administrator of NASA.

(3) Such members of the commercial space launch and reentry sector as the Secretary of Transportation considers appropriate to ensure adequate representation across industry.

(e) Report.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the persons described in subsection (d), shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the progress in carrying out this section.

(2) CONTENTS.—The report shall include—

(A) milestones and a schedule to meet the objective of this section;

(B) a description of any Federal agency resources necessary to meet the objective of this section;

(C) recommendations for legislation that would expedite or improve the outcomes under subsection (c); and

(D) a plan for ongoing consultation with the persons described in subsection (d).

(a) Oversight and coordination.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation, in accordance with the findings under section 1617 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (51 U.S.C. 50918 note) and subject to section 50905(b)(2)(C) of title 51, United States Code, shall take such action as may be necessary to consolidate or modify the requirements across Federal agencies identified in section 1617(c)(1)(A) of that Act into a single application set that satisfies those requirements and expedites the coordination of commercial launch and reentry services.

(2) CERTIFICATION.—Not later than 45 days after the effective date of this subsection, the President shall certify in writing to Congress that—

(A) the Secretary of Transportation is the only authority for authorizing commercial launch and reentry operations, including at a Federal range, under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code; and

(B) consistent with section 50918 of title 51, United States Code, all matters under that chapter affecting national security or foreign policy, and such other matters under that chapter in the interest of the United States, are coordinated through the Secretary of Transportation.

(3) CHAPTER 509.—

(A) PURPOSES.—Section 50901 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by inserting “all” before “commercial launch and reentry operations”.

(B) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—Section 50903(b) of title 51, United States Code, is amended—

(i) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and

(ii) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the following:

“(1) oversee and coordinate the conduct of all commercial launch and reentry operations, including any commercial launch or commercial reentry at a Federal range;”.

(4) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This subsection takes effect on the date the final rule under section 107(c) of this Act is published in the Federal Register.

(b) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, may be construed to affect section 1617 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (51 U.S.C. 50918 note).

(c) Technical amendment; repeal redundant law.—Section 113 of the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (Public Law 114–90; 129 Stat. 704) and the item relating to that section in the table of contents under section 1(b) of that Act are repealed.

(a) Licensing of nongovernmental Earth observation activities.—Chapter 601 of title 51, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in section 60101—

(A) by amending paragraph (12) to read as follows:

“(12) UNENHANCED DATA.—The term ‘unenhanced data’ means signals or imagery products from Earth observation activities that are unprocessed or subject only to data preprocessing.”;

(B) by redesignating paragraphs (12) and (13) as paragraphs (18) and (19), respectively;

(C) by redesignating paragraph (11) as paragraph (15);

(D) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (10) as paragraphs (5) through (11), respectively;

(E) by inserting after paragraph (3), the following:

“(4) EARTH OBSERVATION ACTIVITY.—The term ‘Earth observation activity’ means a space activity the primary purpose of which is to collect data that can be processed into imagery of the Earth.”;

(F) by inserting after paragraph (11), as redesignated, the following:

“(12) NONGOVERNMENTAL EARTH OBSERVATION ACTIVITY.—The term ‘nongovernmental Earth observation activity’ means an Earth observation activity of a person other than—

“(A) the United States Government; or

“(B) a Government contractor or subcontractor if the Government contractor or subcontractor is performing the activity for the Government.

“(13) ORBITAL DEBRIS.—The term ‘orbital debris’ means any space object that is placed in space or derives from a space object placed in space by a person, remains in orbit, and no longer serves any useful function or purpose.

“(14) PERSON.—The term ‘person’ means a person (as defined in section 1 of title 1) subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United States.”; and

(G) by inserting after paragraph (15), as redesignated, the following:

“(16) SPACE ACTIVITY.—

“(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘space activity’ means any activity that is conducted in space.

“(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘space activity’ includes any activity conducted on a celestial body, including the Moon.

“(C) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘space activity’ does not include any activity that is conducted entirely on board or within a space object and does not affect another space object.

“(17) SPACE OBJECT.—The term ‘space object’ means any object, including any component of that object, that is launched into space or constructed in space, including any object landed or constructed on a celestial body, including the Moon.”;

(2) by amending subchapter III to read as follows:

(3) by amending section 60147 to read as follows:

(b) Table of contents.—The table of contents of chapter 601 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking the items relating to subchapter III and inserting the following:

(c) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section shall affect any license, or application for a license, to operate a private remote sensing space system that was made under subchapter III of chapter 601 of title 51, United States Code (as in effect before the date of enactment of this Act), before the date of enactment of this Act. Such license shall continue to be subject to the requirements to which such license was subject under that chapter as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) fair access to available NASA assets and services on a reimbursable, noninterference, equitable, and predictable basis is advantageous in enabling the United States commercial space industry;

(2) NASA should continue to promote fairness to all parties and ensure best value to the Federal Government in granting use of NASA assets, services, and capabilities in a manner that contributes to NASA's missions and objectives; and

(3) NASA should continue to promote small business awareness and participation through advocacy and collaborative efforts with internal and external partners, stakeholders, and academia.

(b) Guidance for small business participation.—The Administrator of NASA shall—

(1) provide opportunities for the consideration of small business concerns during public-private partnership planning processes and in public-private partnership plans;

(2) invite the participation of each relevant director of an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization under section 15(k) of the Small Business Act 915 U.S.C. 644(k) in public-private partnership planning processes and provide the director access to public-private partnership plans;

(3) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act—

(A) identify and establish a list of all NASA assets, services, and capabilities that are available, or will be available, for public-private partnership opportunities; and

(B) make the list under subparagraph (A) available on NASA's website, in a searchable format;

(4) periodically as needed, but not less than once per year, update the list and website under paragraph (3); and

(5) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, develop a policy and issue guidance for a consistent, fair, and equitable method for scheduling and establishing priority of use of the NASA assets, services, and capabilities identified under this subsection.

(c) Strengthening small business awareness.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of NASA shall designate an official at each NASA Center—

(1) to serve as an advocate for small businesses within the office that manages partnerships at each Center; and

(2) to provide guidance to small businesses on how to participate in public-private partnership opportunities with NASA.

Section 20145(b) of title 51, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the heading, by striking “Cash consideration” and inserting “Consideration”; and

(2) in paragraph (1)—

(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting “In general” before “A person”; and

(B) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:

“(B) IN-KIND CONSIDERATION.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Administrator may accept in-kind consideration for leases entered into for the purpose of developing—

“(i) renewable energy production facilities; and

“(ii) space sector industrial infrastructure and business facilities that the Administrator determines would advance national security interests or civil space capabilities.”.

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) the United States segment of the ISS (designated a national laboratory under section 70905 of title 51, United States Code)—

(A) benefits the scientific community and promotes commerce in space;

(B) fosters stronger relationships among NASA and other Federal agencies, the private sector, and research groups and universities;

(C) advances science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education through utilization of the unique microgravity environment; and

(D) advances human knowledge and international cooperation;

(2) after the ISS is decommissioned, the United States should maintain a national laboratory in space;

(3) in maintaining a national laboratory described in paragraph (2), the United States should make appropriate accommodations for different types of ownership and operational structures for the ISS and future space stations;

(4) the national laboratory described in paragraph (2) should be maintained beyond the date that the ISS is decommissioned and, if possible, in cooperation with international space partners to the extent practicable; and

(5) NASA should continue to support fundamental science research on future platforms in low-Earth orbit and cis-lunar space.

(a) Continuation of the International Space Station.—Section 501(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18351(a)) is amended by striking “2024” and inserting “2030”.

(b) Maintenance of the United States segment and assurance of continued operations of the International Space Station.—Section 503(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18353(a)) is amended by striking “2024” and inserting “2030”.

(c) Research capacity allocation and integration of research payloads.—Section 504(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18354(d)) is amended by striking “2024” each place it appears and inserting “2030”.

(d) Maintaining use through at least 2028.—Section 70907 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking “2024” each place it appears and inserting “2030”.