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The purpose of this memorandum is to provide you with information regarding pending federal legislation and policy of interest to the space enterprise community that has been introduced during the 110^th session of Congress which began in January 2007 and will conclude in December 2008.? A brief summary of the legislation, including current status, follows below.? Please note that additional information regarding the legislation can be found online at http://thomas.loc.gov.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. 252 - Rep. Zachary Space (Democrat, OH) introduced this resolution on March 15, 2007, to recognize the 45^th anniversary of John Glenn’s orbiting of the Earth.  There are 11 co-sponsors, all of whom are members of the Ohio delegation.  The resolution was marked up the House Committee on Science and Technology on March 28, 2007.  For similar bill see Senate legislation, S.Res. 81, below.

H.R. 266 - Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat – Texas) introduced this legislation on January 5, 2007.  The legislation would authorize the President to posthumously award a gold medal to the seven members of the crew of the space shuttle Columbia in recognition of their outstanding and enduring contributions to the Nation.  There are no co-sponsors.  The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology on March 16, 2007.

H.R. 362 - 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Act – Rep. Bart Gordon (Democrat, TN) introduced this bill on January 10, 2007.  The legislation would authorize scholarships for educating mathematics and science teachers.  There are 32 co-sponsors, including California Reps. Mike Honda, Doris Matsui, Jerry McNerney, and Lynn Woolsey.  The bill was passed by the House Committee on Science and Technology on April 23, 2007, and by the House of Representatives on April 24, 2007.  The bill was referred to the Senate on April 25, 2007, and later incorporated into legislation that the President signed on August 9, 2007, and became Public Law 110-069.

H.R. 363 -  Sowing Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act – Rep. Bart Gordon (Democrat, TN) introduced the legislation on January 10, 2007.  The bill would authorize funding for basic research and research infrastructure in science and engineering as well as provide support for graduate fellowships.  There are 18 co-sponsors, including California Reps. Mike Honda, Doris Matsui, and Jerry McNerney.  The bill was passed by the House Committee on Science and Technology on April 18, 2007, and by the House of Representatives on April 24, 2007.  The bill was referred to the Senate on April 25, 2007, and later incorporated into legislation that the President signed  on August 9, 2007, which became Public Law 110-069.

H.R. 421 - Tribute to Mercury 13 women astronauts – rep. Steve Kagen (Democrat, Wisconsin) introduced the bill on May 21, 2007.  The legislation would honor the accomplishments of the “Mercury 13” women whose efforts in the early 1960’s demonstrated the capabilities of American women to undertake the human exploration of space.  There are 4 current co-sponsors, none of whom are from California.  The bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 6, 2007.

H.R. 807 - Columbia Space Shuttle Memorial Study Act - Rep. Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) introduced the bill on February 5, 2007.  The legislation would direct the Secretary of Interior to determine the feasibility and suitability of establishing a memorial to the Space Shuttle Columbia in the State of Texas and its inclusion as a unit of the National Park System.  There are no co-sponsors.  The legislation was passed by the House on March 5, 2007, and referred to the Senate on March 6, 2007.  The Senate held a hearing on this bill on September 11, 2007.

H.R. 906 - Global Change Research and Data Management Act of 2007 - Rep. Mark Udall (Democrat, CO) introduced the bill on February 7, 2007.  The legislation would promote and coordinate global change research.  As of this date, there are 12 co-sponsors, including Rep. Tom Lantos.  The legislation was marked up by the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment on June 27, 2007.

H.R. 1332 - Small Business Lending Improvements Act – Rep. Melissa Bean (Democrat, IL) introduced the bill on March 6, 2007.  The legislation would improve the access to capital programs of the Small Business Administration.  There are 7 co-sponsors, including California Reps. Bob Filner and Linda Sanchez.  The legislation was passed by the House of Representatives on April, 25, 2007; however, there is no companion bill in the Senate.

H.R. 1453 - Scientific Communications Act – Rep. Doris Matsui (Democrat, CA) introduced the bill on March 9, 2007).  The legislation would provide for communications training of scientists.  There are 6 co-sponsors, including Rep. Loretta Sanchez.  The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education on March 14, 2007.

H.R. 2272 - Rep. Bart Gordon (Democrat, TN) introduced the bill on May 10, 2007.  The legislation would improve the competitiveness of the U.S. by investing in innovation through research and development.  There are 21 current co-sponsors, including Reps. Mike Honda, Jerry McNerney and Lynn Woolsey (Democrats, CA).  Related bills include H.R. 362, 363, 1068, 1867, H.R. 1868, and S. 761.  The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on May 21, 2007, and by the Senate on July 19, 2007.  The President signed the bill on August 9, 2007, and it became Public Law 110-069.

H.R. 2285 - Spaceport Equality Act – Rep. Dave Weldon (Republican, FL) introduced the bill on May 10, 2007.  The legislation would amend the Internal Revenue Code to treat spaceports like airports under the exempt facility bond rules.  There are no co-sponsors.  The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on May 10, 2007.

H.R. 2750 - NASA/JPL Commemorative Coin Act – Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (Democrat, TX) introduced the bill on June 15, 2007.  The legislation would require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of NASA and JPL.  There are 296 current co-sponsors of the legislation.  The bill was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services on June 15, 2007, and was passed in the House on July 30, 2007.  The bill was referred to the Senate on August, 3, 2007, but no further action has been taken.

H.R. 3093 - Commerce, Justice, State (and NASA) Appropriations for FY08 – The bill was introduced by Rep. Alan Mollohan (Democrat, WV) on July 19, 2007.  The bill would provide funding for NASA, the Dept. of Commerce and other agencies.  The bill was passed by the House on July 26, 2007, and referred to the Senate on July 30, 2007.  The companion bill in the Senate is S. 1745.

H.R. 3222 - Department of Defense Appropriations for FY 2008 – The bill was introduced by Rep. John Murtha (Democrat, PA) on July 30, 2007.  The bill would provide funding for the Department of Defense and its agencies.  The bill was passed by the House on August 5, 2007, and referred to the Senate on September 14, 2007.  The Senate passed the bill on October 3, 2007.

H.R. 3245 - Redesignation of NASA Center – The bill was introduced by Rep. Ken Calvert (Republican, CA) on July 31, 2007.  The bill would redesignate NASA Dryden Flight Research Center to NASA Neil Armstrong Flight Research Center and the Western Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.  There are a total of 37 co-sponsors, including 24 from California.  The remaining co-sponsors are from Ohio, Texas, Florida and Guam.  The bill was referred to the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee.  There is no companion bill in the Senate.

SENATE

S. 81 - The resolution recognizes the 45^th anniversary of John Glenn’s historic achievement in becoming the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth.  Sen. Sherrod Brown (Democrat – OH) introduced the resolution on February 14, 2007.  There is one co-sponsor, Sen. George Voinovich (Democrat – OH).  The Senate passed the legislation on February 17, 2007.  For similar bill see House legislation, H.Res. 252, above.

S. 761 - America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science Act -  Sen. Harry Reid (Democrat, NV) introduced the bill on March 5, 2007.  The legislation would invest in innovation and education in order to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy.  There are 69 co-sponsors, including Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (Democrats, CA).  The bill was passed by the Senate on April 25, 2007, and signed by the President on August 9, 2007.  The bill is now Public Law 110-069.

S. 1355 - Spaceport Equality Act.  Sen. Mel Martinez (Democrat, FL) introduced the bill on May 10, 2007.  The legislation would amend the Internal Revenue Code to treat spaceports like airports under the exempt facility bond rules.  There are 7 co-sponsors, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA).  The bill was referred to the Committee on Finance on May 10, 2007.

S. 1745 - NASA Appropriations Bill (and several other agencies) – Sen. Barbara Mikulski (Democrat, MD) introduced the bill on June 29, 2007.  The legislation would provide a total of $17.459 billion for NASA in FY 2008, an increase of $1.175 billion as compared to FY 2007.  Of that total, $10.633 billion is to be spent on science, aeronautics and exploration.  Science is funded at $5.655 billion, aeronautics at $554.03 million and exploration at $3.972 billion.  The bill was marked up by the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 29, 2007, and is a companion bill to H.R. 3093.  The Senate approved H.R. 3093 on October 4, 2007, with an addition of $1 billion to the NASA budget in response to funding requirements after the loss of Space Shuttle Columbia.  The House must also approve the additional funding before the bill is sent to the President.  The President has already threatened to veto the bill.   

Thomas Legislative Information.

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