Streamlining regulations relating to commercial space launch and reentry requirements

(a) Evaluation of implementation of part 450 (1) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation (referred to in this Act as the Secretary) shall evaluate the implementation of part 450 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (in this section referred to as part 450) and the impacts of part 450 on the commercial spaceflight industry. (2) Elements The evaluation required by paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of— (A) whether increased uncertainty in the commercial spaceflight industry has resulted from the implementation of part 450; (B) whether part 450 has resulted in operational delays to launch; and (C) whether timelines for reviews have changed, including an assessment of the impact of the incremental review process on those timelines and the root cause for multiple reviews, if applicable. (3) Report required Not later than 90 days after completing the review required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that includes— (A) the findings of the review; (B) recommendations for reducing delays and inefficiencies resulting from part 450 that do not rely solely on additional personnel or funding; and (C) an estimate for a timeline and funding for implementing the recommendations described in subparagraph (B). (b) Rulemaking committee (1) In general The Secretary shall continue to support an Aerospace Rulemaking Committee for the commercial space transportation industry, comprised of established and emerging United States commercial space launch and reentry services providers (including providers that hold, and providers that have applied for but not yet received, licenses issued under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code)— (A) to facilitate industry participation in developing recommendations for amendments to part 450 to address the challenges identified in conducting the review required by subsection (a) or under paragraph (2) of section 50905(d) of title 51, United States Code (as added by subsection (d)(3)); and (B) to provide a long-term forum for the United States commercial spaceflight industry to share perspectives relating to regulations affecting the industry. (2) Prevention of duplicative efforts The Secretary shall ensure that an Aerospace Rulemaking Committee established under this subsection does not provide services or make efforts that are duplicative of the services provided and efforts made by the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee. (c) Encouragement of innovation The Secretary shall, on an ongoing basis, determine whether any requirements for a license issued under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code, can be modified or eliminated to encourage innovative new technologies and operations. (d) Modifications to requirements and procedures for license applications (1) Consideration of safety rationales of license applicants Section 50905(a)(2) of title 51, United States Code, is amended— (A) by striking Secretary may inserting the following: “Secretary— (A) may; (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (B) shall accept a reasonable safety rationale proposed by an applicant for a license under this chapter, including new approaches, consistent with paragraph (1).. (2) Facilitation of license applications and assistance to applicants Section 50905(a) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall assign a licensing team lead to each applicant for a license under this chapter to assist the applicant in streamlining the process for reviewing and approving the license application.. (3) Streamlining of review processes Section 50905(d) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking the end period and inserting the following: “, including by— (1) adjudicating determinations with respect to such applications and revisions to such determinations in a timely manner as part of the incremental review process under section 450.33 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation); and (2) eliminating and streamlining duplicative review processes with other agencies, particularly relating to the use of Federal ranges or requirements to use the assets of Federal ranges..