GAO report

(a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 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 on the policies, regulations, and practices of the Department of Commerce (referred to in this section as the Department) with respect to the private remote sensing space industry. (b) Elements The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of the extent to which such licensing policies, regulations, and practices of the Department promote or inhibit a robust domestic private remote sensing industry, including any restrictions that impede innovative remote sensing capabilities. (2) Recommendations on changes to policies, regulations, and practices for consideration by the Secretary of Commerce to promote United States industry leadership in private remote sensing capabilities, including recommendations for— (A) determining whether the costs to industry outweigh the benefits of conducting on-site ground station visits, and possible alternatives to ensuring compliance; (B) assessing the information in a license application that should be treated as a material fact and the justification for such treatment; (C) incorporating industry feedback into Department policies, regulations, and practices; and (D) increasing Department transparency by— (i) ensuring the wide dissemination of Department guidance; (ii) providing clear application instructions; and (iii) establishing written precedent of Department actions.