Congressional Legislation · bill 119s434 · built from our database

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Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act

S. 434 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

S. 434119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 02/05/2025SEN. PETERSD-MI · SPONSORLeft: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: DW-NOMINATE -0.25 (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: no (Sponsor Ranking)Right: no (Sponsor Ranking)LEAN LEFT(SPONSOR RANKING)SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATIONS

3 members · Left 1 · Center 0 · Right 2 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorSen. Peters, Gary C. (D-MI) (Introduced 02/05/2025)
Sponsor Voting RecordLean left · DW-NOMINATE -0.25 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 3 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Latest Action08/10/2026 Held at the desk.
Roll Call VotesThere have been no roll call votes
Sourceview on congress.gov →
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (1)

Introduced in Senate (02/05/2025)

Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act

This bill requires the Office of Space Commerce to establish a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee to provide information and recommendations on nongovernmental space activities and promoting a robust and innovative commercial space sector. 

Among other duties, the committee is directed to identify challenges to the U.S. commercial space sector and to review best practices for commercial space entities with respect to avoiding harmful contamination of the Moon and other celestial bodies and adverse impacts to the Earth’s environment from extraterrestrial matter. 

The committee must be comprised of representatives from varying fields with significant experience in the commercial space industry. The committee must terminate ten years after it is established. 

Text (3)

Engrossed in Senate (ES)

119 S434 ES: Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act U.S. Senate text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. 119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 434IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAN ACTTo establish the Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act.2.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Office of Space Commerce.(2)StateThe term State means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States. (3)United States entityThe term United States entity means—(A)an individual who is a national of the United States (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))); and(B)a nongovernmental entity organized or existing under, and subject to, the laws of the United States or a State.

3.Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee(a)EstablishmentNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the Committee).(b)Membership(1)In generalThe Committee shall be composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary.(2)Qualifications(A)In generalThe Committee shall be composed of representatives from a variety of space policy, engineering, technical, science, legal, academic, and finance fields who have significant experience in the commercial space industry, which may include previous Government experience.(B)Limitation(i)In generalExcept as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary may not appoint as a member of the Committee any employee or official of the Federal Government.(ii)ExceptionThe Secretary may appoint as a member of the Committee a special government employee (as defined in section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code) who serves on 1 or more other Federal advisory committees.(3)TermEach individual appointed as a member of the Committee—(A)shall be appointed for a term of not more than 4 years; and(B)during the 2-year period beginning on the date on which such term ends, may not serve as a member of the Committee.(c)DutiesThe duties of the Committee shall be—(1)to advise on the status and recent developments of nongovernmental space activities;(2)to provide to the Secretary and Congress recommendations on the manner in which the United States may facilitate and promote a safe, sustainable, robust, competitive, and innovative commercial sector that is investing in, developing, and conducting space activities within the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce, including through the development and implementation of any regulatory framework applicable to the commercial space industry;(3)to identify, and provide recommendations in response to, any challenge faced by the United States commercial sector relating to—(A)the application of international obligations of the United States relevant to commercial space sector activities in outer space;(B)export controls that affect the commercial space sector;(C)harmful interference with commercial space sector activities in outer space; and(D)access to adequate, predictable, and reliable radio frequency spectrum;(4)to review existing best practices for United States entities to avoid—(A)the harmful contamination of the Moon and other celestial bodies; and(B)adverse changes in the environment of the Earth resulting from the introduction of extraterrestrial matter; and(5)to provide information, advice, and recommendations on matters relating to—(A)United States commercial space sector activities in outer space; and(B)other commercial space sector activities, as the Committee considers necessary.(d)TerminationThe Committee shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date on which the Committee is established.Passed the Senate August 6, 2026.Secretary

Introduced in Senate (IS)

119 S434 IS: Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act U.S. Senate 2025-02-05 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 434IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 5, 2025Mr. Peters (for himself and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo establish the Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act.2.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Office of Space Commerce.(2)Space objectThe term space object—(A)means—(i)a human-made object located in outer space, including on the Moon or other celestial bodies, with or without human occupants, that was launched from Earth, such as a satellite or a spacecraft, including component parts of the object; and(ii)all items carried on such object that are intended for use in outer space outside of, and independent of, the operation of such object;(B)includes any human-made object that is—(i)manufactured or assembled in outer space; and(ii)intended for operations in outer space other than, and independent of, the operations of such object in which the manufacturing or assembly occurred; and (C)does not include—(i)an article aboard a space object that is only intended for use inside the space object;(ii)an article manufactured or processed in outer space that is a material; or(iii)an article intended for use outside a space object as part of the authorized operations of the space object. (3)StateThe term State means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States. (4)United States entityThe term United States entity means—(A)an individual who is a national of the United States (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))); and(B)a nongovernmental entity organized or existing under, and subject to, the laws of the United States or a State.

3.Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee(a)EstablishmentNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the Committee).(b)Membership(1)In generalThe Committee shall be composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary.(2)Qualifications(A)In generalThe Committee shall be composed of representatives from a variety of space policy, engineering, technical, science, legal, and finance fields who have significant experience in the commercial space industry.(B)Limitation(i)In generalExcept as provided in clause (i), the Secretary may not appoint as a member of the Committee any employee or official of the Federal Government.(ii)ExceptionThe Secretary may appoint as a member of the Committee a special government employee (as defined in section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code) who serves on 1 or more other Federal advisory committees.(3)TermEach individual appointed as a member of the Committee—(A)shall be appointed for a term of 4 years; and(B)during the 2-year period beginning on the date on which such term ends, may not serve as a member of the Committee.(c)DutiesThe duties of the Committee shall be—(1)to advise on the status and recent developments of nongovernmental space activities;(2)to provide to the Secretary and Congress recommendations on the manner in which the United States may facilitate and promote a robust and innovative commercial sector that is investing in, developing, and operating space objects;(3)to identify any challenge faced by the United States commercial sector relating to—(A)international obligations of the United States relevant to commercial space sector activities in outer space;(B)export controls that affect the commercial space sector;(C)harmful interference with commercial space sector activities in outer space; and(D)access to adequate, predictable, and reliable radio frequency spectrum;(4)to review existing best practices for United States entities to avoid—(A)the harmful contamination of the Moon and other celestial bodies; and(B)adverse changes in the environment of the Earth resulting from the introduction of extraterrestrial matter; and(5)to provide information, advice, and recommendations on matters relating to—(A)United States commercial space sector activities in outer space; and(B)other commercial space sector activities, as the Committee considers necessary.(d)TerminationThe Committee shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date on which the Committee is established.

Reported in Senate (RS)

119 S434 RS: Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act U.S. Senate 2025-10-21 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IICalendar No. 198119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 434[Report No. 119–87]IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 5, 2025Mr. Peters (for himself and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationOctober 21, 2025Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendmentStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicA BILLTo establish the Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act.2.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Office of Space Commerce.(2)Space objectThe term space object—(A)means—(i)a human-made object located in outer space, including on the Moon or other celestial bodies, with or without human occupants, that was launched from Earth, such as a satellite or a spacecraft, including component parts of the object; and(ii)all items carried on such object that are intended for use in outer space outside of, and independent of, the operation of such object;(B)includes any human-made object that is—(i)manufactured or assembled in outer space; and(ii)intended for operations in outer space other than, and independent of, the operations of such object in which the manufacturing or assembly occurred; and (C)does not include—(i)an article aboard a space object that is only intended for use inside the space object;(ii)an article manufactured or processed in outer space that is a material; or(iii)an article intended for use outside a space object as part of the authorized operations of the space object. (3)StateThe term State means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States. (4)United States entityThe term United States entity means—(A)an individual who is a national of the United States (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))); and(B)a nongovernmental entity organized or existing under, and subject to, the laws of the United States or a State.

3.Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee(a)EstablishmentNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the Committee).(b)Membership(1)In generalThe Committee shall be composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary.(2)Qualifications(A)In generalThe Committee shall be composed of representatives from a variety of space policy, engineering, technical, science, legal, and finance fields who have significant experience in the commercial space industry.(B)Limitation(i)In generalExcept as provided in clause (i), the Secretary may not appoint as a member of the Committee any employee or official of the Federal Government.(ii)ExceptionThe Secretary may appoint as a member of the Committee a special government employee (as defined in section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code) who serves on 1 or more other Federal advisory committees.(3)TermEach individual appointed as a member of the Committee—(A)shall be appointed for a term of 4 years; and(B)during the 2-year period beginning on the date on which such term ends, may not serve as a member of the Committee.(c)DutiesThe duties of the Committee shall be—(1)to advise on the status and recent developments of nongovernmental space activities;(2)to provide to the Secretary and Congress recommendations on the manner in which the United States may facilitate and promote a robust and innovative commercial sector that is investing in, developing, and operating space objects;(3)to identify any challenge faced by the United States commercial sector relating to—(A)international obligations of the United States relevant to commercial space sector activities in outer space;(B)export controls that affect the commercial space sector;(C)harmful interference with commercial space sector activities in outer space; and(D)access to adequate, predictable, and reliable radio frequency spectrum;(4)to review existing best practices for United States entities to avoid—(A)the harmful contamination of the Moon and other celestial bodies; and(B)adverse changes in the environment of the Earth resulting from the introduction of extraterrestrial matter; and(5)to provide information, advice, and recommendations on matters relating to—(A)United States commercial space sector activities in outer space; and(B)other commercial space sector activities, as the Committee considers necessary.(d)TerminationThe Committee shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date on which the Committee is established.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act.2.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Office of Space Commerce.(2)StateThe term State means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States. (3)United States entityThe term United States entity means—(A)an individual who is a national of the United States (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))); and(B)a nongovernmental entity organized or existing under, and subject to, the laws of the United States or a State.

3.Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee(a)EstablishmentNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the Committee).(b)Membership(1)In generalThe Committee shall be composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary.(2)Qualifications(A)In generalThe Committee shall be composed of representatives from a variety of space policy, engineering, technical, science, legal, academic, and finance fields who have significant experience in the commercial space industry, which may include previous Government experience.(B)Limitation(i)In generalExcept as provided in clause (i), the Secretary may not appoint as a member of the Committee any employee or official of the Federal Government.(ii)ExceptionThe Secretary may appoint as a member of the Committee a special government employee (as defined in section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code) who serves on 1 or more other Federal advisory committees.(3)TermEach individual appointed as a member of the Committee—(A)shall be appointed for a term of not more than 4 years; and(B)during the 2-year period beginning on the date on which such term ends, may not serve as a member of the Committee.(c)DutiesThe duties of the Committee shall be—(1)to advise on the status and recent developments of nongovernmental space activities;(2)to provide to the Secretary and Congress recommendations on the manner in which the United States may facilitate and promote a safe, sustainable, robust, competitive, and innovative commercial sector that is investing in, developing, and conducting space activities within the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce, including through the development and implementation of any regulatory framework applicable to the commercial space industry;(3)to identify, and provide recommendations in response to, any challenge faced by the United States commercial sector relating to—(A)the application of international obligations of the United States relevant to commercial space sector activities in outer space;(B)export controls that affect the commercial space sector;(C)harmful interference with commercial space sector activities in outer space; and(D)access to adequate, predictable, and reliable radio frequency spectrum;(4)to review existing best practices for United States entities to avoid—(A)the harmful contamination of the Moon and other celestial bodies; and(B)adverse changes in the environment of the Earth resulting from the introduction of extraterrestrial matter; and(5)to provide information, advice, and recommendations on matters relating to—(A)United States commercial space sector activities in outer space; and(B)other commercial space sector activities, as the Committee considers necessary.(d)TerminationThe Committee shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date on which the Committee is established.October 21, 2025Reported with an amendment

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (13)

DateChamberAll Actions
02/05/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in Senate
02/05/2025SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
06/25/2025SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
10/21/2025Library of CongressCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-87.
10/21/2025SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-87.
10/21/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 198.
08/06/2026SenateMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4493-4494)
08/06/2026SenateThe committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
08/06/2026Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S4493-4494)
08/06/2026SenatePassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S4493-4494)
08/10/2026SenateMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
08/10/2026House floor actionsReceived in the House.
08/10/2026House floor actionsHeld at the desk.

Titles (5)

Title TypeTitle
Display TitleSpace Commerce Advisory Committee Act
Short Title(s) as Passed SenateSpace Commerce Advisory Committee Act
Short Title(s) as Reported to SenateSpace Commerce Advisory Committee Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedSpace Commerce Advisory Committee Act
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to establish the Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee, and for other purposes.

Amendments (1)

AmendmentSponsorPurposeLatest Action
SAMDT 6748Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]In the nature of a substitute.08/06/2026 Amendment SA 6748 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Cosponsors (2)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (3)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee10/21/2025 Reported By
Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee06/25/2025 Markup By
Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee02/06/2025 Referred To

Related Bills (0)

No related bill information was received for S. 434.

Subjects (5)

Policy Area: Science, Technology, Communications

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