Legis Daily

Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act

USA119th CongressS-434| Senate 
| Updated: 10/21/2025
Gary C. Peters

Gary C. Peters

Democratic Senator

Michigan

Cosponsors (1)
Roger F. Wicker (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act mandates the establishment of a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee by the Secretary of Commerce within 180 days of enactment. This Committee is designed to provide expert advice and recommendations to both the Secretary and Congress regarding the burgeoning field of nongovernmental space activities. Its overarching goal is to facilitate and promote a safe, sustainable, robust, competitive, and innovative commercial space sector within the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce, including through the development of regulatory frameworks. The Committee will comprise 15 members appointed by the Secretary, drawn from diverse fields such as space policy, engineering, science, law, and finance, all possessing significant commercial space industry experience. While federal employees are generally excluded, special government employees serving on other advisory committees may be appointed. Members will serve terms of up to four years, with a two-year hiatus required before reappointment. Key duties of the Committee include identifying and responding to challenges faced by the U.S. commercial space sector. These challenges encompass issues like the application of international obligations, export controls, harmful interference with space activities, and ensuring adequate access to radio frequency spectrum. Furthermore, the Committee is tasked with reviewing existing best practices for U.S. entities to prevent the harmful contamination of celestial bodies and to mitigate adverse environmental changes on Earth resulting from extraterrestrial matter. The Committee is slated to terminate ten years after its establishment.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3342
Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act
Feb 5, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 5, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jun 25, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Oct 21, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-87.
Oct 21, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 198.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3342
    Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act


  • February 5, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 5, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • June 25, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • October 21, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-87.


  • October 21, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 198.

Science, Technology, Communications

Advisory bodiesEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchPublic-private cooperationSpacecraft and satellitesSpace flight and exploration

Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act

USA119th CongressS-434| Senate 
| Updated: 10/21/2025
The Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act mandates the establishment of a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee by the Secretary of Commerce within 180 days of enactment. This Committee is designed to provide expert advice and recommendations to both the Secretary and Congress regarding the burgeoning field of nongovernmental space activities. Its overarching goal is to facilitate and promote a safe, sustainable, robust, competitive, and innovative commercial space sector within the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce, including through the development of regulatory frameworks. The Committee will comprise 15 members appointed by the Secretary, drawn from diverse fields such as space policy, engineering, science, law, and finance, all possessing significant commercial space industry experience. While federal employees are generally excluded, special government employees serving on other advisory committees may be appointed. Members will serve terms of up to four years, with a two-year hiatus required before reappointment. Key duties of the Committee include identifying and responding to challenges faced by the U.S. commercial space sector. These challenges encompass issues like the application of international obligations, export controls, harmful interference with space activities, and ensuring adequate access to radio frequency spectrum. Furthermore, the Committee is tasked with reviewing existing best practices for U.S. entities to prevent the harmful contamination of celestial bodies and to mitigate adverse environmental changes on Earth resulting from extraterrestrial matter. The Committee is slated to terminate ten years after its establishment.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3342
Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act
Feb 5, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 5, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jun 25, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Oct 21, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-87.
Oct 21, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 198.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3342
    Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act


  • February 5, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 5, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • June 25, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • October 21, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-87.


  • October 21, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 198.
Gary C. Peters

Gary C. Peters

Democratic Senator

Michigan

Cosponsors (1)
Roger F. Wicker (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advisory bodiesEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchPublic-private cooperationSpacecraft and satellitesSpace flight and exploration