Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Innovation, Technology & Economic Development Committee |
HJM 4015
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Requesting Congress to establish a United States Space Academy in Washington state.
Sponsors: Representatives Boehnke and Dufault.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/28/20
Staff: Kyle Raymond (786-7190).
Background:
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 (Act) established a United States Space Force (USSF) as an armed force within the United States Department of the Air Force (Air Force). The United States Air Force Space Command is redesignated as the USSF.
The Act authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to transfer all military personnel currently assigned to the Air Force Space Command and certain other Air Force military personnel to the USSF.
The head of the USSF is the Chief of Space Operations (Chief), who reports directly to the Secretary of the Air Force (Secretary). After one year, the Chief becomes a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Chief is responsible for presiding over the Office of the Chief of Space Operations. In addition, the Chief is responsible for:
transmitting the plans and recommendations of the Office of the Chief of Space Operations to the Secretary;
implementing the plans or recommendations after approval by the Secretary;
supervising the members and organizations of the USSF; and
performing other military duties assigned to the Chief by the United States President, the Secretary, or the Secretary of Defense.
Summary of Bill:
The Legislature represents several points, including that:
there is no United States military academy west of the Rocky Mountains and no military service academy for the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces;
Washington contains an established military, defense, and veteran community within the state; and
the Washington economy is well-suited to develop the new space sector as a world leader in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.
The Legislature therefore requests that the United States federal government is requested to consider establishing a United States Space Academy in Washington for the purpose of training and equipping a workforce for the civilian and military missions of the future in space.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.