HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS
HB 3022
Title: An act relating to designation of a regional
spaceport authority.
Brief
Description: Promoting the
development of a Washington spaceport.
Sponsors: Representatives Van Luven, Veloria, G. Chandler,
Dunn, Eickmeyer, Morris, Miloscia, Radcliff, Skinner, D. Sommers, Campbell,
Mulliken and Wood.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF BILL
CCreates the Office of Washington
Spaceport Development, in the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic
Development, to assist in the development of a spaceport in the state.
CAuthorizes a port district or a
consortium of two or more port districts to establish a spaceport and develop
and maintain facilities used for the takeoff, landing, retrieving, servicing,
and monitoring of vehicles capable of entering space.
HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING & TRADE
COMMITTEE
Staff: Kenny Pittman (786-7392)
Background:
The Department of Community,
Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED) is responsible for preparing
communities to respond to economic opportunities through the creation,
retention, or expansion of the local job base. This is accomplished through
the provision of technical assistance or direct financial assistance to local
governmental entities.
The Legislature authorized the
creation of port districts for the purpose developing, maintaining, and
operating facilities used for the storage, transportation, transfer of goods.
The facilities include harbor improvements, rail or motor vehicle transfer and
terminal facilities, air transfer and terminal facilities, or any combination
of such transfer and terminal facilities.
The Lockheed Martin Company is in
the process of developing a reusable space vehicle (Venture Star) for launching
satellites into orbit, supporting the development of the International Space
Station, and conducting government and scientific research. The Lockheed
Martin Company will be considering sites for the location of two potential
spaceport launch and landing sites. It is expected that the development of the
spaceport will create 2,000 to 3,000 construction jobs and 1,000 to 1,500 jobs
for the operation of the spaceport.
Summary of Bill:
The Office of Washington
Spaceport Development is created in the Department of Community, Trade, and
Economic Development (DCTED). The purpose of the office is to serve as the
state=s official liaison with the
federal government and private industry regarding the development of a
spaceport in the state.
The duties of the office include:
(1) Promotion of space development and space-related activities within the
state; (2) provision of technical assistance to a port district and associated
local governments and economic development organizations working to secure a
federal designation as a spaceport; (3) working with the Washington Economic
Development Finance Authority to develop financing programs for the spaceport
and spaceport-related activities; (4) soliciting and accepting public and
private funds to assist in the establishing of a spaceport in the state; and
(5) advising the Governor on policy matters that impact the development of a
spaceport and space-related activities in the state.
The powers of port districts are
expanded to allow an individual port district or a consortium of two or more
port districts to establish facilities used for the takeoff, landing,
retrieving, servicing, and monitoring of vehicles capable of entering space
(spaceport). A port district proposing to establish a spaceport must work with
DCTED to develop documents necessary to secure the federal designation as a
spaceport.
A port district or consortium of
port districts that secures a federal designation as a spaceport may: (1)
Impose fees and charges for the use of the spaceport facility; (2) acquire
property used in establishing a spaceport; (3) prepare studies necessary for
the establishment of a spaceport; (4) issue bonds to finance the acquisition of
real property and the acquisition, construction, or renovation of facilities
and equipment needed in the operation and support of a spaceport; (5) negotiate
agreements, in consultation with the Washington Department of Transportation,
for the overflight or recovery of objects launched from the spaceport; (6)
solicit and accept public and private funds for the purpose of developing,
constructing, maintaining, and operating a spaceport.
A port district that secures a
federal designation as a spaceport must report annually to DCTED=s Office of Spaceport Development
on the status of the spaceport and other space-related activities.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested January 26, 2000.
Effective Date: Ninety days
after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.