HOUSE BILL REPORT

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.

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 (AFSPC) was redesignated as the USSF as a part of the Act.

The Act authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force (Secretary) to transfer all military personnel currently assigned to the AFSPC 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. 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 (Office). In addition, the Chief is responsible for:

transmitting the Office's plans and recommendations 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 by the President of the United States, the Secretary, or the Secretary of Defense.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Summary of Bill:

The Legislature represents several points, including that:

there is no United States military service academy located on the West Coast;
there is no military service academy for the United States Space Force;
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 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.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The goal of this House Joint Memorial is to lead the way in the cyber and space industries and showcase what the State of Washington can do.

The recent federal government action on the space sector provides an opportunity for the state of Washington.

When the federal government makes decisions that affect the economic and workforce development across the nation, they look for areas that have an existing foundation to be expanded upon. Currently, Washington is not on the map when it comes to these decisions.

There is a growing need in our communities to develop new ideas in new areas that drive our society to a better place.

The United States Space Force is looking at new areas that Washington can be a leader on, such as Global Positioning System, transmission of data, terrestrial or spatial orbits, and rocketry.

Currently, there are no military service academies on the West Coast, and Washington should be considered. Washington has the foundation to support the growth of the space sector. In addition, the state has great national resources, land to offer, as well as great schools with strong programs in engineering, math, science, technology, and economic development.

This House Joint Memorial allows the state to build on a foundation for success and lead the way in the new space sector.

(Opposed) None.