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Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2023
2/16/2024, 3:34 PM
Summary of Bill HR 290
One of the key provisions of the bill is the establishment of a streamlined licensing process for commercial remote sensing operators. This process will make it easier for companies to obtain the necessary permits to operate remote sensing satellites and other technologies. Additionally, the bill includes measures to improve coordination between government agencies involved in regulating commercial remote sensing activities, such as the Department of Commerce and the Department of Defense.
The bill also addresses concerns about the potential misuse of remote sensing data by requiring operators to adhere to strict data protection and privacy standards. This includes measures to prevent the collection of personally identifiable information without consent and to ensure that sensitive data is properly secured. Overall, the Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2023 aims to strike a balance between promoting innovation in the commercial remote sensing industry and protecting national security and individual privacy. By updating and modernizing regulations in this area, the bill seeks to support the growth of this important sector of the economy while also safeguarding the interests of the American people.
Congressional Summary of HR 290
Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2023
This bill modifies provisions relating to the licensing of private remote sensing space systems. (Remote sensing refers to the collection of unenhanced data by an instrument in Earth's orbit that can be processed into imagery of surface features of the Earth; private remote sensing space systems refer to remote sensing instruments not owned by the U.S. government.)
The bill decreases from 120 to 60 days the amount of time in which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration must review and make a determination on an application for a license to operate a private remote sensing space system.
Further, the bill expands annual reporting on the licensing of private remote sensing systems to include a list of all applications, listed by tier, as well as the rationale for each tier categorization (currently, each license is categorized into one of three tiers based on whether the system produces or is capable of producing unenhanced data that is already available from other entities). Additionally, the report must include all terms, conditions, or restrictions placed on licensees.
The bill also extends the requirement for annual reports from September 30, 2020, to September 30, 2030.
