SB 62: Spaceport Exploration Committee - Utah

Amended 1/28/2025 12:01:432 → Substitute #1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill substitutes a new version of SB 62 that creates the Spaceport Exploration Committee in Utah. The primary change is formatting and organization improvements to the bill text, with no substantive policy changes to the committee's creation, membership, duties, or $1,000,000 appropriation. The bill remains focused on establishing a committee to study spaceport feasibility and potential locations.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; changes are primarily formatting and organizational improvements to the text layout.

TECHNICAL

Text formatting and line breaks were reorganized throughout the document for improved readability and standard formatting compliance.

Page numbering and header/footer information were updated to reflect the substitute version with different timestamp information.

FISCAL

The $1,000,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2026 remains the same.

REQUIREMENT

Committee membership requirements, duties, and effective date remain unchanged from the original version.

Amended Excerpts 1/28/2025 12:01:432 → Amended 1/28/2025 12:01:432 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reformatted and reorganized with new header information, including the sponsor's name and a detailed long title section. The substantive content remains largely the same, creating a Spaceport Exploration Committee with defined membership and duties, though the formatting and presentation have been significantly updated.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on creating a Spaceport Exploration Committee, but the document now includes a more detailed long title section explaining the committee's purpose, funding, and affected Utah Code sections.

TECHNICAL

Added comprehensive header information including sponsor names, bill title, and detailed long title section explaining the bill's purpose and funding.

Reorganized the document structure with clearer section numbering and formatting for the Spaceport Exploration Committee provisions.

Changed the header from 'Senate Amendments' to include specific timestamp and bill version information.

Added a detailed long title section that explains the bill creates the Spaceport Exploration Committee, establishes membership and duties, and appropriates $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 1/28/2025 12:01:432 · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was amended to change the department responsible for contracting consultants from the 'department' to the 'Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity,' clarifying which agency will manage the Spaceport Exploration Committee's research and analysis work.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the contracting authority from a generic 'department' to the 'Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity' for hiring consultants to support the committee's duties.

Substitute #3 → Substitute #4 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill creates the Spaceport Exploration Committee in Utah to study the feasibility and potential locations for a state spaceport. The committee will conduct market analysis, economic impact assessments, and site evaluations to determine if establishing a spaceport serves the state's best interests. A $1,000,000 appropriation is provided for fiscal year 2026 to fund the committee's operations and studies.

Scope change

The bill establishes a new committee with specific membership requirements including legislators, state officials, military liaisons, and industry representatives to guide spaceport development planning.

SCOPE

Creates the Spaceport Exploration Committee to evaluate spaceport feasibility and site selection

FISCAL

Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund Restricted - Industrial Assistance Account for fiscal year 2026

DEFINITION

Defines key terms including spaceport feasibility study, spaceport siting assessment, and supported activities

REQUIREMENT

Establishes committee membership requirements including two senators, two representatives, military liaisons, and industry experts

TIMELINE

Sets deadline for committee to report findings to interim committees by September 30, 2026

ENFORCEMENT

Exempts the committee from Utah Procurement Code provisions for services purchased or sold to the committee

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill creates the Spaceport Exploration Committee to study the feasibility of establishing a spaceport in Utah. The committee will conduct feasibility studies, site assessments, and make recommendations to the Legislature about whether to proceed with a spaceport. The bill appropriates $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to fund the committee's operations and studies.

Scope change

The bill establishes a new committee with specific membership requirements including legislators, state officials, military liaisons, and industry representatives to evaluate spaceport development options.

REQUIREMENT

Creates the Spaceport Exploration Committee with 15 voting members and 1 non-voting member, including two senators, two representatives, state officials, military liaisons, and industry experts

Requires the committee to conduct feasibility studies and site assessments, evaluate advantages and disadvantages of a spaceport, and report recommendations to the Legislature by September 30, 2026

Establishes that committee members serve without compensation but may receive per diem and travel expenses, and the department must provide administrative support

DEFINITION

Defines key terms including 'spaceport feasibility study' which requires market analysis, economic impact assessment, business case, cost estimates, and military infrastructure assessment

FISCAL

Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund Restricted - Industrial Assistance Account for fiscal year 2026 to support the committee's operating and capital budgets

TIMELINE

Sets a deadline for the committee to report findings to the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee and Transportation Interim Committee by September 30, 2026

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill creates a new Spaceport Exploration Committee in Utah to study the feasibility of establishing a spaceport. The substitute version adds a House Sponsor (Val L. Peterson) and includes formatting changes with page numbers and timestamps, but the substantive policy content regarding committee membership, duties, and funding remains the same as the original version.

Scope change

No substantive scope change; the bill's applicability and provisions remain identical to the original version with only formatting and sponsorship information additions.

TECHNICAL

Added House Sponsor name (Val L. Peterson) to the bill header

Added page numbers and timestamps to the document formatting

Added bullet point formatting (▸) to the highlighted provisions section

Reorganized text layout with different line breaks and spacing for readability

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 27, 2025

MODERATE

This bill creates a Spaceport Exploration Committee to study the feasibility of establishing a spaceport in Utah. The primary changes involve updating the appropriation amount from $500,000 to $1,000,000, adding a new House sponsor, and expanding the scope of the siting assessment to include considerations for Utah airspace viability and international airport needs. The committee's composition and duties remain largely the same, but the financial commitment has doubled.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include additional considerations for airspace viability and international airport needs in the siting assessment process.

FISCAL

The appropriation amount was increased from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

A House sponsor (Val L. Peterson) was added to the bill sponsorship.

DEFINITION

New criteria were added to the spaceport siting assessment requirements to evaluate Utah airspace viability and international airport needs.

TECHNICAL

Formatting and layout changes were made to align with enrolled bill standards.

Spaceport Exploration Committee

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