Satellite export reform bill (HR-1707) by Reps. Berman (D- Cal.) ...

Satellite export reform bill (HR-1707) by Reps. Berman (D- Cal.) and Rohrabacher (R-Cal.) received endorsement of U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which said it balanced national security and commercial satellite industry interests. Bill would return satellite export licensing authority to Commerce Dept. fromtae Dept. and would create State and Defense Dept. referral process. Chamber-led Space Enterprise Council released satellite export position paper this week with recommendations on how to speed policy reform, including those that reflect concerns expressed by bill’s sponsors that U.S. satellite industry was struggling to maintain share of global market. “U.S. industry was severely impacted when the jurisdiction of commercial satellite technology licensing was transferred from Commerce to State,” said council Chmn. Mark Bitterman. “The Space Enterprise Council believes that HR-1707 will help restore predictability, timeliness and transparency to the control system.” Meanwhile, GAO released report Thurs. indicating that State and Commerce completed general export reviews on the average of 46 and 50 days, respectively. It also has begun follow-up investigation on why some items, such as space systems and technology, rocket launch systems and telecom and information technology products took longest time to process.