National Aeronautics and Space Administration Multiyear Authorization Act of 1989

Summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Multiyear Authorization Act of 1989 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for specified activities relating to: (1) research and development; (2) space flight, control, and data communications; (3) construction of facilities; (4) research and program management; and (5) the Inspector General. Permits appropriations for the first two numbered categories to be used for certain items of a capital nature (other than land acquisition) required for the performance of research and development contracts, and for grants to nonprofit educational and research organizations to augment their research facilities. Prohibits the use of these funds for the construction of any major facility whose estimated cost exceeds $500,000, unless the Administrator of NASA notifies specified congressional committees. Authorizes use of funds from one or more of the numbered categories, subject to limitations, for scientific consultations or extraordinary expenses, for facilities construction, repair, or modification, and for unforeseen programmatic facility project needs. Prohibits, subject to exception, the expenditure of funds authorized for FY 1991 unless a specified minimum sum is made available for that fiscal year for the U.S. International Space Station Freedom. Permits reprogramming of funds for facilities construction, subject to conditions outlined in this Act. Authorizes certain fund transfers and makes available specified funds for the construction and modification of laboratories and other installations. Requires the Administrator to notify specified congressional committees of the nature, cost, and need for such construction before expending the funds in question. Prohibits, until 30 days following congressional receipt of the Administrator's full explanation, the use of funds appropriated pursuant to this Act for any program: (1) not authorized by the Congress; or (2) in excess of the amount actually authorized for the particular program. Authorizes and encourages the Administrator to use up to a specified amount of funds appropriated for orbiter production by a specified law to procure shuttle structural spare parts. Requires the Administrator to distribute research and development funds geographically in order to provide the broadcast practicable participation in NASA programs. Directs the Administrator to award to a domestic firm a contract that, under the use of competitive procedures, would be awarded to a foreign firm, if certain conditions exist. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to add to the functions of the Administration those of: (1) seeking and encouraging the fullest commercial use of space; and (2) encouraging and providing for Federal Government use of commercially provided space services and hardware. Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act for FY 1990. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the activities of the National Space Council. Requires the Council to reimburse other agencies for at least half of the personnel compensation costs of individuals detailed to it. Provides for terms and conditions for employment of staff, experts, and consultants. Amends Federal law relating to pay rates to add the Executive Secretary of the Council to the list of positions to which level III of the Executive Schedule applies. Requests the Council to initiate a review of U.S. launch policy. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take specified actions with respect to the International Space Year (ISY), including: (1) declaring a World Space Congress to be convened in 1992; and (2) directing NASA to continue to develop ISY activities with a primary emphasis on Mission to Planet Earth. Directs the Administrator to submit to specified congressional committees certain reports relating to the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor. Declares it to be U.S. policy to use the space shuttle: (1) for purposes that require the presence of man or the unique capabilities of the shuttle; or (2) when other compelling circumstances exist, including those related to national security or foreign policy. States that the policy does not preclude carrying secondary payloads that do not require the presence of man if consistent with the requirements of research, development, demonstration, scientific, commercial, and educational programs authorized by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to submit to the Congress a plan for implementing the policy. Declares: (1) it is U.S. policy that the U.S. Trade Representative should enter into negotiations for fair pricing agreements, supporting free and fair competition, for international trade in commercial launch services; (2) the policy shall not apply if the President certifies that the price for launch services offered by any nation utilizing Soviet launch vehicles is not more than 25 percent below the price of a comparable launch vehicle built in a market-based economy; and (3) in the absence of an agreement or a certification, U.S. policy is that the export of U.S. manufactured satellites for launch on Soviet manufactured vehicles should be prohibited. Continues the suspension of any license for the export of a satellite of U.S. origin that is intended for launch from a launch vehicle owned by the People's Republic of China, unless the President reports to the Congress that: (1) that country has made progress on political reform, including human rights, throughout the country, including Tibet; and (2) it is in the U.S. national security interest to terminate a suspension. Directs the Administrator to: (1) review proposed manned space flight missions with regard to identifying the human factors knowledge base necessary and developing a schedule of when specified components of information will need to be acquired or developed; (2) develop a strategic plan for life sciences research and technology development, including a crew certification plan and a life sciences implementation plan; and (3) verify the physiological and technical feasibility of the life sciences implementation plan. Commission for International Cooperation in Planetary Exploration Act - Establishes the Commission for International Cooperation in Planetary Exploration to: (1) develop an inventory of intentions of all national space agencies; (2) seek ways to enhance the planning and exchange of information; (3) prepare a proposal for efficient use of resources; (4) develop priority goals for needs that could not be achieved by any individual country; (5) explore the possibilities of international unmanned probes and international manned missions; and (6) devise strategies for cooperation that would prevent unwanted transfer of technology. Requires the Commission, within one year of the enactment of this Act, to submit a report with specified contents to the President and the Congress. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submitting its report, unless the President or the Congress have requested further revisions to the report. Establishes within the Department of Commerce an Office of Space Commerce to: (1) promote private sector investment in space activities; (2) assist commercial space companies in their efforts to do business with the U.S. Government and act as an industry advocate with regard to Government use of commercially available goods and services; (3) ensure that the Government does not compete with the private sector; (4) promote space goods and services exports; (5) represent the Department of Commerce in the development of U.S. policies and in negotiations with foreign countries to ensure free and fair trade; and (6) seek the removal of impediments to space commerce. Directs the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of NASA to establish a joint National Aero-Space Plane program to develop a long-range hypersonic cruise research flight vehicle. Prescribes the respective funding and administrative responsibilities of the Defense and NASA. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator to develop and submit to the Congress a management plan that includes goals, tasks, schedules, and resource procurement strategies. Mandates that the Administrator require random drug testing of officers and employees of NASA. Authorizes the Administrator to use up to five percent of the funds provided for the Small Business Innovation Research Program for program management and promotional activities. Prohibits use of Program funds for travel or civil service salaries. Authorizes the Administrator to use up to specified sums of previously appropriated funds for: (1) continued development of an extended duration orbiter; and (2) space transportation system requirements. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 1988 to require the Administrator to support a space grant fellowship program at the undergraduate as well as the graduate level. Declares that: (1) no civil Space Station authorized under this Act may be used to carry or place in orbit any nuclear weapon or any other weapon of mass destruction, or to station any such weapon in space in any other manner; and (2) this civil Space Station may be used only for peaceful purposes.

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Timeline

1. 19 November 1989

   Introduced

   Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 19 November 1989

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 19 November 1989

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 20 November 1989

   Introduced

   Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 410.

   Source: Calendars

5. 20 November 1989

   Passed

   Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

   Source: Floor

6. 20 November 1989

   Passed

   On passage Passed without objection.

   Source: Floor

7. 20 November 1989

   Passed

   Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.

   Source: Floor

8. 20 November 1989

   Floor

   Mr. Roe asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

   Source: Floor

9. 20 November 1989

   Floor

   Considered by unanimous consent.

   Source: Floor

10. 20 November 1989

    Discharge

    Committee on Science, Space and Technology discharged.

    Source: Discharge

11. 20 November 1989

    Committee

    Committee on Science, Space and Technology discharged.

    Source: Committee

12. 22 November 1989

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

    Source: Floor

13. 22 November 1989

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

14. 28 February 1990

    Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and held at desk: House requests a conference.

    Source: Floor

15. 28 February 1990

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

16. 28 February 1990

    ResolvingDifferences

    The chair appointed conferees: Roe, Nelson, Valentine, Brown (CA), Lloyd, Glickman, Volkmer, Mineta, Torricelli, Nagle, Walker, Sensenbrenner, Lewis (FL), Buechner, Packard, Slaughter (VA), and Rohrabacher.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

17. 28 February 1990

    Passed

    On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

18. 28 February 1990

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Roe asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Engrossed Amendment Senate · undated · Official file
• Engrossed in House · undated · Official file
• Introduced in House · undated · Official file
• Placed on Calendar Senate · undated · Official file

Documents

6 official files

• Placed on Calendar Senate (text)

  Placed on Calendar Senate · EN

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Engrossed in House (text)

  Engrossed in House · EN

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Engrossed Amendment Senate (text)

  Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 22 November 1989

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 19 November 1989

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Nelson, Bill [D-FL-11] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Roe, Robert A. [D-NJ-8] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Walker, Robert S. [R-PA-16] · R · Sponsor
• F. SENSENBRENNER · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Valentine, Tim [D-NC-2] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Lewis, Thomas F. [R-FL-12] · R · Sponsor
• · hssy00 · Standing

Related records

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