California Governor Signs the Spaceflight Liability and Immunity Act



by Staff Writers



Washington DC (SPX) Sep 24, 2012



California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law the Spaceflight Liability and Immunity Act, AB 2243.

This law provides the necessary liability protections for compliant companies in the state, should any spaceflight participant who has acknowledged the risks sustain any bodily injury during spaceflight activities.

Currently, Florida, Virginia, and Texas also provide spaceflight companies liability protection.

The CSF President Michael Lopez-Alegria stated, "I am very pleased to see this bill signed into law.

"With the space shuttle Endeavour's arrival in California closing the door on one era, this bill is opening the door to another. Commercial companies will soon begin to open up access to space for the public and preserve America's leadership in spaceflight.

"This bill will provide the required liability protections needed for the companies in this developing sector to operate in an efficient and effective manner, while acknowledging that spaceflight is not a risk-free activity.

"I applaud the hard work put into getting this legislation on the Governor's desk from Assemblyman Steve Knight and the commercial spaceflight companies in California."