Kilgore to Seek to Remove Human Space Flight Liability and Immunity Sunset Clause

Virginia, the first state to adopt a human space flight liability and immunity statute, may review the 2007 law to remove a July 1, 2013 sunset provision to conform the state law with those subsequently enacted in Florida in 2008 and Texas in 2009 if State Del. Terry G. Kilgore (R-Gate City, VA) proceeds with the bill as now planned.

Kilgore patroned the original law enacted by the legislature in 2007. The 2010 Virginia General Assembly will convene in Richmond next January with a new governor. State Del. Terry G. Kilgore (R-Scott County, VA), chair of the civil law subcommittee, plans to offer legislation to remove the sunset provision now a part of the Space Flight Liability and Immunity law.

Kilgore's space flight legislation has the backing of space advocates in his district including the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council. Three public school teachers from his district this month flew on ZeroGravity flights to promote STEM education in rural southwestern Virginia. The flights were sponsored by the regional technology council, the Big Stone Gap Masonic Lodge No. 208, and Northrop Grumman Corporation. More ZeroGravity flights are being planned from among his teacher and student constituents in 2010.

Space politics has raised to a new level in Virginia with both Robert McDonnell and Creigh Deeds, candidates for governor in the November election, offering levels of support for the fledgling commercial space industry and the commercial spaceport along Virginia's coast.