Virginia House Committee Advances Spaceport Revenue Measure 20-to-2 Today

The Virginia House of Delegates Finance Committee advanced Senate Bill 1447 to dedicate any state income tax revenue from human spaceflights or spaceflight training derived by private firms in Virginia to the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority's operation of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (SpaceRef). The vote was 20 to 2 to recommend to the floor.

The measure passed the Senate 40-to-0 on Feb. 7, 2011. The legislation is now expected to pass the 100-member House of Delegates later this week. Upon House passage, the Senate bill will be sent to Gov. Robert McDonnell for signature or amendment. The governor supports the measure offered by State Senator William C. Wampler, Jr. (R-Bristol, Va.).

In 2008, Wampler obtained passenger of the Virginia "Zero-Gravity, Zero-Tax" exempting Virginia income taxes earned on cargo and passengers to space from Virginia's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. The law was deemed pivotal in the location of the Orbital Sciences Corporation Taurus-2 launch vehicle to service the orbiting ISS in Virginia by the FAA.