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Public Law116th CongressScience, Technology, Communications
S. 1694Became Law

One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Dec 31, 2020)

One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act

This bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to

  • add the recommendations described in the following clause as a condition or requirement to contracts, grants, agreements, partnerships or other arrangements pertaining to lunar activities carried out by, for, or in partnership with NASA;
  • inform other relevant federal agencies of the recommendations; and
  • encourage the use of best practices, consistent with the recommendations, by such agencies.

The recommendations described are

  • NASA's Recommendations to Space-Faring Entities: How to Protect and Preserve the Historic and Scientific Value of U.S. Government Lunar Artifacts issued by NASA on July 20, 2011, and updated on October 28, 2011; and
  • any successor recommendations, guidelines, best practices, or standards related to the principle of due regard and the limitation of harmful interference with Apollo landing site artifacts issued by NASA.

NASA may waive the conditions or requirements as it applies to an individual contract, grant, agreement, partnership or other arrangement pertaining to lunar activities carried out by, for, or in partnership with NASA so long as

  • such waiver is accompanied by a finding from NASA that carrying out the first directed obligation of this bill would be unduly prohibitive to an activity or activities of legitimate and significant historical, archaeological, anthropological, scientific, or engineering value; and
  • the finding is provided to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate no later than 30 days before the waiver takes effect.

What just happenedDec 31, 2020

Became Public Law No: 116-275.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI](D-MI)Sponsor
5 cosponsors3 D2 R
Read on Congress.gov
5cosponsors3committees33actions1amendments1related bills8subjects
  1. Dec 31, 2020President

    Became Public Law No: 116-275.

  2. Dec 31, 2020BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 116-275.

  3. Dec 31, 2020President

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 31, 2020BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 21, 2020Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 21, 2020President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 20, 2020Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Dec 19, 2020ResolvingDifferences

    Senate agreed to the House amendments to S. 1694 by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S7850)

  9. Dec 19, 2020NotUsed20500

    Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendments to S. 1694 by Voice Vote.

  10. Dec 17, 2020Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.

  11. Dec 16, 2020FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  12. Dec 16, 2020FloorH38310

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

  13. Dec 16, 2020FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7219-7220)

  14. Dec 16, 2020Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7219-7220)

  15. Dec 16, 2020FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1694.

  16. Dec 16, 2020FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7219-7222)

  17. Dec 16, 2020FloorH30300

    Ms. Horn, Kendra S. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  18. Jan 6, 2020Floor

    By Senator Wicker from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 116-194.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  19. Jan 6, 2020Committee14900

    By Senator Wicker from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 116-194.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  20. Jul 19, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  21. Jul 19, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  22. Jul 19, 2019FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  23. Jul 18, 2019Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  24. Jul 18, 2019Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Voice Vote. (text: CR S4935)

  25. Jul 18, 2019Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Voice Vote.(text: CR S4935)

  26. Jul 18, 2019Floor

    The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S4934)

  27. Jul 18, 2019Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4934-4935)

  28. Jul 16, 2019Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 152.

  29. Jul 16, 2019Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  30. Jul 16, 2019Committee14000

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  31. Jul 10, 2019Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  32. May 23, 2019IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  33. May 23, 2019IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawDec 31, 202049

One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act

This bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to

  • add the recommendations described in the following clause as a condition or requirement to contracts, grants, agreements, partnerships or other arrangements pertaining to lunar activities carried out by, for, or in partnership with NASA;
  • inform other relevant federal agencies of the recommendations; and
  • encourage the use of best practices, consistent with the recommendations, by such agencies.

The recommendations described are

  • NASA's Recommendations to Space-Faring Entities: How to Protect and Preserve the Historic and Scientific Value of U.S. Government Lunar Artifacts issued by NASA on July 20, 2011, and updated on October 28, 2011; and
  • any successor recommendations, guidelines, best practices, or standards related to the principle of due regard and the limitation of harmful interference with Apollo landing site artifacts issued by NASA.

NASA may waive the conditions or requirements as it applies to an individual contract, grant, agreement, partnership or other arrangement pertaining to lunar activities carried out by, for, or in partnership with NASA so long as

  • such waiver is accompanied by a finding from NASA that carrying out the first directed obligation of this bill would be unduly prohibitive to an activity or activities of legitimate and significant historical, archaeological, anthropological, scientific, or engineering value; and
  • the finding is provided to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate no later than 30 days before the waiver takes effect.
Senate agreed to House amendmentDec 19, 202074

One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act

This bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to

  • add the recommendations described in the following clause as a condition or requirement to contracts, grants, agreements, partnerships or other arrangements pertaining to lunar activities carried out by, for, or in partnership with NASA;
  • inform other relevant federal agencies of the recommendations; and
  • encourage the use of best practices, consistent with the recommendations, by such agencies.

The recommendations described are

  • NASA's Recommendations to Space-Faring Entities: How to Protect and Preserve the Historic and Scientific Value of U.S. Government Lunar Artifacts issued by NASA on July 20, 2011, and updated on October 28, 2011; and
  • any successor recommendations, guidelines, best practices, or standards related to the principle of due regard and the limitation of harmful interference with Apollo landing site artifacts issued by NASA.

NASA may waive the conditions or requirements as it applies to an individual contract, grant, agreement, partnership or other arrangement pertaining to lunar activities carried out by, for, or in partnership with NASA so long as

  • such waiver is accompanied by a finding from NASA that carrying out the first directed obligation of this bill would be unduly prohibitive to an activity or activities of legitimate and significant historical, archaeological, anthropological, scientific, or engineering value; and
  • the finding is provided to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate no later than 30 days before the waiver takes effect.
Passed HouseDec 16, 202053

One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act

This bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to

  • add the recommendations described in the following clause as a condition or requirement to contracts, grants, agreements, partnerships or other arrangements pertaining to lunar activities carried out by, for, or in partnership with NASA;
  • inform other relevant federal agencies of the recommendations; and
  • encourage the use of best practices, consistent with the recommendations, by such agencies.

The recommendations described are

  • NASA's Recommendations to Space-Faring Entities: How to Protect and Preserve the Historic and Scientific Value of U.S. Government Lunar Artifacts issued by NASA on July 20, 2011, and updated on October 28, 2011; and
  • any successor recommendations, guidelines, best practices, or standards related to the principle of due regard and the limitation of harmful interference with Apollo landing site artifacts issued by NASA.

NASA may waive the conditions or requirements as it applies to an individual contract, grant, agreement, partnership or other arrangement pertaining to lunar activities carried out by, for, or in partnership with NASA so long as

  • such waiver is accompanied by a finding from NASA that carrying out the first directed obligation of this bill would be unduly prohibitive to an activity or activities of legitimate and significant historical, archaeological, anthropological, scientific, or engineering value; and
  • the finding is provided to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate no later than 30 days before the waiver takes effect.
Passed SenateJul 18, 201955

One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act

This bill requires a federal agency that issues a license for the conduct of a lunar activity to require that each license applicant agree to abide by recommendations, guidelines, or principles issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) related to the protection and preservation of U.S. government lunar artifacts.

A federal agency may

  • exempt specific activities from such an agreement if the activities have legitimate and significant historical, archaeological, anthropological, scientific, or engineering value;
  • assess a penalty fee for violations of such an agreement.
Reported to SenateJul 16, 201925

One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act

This bill requires a federal agency that issues a license for the conduct of a lunar activity to require that each license applicant agree to abide by recommendations, guidelines, or principles issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) related to the protection and preservation of U.S. government lunar artifacts.

A federal agency may

  • exempt specific activities from such an agreement if the activities have legitimate and significant historical, archaeological, anthropological, scientific, or engineering value;
  • assess a penalty fee for violations of such an agreement.
Introduced in SenateMay 23, 2019

One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act

This bill requires a federal agency that issues a license for the conduct of a lunar activity in outer space to require that each license applicant agree to abide by recommendations, guidelines, or principles issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) related to the protection and preservation of U.S. government lunar artifacts.

A federal agency may

  • exempt specific activities from such an agreement if the activities have legitimate and significant historical, archaeological, anthropological, scientific, or engineering value;
  • assess a penalty fee for violations of such an agreement.
One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act — Informed