Spaceport or Space Ghost? Susana asks committee members to reconsider Spaceport liability bill

From Capitol Report New Mexico.com - Capitol Report New Mexico has learned that Gov. Susana Martinez sent a letter Thursday (Feb. 9th) to members of the two committees that tabled bills that would have protected Spaceport America from legal liability if any spaceflight passengers are injured and there is no “gross negligence” or ”willful/wanton disregard for safety.” Martinez wrote to the members of the House Business and Industry Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee that “simply put, this would make it extremely difficult for Spaceport America to achieve its mission of providing commercial space flights and boosting local economies in the southern part of the state.” The letter was signed by the Republican governor as well as three Democrats — Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Richard Martinez of Española, Rep. Dona Irwin of Deming, and Sen. Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces — and one Republican, Rep. James White of Albuquerque. The two committees blocked the liability exemption on Wednesday, despite appeals from Spaceport officials who told lawmakers the exemption was necessary because other states with interests in commercial space flight had instituted similar laws. “But where does it end,” asked Sen. Eric Griego (D-Albuquerque), “just because a company says they’re going to move to Nebraska or China we have to do the same?” Sen. Lisa Curtis (D-Albuquerque), who is a trial lawyer, argued that by rejecting the exemption, New Mexico could actually attract more people to Spaceport because the state would have stronger protections for passengers. Read more

Spaceport or Space Ghost? Susana asks committee members to reconsider Spaceport liability bill