New Mexico Space Industry Liability Bill Clears Legislature

The New Mexico Legislature gave final approval to a proposal to help the state develop a commercial space travel industry.

Legislation to limit the liability of spacecraft manufacturers and their suppliers is heading to Republican Gov. Susana Martinez after clearing a final hurdle in the Legislature. The governor supports the measure.

While the proposal was pending in the Legislature, the state had placed on hold its negotiations with space tourism company Virgin Galactic for a long-term lease at New Mexico’s spaceport, which has cost taxpayers more than $200 million.

The measure won final approval when the House unanimously agreed to a Senate-passed version of the liability shield proposal.