New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has signed into law liability-waiving legislation aimed at saving the state’s nearly quarter-billion-dollar investment in a spaceport and retaining anchor tenant British billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic.
The law exempts spacecraft parts suppliers from liability lawsuits by passengers. Lawmakers previously exempted spacecraft operators from liability, but some space companies passed up New Mexico in favor of states that had extended those protections to suppliers.
Officials have been fighting for years to get the legislation enacted, saying companies passed over New Mexico in favor of states with more lenient liability exemptions.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Arthur J. Gallagher’s RPS Acquires McKee Risk Management 
Illinois Man Receives $300K Settlement From Dog Attack 
Allianz’s PIMCO, L&G Sued in Scrap Over €1.2 Billion Brussels Tower 
Half of Pilots Killed in US Accidents Tested Positive for Drugs From This Issue
