This bill speeds up licensing for private satellite remote sensing systems by cutting NOAA review time from 120 to 60 days. It expands annual reporting to include all applications, tier classifications, and any restrictions placed on licenses. The reporting requirement is extended through September 2030.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill speeds up licensing for private satellite remote sensing systems by cutting NOAA review time from 120 to 60 days. It expands annual reporting to include all applications, tier classifications, and any restrictions placed on licenses. The reporting requirement is extended through September 2030.
Last updated: 1/6/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill makes certain changes related to the licensing of private remote sensing space systems. (Under current regulations, <em>remote sensing</em> refers to the collection of data by instruments in Earth's orbit, such as satellites, that can be processed into imagery of Earth's surface; <em>private remote sensing space systems</em> refer to remote sensing instruments not owned by the U.S. government.)</p><p>The bill decreases from 120 to 60 days the amount of time in which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration must review and act on an application for a license to operate a private remote sensing space system.</p><p>Further, the bill expands annual reporting on the licensing of private remote sensing space systems to include a list of all applications, organized by tier, as well as the rationale for each tier categorization. (Currently, each license is categorized into one of three tiers based on whether the system produces or is capable of producing data that is already available from other entities). Additionally, the report must include all terms, conditions, or restrictions placed on licensees.</p><p>The bill also reinstates this annual reporting requirement, which expired on September 30, 2020, through September 30, 2030.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Reduces NOAA license review time from 120 to 60 days
Expands reporting on private satellite imaging licenses
Requires explanation of tier categorization for each application
Extends annual reporting requirement through September 2030
Covers private Earth observation satellite systems
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Companies launching satellite imaging systems would receive faster licensing decisions. Congress would have more transparency into how satellite remote sensing licenses are categorized and what conditions are attached to them.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Related Subjects
Licensing and registrations
Spacecraft and satellites
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
1325, 119th Congress (2025). "Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1325
