Frank Lucas (R-OK)
Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2025 aims to provide for transparent licensing of commercial remote sensing systems. The bill amends title 51 of the United States Code regarding annual reports and deadlines. It changes several reporting deadlines from 120 days to 60 days. Additionally, the act adds requirements for disclosing terms, conditions, or restrictions placed on licensees. It also mandates the inclusion of a list of all applications and licenses granted, organized by tier with a rationale for each. Finally, it extends a sunset date to September 30, 2030.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill significantly enhances transparency by requiring public lists of applications, licenses, and their rationales.
- Scored +3
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The increased transparency requirements may protect market competition and consumer interests by disclosing licensing terms.
- Scored +2
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?
The act increases oversight and transparency requirements for commercial remote sensing technologies.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Would business owners be better off under this?
Increased reporting burdens and disclosure requirements may impose administrative costs on commercial operators.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency: The bill requires the inclusion of a list of all applications submitted and licenses granted, categorized by tier with a specific rationale for each categorization. This promotes transparency regarding how remote sensing licenses are handled (Section 2(d)).
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Greater Disclosure of Rules: The amendment adds a requirement to disclose all terms, conditions, or restrictions placed on licensees. This provides more clarity on the rules governing these systems (Section 2(c)).
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Faster Reporting: By striking "120" and inserting "60" in specific sections of title 51, the bill shortens the timeframe for certain reporting requirements (Section 2(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill significantly enhances transparency by requiring public lists of applications, licenses, and their rationales. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill strengthens federal oversight and reporting requirements for commercial licensing.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The increased transparency requirements may protect market competition and consumer interests by disclosing licensing terms.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The act increases oversight and transparency requirements for commercial remote sensing technologies. Does this give people more control over their personal data? — While not primarily a privacy bill, increased transparency in licensing may provide more clarity on data-related restrictions.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Increased transparency in remote sensing licensing may aid environmental monitoring and oversight. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Better disclosure of remote sensing data licensing could assist in land management transparency.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Increased reporting burdens and disclosure requirements may impose administrative costs on commercial operators.
- 3/25/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3/24/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1202-1203)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1202-1203)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1325.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1202-1204)
- Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2/13/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California