H.R. 4360: Frank Wolf Space Security Act

This bill, known as the Frank Wolf Space Security Act, aims to restrict the use of federal funds by certain U.S. government agencies in relation to activities involving China in the fields of space and science. The main provisions of the bill are as follows:

Federal Funding Restrictions

Under the bill, federal funds cannot be used by the following organizations for any activities that involve collaboration with China:

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
• National Space Council (NSpC)

This means these organizations would be prohibited from:

• Developing, designing, planning, or implementing any bilateral policy or program that collaborates with the People’s Republic of China or any Chinese-owned company.
• Hosting official Chinese visitors at federal facilities managed by NASA.

Exceptions to Restrictions

There are conditions under which the restrictions may not apply:

• Activities that have been certified by NASA, OSTP, or NSpC, with consultation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to pose no risk of transferring technology or information that could affect U.S. national or economic security.
• Activities that do not involve interactions with officials linked to human rights violations, as determined by the U.S. government.

Certification Requirements

Any certification that allows exceptions to the funding restrictions must be submitted to several committees within the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as the FBI. This certification must be submitted at least 30 days before the proposed activity and must provide detailed information, including:

• The purpose of the activity
• The agenda for the activity
• The main participants involved
• The location and timing of the activity

Overview

In summary, the Frank Wolf Space Security Act seeks to limit cooperation between U.S. space and science agencies and Chinese entities, focusing on national security concerns. It outlines specific restrictions on federal funding and defines a process for exceptions where necessary, ensuring that these exceptions are vetted properly.

Relevant Companies

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