July 26, 2003 - Today, ARSA revealed a compromise version of S724 for the United States Congress to consider. The compromise bill was reviewed and fine tuned by a "focus" group drawing members from a wide cross section of people in the various groups of rocketry. Members of this "focus" group are affiliated with TRA, NAR, hobby shops, university rocket programs, amateur rocketry and high power rocketry. While maintaining that original S724 goal, a compromise bill was developed that should satisfy most Senators and Representatives who are concerned about rocketeers stockpiling propellant or purchasing large rocket motors without government oversight.
[ fromSenate Bill S724 Progress Report
updated July, 26 2003 - Earlier this summer, Senators Hatch and Kohl struck out the original S724 bill and wrote a new one. The Hatch-Kohl S724 or H-K S724 is filled with loopholes for the ATFE to exploit. It introduces the concept of exemptions from the Homeland Security Act based on APCP propellant weight. The effects of H-K S724 on rocketry in America are discussed by clicking here.
During July, a group of Senators along with the Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA) and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) have been working hard to pass the H-K S724 by unanimous consent in the Senate. TRA and NAR are writing an "improved" version of H-K S724 to be introduced in the House of Representatives. This "improved" H-K S724 would have the support of the House Judiciary Committee before its introduction to ensure the bill's speedy passage in the House. Then, H-K S724 and the "improved" H-K S724 would be reconciled in Conference committee. The Conference committee would consist of Senators and Representatives who are assigned the task of reaching a compromise that they feel the House and Senate would accept. This compromise bill would be reported to the floor of the House and Senate in the form of a Conference committee report. The full Senate and House would then vote on whether to accept the compromise by the Conference committee. The hope of those promoting this plan is that the Conference committee will come up with a compromise to their liking based on H-K S724 and the "improved" H-K S724.
"He that lives upon hope will die fasting." - Ben Franklin
ARSA does not support this effort as the outcome will surely be a bill requiring rocketeers to have ATFE permits and meet federal storage requirements. The exemption for escaping the ATFE permit and storage requirements will be based on a propellant weight limit. Neither NAR or TRA have revealed what is an acceptable weight limit. Senators Hatch and Kohl have gone on record at 0.9 lbs. Other Senators privately stated their goal was 50 lbs, but hailed the 0.9 lbs as a victory in their press releases so we don't know where they really stand.
As we stated in our last progress report, ARSA has been working on an alternative approach to break the barrier that the legislation now faces. We did this by forming a private "focus group" drawing members from a wide cross section of people in the various groups of rocketry. Members of this "focus" group are affiliated with TRA, NAR, hobby shops, university rocket programs, amateur rocketry and high power rocketry. To develop a compromise to S724, we went back to its roots or original goal. To eliminate the need for ATFE permits and storage requirements regardless of motor size or propellant. While maintaining that original S724 goal, we developed a compromise bill that we believe will also satisfy most Senators and Representatives who are concerned about rocketeers stockpiling propellant or purchasing large rocket motors without government oversight. While many in the "focus" group were not keen on the compromise bill. It was something that we could live with. We also felt it goes more than halfway to meet the concerns of Senators and Representatives. A discussion of the bill and how it works is given below.
S724 Compromise Bill
July 26, 2003 - The S724 compromise bill would eliminate ATFE permits and storage requirements from certain materials on the ATFE Explosives List provided these materials are used in rockets that do not carry any of the following:
Table 1 - For The Exemption To Apply Your Rocket Cannot Carry Any Of The Following:
- (A) a gas that is explosive, incendiary or poisonous * (B) a bomb * (C) a grenade * (D) an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one ounce (approx. 28 grams) * (E) a mine * (F) a device similar to items referred to in (A) through (E)
If your rocket does not carry any of the above, then the following items are exempt from the Safe Explosives Act when used in your rocket.
Table 2 - Items Exempted From The Safe Explosives Act
- (1) Commercially manufactured black powder in quantities not to exceed two pounds * (2) Safety and pyrotechnic fuses * (3) Quick and slow matches * (4) Electric matches * (5) Igniters * (6) Non-detonable propellant on the ATFE Explosives List
An individual or organization will not need an ATFE permit to buy, make, store or use the motor if the motor is used in a rocket that does not carry any of the items listed in Table 1, regardless of propellant weight. The same individual or organization may also buy, store and use any of the items listed in Table 2 without an ATFE permit provided those items are intended to be used in a rocket that does not carry any of the items listed in Table 1. The individual or organization may also make Items 2 through 6 in Table 2 for use in the same rocket.
Individuals and organizations must notify the Department of Homeland Security when ownership of a rocket motor containing a propellant on the ATFE Explosives List and an impulse of over 2,400 lb - second is transferred to another individual or organization. The notification will include the name, address and phone number of the new owner, the date of transfer, the impulse of the motor and the quantity transferred. Notification to the Department of Homeland Security must occur no later than 72 hours after the transfer.
[ posted here by iz ]