Outlook for S.724 Passage
Senate 724, (S.724), a bill to exempt hobby rocketry propellant from regulation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives, has been introduced into the United States Senate by Sen. Michael Enzi. The NAR is supporting this bill and
trying to insure that NAR members are aware of its status as it makes its way through the Congress. These messages are
supplied by the NAR's legislative liasion, John Kyte, and will be posted here as we receive information on significant
developments.
Legislative Report for July 8, 2003
The Hatch-Kohl substitute to S 724 that was voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee may come up for a vote be voted on the floor of the U.S. Senate soon. An Administration objection to the bill, based on the DOJ/ATF letter sent to Senator Hatch before the Judiciary Committee vote, has been removed and two remaining objections believed to be from Democrats are being addressed. If those objections are removed, the substitute bill could go to the Senate floor under unanimous consent at any time.
While no one in the hobby rocket community is happy with the substitute version of S 724, it still appears that the best opportunity to make legislative corrections and adjustments will be in the drafting of a House companion bill. As such, it remains important to get a bill passed out of the Senate so that there can eventually be a House-Senate conference to resolve differences between the bills (if there is no Senate bill, then there can be no conference.)
On the House side, we are still working with staff from several Members' offices to develop a draft bill for introduction after a bill is passed out of the Senate, which would allow a House bill to fix the problems that existed previously as well as new ones created by the Hatch-Kohl substitute. The goal remains to get a solid bill through the House with strong votes in Committee and on the Floor, then have the Senate adopt the House bill in conference.
IMPORTANT: It is NOT necessary or helpful for members to take action at this time.
As John passes further developments along, I'll post them here.
To see the current detailed status of S.724, click here.
As always, you can send me your comments via email, or mail them to me at
Mark Bundick
1350 Lilac Lane
Carol Stream, IL
60188-3369