The Oklahoma Legislature has passed Senate Bill 912 (SB 912), a measure aimed at restructuring oversight of the state’s spaceport and strengthening Oklahoma’s role in aerospace and space development.
SB 912 places the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) under the leadership of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA). The bill also expands the Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission from seven to nine members and designates the Commission as the official Board of Directors for OSIDA.
The move is designed to streamline operations, ensure effective use of funds, and encourage long-term growth at the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark near Foss, Oklahoma.
During a conversation with Representative Nick Archer (R–Elk City), he explained the importance of the legislation: “SB 912 secures Oklahoma’s space future by placing OSIDA under the leadership of ODAA—preserving its mission, strengthening operations, and ensuring these world-class facilities are maintained by aerospace experts. The move allows OSIDA to continue driving space development and economic opportunity, while benefiting from ODAA’s proven oversight and strategic vision for the facility.”
He also noted, “This move is important to the success of the facility. I’ve tried the last couple years to secure additional funding out there. The legislature has been apprehensive to provide those funds, because OSIDA has been slow to move on the previous funds that were allocated. This move allows OSIDA to focus and stay honed in on economic development, while shifting the facility maintenance and those pieces into ODAA.”
“This move is important to the success of the facility. I’ve tried the last couple years to secure additional funding out there. The legislature has been apprehensive to provide those funds, because OSIDA has been slow to move on the previous funds that were allocated.
This move allows OSIDA to focus and stay honed in on economic development, while shifting the facility maintenance and those pieces into ODAA.”
The bill passed the House with a vote of 86–0 and the Senate 42–2. It now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature.
