Lawmakers announce deal on spaceport legislation

Virgin Galactic did not immediately respond to a telephone message and email seeking comment. A lobbyist for the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association also did not immediately return a message left at his law office requesting comment on the proposed legislation.

Lawmakers predicted the measure should clear the Democratic-controlled Legislature without problem. They said suppliers and manufacturers involved in space flights will be required to carry $1 million in liability insurance coverage.

"This is a bill that everybody has worked on and is very happy about. This is one of those successes that we can move along quickly," said House Speaker W. Ken Martinez, a Grants Democrat and lawyer.

Enrique Knell, a spokesman for Gov. Susana Martinez, said the governor's office hasn't seen the proposed legislation.

"The governor met with leaders from Virgin Galactic today and is hopeful that the final legislation that passes will lead to the company's commitment to stay in New Mexico, and that it will lead to making New Mexico capable of attracting other space industry business," said Knell.

___

Follow Barry Massey on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bmasseyAP