WORLD WIDE WEB — The following report for Wednesday, July 23, 2003, 6 PM EDT, was provided by John Kyte, Congressional Liaison for the NAR and TRA:

Senate Activity:

The substitute S. 724 remains on hold pending Senate floor action. The recent "call for political action" to generate letters to Sens. Schumer and Lautenberg to allow the bill to go to the Senate floor remains important and in effect, but several points warrant clarification:

1. TRA and NAR do not endorse the substitute S 724. We are not pleased with the contents of the substitute bill, but right now it is the only game in town, and it is important that it not die in the Senate at this time because that will significantly diminish enthusiasm for introducing a companion bill in the House. As stated before, at this time, a companion bill in the House is our best opportunity to develop and pass a bill that is a major improvement over the current Senate bill. And failure to do anything means we are willing to accept the current motor weight limit of 62.5 grams.
2. TRA and NAR are in daily contact with Sen. Enzi's office and continue to work closely with him and support his efforts on behalf of hobby rocketry. Please see his recent letter to TRA and NAR (attached below).
3. If the substitute S 724 is voted out of the Senate, it is not the end of the battle, but a step along the way, and the substitute bill could still be killed even after being voted out of the Senate if that makes good sense for us down the road. Getting it out of the Senate preserves the issue and protects our options for now, but it in no way means we are accepting it as the final bill.
4. Any bill introduced in the Senate addressing rocketry issues will be automatically referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Committee is highly unlikely to give this issue further consideration in this Congress.
5. Many alternative approaches to exempting rocket motors from permitting requirements, or establishing significant weight limits, were put before the Senate Judiciary Committee Members and staff, and ALL were rejected.
6. A bill could be drafted and attached as an amendment to a "must have" bill in the Senate, but such an amendment will not go unnoticed and will face strong opposition. This is not to suggest that we have not looked at this option, or that we would not support Sen. Enzi if such an opportunity arose and he chose to move forward on that path, but simply to point out that it is a difficult path to pursue.
7. TRA and NAR remain open to suggestions from all quarters, and we remain open to working cooperatively with other rocketry organizations. We also remain committed to providing our membership as accurate and realistic a portrayal of the legislative and political situation as possible, based on actual meetings and discussions with those closest to the issues.

House Activity: 

1. We are working closely with three House Members interested in introducing a rocketry bill, and during a meeting yesterday agreed to use the August recess to draft initial legislative language and further refine House strategy. 
2. NAR Representatives met recently with Rep. Sensenbrenner (R-WI), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and his personal staff to discuss our issues and concerns, and were encouraged by his willingness to listen and consider our positions and possible options.
3. We have also begun discussing House legislation with Chairman Sensenbrenner's House Judiciary Committee staff and, while they have significant concerns about amending the Safe Explosives Act, they are willing to listen to our concerns and initial thoughts.
4. Chairman Sensenbrenner will be a key player in any House effort to pass legislation. At the appropriate time, we will be seeking member action on these issues.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 
TEXT OF LETTER FROM SEN. ENZI TO NAR PRESIDENT MARK BUNDICK AND TRA PRESIDENT DICK EMBRY
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

July 11, 2003

Mark Bundick
President
National Association of Rocketry

Richard Embry
President
Tripoli Rocketry Association

Dear Mark and Dick:

This is just a short note to acknowledge and thank you for your support for S.724. I introduced this bill to allow kids and adults alike the opportunity to fully enjoy their fascinating and educational hobby. Unfortunately, current regulations do not allow that.

I am aware that S.724, as amended by the Senate Judiciary Committee, is not the solution to the regulatory problem your organizations seek. Even so, I have appreciated your support of my efforts. I will continue to support and seek the passage of S.724 because it is an improvement over the current situation, continues the discussion, and provides a vehicle for future modifications.

Throughout this challenging process, it has been my pleasure to work with the leadership of NAR and Tripoli. Your organizations have been involved in almost every aspect of the bill's movement through the Senate. You have encouraged your members to contact their congressional representatives and they have written, faxed and called their Senators, helping to focus the Senate's attention on this issue. Some of your members even visited the Senate and delivered informational packets to my colleagues.

My staff and I have also depended upon your organizations as sources of information and technical expertise during meetings with key Senators and staff. Through your efforts and those of rocketeers throughout the nation, this issue has attracted and maintained the attention of the Senate.

I believe we will have an opportunity to continue this debate and improve the situation for individuals interested in pursuing this harmless hobby. I look forward to working with you when we do.

Sincerely,
(signed)
Michael B. Enzi
United States Senator
MBE: clc

= = = =
IMPORTANT: We still need members from New York and New Jersey to send letters to their Senators as outlined earlier this week as soon as possible. Rocketeers from other states should NOT take action at this time.