There are now proposed Texas state bills from state senators that have the common goal of giving SpaceX massive control over the public roads and beaches for when they are launching their cosmic missions. Previously, the company has been met with resistance on road and beach closures around the area of Boca Chica and the southern part of Texas when it is launch day.
Proposed Texas State Bills to Give SpaceX Control Over Roads, Beaches
Reports from The Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News have shared that there are new proposed bills from state senators in Texas which aim to give SpaceX more power in the southern part of the state.
specifically, these proposed bills, once passed, will allow SpaceX to take control over road closures and beaches for their weekday launches.
However, a third bill has recently been introduced by a state senator which makes it a crime to not comply with SpaceX's closure orders on beaches.
State senator Adam Hinojosa proposed the SB 2188, which will allow SpaceX to take control of Boca Chica roads on weekdays, while Janie Lopez introduced the identical HB 4660 to the state house.
Those who control the roads now, Cameron County officials, will retain control of the roads on Fridays and weekends.
Read Also: FAA Tasked to Find 'Tens of Millions' to Fund Starlink Deal; Verizon Deal May be Canceled
Starbase to be a Texas City?
State senator Hinojosa followed up with a second bill, SB 2230, which will charge the public with a Class B demeanor for failing to comply with SpaceX's orders to evacuate the beach on tests and launch days.
All of these are made possible as SpaceX is in the process of transforming Starbase into a Texas City, according to Engadget, with an election coming up to decide on this.
SpaceX and Their Operations in Boca Chica
SpaceX has made Boca Chica the home of their space operations over the past years, erecting its Starbase in the small community. However, Texan authorities have since scrutinized SpaceX's operations in the area, particularly with their unofficial road and beach closures during mission days.
Elon Musk and SpaceX also faced a previous lawsuit in 2021 where a family pursued a case against them for negligence after they suffered from a tragic accident that occurred in Boca Chica in 2020. The family sought $20 million for damages after crashing into a SpaceX truck, claiming that they did not see the vehicle passing through a two-lane highway, blaming the company for not establishing the proper safety markers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Texan residents have also held SpaceX on a chokehold before in their environmental review of how the Starship mission would affect the wildlife and ecosystem of the area.
However, things are taking a different turn now because of proposed bills from state senators in support of SpaceX.
