Senate bill includes funds for UNL space law program

The University of Nebraska College of Law would receive $2 million to support development of the nation's first graduate degree program in space and telecommunications law under a recommendation in the Senate Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill.

The master of laws degree program will enable the military, NASA and other federal agencies to train their professionals at a U.S. institution. Their current option is sending them to McGill University in Canada. It also will produce highly trained graduates to work in Nebraska companies in the telecommunications, space and information technology industries and enable the College of Law to expand coursework and training in areas of increasing importance to its graduates and Nebraska's economy, said Harvey Perlman, UNL chancellor and a professor of law.

"The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is excited about the prospect of contributing an educational program in law that is clearly in the national interest and responds to a need among a variety of public and private sector interests," Perlman said.

The funds were included in the bill at the request of U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is one of the premier higher education institutions in our state. I am proud to help them expand their curriculum through the space law program and I look forward to continue to work with them in the years to come," Nelson said.

The space and telecommunications law degree program will address legal and policy issues in the military, commercial and tourism sectors. Space satellites play a critical role in telecommunications, which, along with other space-related industries, makes up a $1 trillion international market, half of which is captured by U.S. industry. The U.S. military relies heavily on satellites for its operations, and space tourism is an emerging industry with high growth potential that presents many new legal issues.

The Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill, which contains the funds for the new program, will be considered on the Senate floor in July and reviewed in a conference with the House of Representatives later in the year before being sent to the president for his signature.

CONTACT: Monica Norby, Asst. Vice Chancellor, Research, (402) 472-4180