AN APPARENT BREAKTHROUGH IN LEGISLATION DEEMED CRITICAL IN KEEPING NEW MEXICO'S SPACEPORT ALIVE. LEADING DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE SAY VIRGIN GALACTIC, THE SPACEPORT'S PRIMARY TENANT, HAS REACHED AGREEMENT WITH NEW MEXICO TRIAL LAWYERS ON A BILL DEALING WITH LIABILITY ISSUES. THE BILL PROTECTS SPACEPORT MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS FROM LAWSUITS.

SOME FEARED THAT WITHOUT A LIMITED LIABILITY LAW, VIRGIN GALACTIC MIGHT PULL OUT OF THE SPACEPORT AGREEMENT. THE STATE HAS ALREADY SUNK MORE THAN 200-MILLION DOLLARS INTO THE PROJECT. IT'S EXPECTED THAT A BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.