S. 3404 would require the Department of Commerce to disseminate information on cyber safety measures to operators of commercial satellites. Under the bill, the department would collect security recommendations from the private sector and from other federal agencies with expertise in satellite operations. The bill also would require the department and the Government Accountability Office to study and report to the Congress on the effectiveness of federal efforts to improve the cybersecurity of satellite systems.
Using information about similar cyber information sharing efforts, CBO estimates that creating and managing an online database with cybersecurity resources for satellite operators would increase the department’s workload by the equivalent of six full-time employees. CBO estimates that staff compensation and technology costs to publish safety materials would total $3 million annually. Accounting for the time needed to assign employees, create the database, and prepare the required reports, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $14 million over the 2026-2031 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
The estimated budgetary effects of the legislation are shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 370 (commerce and housing credit).
Table 1.
Estimated Budgetary Effects of S. 3404
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2026-2031
Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation
Estimated Authorization
*
2
3
3
3
3
14
Estimated Outlays
*
2
3
3
3
3
14
* = between zero and $500,000.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aldo Prosperi. The estimate was reviewed by Chad Chirico, Director of Budget Analysis.
