Authority: Title 2.2, Chapter 22, Code of Virginia.

A. Pursuant to the provisions of Chapters 779 and 817, 2012 Session of the General Assembly, $15,800,020 in the first year and $15,800,021 in the second year shall be transferred to the Commonwealth Space Flight Fund as set forth in § 33.2-1526 to support the maintenance and operations of the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority. From the funds appropriated in this item, $500,000 the first year shall be made available for development of an Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department in support of the Wallops Island unmanned aircraft systems test range.

B. In order to increase competition among qualified independent audit firms, the Virginia Commercial Spaceflight Authority is authorized to solicit requests for proposals from national firms including those that have submitted proposals prior to July 1, 2016. The final selection of the certified public accounting firm shall be performed by the Auditor of Public Accounts, with the assistance of the Virginia Commercial Spaceflight Authority, through a competitive negotiation process.

C. The Secretary of Transportation, as Chairman of the Virginia Commercial Spaceflight Authority Board, shall, in cooperation with the Secretary of Finance, review options to finance the construction of additional facilities at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in support of both commercial space flight and unmanned systems activities. Such review shall include but not be limited to examination of financing options available from the Virginia Resources Authority in addition to other financing options available to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.