July 9, 2026
Mrs. Harshbarger (for herself and Mr. Goldman of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To update the role of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards in the licensing and oversight of nuclear reactor facilities, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Nuclear Advisory Committee Reform Act
.
Sec. 2. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
(a) In general
Section 29 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2039) is amended—
(1)
by striking There is
and inserting the following:
(a) Establishment
There is;
(2)
by inserting (referred to in this section as the
after Committee
).Reactor Safeguards
;
(3)
by striking consisting of
and all that follows; and
(4)
by adding at the end the following:
(b) Membership
The Committee shall consist of a maximum of 15 members, to be appointed by the Commission, who shall represent a diverse background of technical expertise relevant to the mission of the Commission.
(c) Terms
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Commission may appoint a member of the Committee for not more than 2 terms of 4 years each.
(2) Exception
The Commission may appoint a member of the Committee for more than 2 terms if the Commission determines that there is a compelling need for the member’s continued service.
(3) Applicability
This subsection shall apply with respect to members appointed after the date of enactment of the Nuclear Advisory Committee Reform Act.
(d) Committee actions
The Committee shall take the following actions:
(1)
Review applications and submit reports in accordance with section 182 b.
(2)
Advise the Commission, as specifically requested by the Commission, with respect to—
(A)
the hazards of proposed or existing reactor facilities; and
(B)
the adequacy of proposed reactor safety standards.
(3)
Perform such other duties as the Commission may specifically request.
(e) Focus of Committee
In taking an action pursuant to paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (d), the Committee shall, to the extent practicable, focus on issues that—
(1)
directly relate to reactor design;
(2)
are safety significant;
(3)
are novel; and
(4)
have not been previously acted on by the Committee.
(f) Policies for efficient and timely action
The Commission shall maintain and, if necessary, modify policies to ensure efficient and timely action by the Committee, including efficient and timely coordination between the Committee and staff of the Commission.
(g) Proposals from the Committee
(1) In general
The Committee may propose to the Commission that the Committee take an action pursuant to subsection (d).
(2) Commission request required
The Committee may not take an action proposed under paragraph (1) unless the Commission specifically requests the Committee take the action pursuant to subsection (d).
(h) Chairperson
The Commission shall designate 1 member of the Committee as the Chairperson of the Committee.
(i) Per diem
The members of the Committee shall receive—
(1)
a per diem compensation for each day spent in meetings, conferences, or other work of the Committee; and
(2)
compensation for necessary traveling or other expenses while engaged in the work of the Committee.
(j) Applicability
Section 163 shall apply to the Committee.
(b) License application review
Section 182 b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2232(b)) is amended to read as follows:
b. Review by Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards established under section 29 shall—
(1)
if the Commission specifically requests, review—
(A)
an application for a license under section 103 or subsection a., b., or c. of section 104; and
(B)
an application for an amendment to a license issued under section 103 or subsection a., b., or c. of section 104; and
(2)
submit to the Commission a report with respect to a review carried out under paragraph (1), which shall be made part of the record of the applicable application and available to the public, except to the extent that security classification prevents disclosure.
(c) Conforming amendments
(1) Advisory Committees
Section 163 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2203) is amended—
(A)
by striking members of the General Advisory committee established pursuant to section 26 and the
; and
(B)
by striking sections 281, 283, or 284
and inserting sections 203, 205, or 207
.
(2) Temporary operating license
Section 192 a. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2242(a)) is amended—
(A)
by striking Safeguards required by section 182 b.;
and inserting Safeguards submitted under section 182 b. (if applicable);
; and
(B)
by striking and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff's first supplement to the report prepared in response to the report of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards for the facility
and inserting , and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff's first supplement to the report prepared in response to the report of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards for the facility (if applicable)
.