[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 870 Engrossed Amendment House (EAH)]

<DOC>
                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                           May 8, 2024.
    Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 870) entitled ``An Act 
to amend the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to 
authorize appropriations for the United States Fire Administration and 
firefighter assistance grant programs.'' , do pass with the following

                              AMENDMENTS:

            Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

                   DIVISION A--FIRE GRANTS AND SAFETY

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This division may be cited as the ``Fire Grants and Safety Act of 
2023''.

SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION.

    Section 17(g)(1) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 
1974 (15 U.S.C. 2216(g)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (L), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (M)--
                    (A) by striking ``for for'' and inserting ``for''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; 
                and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraraph:
                    ``(N) $95,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 
                through 2028, of which $3,420,000 for each such fiscal 
                year shall be used to carry out section 8(f).''.

SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANTS PROGRAM 
              AND THE FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANTS PROGRAM.

    (a) Sunset.--Section 33(r) of the Federal Fire Prevention and 
Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229(r)) is amended by striking ``2024'' 
and inserting ``2030''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 33(q)(1) of the 
Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229(q)(1)) 
is amended by striking ``to carry out this section--'' and all that 
follows through ``the fiscal year described in clause (i)'' and 
inserting ``to carry out this section $750,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2024 through 2028''.

SEC. 4. REAUTHORIZATION OF STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY 
              RESPONSE GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Sunset.--Section 34(k) of the Federal Fire Prevention and 
Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229a(k)) is amended by striking 
``2024'' and inserting ``2030''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 34(j)(1) of the 
Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 
2229a(j)(1)(I)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (G), by inserting ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``fiscal year 2013; 
        and'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2024 through 
        2028.''; and
            (3) by striking subparagraph (I).

SEC. 5. GAO AUDIT AND REPORT.

    Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an 
audit of and issue a publicly available report on--
            (1) barriers that prevent fire departments from accessing 
        Federal funds; and
            (2) the United States Fire Administration.

DIVISION B--ACCELERATING DEPLOYMENT OF VERSATILE, ADVANCED NUCLEAR FOR 
                              CLEAN ENERGY

SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This division may be cited as the ``Accelerating 
Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 
2024'' or the ``ADVANCE Act of 2024''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this division is 
as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.

                  TITLE I--AMERICAN NUCLEAR LEADERSHIP

Sec. 101. International nuclear export and innovation activities.
Sec. 102. Denial of certain domestic licenses for national security 
                            purposes.
Sec. 103. Export license notification.
Sec. 104. Global nuclear energy assessment.
Sec. 105. Process for review and amendment of part 810 generally 
                            authorized destinations.

      TITLE II--DEVELOPING AND DEPLOYING NEW NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGIES

Sec. 201. Fees for advanced nuclear reactor application review.
Sec. 202. Advanced nuclear reactor prizes.
Sec. 203. Licensing considerations relating to use of nuclear energy 
                            for nonelectric applications.
Sec. 204. Enabling preparations for the demonstration of advanced 
                            nuclear reactors on Department of Energy 
                            sites or critical national security 
                            infrastructure sites.
Sec. 205. Fusion energy regulation.
Sec. 206. Regulatory issues for nuclear facilities at brownfield sites.
Sec. 207. Combined license review procedure.
Sec. 208. Regulatory requirements for micro-reactors.

        TITLE III--PRESERVING EXISTING NUCLEAR ENERGY GENERATION

Sec. 301. Foreign ownership.

    TITLE IV--NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE, SUPPLY CHAIN, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND 
                               WORKFORCE

Sec. 401. Report on advanced methods of manufacturing and construction 
                            for nuclear energy projects.
Sec. 402. Nuclear energy traineeship.
Sec. 403. Biennial report on the spent nuclear fuel and high-level 
                            radioactive waste inventory in the United 
                            States.
Sec. 404. Development, qualification, and licensing of advanced nuclear 
                            fuel concepts.

                TITLE V--IMPROVING COMMISSION EFFICIENCY

Sec. 501. Mission alignment.
Sec. 502. Strengthening the NRC workforce.
Sec. 503. Commission corporate support funding.
Sec. 504. Performance metrics and milestones.
Sec. 505. Nuclear licensing efficiency.
Sec. 506. Modernization of nuclear reactor environmental reviews.
Sec. 507. Improving oversight and inspection programs.

                        TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 601. Technical correction.
Sec. 602. Report on engagement with the Government of Canada with 
                            respect to nuclear waste issues in the 
                            Great Lakes Basin.
Sec. 603. Savings clause.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this division:
            (1) Accident tolerant fuel.--The term ``accident tolerant 
        fuel'' has the meaning given the term in section 107(a) of the 
        Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (Public Law 
        115-439; 132 Stat. 5577).
            (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (3) Advanced nuclear fuel.--The term ``advanced nuclear 
        fuel'' means--
                    (A) advanced nuclear reactor fuel; and
                    (B) accident tolerant fuel.
            (4) Advanced nuclear reactor.--The term ``advanced nuclear 
        reactor'' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the 
        Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2215 
        note; Public Law 115-439).
            (5) Advanced nuclear reactor fuel.--The term ``advanced 
        nuclear reactor fuel'' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 3 of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 2215 note; Public Law 115-439).
            (6) Appropriate committees of Congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Environment and Public Works 
                of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
                House of Representatives.
            (7) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Nuclear 
        Regulatory Commission.
            (8) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            (9) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory'' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).

                  TITLE I--AMERICAN NUCLEAR LEADERSHIP

SEC. 101. INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR EXPORT AND INNOVATION ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Commission Coordination.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall--
                    (A) coordinate all work of the Commission relating 
                to--
                            (i) import and export licensing for nuclear 
                        reactors and radioactive materials; and
                            (ii) international regulatory cooperation 
                        and assistance relating to nuclear reactors and 
                        radioactive materials, including with countries 
                        that are members of--
                                    (I) the Organisation for Economic 
                                Co-operation and Development; or
                                    (II) the Nuclear Energy Agency; and
                    (B) support interagency and international 
                coordination with respect to--
                            (i) the consideration of international 
                        technical standards to establish the licensing 
                        and regulatory basis to assist the design, 
                        construction, and operation of nuclear reactors 
                        and use of radioactive materials;
                            (ii) efforts to help build competent 
                        nuclear regulatory organizations and legal 
                        frameworks in foreign countries that are 
                        seeking to develop civil nuclear industries; 
                        and
                            (iii) exchange programs and training 
                        provided, in coordination with the Secretary of 
                        State, to foreign countries relating to civil 
                        nuclear licensing and oversight to improve the 
                        regulation of nuclear reactors and radioactive 
                        materials, in accordance with paragraph (2).
            (2) Exchange programs and training.--With respect to the 
        exchange programs and training described in paragraph 
        (1)(B)(iii), the Commission shall coordinate, as applicable, 
        with--
                    (A) the Secretary of Energy;
                    (B) the Secretary of State;
                    (C) the National Laboratories;
                    (D) the private sector; and
                    (E) institutions of higher education.
    (b) Authority To Establish Branch.--The Commission may establish 
within the Office of International Programs a branch, to be known as 
the ``International Nuclear Export and Innovation Branch'', to carry 
out the international nuclear export and innovation activities 
described in subsection (a) as the Commission determines to be 
appropriate and within the mission of the Commission.
    (c) Exclusion of International Activities From the Fee Base.--
            (1) In general.--Section 102 of the Nuclear Energy 
        Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2215) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the 
                following:
            ``(4) International nuclear export and innovation 
        activities.--The Commission shall identify in the annual budget 
        justification international nuclear export and innovation 
        activities described in section 101(a) of the ADVANCE Act of 
        2024.''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)(1)(B), by adding at the end 
                the following:
                            ``(iv) Costs for international nuclear 
                        export and innovation activities described in 
                        section 101(a) of the ADVANCE Act of 2024.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
        shall take effect on October 1, 2025.
    (d) Interagency Coordination.--The Commission shall coordinate all 
international activities under this section with the Secretary of 
State, the Secretary of Energy, and other applicable agencies, as 
appropriate.
    (e) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section alters the authority 
of the Commission to license and regulate the civilian use of 
radioactive materials.

SEC. 102. DENIAL OF CERTAIN DOMESTIC LICENSES FOR NATIONAL SECURITY 
              PURPOSES.

    (a) Definition of Covered Fuel.--In this section, the term 
``covered fuel'' means enriched uranium that is fabricated outside the 
United States into fuel assemblies for commercial nuclear power 
reactors by an entity that--
            (1) is owned or controlled by the Government of the Russian 
        Federation or the Government of the People's Republic of China; 
        or
            (2) is organized under the laws of, or otherwise subject to 
        the jurisdiction of, the Russian Federation or the People's 
        Republic of China.
    (b) Prohibition on Unlicensed Possession or Ownership of Covered 
Fuel.--Unless specifically authorized by the Commission in a license 
issued under section 53 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 
2073) and part 70 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
successor regulations), no person subject to the jurisdiction of the 
Commission may possess or own covered fuel.
    (c) License To Possess or Own Covered Fuel.--
            (1) Consultation required prior to issuance.--The 
        Commission shall not issue a license to possess or own covered 
        fuel under section 53 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 
        U.S.C. 2073) and part 70 of title 10, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or successor regulations), unless the Commission 
        has first consulted with the Secretary of Energy and the 
        Secretary of State before issuing the license.
            (2) Prohibition on issuance of license.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (C), a 
                license to possess or own covered fuel shall not be 
                issued if the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of 
                State make the determination described in subparagraph 
                (B)(i)(I).
                    (B) Determination.--
                            (i) In general.--The determination referred 
                        to in subparagraph (A) is a determination that 
                        possession or ownership, as applicable, of 
                        covered fuel--
                                    (I) poses a threat to the national 
                                security of the United States, 
                                including because of an adverse impact 
                                on the physical and economic security 
                                of the United States; or
                                    (II) does not pose a threat to the 
                                national security of the United States.
                            (ii) Joint determination.--A determination 
                        described in clause (i) shall be jointly made 
                        by the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of 
                        State.
                            (iii) Timeline.--
                                    (I) Notice of application.--Not 
                                later than 30 days after the date on 
                                which the Commission receives an 
                                application for a license to possess or 
                                own covered fuel, the Commission shall 
                                notify the Secretary of Energy and the 
                                Secretary of State of the application.
                                    (II) Determination.--The Secretary 
                                of Energy and the Secretary of State 
                                shall have a period of 180 days, 
                                beginning on the date on which the 
                                Commission notifies the Secretary of 
                                Energy and the Secretary of State under 
                                subclause (I) of an application for a 
                                license to possess or own covered fuel, 
                                in which to make the determination 
                                described in clause (i).
                                    (III) Commission notification.--On 
                                making the determination described in 
                                clause (i), the Secretary of Energy and 
                                the Secretary of State shall 
                                immediately notify the Commission.
                                    (IV) Congressional notification.--
                                Not later than 30 days after the date 
                                on which the Secretary of Energy and 
                                the Secretary of State notify the 
                                Commission under subclause (III), the 
                                Commission shall notify the appropriate 
                                committees of Congress, the Committee 
                                on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the 
                                Committee on Energy and Natural 
                                Resources of the Senate, and the 
                                Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
                                House of Representatives of the 
                                determination.
                                    (V) Public notice.--Not later than 
                                15 days after the date on which the 
                                Commission notifies Congress under 
                                subclause (IV) of a determination made 
                                under clause (i), the Commission shall 
                                make that determination publicly 
                                available.
                    (C) Effect of no determination.--The Commission 
                shall not issue a license if the Secretary of Energy 
                and the Secretary of State have not made a 
                determination described in subparagraph (B).
    (d) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section alters any treaty or 
international agreement in effect on the date of enactment of this Act 
or that enters into force after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 103. EXPORT LICENSE NOTIFICATION.

    (a) Definition of Low-Enriched Uranium.--In this section, the term 
``low-enriched uranium'' means uranium enriched to less than 20 percent 
of the uranium-235 isotope.
    (b) Notification.--If the Commission, after consultation with the 
Secretary of State and any other relevant agencies, issues an export 
license for the transfer of any item described in subsection (d) to a 
country described in subsection (c), the Commission shall notify the 
appropriate committees of Congress, the Committee on Foreign Relations 
of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
Senate, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives.
    (c) Countries Described.--A country referred to in subsection (b) 
is a country that--
            (1) has not concluded and ratified an Additional Protocol 
        to its safeguards agreement with the International Atomic 
        Energy Agency; or
            (2) has not ratified or acceded to the amendment to the 
        Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, 
        adopted at Vienna October 26, 1979, and opened for signature at 
        New York March 3, 1980 (TIAS 11080), described in the 
        information circular of the International Atomic Energy Agency 
        numbered INFCIRC/274/Rev.1/Mod.1 and dated May 9, 2016 (TIAS 
        16-508).
    (d) Items Described.--An item referred to in subsection (b) 
includes--
            (1) unirradiated nuclear fuel containing special nuclear 
        material (as defined in section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 
        1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014)), excluding low-enriched uranium;
            (2) a nuclear reactor that uses nuclear fuel described in 
        paragraph (1); and
            (3) any plant or component listed in Appendix I to part 110 
        of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
        regulations), that is involved in--
                    (A) the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear reactor 
                fuel elements;
                    (B) the separation of plutonium; or
                    (C) the separation of the uranium-233 isotope.

SEC. 104. GLOBAL NUCLEAR ENERGY ASSESSMENT.

    (a) Study Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with 
the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, the Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Commission, shall conduct 
a study on the global status of--
            (1) the civilian nuclear energy industry; and
            (2) the supply chains of the civilian nuclear energy 
        industry.
    (b) Contents.--The study conducted under subsection (a) shall 
include--
            (1) information on the status of the civilian nuclear 
        energy industry, the long-term risks to that industry, and the 
        bases for those risks;
            (2) information on how the use of the civilian nuclear 
        energy industry, relative to other types of energy industries, 
        can reduce the emission of criteria pollutants and carbon 
        dioxide;
            (3) information on the role the United States civilian 
        nuclear energy industry plays in United States foreign policy;
            (4) information on the importance of the United States 
        civilian nuclear energy industry to countries that are allied 
        to the United States;
            (5) information on how the United States may collaborate 
        with those countries in developing, deploying, and investing in 
        nuclear technology;
            (6) information on how foreign countries use nuclear energy 
        when crafting and implementing their own foreign policy, 
        including such use by foreign countries that are strategic 
        competitors;
            (7) an evaluation of how nuclear nonproliferation and 
        security efforts and nuclear energy safety are affected by the 
        involvement of the United States in--
                    (A) international markets; and
                    (B) setting civilian nuclear energy industry 
                standards;
            (8) an evaluation of how industries in the United States, 
        other than the civilian nuclear energy industry, benefit from 
        the generation of electricity by nuclear power plants;
            (9) information on utilities and companies in the United 
        States that are involved in the civilian nuclear energy supply 
        chain, including, with respect to those utilities and 
        companies--
                    (A) financial challenges;
                    (B) nuclear liability issues;
                    (C) foreign strategic competition; and
                    (D) risks to continued operation; and
            (10) recommendations for how the United States may--
                    (A) develop a national strategy to increase the 
                role that nuclear energy plays in diplomacy and 
                strategic energy policy;
                    (B) develop a strategy to mitigate foreign 
                competitor's utilization of their civilian nuclear 
                energy industries in diplomacy;
                    (C) align the nuclear energy policy of the United 
                States with national security objectives; and
                    (D) modernize regulatory requirements to strengthen 
                the United States civilian nuclear energy supply chain.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the study 
under subsection (a) is completed, the Secretary of Energy shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress the study, including a 
classified annex, if necessary.

SEC. 105. PROCESS FOR REVIEW AND AMENDMENT OF PART 810 GENERALLY 
              AUTHORIZED DESTINATIONS.

    (a) Identification and Evaluation of Factors.--Not later than 90 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy, 
with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, shall identify and 
evaluate factors, other than agreements for cooperation entered into in 
accordance with section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 
2153), that may be used to determine a country's generally authorized 
destination status under part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal 
Regulations, and to list such country as a generally authorized 
destination in Appendix A to part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal 
Regulations.
    (b) Process Update.--The Secretary of Energy shall review and, as 
appropriate, update the Department of Energy's process for determining 
a country's generally authorized destination status under part 810 of 
title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, and for listing such country as 
a generally authorized destination in Appendix A to part 810 of title 
10, Code of Federal Regulations, taking into consideration and, as 
appropriate, incorporating factors identified and evaluated under 
subsection (a).
    (c) Revisions to List.--Not later than one year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and at least once every 5 years thereafter, the 
Secretary of Energy shall, in accordance with any process updated 
pursuant to this section, review the list in Appendix A to part 810 of 
title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, and amend such list as 
appropriate.

      TITLE II--DEVELOPING AND DEPLOYING NEW NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGIES

SEC. 201. FEES FOR ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTOR APPLICATION REVIEW.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 3 of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and 
Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2215 note; Public Law 115-439) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (15) as 
        paragraphs (3), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (12), (15), (16), 
        (17), (18), (19), (20), and (21), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Advanced nuclear reactor applicant.--The term 
        `advanced nuclear reactor applicant' means an entity that has 
        submitted to the Commission an application for a license for an 
        advanced nuclear reactor under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 
        (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).'';
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
            ``(4) Advanced nuclear reactor pre-applicant.--The term 
        `advanced nuclear reactor pre-applicant' means an entity that 
        has submitted to the Commission a licensing project plan for 
        the purposes of submitting a future application for a license 
        for an advanced nuclear reactor under the Atomic Energy Act of 
        1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
            ``(5) Agency support.--The term `agency support' has the 
        meaning given the term `agency support (corporate support and 
        the IG)' in section 170.3 of title 10, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or any successor regulation).'';
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (10) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
            ``(11) Hourly rate for mission-direct program salaries and 
        benefits.--The term `hourly rate for mission-direct program 
        salaries and benefits' means the quotient obtained by 
        dividing--
                    ``(A) the full-time equivalent rate (within the 
                meaning of the document of the Commission entitled `FY 
                2023 Final Fee Rule Work Papers' (or a successor 
                document)) for mission-direct program salaries and 
                benefits for a fiscal year; by
                    ``(B) the productive hours assumption for that 
                fiscal year, determined in accordance with the formula 
                established in the document referred to in subparagraph 
                (A) (or a successor document).''; and
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (12) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
            ``(13) Mission-direct program salaries and benefits.--The 
        term `mission-direct program salaries and benefits' means the 
        resources of the Commission that are allocated to the Nuclear 
        Reactor Safety Program (as determined by the Commission) to 
        perform core work activities committed to fulfilling the 
        mission of the Commission, as described in the document of the 
        Commission entitled `FY 2023 Final Fee Rule Work Papers' (or a 
        successor document).
            ``(14) Mission-indirect program support.--The term 
        `mission-indirect program support' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 170.3 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations 
        (or any successor regulation).''.
    (b) Excluded Activities.--Section 102(b)(1)(B) of the Nuclear 
Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2215(b)(1)(B)) (as 
amended by section 101(c)(1)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
                            ``(v) The total costs of mission-indirect 
                        program support and agency support that, under 
                        paragraph (2)(B), may not be included in the 
                        hourly rate charged for fees assessed and 
                        collected from advanced nuclear reactor 
                        applicants.
                            ``(vi) The total costs of mission-indirect 
                        program support and agency support that, under 
                        paragraph (2)(C), may not be included in the 
                        hourly rate charged for fees assessed and 
                        collected from advanced nuclear reactor pre-
                        applicants.''.
    (c) Fees for Service or Thing of Value.--Section 102(b) of the 
Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2215(b)) is 
amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Fees for service or thing of value.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In accordance with section 9701 
                of title 31, United States Code, the Commission shall 
                assess and collect fees from any person who receives a 
                service or thing of value from the Commission to cover 
                the costs to the Commission of providing the service or 
                thing of value.
                    ``(B) Advanced nuclear reactor applicants.--The 
                hourly rate charged for fees assessed and collected 
                from an advanced nuclear reactor applicant under this 
                paragraph relating to the review of a submitted 
                application described in section 3(1) may not exceed 
                the hourly rate for mission-direct program salaries and 
                benefits.
                    ``(C) Advanced nuclear reactor pre-applicants.--The 
                hourly rate charged for fees assessed and collected 
                from an advanced nuclear reactor pre-applicant under 
                this paragraph relating to the review of submitted 
                materials as described in the licensing project plan of 
                an advanced nuclear reactor pre-applicant may not 
                exceed the hourly rate for mission-direct program 
                salaries and benefits.''.
    (d) Sunset.--Section 102 of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and 
Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2215) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(g) Cessation of Effectiveness.--Paragraphs (1)(B)(vi) and (2)(C) 
of subsection (b) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2030.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on October 1, 2025.

SEC. 202. ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTOR PRIZES.

    Section 103 of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act 
(Public Law 115-439; 132 Stat. 5571) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
    ``(f) Prizes for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Licensing.--
            ``(1) Definition of eligible entity.--In this subsection, 
        the term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) a non-Federal entity; and
                    ``(B) the Tennessee Valley Authority.
            ``(2) Prize for advanced nuclear reactor licensing.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 169 of 
                the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2209) and 
                subject to the availability of appropriations, the 
                Secretary is authorized to make, with respect to each 
                award category described in subparagraph (C), an award 
                in an amount described in subparagraph (B) to the first 
                eligible entity--
                            ``(i) to which the Commission issues an 
                        operating license for an advanced nuclear 
                        reactor under part 50 of title 10, Code of 
                        Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), 
                        for which an application has not been approved 
                        by the Commission as of the date of enactment 
                        of this subsection; or
                            ``(ii) for which the Commission makes a 
                        finding described in section 52.103(g) of title 
                        10, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
                        regulations), with respect to a combined 
                        license for an advanced nuclear reactor--
                                    ``(I) that is issued under subpart 
                                C of part 52 of that title (or 
                                successor regulations); and
                                    ``(II) for which an application has 
                                not been approved by the Commission as 
                                of the date of enactment of this 
                                subsection.
                    ``(B) Amount of award.--Subject to paragraph (3), 
                an award under subparagraph (A) shall be in an amount 
                equal to the total amount assessed by the Commission 
                and collected under section 102(b)(2) from the eligible 
                entity receiving the award for costs relating to the 
                issuance of the license described in that subparagraph, 
                including, as applicable, costs relating to the 
                issuance of an associated construction permit described 
                in section 50.23 of title 10, Code of Federal 
                Regulations (or successor regulations), or early site 
                permit (as defined in section 52.1 of that title (or 
                successor regulations)).
                    ``(C) Award categories.--An award under 
                subparagraph (A) may be made for--
                            ``(i) the first advanced nuclear reactor 
                        for which the Commission--
                                    ``(I) issues a license in 
                                accordance with clause (i) of 
                                subparagraph (A); or
                                    ``(II) makes a finding in 
                                accordance with clause (ii) of that 
                                subparagraph;
                            ``(ii) an advanced nuclear reactor that--
                                    ``(I) uses isotopes derived from 
                                spent nuclear fuel (as defined in 
                                section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Policy 
                                Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101)) or 
                                depleted uranium as fuel for the 
                                advanced nuclear reactor; and
                                    ``(II) is the first advanced 
                                nuclear reactor described in subclause 
                                (I) for which the Commission--
                                            ``(aa) issues a license in 
                                        accordance with clause (i) of 
                                        subparagraph (A); or
                                            ``(bb) makes a finding in 
                                        accordance with clause (ii) of 
                                        that subparagraph;
                            ``(iii) an advanced nuclear reactor that--
                                    ``(I) is a nuclear integrated 
                                energy system--
                                            ``(aa) that is composed of 
                                        2 or more co-located or jointly 
                                        operated subsystems of energy 
                                        generation, energy storage, or 
                                        other technologies;
                                            ``(bb) in which not fewer 
                                        than 1 subsystem described in 
                                        item (aa) is a nuclear energy 
                                        system; and
                                            ``(cc) the purpose of which 
                                        is--

                                                    ``(AA) to reduce 
                                                greenhouse gas 
                                                emissions in both the 
                                                power and nonpower 
                                                sectors; and

                                                    ``(BB) to maximize 
                                                energy production and 
                                                efficiency; and

                                    ``(II) is the first advanced 
                                nuclear reactor described in subclause 
                                (I) for which the Commission--
                                            ``(aa) issues a license in 
                                        accordance with clause (i) of 
                                        subparagraph (A); or
                                            ``(bb) makes a finding in 
                                        accordance with clause (ii) of 
                                        that subparagraph;
                            ``(iv) an advanced reactor that--
                                    ``(I) operates flexibly to generate 
                                electricity or high temperature process 
                                heat for nonelectric applications; and
                                    ``(II) is the first advanced 
                                nuclear reactor described in subclause 
                                (I) for which the Commission--
                                            ``(aa) issues a license in 
                                        accordance with clause (i) of 
                                        subparagraph (A); or
                                            ``(bb) makes a finding in 
                                        accordance with clause (ii) of 
                                        that subparagraph; and
                            ``(v) the first advanced nuclear reactor 
                        for which the Commission grants approval to 
                        load nuclear fuel pursuant to the technology-
                        inclusive regulatory framework established 
                        under subsection (a)(4).
            ``(3) Federal funding limitations.--
                    ``(A) Exclusion of tva funds.--In this paragraph, 
                the term `Federal funds' does not include funds 
                received under the power program of the Tennessee 
                Valley Authority established pursuant to the Tennessee 
                Valley Authority Act of 1933 (16 U.S.C. 831 et seq.).
                    ``(B) Limitation on amounts expended.--An award 
                under this subsection shall not exceed the total amount 
                expended (excluding any expenditures made with Federal 
                funds received for the applicable project and an amount 
                equal to the minimum cost-share required under section 
                988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352)) 
                by the eligible entity receiving the award for 
                licensing costs relating to the project for which the 
                award is made.
                    ``(C) Repayment and dividends not required.--
                Notwithstanding section 9104(a)(4) of title 31, United 
                States Code, or any other provision of law, an eligible 
                entity that receives an award under this subsection 
                shall not be required--
                            ``(i) to repay that award or any part of 
                        that award; or
                            ``(ii) to pay a dividend, interest, or 
                        other similar payment based on the sum of that 
                        award.''.

SEC. 203. LICENSING CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY 
              FOR NONELECTRIC APPLICATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report addressing any unique licensing issues 
or requirements relating to--
            (1) the flexible operation of advanced nuclear reactors, 
        such as ramping power output and switching between electricity 
        generation and nonelectric applications;
            (2) the use of advanced nuclear reactors exclusively for 
        nonelectric applications; and
            (3) the colocation of nuclear reactors with industrial 
        plants or other facilities.
    (b) Stakeholder Input.--In developing the report under subsection 
(a), the Commission shall seek input from--
            (1) the Secretary of Energy;
            (2) the nuclear energy industry;
            (3) technology developers;
            (4) the industrial, chemical, and medical sectors;
            (5) nongovernmental organizations; and
            (6) other public stakeholders.
    (c) Contents.--
            (1) In general.--The report under subsection (a) shall 
        describe--
                    (A) any unique licensing issues or requirements 
                relating to the matters described in paragraphs (1) 
                through (3) of subsection (a), including, with respect 
                to the nonelectric applications referred to in 
                paragraphs (1) and (2) of that subsection, any 
                licensing issues or requirements relating to the use of 
                nuclear energy--
                            (i) for hydrogen or other liquid and 
                        gaseous fuel or chemical production;
                            (ii) for water desalination and wastewater 
                        treatment;
                            (iii) for heat used for industrial 
                        processes;
                            (iv) for district heating;
                            (v) in relation to energy storage;
                            (vi) for industrial or medical isotope 
                        production; and
                            (vii) for other applications, as identified 
                        by the Commission;
                    (B) options for addressing those issues or 
                requirements--
                            (i) within the existing regulatory 
                        framework;
                            (ii) as part of the technology-inclusive 
                        regulatory framework required under subsection 
                        (a)(4) of section 103 of the Nuclear Energy 
                        Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 
                        2133 note; Public Law 115-439); or
                            (iii) through a new rulemaking; and
                    (C) the extent to which Commission action is needed 
                to implement any matter described in the report.
            (2) Cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes.--The report 
        shall include cost estimates, proposed budgets, and proposed 
        timeframes for implementing risk-informed and performance-based 
        regulatory guidance in the licensing of nuclear reactors for 
        nonelectric applications.

SEC. 204. ENABLING PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF ADVANCED 
              NUCLEAR REACTORS ON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SITES OR 
              CRITICAL NATIONAL SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE SITES.

    (a) In General.--Section 102(b)(1)(B) of the Nuclear Energy 
Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2215(b)(1)(B)) (as amended 
by section 201(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vii) Costs for--
                                    ``(I) activities to review and 
                                approve or disapprove an application 
                                for an early site permit (as defined in 
                                section 52.1 of title 10, Code of 
                                Federal Regulations (or any successor 
                                regulation)) to demonstrate an advanced 
                                nuclear reactor on a Department of 
                                Energy site or critical national 
                                security infrastructure (as defined in 
                                section 327(d) of the John S. McCain 
                                National Defense Authorization Act for 
                                Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232; 
                                132 Stat. 1722)) site; and
                                    ``(II) pre-application activities 
                                relating to an early site permit (as 
                                defined in section 52.1 of title 10, 
                                Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
                                successor regulation)) to demonstrate 
                                an advanced nuclear reactor on a 
                                Department of Energy site or critical 
                                national security infrastructure (as 
                                defined in section 327(d) of the John 
                                S. McCain National Defense 
                                Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 
                                (Public Law 115-232; 132 Stat. 1722)) 
                                site.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on October 1, 2025.

SEC. 205. FUSION ENERGY REGULATION.

    (a) Definition.--Section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 
U.S.C. 2014) is amended--
            (1) in subsection e.--
                    (A) in paragraph (3)(B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by inserting ``, 
                        including by use of a fusion machine'' after 
                        ``particle accelerator''; and
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by inserting ``if made 
                        radioactive by use of a particle accelerator 
                        that is not a fusion machine,'' before ``is 
                        produced'';
            (2) in each of subsections ee. through hh., by inserting a 
        subsection heading, the text of which comprises the term 
        defined in the subsection;
            (3) by redesignating subsections ee., ff., gg., hh., and 
        jj. as subsections jj., gg., hh., ii., and ff., respectively, 
        and moving the subsections so as to appear in alphabetical 
        order;
            (4) in subsection dd., by striking ``dd. The'' and 
        inserting the following:
    ``ee. High-level Radioactive Waste; Spent Nuclear Fuel.--The''; and
            (5) by inserting after subsection cc. the following:
    ``dd. Fusion Machine.--The term `fusion machine' means a machine 
that is capable of--
            ``(1) transforming atomic nuclei, through fusion processes, 
        into different elements, isotopes, or other particles; and
            ``(2) directly capturing and using the resultant products, 
        including particles, heat, or other electromagnetic 
        radiation.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Changes.--
            (1) In general.--Section 103(a) of the Nuclear Energy 
        Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2133 note; Public 
        Law 115-439) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``inclusive,'' 
                and inserting ``inclusive''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (5)(B)(ii), by inserting 
                ``(including fusion machine license applications)'' 
                after ``commercial advanced nuclear reactor license 
                applications''.
            (2) Definitions.--Section 3 of the Nuclear Energy 
        Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2215 note; Public 
        Law 115-439) (as amended by section 201(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding 
                subparagraph (A), by striking ``or fusion reactor'' and 
                inserting ``reactor or fusion machine'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (21) 
                as paragraphs (12) through (22), respectively; and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (10) the 
                following:
            ``(11) Fusion machine.--The term `fusion machine' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act 
        of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014).''.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    (A) Agreement state.--The term ``Agreement State'' 
                has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the 
                Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (42 
                U.S.C. 2215 note; Public Law 115-439).
                    (B) Fusion machine.--The term ``fusion machine'' 
                has the meaning given the term in section 11 of the 
                Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014).
            (2) Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress a report on--
                    (A) the results of a study, conducted in 
                consultation with Agreement States and the private 
                fusion sector, on risk- and performance-based, design-
                specific licensing frameworks for mass-manufactured 
                fusion machines, including an evaluation of the design, 
                manufacturing, and operations certification process 
                used by the Federal Aviation Administration for 
                aircraft as a potential model for mass-manufactured 
                fusion machine regulations; and
                    (B) the estimated timeline for the Commission to 
                issue consolidated guidance or regulations for 
                licensing mass-manufactured fusion machines, taking 
                into account--
                            (i) the results of that study; and
                            (ii) the anticipated need for such guidance 
                        or regulations.

SEC. 206. REGULATORY ISSUES FOR NUCLEAR FACILITIES AT BROWNFIELD SITES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Brownfield site.--The term ``brownfield site'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 101 of the Comprehensive 
        Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 
        (42 U.S.C. 9601).
            (2) Covered site.--The term ``covered site'' means a 
        brownfield site, a retired fossil fuel site, or a site that is 
        both a retired fossil fuel site and a brownfield site.
            (3) Production facility.--The term ``production facility'' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 11 of the Atomic 
        Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014).
            (4) Retired fossil fuel site.--The term ``retired fossil 
        fuel site'' means the site of 1 or more fossil fuel electric 
        generation facilities that are retired or scheduled to retire, 
        including multi-unit facilities that are partially shut down.
            (5) Utilization facility.--The term ``utilization 
        facility'' has the meaning given the term in section 11 of the 
        Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014).
    (b) Identification of Regulatory Issues.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Commission shall evaluate the extent 
        to which modification of regulations, guidance, or policy is 
        needed to enable efficient, timely, and predictable licensing 
        reviews for, and to support the oversight of, production 
        facilities or utilization facilities at covered sites.
            (2) Requirement.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Commission shall consider how licensing reviews for production 
        facilities or utilization facilities at covered sites may be 
        expedited by considering matters relating to siting and 
        operating a production facility or a utilization facility at or 
        near a covered site to support--
                    (A) the reuse of existing site infrastructure, 
                including--
                            (i) electric switchyard components and 
                        transmission infrastructure;
                            (ii) heat-sink components;
                            (iii) steam cycle components;
                            (iv) roads;
                            (v) railroad access; and
                            (vi) water availability;
                    (B) the use of early site permits;
                    (C) the utilization of plant parameter envelopes or 
                similar standardized site parameters on a portion of a 
                larger site; and
                    (D) the use of a standardized application for 
                similar sites.
            (3) Report.--Not later than 14 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress a report describing any 
        regulations, guidance, and policies identified under paragraph 
        (1).
    (c) Licensing.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Commission shall--
                    (A) develop and implement strategies to enable 
                efficient, timely, and predictable licensing reviews 
                for, and to support the oversight of, production 
                facilities or utilization facilities at covered sites; 
                or
                    (B) initiate a rulemaking to enable efficient, 
                timely, and predictable licensing reviews for, and to 
                support the oversight of, production facilities or 
                utilization facilities at covered sites.
            (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), 
        consistent with the mission of the Commission, the Commission 
        shall consider matters relating to--
                    (A) the use of existing site infrastructure;
                    (B) existing emergency preparedness organizations 
                and planning;
                    (C) the availability of historical site-specific 
                environmental data;
                    (D) previously completed environmental reviews 
                required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 
                1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
                    (E) activities associated with the potential 
                decommissioning of facilities or decontamination and 
                remediation at covered sites; and
                    (F) community engagement and historical experience 
                with energy production.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Commission shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report describing the actions taken by the Commission under 
subsection (c)(1).

SEC. 207. COMBINED LICENSE REVIEW PROCEDURE.

    (a) In General.--In accordance with this section, the Commission 
shall establish and carry out an expedited procedure for issuing a 
combined license pursuant to section 185 b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 
1954 (42 U.S.C. 2235(b)).
    (b) Qualifications.--To qualify for the expedited procedure under 
subsection (a), an applicant--
            (1) shall submit a combined license application for a new 
        nuclear reactor that--
                    (A) references a design for which the Commission 
                has issued a design certification (as defined in 
                section 52.1 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations 
                (or any successor regulation)); or
                    (B) has a design that is substantially similar to a 
                design of a nuclear reactor for which the Commission 
                has issued a combined license, an operating license, or 
                a manufacturing license under the Atomic Energy Act of 
                1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
            (2) shall propose to construct the new nuclear reactor on a 
        site--
                    (A) on which a licensed commercial nuclear reactor 
                operates or previously operated; or
                    (B) that is directly adjacent to a site on which a 
                licensed commercial nuclear reactor operates or 
                previously operated and has site characteristics that 
                are substantially similar to that site; and
            (3) may not be subject to an order of the Commission to 
        suspend or revoke a license under section 2.202 of title 10, 
        Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
    (c) Expedited Procedure.--With respect to a combined license for 
which the applicant has satisfied the requirements described in 
subsection (b), the Commission shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable--
            (1) not later than 18 months after the date on which the 
        application is accepted for docketing--
                    (A) complete the technical review process and issue 
                a safety evaluation report; and
                    (B) issue a final environmental impact statement or 
                environmental assessment, unless the Commission finds 
                that the proposed agency action is excluded pursuant to 
                a categorical exclusion in accordance with the National 
                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
                seq.);
            (2) not later than 2 years after the date on which the 
        application is accepted for docketing, complete any necessary 
        public licensing hearings and related processes; and
            (3) not later than 25 months after the date on which the 
        application is accepted for docketing, make a final decision on 
        whether to issue the combined license.
    (d) Performance and Reporting.--
            (1) Delays in issuance.--Not later than 30 days after the 
        applicable deadline, the Executive Director for Operations of 
        the Commission shall inform the Commission of any failure to 
        meet a deadline under subsection (c).
            (2) Delays in issuance exceeding 90 days.--If any deadline 
        under subsection (c) is not met by the date that is 90 days 
        after the applicable date required under that subsection, the 
        Commission shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report describing the delay, including--
                    (A) a detailed explanation accounting for the 
                delay; and
                    (B) a plan for completion of the applicable action.

SEC. 208. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR MICRO-REACTORS.

    (a) Micro-Reactor Licensing.--The Commission shall--
            (1) not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, develop risk-informed and performance-based 
        strategies and guidance to license and regulate micro-reactors 
        pursuant to section 103 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 
        U.S.C. 2133), including strategies and guidance for--
                    (A) staffing and operations;
                    (B) oversight and inspections;
                    (C) safeguards and security;
                    (D) emergency preparedness;
                    (E) risk analysis methods, including alternatives 
                to probabilistic risk assessments;
                    (F) decommissioning funding assurance methods that 
                permit the use of design- and site-specific cost 
                estimates;
                    (G) the transportation of fueled micro-reactors; 
                and
                    (H) siting, including in relation to--
                            (i) the population density criterion limit 
                        described in the policy issue paper on 
                        population-related siting considerations for 
                        advanced reactors dated May 8, 2020, and 
                        numbered SECY-20-0045;
                            (ii) licensing mobile deployment; and
                            (iii) environmental reviews; and
            (2) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, implement, as appropriate, the strategies and 
        guidance developed under paragraph (1)--
                    (A) within the existing regulatory framework;
                    (B) through the technology-inclusive regulatory 
                framework to be established under section 103(a)(4) of 
                the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (42 
                U.S.C. 2133 note; Public Law 115-439); or
                    (C) through a pending or new rulemaking.
    (b) Considerations.--In developing and implementing strategies and 
guidance under subsection (a), the Commission shall consider--
            (1) the unique characteristics of micro-reactors, including 
        characteristics relating to--
                    (A) physical size;
                    (B) design simplicity; and
                    (C) source term;
            (2) opportunities to address redundancies and 
        inefficiencies;
            (3) opportunities to consolidate review phases and reduce 
        transitions between review teams;
            (4) opportunities to establish integrated review teams to 
        ensure continuity throughout the review process; and
            (5) other relevant considerations discussed in the policy 
        issue paper on policy and licensing considerations related to 
        micro-reactors dated October 6, 2020, and numbered SECY-20-
        0093.
    (c) Consultation.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Commission 
shall consult with--
            (1) the Secretary of Energy;
            (2) the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate;
            (3) micro-reactor technology developers; and
            (4) other stakeholders.

        TITLE III--PRESERVING EXISTING NUCLEAR ENERGY GENERATION

SEC. 301. FOREIGN OWNERSHIP.

    (a) In General.--The prohibitions against issuing certain licenses 
for utilization facilities to certain aliens, corporations, and other 
entities described in the second sentence of section 103 d. of the 
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2133(d)) and the second sentence 
of section 104 d. of that Act (42 U.S.C. 2134(d)) shall not apply to an 
entity described in subsection (b) if the Commission determines that 
issuance of the applicable license to that entity is not inimical to--
            (1) the common defense and security; or
            (2) the health and safety of the public.
    (b) Entities Described.--
            (1) In general.--An entity referred to in subsection (a) is 
        an alien, corporation, or other entity that is owned, 
        controlled, or dominated by--
                    (A) the government of--
                            (i) a country, other than a country 
                        described in paragraph (2), that is a member of 
                        the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and 
                        Development on the date of enactment of this 
                        Act; or
                            (ii) the Republic of India;
                    (B) a corporation that is incorporated in a country 
                described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A); or
                    (C) an alien who is a citizen or national of a 
                country described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph 
                (A).
            (2) Exclusion.--A country described in this paragraph is a 
        country--
                    (A) any department, agency, or instrumentality of 
                the government of which, on the date of enactment of 
                this Act, is subject to sanctions under section 231 of 
                the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions 
                Act (22 U.S.C. 9525); or
                    (B) any citizen, national, or entity of which, as 
                of the date of enactment of this Act, is included on 
                the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked 
                Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets 
                Control of the Department of the Treasury pursuant to 
                sanctions imposed under section 231 of the Countering 
                America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 
                9525).
    (c) Technical Amendment.--Section 103 d. of the Atomic Energy Act 
of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2133(d)) is amended, in the second sentence, by 
striking ``any any'' and inserting ``any''.
    (d) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section affects the 
requirements of section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 
U.S.C. 4565).

    TITLE IV--NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE, SUPPLY CHAIN, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND 
                               WORKFORCE

SEC. 401. REPORT ON ADVANCED METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION 
              FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY PROJECTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report (referred to in this section as the 
``report'') on manufacturing and construction for nuclear energy 
projects.
    (b) Stakeholder Input.--In developing the report, the Commission 
shall seek input from--
            (1) the Secretary of Energy;
            (2) the nuclear energy industry;
            (3) National Laboratories;
            (4) institutions of higher education;
            (5) nuclear and manufacturing technology developers;
            (6) the manufacturing and construction industries, 
        including manufacturing and construction companies with 
        operating facilities in the United States;
            (7) standards development organizations;
            (8) labor unions;
            (9) nongovernmental organizations; and
            (10) other public stakeholders.
    (c) Contents.--
            (1) In general.--The report shall--
                    (A) examine any unique licensing issues or 
                requirements relating to the use, for nuclear energy 
                projects, of--
                            (i) advanced manufacturing processes;
                            (ii) advanced construction techniques; and
                            (iii) rapid improvement or iterative 
                        innovation processes;
                    (B) examine--
                            (i) the requirements for nuclear-grade 
                        components in manufacturing and construction 
                        for nuclear energy projects;
                            (ii) opportunities to use standard 
                        materials, parts, or components in 
                        manufacturing and construction for nuclear 
                        energy projects;
                            (iii) opportunities to use standard 
                        materials that are in compliance with existing 
                        codes and standards to provide acceptable 
                        approaches to support or encapsulate new 
                        materials that do not yet have applicable codes 
                        and standards; and
                            (iv) requirements relating to the transport 
                        of a fueled advanced nuclear reactor core from 
                        a manufacturing licensee to a licensee that 
                        holds a license to construct and operate a 
                        facility at a particular site;
                    (C) identify safety aspects of advanced 
                manufacturing processes and advanced construction 
                techniques that are not addressed by existing codes and 
                standards, so that generic guidance may be updated or 
                created, as necessary;
                    (D) identify options for addressing the issues, 
                requirements, and opportunities examined under 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B)--
                            (i) within the existing regulatory 
                        framework; or
                            (ii) through a new rulemaking;
                    (E) identify how addressing the issues, 
                requirements, and opportunities examined under 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) will impact opportunities for 
                domestic nuclear manufacturing and construction 
                developers; and
                    (F) describe the extent to which Commission action 
                is needed to implement any matter described in the 
                report.
            (2) Cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes.--The report 
        shall include cost estimates, proposed budgets, and proposed 
        timeframes for implementing risk-informed and performance-based 
        regulatory guidance for advanced manufacturing and construction 
        for nuclear energy projects.

SEC. 402. NUCLEAR ENERGY TRAINEESHIP.

    Section 313 of division C of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 
(42 U.S.C. 16274a), is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Nuclear Regulatory'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(1), in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and subsection (c)'' after 
        ``paragraph (2)'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph 
                (5); and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) Advanced nuclear reactor.--The term `advanced nuclear 
        reactor' has the meaning given the term in section 951(b) of 
        the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16271(b)).
            ``(2) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the Nuclear 
        Regulatory Commission.
            ``(3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
        15801).
            ``(4) National laboratory.--The term `National Laboratory' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 951(b) of the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16271(b)).'';
            (4) in subsection (d)(2), by striking ``Nuclear 
        Regulatory'';
            (5) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (d) and (e), respectively; and
            (6) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) Nuclear Energy Traineeship Subprogram.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall establish, as a 
        subprogram of the Program, a nuclear energy traineeship 
        subprogram under which the Commission, in coordination with 
        institutions of higher education and trade schools, shall 
        competitively award traineeships that provide focused training 
        to meet critical mission needs of the Commission and nuclear 
        workforce needs, including needs relating to the nuclear 
        tradecraft workforce.
            ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the nuclear energy 
        traineeship subprogram described in paragraph (1), the 
        Commission shall--
                    ``(A) coordinate with the Secretary of Energy to 
                prioritize the funding of traineeships that focus on--
                            ``(i) nuclear workforce needs; and
                            ``(ii) critical mission needs of the 
                        Commission;
                    ``(B) encourage appropriate partnerships among--
                            ``(i) National Laboratories;
                            ``(ii) institutions of higher education;
                            ``(iii) trade schools;
                            ``(iv) the nuclear energy industry; and
                            ``(v) other entities, as the Commission 
                        determines to be appropriate; and
                    ``(C) on an annual basis, evaluate nuclear 
                workforce needs for the purpose of implementing 
                traineeships in focused topical areas that--
                            ``(i) address the workforce needs of the 
                        nuclear energy community; and
                            ``(ii) support critical mission needs of 
                        the Commission.''.

SEC. 403. BIENNIAL REPORT ON THE SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL AND HIGH-LEVEL 
              RADIOACTIVE WASTE INVENTORY IN THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) High-level radioactive waste.--The term ``high-level 
        radioactive waste'' has the meaning given the term in section 2 
        of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101).
            (2) Spent nuclear fuel.--The term ``spent nuclear fuel'' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Nuclear 
        Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101).
            (3) Standard contract.--The term ``standard contract'' has 
        the meaning given the term ``contract'' in section 961.3 of 
        title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor 
        regulation).
    (b) Report.--Not later than January 1, 2026, and biennially 
thereafter, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to Congress a report 
that describes--
            (1) the annual and cumulative amount of payments made by 
        the United States to the holder of a standard contract due to a 
        partial breach of contract under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act 
        of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.) resulting in financial 
        damages to the holder;
            (2) the cumulative amount spent by the Department of Energy 
        since fiscal year 2008 to reduce future payments projected to 
        be made by the United States to any holder of a standard 
        contract due to a partial breach of contract under the Nuclear 
        Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.);
            (3) the cumulative amount spent by the Department of Energy 
        to store, manage, and dispose of spent nuclear fuel and high-
        level radioactive waste in the United States as of the date of 
        the report;
            (4) the projected lifecycle costs to store, manage, 
        transport, and dispose of the projected inventory of spent 
        nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in the United 
        States, including spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive 
        waste expected to be generated from existing reactors through 
        2050;
            (5) any mechanisms for better accounting of liabilities for 
        the lifecycle costs of the spent nuclear fuel and high-level 
        radioactive waste inventory in the United States;
            (6) any recommendations for improving the methods used by 
        the Department of Energy for the accounting of spent nuclear 
        fuel and high-level radioactive waste costs and liabilities;
            (7) any actions taken in the previous fiscal year by the 
        Department of Energy with respect to interim storage; and
            (8) any activities taken in the previous fiscal year by the 
        Department of Energy to develop and deploy nuclear technologies 
        and fuels that enhance the safe transportation or storage of 
        spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste, including 
        technologies to protect against seismic, flooding, and other 
        extreme weather events.

SEC. 404. DEVELOPMENT, QUALIFICATION, AND LICENSING OF ADVANCED NUCLEAR 
              FUEL CONCEPTS.

    (a) In General.--The Commission shall establish an initiative to 
enhance preparedness and coordination with respect to the qualification 
and licensing of advanced nuclear fuel.
    (b) Agency Coordination.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Commission and the Secretary of Energy shall 
enter into a memorandum of understanding--
            (1) to share technical expertise and knowledge through--
                    (A) enabling the testing and demonstration of 
                accident tolerant fuels for existing commercial nuclear 
                reactors and advanced nuclear reactor fuel concepts to 
                be proposed and funded, in whole or in part, by the 
                private sector;
                    (B) operating a database to store and share data 
                and knowledge relevant to nuclear science and 
                engineering between Federal agencies and the private 
                sector;
                    (C) leveraging expertise with respect to safety 
                analysis and research relating to advanced nuclear 
                fuel; and
                    (D) enabling technical staff to actively observe 
                and learn about technologies, with an emphasis on 
                identification of additional information needed with 
                respect to advanced nuclear fuel; and
            (2) to ensure that--
                    (A) the Department of Energy has sufficient 
                technical expertise to support the timely research, 
                development, demonstration, and commercial application 
                of advanced nuclear fuel;
                    (B) the Commission has sufficient technical 
                expertise to support the evaluation of applications for 
                licenses, permits, and design certifications and other 
                requests for regulatory approval for advanced nuclear 
                fuel;
                    (C)(i) the Department of Energy maintains and 
                develops the facilities necessary to enable the timely 
                research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
                application by the civilian nuclear industry of 
                advanced nuclear fuel; and
                    (ii) the Commission has access to the facilities 
                described in clause (i), as needed; and
                    (D) the Commission consults, as appropriate, with 
                the modeling and simulation experts at the Office of 
                Nuclear Energy of the Department of Energy, at the 
                National Laboratories, and within industry fuel vendor 
                teams in cooperative agreements with the Department of 
                Energy to leverage physics-based computer modeling and 
                simulation capabilities.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the 
        efforts of the Commission under subsection (a), including--
                    (A) an assessment of the preparedness of the 
                Commission to review and qualify for use--
                            (i) accident tolerant fuel;
                            (ii) ceramic cladding materials;
                            (iii) fuels containing silicon carbide;
                            (iv) high-assay, low-enriched uranium 
                        fuels;
                            (v) molten-salt based liquid fuels;
                            (vi) fuels derived from spent nuclear fuel 
                        or depleted uranium; and
                            (vii) other related fuel concepts, as 
                        determined by the Commission;
                    (B) activities planned or undertaken under the 
                memorandum of understanding described in subsection 
                (b);
                    (C) an accounting of the areas of research needed 
                with respect to advanced nuclear fuel; and
                    (D) any other challenges or considerations 
                identified by the Commission.
            (2) Consultation.--In developing the report under paragraph 
        (1), the Commission shall seek input from--
                    (A) the Secretary of Energy;
                    (B) National Laboratories;
                    (C) the nuclear energy industry;
                    (D) technology developers;
                    (E) nongovernmental organizations; and
                    (F) other public stakeholders.

                TITLE V--IMPROVING COMMISSION EFFICIENCY

SEC. 501. MISSION ALIGNMENT.

    (a) Update.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Commission shall, while remaining consistent with the 
policies of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) and 
the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.) 
(including to provide reasonable assurance of adequate protection of 
the public health and safety, to promote the common defense and 
security, and to protect the environment), update the mission statement 
of the Commission to include that licensing and regulation of the 
civilian use of radioactive materials and nuclear energy be conducted 
in a manner that is efficient and does not unnecessarily limit--
            (1) the civilian use of radioactive materials and 
        deployment of nuclear energy; or
            (2) the benefits of civilian use of radioactive materials 
        and nuclear energy technology to society.
    (b) Report.--On completion of the update to the mission statement 
required under subsection (a), the Commission shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes--
            (1) the updated mission statement; and
            (2) the guidance that the Commission will provide to staff 
        of the Commission to ensure effective performance of the 
        mission of the Commission.

SEC. 502. STRENGTHENING THE NRC WORKFORCE.

    (a) Commission Workforce.--
            (1) General authority.--The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 
        U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 161A 
        the following:

``SEC. 161B. COMMISSION WORKFORCE.

    ``(a) Direct Hire Authority.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 161 d. of this 
        Act and any provision of Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1980 (94 
        Stat. 3585; 5 U.S.C. app.), and without regard to any provision 
        of title 5 (except section 3328), United States Code, governing 
        appointments in the civil service, the Chairman of the Nuclear 
        Regulatory Commission (in this section referred to as the 
        `Chairman') may, in order to carry out the Nuclear Regulatory 
        Commission's (in this section referred to as the `Commission') 
        responsibilities and activities in a timely, efficient, and 
        effective manner and subject to the limitations described in 
        paragraphs (2), (3), and (4)--
                    ``(A) recruit and directly appoint exceptionally 
                well-qualified individuals into the excepted service 
                for covered positions; and
                    ``(B) establish in the excepted service term-
                limited covered positions and recruit and directly 
                appoint exceptionally well-qualified individuals into 
                such term-limited covered positions, which may not 
                exceed a term of 4 years.
            ``(2) Limitations.--
                    ``(A) Number.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The number of 
                        exceptionally well-qualified individuals 
                        serving in covered positions pursuant to 
                        paragraph (1)(A) may not exceed 210 at any one 
                        time.
                            ``(ii) Term-limited covered positions.--The 
                        Chairman may not appoint more than 20 
                        exceptionally well-qualified individuals into 
                        term-limited covered positions pursuant to 
                        paragraph (1)(B) during any fiscal year.
                    ``(B) Compensation.--
                            ``(i) Annual rate.--The annual basic rate 
                        of pay for any individual appointed under 
                        paragraph (1)(A) or paragraph (1)(B) may not 
                        exceed the annual basic rate of pay for level 
                        III of the Executive Schedule under section 
                        5314 of title 5, United States Code.
                            ``(ii) Experience and qualifications.--Any 
                        individual recruited and directly appointed 
                        into a covered position or a term-limited 
                        covered position shall be compensated at a rate 
                        of pay that is commensurate with such 
                        individual's experience and qualifications.
                    ``(C) Senior executive service position.--The 
                Chairman may not, under paragraph (1)(A) or paragraph 
                (1)(B), appoint exceptionally well-qualified 
                individuals to any Senior Executive Service position, 
                as defined in section 3132 of title 5, United States 
                Code.
            ``(3) Level of positions.--To the extent practicable, in 
        carrying out paragraph (1) the Chairman shall recruit and 
        directly appoint exceptionally well-qualified individuals into 
        the excepted service to entry, mid, and senior level covered 
        positions, including term-limited covered positions.
            ``(4) Consideration of future workforce needs.--When 
        recruiting and directly appointing exceptionally well-qualified 
        individuals to covered positions pursuant to paragraph (1)(A), 
        to maintain sufficient flexibility under the limitations of 
        paragraph (2)(A)(i), the Chairman shall consider the future 
        workforce needs of the Commission to carry out its 
        responsibilities and activities in a timely, efficient, and 
        effective manner.
    ``(b) Addressing Insufficient Compensation of Employees and Other 
Personnel of the Commission.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, the Chairman may fix the compensation for employees or 
        other personnel serving in a covered position without regard to 
        any provision of title 5, United States Code, governing General 
        Schedule classification and pay rates.
            ``(2) Applicability.--The authority under this subsection 
        to fix the compensation of employees or other personnel shall 
        apply with respect to an employee or other personnel serving in 
        a covered position regardless of when the employee or other 
        personnel was hired.
            ``(3) Limitations on compensation.--
                    ``(A) Annual rate.--The Chairman may not use the 
                authority under paragraph (1) to fix the compensation 
                of employees or other personnel--
                            ``(i) at an annual rate of basic pay higher 
                        than the annual basic rate of pay for level III 
                        of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of 
                        title 5, United States Code; or
                            ``(ii) at an annual rate of basic pay that 
                        is not commensurate with such an employee or 
                        other personnel's experience and 
                        qualifications.
                    ``(B) Senior executive service positions.--The 
                Chairman may not use the authority under paragraph (1) 
                to fix the compensation of an employee serving in a 
                Senior Executive Service position, as defined in 
                section 3132 of title 5, United States Code.
    ``(c) Additional Compensation Authority.--
            ``(1) For new employees.--The Chairman may pay an 
        individual recruited and directly appointed under subsection 
        (a) a 1-time hiring bonus in an amount not to exceed $25,000.
            ``(2) For existing employees.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraphs (B) and 
                (C), an employee or other personnel who the Chairman 
                determines exhibited exceptional performance in a 
                fiscal year may be paid a performance bonus in an 
                amount not to exceed the least of--
                            ``(i) $25,000; and
                            ``(ii) the amount of the limitation that is 
                        applicable for a calendar year under section 
                        5307(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code.
                    ``(B) Exceptional performance.--Exceptional 
                performance under subparagraph (A) includes--
                            ``(i) leading a project team in a timely 
                        and efficient licensing review to enable the 
                        safe use of nuclear technology;
                            ``(ii) making significant contributions to 
                        a timely and efficient licensing review to 
                        enable the safe use of nuclear technology;
                            ``(iii) the resolution of novel or first-
                        of-a-kind regulatory issues;
                            ``(iv) developing or implementing licensing 
                        or regulatory oversight processes to improve 
                        the effectiveness of the Commission; and
                            ``(v) other performance, as determined by 
                        the Chairman.
                    ``(C) Limitations.--
                            ``(i) Subsequent bonuses.--Any person who 
                        receives a performance bonus under subparagraph 
                        (A) may not receive another performance bonus 
                        under that subparagraph for a period of 5 years 
                        thereafter.
                            ``(ii) Hiring bonuses.--Any person who 
                        receives a 1-time hiring bonus under paragraph 
                        (1) may not receive a performance bonus under 
                        subparagraph (A) unless more than one year has 
                        elapsed since the payment of such 1-time hiring 
                        bonus.
                            ``(iii) No bonus for senior executive 
                        service positions.--No person serving in a 
                        Senior Executive Service position, as defined 
                        in section 3132 of title 5, United States Code, 
                        may receive a performance bonus under 
                        subparagraph (A).
    ``(d) Implementation Plan and Report.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of this section, the Chairman shall develop and 
        implement a plan to carry out this section. Before implementing 
        such plan, the Chairman shall submit to the Committee on Energy 
        and Commerce of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 
        Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and the Office of 
        Personnel Management a report on the details of the plan.
            ``(2) Report content.--The report submitted under paragraph 
        (1) shall include--
                    ``(A) evidence and supporting documentation 
                justifying the plan; and
                    ``(B) budgeting projections on costs and benefits 
                resulting from the plan.
            ``(3) Consultation.--The Chairman may consult with the 
        Office of Personnel Management, the Office of Management and 
        Budget, and the Comptroller General of the United States in 
        developing the plan under paragraph (1).
    ``(e) Delegation.--The Chairman shall delegate, subject to the 
direction and supervision of the Chairman, the authority provided by 
subsections (a), (b), and (c) to the Executive Director for Operations 
of the Commission.
    ``(f) Information on Hiring, Vacancies, and Compensation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall include in its 
        budget materials submitted in support of the budget of the 
        President (submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of 
        title 31, United States Code), for fiscal year 2026 and each 
        fiscal year thereafter, information relating to hiring, 
        vacancies, and compensation at the Commission.
            ``(2) Inclusions.--The information described in paragraph 
        (1) shall include--
                    ``(A) an analysis of any trends with respect to 
                hiring, vacancies, and compensation at the Commission;
                    ``(B) a description of the efforts to retain and 
                attract employees or other personnel to serve in 
                covered positions at the Commission;
                    ``(C) information that describes--
                            ``(i) how the authority provided by 
                        subsection (a) is being used to address the 
                        hiring needs of the Commission;
                            ``(ii) the total number of exceptionally 
                        well-qualified individuals serving in--
                                    ``(I) covered positions described 
                                in subsection (g)(1) pursuant to 
                                subsection (a)(1)(A);
                                    ``(II) covered positions described 
                                in subsection (g)(2) pursuant to 
                                subsection (a)(1)(A);
                                    ``(III) term-limited covered 
                                positions described in subsection 
                                (g)(1) pursuant to subsection 
                                (a)(1)(B); and
                                    ``(IV) term-limited covered 
                                positions described in subsection 
                                (g)(2) pursuant to subsection 
                                (a)(1)(B);
                            ``(iii) how the authority provided by 
                        subsection (b) is being used to address the 
                        hiring or retention needs of the Commission;
                            ``(iv) the total number of employees or 
                        other personnel serving in a covered position 
                        that have their compensation fixed pursuant to 
                        subsection (b); and
                            ``(v) the attrition levels with respect to 
                        term-limited covered positions appointed under 
                        subsection (a)(1)(B), including the number of 
                        individuals leaving a term-limited covered 
                        position before completion of the applicable 
                        term of service and the average length of 
                        service for such individuals as a percentage of 
                        the applicable term of service; and
                    ``(D) an assessment of--
                            ``(i) the current critical workforce needs 
                        of the Commission and any critical workforce 
                        needs that the Commission anticipates in the 
                        next five years; and
                            ``(ii) additional skillsets that are or 
                        likely will be needed for the Commission to 
                        fulfill the licensing and oversight 
                        responsibilities of the Commission.
    ``(g) Covered Position.--In this section, the term `covered 
position' means--
            ``(1) a position in which an employee or other personnel is 
        responsible for conducting work of a highly-specialized 
        scientific, technical, engineering, mathematical, or otherwise 
        skilled nature to address a critical licensing or regulatory 
        oversight need for the Commission; or
            ``(2) a position that the Executive Director for Operations 
        of the Commission determines is necessary to fulfill the 
        responsibilities of the Commission in a timely, efficient, and 
        effective manner.
    ``(h) Sunset.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        authorities provided by subsections (a) and (b) shall terminate 
        on September 30, 2034.
            ``(2) Certification.--If, no later than the date referenced 
        in paragraph (1), the Commission issues a certification that 
        the authorities provided by subsection (a), subsection (b), or 
        both subsections are necessary for the Commission to carry out 
        its responsibilities and activities in a timely, efficient, and 
        effective manner, the authorities provided by the applicable 
        subsection shall terminate on September 30, 2039.
            ``(3) Compensation.--The termination of the authorities 
        provided by subsections (a) and (b) shall not affect the 
        compensation of an employee or other personnel serving in a 
        covered position whose compensation was fixed by the Chairman 
        in accordance with subsection (a) or (b).''.
            (2) Table of contents.--The table of contents of the Atomic 
        Energy Act of 1954 is amended by inserting after the item 
        relating to section 161 the following:

``Sec. 161A. Use of firearms by security personnel.
``Sec. 161B. Commission workforce.''.
    (b) Government Accountability Office Report.--Not later than 
September 30, 2033, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on 
Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that--
            (1) evaluates the extent to which the authorities provided 
        under subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 161B of the 
        Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (as added by this Act) have been 
        utilized;
            (2) describes the role in which the exceptionally well-
        qualified individuals recruited and directly appointed pursuant 
        to section 161B(a) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (as added 
        by this Act) have been utilized to support the licensing of 
        advanced nuclear reactors;
            (3) assesses the effectiveness of the authorities provided 
        under subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 161B of the 
        Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (as added by this Act) in helping the 
        Commission fulfill its mission;
            (4) makes recommendations to improve the Commission's 
        strategic workforce management; and
            (5) makes recommendations with respect to whether Congress 
        should extend, enhance, modify, or discontinue the authorities 
        provided under subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 161B of 
        the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (as added by this Act).
    (c) Annual Solicitation for Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship 
Network Applications.--The Commission, on an annual basis, shall 
solicit applications for the Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship Network.

SEC. 503. COMMISSION CORPORATE SUPPORT FUNDING.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Commission shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress and make publicly available a report that describes--
            (1) the progress on the implementation of section 102(a)(3) 
        of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (42 
        U.S.C. 2215(a)(3)); and
            (2) whether the Commission is meeting and is expected to 
        meet the total budget authority caps required for corporate 
        support under that section.
    (b) Limitation on Corporate Support Costs.--Section 102(a)(3) of 
the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 
2215(a)(3)) is amended by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) and 
inserting the following:
                    ``(B) 30 percent for fiscal year 2025 and each 
                fiscal year thereafter.''.
    (c) Corporate Support Costs Clarification.--Paragraph (10) of 
section 3 of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (42 
U.S.C. 2215 note; Public Law 115-439) (as redesignated by section 
201(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The term'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--The term''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Exclusions.--The term `corporate support 
                costs' does not include--
                            ``(i) costs for rent and utilities relating 
                        to any and all space in the Three White Flint 
                        North building that is not occupied by the 
                        Commission; or
                            ``(ii) costs for salaries, travel, and 
                        other support for the Office of the 
                        Commission.''.

SEC. 504. PERFORMANCE METRICS AND MILESTONES.

    Section 102(c) of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization 
Act (42 U.S.C. 2215(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``180'' 
                and inserting ``90''; and
                    (B) by striking ``180'' and inserting ``90''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Periodic updates to metrics and schedules.--
                    ``(A) Review and assessment.--Not less frequently 
                than once every 3 years, the Commission shall review 
                and assess, based on the licensing and regulatory 
                activities of the Commission, the performance metrics 
                and milestone schedules established under paragraph 
                (1).
                    ``(B) Revisions.--After each review and assessment 
                under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall revise and 
                improve, as appropriate, the performance metrics and 
                milestone schedules described in that subparagraph to 
                provide the most efficient metrics and schedules 
                reasonably achievable.''.

SEC. 505. NUCLEAR LICENSING EFFICIENCY.

    (a) Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.--Section 203 of the 
Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5843) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a) There'' and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(a) Establishment; Appointment of Director.--There'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``(b) Subject'' and 
                        inserting the following:
    ``(b) Functions of Director.--Subject''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``delegate including:'' 
                        and inserting ``delegate, including the 
                        following:''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``for the 
                discharge of the'' and inserting ``to fulfill the 
                licensing and regulatory oversight'';
            (3) in subsection (c), by striking ``(c) Nothing'' and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(d) Responsibility for Safe Operation of Facilities.--Nothing''; 
and
            (4) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) Licensing Process.--In carrying out the principal licensing 
and regulation functions under subsection (b)(1), the Director of 
Nuclear Reactor Regulation shall--
            ``(1) establish techniques and guidance for evaluating 
        applications for licenses for nuclear reactors to support 
        efficient, timely, and predictable reviews of applications for 
        those licenses to enable the safe and secure use of nuclear 
        reactors;
            ``(2) maintain the techniques and guidance established 
        under paragraph (1) by periodically assessing and, if 
        necessary, modifying those techniques and guidance; and
            ``(3) obtain approval from the Commission if establishment 
        or modification of the techniques and guidance under paragraph 
        (1) or (2) involves policy formulation.''.
    (b) Efficient Licensing Reviews.--
            (1) General.--Section 181 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 
        (42 U.S.C. 2231) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``The provisions of'' and inserting 
                the following:
    ``(a) In General.--The provisions of''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Efficient Licensing Reviews.--The Commission shall provide 
for efficient and timely reviews and proceedings for the granting, 
suspending, revoking, or amending of any--
            ``(1) license or construction permit; or
            ``(2) application to transfer control.''.
    (c) Construction Permits and Operating Licenses.--Section 185 of 
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2235) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
    ``c. Application Reviews for Production and Utilization Facilities 
of an Existing Site.--In reviewing an application for an early site 
permit, construction permit, operating license, or combined 
construction permit and operating license for a production facility or 
utilization facility located at the site of a production facility or 
utilization facility licensed by the Commission, the Commission shall, 
to the extent practicable, use information that was part of the 
licensing basis of the licensed production facility or utilization 
facility.''.

SEC. 506. MODERNIZATION OF NUCLEAR REACTOR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the efforts of the Commission to 
facilitate efficient, timely, and predictable environmental reviews of 
nuclear reactor applications for a license under section 103 of the 
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2133), including through expanded 
use of categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, and generic 
environmental impact statements.
    (b) Report.--In completing the report under subsection (a), the 
Commission shall--
            (1) describe the actions the Commission will take to 
        implement the amendments to the National Environmental Policy 
        Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) made by section 321 of the 
        Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (Public Law 118-5; 137 Stat. 
        38);
            (2) consider--
                    (A) using, through adoption, incorporation by 
                reference, or other appropriate means, categorical 
                exclusions, environmental assessments, and 
                environmental impact statements prepared by other 
                Federal agencies to streamline environmental reviews of 
                applications described in subsection (a) by the 
                Commission;
                    (B) using categorical exclusions, environmental 
                assessments, and environmental impact statements 
                prepared by the Commission to streamline environmental 
                reviews of applications described in subsection (a) by 
                the Commission;
                    (C) using mitigated findings of no significant 
                impact in environmental reviews of applications 
                described in subsection (a) by the Commission to reduce 
                the impact of a proposed action to a level that is not 
                significant;
                    (D) the extent to which the Commission may rely on 
                prior studies or analyses prepared by Federal, State, 
                and local governmental permitting agencies to 
                streamline environmental reviews of applications 
                described in subsection (a) by the Commission;
                    (E) opportunities to coordinate the development of 
                environmental assessments and environmental impact 
                statements with other Federal agencies to avoid 
                duplicative environmental reviews and to streamline 
                environmental reviews of applications described in 
                subsection (a) by the Commission;
                    (F) opportunities to streamline formal and informal 
                consultations and coordination with other Federal, 
                State, and local governmental permitting agencies 
                during environmental reviews of applications described 
                in subsection (a) by the Commission;
                    (G) opportunities to streamline the Commission's 
                analyses of alternatives, including the Commission's 
                analysis of alternative sites, in environmental reviews 
                of applications described in subsection (a) by the 
                Commission;
                    (H) establishing new categorical exclusions that 
                could be applied to actions relating to new 
                applications described in subsection (a);
                    (I) amending section 51.20(b) of title 10, Code of 
                Federal Regulations, to allow the Commission to 
                determine, on a case-specific basis, whether an 
                environmental assessment (rather than an environmental 
                impact statement or supplemental environmental impact 
                statement) is appropriate for a particular application 
                described in subsection (a), including in proceedings 
                in which the Commission relies on a generic 
                environmental impact statement for advanced nuclear 
                reactors;
                    (J) authorizing the use of an applicant's 
                environmental impact statement as the Commission's 
                draft environmental impact statement, consistent with 
                section 107(f) of the National Environmental Policy Act 
                of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4336a(f));
                    (K) opportunities to adopt online and digital 
                technologies, including technologies that would allow 
                applicants and cooperating agencies to upload documents 
                and coordinate with the Commission to edit documents in 
                real time, that would streamline communications 
                between--
                            (i) the Commission and applicants; and
                            (ii) the Commission and other relevant 
                        cooperating agencies; and
                    (L) in addition to implementing measures under 
                paragraph (3), potential revisions to part 51 of title 
                10, Code of Federal Regulations, and relevant 
                Commission guidance documents--
                            (i) to facilitate efficient, timely, and 
                        predictable environmental reviews of 
                        applications described in subsection (a);
                            (ii) to assist decision making about 
                        relevant environmental issues;
                            (iii) to maintain openness with the public;
                            (iv) to meet obligations under the National 
                        Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
                        4321 et seq.); and
                            (v) to reduce burdens on licensees, 
                        applicants, and the Commission; and
            (3) include a schedule for promulgating a rule for any 
        measures considered by the Commission under subparagraphs (A) 
        through (K) of paragraph (2) that require a rulemaking.

SEC. 507. IMPROVING OVERSIGHT AND INSPECTION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Definition of Licensee.--In this section, the term ``licensee'' 
means a person that holds a license issued under section 103 or 104 of 
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2133, 2134).
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Commission shall develop and submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report that identifies specific improvements 
to the nuclear reactor and materials oversight and inspection programs 
carried out pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 
et seq.) that the Commission may implement to maximize the efficiency 
of such programs through, where appropriate, the use of risk-informed, 
performance-based procedures, expanded incorporation of information 
technologies, and staff training.
    (c) Stakeholder Input.--In developing the report under subsection 
(b), the Commission shall, as appropriate, seek input from--
            (1) other Federal regulatory agencies that conduct 
        oversight and inspections;
            (2) the nuclear energy industry;
            (3) nongovernmental organizations; and
            (4) other public stakeholders.
    (d) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (b) shall--
            (1) assess specific elements of oversight and inspections 
        that may be modified by the use of technology, improved 
        planning, and continually updated risk-informed, performance-
        based assessment, including--
                    (A) use of travel resources;
                    (B) planning and preparation for inspections, 
                including entrance and exit meetings with licensees;
                    (C) document collection and preparation, including 
                consideration of whether nuclear reactor data are 
                accessible prior to onsite visits or requests to the 
                licensee and that document requests are timely and 
                within the scope of inspections; and
                    (D) the cross-cutting issues program;
            (2) identify and assess measures to improve oversight and 
        inspections, including--
                    (A) elimination of areas of duplicative or 
                otherwise unnecessary activities;
                    (B) increased use of templates in documenting 
                inspection results; and
                    (C) periodic training of Commission staff and 
                leadership on the application of risk-informed criteria 
                for--
                            (i) inspection planning and assessments;
                            (ii) agency decision-making processes on 
                        the application of regulations and guidance; 
                        and
                            (iii) the application of the Commission's 
                        standard of reasonable assurance of adequate 
                        protection;
            (3) assess measures to advance risk-informed procedures, 
        including--
                    (A) increased use of inspection approaches that 
                balance the level of resources commensurate with safety 
                significance;
                    (B) increased review of the use of inspection 
                program resources based on licensee performance;
                    (C) expansion of modern information technology, 
                including artificial intelligence and machine learning, 
                to risk-inform oversight and inspection decisions; and
                    (D) updating the Differing Professional Views or 
                Opinions process to ensure any impacts on agency 
                decisions and schedules are commensurate with the 
                safety significance of the differing opinion;
            (4) assess the ability of the Commission, consistent with 
        the mission of the Commission, to enable licensee innovations 
        that may advance nuclear reactor operational efficiency and 
        safety, including the criteria of the Commission for timely 
        acceptance of licensee adoption of advanced technologies, 
        including digital technologies;
            (5) identify recommendations resulting from the assessments 
        described in paragraphs (1) through (4);
            (6) identify specific actions that the Commission may take 
        to incorporate into the training, inspection, oversight, and 
        licensing activities, and regulations, of the Commission, 
        without compromising the mission of the Commission, the 
        recommendations identified under paragraph (5); and
            (7) describe when the actions identified under paragraph 
        (6) may be implemented.

                        TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 601. TECHNICAL CORRECTION.

    Section 104 c. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2134(c)) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking the third sentence and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(3) Limitation on utilization facilities.--The Commission 
        may issue a license under this section for a utilization 
        facility useful in the conduct of research and development 
        activities of the types specified in section 31 if--
                    ``(A) not more than 75 percent of the annual costs 
                to the licensee of owning and operating the facility 
                are devoted to the sale, other than for research and 
                development or education and training, of--
                            ``(i) nonenergy services;
                            ``(ii) energy; or
                            ``(iii) a combination of nonenergy services 
                        and energy; and
                    ``(B) not more than 50 percent of the annual costs 
                to the licensee of owning and operating the facility 
                are devoted to the sale of energy.'';
            (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``The Commission'' 
        and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Regulation.--The Commission''; and
            (3) by striking ``c. The Commission'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``c. Research and Development Activities.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the 
        Commission''.

SEC. 602. REPORT ON ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA WITH 
              RESPECT TO NUCLEAR WASTE ISSUES IN THE GREAT LAKES BASIN.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Commission shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, the 
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report describing any 
engagement between the Commission and the Government of Canada with 
respect to nuclear waste issues in the Great Lakes Basin.

SEC. 603. SAVINGS CLAUSE.

    Nothing in this Act affects authorities of the Department of State.

            Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to authorize 
        appropriations for the United States Fire Administration and 
        firefighter assistance grant programs, to advance the benefits 
        of nuclear energy, and for other purposes.''.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
118th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                 S. 870

_______________________________________________________________________

                               AMENDMENTS