Nuclear Advisory Committee Reform Act

Bill Number: H.R. 9613
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-07-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T10:23:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the legislation This bill updates the structure and role of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) to improve efficiency in nuclear reactor licensing and oversight while maintaining safety reviews.

Key provisions outlined

Renames and reorganizes Section 29 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to formally establish the ACRS.
Limits membership to a maximum of 15 individuals appointed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) with diverse technical expertise.
Sets term limits of up to two 4-year terms, with an exception for compelling need.
Requires the ACRS to review license applications and amendments only when the NRC specifically requests it, and to submit public reports (except where security classification applies).
Directs the ACRS to focus reviews on reactor design issues that are safety-significant, novel, and previously unaddressed.
Allows the ACRS to propose actions but requires an NRC request before proceeding.
Requires the NRC to maintain policies for timely coordination with the ACRS.
Provides for per diem pay and travel expenses for members, and applies existing conflict-of-interest rules.

Significant changes to existing law introduced

Shifts the ACRS from mandatory review of all license applications to review only upon specific NRC request.
Adds explicit focus criteria and term limits not present in current law.
Updates conforming language in sections on temporary operating licenses and advisory committee rules to reflect the new optional review process.

Potential impacts on government agencies, citizens, or international relations

The NRC may experience streamlined licensing timelines through reduced mandatory ACRS involvement.
Citizens gain continued public access to ACRS reports when reviews occur.
No direct effects on international relations are specified.

Main stakeholders affected

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which gains flexibility in directing ACRS work.
Nuclear reactor applicants and licensees, who may face fewer automatic reviews.
Current and future ACRS members, subject to new term and focus rules.
The public, through access to ACRS reports.

Notable legal, constitutional, or political implications

The bill preserves the ACRS's statutory advisory role while making participation conditional on NRC request, which may affect the balance of independent expert input in licensing decisions.
No constitutional issues are addressed in the text.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12]

Recent Actions

2026-07-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2026-07-09: Introduced in House
2026-07-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Nuclear Advisory Committee Reform Act — issued 2026-07-09 — PDF (6 pages)