HB 1461 Florida House · 2026 Regular Session

Advanced Nuclear Reactors

Summary
Advanced Nuclear Reactors; Authorizes PSC to regulate advanced nuclear reactors in this state; authorizes DOH & DEP to exercise specified powers & duties; requires PSC, DOH, & DEP to jointly establish criteria for certification of laboratories that perform analysis on nuclear materials; authorizes possession of nuclear material for specified purposes; requires permits for transfer, receipt, possession, use, storage, or disposal of nuclear materials; requires certifications for significant design modifications of small modular reactors; requires PSC to make certain determinations before issuing such permits & certifications; authorizes PSC to issue reciprocal permits under certain conditions; requires commission, after consultation with DEP & DOH, to adopt rules; revises criteria PSC must consider in preliminary study of electric utility 10-year site plans & in making determinations for proposed power plants; revises requirements for development of certain standards by electric utilities; removes such requirement for rural cooperatives; revises applicability of power plant capacity & expansion thresholds.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

H 1461 c1 H 1461 c2 · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to include a new legislative intent section promoting nuclear energy development and to require the Public Service Commission to consult with the University of Florida's Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Facility. Additionally, the bill now defines 'clean energy' while removing the definition of 'renewable energy,' and several statutory sections were updated to reflect these changes and adjust applicability rules.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include a specific mandate for the commission to consult with the University of Florida's Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Facility, and the definition of 'renewable energy' was removed to align with updated energy policy definitions.
REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Florida Public Service Commission to consult with the University of Florida's Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Facility when exercising regulatory authority over advanced nuclear reactors.

Updated several statutory sections (including s. 403.503, 403.506, 403.507, and 403.519) to revise applicability, definitions, and criteria for power plant determinations.

DEFINITION

Added a new legislative intent section explicitly stating the Legislature's goal to promote nuclear energy development and protect existing facilities.

Added a definition for 'clean energy' and removed the definition for 'renewable energy' to conform to changes in state energy policy.

Floor votes · House Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

1080
Passed · 9 other
Total votes 117
Mar 5, 2026
D Democratic34
30 Yea 4
88% Yea
R Republican83
78 Yea 5
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
36
Key actions
13
Committee
19
Mar 5, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
CS passed; YEAS 108, NAYS 0
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Committee
Bill referred to House Calendar
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Commerce Committee
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with CS by Commerce Committee
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Added to Commerce Committee agenda
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Now in Commerce Committee
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Budget Committee
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable by Budget Committee
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Added to Budget Committee agenda
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Now in Budget Committee
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
Referred to Commerce Committee
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
Referred to Budget Committee
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with CS by Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Added to Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee agenda
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Now in Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
Referred to Commerce Committee
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
Referred to Budget Committee
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
Referred to Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee
lower
2 primary · 11 co-sponsors

Sponsors