HB 78: Nuclear Regulatory Amendments - Utah

Amended 2/2/2026 11:02:161 → Substitute #1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to renumber an existing section and remove a specific exemption for interim nuclear waste storage, while also adding a clause to exempt the new nuclear fuel cycle regulations from a separate high-level waste placement law. The definition of the 'nuclear fuel cycle' was narrowed by removing 'fuel enrichment' and 'fuel conversion' from the list of regulated activities. Additionally, the rulemaking standards were expanded to include facility siting, and the reporting section was slightly shortened by removing a requirement to report on safety measures.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed regarding the definition of the nuclear fuel cycle (removing enrichment and conversion) and broadened regarding rulemaking authority (adding facility siting). The applicability of the new regulations was explicitly expanded to exclude them from a specific high-level waste placement chapter.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'nuclear fuel cycle' was changed to remove 'fuel enrichment' and 'fuel conversion' from the list of activities covered by the new office.

REQUIREMENT

A new subsection was added stating that the new nuclear fuel cycle regulations do not apply to the placement of high-level nuclear waste under a specific existing chapter.

The list of rulemaking standards was expanded to include 'nuclear fuel cycle facility siting' and changed from 'standards' to 'standards and performance objectives'.

ELIGIBILITY

A specific Section 2 regarding exemptions for interim storage of nuclear waste produced by the DOE or at state-owned facilities was removed entirely.

REPORTING

The annual reporting requirements were slightly reduced by removing the specific instruction to report on 'safety measures'.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was renumbered (e.g., changing affected code section 19-3-113 to 19-3-321) and minor formatting adjustments were made to the definitions list.

Amended 1/23/2026 11:01:684 → Amended 2/2/2026 11:02:161 · 1 edit

MINOR

The amendment adds 'including safety measures' to the annual report requirements for the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office. This change ensures that the state's progress report to the legislature explicitly covers safety protocols, providing greater transparency and oversight of nuclear safety standards alongside other operational metrics like staffing and fees.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding reporting requirements was expanded to include safety measures in the annual report.

REQUIREMENT

The annual report deadline (November 30) now requires the division to include specific details on safety measures alongside existing items like staffing, fees, and coordination activities.

Amended Excerpts 2/2/2026 11:02:161 → Amended 1/23/2026 11:01:684 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill establishes a new Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office within the Division of Waste Management to regulate nuclear fuel cycle activities in Utah. It grants the state authority to license and inspect nuclear facilities, authorizes the collection of fees to fund these operations, and mandates annual reporting to the legislature on progress and challenges.

Scope change

The bill expands state regulatory authority to include the full nuclear fuel cycle (enrichment, fabrication, conversion, reprocessing, storage, and waste management), previously limited to broader radiation control.

SCOPE

Created a new Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office with specific duties to coordinate state activities, serve as a liaison with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and oversee licensing and inspections.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'Nuclear fuel cycle' activities, 'Nuclear Regulatory Commission', and the new 'Office' to clarify the bill's operational scope.

FISCAL

Authorized the division to establish and collect fees for licensing, inspections, and administration, with funds deposited into a specific Environmental Quality Restricted Account.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that the division pursue expanded Agreement State status with the federal government and submit annual reports to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee.

TECHNICAL

Enacted new sections (19-14-101 through 19-14-104) to provide the legal framework for definitions, office creation, rulemaking authority, and federal engagement.

Amended Excerpts 1/23/2026 11:01:684 → Amended Excerpts 2/2/2026 11:02:161 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to expand the reporting requirements for the nuclear materials commission. The changes mandate that future annual reports must include specific new details regarding collected fees, staffing levels, training activities, coordination with federal agencies, and any significant challenges or safety measures encountered during implementation. This update ensures greater transparency and oversight of the commission's operational capacity and safety protocols.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's reporting requirements was expanded to include new operational metrics and safety disclosures.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory reporting items for annual reports, including fees collected, staffing levels, training activities, and coordination with federal agencies.

Added a requirement to report any significant challenges or issues encountered in implementing the chapter.

Added a requirement to include specific safety measures in the annual report.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 1/23/2026 11:01:684 · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to expand the definition of 'nuclear fuel cycle' activities to explicitly include 'fuel conversion,' which was previously missing from the list of regulated activities. This change ensures that the new Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office has clear authority to oversee and license fuel conversion projects alongside enrichment, fabrication, and reprocessing.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's regulatory authority was broadened to include fuel conversion activities within the state's jurisdiction.

DEFINITION

Added 'fuel conversion' to the list of activities defined as part of the 'nuclear fuel cycle' in the definitions section.

Re-indexed the list of activities from (c) through (f) to accommodate the new 'fuel conversion' item, shifting the original items down the list.

Introduced → Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MINOR

The bill was amended to add a new exemption for interim nuclear waste storage, clarifying that specific federal and state projects are not subject to certain placement rules. Additionally, the rulemaking section was updated to include facility siting standards and performance objectives, while the section numbering for the new exemptions was changed to align with the bill's final structure.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly exempt certain interim nuclear waste storage activities from specific chapter requirements, and the regulatory standards now include facility siting.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section creating exemptions for interim storage of nuclear waste produced by federal projects, test reactors, or state-owned facilities.

Updated the rulemaking authority to include standards for nuclear fuel cycle facility siting and performance objectives.

DEFINITION

Changed the section number for the new exemption provision from 19-3-321 to 19-3-113 in the enacted text to match the final bill structure.

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