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Modifies subsection (a) (paragraph (1) and paragraph (2)(A) second sentence) to revise hearing provisions: rephrases the opening clause, explicitly permits the Commission to issue permits/licenses/amendments without a hearing in the absence of a request (subject to a thirty-day notice and Federal Register publication requirement), allows dispensing with the thirty-day notice for certain amendments involving no significant hazards consideration, and requires use of informal adjudicatory procedures for hearings under the amended subparagraph; replaces the phrase "required hearing" with "hearing held by the Commission under this section" in paragraph (2)(A)'s second sentence.
Alters subsection (b) to allow issuance of a combined construction and operating license after the thirty days notice and publication period or after holding a hearing, as applicable, under section 189a(1)(A).
Makes textual edits in subsection (b)(1) (striking/inserting instances of "; and" as specified) and modifies subsection (b)(2) to clarify that the requirement to complete the adjudicatory hearing and issue a decision before issuance of a license applies when a hearing is held under paragraph (1).
Makes changes to how nuclear licensing proceedings are handled by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. If no hearing is requested, the Commission may issue a permit or license without holding a hearing, but must give 30 days' notice and publish once in the Federal Register unless it finds no significant hazards. If a hearing is held, the Commission must use informal adjudicatory procedures. The rule applies to proceedings pending on or after the law's enactment.
Amends Section 189(a) of the Atomic Energy Act (42 U.S.C. 2239(a)) by replacing the first sentence of subparagraph (A)(i) with the text: "In any proceeding under this Act; and."
Replaces the clause that previously required a hearing with a provision allowing the Commission, if no person whose interest may be affected requests a hearing, to issue construction permits, operating licenses, combined construction and operating licenses, or amendments to those instruments for a facility or testing facility without holding a hearing, provided the Commission gives thirty days notice and publishes once in the Federal Register of its intent to do so.
Authorizes the Commission to dispense with the thirty days notice and Federal Register publication for applications that are amendments to permits or licenses if the Commission determines the amendment involves no significant hazards consideration.
Requires the Commission to use informal adjudicatory procedures for any hearing it holds under the amended subparagraph (A).
Edits subparagraph (B)(iv) of Section 189(a)(1) (punctuation adjustments) and changes wording in paragraph (2)(A) second sentence to replace "required hearing" with "hearing held by the Commission under this section."
Who is affected and how:
Applicants for Federal licenses or permits: License and permit applicants (including utilities, reactor vendors, or other nuclear-related applicants) may see faster final decisions in cases where no hearing is requested because the Commission may issue permits/licenses after the required notice period.
Regulated entities / licensees: Entities subject to NRC jurisdiction could experience quicker regulatory outcomes when no party requests a hearing, reducing procedural delay.
Public stakeholders and potential intervenors: Individuals, community groups, public interest organizations, and other potential intervenors must request hearings in a timely manner if they want a formal adjudicatory forum; otherwise issuance may proceed after notice. The shift to informal adjudicatory hearings when held may change how parties present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and its staff: The Commission must provide 30 days' notice and ensure publication in the Federal Register (unless it finds no significant hazards), and it must design and conduct hearings under an informal adjudicatory framework when hearings occur. This imposes procedural obligations but not direct funding requirements.
Courts and administrative review: Because the statute changes procedural rules and applies to pending cases, administrative records and the character of hearings in ongoing matters could change, potentially affecting later judicial review of NRC actions.
Net effect: The legislation primarily changes procedural steps in NRC licensing adjudications — emphasizing notice, optional non-hearing issuance when no party requests a hearing, and informal adjudicatory hearings when held — which can streamline licensing timelines but shifts the burden to interested parties to preserve formal hearing rights.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Introduced May 14, 2025 by Tim Scott · Last progress May 14, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Introduced in Senate