Securing our Radioactive Materials Act

This bill tells the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to tighten security around certain radioactive materials to lower the risk of a “dirty bomb.” It says the agency must consider how a radiation incident could hurt communities—both socially and economically—when setting its security rules.

It also makes some steps happen right away: all “Category 3” radioactive material licenses must be added to the NRC’s online licensing system, all Category 3 sources must be tracked in the national tracking system, and sellers must verify that buyers’ Category 3 licenses are real before selling to them. Within one year, the NRC must update its guidelines and regulations to carry out these changes.

• Who is affected: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission; companies and facilities that buy, sell, or use Category 3 radioactive sources; and communities near these materials.
• What changes: Add Category 3 licenses and sources to federal systems, verify buyers’ licenses before sales, and factor community impacts into security decisions.
• When: Verification, tracking, and licensing steps happen immediately; rule updates must be finished within one year of the law taking effect.