1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Nuclear Advisory Committee Reform Act".

2. Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards

(a) In general - Section 29 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2039) is amended—

(1) by striking "There is" and inserting the following:

(a) Establishment - There is

(2) by inserting "(referred to in this section as the ""Committee"")." after "Reactor Safeguards";

(3) by striking "consisting of" and all that follows; and

(4) by adding at the end the following:

(b) Membership - The Committee shall consist of a maximum of 15 members, to be appointed by the Commission, who shall represent a diverse background of technical expertise relevant to the mission of the Commission.

(c) Terms -

(1) In general - Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Commission may appoint a member of the Committee for not more than 2 terms of 4 years each.

(2) Exception - The Commission may appoint a member of the Committee for more than 2 terms if the Commission determines that there is a compelling need for the member’s continued service.

(3) Applicability - This subsection shall apply with respect to members appointed after the date of enactment of the "Nuclear Advisory Committee Reform Act".

(d) Committee actions - The Committee shall—

(1) review safety studies and facility license applications referred to it and make reports thereon;

(2) advise the Commission with regard to—

(A) the hazards of proposed or existing reactor facilities; and

(B) the adequacy of proposed reactor safety standards; and

(3) perform such other duties as the Commission may request.

(e) Focus of Committee - In taking an action pursuant to paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (d), the Committee shall, to the extent practicable, focus on issues that—

(1) directly relate to facility design;

(2) are safety significant;

(3) are unique, novel, or noteworthy; and

(4) have not been previously acted on by the Committee.

(f) Policies for efficient and timely action - The Commission shall maintain and, if necessary, modify policies to ensure efficient and timely action by the Committee, including efficient and timely coordination between the Committee and staff of the Commission.

(g) Chairperson - The Commission shall designate 1 member of the Committee as the Chairperson of the Committee.

(h) Per diem - The members of the Committee shall receive—

(1) a per diem compensation for each day spent in meetings, conferences, or other work of the Committee; and

(2) compensation for necessary traveling or other expenses while engaged in the work of the Committee.

(i) Applicability - Section 163 shall apply to the Committee.

(b) License application review - Section 182 b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2232(b)) is amended—

(1) by striking "The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards" and inserting "(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards"; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

(2) The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards may decline to review an application referenced in paragraph (1) if it determines that such application does not—

(A) contain issues that are unique, novel, or noteworthy; or

(B) raise issues that warrant review by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards.

(c) Conforming amendments -

(1) Advisory Committees - Section 163 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2203) is amended—

(A) by striking "members of the General Advisory committee established pursuant to section 26 and the"; and

(B) by striking "sections 281, 283, or 284" and inserting "sections 203, 205, or 207".

(2) Temporary operating license - Section 192 a. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2242(a)) is amended—

(A) by striking "Safeguards required by section 182 b.;" and inserting "Safeguards submitted under section 182 b. (if applicable);"; and

(B) by striking "and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff's first supplement to the report prepared in response to the report of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards for the facility" and inserting ", and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff's first supplement to the report prepared in response to the report of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards for the facility (if applicable)".

November 5, 2026Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed