UtahUtah’s nuclear office coordinates fuel oversight with federal approval
Utah’s radiation control division may oversee nuclear fuel activities only with federal approval, while a state office coordinates licensing and inspections.
What it does
With federal approval, the division may regulate or license nuclear fuel activities in Utah. The board may set rules for safety, security, and other oversight.
A Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office within Utah’s radiation control division coordinates nuclear oversight, handles licensing, and conducts inspections. The division may hire staff for the office.
The division must assess whether broader federal authority is feasible and beneficial, and report each year on its progress and nuclear oversight. Its director may make cooperation agreements with federal agencies.
Interim storage is exempt from this part only for waste from a federally authorized test reactor project at a state-owned facility, when the division permits and licenses the project.
Argument forState staff could inspect nuclear fuel activities and set safety and emergency rules, which may help Utah oversee these activities locally.
Argument againstApplicants and licensees may pay fees for reviews, inspections, and other program costs, which could add to the cost of nuclear projects.
More detail
The division may regulate or license nuclear fuel cycle activities in Utah, and the board may make rules for that work. This covers nuclear fuel cycle activities within state jurisdiction, including fuel enrichment, fuel fabrication, nuclear material storage, and related waste management. The division may regulate or license these activities only with authorization from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Rules may cover licensing, safety, security, environmental protection, emergency response, and related oversight.
The law provides for a Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office within the division to coordinate state nuclear regulation and carry out related duties. The office coordinates state activities, works with the federal commission, runs licensing and permitting programs, conducts inspections and enforcement, and guides applicants and licensees. The division may hire staff needed for the office. The office oversees regulation only when the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission authorizes state action.
The division must assess whether to seek broader federal authority and report on nuclear oversight; its director may make cooperation agreements with federal agencies. The division reports to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee on federal status, state-regulated activities, fees, staffing, coordination, and challenges. The division must pursue broader Agreement State status only if it finds doing so feasible and beneficial. The director may make agreements to coordinate regulation, share expertise, or conduct joint inspections. The annual report is due on or before November 30.
The law exempts certain interim nuclear waste storage from this part’s requirements. The exemption is limited to interim storage of nuclear waste meeting all the listed conditions. The exemption applies only when the waste comes from a U.S. Department of Energy-authorized project, is from a test reactor, and is produced at a state-owned facility. The division must permit and license the project under Title 19.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 25Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 16House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 16House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 12House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 12Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 6Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 6Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 6House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ to House
- Vote recorded House/ concurs with Senate amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 5Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 5House/ to Senate
- Mar 5House/ concurs with Senate amendmentMajor
- Mar 4House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 4Senate/ to House with amendments
- Mar 4Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 4Senate/ substituted
- Mar 4Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 2LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0078S01
- Mar 2LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0078S01
- Feb 26LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0078S01
- Feb 26LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0078S01
- Feb 5Senate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 5Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 5Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 5Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 2Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 2Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Major
- Jan 30Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Jan 30Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Jan 29Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Jan 27Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 26Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 26House/ to Senate
- Jan 26House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Jan 26House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Jan 22House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Jan 22House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Major
- Jan 21House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Jan 21House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Jan 20House/ to standing committee [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 20House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 14LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0078
- Jan 5LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0078
- 2025
- Dec 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0078
- Dec 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0078
- Dec 23Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Dec 23Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Environment & Energy