Bill Summary & Status for the 106th Congress

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H.R.45
Sponsor: Rep Upton, Fred(introduced 1/6/1999)
Related Bills: S.608, S.1287
Latest Major Action: 6/2/1999 House preparation for floor: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 92.
Title: To amend the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982.
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TITLE(S):  (italics indicate a title for a portion of a bill)
STATUS: (color indicates Senate actions) (Floor Actions/Congressional Record Page References)
1/6/1999:
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
1/6/1999:
Referred to House Commerce
1/29/1999:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
2/10/1999:
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
3/12/1999:
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
4/14/1999:
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
4/14/1999:
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 0.
4/21/1999:
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
4/21/1999:
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 6.
1/6/1999:
Referred to House Resources
1/25/1999:
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.
1/25/1999:
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
1/6/1999:
Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
1/19/1999:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation.
5/20/1999 7:17pm:
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 106-155, Part I.
5/20/1999 7:18pm:
Committee on Transportation discharged.
5/20/1999 7:19pm:
House Committee on Resources Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 2, 1999.
5/20/1999:
Referred sequentially to the House Committee on the Budget for a period ending not later than June 2, 1999 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(e), rule X.
6/2/1999 3:15pm:
Committee on Resources discharged.
6/2/1999 3:16pm:
Committee on The Budget discharged.
6/2/1999 3:16pm:
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 92.
COMMITTEE(S):
RELATED BILL DETAILS:  (additional related bills may be indentified in Status)

AMENDMENT(S):

***NONE***

COSPONSORS(136), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]:     (Sort: by date)

Rep Aderholt, Robert B. - 4/22/1999 Rep Allen, Thomas H. - 1/6/1999
Rep Bachus, Spencer - 2/2/1999 Rep Baker, Richard H. - 1/19/1999
Rep Ballenger, Cass - 2/2/1999 Rep Barcia, James A. - 1/6/1999
Rep Barr, Bob - 3/10/1999 Rep Barrett, Bill - 2/23/1999
Rep Barton, Joe - 1/6/1999 Rep Bereuter, Doug - 1/6/1999
Rep Berry, Marion - 2/23/1999 Rep Biggert, Judy - 2/2/1999
Rep Bilirakis, Michael - 1/6/1999 Rep Bishop, Sanford D. Jr. - 3/23/1999
Rep Boehlert, Sherwood L. - 1/19/1999 Rep Bonior, David E. - 1/6/1999
Rep Borski, Robert A. - 1/19/1999 Rep Boucher, Rick - 2/2/1999
Rep Boyd, Allen - 2/9/1999 Rep Bryant, Ed - 2/9/1999
Rep Burr, Richard - 1/6/1999 Rep Callahan, Sonny - 1/19/1999
Rep Calvert, Ken - 3/3/1999 Rep Camp, Dave - 1/6/1999
Rep Canady, Charles T. - 1/6/1999 Rep Chambliss, Saxby - 2/2/1999
Rep Chenoweth-Hage, Helen - 2/23/1999 Rep Clement, Bob - 2/23/1999
Rep Coble, Howard - 3/3/1999 Rep Costello, Jerry F. - 2/9/1999
Rep Cramer, Robert E. (Bud) Jr. - 2/9/1999 Rep Crane, Philip M. - 2/23/1999
Rep Cunningham, Randy (Duke) - 4/13/1999 Rep Davis, Danny K. - 4/13/1999
Rep DeMint, Jim - 2/9/1999 Rep Deutsch, Peter - 3/23/1999
Rep Diaz-Balart, Lincoln - 3/3/1999 Rep Dickey, Jay - 3/23/1999
Rep Doolittle, John T. - 2/23/1999 Rep Edwards, Chet - 3/3/1999
Rep Ehlers, Vernon J. - 1/6/1999 Rep Ehrlich, Robert L., Jr. - 2/9/1999
Rep Etheridge, Bob - 3/10/1999 Rep Everett, Terry - 3/10/1999
Rep Foley, Mark - 1/6/1999 Rep Frank, Barney - 2/2/1999
Rep Frost, Martin - 2/23/1999 Rep Gillmor, Paul E. - 1/19/1999
Rep Goode, Virgil H., Jr. - 3/3/1999 Rep Gordon, Bart - 1/6/1999
Rep Graham, Lindsey O. - 1/6/1999 Rep Green, Gene - 2/23/1999
Rep Green, Mark - 2/23/1999 Rep Gutknecht, Gil - 1/6/1999
Rep Hall, Ralph M. - 1/6/1999 Rep Hastings, Alcee L. - 2/9/1999
Rep Hastings, Doc - 2/2/1999 Rep Hayes, Robin - 2/9/1999
Rep Hilliard, Earl F. - 3/3/1999 Rep Hoekstra, Peter - 1/6/1999
Rep Holden, Tim - 1/6/1999 Rep Hutchinson, Asa - 1/6/1999
Rep Isakson, Johnny - 4/20/1999 Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila - 1/6/1999
Rep Jefferson, William J. - 2/2/1999 Rep Jenkins, William L. - 4/22/1999
Rep John, Christopher - 2/23/1999 Rep Johnson, Nancy L. - 3/23/1999
Rep Johnson, Sam - 2/2/1999 Rep Kanjorski, Paul E. - 1/6/1999
Rep Kildee, Dale E. - 1/6/1999 Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. - 1/19/1999
Rep Kingston, Jack - 2/23/1999 Rep Klink, Ron - 1/6/1999
Rep Knollenberg, Joe - 1/6/1999 Rep LaHood, Ray - 4/20/1999
Rep Levin, Sander M. - 2/2/1999 Rep Linder, John - 2/9/1999
Rep Lipinski, William O. - 1/6/1999 Rep Livingston, Bob - 1/6/1999
Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. - 1/6/1999 Rep Manzullo, Donald A. - 1/6/1999
Rep McCrery, Jim - 3/3/1999 Rep Meek, Carrie P. - 1/19/1999
Rep Mica, John L. - 4/20/1999 Rep Miller, Gary - 3/10/1999
Rep Myrick, Sue - 2/9/1999 Rep Nethercutt, George R., Jr. - 1/6/1999
Rep Norwood, Charlie - 1/6/1999 Rep Oberstar, James L. - 1/6/1999
Rep Oxley, Michael G. - 1/6/1999 Rep Peterson, Collin C. - 1/6/1999
Rep Peterson, John E. - 1/6/1999 Rep Pickering, Charles (Chip) - 1/6/1999
Rep Pickett, Owen B. - 2/9/1999 Rep Pitts, Joseph R. - 4/22/1999
Rep Porter, John Edward - 1/6/1999 Rep Pryce, Deborah - 2/2/1999
Rep Ramstad, Jim - 1/6/1999 Rep Rohrabacher, Dana - 1/6/1999
Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana - 2/23/1999 Rep Rush, Bobby L. - 1/6/1999
Rep Ryun, Jim - 3/23/1999 Rep Scarborough, Joe - 2/9/1999
Rep Sensenbrenner, James, Jr. - 2/23/1999 Rep Sessions, Pete - 2/23/1999
Rep Shadegg, John B. - 2/23/1999 Rep Shaw, E. Clay, Jr. - 3/17/1999
Rep Shimkus, John - 1/6/1999 Rep Shows, Ronnie - 2/23/1999
Rep Simpson, Michael K. - 2/23/1999 Rep Sisisky, Norman - 1/6/1999
Rep Skeen, Joe - 1/19/1999 Rep Smith, Nick - 1/6/1999
Rep Snyder, Vic - 2/9/1999 Rep Spence, Floyd - 2/2/1999
Rep Spratt, John M., Jr. - 1/6/1999 Rep Stabenow, Debbie - 1/6/1999
Rep Stearns, Cliff - 1/19/1999 Rep Stupak, Bart - 1/6/1999
Rep Sununu, John E. - 4/20/1999 Rep Sweeney, John E. - 2/23/1999
Rep Tauzin, W. J. (Billy) - 2/23/1999 Rep Taylor, Charles H. - 1/6/1999
Rep Terry, Lee - 2/23/1999 Rep Thornberry, William (Mac) - 3/17/1999
Rep Thurman, Karen L. - 3/3/1999 Rep Tiahrt, Todd - 3/3/1999
Rep Towns, Edolphus - 1/6/1999 Rep Turner, Jim - 2/9/1999
Rep Wamp, Zach - 3/3/1999 Rep Weldon, Dave - 2/9/1999
Rep Weller, Jerry - 2/2/1999 Rep Wexler, Robert - 4/13/1999
Rep Whitfield, Ed - 1/6/1999 Rep Wicker, Roger F. - 2/2/1999

SUMMARY AS OF:
5/20/1999--Reported to House, amended, Part I.    (There is 1 other summary)

Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999 - Revises the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to rename it the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999. Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) take actions to ensure that the Secretary is able to accept and transport spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by June 30, 2003; (2) use the most safe and efficient method to transport such waste to the interim storage facility and the Yucca Mountain site; and (3) avoid, to the extent practicable, the shipment of such waste through the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Sets a deadline for the Secretary to develop the capability to commence rail to truck intermodal transfer at Caliente, Nevada.

(Sec. 1) Sets forth specified duties if the Secretary determines there is a need for rail to truck intermodal transfer, including the establishment of terms under which the Secretary may use heavy-haul truck transport to move such waste from Caliente, Nevada, to the interim storage facility site.

Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Caliente and Lincoln County, Nevada, to provide advice to the Commission regarding intermodal transfer and to facilitate on-site representation. Provides that reasonable expenses of such representation shall be paid by the Secretary.

Provides for heavy-haul transportation route and truck transportation.

Provides that: (1) acceptance of such waste by the Secretary constitutes a transfer of title to the Secretary; and (2) in lieu of any other route designation, the Secretary may enter into discussions with other Federal agencies regarding alternate routes between Caliente, Nevada and the Yucca Mountain Site and running through the Nevada Test Site and other Federal lands.

Prescribes requirements in the following areas in order to ensure that the Secretary is able to accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by June 30, 2003: (1) transportation planning and readiness; (2) package certification; (3) technical assistance and funds to jurisdictional entities for training public safety officials, nonprofit employee organizations, voluntary emergency response organizations, and joint labor-management organizations experienced in worker health and safety training; (4) employee protection and training standards applicable to workers directly involved in the removal and transportation of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; and (5) interim storage facility, permanent disposal, and land withdrawal.

Declares that NRC promulgation of standards or criteria in accordance with specified requirements for permanent disposal shall not require preparation of an environmental impact statement or any environmental review.

Instructs the Secretary to: (1) offer Nye County, Nevada, an opportunity to designate an on-site oversight representative; and (2) offer to enter into separate benefits agreements with Lincoln and Nye Counties concerning the integrated management system.

Requires the Secretary to make certain initial land conveyances in Nevada to: (1) Nye County; (2) Lincoln County; and (3) the City of Caliente.

Authorizes the Secretary to grant payments in lieu of taxes to any affected Indian or local jurisdiction until the termination of the integrated management system activities.

Authorizes the Secretary to contract with any person generating or holding title to spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste of domestic origin for the acceptance of title, on-site storage transportation, interim storage, and disposal. Prescribes guidelines under which such contracts shall provide for payment to the Secretary of fees sufficient to offset expenditures for the integrated management system.

Provides that payment to the Nuclear Waste Fund of the one-time fee for spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste derived from spent nuclear fuel which had been used to generate electricity in specified civilian nuclear power reactors relieves the responsible party from further financial obligation to the Federal Government for its long-term storage or permanent disposal.

Conditions the issuance or renewal of a utilization or production facility license upon a valid contract or contract negotiations with the Secretary. Authorizes the NRC to require prior agreement with the Secretary for spent fuel and waste disposal as a precondition to the issuance or renewal of a license.

Continues the Nuclear Waste Fund and the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue a final rule establishing the appropriate portion of the costs of managing spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste allocable to the interim storage or permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel, high-level radioactive waste from atomic energy defense activities, and spent nuclear fuel from foreign research reactors; and (2) advise the Congress annually of the amount of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from atomic energy defense activities requiring management in the integrated spent nuclear fuel management system. Authorizes appropriations for the management of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from atomic energy defense activities.

Grants the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and this Act preeminence in the event of a conflict or duplication of laws.

Precludes this Act from being construed as: (1) constituting either an express or implied Federal reservation of water rights for any purpose arising under it; (2) authorizing the Federal use of eminent domain to acquire water rights; or (3) limiting the exercise of water rights as provided under Nevada State laws.

Grants the U.S. courts of appeals original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions under this Act. Prescribes guidelines for NRC licensing hearings.

Prohibits the Secretary from conducting site-specific activities for a second repository unless the Congress has specifically authorized and appropriated funds for them.

Requires the NRC to promulgate regulatory guidelines for: (1) financial assurances for low-level radioactive waste site closures; and (2) training and qualification of civilian nuclear powerplant personnel.

Prohibits: (1) subseabed or ocean water disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste; and (2) any obligation of funds for any such related activity.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that to the greatest extent practicable all equipment and products purchased with funds made available under this Act should be American-made. Requires each Federal agency to give notice of this policy to any entity to which it provides financial assistance or contracts. Prohibits contracts with persons falsely labeling products as "Made in America."

Continues the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Authorizes appropriations.

Prohibits the Director of the Office of Management and Budget from making estimates of changes in direct spending outlays and receipts pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) resulting from enactment of the funding and organization requirements of this Act governing: (1) specified contracts with any person who generates or holds title to high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel; or (2) retention of the Nuclear Waste Fund.