HB0027

Official summary

Summary for LSO115 Bill No.: HB0027 Effective : 2/27/2015 LSO No.: 15LSO-0076 Enrolled Act No.: HEA 43 Chapter No.: 60 Prime Sponsor: Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Interim Committee Catch Title: NRC agreement state authorization. Subject: Authorizes the Governor to Negotiate with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the State of Wyoming to Regulate Uranium Mining Operations. Summary/Major Elements: Currently in Wyoming, the regulation of source materials from uranium mining and milling and the wastes associated with that mining and milling is regulated by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission ( NRC ). This Act authorizes the G overnor to begin negotiations with the NRC to enter into an agreement for the State of Wyoming to assume regulatory authority over uranium mining, milling and waste mat erials associated with uranium. The Depart ment of Environmental Quality ( DEQ) is designated in the Act as the lead agency for the regulation of source materials f rom uranium mining and milling. The G overnor is authorized to enter a final agreement for the regulation of source materials from uranium mining and milling and the associated wastes from those activities with the NRC. A final agreement would include all necessary components of a program to regulate source materials from uranium mining and milling and the wastes associate d with that mining and milling. Requires the DEQ to develop and adopt a fee structure which accounts for the full cost of the regulatory pro gram implemented under the Act. Comments: Authorizes the creation of a major new program: Uranium Mining and Milling Regulation. The DEQ is authorized to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this Act. Any rules and regulations for the regulation of source materials from uranium mining and milling and the wastes associated with those activities must be as stringent as federal law. Appropriates $920,000 to the DEQ to hire up to 6 additional full-time permanent employees to imp lement the purposes of the Act. Appropriates $212,524 to the Attorney General’s Office to hire 2 additional full-time permanent employees to effectuate the purposes of the Act. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.