Storage of spent nuclear fuel and waste-vote required.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material did not provide specific details on how the amendment would affect existing or future storage plans for nuclear waste if it were to pass.

Wyoming Constitution Amendment for Nuclear Waste Vote

This resolution proposes to add a new section to the Wyoming Constitution that requires an affirmative vote of the state's electors before high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel can be stored in the state.

What This Bill Does

• Proposes an amendment to the Wyoming Constitution.
• Requires an affirmative public vote for storing high-level radioactive waste.
• Requires an affirmative public vote for storing spent nuclear fuel.

Who It Names or Affects

• The people of Wyoming who would have to vote on whether to store nuclear waste in their state.
• State officials responsible for implementing and enforcing this constitutional amendment if it passes.

Terms To Know

High-level radioactive waste

Waste that comes from the operation of nuclear reactors or other sources, which is highly radioactive and requires special handling.

Spent nuclear fuel

Used fuel from a nuclear reactor that still contains high levels of radioactivity and needs to be stored safely.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill did not pass the Wyoming Legislature.
• It is unclear how this amendment would affect existing or future storage plans for nuclear waste in Wyoming if it were to pass.
• The resolution does not specify what happens if the public vote rejects storing nuclear waste.

Current Bill Text

26LSO-0286
2026
STATE OF WYOMING
26LSO-0286
Numbered
2.0

House Joint Resolution NO. HJ0003

Storage of spent nuclear fuel and waste-vote required.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Allemand, Angelos, Bear, Brown, G, Campbell, K, Haroldson, Locke, Pendergraft, Smith, S and Strock and Senator(s) French, Laursen, D and Pearson

A JOINT RESOLUTION

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION to amend the Wyoming Constitution to require an affirmative vote of the state's electors before high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel can be stored in Wyoming.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING,
two-thirds of all the members of the two houses, voting separately, concurring therein:

Section 1.

The following proposal to amend the Wyoming Constitution by creating Article 19, Section 12 is proposed for submission to the electors of the State of Wyoming at the next general election for approval or rejection to become valid as a part of the Constitution if ratified by a majority of the electors at the election:

Article 19, Section 12. Storage of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel; vote required.

(a)

No storage, siting or placement of high-level radioactive waste shall be authorized under state law and occur except upon an affirmative vote of the people of the state.

(b)

No storage, siting or placement of spent nuclear fuel shall be authorized under state law and occur except upon an affirmative vote of the people of the state.

Section 2.

That the Secretary of State shall endorse the following statement on the proposed amendment:

The adoption of this amendment would require an affirmative vote of the people of the state before any high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel can be stored in Wyoming.

(END)

1
HJ0003