NRC Office of Public Engagement and Participation Act of 2023
This bill establishes an independent office within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to advocate for the public within NRC jurisdiction and support public participation in NRC proceedings and activities.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4530 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4530
To establish an Office of Public Engagement and Participation within
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 11, 2023
Mr. Levin introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish an Office of Public Engagement and Participation within
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``NRC Office of Public Engagement and
Participation Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. OFFICE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Commission an
office to be known as the Office of Public Engagement and
Participation.
(b) Director.--
(1) In general.--The Office shall be administered by a
Director.
(2) Appointment.--Subject to the approval of the
Commission, the Chairman shall appoint the Director.
(3) Term.--Subject to paragraph (7), the Director shall
serve for--
(A) a term of five years; and
(B) no more than two terms.
(4) Duties.--The Director--
(A) shall be responsible for the discharge of the
functions of the Office; and
(B) may appoint, and assign the duties of, staff of
the Office as necessary to carry out the functions of
the Office.
(5) Compensation.--The Director shall be compensated at a
rate of pay not greater than the maximum rate of pay prescribed
for a senior executive in the Senior Executive Service under
section 5382 of title 5, United States Code.
(6) Removal.--
(A) In general.--Subject to the approval of the
Commission to initiate an action, the Chairman or a
member of the Commission may initiate an action for
removal of the Director.
(B) Removal limitations.--The Commission may remove
the Director for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or
malfeasance in office but for no other cause.
(7) Expiration of term.--A Director may continue to serve
after the expiration of the term of such Director until a
successor is appointed.
(c) Functions of the Office.--
(1) In general.--The functions of the Office shall be to--
(A) support public participation in proceedings
before the Commission;
(B) advocate for the public interest within the
jurisdiction of the Commission;
(C) provide educational, legal, and technical
guidance and assistance to members of the public with
respect to participating in proceedings before the
Commission, including guidance on submitting comments,
contentions, and hearing requests;
(D) coordinate assistance available to persons
participating or proposing to participate in
proceedings before the Commission; and
(E) coordinate assistance to the public with
respect to authorities exercised by the Commission.
(2) Compensation of fees.--Notwithstanding section 502 of
the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1993 (5
U.S.C. 504 note; Public Law 102-377), the Commission may, under
rules promulgated by the Commission, provide compensation for
reasonable attorney's fees, expert witness fees, and other
costs of participating in any proceeding before the Commission
to any person whose participation substantially contributed to
the approval, in whole or in part, of a position advocated by
such person, if the Commission determines that--
(A) the proceeding is significant; and
(B) the participation of such person in such
proceeding without receipt of compensation constitutes
a significant financial hardship to such person.
(d) Independent Office.--The Chairman shall take appropriate
actions to ensure the independence of the Office within the Commission,
including independence from other officers and employees of the
Commission.
(e) Annual Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director
shall submit to Congress a report on the activities of the
Office.
(2) Requirements.--Each report under paragraph (1) shall
include--
(A) the number and types of requests for assistance
received by the Office during the preceding year; and
(B) an assessment of the most common difficulties
encountered by members of the public with participating
or proposing to participate in proceedings before the
Commission in the preceding year.
(f) No Effect on Existing Public Engagement Standards.--Nothing in
this Act shall be interpreted as reducing the standards for the
Commission to engage the public in any proceedings or decisions.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Chairman.--The term ``Chairman'' means the Chairman of
the Commission.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.
(3) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the Office of Public
Engagement and Participation established under subsection (a).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.
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