2000
[DOCID: f:h629enr.txt]
H.R.629
One Hundred Fifth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the twenty-seventh day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-
eight
An Act
To grant the consent of the Congress to the Texas Low-Level Radioactive
Waste Disposal Compact.
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 ``Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste
Disposal Compact Consent Act''.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDING.
The Congress finds that the compact set forth in section 5 is in
furtherance of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act (42 U.S.C.
2021b et seq.).
SEC. 3. CONDITIONS OF CONSENT TO COMPACT.
The consent of the Congress to the compact set forth in section 5--
(1) shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this
Act;
(2) is granted subject to the provisions of the Low-Level
Radioactive Waste Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 2021b et seq.); and
(3) is granted only for so long as the regional commission
established in the compact complies with all of the provisions of
such Act.
SEC. 4. CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW.
The Congress may alter, amend, or repeal this Act with respect to
the compact set forth in section 5 after the expiration of the 10-year
period following the date of the enactment of this Act, and at such
intervals thereafter as may be provided in such compact.
SEC. 5. TEXAS LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE COMPACT.
(a) Consent of Congress.--In accordance with section 4(a)(2) of the
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 2021d(a)(2)), the
consent of Congress is given to the States of Texas, Maine, and Vermont
to enter into the compact set forth in subsection (b).
(b) Text of Compact.--The compact reads substantially as follows:
``TEXAS LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL COMPACT
``ARTICLE I. POLICY AND PURPOSE
``Sec. 1.01. The party states recognize a responsibility for each
state to seek to manage low-level radioactive waste generated within
its boundaries, pursuant to the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act,
as amended by the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of
1985 (42 U.S.C. 2021b-2021j). They also recognize that the United
States Congress, by enacting the Act, has authorized and encouraged
states to enter into compacts for the efficient management and disposal
of low-level radioactive waste. It is the policy of the party states to
cooperate in the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of their
citizens and the environment and to provide for and encourage the
economical management and disposal of low-level radioactive waste. It
is the purpose of this compact to provide the framework for such a
cooperative effort; to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the
citizens and the environment of the party states; to limit the number
of facilities needed to effectively, efficiently, and economically
manage low-level radioactive waste and to encourage the reduction of
the generation thereof; and to distribute the costs, benefits, and
obligations among the party states; all in accordance with the terms of
this compact.
``ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS
``Sec. 2.01. As used in this compact, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise, the following definitions apply:
``(1) `Act' means the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act,
as amended by the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act
of 1985 (42 U.S.C. 2021b-2021j).
``(2) `Commission' means the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste
Disposal Compact Commission established in Article III of this
compact.
``(3) `Compact facility' or `facility' means any site,
location, structure, or property located in and provided by the
host state for the purpose of management or disposal of low-level
radioactive waste for which the party states are responsible.
``(4) `Disposal' means the permanent isolation of low-level
radioactive waste pursuant to requirements established by the
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the United States
Environmental Protection Agency under applicable laws, or by the
host state.
``(5) `Generate,' when used in relation to low-level
radioactive waste, means to produce low-level radioactive waste.
``(6) `Generator' means a person who produces or processes low-
level radioactive waste in the course of its activities, excluding
persons who arrange for the collection, transportation, management,
treatment, storage, or disposal of waste generated outside the
party states, unless approved by the commission.
``(7) `Host county' means a county in the host state in which a
disposal facility is located or is being developed.
``(8) `Host state' means a party state in which a compact
facility is located or is being developed. The State of Texas is
the host state under this compact.
``(9) `Institutional control period' means that period of time
following closure of the facility and transfer of the facility
license from the operator to the custodial agency in compliance
with the appropriate regulations for long-term observation and
maintenance.
``(10) `Low-level radioactive waste' has the same meaning as
that term is defined in Section 2(9) of the Act (42 U.S.C.
2021b(9)), or in the host state statute so long as the waste is not
incompatible with management and disposal at the compact facility.
``(11) `Management' means collection, consolidation, storage,
packaging, or treatment.
``(12) `Operator' means a person who operates a disposal
facility.
``(13) `Party state' means any state that has become a party in
accordance with Article VII of this compact. Texas, Maine, and
Vermont are initial party states under this compact.
``(14) `Person' means an individual, corporation, partnership
or other legal entity, whether public or private.
``(15) `Transporter' means a person who transports low-level
radioactive waste.
``ARTICLE III. THE COMMISSION
``Sec. 3.01. There is hereby established the Texas Low-Level
Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission. The commission shall
consist of one voting member from each party state except that the host
state shall be entitled to six voting members. Commission members shall
be appointed by the party state governors, as provided by the laws of
each party state. Each party state may provide alternates for each
appointed member.
``Sec. 3.02. A quorum of the commission consists of a majority of
the members. Except as otherwise provided in this compact, an official
act of the commission must receive the affirmative vote of a majority
of its members.
``Sec. 3.03. The commission is a legal entity separate and distinct
from the party states and has governmental immunity to the same extent
as an entity created under the authority of Article XVI, Section 59, of
the Texas Constitution. Members of the commission shall not be
personally liable for actions taken in their official capacity. The
liabilities of the commission shall not be deemed liabilities of the
party states.
``Sec. 3.04. The commission shall:
``(1) Compensate its members according to the host state's law.
``(2) Conduct its business, hold meetings, and maintain public
records pursuant to laws of the host state, except that notice of
public meetings shall be given in the non-host party states in
accordance with their respective statutes.
``(3) Be located in the capital city of the ho
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st state.
``(4) Meet at least once a year and upon the call of the chair,
or any member. The governor of the host state shall appoint a chair
and vice-chair.
``(5) Keep an accurate account of all receipts and
disbursements. An annual audit of the books of the commission shall
be conducted by an independent certified public accountant, and the
audit report shall be made a part of the annual report of the
commission.
``(6) Approve a budget each year and establish a fiscal year
that conforms to the fiscal year of the host state.
``(7) Prepare, adopt, and implement contingency plans for the
disposal and management of low-level radioactive waste in the event
that the compact facility should be closed. Any plan which requires
the host state to store or otherwise manage the low-level
radioactive waste from all the party states must be approved by at
least four host state members of the commission. The commission, in
a contingency plan or otherwise, may not require a non-host party
state to store low-level radioactive waste generated outside of the
state.
``(8) Submit communications to the governors and to the
presiding officers of the legislatures of the party states
regarding the activities of the commission, including an annual
report to be submitted on or before January 31 of each year.
``(9) Assemble and make available to the party states, and to
the public, information concerning low-level radioactive waste
management needs, technologies, and problems.
``(10) Keep a current inventory of all generators within the
party states, based upon information provided by the party states.
``(11) By no later than 180 days after all members of the
commission are appointed under Section 3.01 of this article,
establish by rule the total volume of low-level radioactive waste
that the host state will dispose of in the compact facility in the
years 1995-2045, including decommissioning waste. The shipments of
low-level radioactive waste from all non-host party states shall
not exceed 20 percent of the volume estimated to be disposed of by
the host state during the 50-year period. When averaged over such
50-year period, the total of all shipments from non-host party
states shall not exceed 20,000 cubic feet a year. The commission
shall coordinate the volumes, timing, and frequency of shipments
from generators in the non-host party states in order to assure
that over the life of this agreement shipments from the non-host
party states do not exceed 20 percent of the volume projected by
the commission under this paragraph.
``Sec. 3.05. The commission may:
``(1) Employ staff necessary to carry out its duties and
functions. The commission is authorized to use to the extent
practicable the services of existing employees of the party states.
Compensation shall be as determined by the commission.
``(2) Accept any grants, equipment, supplies, materials, or
services, conditional or otherwise, from the federal or state
government. The nature, amount and condition, if any, of any
donation, grant or other resources accepted pursuant to this
paragraph and the identity of the donor or grantor shall be
detailed in the annual report of the commission.
``(3) Enter into contracts to carry out its duties and
authority, subject to projected resources. No contract made by the
commission shall bind a party state.
``(4) Adopt, by a majority vote, bylaws and rules necessary to
carry out the terms of this compact. Any rules promulgated by the
commission shall be adopted in accordance with the Administrative
Procedure and Texas Register Act (Article 6252-13a, Vernon's Texas
Civil Statutes).
``(5) Sue and be sued and, when authorized by a majority vote
of the members, seek to intervene in administrative or judicial
proceedings related to this compact.
``(6) Enter into an agreement with any person, state, regional
body, or group of states for the importation of low-level
radioactive waste into the compact for management or disposal,
provided that the agreement receives a majority vote of the
commission. The commission may adopt such conditions and
restrictions in the agreement as it deems advisable.
``(7) Upon petition, allow an individual generator, a group of
generators, or the host state of the compact, to export low-level
waste to a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility located
outside the party states. The commission may approve the petition
only by a majority vote of its members. The permission to export
low-level radioactive waste shall be effective for that period of
time and for the specified amount of low-level radioactive waste,
and subject to any other term or condition, as is determined by the
commission.
``(8) Monitor the exportation outside of the party states of
material, which otherwise meets the criteria of low-level
radioactive waste, where the sole purpose of the exportation is to
manage or process the material for recycling or waste reduction and
return it to the party states for disposal in the compact facility.
``Sec. 3.06. Jurisdiction and venue of any action contesting any
action of the commission shall be in the United States District Court
in the district where the commission maintains its office.
``ARTICLE IV. RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND OBLIGATIONS OF PARTY
STATES
``Sec. 4.01. The host state shall develop and have full
administrative control over the development, management and operation
of a facility for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste generated
within the party states. The host state shall be entitled to unlimited
use of the facility over its operating life. Use of the facility by the
non-host party states for disposal of low-level radioactive waste,
including such waste resulting from decommissioning of any nuclear
electric generation facilities located in the party states, is limited
to the volume requirements of Section 3.04(11) of Article III.
``Sec. 4.02. Low-level radioactive waste generated within the party
states shall be disposed of only at the compact facility, except as
provided in Section 3.05(7) of Article III.
``Sec. 4.03. The initial states of this compact cannot be members
of another low-level radioactive waste compact entered into pursuant to
the Act.
``Sec. 4.04. The host state shall do the following:
``(1) Cause a facility to be developed in a timely manner and
operated and maintained through the institutional control period.
``(2) Ensure, consistent with any applicable federal and host
state laws, the protection and preservation of the environment and
the public health and safety in the siting, design, development,
licensing, regulation, operation, closure, decommissioning, and
long-term care of the disposal facilities within the host state.
``(3) Close the facility when reasonably necessary to protect
the public health and safety of its citizens or to protect its
natural resources from harm. However, the host state shall notify
the commission of the closure within three days of its action and
shall, within 30 working days of its action, provide a written
explanation to the commission of the closure, and implement any
adopted contingency plan.
``(4) Establish reasonable fees for disposal at the facility of
low-level radioactive waste generated in the party states based on
disposal fee criteria set out in Sections 402.272 and 402.273,
Texas Health and Safety Code. The same fees shall be charged for
the disposal of low-level radioactive waste that was generated in
the host state and in the non-host party states. Fees shall also be
sufficient to reasonably support th
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e activities of the Commission.
``(5) Submit an annual report to the commission on the status
of the facility, including projections of the facility's
anticipated future capacity, and on the related funds.
``(6) Notify the Commission immediately upon the occurrence of
any event which could cause a possible temporary or permanent
closure of the facility and identify all reasonable options for the
disposal of low-level radioactive waste at alternate compact
facilities or, by arrangement and Commission vote, at noncompact
facilities.
``(7) Promptly notify the other party states of any legal
action involving the facility.
``(8) Identify and regulate, in accordance with federal and
host state law, the means and routes of transportation of low-level
radioactive waste in the host state.
``Sec. 4.05. Each party state shall do the following:
``(1) Develop and enforce procedures requiring low-level
radioactive waste shipments originating within its borders and
destined for the facility to conform to packaging, processing, and
waste form specifications of the host state.
``(2) Maintain a registry of all generators within the state
that may have low-level radioactive waste to be disposed of at a
facility, including, but not limited to, the amount of low-level
radioactive waste and the class of low-level radioactive waste
generated by each generator.
``(3) Develop and enforce procedures requiring generators
within its borders to minimize the volume of low-level radioactive
waste requiring disposal. Nothing in this compact shall prohibit
the storage, treatment, or management of waste by a generator.
``(4) Provide the commission with any data and information
necessary for the implementation of the commission's
responsibilities, including taking those actions necessary to
obtain this data or information.
``(5) Pay for community assistance projects designated by the
host county in an amount for each non-host party state equal to 10
percent of the payment provided for in Article V for each such
state. One-half of the payment shall be due and payable to the host
county on the first day of the month following ratification of this
compact agreement by Congress and one-half of the payment shall be
due and payable on the first day of the month following the
approval of a facility operating license by the host state's
regulatory body.
``(6) Provide financial support for the commission's activities
prior to the date of facility operation and subsequent to the date
of congressional ratification of this compact under Section 7.07 of
Article VII. Each party state will be responsible for annual
payments equalling its pro-rata share of the commission's expenses,
incurred for administrative, legal, and other purposes of the
commission.
``(7) If agreed by all parties to a dispute, submit the dispute
to arbitration or other alternate dispute resolution process. If
arbitration is agreed upon, the governor of each party state shall
appoint an arbitrator. If the number of party states is an even
number, the arbitrators so chosen shall appoint an additional
arbitrator. The determination of a majority of the arbitrators
shall be binding on the party states. Arbitration proceedings shall
be conducted in accordance with the provisions of 9 U.S.C. Sections
1 to 16. If all parties to a dispute do not agree to arbitration or
alternate dispute resolution process, the United States District
Court in the district where the commission maintains its office
shall have original jurisdiction over any action between or among
parties to this compact.
``(8) Provide on a regular basis to the commission and host
state--
``(A) an accounting of waste shipped and proposed to be
shipped to the compact facility, by volume and curies;
``(B) proposed transportation methods and routes; and
``(C) proposed shipment schedules.
``(9) Seek to join in any legal action by or against the host
state to prevent nonparty states or generators from disposing of
low-level radioactive waste at the facility.
``Sec. 4.06. Each party state shall act in good faith and may rely
on the good faith performance of the other party states regarding
requirements of this compact.
``ARTICLE V. PARTY STATE CONTRIBUTIONS
``Sec. 5.01. Each party state, except the host state, shall
contribute a total of $25 million to the host state. Payments shall be
deposited in the host state treasury to the credit of the low-level
waste fund in the following manner except as otherwise provided. Not
later than the 60th day after the date of congressional ratification of
this compact, each non-host party state shall pay to the host state
$12.5 million. Not later than the 60th day after the date of the
opening of the compact facility, each non-host party state shall pay to
the host state an additional $12.5 million.
``Sec. 5.02. As an alternative, the host state and the non-host
states may provide for payments in the same total amount as stated
above to be made to meet the principal and interest expense associated
with the bond indebtedness or other form of indebtedness issued by the
appropriate agency of the host state for purposes associated with the
development, operation, and post-closure monitoring of the compact
facility. In the event the member states proceed in this manner, the
payment schedule shall be determined in accordance with the schedule of
debt repayment. This schedule shall replace the payment schedule
described in Section 5.01 of this article.
``ARTICLE VI. PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES
``Sec. 6.01. No person shall dispose of low-level radioactive waste
generated within the party states unless the disposal is at the compact
facility, except as otherwise provided in Section 3.05(7) of Article
III.
``Sec. 6.02. No person shall manage or dispose of any low-level
radioactive waste within the party states unless the low-level
radioactive waste was generated within the party states, except as
provided in Section 3.05(6) of Article III. Nothing herein shall be
construed to prohibit the storage or management of low-level
radioactive waste by a generator, nor its disposal pursuant to 10
C.F.R. Part 20.302.
``Sec. 6.03. Violations of this article may result in prohibiting
the violator from disposing of low-level radioactive waste in the
compact facility, or in the imposition of penalty surcharges on
shipments to the facility, as determined by the commission.
``ARTICLE VII. ELIGIBILITY, ENTRY INTO EFFECT; CONGRESSIONAL CONSENT;
WITHDRAWAL; EXCLUSION
``Sec. 7.01. The states of Texas, Maine, and Vermont are party
states to this compact. Any other state may be made eligible for party
status by a majority vote of the commission and ratification by the
legislature of the host state, subject to fulfillment of the rights of
the initial non-host party states under Section 3.04(11) of Article III
and Section 4.01 of Article IV, and upon compliance with those terms
and conditions for eligibility that the host state may establish. The
host state may establish all terms and conditions for the entry of any
state, other than the states named in this section, as a member of this
compact; provided, however, the specific provisions of this compact,
except for those pertaining to the composition of the commission and
those pertaining to Section 7.09 of this article, may not be changed
except upon ratification by the legislatures of the party states.
``Sec. 7.02. Upon compliance with the other provisions of this
compact, a state made eligible under Section 7.01 of this article may
become a party state by legislative enactment of this compact or by
executive order of the governor of the state adopting this co
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mpact. A
state becoming a party state by executive order shall cease to be a
party state upon adjournment of the first general session of its
legislature convened after the executive order is issued, unless before
the adjournment, the legislature enacts this compact.
``Sec. 7.03. Any party state may withdraw from this compact by
repealing enactment of this compact subject to the provisions herein.
In the event the host state allows an additional state or additional
states to join the compact, the host state's legislature, without the
consent of the non-host party states, shall have the right to modify
the composition of the commission so that the host state shall have a
voting majority on the commission, provided, however, that any
modification maintains the right of each initial party state to retain
one voting member on the commission.
``Sec. 7.04. If the host state withdraws from the compact, the
withdrawal shall not become effective until five years after enactment
of the repealing legislation and the non-host party states may continue
to use the facility during that time. The financial obligation of the
non-host party states under Article V shall cease immediately upon
enactment of the repealing legislation. If the host state withdraws
from the compact or abandons plans to operate a facility prior to the
date of any non-host party state payment under Sections 4.05(5) and (6)
of Article IV or Article V, the non-host party states are relieved of
any obligations to make the contributions. This section sets out the
exclusive remedies for the non-host party states if the host state
withdraws from the compact or is unable to develop and operate a
compact facility.
``Sec. 7.05. A party state, other than the host state, may withdraw
from the compact by repealing the enactment of this compact, but this
withdrawal shall not become effective until two years after the
effective date of the repealing legislation. During this two-year
period the party state will continue to have access to the facility.
The withdrawing party shall remain liable for any payments under
Sections 4.05(5) and (6) of Article IV that were due during the two-
year period, and shall not be entitled to any refund of payments
previously made.
``Sec. 7.06. Any party state that substantially fails to comply
with the terms of the compact or to fulfill its obligations hereunder
may have its membership in the compact revoked by a seven-eighths vote
of the commission following notice that a hearing will be scheduled not
less than six months from the date of the notice. In all other
respects, revocation proceedings undertaken by the commission will be
subject to the Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act (Article
6252-13a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), except that a party state may
appeal the commission's revocation decision to the United States
District Court in accordance with Section 3.06 of Article III.
Revocation shall take effect one year from the date such party state
receives written notice from the commission of a final action. Written
notice of revocation shall be transmitted immediately following the
vote of the commission, by the chair, to the governor of the affected
party state, all other governors of party states, and to the United
States Congress.
``Sec. 7.07. This compact shall take effect following its enactment
under the laws of the host state and any other party state and
thereafter upon the consent of the United States Congress and shall
remain in effect until otherwise provided by federal law. If Texas and
either Maine or Vermont ratify this compact, the compact shall be in
full force and effect as to Texas and the other ratifying state, and
this compact shall be interpreted as follows:
``(1) Texas and the other ratifying state are the initial party
states.
``(2) The commission shall consist of two voting members from
the other ratifying state and six from Texas.
``(3) Each party state is responsible for its pro-rata share of
the commission's expenses.
``Sec. 7.08. This compact is subject to review by the United States
Congress and the withdrawal of the consent of Congress every five years
after its effective date, pursuant to federal law.
``Sec. 7.09. The host state legislature, with the approval of the
governor, shall have the right and authority, without the consent of
the non-host party states, to modify the provisions contained in
Section 3.04(11) of Article III to comply with Section 402.219(c)(1),
Texas Health & Safety Code, as long as the modification does not impair
the rights of the initial non-host party states.
``ARTICLE VIII. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY
``Sec. 8.01. The provisions of this compact shall be broadly
construed to carry out the purposes of the compact, but the sovereign
powers of a party shall not be infringed upon unnecessarily.
``Sec. 8.02. This compact does not affect any judicial proceeding
pending on the effective date of this compact.
``Sec. 8.03. No party state acquires any liability, by joining this
compact, resulting from the siting, operation, maintenance, long-term
care or any other activity relating to the compact facility. No non-
host party state shall be liable for any harm or damage from the
siting, operation, maintenance, or long-term care relating to the
compact facility. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
compact, nothing in this compact shall be construed to alter the
incidence of liability of any kind for any act or failure to act.
Generators, transporters, owners and operators of the facility shall be
liable for their acts, omissions, conduct or relationships in
accordance with applicable law. By entering into this compact and
securing the ratification by Congress of its terms, no party state
acquires a potential liability under section 5(d)(2)(C) of the Act (42
U.S.C. Sec. 2021e(d)(2)(C)) that did not exist prior to entering into
this compact.
``Sec. 8.04. If a party state withdraws from the compact pursuant
to Section 7.03 of Article VII or has its membership in this compact
revoked pursuant to section 7.06 of Article VII, the withdrawal or
revocation shall not affect any liability already incurred by or
chargeable to the affected state under Section 8.03 of this article.
``Sec. 8.05. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and
if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to the
constitution of any participating state or of the United States or the
applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or
circumstances is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this
compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency,
person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby to the extent the
remainder can in all fairness be given effect. If any provision of this
compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any state
participating therein, the compact shall remain in full force and
effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.
``Sec. 8.06. Nothing in this compact diminishes or otherwise
impairs the jurisdiction, authority, or discretion of either of the
following:
``(1) The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission pursuant
to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sec. 2011
et seq.).
``(2) An agreement state under section 274 of the Atomic Energy
Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sec. 2021).
``Sec. 8.07. Nothing in this compact confers any new authority on
the states or commission to do any of the following:
``(1) Regulate the packaging or transportation of low-level
radioactive waste in a manner inconsistent with the regulations of
the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission or the United
States Department of Transportation.
``(2) Regulate health, safety, or environmental hazards from
source, by-product, or special nuclear material.
``(3) Inspect the activi
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ties of licensees of the agreement
states or of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.''.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.
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