H.R. 590House115th Congress (2017-2019)Passed House

Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 11:56 AM UTC

The Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2017 aims to boost civilian research, development, and commercial use of next‑generation nuclear reactors—both advanced fission designs and fusion. It seeks to improve the licensing process by having the NRC create a streamlined, risk‑based regulatory framework and by fostering coordination between the Department of Energy and the NRC. The bill also adjusts user‑fee provisions to fund the regulatory work needed for these advanced reactors.

Key Provisions

The Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission must sign a memorandum of understanding to share technical expertise, modeling tools, and facilities needed for advanced reactor research and licensing.
The NRC must deliver to Congress, within one year, a plan for a risk‑informed, technology‑neutral licensing framework for advanced nuclear reactors, evaluating options such as using existing rules, creating new rules, speeding up reviews, using phased or partial approvals, and incorporating consensus standards.
The plan must include stakeholder input, cost and schedule estimates, and milestones to have the framework in place by September 30 2019, with annual updates on design‑certification progress and corrective actions for any delays.
Amendments to user‑fee rules add a new fee category that allows appropriations for NRC activities related to building the regulatory infrastructure for advanced nuclear reactor technologies through fiscal years ending before October 1 2020.

Legislative Activity

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10 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environment and Public Works Committee

February 10, 2017

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 20, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.

Energy and Commerce Committee

January 20, 2017

HouseFloor

Mr. Upton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

January 23, 2017 • 3:49 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H569-571)

January 23, 2017 • 3:49 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 590.

January 23, 2017 • 3:49 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text of measure as passed: CR H569-570)

January 23, 2017 • 3:56 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text of measure as passed: CR H569-570)

January 23, 2017 • 3:56 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

January 23, 2017 • 3:56 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

January 24, 2017

SenateCommittee

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

February 10, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environment and Public Works Committee

February 10, 2017

Floor Debate

5 members

What members said about H.R. 590 on the floor

4 Republicans1 Democrat

Rep. Fred UptonR-MI-6 · Jan 23, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 590) to foster civilian research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies and enhance the licensing and commercial…

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 590) to foster civilian research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies and enhance the licensing and commercial deployment of such technologies.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 590, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2017.

This is a bipartisan bill. It passed in the last Congress as well. It was cosponsored and led by Congressmen Latta and McNerney. And it will help American innovators and entrepreneurs develop and license advanced nuclear technologies. The U.S. will require reliable, baseload, and affordable energy in decades to come, and nuclear power has to remain an integral part of our electricity generation portfolio.

Unfortunately, an outdated and rigid regulatory regime will stifle new nuclear technology development. This bill will help modernize the regulatory framework for the 21st century to be adaptive, technology inclusive, and certainly predictable.

Advanced nuclear technologies may provide breakthroughs in safety and efficiency over the existing fleet of nuclear power plants. Absent the proper regulatory framework, our nuclear scientists and industry will look to other parts of the world to construct game-changing nuclear technologies. So the U.S. has to remain a global leader to create and maintain highly-paying and highly-skilled jobs right here at home.

This bill is a step towards ensuring that the NRC has the necessary expertise and the resources to be able to review and license new technologies and reactor designs, while appropriately collaborating with the Department of Energy's nuclear energy research programs and the private sector. With the Federal Government, national labs, universities, and private industry all working together towards a common goal, the future of nuclear industry energy is certainly bright.

In the last Congress, as I mentioned at the beginning, this legislation passed unanimously out of the Energy and Commerce Committee and passed the House by a voice vote. I am pleased to support this legislation again, as part of our efforts to address burdensome regs that stifle economic growth and new technologies. I urge all of my colleagues to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,

and Technology,

Washington, DC, January 23, 2017.

Hon. Greg Walden,

Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 590, the

``Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2017,''

which was introduced on January 20, 2017.

H.R. 590 contains provisions within the Committee on

Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X jurisdiction. In

order to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will forego

action on the bill. This is being done on the basis of our

mutual understanding that doing so will in no way diminish or

alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space,

and Technology with respect to the appointment of conferees,

or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject

matters contained in the bill or similar legislation.

I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming

this understanding, and would request that you include a copy

of this letter and your response in the Congressional Record

during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you in

advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Lamar Smith,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to again support this legislating on a bipartisan basis, and I thank all of my colleagues for speaking in support of it.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Ryan A. CostelloR-PA-6 · Jan 24, 2017

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today on behalf of myself and all readers of the Daily Local News, a newspaper in my congressional district, Pennsylvania's Sixth Congressional…

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today on behalf of myself and all readers of the Daily Local News, a newspaper in my congressional district, Pennsylvania's Sixth Congressional District, to honor the life of Tom Murray, the editor of the Daily Local News, who just passed.

Mike Rellahan, in writing an obituary on Mr. Murray, accurately had this to say:

Tom Murray's personality shone through in the way he dealt

with reporters, photographers, other editors, and colleagues

on the multiple newspapers and media outlets he worked at

over the years. It showed in his passion for helping people

get better at their craft, in his own strong work ethic and

in his sense of humor and humanity.

He was a hard-core newspaperman who loved a good lead

paragraph, a clever headline, and an action-packed photo. He

believed the society page was as important in the Main Line

papers he worked for as the sports page was to the

Gloucester, New Jersey, Daily Times, where he held the post

of sports editor for 9 years, because he believed a newspaper

at its best reflects its readers.

More than that, however, Murray stayed true to the ideals

of old-school print journalism, loving the traditions and

storytelling while at the same time embracing and chasing the

future with enthusiasm. He began reporting when electronic

journalism was in its infancy, but became so involved in the

new digital age that one of his happiest moments came when a

video screen showing the realtime activity of the Daily Local

News' Web site was installed in the newsroom.

Tom Murray, you will be missed. Thank you for your service and your contribution to journalism, to our democracy, and to sharing news with those throughout the tri-county area for so long.

Realizing Full Potential of Advanced Nuclear Energy

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 590, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act, legislation that takes an important step towards developing safer, more reliable clean energy. Nuclear energy accounts for approximately 20 percent of all U.S. electricity and, very importantly, 60 percent of all carbon- free electricity in the U.S.

As our existing nuclear infrastructure moves closer to retirement, advanced nuclear technology offers a modern solution to ensure that American families have a safe, affordable, and reliable source of clean energy for generations to come. However, in order to fully realize the potential of advanced nuclear, we must remove the costly red tape that prevents innovation and streamline existing practices to allow for the safe and effective development of this technology.

I thank Congressman Latta for his leadership on this bipartisan issue, and I am pleased to support it and see it pass the House.

Keeping Personal Data Secure from Spoofing

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 423, the Anti-Spoofing Act, a bill I also supported last Congress.

Mr. Speaker, call spoofing is a telephone scam used to change the information on a caller ID and pose as a trusted source, such as an official government agency, a medical center, or a bank.

The intention behind call spoofing is to collect valuable personal information, such as banking information, to defraud or cause other harm to an individual or family. Seniors and veterans are frequently targeted in these scams.

In an effort to protect your personal information, this bill would close existing loopholes and direct the Federal Communications Commission to ensure those who engage in spoofing face criminal fines and penalties.

Call spoofing is not just limited to voice messages. Those using this tactic also utilize text messages, and H.R. 423 would include text messages in these fines and penalties. This bill would keep personal data secure and protect consumers, and I am pleased to see that it has passed the House.

Rep. Diana DeGetteD-CO-1 · Jan 23, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 590, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2017, introduced by Representatives Latta…

Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" CarterR-GA-1 · Jan 23, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 590, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2017. This bill would require the Department of…

Sen. John BoozmanR-AR · Feb 10, 2017

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that H.R. 590, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2017, be discharged from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and referred…

Bill Text

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Reference Change SenateIssued February 10, 2017

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 590

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 24, 2017

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

February 10, 2017

Committee discharged; referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

AN ACT

To foster civilian research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies and enhance the licensing and commercial deployment of such technologies.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2017.

Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

Nuclear energy generates approximately 20 percent of the total electricity and approximately 60 percent of the carbon-free electricity of the United States.

(2)

Nuclear power plants operate consistently at a 90 percent capacity factor, and provide consumers and businesses with reliable and affordable electricity.

(3)

Nuclear power plants generate billions of dollars in national economic activity through nationwide procurements and provide thousands of Americans with high paying jobs contributing substantially to the local economies in communities where they operate.

(4)

The United States commercial nuclear industry must continue to lead the international civilian nuclear marketplace, because it is one of our most powerful national security tools, guaranteeing the safe, secure, and exclusively peaceful use of nuclear energy.

(5)

Maintaining the Nation’s nuclear fleet of commercial light water reactors and expanding the use of new advanced reactor designs would support continued production of reliable baseload electricity and maintain United States global leadership in nuclear power.

(6)

Nuclear fusion technology also has the potential to generate electricity with significantly increased safety performance and no radioactive waste.

(7)

The development of advanced reactor designs would benefit from a performance-based, risk-informed, efficient, and cost-effective regulatory framework with defined milestones and the opportunity for applicants to demonstrate progress through Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Advanced nuclear reactor

The term advanced nuclear reactor means—

(A)

a nuclear fission reactor with significant improvements over the most recent generation of nuclear fission reactors, which may include inherent safety features, lower waste yields, greater fuel utilization, superior reliability, resistance to proliferation, and increased thermal efficiency; or

(B)

a nuclear fusion reactor.

(2)

Department

The term Department means the Department of Energy.

(3)

Licensing

The term licensing means NRC activities related to reviewing applications for licenses, permits, and design certifications, and requests for any other regulatory approval for nuclear reactors within the responsibilities of the NRC under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.

(4)

National laboratory

The term National Laboratory has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).

(5)

NRC

The term NRC means the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

(6)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.

Agency coordination

The NRC and the Department shall enter into the a memorandum of understanding regarding the following topics:

(1)

Technical expertise

Ensuring that the Department has sufficient technical expertise to support the civilian nuclear industry’s timely research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of safe, innovative advanced reactor technology and the NRC has sufficient technical expertise to support the evaluation of applications for licenses, permits, and design certifications, and other requests for regulatory approval for advanced reactors.

(2)

Modeling and simulation

The use of computers and software codes to calculate the behavior and performance of advanced reactors based on mathematical models of their physical behavior.

(3)

Facilities

Ensuring that the Department maintains and develops the facilities to enable the civilian nuclear industry’s timely research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of safe, innovative reactor technology and ensuring that the NRC has access to such facilities, as needed.

Advanced reactor regulatory framework

(a)

Plan required

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the NRC shall transmit to Congress a plan for developing an efficient, risk-informed, technology-neutral framework for advanced reactor licensing. The plan shall evaluate the following subjects, consistent with the NRC’s role in protecting public health and safety and common defense and security:

(1)

The unique aspects of advanced reactor licensing and any associated legal, regulatory, and policy issues the NRC will need to address to develop a framework for licensing advanced reactors.

(2)

Options for licensing advanced reactors under existing NRC regulations in title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, a proposed new regulatory framework, or a combination of these approaches.

(3)

Options to expedite and streamline the licensing of advanced reactors, including opportunities to minimize the time from application submittal to final NRC licensing decision and minimize the delays that may result from any necessary amendments or supplements to applications.

(4)

Options to expand the incorporation of consensus-based codes and standards into the advanced reactor regulatory framework to minimize time to completion and provide flexibility in implementation.

(5)

Options to make the advanced reactor licensing framework more predictable. This evaluation should consider opportunities to improve the process by which application review milestones are established and maintained.

(6)

Options to allow applicants to use phased review processes under which the NRC issues approvals that do not require the NRC to re-review previously approved information. This evaluation shall consider the NRC’s ability to review and conditionally approve partial applications, early design information, and submittals that contain design criteria and processes to be used to develop information to support a later phase of the design review.

(7)

The extent to which NRC action or modification of policy is needed to implement any part of the plan required by this subsection.

(8)

The role of licensing advanced reactors within NRC long-term strategic resource planning, staffing, and funding levels.

(9)

Options to provide cost-sharing financial structures for license applicants in a phased licensing process.

(b)

Coordination and stakeholder input required

In developing the plan required by subsection (a), the NRC shall seek input from the Department, the nuclear industry, and other public stakeholders.

(c)

Cost and schedule estimate

The plan required by subsection (a) shall include proposed cost estimates, budgets, and specific milestones for implementing the advanced reactor regulatory framework by September 30, 2019.

(d)

Design certification status

In the NRC’s first budget request after the acceptance of any design certification application for an advanced nuclear reactor, and annually thereafter, the NRC shall provide the status of performance metrics and milestone schedules. The budget request shall include a plan to correct or recover from any milestone schedule delays, including delays because of NRC’s inability to commit resources for its review of the design certification applications.

User fees and annual charges

Section 6101(c)(2)(A) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 2214(c)(2)(A)) is amended—

(1)

by striking and at the end of clause (iii);

(2)

by striking the period at the end of clause (iv) and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(v)

for fiscal years ending before October 1, 2020, amounts appropriated to the Commission for activities related to the development of regulatory infrastructure for advanced nuclear reactor technologies.

Passed the House of Representatives January 23, 2017.

Karen L. Haas,

Clerk