H.R. 6265 – NRC Mission Alignment Act

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 12:52 PM UTC

The NRC Mission Alignment Act directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to revise its mission statement so that licensing and regulation of nuclear energy are carried out efficiently and in line with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. It also amends parts of the Energy Reorganization Act to clarify the duties of the Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation and to set up a process for developing and updating licensing guidance.

Key Provisions

Within 90 days of enactment, the NRC must update its mission statement to stress efficient licensing and regulation that does not unnecessarily limit nuclear energy’s benefits, while staying consistent with the Atomic Energy Act.
The NRC must submit a report to Congress describing the new mission statement and the guidance it will provide staff to achieve it.
Section 203 of the Energy Reorganization Act is amended to revise language about the Director’s appointment and functions, clarify delegation of authority, and add a new subsection requiring the Director to create, maintain, and seek commission approval for techniques and guidance that ensure efficient, timely, and predictable nuclear reactor licensing reviews.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.

Energy Subcommittee

November 10, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 7, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

November 7, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.

Energy Subcommittee

November 10, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued November 7, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 6265

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 7, 2023

Mr. Duncan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to update the mission statement of the Commission to ensure licensing and regulation is efficient and is in alignment with the policies stated in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the NRC Mission Alignment Act.

2.

Improving the general welfare and licensing efficiency

(a)

Mission of the Commission

(1)

Update

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall, while remaining consistent with the policies of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (including to provide reasonable assurance of adequate protection of the public health and safety, to promote the common defense and security, and to protect the environment), update the mission statement of the Commission to include that licensing and regulation of nuclear energy activities be conducted in a manner that is efficient and does not unnecessarily limit—

(A)

the potential of nuclear energy to improve the general welfare; and

(B)

the benefits of nuclear energy technology to society.

(2)

Report

Upon completion of the updates to the mission statement required under paragraph (1), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall submit to Congress a report that describes—

(A)

the updated mission statement; and

(B)

the guidance that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will provide to staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure effective performance of such mission.

(b)

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Section 203 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5843) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a), by striking (a) There and inserting the following:

(a)

Establishment; appointment of director

There

;

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—

(i)

by striking (b) Subject and inserting the following:

(b)

Functions of director

Subject

; and

(ii)

by striking delegate including: and inserting delegate, including the following:; and

(B)

in paragraph (3), by striking for the discharge of the and inserting to fulfill the licensing and regulatory oversight;

(3)

in subsection (c), by striking (c) Nothing and inserting the following:

(d)

Responsibility for safe operation of facilities

Nothing

; and

(4)

by inserting after subsection (b) the following:

(c)

Licensing process

In carrying out the principal licensing and regulation functions under subsection (b)(1), the Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation shall—

(1)

establish techniques and guidance for evaluating applications for licenses for nuclear reactors to support efficient, timely, and predictable reviews of applications for such licenses to enable the safe and secure use of nuclear reactors;

(2)

maintain the techniques and guidance established under paragraph (1) by periodically assessing and, if necessary, modifying such techniques and guidance; and

(3)

obtain approval from the Commission if establishment or modification of the techniques and guidance established under paragraph (1) or (2) involves policy formulation.

.