Substitute House Bill No. 6810, Public Act No. 23-153, is a legislative act that revises the state's authority to regulate nuclear materials in alignment with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and federal regulations. The bill modifies Section 16a-100 of the general statutes to ensure that the state's regulatory approach is "compatible with" rather than "conform, as nearly as may be," to federal standards. It also amends Section 22a-6 to update the language to be gender-neutral, replacing "his" with "the department's" or "the commissioner," and to reflect that the department, not an individual, executes the functions, powers, and duties. The bill permits the sharing of confidential information with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under specific conditions and outlines the commissioner's expanded powers, including contract entry, complaint initiation, hearing conduction, permit issuance, and property inspection for compliance.

The bill introduces a new definition for "sources of ionizing radiation," encompassing radioactive materials and radiation-generating equipment, and revises the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection's authority regarding the licensing of such sources. It establishes procedures for the commissioner to act without a prior hearing in cases of imminent threats to human health or the environment, or substantial and continuous permit or license violations. In these scenarios, the commissioner may impound the source of ionizing radiation, with a hearing to follow within ten days. Violators are liable for the costs associated with impoundment, and the commissioner has the authority to contract for the storage of impounded materials. The bill was enacted on June 26, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 538:
ET Joint Favorable:
PH Joint Favorable:
Public Act No. 23-153: