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S.B. 81

             1     

PROVISIONS RELATING TO HIGH-LEVEL

             2     
NUCLEAR WASTE

             3     
2001 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Terry R. Spencer

             6      This act modifies the Environmental Quality Code, the County Land Use Development and
             7      Management Act, the Labor Code regarding drug and alcohol testing, and the Water and
             8      Irrigation Code regarding determination of water rights. The act prohibits the placement
             9      of high-level nuclear waste or greater than class C radioactive waste within the exterior
             10      borders of the state, and prohibits governmental entities or businesses from providing
             11      services to facilitate the placement of the waste in the state. However, should the federal
             12      government authorize such placement, the act requires mandatory planning by the site
             13      county, including a public hearing. The act provides that an entity may not apply for a state
             14      license for the transportation, transfer, or storage of high-level nuclear waste or greater than
             15      class C radioactive waste until a final court ruling is given regarding the state provisions.
             16      The act also prohibits a county from providing municipal-type services to a site under
             17      consideration for a facility, entering into contracts to provide the services, or creating
             18      political subdivisions to provide the services until a license is authorized. The act provides
             19      that persons or organizations acting in violation of these provisions are subject to penalties.
             20      The act requires the Department of Environmental Quality to determine the amount of
             21      unfunded potential liability regarding a release of the waste from a facility. Should a facility
             22      gain a license, the act imposes on any organization providing municipal-type services a
             23      transaction fee of 75% of the value of a contract. This fee is to be applied to the unfunded
             24      potential liability and is to be deposited in a restricted account created by this act. In
             25      addition, the license applicant is required to deposit in this account not less than 75% of the
             26      determined unfunded potential liability within 30 days of issuance of the license for the
             27      facility. The licensee is also required to pay an annual fee of the amount of workers'


             28      compensation to be paid for employees in the state, multiplied by the number of casks of
             29      nuclear waste brought into the state. This fee is also to be deposited in the account. The fee
             30      does not exempt the licensee from payments for workers' compensation, also. The act also
             31      requires the licensee to test employees for drug and alcohol, to protect the safety of the
             32      public. The act also provides for the state engineer to file an action in court to determine
             33      water rights for any area within the state's exterior boundaries regarding which any entity
             34      is actively seeking a license for a nuclear waste facility. This act takes effect upon approval.
             35      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             36      AMENDS:
             37          17-27-102, as last amended by Chapter 93, Laws of Utah 1992
             38          17-27-301, as last amended by Chapter 34, Laws of Utah 2000
             39          17-27-303, as last amended by Chapter 23, Laws of Utah 1992
             40          17-34-1, as repealed and reenacted by Chapter 199, Laws of Utah 2000
             41          19-3-301, as last amended by Chapter 348, Laws of Utah 1998
             42          19-3-302, as enacted by Chapter 348, Laws of Utah 1998
             43          19-3-303, as enacted by Chapter 348, Laws of Utah 1998
             44          19-3-309, as enacted by Chapter 348, Laws of Utah 1998
             45          19-3-312, as enacted by Chapter 348, Laws of Utah 1998
             46          34-38-3, as enacted by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1987
             47          73-4-1, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             48      ENACTS:
             49          19-3-319, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             50      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             51          Section 1. Section 17-27-102 is amended to read:
             52           17-27-102. Purpose.
             53          (1) To accomplish the purpose of this chapter, and in order to provide for the health,
             54      safety, and welfare, and promote the prosperity, improve the morals, peace and good order,
             55      comfort, convenience, and aesthetics of the county and its present and future inhabitants and
             56      businesses, to protect the tax base, secure economy in governmental expenditures, foster the state's
             57      agricultural and other industries, protect both urban and nonurban development, and to protect
             58      property values, counties may enact all ordinances, resolutions, and rules that they consider


             59      necessary for the use and development of land within the county, including ordinances, resolutions,
             60      and rules governing uses, density, open spaces, structures, buildings, energy-efficiency, light and
             61      air, air quality, transportation and public or alternative transportation, infrastructure, public
             62      facilities, vegetation, and trees and landscaping, unless those ordinances, resolutions, or rules are
             63      expressly prohibited by law.
             64          (2) A county shall comply with the mandatory provisions of this part before any agreement
             65      or contract to provide goods, services, or municipal-type services to any storage facility or transfer
             66      facility for high-level nuclear waste, or greater than class C radioactive waste, may be executed
             67      or implemented.
             68          Section 2. Section 17-27-301 is amended to read:
             69           17-27-301. General plan.
             70          (1) In order to accomplish the purposes set forth in this chapter, each county shall prepare
             71      and adopt a comprehensive general plan for:
             72          (a) the present and future needs of the county; and
             73          (b) the growth and development of the land within the county or any part of the county,
             74      including uses of land for urbanization, trade, industry, residential, agricultural, wildlife habitat,
             75      and other purposes.
             76          (2) The plan may provide for:
             77          (a) health, general welfare, safety, energy conservation, transportation, prosperity, civic
             78      activities, aesthetics, and recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities;
             79          (b) the reduction of the waste of physical, financial, or human resources that result from
             80      either excessive congestion or excessive scattering of population;
             81          (c) the efficient and economical use, conservation, and production of the supply of:
             82          (i) food and water; and
             83          (ii) drainage, sanitary, and other facilities and resources;
             84          (d) the use of energy conservation and solar and renewable energy resources;
             85          (e) the protection of urban development;
             86          (f) the protection and promotion of air quality; and
             87          (g) an official map, pursuant to Title 72, Chapter 5, Part 4, Transportation Corridor
             88      Preservation.
             89          (3) The plan shall include specific provisions related to any areas within, or partially


             90      within, the exterior boundaries of the county, or contiguous to the boundaries of a county, which
             91      are proposed for the siting of a storage facility or transfer facility for the placement of high-level
             92      nuclear waste or greater than class C radioactive nuclear waste. The provisions shall address the
             93      effects of the proposed site upon the health and general welfare of citizens of the state, and shall
             94      provide:
             95          (a) the information identified in Section 19-3-305 ;
             96          (b) information supported by credible studies that demonstrates that the provisions of
             97      Subsection 19-3-307 (2) have been satisfied; and
             98          (c) specific measures to mitigate the effects of high-level nuclear waste and greater than
             99      class C radioactive waste and guarantee the health and safety of the citizens of the state.
             100          [(3)] (4) The plan may define the county's local customs, local culture, and the components
             101      necessary for the county's economic stability.
             102          [(4)] (5) The county may determine the comprehensiveness, extent, and format of the
             103      general plan.
             104          Section 3. Section 17-27-303 is amended to read:
             105           17-27-303. Plan adoption.
             106          (1) (a) After completing a proposed general plan for all or part of the area within the
             107      county, the planning commission shall schedule and hold a public hearing on the proposed plan.
             108          (b) The planning commission shall provide reasonable notice of the public hearing at least
             109      14 days before the date of the hearing.
             110          (c) After the public hearing, the planning commission may make changes to the proposed
             111      general plan.
             112          (2) The planning commission shall then forward the proposed general plan to the
             113      legislative body.
             114          (3) (a) The legislative body shall hold a public hearing on the proposed general plan
             115      recommended to it by the planning commission.
             116          (b) The legislative body shall provide reasonable notice of the public hearing at least 14
             117      days before the date of the hearing.
             118          (4) (a) (i) In addition to the requirements of Subsections (1), (2), and (3), the legislative
             119      body shall hold a public hearing in Salt Lake City on provisions of the proposed county plan
             120      regarding Subsection 17-27-301 (3). The hearing procedure shall comply with this Subsection (4).


             121          (ii) The hearing format shall allow adequate time for public comment at the actual public
             122      hearing, and shall also allow for public comment in writing to be submitted to the legislative body
             123      for not fewer than 90 days after the date of the public hearing.
             124          (b) (i) The legislative body shall give notice of the hearing in accordance with this
             125      Subsection (4) when the proposed plan provisions required by Subsection 17-27-301 (3) are
             126      complete.
             127          (ii) Direct notice of the hearing shall be given, in writing, to the governor, members of the
             128      state Legislature, executive director of the Department of Environmental Quality, the state
             129      planning coordinator under Section 63-28-1 , the Resource Development Coordinating Committee
             130      pursuant to Section 63-28a-2 , and any other citizens or entities who specifically request notice in
             131      writing.
             132          (iii) Public notice shall be given by publication in at least one major Utah newspaper
             133      having broad general circulation in the state, and also in at least one Utah newspaper having a
             134      general circulation focused mainly on the county where the proposed high-level nuclear waste or
             135      greater than class C radioactive waste site is to be located.
             136          (iv) The notice in these newspapers shall be published not fewer than 180 days prior to
             137      the date of the hearing to be held under this Subsection (4), to allow reasonable time for interested
             138      parties and the state to evaluate the information regarding the provisions of Subsection
             139      17-27-301 (3).
             140          [(4)] (5) (a) After [the] a public hearing under this section, the legislative body may make
             141      any modifications to the proposed general plan that it considers appropriate.
             142          (b) The legislative body shall respond in writing and in a substantive manner to all those
             143      providing comments as a result of the hearing required by Subsection (4).
             144          [(5)] (6) The legislative body may:
             145          (a) adopt the proposed general plan without amendment;
             146          (b) amend the proposed general plan and adopt or reject it as amended; or
             147          (c) reject the proposed general plan.
             148          [(6)] (7) (a) The general plan is an advisory guide for land use decisions, except for the
             149      provision required by Subsection 17-27-301 (3), which the legislative body shall adopt.
             150          (b) The legislative body may adopt an ordinance mandating compliance with the general
             151      plan, and shall adopt an ordinance requiring compliance with all provisions of Subsection


             152      17-27-301 (3).
             153          Section 4. Section 17-34-1 is amended to read:
             154           17-34-1. Counties may provide municipal services -- First class counties required to
             155      provide paramedic services.
             156          (1) For purposes of this chapter, ["municipal-type] except as otherwise provided in
             157      Subsection (3):
             158          (a) "Greater than class C radioactive waste" has the same meaning as in Section 19-3-303 .
             159          (b) "High-level nuclear waste" has the same meaning as in Section 19-3-303 .
             160          (c) "Municipal-type services" means:
             161          [(a)] (i) fire protection service;
             162          [(b)] (ii) waste and garbage collection and disposal;
             163          [(c)] (iii) planning and zoning;
             164          [(d)] (iv) street lighting;
             165          [(e)] (v) in a county of the first class, advanced life support and paramedic services; and
             166          [(f)] (vi) all other services and functions that are required by law to be budgeted,
             167      appropriated, and accounted for from a municipal services fund or a municipal capital projects
             168      fund as defined under Chapter 36, Uniform Fiscal Procedures Act for Counties.
             169          (d) "Placement" has the same meaning as in Section 19-3-303 .
             170          (e) "Storage facility" has the same meaning as in Section 19-3-303 .
             171          (f) "Transfer facility" has the same meaning as in Section 19-3-303 .
             172          (2) A county may:
             173          (a) provide municipal-type services to areas of the county outside the limits of cities and
             174      towns without providing the same services to cities or towns;
             175          (b) fund those services by:
             176          (i) levying a tax on taxable property in the county outside the limits of cities and towns;
             177      or
             178          (ii) charging a service charge or fee to persons benefitting from the municipal-type
             179      services.
             180          (3) A county may not:
             181          (a) provide, contract to provide, or agree in any manner to provide municipal-type services,
             182      as these services are defined in Section 19-3-303 , to any area under consideration for a storage


             183      facility or transfer facility for the placement of high-level nuclear waste, or greater than class C
             184      radioactive waste; or
             185          (b) seek to fund services for these facilities by:
             186          (i) levying a tax; or
             187          (ii) charging a service charge or fee to persons benefitting from the municipal type
             188      services.
             189          [(3)] (4) Each county of the first class shall provide advanced life support and paramedic
             190      services to the area of the county outside the limits of cities and towns.
             191          Section 5. Section 19-3-301 is amended to read:
             192           19-3-301. Restrictions on nuclear waste placement in state.
             193          (1) The [state may not approve the] placement, including transfer, storage, decay in
             194      storage, treatment, or disposal, [in] within the exterior boundaries of Utah of high-level nuclear
             195      waste or greater than class C radioactive waste [unless] is prohibited.
             196          (2) Notwithstanding Subsection (1) the governor, after consultation with the county
             197      executive and county legislative body of the affected county and with concurrence of the
             198      Legislature, may specifically [approves] approve the placement as provided in this part[.], but only
             199      if:
             200          (a) (i) the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues a license, pursuant to the Nuclear
             201      Waste Policy Act, 42 U.S.C.A. 10101 et seq., or the Atomic Energy Act, 42 U.S.C.A. 2011 et seq.,
             202      for the placement within the exterior boundaries of Utah of high-level nuclear waste or greater than
             203      class C radioactive waste; and
             204          (ii) the authority of the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission to grant a license under
             205      Subsection (2)(a)(i) is clearly upheld by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; or
             206          (b) an agency of the federal government is transporting the waste, and all state and federal
             207      requirements to proceed with the transportation have been met.
             208          (3) The requirement for the approval of a final court of competent jurisdiction shall be met
             209      in all of the following categories, in order for a state license proceeding regarding waste to begin:
             210          (a) transfer or transportation, by rail, truck, or other mechanisms;
             211          (b) storage, including any temporary storage at a site away from the generating reactor;
             212          (c) decay in storage;
             213          (d) treatment; and


             214          (e) disposal.
             215          (4) (a) Upon satisfaction of the requirements of Subsection (2)(a), for each category listed
             216      in Subsection (3), or satisfaction of the requirements under Subsection (2)(b), the governor, with
             217      the concurrence of the attorney general, shall certify in writing to the executive director of the
             218      Department of Environmental Quality that all of the requirements have been met, and that any
             219      necessary state licensing processes may begin.
             220          (b) Separate certification under this Subsection (4) shall be given for each category in
             221      Subsection (3).
             222          (5) (a) The department shall make, by rule, a determination of the dollar amount of the
             223      health and economic costs expected to result from a reasonably foreseeable accidental release of
             224      waste involving a transfer facility or storage facility, or during transportation of waste, within the
             225      exterior boundaries of the state. The department may initiate rulemaking under this Subsection
             226      (5)(a) on or after the effective date of this act.
             227          (b) (i) The department shall also determine the dollar amount currently available to cover
             228      the costs as determined in Subsection (5)(a):
             229          (A) under nuclear industry self-insurance;
             230          (B) under federal insurance requirements; and
             231          (C) in federal monies.
             232          (ii) The department may not include any calculations of federal monies that may be
             233      appropriated in the future in determining the amount under Subsection (5)(b)(i).
             234          (c) The department shall use the information compiled under Subsections (5)(a) and (b)
             235      to determine the amount of unfunded potential liability in the event of a release of waste from a
             236      storage or transfer facility, or a release during the transportation of waste.
             237          (6) State agencies and political subdivisions of the state may not, for the purpose of
             238      providing any goods, services, or municipal-type services to a storage facility or transfer facility,
             239      or to any organization engaged in the transportation of waste, enter into any contracts or any other
             240      agreements, or negotiate regarding proposed provisions of any proposed or anticipated contracts
             241      or other agreements prior to:
             242          (a) the satisfaction of the conditions in Subsection (4); and
             243          (b) the executive director of the department having certified that the requirements of
             244      Sections 19-3-304 through 19-3-308 have been met for the purposes of a license application


             245      proceeding for a storage facility or transfer facility.
             246          (7) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any political subdivision may not be
             247      formed pursuant to the laws of Utah for the purpose of providing any goods, services, or
             248      municipal-type services to a storage facility or transfer facility prior to the satisfaction of the
             249      conditions in Subsection (4). These political subdivisions include:
             250          (i) a cooperative;
             251          (ii) a special district authorized by Title 17A, Special Districts;
             252          (iii) a limited purpose local governmental entities authorized by Title 17, Counties;
             253          (iv) any joint power agreement authorized by Title 11, Cities, Counties, and Local Taxing
             254      Units; and
             255          (v) the formation of a municipality, or any authority of a municipality authorized by Title
             256      10, Utah Municipal Code.
             257          (b) (i) Subsections (6) and (7)(a) shall be strictly interpreted. Any political subdivision
             258      authorized and formed under the laws of the state after the effective date of this act which
             259      subsequently contracts to, or in any manner agrees to provide, or does provide goods, services, or
             260      municipal-type services to a storage facility or transfer facility is formed in violation of Subsection
             261      (7)(a).
             262          (ii) If the conditions of Subsection (7)(b)(i) apply, the persons who formed the political
             263      subdivision are considered to have knowingly violated a provision of this part, and the penalties
             264      of Section 19-3-312 apply.
             265          (8) (a) An organization may not be formed for the purpose of providing any goods,
             266      services, or municipal-type services to a storage facility or transfer facility prior to:
             267          (i) the satisfaction of the conditions in Subsection (4); and
             268          (ii) the executive director of the department having certified that the requirements of
             269      Sections 19-3-304 through 19-3-308 have been met.
             270          (b) A foreign organization may not be registered to do business in the state for the purpose
             271      of providing any goods, services, or municipal-type services to a storage facility or transfer facility
             272      prior to:
             273          (i) the satisfaction of the conditions in Subsection (4); and
             274          (ii) the executive director of the department having certified that the requirements of
             275      Sections 19-3-304 through 19-3-308 have been met.


             276          (c) The prohibitions of Subsections (8)(a) and (b) shall be strictly applied, and:
             277          (i) the formation of a new organization or registration of a foreign organization within the
             278      state, any of whose purposes are to provide goods, services, or municipal-type services to a storage
             279      facility or transfer facility may not be licensed or registered in the state, and the local or foreign
             280      organization is void and does not have authority to operate within the state;
             281          (ii) any organization which is formed or registered after the effective date of this act, and
             282      which subsequently contracts to, or in any manner agrees to provide, or does provide goods,
             283      services, or municipal-type services to a storage facility or transfer facility has been formed or
             284      registered in violation of Subsection (8)(a) or (b) respectively; and
             285          (iii) if the conditions of Subsection (8)(c)(ii) apply, the persons who formed the
             286      organization or the principals of the foreign organization, are considered to have knowingly
             287      violated a provision of this part, and are subject to the penalties in Section 19-3-312 .
             288          (9) (a) (i) Any contract or agreement to provide any goods, services, or municipal-type
             289      services to any organization engaging in, or attempting to engage in the placement of high-level
             290      nuclear waste or greater than class C radioactive waste at a storage facility or transfer facility
             291      within the state are declared to be against the greater public interest, health, and welfare of the
             292      state, by promoting an activity which has the great potential to cause extreme public harm.
             293          (ii) These contracts or agreements under Subsection (9)(a)(i), whether formal or informal,
             294      are declared to be void from inception, agreement, or execution as against public policy.
             295          (b) (i) Any contract or other agreement to provide goods, services, or municipal-type
             296      services to storage or transfer facilities may not be executed within the state.
             297          (ii) Any contract or other agreement, existing or executed after the effective date of this
             298      act, is considered void from the time of agreement or execution.
             299          (10) (a) All contracts and agreements under Subsection (10)(b) are assessed an annual
             300      transaction fee of 75% of the gross value of the contract to the party providing the goods, services,
             301      or municipal-type services to the storage facility or transfer facility or transportation entity. The
             302      fee shall be assessed per calendar year, and is payable to the department on a prorated basis on or
             303      before the last day of each month.
             304          (b) Contracts and agreements subject to the fee under Subsection (10)(a) are those
             305      contracts and agreements to provide goods, services, or municipal-type services to a storage or
             306      transfer facility, or to any organization engaged in the transportation of high-level nuclear waste


             307      or greater than class C radioactive waste, and which:
             308          (i) are in existence on the effective date of this act; or
             309          (ii) become effective notwithstanding Subsection (9)(a).
             310          (c) Any governmental agency which is affected by the provisions of Subsection (10)(b)
             311      and which regulates the charges to consumers for services provided by utilities or other
             312      organizations regulated by a governmental agency shall require of the regulated organization that
             313      the fees under Subsection (10)(a) be included in the costs of the services to consumers.
             314          (d) The department, in consultation with the State Tax Commission, shall establish rules
             315      for the valuation of the contracts and assessment and collection of the fees, and other rules as
             316      necessary to determine the amount of and collection of the fee under Subsection (10)(a).
             317          Section 6. Section 19-3-302 is amended to read:
             318           19-3-302. Legislative intent.
             319          (1) (a) The state of Utah enacts this part to prevent the placement of any high-level nuclear
             320      waste or greater than class C radioactive waste in Utah. The state also recognizes that high-level
             321      nuclear waste or greater than class C radioactive waste may be placed within the exterior
             322      boundaries of the state, pursuant to a license from the federal government, or by the federal
             323      government itself, in violation of this state law.
             324          (b) Due to this possibility, the state also enacts provisions in this part to regulate
             325      transportation, transfer, storage, decay in storage, treatment, and disposal of any high-level nuclear
             326      waste and greater than class C radioactive waste in Utah, thereby asserting and protecting the
             327      state's interests in environmental and economic resources consistent with 42 U.S.C.A. 2011 et seq.,
             328      Atomic Energy Act and 42 U.S.C.A. 10101 et seq., Nuclear Waste Policy Act, should the federal
             329      government decide to authorize any entity to operate, or operate itself, in violation of this state law.
             330          (2) Neither the Atomic Energy Act nor the Nuclear Waste Policy Act provides for siting
             331      a large privately owned high-level nuclear waste transfer, storage, decay in storage, or treatment
             332      facility away from the vicinity of the reactors. The Atomic Energy Act and the Nuclear Waste
             333      Policy Act specifically define authorized storage and disposal programs and activities. The state
             334      of Utah in enacting this part is not preempted by federal law, since any proposed facilities that
             335      would be sited in Utah are not contemplated or authorized by federal law and, in any circumstance,
             336      this part is not contrary to or inconsistent with federal law or Congressional intent.
             337          (3) The state of Utah has environmental and economic interests which do not involve


             338      nuclear safety regulation, and which must be considered and complied with in siting a high-level
             339      nuclear waste or greater than class C radioactive waste transfer, storage, decay in storage,
             340      treatment, or disposal facility and in transporting these wastes in the state.
             341          (4) An additional primary purpose of this part is to ensure protection of the state from
             342      nonradiological hazards associated with any waste transportation, transfer, storage, decay in
             343      storage, treatment, or disposal.
             344          (5) The state recognizes the sovereign rights of Indian tribes within the state of Utah.
             345      However, any proposed transfer, storage, decay in storage, treatment, or disposal facility located
             346      on a reservation which directly affects and impacts state interests by creating off-reservation effects
             347      such as potential or actual degradation of soils and groundwater, potential or actual contamination
             348      of surface water, pollution of the ambient air, emergency planning costs, impacts on development,
             349      agriculture, and ranching, and increased transportation activity, is subject to state jurisdiction.
             350          (6) There is no tradition of regulation by the Indian tribes in Utah of high-level nuclear
             351      waste or higher than class C radioactive waste. The state does have a long history of regulation
             352      of radioactive sources and natural resources and in the transfer, storage, treatment, and
             353      transportation of materials and wastes throughout the state. The state finds that its interests are
             354      even greater when nonmembers of an Indian tribe propose to locate a facility on tribal trust lands
             355      primarily to avoid state regulation and state authorities under federal law.
             356          (7) (a) This part is not intended to modify existing state requirements for obtaining
             357      environmental approvals, permits, and licenses, including surface and groundwater permits and
             358      air quality permits, when the permits are necessary under state and federal law to construct and
             359      operate a high-level nuclear waste or greater than class C radioactive waste transfer, storage, decay
             360      in storage, treatment, or disposal facility.
             361          (b) Any source of air pollution proposed to be located within the state, including sources
             362      located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, which will potentially or actually have a
             363      direct and significant impact on ambient air within the state, is required to obtain an approval order
             364      and permit from the state under Section 19-2-108 .
             365          (c) Any facility which will potentially or actually have a significant impact on the state's
             366      surface or groundwater resources is required to obtain a permit under Section 19-5-107 even if
             367      located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation.
             368          (8) The state finds that the transportation, transfer, storage, decay in storage, treatment, and


             369      disposal of high-level nuclear waste and greater than class C radioactive waste within the state is
             370      an ultra-hazardous activity which carries with it the risk that any release of waste may result in
             371      enormous economic and human injury.
             372          Section 7. Section 19-3-303 is amended to read:
             373           19-3-303. Definitions.
             374          As used in this part:
             375          (1) "Final judgment" means a final ruling or judgment, including any supporting opinion,
             376      that determines the rights of the parties and concerning which all appellate remedies have been
             377      exhausted or the time for appeal has expired.
             378          (2) "Goods" means any materials or supplies, whether raw, processed, or manufactured.
             379          [(1)] (3) "Greater than class C radioactive waste" means low-level radioactive waste that
             380      has higher concentrations of specific radionuclides than allowed for class C waste.
             381          [(2)] (4) "High-level nuclear waste" has the same meaning as in Section 19-3-102 .
             382          (5) "Municipal-type services includes, but is not limited to:
             383          (a) fire protection service;
             384          (b) waste and garbage collection and disposal;
             385          (c) planning and zoning;
             386          (d) street lighting;
             387          (e) life support and paramedic services;
             388          (f) water;
             389          (g) sewer;
             390          (h) electricity;
             391          (i) natural gas or other fuel; or
             392          (j) law enforcement.
             393          (6) "Organization" means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited
             394      liability partnership, joint venture, consortium, association, trust, or other entity formed to
             395      undertake an enterprise, whether or not for profit.
             396          (7) "Placement" means transportation, transfer, storage, decay in storage, treatment, or
             397      disposal.
             398          (8) "Political subdivision" means any county, city, town, school district, public transit
             399      district, redevelopment agency, special improvement or taxing district, or other governmental


             400      subdivision or public corporation.
             401          [(3)] (9) "Rule" means a rule made by the department under Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah
             402      Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             403          (10) "Service" or "services" means any work or governmental program which provides a
             404      benefit.
             405          [(4)] (11) "Storage facility" means any facility which stores, holds, or otherwise provides
             406      for the emplacement of waste regardless of the intent to recover that waste for subsequent use,
             407      processing, or disposal.
             408          [(5)] (12) "Transfer facility" means any facility which transfers waste from and between
             409      transportation modes, vehicles, cars, or other units, and includes rail terminals and intermodal
             410      transfer points.
             411          [(6)] (13) "Waste" or "wastes" means high-level nuclear waste and greater than class C
             412      radioactive waste.
             413          Section 8. Section 19-3-309 is amended to read:
             414           19-3-309. Restricted account.
             415          (1) There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the "Nuclear
             416      Waste Facility Oversight Account[.]," and referred to in this section as the "oversight account."
             417          (2) (a) The oversight account shall be funded from the fees imposed and collected under
             418      [this part] Subsections 19-3-308 (1)(a) and(b).
             419          (b) The department shall deposit in the oversight account all fees collected under [this part
             420      in the account] Subsections 19-3-308 (1)(a) and(b).
             421          (c) The Legislature may appropriate the funds in this oversight account to departments of
             422      state government as necessary for those departments to carry out their duties to implement this
             423      part.
             424          [(d) The account shall earn interest, which shall be deposited in the account.]
             425          (3) (a) There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the "Nuclear
             426      Accident and Hazard Compensation Account, " to be referred to as the "compensation account"
             427      within this part.
             428          (b) The compensation account shall be funded from the fees assessed and collected under
             429      this part, except for Subsections 19-3-308 (1)(a) and(b).
             430          (c) The department shall deposit in the compensation account all fees collected under this


             431      part on and after the date of the actual issuance of a license for a storage facility or transfer facility
             432      under this part, except for those fees under Subsections 19-3-308 (1)(a) and(b).
             433          (d) The compensation account shall earn interest, which shall be deposited in the account.
             434          (e) The Legislature may appropriate the funds in the compensation account to the
             435      departments of state government as necessary for those departments to comply with the
             436      requirements of this part.
             437          (4) On the date when a state license is issued in accordance with Subsection
             438      19-3-301 (4)(a), the Division of Finance shall transfer all fees remaining in the oversight account
             439      attributable to that license into the compensation account.
             440          Section 9. Section 19-3-312 is amended to read:
             441           19-3-312. Enforcement -- Penalties.
             442          (1) When the department or the governor has probable cause to believe a person is
             443      violating or is about to violate any provision of this part, the department or the governor shall
             444      direct the state attorney general to apply to the appropriate court for an order enjoining the person
             445      from engaging in or continuing to engage in the activity.
             446          (2) In addition to being subject to injunctive relief, any person who violates any provision
             447      of this part is subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day for each violation.
             448          (3) Any person who knowingly violates a provision of this part is guilty of a class A
             449      misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $10,000 per day.
             450          (4) Any person or organization acting to facilitate a violation of any provision of this part
             451      regarding the regulation of greater than class C radioactive waste or high-level nuclear waste is
             452      subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day for each violation, in addition to being subject
             453      to injunctive relief.
             454          (5) Any person or organization who knowingly acts to facilitate a violation of this part
             455      regarding the regulation of high-level nuclear waste or greater than class C radioactive waste is
             456      guilty of a class A misdemeanor and is subject to a fine of up to $10,000 per day.
             457          Section 10. Section 19-3-319 is enacted to read:
             458          19-3-319. State response to nuclear release and hazards.
             459          (1) The state finds that the placement of high-level nuclear waste inside the exterior
             460      boundaries of the state is an ultra-hazardous activity which may result in catastrophic economic
             461      and environmental damage and irreparable human injury in the event of a release of waste, and


             462      which release may result in serious long-term health effects to workers at any transfer or storage
             463      facility, or to workers involved in the transportation of the waste.
             464          (2) (a) The state finds that procedures for providing funding for the costs incurred by any
             465      release of waste, or for the compensation for the costs of long-term health effects are not
             466      adequately addressed by existing law.
             467          (b) Due to these concerns, the state has established a restricted account under Subsection
             468      19-3-309 (3), known as the Nuclear Accident and Hazard Compensation Account, and referred to
             469      in this section as the "compensation account." One of the purposes of this account is to partially
             470      or wholly compensate workers for these potential costs, as funds are available and appropriated
             471      for these purposes.
             472          (3) (a) The department shall require the applicant, and parent and subsidiary organizations
             473      of the applicant, to pay to the department not less than 75% of the unfunded potential liability, as
             474      determined under Subsection 19-3-301 (5), in the form of cash or cash equivalents. The department
             475      shall deposit the payments into the compensation account within 30 days after the date of the
             476      issuance of a license under this part.
             477          (b) The department shall credit the amount paid pursuant to this Subsection (3) against the
             478      amount due under Subsection 19-3-306 (10).
             479          (c) If the payments due under this Subsection (3) are not made within 30 days, as required,
             480      the executive director of the department shall cancel the license.
             481          (4) (a) The department shall also require an annual fee from the holder of any license
             482      issued under this part. This annual fee payment shall be calculated as:
             483          (i) the amount of the annual payments required by Title 34A, Chapter 2, Workers'
             484      Compensation Act, of the licensee and of all parties contracted to provide goods, services, or
             485      municipal-type services to the licensee, regarding their employees who are working within the state
             486      at any time during the calendar year; and
             487          (ii) multiplied by the number of storage casks of waste present at any time and for any
             488      period of time within the exterior borders of the state during the year for which the fee is assessed.
             489          (b) (i) The licensee shall pay the fee under Subsection (4)(a) to the department. The
             490      department shall deposit the fee in the compensation account created in Subsection 19-3-309 (3).
             491          (ii) The fee shall be paid to the department on or before March 31 of each calendar year.
             492          (5) The department shall use the fees paid under Subsection (4) to provide medical or


             493      death benefits, or both, as is appropriate to the situation, to:
             494          (a) any employee of the holder of any license issued under this part, or employees of any
             495      parties contracting to provide goods, services, transportation, or municipal-type services to the
             496      licensee, if the employee is within the state at any time during the calendar year as part of his
             497      employment; or
             498          (b) that employee's family or beneficiaries.
             499          (6) Payment of the fee under Subsection (4) does not exempt the licensee from compliance
             500      with any other provision of law, including Title 34A, Chapter 2, regarding workers' compensation.
             501          (7) (a) An agreement between an employer and an employee, the employee's family, or
             502      beneficiaries requiring the employee to waive benefits under this section, requiring the employee
             503      to seek third party coverage, or requiring an employee contribution is void.
             504          (b) Any employer attempting to secure any agreement prohibited under Subsection (7)(a)
             505      is subject to the penalties of Section 19-3-312 .
             506          (8) (a) The department, in consultation with the Division of Industrial Accidents within
             507      the Labor Commission, shall by rule establish procedures regarding application for benefits,
             508      standards for eligibility, estimates of annual payments, and payments.
             509          (b) Payments under this section are in addition to any other payments or benefits allowed
             510      by state or federal law, notwithstanding provisions in Title 34A, Chapter 2, regarding workers'
             511      compensation.
             512          (c) Payments or obligations to pay under this section may not exceed funds appropriated
             513      for these purposes by the Legislature.
             514          Section 11. Section 34-38-3 is amended to read:
             515           34-38-3. Testing for drugs or alcohol.
             516          (1) It is not unlawful for an employer to test employees or prospective employees for the
             517      presence of drugs or alcohol, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, as a condition of
             518      hiring or continued employment. However, employers and management in general [must] shall
             519      submit to the testing themselves on a periodic basis.
             520          (2) (a) Any organization which is operating a storage facility or transfer facility or which
             521      is engaged in the transportation of high-level nuclear waste or greater than class C radioactive
             522      waste within the exterior boundaries of the state shall establish a mandatory drug testing program
             523      regarding drugs and alcohol for prospective and existing employees as a condition of hiring any


             524      employee or the continued employment of any employee. As a part of the program, employers and
             525      management in general shall submit to the testing themselves on a periodic basis. The program
             526      shall implement testing standards and procedures established under Subsection (2)(b).
             527          (b) The executive director of the Department of Environmental Quality, in consultation
             528      with the Labor Commission under Section 34A-1-103 , shall by rule establish standards for timing
             529      of testing and dosage for impairment for the drug and alcohol testing program under this
             530      Subsection (2). The standards shall address the protection of the safety, health, and welfare of the
             531      public.
             532          Section 12. Section 73-4-1 is amended to read:
             533           73-4-1. By engineer on petition of users.
             534          (1) Upon a verified petition to the state engineer, signed by five or more or a majority of
             535      water users upon any stream or water source, requesting the investigation of the relative rights of
             536      the various claimants to the waters of such stream or water source, it shall be the duty of the state
             537      engineer, if upon such investigation he finds the facts and conditions are such as to justify a
             538      determination of said rights, to file in the district court an action to determine the various rights.
             539      In any suit involving water rights the court may order an investigation and survey by the state
             540      engineer of all the water rights on the source or system involved.
             541          (2) (a) As used in this section, "executive director" means the executive director of the
             542      Department of Environmental Quality.
             543          (b) The executive director, with the concurrence of the governor, may request that the state
             544      engineer file in the district court an action to determine the various water rights in the stream,
             545      water source, or basin for an area within the exterior boundaries of the state for which any person
             546      or organization or the federal government is actively pursuing or processing a license application
             547      for a storage facility or transfer facility for high-level nuclear waste or greater than class C
             548      radioactive waste.
             549          (c) Upon receipt of a request made under Subsection (2)(b), the state engineer shall file
             550      the action in the district court.
             551          (d) The request and the action under this Subsection (2) may only address the streams,
             552      water sources, or basins reasonably connected to the site or sites in question.
             553          Section 13. Effective date.
             554          If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this act takes effect


             555      upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
             556      Constitution Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto, the
             557      date of veto override.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-8-01 10:39 AM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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