Harshbarger Introduces Bill to Refocus Nuclear Safety Reviews on Advanced Reactors 

July 9, 2026
Press Release

Legislation would end mandatory review of every reactor license application, prioritize novel safety issues 

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) today introduced the Nuclear Advisory Committee Reform Act, legislation to realign the role of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) in nuclear licensing toward applications that carry real safety significance rather than applying uniformly to every application. Rep. Craig Goldman (R-TX) joins as an original cosponsor.  
 
“As the next generation of nuclear technology approaches rapid deployment at scale, it is critical that our nation’s nuclear licensing process does not mistake procedure for safety,” said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. “Every application must complete NRC’s full safety review. My bill ensures ACRS’ independent secondary review is concentrated where it counts—with novel, safety-significant issues—and codifies provisions of President Trump's Executive Order. We cannot commit to protecting Americans if our top nuclear safety experts spend their time duplicating NRC reviews instead of providing meaningful oversight on reactor designs that demand closer scrutiny. We need to get this right so safety is never compromised, and we can get advanced reactors built here at home instead of ceding that ground to Communist China.” 
 
Importantly, the bill would codify provisions of President Trump's Executive Order 14300 directing ACRS to focus its reviews on issues that are "truly novel and noteworthy."  
 
KEY PROVISIONS:  
  • Authorizes the NRC to determine when ACRS reviews a license application, removing the current mandatory review requirement.  
  • Refocuses ACRS on its core mission by prioritizing review of novel, safety-significant reactor design and technical issues, rather than reexamination of previously resolved or non-safety-focused matters.  
  • Reinforces ACRS's role as an independent technical advisor by allowing the committee to identify and recommend safety-significant issues to the NRC for further review.  
  • Modernizes ACRS membership by requiring the committee collectively reflect a diverse range of technical expertise relevant to the NRC's mission and clarifying member term limits.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

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