REGULATIONS AND AMENDMENTS PUT INTO EFFECT - FY 1996

Physical Security Plan Format Changes - Parts 50, 70, and 72

On October 16, 1995 (60 FR 53505), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective November 15, 1995, to eliminate the requirement for applicants for power

reactor, Category I fuel cycle, and spent fuel storage licenses to submit physical security plans

in two parts.

Revision of Specific Exemptions Under the Privacy Act - Part 9

On December 13, 1995 (60 FR 63897), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective January 12, 1996, to add exemptions authorized by subsections (j)(2) and

(k)(5) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, to those currently in place for System of Records

NRC-18, "Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Investigative Records-NRC," under subsections

(k)(1), (k)(2), and (k)(6).

Fracture Toughness Requirements for Light Water Reactor Pressure Vessels - Part 50

On December 19, 1995 (60 FR 65456), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective January 18, 1996, to clarify the pressurized thermal shock requirements,

make changes to the fracture toughness requirements and the reactor vessel material

surveillance program requirements, and provide new requirements for thermal annealing of a

reactor pressure vessel. 

One-Time Extension of Certain Byproduct, Source, and Special Nuclear Materials

Licenses - Parts 30, 40, and 70

On January 16, 1996 (61 FR 1109), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective February 15, 1996, to implement, on a one-time basis, a five-year

extension of certain byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials licenses.

Employee Protection Policies; Minor Amendments - Parts 19, 30, 40, 50, 60, 61, 70, and

72

On February 22, 1996 (61 FR 6762), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective April 22, 1996, to require the use of an updated NRC Form 3, "Update a

Telephone Number," and to clarify the applicability of employment discrimination policies.

Minor Correcting Amendments - Parts 19, 30, 51, 52, and 55

On March 12, 1996 (61 FR 9901), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective immediately, to correct several miscellaneous errors in the Code of Federal

Regulations.

Revision of Fee Schedules; 100% Fee Recovery, FY 1996 - Parts 170 and 171

On April 12, 1996 (61 FR 16203), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective June 11, 1996, to implement the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, which

mandates that the NRC recover approximately 100 percent of its budget authority in Fiscal Year

1996 less amounts appropriated from the Nuclear Waste Fund.

Termination or Transfer of Licensed Activities: Recordkeeping Requirements - Parts 20,

30, 40, 61, 70, and 72

On May 16, 1996 (61 FR 24669), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective June 17, 1996, to require a licensee to transfer records pertaining to

decommissioning, and certain records pertaining to offsite releases and waste disposal, to the
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new licensee if licensed activities will continue at the same site. The amendment also requires

the new licensee to forward these same records to the NRC before the license is terminated.

Environmental Review for Renewal of Nuclear Power Plant Operating Licenses - Part 51

On June 5, 1996 (61 FR 28467), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective September 5, 1996, to establish new requirements for the environmental review of

applications to renew the operating licenses for nuclear power plants.

Minor Amendments to Miscellaneous Cross-References - Parts 30, 40, 70, and 72

On June 12, 1996 (61 FR 29636), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective immediately, to achieve consistency in the cross-references associated with several

recent changes to the NRC's regulations affecting decommissioning.

Production and Utilization Facilities; Emergency Planning and Preparedness Exercise

Requirements - Part 50

On June 14, 1996 (61 FR 30129), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

revising its emergency planning regulations. This amendment, effective July 15, 1996, allows

greater flexibility in the licensee's emergency preparedness training activities in the 2-year

period between biennial full-participation exercises.

Export of Nuclear Equipment and Materials - Part 110

On July 8, 1996 (61 FR 35600), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

pertaining to the export of nuclear equipment and materials. This amendment, effective August

7, 1996, makes the export controls of the United States conform to the international export

control guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which the United States is a member, and

reflects the nuclear nonproliferation policies of the Department of State.

Removal of 10 CFR Part 53 - Criteria and Procedures for Determining the Adequacy of

Available Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Capacity - Part 53

On July 9, 1996 (61 FR 35935), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective August 8, 1996, to remove provisions concerning the "Criteria and Procedures for

Determining the Adequacy of Available Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Capacity" from the Code of

Federal Regulations.

Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Reactors - Parts 2, 50, and 51

On July 29, 1996 (61 FR 39278), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

pertaining to the decommissioning procedures that lead to the termination of an operating

license for nuclear power reactors. The amendment, effective August 28, 1996, clarifies

ambiguities in the current rule and codifies procedures to reduce the regulatory burden, provide

greater flexibility, and allow for greater public participation in the decommissioning process.

Codes and Standards for Nuclear Power Plants; Subsection IWE and Subsection IWL -

Part 50

On August 8, 1996 (61 FR 41303), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective September 9, 1996, to incorporate by reference the 1992 Edition with the 1992

Addenda of Subsection IWE, and Subsection IWL, of Section XI, Division 1, of the American

Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code with specified modifications

and a limitation. 
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Deletion of Outdated References and Minor Change - Parts 2 and 51

On August 22, 1996 (61 FR 43406), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective October 21, 1996, to delete all references to Appendix C of 10 CFR Part

2. 

REGULATIONS AND AMENDMENTS PROPOSED

Constraint Level for Air Emissions of Radionuclides - Part 20

On December 13, 1995 (60 FR 63984), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations that would establish a constraint of 10 mrem/yr total effective dose equivalent for

dose to members of the public from air emissions of radionuclides from NRC-licensed facilities

other than power reactors.

Revision of Fee Schedules; 100% Fee Recovery, FY 1996 - Parts 170 and 171

On January 30, 1996 (61 FR 2948), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would implement the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, which mandates that the

NRC recover approximately 100 percent of its budget authority in Fiscal Year 1996 less

amounts appropriated from the Nuclear Waste Fund.

Reporting Requirements for Unauthorized Use of Licensed Radioactive Material - Part 20

On January 31, 1996 (61 FR 3334), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would require licensees to notify the NRC Operations Center within 24 hours of discovering

an intentional or allegedly intentional diversion of licensed radioactive material from its intended

or authorized use. The amendment also would require licenses to notify the NRC when they

are unable, within 48 hours of discovery of the event, to rule out that the use was intentional.

Petition for Rulemaking; Procedure for Submission - Part 2

On February 6, 1996 (61 FR 4378), the NRC published a notice of withdrawal of a

proposed rule that would have provided the incentive of more expeditious disposition by the

NRC to those petitioners who submitted detailed supporting information in their petitions to

facilitate NRC review. The proposed rule also would have delineated factors that affect

priorities for review of the petitions.

Reporting Reliability and Availability Information for Risk-significant Systems and

Equipment - Part 50

On February 12, 1996 (61 FR 5318), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations that would require licensees for commercial nuclear power reactors to report to the

NRC plant-specific summary reliability and availability data for risk-significant systems and

equipment. The amendment also would require licensees to maintain on site, and make

available for NRC inspection, records and documentation that provide the basis for the

summary data reported to the NRC.

Employee Protection Policies; Minor Amendments - Parts 19, 30, 40, 50, 60, 61, 70, and

72

On February 22, 1996 (61 FR 6796), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations that would require the use of an updated NRC Form 3, "Update a Telephone

Number," and clarify the applicability of employment discrimination policies.
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Modifications to Fitness-For-Duty Program Requirements - Part 26

On May 9, 1996 (61 FR 21105), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would modify the current requirements for the Fitness-For-Duty Program. The proposed

rule is intended to ensure compatibility with changes made to the Department of Health and

Human Services testing guidelines, reduce unnecessary burdens, and ensure continued

protection of public health and safety.

Reasserting NRC's Authority for Approving Onsite Low-Level Waste Disposal in

Agreement States; Withdrawal - Part 150

On May 29, 1996 (61 FR 26852), the NRC published a notice of withdrawal of a

proposed rule that would have reasserted the NRC's jurisdiction in Agreement States over the

disposal of licensed material generated and disposed of at nuclear reactor sites. The proposed

rule also would have clarified the jurisdiction over disposal of noncritical waste quantities of

special nuclear material at reactor and fuel cycle facilities.

Recognition of Agreement State Licenses in Areas Under Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction

Within an Agreement State - Parts 150 and 170

On June 18, 1996 (61 FR 30839), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would clarify the right of Agreement State licensees to seek reciprocal recognition of their

license from the NRC when they are working within areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction in

Agreement States. The amendment also would clarify NRC regulatory requirements for

reciprocity and the appropriate fees and filing procedures applicable to Agreement State

licensees operating under reciprocity.

Access to and Protection of Classified Information - Parts 25 and 95

On August 5, 1996 (61 FR 40555), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would have the requirements for the protection of and access to classified information

conform to new national security policy documents. The amendment would ensure that

classified information in the possession of NRC licensees and others under the NRC's

regulatory requirements is protected in accordance with current national policies.

Deletion of Outdated References and Minor Change - Parts 2 and 51

On August 22, 1996 (61 FR 43409), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would delete all references to Appendix C of 10 CFR Part 2. 

ADVANCE NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

Financial Assurance Requirements for Decommissioning Nuclear Power Reactors - Part

50

On April 8, 1996 (61 FR 15427), an advance notice of proposed rulemaking was

published to invite public comment on issues pertaining to the form and content of the NRC's

nuclear power reactor decommissioning financial assurance requirements as they relate to

electric utility deregulations.