NRC Office of Public Engagement and Participation Act of 2022
Bill: H.R.9215 | Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Mike (D-CA)
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
NRC Office of Public Engagement and Participation Act of 2022
This bill establishes an independent office within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to advocate for the public within NRC jurisdiction and otherwise support public participation in NRC proceedings and activities.

To establish an Office of Public Engagement and Participation within 
       the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``NRC Office of Public Engagement and 
Participation Act of 2022''.

SEC. 2. OFFICE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Commission an 
office to be known as the Office of Public Engagement and 
Participation.
    (b) Director.--
            (1) In general.--The Office shall be administered by a 
        Director.
            (2) Appointment.--Subject to the approval of the 
        Commission, the Chairman shall appoint the Director.
            (3) Term.--Subject to paragraph (7), the Director shall 
        serve for--
                    (A) a term of five years; and
                    (B) no more than two terms.
            (4) Duties.--The Director--
                    (A) shall be responsible for the discharge of the 
                functions of the Office; and
                    (B) may appoint, and assign the duties of, staff of 
                the Office as necessary to carry out the functions of 
                the Office.
            (5) Compensation.--The Director shall be compensated at a 
        rate of pay not greater than the maximum rate of pay prescribed 
        for a senior executive in the Senior Executive Service under 
        section 5382 of title 5, United States Code.
            (6) Removal.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to the approval of the 
                Commission to initiate an action, the Chairman or a 
                member of the Commission may initiate an action for 
                removal of the Director.
                    (B) Removal limitations.--The Commission may remove 
                the Director for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or 
                malfeasance in office but for no other cause.
            (7) Expiration of term.--A Director may continue to serve 
        after the expiration of the term of such Director until a 
        successor is appointed.
    (c) Functions of the Office.--
            (1) In general.--The functions of the Office shall be to--
                    (A) support public participation in proceedings 
                before the Commission;
                    (B) advocate for the public interest within the 
                jurisdiction of the Commission;
                    (C) provide educational, legal, and technical 
                guidance and assistance to members of the public with 
                respect to participating in proceedings before the 
                Commission, including guidance on submitting comments, 
                contentions, and hearing requests;
                    (D) coordinate assistance available to persons 
                participating or proposing to participate in 
                proceedings before the Commission; and
                    (E) coordinate assistance to the public with 
                respect to authorities exercised by the Commission.
            (2) Compensation of fees.--Notwithstanding section 502 of 
        the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1993 (5 
        U.S.C. 504 note; Public Law 102-377), the Commission may, under 
        rules promulgated by the Commission, provide compensation for 
        reasonable attorney's fees, expert witness fees, and other 
        costs of participating in any proceeding before the Commission 
        to any person whose participation substantially contributed to 
        the approval, in whole or in part, of a position advocated by 
        such person, if the Commission determines that--
                    (A) the proceeding is significant; and
                    (B) the participation of such person in such 
                proceeding without receipt of compensation constitutes 
                a significant financial hardship to such person.
    (d) Independent Office.--The Chairman shall take appropriate 
actions to ensure the independence of the Office within the Commission, 
including independence from other officers and employees of the 
Commission.
    (e) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director 
        shall submit to Congress a report on the activities of the 
        Office.
            (2) Requirements.--Each report under paragraph (1) shall 
        include--
                    (A) the number and types of requests for assistance 
                received by the Office during the preceding year; and
                    (B) an assessment of the most common difficulties 
                encountered by members of the public with participating 
                or proposing to participate in proceedings before the 
                Commission in the preceding year.
    (f) No Effect on Existing Public Engagement Standards.--Nothing in 
this Act shall be interpreted as reducing the standards for the 
Commission to engage the public in any proceedings or decisions.
    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Chairman.--The term ``Chairman'' means the Chairman of 
        the Commission.
            (2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Nuclear 
        Regulatory Commission.
            (3) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the Office of Public 
        Engagement and Participation established under subsection (a).
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