Nuclear Security Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-131
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2003-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Airspace (Law)
Armed Forces and National Security
Arson
Biological warfare
Chemical warfare
Coast guard
Computer crimes
Congress
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
EBB Terrorism
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency Management
Employee selection
Employee training
Employment tests
Environmental Protection
Explosives
Federal law enforcement officers
Federal officials
Fees
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government trust funds
Identification of criminals
Independent regulatory commissions
International Affairs
Labor and Employment
Licenses
National Guard
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear facilities
Nuclear fuels
Nuclear power plants
Nuclear security measures
Nuclear terrorism
Personnel records
Plutonium
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Radiation victims
Radioactive wastes
Rating of employees
Sabotage
Science, Technology, Communications
Security clearances
Security measures
September 11, 2001
Special forces (Military science)
Suicide
Terrorism
Transportation and Public Works
Uranium
Uranium enrichment

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-09
text: Nuclear Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to establish a task force on nuclear infrastructure security to protect sensitive nuclear facilities from potential terrorist threats.
Instructs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to promulgate regulations that: (1) identify the threats that sensitive nuclear facilities must protect against to prevent radiological sabotage and theft of special nuclear material; and (2) establish a system to determine multiple threat levels in order to describe threat conditions.
Prescribes guidelines for mandatory NRC review of security plans and emergency response plans.
Directs the President to: (1) promulgate regulations establishing the Nuclear Infrastructure Antiterrorism Team to protect sensitive nuclear facility perimeters; and (2) establish a training program for National Guard, State and local law enforcement agency response to threats against a sensitive nuclear facility.
Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to establish: (1) the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response; and (2) a Security Response Unit, including a mock terrorist team.
Instructs the NRC to: (1) establish a security response evaluation program for sensitive nuclear facilities; and (2) conduct emergency response exercises to evaluate emergency personnel response to a radiological emergency at those facilities.
Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to authorize trained security guards and employees of NRC certificate holders to carry firearms, other weapons, devices, or ammunition at NRC facilities.
Prescribes guidelines for such personnel to detain or arrest without a warrant.
Subjects to a criminal penalty: (1) any attempt or conspiracy to commit sabotage of nuclear facilities or fuel (the current standard is intentional or willful attempt); and (2) sabotage committed during construction of certain NRC facilities if the sabotage could adversely affect public health and safety during facility operation.
Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to extend whistleblower protections to an employee of an NRC contractor or subcontractor.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2003-01-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S160)
action_date: 2003-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate