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H.R. 515: Radioactive Import Deterrence Act

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H.R. 515: Radioactive Import Deterrence Act

111th Congress · introduced 2009-01-14 · Environmental Protection · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2009-01-14 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 919 (2009): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR515 (2009-12-02), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Radioactive Import Deterrence Act

Plain summary

Radioactive Import Deterrence Act - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prohibit the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) from issuing a license authorizing the importation into the United States of: (1) low-level radioactive waste; or (2) specific radioactive waste streams exempted from regulation by the NRC. Exempts from such prohibition low-level radioactive waste: (1) being returned to a federal or military facility which is authorized to possess the material; or (2) resulting from the use in a foreign country of nuclear material obtained by the foreign user from an entity in the United States that is being returned to the United States for management and disposal. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition and authorize the grant of a specific license to import materials only after finding that such importation would meet an important national or international policy goal, such as the use of waste for research purposes. Grandfathers certain licenses issued before the date of enactment of this Act, but prohibits their extension or amendment with respect to the amount of material permitted to be imported.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Radioactive Import Deterrence Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6] · 80 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 515, Radioactive Import Deterrence Act (2009-12-01); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 515, Radioactive Import Deterrence Act (2009-12-01)

Cosponsors on this site

Steve Cohen (D-TN), André Carson (D-IN), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) and 20 more.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (3)
Authorization
A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Exemption
A rule that removes certain people, property or activities from a tax or requirement.
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong111-hr515 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111