Bill > HB778

This bill modifies the existing law regarding the Radioactive Waste Investigation Fund, which is a dedicated fund in the state treasury managed by the state treasurer. The bill removes previous financial limitations that capped fund transfers and annual investigation costs at $150,000 per fiscal year. Under the new provisions, the department of natural resources can investigate radioactive waste concerns upon written request from a local governing body, prioritizing requests based on order of receipt and proximity to federally designated contaminated sites. The investigation will be conducted by federal, state agencies, or qualified contractors selected through competitive bidding, and will develop a sampling and analysis plan to determine if radioactive contaminants exceed federal remedial action standards. Sampling may include dust samples from residential homes with homeowner permission. The department must report investigation results to the attorney general and the requesting local governing body within 45 days and make the report publicly available. Any remaining funds at the end of the biennium will be transferred to the hazardous waste fund, and the new bill adds a provision that the department shall seek reimbursement of cleanup expenses from responsible federal agencies.

Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB778&year=2025&code=R