summary
Introduced
01/09/2026
01/09/2026
In Committee
03/05/2026
03/05/2026
Crossed Over
03/05/2026
03/05/2026
Passed
Dead
03/13/2026
03/13/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to advanced nuclear reactors; creating s. 403.541, F.S.; providing legislative intent; providing definitions; authorizing the Florida Public Service Commission to regulate advanced nuclear reactors in this state; requiring the commission to consult with the University of Florida's Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Facility in exercising such authority; authorizing the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection to exercise specified powers and duties; requiring the commission, the Department of Health, and the Department of Environmental Protection to jointly establish criteria for the certification of laboratories that perform analysis on nuclear materials; authorizing the possession of nuclear material for specified purposes; providing an exception and limitation for such possession; requiring permits for the transfer, receipt, possession, use, storage, or disposal of nuclear materials; requiring the commission to make a certain determination before issuing such permits; requiring certifications for construction and significant design modifications of advanced nuclear reactors; requiring the commission to consider certain factors before issuing such certifications; requiring the construction or significant design modification of advanced nuclear reactors to include certain radiation control devices; authorizing the commission to issue reciprocal permits under certain conditions; providing penalties; requiring the commission, after consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health, to adopt rules; providing requirements for such rules; amending s. 186.801, F.S.; revising the criteria the commission must consider in the preliminary study of electric utility 10-year site plans; amending s. 366.92, F.S.; defining the term "clean energy"; removing the definition of the term "renewable energy"; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 377.601, F.S.; revising legislative intent for the state's energy policy; amending s. 403.503, F.S.; revising the definition of the term "applicant"; amending s. 403.506, F.S.; revising applicability of power plant capacity and expansion thresholds; amending s. 403.507, F.S.; providing applicability; amending s. 403.519, F.S.; revising the criteria the commission must consider in making determinations for proposed power plants; providing applicability; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a regulatory framework for advanced nuclear reactors in Florida, defining them as new or significantly improved nuclear fusion or fission reactors with features like enhanced safety, reduced waste, and improved efficiency. The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is granted primary authority to regulate these reactors, including approving designs, issuing permits for nuclear materials (defined as byproduct, source, or special nuclear material), and setting safety and construction standards, with a requirement to consult the University of Florida's Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Facility. The Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection are also given specific powers and duties related to health and environmental protection, respectively, and all three agencies must jointly establish criteria for certifying laboratories that analyze nuclear materials. The bill permits the possession of nuclear materials for research, design, construction, and operation of advanced nuclear reactors, with limitations to prevent dangers to national security or public health, and requires permits for the transfer, receipt, possession, use, storage, or disposal of such materials, with the PSC needing to ensure adequate radiation control devices are in place before issuing permits. Furthermore, the construction or significant design modifications of advanced nuclear reactors require certification from the PSC, which must consider factors like public safety, compliance with standards, risk mitigation, and resource efficiency, and such construction must include radiation control devices. The PSC can issue reciprocal permits if other states or federal agencies have equally stringent safety standards, and violations of the bill's provisions can result in significant civil penalties. The bill also revises criteria for utility 10-year site plans to include nuclear energy resources, broadens the definition of "clean energy" to encompass nuclear reactors, and amends existing laws to reflect these changes, including provisions for power plant siting and the determination of need for electrical power plants, with specific exceptions for advanced nuclear reactors not connected to the state's electrical grid.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Business and Industry
Sponsors (13)
Richard Gentry (R)*,
Monique Miller (R)*,
Jose Alvarez (D),
Doug Bankson (R),
James Buchanan (R),
William Conerly (R),
Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R),
Chip LaMarca (R),
Jim Mooney (R),
Michelle Salzman (R),
Leonard Spencer (D),
Meg Weinberger (R),
Bradford Yeager (R),
Other Sponsors (2)
Commerce Committee (House), Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee (House)
Last Action
Died in Rules (on 03/13/2026)
Official Document
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