article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Nuclear Security Act of 2003''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. Section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection jj. as subsection ii.; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``jj. Design Basis Threat.--The term `design basis threat' means the design basis threat established by the Commission under section 73.1 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation developed under section 170C). ``kk. Sensitive Nuclear Facility.--The term `sensitive nuclear facility' means-- ``(1) a commercial nuclear power plant and associated spent fuel storage facility; ``(2) a decommissioned nuclear power plant and associated spent fuel storage facility; ``(3) a category I fuel cycle facility; ``(4) a gaseous diffusion plant; and ``(5) any other facility licensed by the Commission, or used in the conduct of an activity licensed by the Commission, that the Commission determines should be treated as a sensitive nuclear facility under section 170C.''. SEC. 3. NUCLEAR SECURITY. (a) In General.--Chapter 14 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 170C. PROTECTION OF SENSITIVE NUCLEAR FACILITIES AGAINST THE DESIGN BASIS THREAT. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Nuclear security force.--The term `nuclear security force' means the nuclear security force established under subsection (b)(1). ``(2) Fund.--The term `Fund' means the Nuclear Security Fund established under subsection (e). ``(3) Qualification standard.--The term `qualification standard' means a qualification standard established under subsection (d)(2)(A). ``(4) Security plan.--The term `security plan' means a security plan developed under subsection (b)(2). ``(b) Nuclear Security.--The Commission shall-- ``(1) establish a nuclear security force, the members of which shall be employees of the Commission, to provide for the security of all sensitive nuclear facilities against the design basis threat; and ``(2) develop and implement a security plan for each sensitive nuclear facility to ensure the security of all sensitive nuclear facilities against the design basis threat. ``(c) Security Plans.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall develop a security plan for each sensitive nuclear facility to ensure the protection of each sensitive nuclear facility against the design basis threat. ``(2) Elements of the plan.--A security plan shall prescribe-- ``(A) the deployment of the nuclear security force, including-- ``(i) numbers of the members of the nuclear security force at each sensitive nuclear facility; ``(ii) tactics of the members of the nuclear security force at each sensitive nuclear facility; and ``(iii) capabilities of the members of the nuclear security force at each sensitive nuclear facility; ``(B) other protective measures, including-- ``(i) designs of critical control systems at each sensitive nuclear facility; ``(ii) restricted personnel access to each sensitive nuclear facility; ``(iii) perimeter site security, internal site security, and fire protection barriers; ``(iv) increases in protection for spent fuel storage areas; ``(v) placement of spent fuel in dry cask storage; and ``(vi) background security checks for employees and prospective employees; and ``(C) a schedule for completing the requirements of the security plan not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section. ``(3) Additional requirements.--A holder of a license for a sensitive nuclear facility under section 103 or 104 or the State or local government in which a sensitive nuclear facility is located may petition the Commission for additional requirements in the security plan for the sensitive nuclear facility. ``(4) Implementation of security plan.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission, in consultation with a holder of a license for a sensitive nuclear facility under section 103 or 104, shall, by direct action of the Commission or by order requiring action by the licensee, implement the security plan for the sensitive nuclear facility in accordance with the schedule under paragraph (2)(C). ``(5) Sufficiency of security plan.--If at any time the Commission determines that the implementation of the requirements of the security plan for a sensitive nuclear facility is insufficient to ensure the security of the sensitive nuclear facility against the design basis threat, the Commission shall immediately submit to Congress and the President a classified report that-- ``(A) identifies the vulnerability of the sensitive nuclear facility; and ``(B) recommends actions by Federal, State, or local agencies to eliminate the vulnerability. ``(d) Nuclear Security Force.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Commission, in consultation with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall establish a program for the hiring and training of the nuclear security force. ``(2) Hiring.-- ``(A) Qualification standards.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall establish qualification standards that individuals shall be required to meet to be hired by the Commission as members of the nuclear security force. ``(B) Examination.--The Commission shall develop and administer a nuclear security force personnel examination for use in determining the qualification of individuals seeking employment as members of the nuclear security force. ``(C) Criminal and security background checks.--The Commission shall require that an individual to be hired as a member of the nuclear security force undergo a criminal and security background check. ``(D) Disqualification of individuals who present national security risks.--The Commission, in consultation with the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall establish procedures, in addition to any background check conducted under subparagraph (B), to ensure that no individual who presents a threat to national security is employed as a member of the nuclear security force. ``(3) Annual proficiency review.-- ``(A) In general.--The Commission shall provide that an annual evaluation of each member of the nuclear security force is conducted and documented. ``(B) Requirements for continuation.--An individual employed as a member of the nuclear security force may not continue to be employed in that capacity unless the evaluation under subparagraph (A) demonstrates that the individual-- ``(i) continues to meet all qualification standards; ``(ii) has a satisfactory record of performance and attention to duty; and ``(iii) has the knowledge and skills necessary to vigilantly and effectively provide for the security of a sensitive nuclear facility against the design basis threat. ``(4) Training.-- ``(A) In general.--The Commission shall provide for the training of each member of the nuclear security force to ensure each member has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide for the security of a sensitive nuclear facility against the design basis threat. ``(B) Training plan.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall develop a plan for the training of members of the nuclear security force. ``(C) Use of other agencies.--The Commission may enter into a memorandum of understanding or other arrangement with any other Federal agency with appropriate law enforcement responsibilities, to provide personnel, resources, or other forms of assistance in the training of members of the nuclear security force. ``(e) Nuclear Security Fund.-- ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the `Nuclear Security Fund', which shall be used by the Commission to administer programs under this section to provide for the security of sensitive nuclear facilities. ``(2) Deposits in the fund.--The Commission shall deposit in the Fund-- ``(A) the amount of fees collected under paragraph (5); and ``(B) amounts appropriated under subsection (f). ``(3) Investment of amounts.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such portion of the Fund as is not, in the judgment of the Secretary of the Treasury, required to meet current withdrawals. Investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States. ``(B) Acquisition of obligations.--For the purpose of investments under subparagraph (A), obligations may be acquired-- ``(i) on original issue at the issue price; or ``(ii) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price. ``(C) Sale of obligations.--Any obligation acquired by the Fund may be sold by the Secretary of the Treasury at the market price. ``(D) Credits to fund.--The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Fund shall be credited to and form a part of the Fund. ``(4) Use of amounts in the fund.--The Commission shall use amounts in the Fund to pay the costs of-- ``(A) salaries, training, and other expenses of the nuclear security force; and ``(B) developing and implementing security plans. ``(5) Fee.--To ensure that adequate amounts are available to provide assistance under paragraph (4), the Commission shall assess licensees a fee in an amount determined by the Commission. ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.''. (b) Implementation.--The Commission shall complete the full implementation of the amendment made by subsection (a) as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, but in no event later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for chapter 14 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. prec. 2011) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``170B. Uranium supply. ``170C. Protection of sensitive nuclear facilities against the design basis threat.''.
summary: Nuclear Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to instruct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to: (1) establish a nuclear security force composed of NRC employees to provide for the security of all sensitive nuclear facilities against design basis threat; and (2) develop and implement a security plan containing specified elements for each sensitive nuclear facility to ensure the security of all sensitive nuclear facilities against such threat. Authorizes a holder of a license for a sensitive nuclear facility to petition the Commission for additional requirements in the security plan for such facility. Requires the NRC to establish a hiring and training program for the nuclear security force. Establishes the Nuclear Security Fund for use by the Commission to administer the security programs for sensitive nuclear facilities.