AB559,2,8 1An Act to repeal 16.11 (2) (c), 16.11 (2) (j), 16.11 (3) (h) 1. and 2., 16.11 (3) (i) 1.,
216.11 (3) (i) 3., 16.11 (3) (m), 16.11 (3) (n) 2., 16.11 (4) (b), 16.11 (6) (e), 16.11 (6)
3(h), 16.11 (6) (m), 16.11 (8) (a) and 16.11 (8) (c); to renumber 16.11 (2) (b), 16.11
4(2) (m), 16.11 (2) (o), 16.11 (2) (p), 16.11 (2) (r), 16.11 (3) (h) 3., 16.11 (3) (h) 5.,
516.11 (3) (i) 2., 16.11 (3) (i) 5., 16.11 (8) (d) and 16.11 (9) (d); to renumber and
6amend
16.11 (1) (a) 7., 16.11 (2) (d), 16.11 (2) (f), 16.11 (2) (g), 16.11 (2) (h), 16.11
7(2) (i), 16.11 (2) (k), 16.11 (2) (L), 16.11 (2) (q), 16.11 (2) (s), 16.11 (3) (h) 4., 16.11
8(3) (i) 4., 16.11 (3) (n) 1., 16.11 (4) (c), 16.11 (4) (d), 16.11 (4) (e), 16.11 (6) (d), 16.11
9(6) (f), 16.11 (6) (i), 16.11 (6) (j), 16.11 (6) (k), 16.11 (8) (b), 16.11 (8) (e), 16.11 (8)
10(f) and 16.11 (9) (c); to amend 14.81 (2) (b), 14.81 (2) (c) 1., 14.81 (3) (intro.),
1114.81 (3) (a), 16.11 (1) (a) (intro.), 16.11 (1) (a) 2., 16.11 (1) (a) 4., 16.11 (1) (a) 5.,
1216.11 (1) (a) 6., 16.11 (2) (a), 16.11 (3) (b) to (d), 16.11 (3) (g), 16.11 (3) (h) (intro.),
1316.11 (3) (i) (intro.), 16.11 (3) (j) (intro.), 16.11 (3) (k), 16.11 (4) (intro.) and (a),
1416.11 (5) (b), 16.11 (6) (title) and (a) to (c), 16.11 (7) (a) 3., 16.11 (7) (a) 6., 16.11
15(7) (a) 7., 16.11 (7) (b) and (c), 16.11 (8) (title), 16.11 (8) (g), 16.11 (8) (h), 16.11
16(9) (title), 16.11 (10), 16.115 (2), 16.12 (2), 16.13 and 144.463 (1); to repeal and
17recreate
16.11 (2) (e), 16.11 (2) (n), 16.11 (3) (h) 6., 16.11 (3) (j) 1. and 2., 16.11

1(3) (o), 16.11 (5) (c), 16.11 (6) (g), 16.11 (6) (L), 16.11 (7) (a) 9., 16.11 (8) (i) and
216.11 (9) (b); and to create 16.11 (1) (a) 7. and 8., 16.11 (2) (b), 16.11 (2) (d), 16.11
3(2) (g), 16.11 (2) (i), 16.11 (2) (L), 16.11 (3) (h) 4., 16.11 (3) (h) 5., 16.11 (3) (h) 7.,
416.11 (3) (i) 4., 16.11 (3) (i) 5. to 10., 16.11 (3) (j) 3., 16.11 (3) (n), 16.11 (3) (p) to
5(r), 16.11 (4) (b) 6., 16.11 (5) (f) and (g), 16.11 (6) (d), 16.11 (6) (f), 16.11 (6) (i),
616.11 (6) (n) to (t), 16.11 (7) (d) to (h), 16.11 (8) (e), 16.11 (8) (f), 16.11 (8) (j), 16.11
7(9) (c) and 16.11 (9) (f) of the statutes; relating to: the midwest interstate
8low-level radioactive waste compact.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill makes numerous changes in the midwest interstate low-level
radioactive waste compact (compact). The compact provides for the establishment
and operation of facilities for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste generated
within the states that are parties to the compact. The decision-making body for the
compact is the midwest interstate low-level radioactive waste commission
(commission). Under federal law, a state must provide for the disposal of low-level
radioactive waste generated within the state, either by itself or as part of an
interstate body.
Under current law, unless a state volunteers to host a disposal facility, the
commission designates a host state. Designation as a host state is for 20 years or the
life of the disposal facility, whichever is longer. Once a disposal facility is operating
(currently, none has begun to operate), designation of the next host state will happen
5 years before that facility closes. The new host state is then responsible for the
timely development and operation of a disposal facility.
Under this bill, a host state must accept waste for 20 years or the life of the
disposal facility, as established by the commission, whichever is shorter. Designation
of the next host state takes place before the disposal facility in the preceding host
state begins to operate. The next host state must meet deadlines for siting and
licensing of a disposal facility and for the facility to begin operating. If the next host
state fails to meet these deadlines, low-level radioactive waste generated in that
state may not be disposed of at the regional disposal facility. Under the bill, once a
party state has hosted a disposal facility, it may not again be required to host a
facility until all of the other party states have hosted a facility.
Under current law, any party state may withdraw from the compact, but the
withdrawal does not take effect until 5 years from when the state gives notice of
intent to withdraw, except that a state that has been designated a host state has 90
days from the designation during which it may withdraw without waiting 5 years.

Under this bill, a state may withdraw from the compact only if it has taken its
turn at hosting a disposal facility or has been relieved of the obligation to host a
facility after the commission determines that there is no suitable site in the state.
In addition, the withdrawing state must pay to the commission an amount that the
commission determines is necessary to ensure that the then current host state does
not incur a financial loss.
The bill requires the commission to establish a remedial action fund to pay the
costs incurred by a party state because of an event that results from the development,
operation, closing or long-term care of a compact facility that threatens human
health, safety or welfare or the environment. The bill also requires each host state
of a disposal facility to establish a long-term care fund to pay for monitoring,
security, maintenance and repair of the facility after it has closed.
The current compact authorizes a host state to establish a fee system for any
compact facility located within the state to cover costs including the planning, siting,
licensure, operation, closure and extended care of the facility. The compact requires
a host state to levy surcharges on users of the facility to cover the annual budget of
the commission.
This bill requires a host state to establish a system of fees to be collected from
the users of a regional disposal facility located within the state. The fee system must
provide the host state with revenue to pay costs associated with the facility including
operation, closing, long-term care, local impact assistance and local financial
incentives. The commission must approve the fee system. The fee system is also used
to collect the surcharge that provides funding for the commission, including funds
to pay a state designated to host a disposal facility for costs incurred in developing
the facility and moneys for the remedial action fund. Under this bill, when no
compact facility is operating, the commission may impose fees on generators of
low-level radioactive waste within party states for the commission's operating costs.
This bill includes provisions to limit the liability of host states and other party
states and provides for indemnification by waste generators for most liability and
other costs that might be imposed on the states.
Under current law, a party state that fails to comply with the terms of the
compact may have its privileges suspended or its membership in the compact
revoked. This bill also authorizes the commission to impose financial penalties on
a state that fails to comply.
Among other changes concerning the operation of the commission, this bill
provides a state hosting an operating compact facility with a veto over certain
decisions such as the decision to revoke the membership of the state designated to
host the next compact facility.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB559, s. 1
1Section 1. 14.81 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,4,32 14.81 (2) (b) Request the commission to conduct a public hearing on the draft
3management disposal plan under s. 16.11 (4) (e) (d).
AB559, s. 2 4Section 2. 14.81 (2) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,4,65 14.81 (2) (c) 1. The commission proposes to designate this state as a host state
6for a facility, as defined under in s. 16.11 (2) (f) (h).
AB559, s. 3 7Section 3. 14.81 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,4,108 14.81 (3) (intro.) In negotiating and developing the bylaws, management
9disposal plan and other appropriate documents as a member of the commission, the
10commission member representing this state shall:
AB559, s. 4 11Section 4. 14.81 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,4,1412 14.81 (3) (a) Promote this state's interest in including insurance requirements
13and an extended care and long-term liability fund as a part of the management
14disposal plan or other appropriate documents.
AB559, s. 5 15Section 5. 16.11 (1) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,5,716 16.11 (1) (a) (intro.) There is created the midwest interstate low-level
17radioactive waste compact. The states party to this compact recognize that the
18congress of the United States, by enacting the low-level radioactive waste policy act
19"The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act", as amended by the "Low-Level
20Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985"
, 42 USC 2021 2021b to 2021j,
21has provided for and encouraged the development of low-level radioactive waste
22compacts as a tool for managing disposing of such waste. The party states
23acknowledge that the congress declared that each state is responsible for providing
24for the availability of capacity either within or outside the state for the disposal of
25low-level radioactive waste generated within its borders, except for waste generated

1as a result of certain defense activities of the federal government or federal research
2and development activities. The party states also recognize that the management
3disposal of low-level radioactive waste is handled most efficiently on a regional basis
4and that the safe and efficient management of low-level radioactive waste generated
5within the region requires that sufficient capacity to manage dispose of such waste
6be properly provided. It is the policy of the party states to enter into a regional
7low-level radioactive waste management disposal compact for the purpose of:
AB559, s. 6 8Section 6. 16.11 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,5,109 16.11 (1) (a) 2. Providing sufficient facilities for the proper management
10disposal of low-level radioactive waste generated in the region;
AB559, s. 7 11Section 7. 16.11 (1) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,5,1312 16.11 (1) (a) 4. Limiting the number of facilities required to effectively and
13efficiently manage dispose of low-level radioactive waste generated in the region;
AB559, s. 8 14Section 8. 16.11 (1) (a) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,5,1715 16.11 (1) (a) 5. Encouraging the source reduction of the amounts of low-level
16radioactive waste generated in the region
and the environmentally sound treatment
17of waste that is generated to minimize the amount of waste to be disposed of
;
AB559, s. 9 18Section 9. 16.11 (1) (a) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,5,2319 16.11 (1) (a) 6. Distributing Ensuring that the costs, benefits expenses,
20liabilities
and obligations of successful low-level radioactive waste management
21equitably among the party states and among
disposal are paid by generators and
22other persons who use regional compact facilities to manage dispose of their waste;
23and
AB559, s. 10 24Section 10. 16.11 (1) (a) 7. of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (1) (a) 9. and
25amended to read:
AB559,6,2
116.11 (1) (a) 9. Ensuring the ecological and environmentally sound, economical
2management and secure disposal of low-level radioactive wastes.
AB559, s. 11 3Section 11. 16.11 (1) (a) 7. and 8. of the statutes are created to read:
AB559,6,64 16.11 (1) (a) 7. Ensuring that the obligations of low-level radioactive waste
5disposal that are the responsibility of the party states are shared equitably among
6them;
AB559,6,97 8. Ensuring that the party states that comply with the terms of this compact
8and fulfill their obligations under it share equitably in the benefits of the successful
9disposal of low-level radioactive waste; and
AB559, s. 12 10Section 12. 16.11 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,6,1511 16.11 (2) (a) "Care" means the continued observation of a facility after closure
12closing for the purposes of detecting a need for maintenance, ensuring
13environmental safety and determining compliance with applicable licensure and
14regulatory requirements and includes the correction of problems which are detected
15as a result of that observation.
AB559, s. 13 16Section 13. 16.11 (2) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (c).
AB559, s. 14 17Section 14. 16.11 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
AB559,6,2518 16.11 (2) (b) "Close", "closed" or "closing" means that the compact facility with
19respect to which any of those terms is used has ceased to accept waste for disposal.
20"Permanently closed" means that the compact facility with respect to which the term
21is used has ceased to accept waste because it has operated for 20 years or a longer
22period of time as authorized by sub. (6) (i), its capacity has been reached, the
23commission has authorized it to close pursuant to sub. (3) (h) 7., the host state of such
24facility has withdrawn from the compact or had its membership revoked or this
25compact has been dissolved.
AB559, s. 15
1Section 15. 16.11 (2) (c) of the statutes is repealed.
AB559, s. 16 2Section 16. 16.11 (2) (d) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (f) and
3amended to read:
AB559,7,74 16.11 (2) (f) "Disposal", with regard to low-level radioactive waste, means the
5permanent isolation of that waste from the biosphere in a permanent facility
6designed for that purpose
in accordance with the requirements established by the
7U.S. nuclear regulatory commission or the licensing agreement state
.
AB559, s. 17 8Section 17. 16.11 (2) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
AB559,7,119 16.11 (2) (d) "Compact facility" means a waste disposal facility that is located
10within the region and that is established by a party state pursuant to the designation
11of that state as a host state by the commission.
AB559, s. 18 12Section 18. 16.11 (2) (e) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB559,7,1613 16.11 (2) (e) "Development" includes the characterization of potential sites for
14a waste disposal facility, siting of such a facility, licensing of such a facility, and other
15actions taken by a host state prior to the commencement of construction of such a
16facility to fulfill its obligations as a host state.
AB559, s. 19 17Section 19. 16.11 (2) (f) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (h) and
18amended to read:
AB559,7,2419 16.11 (2) (h) "Facility" means a parcel of land or site, together with the
20structures, equipment and improvements on or appurtenant to the land or site,
21which is or has been used or is being developed for the treatment, storage or disposal
22of low-level radioactive waste, which is being developed for that purpose or upon
23which the construction of improvements or installation of equipment is occurring for
24that purpose
.
AB559, s. 20
1Section 20. 16.11 (2) (g) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (j) and
2amended to read:
AB559,8,133 16.11 (2) (j) "Generator" means a person who first produces or possesses
4low-level radioactive waste, including, without limitation, any person who does so
5in the course of or incident to manufacturing, power generation, processing, waste
6treatment, waste storage,
medical diagnosis and treatment, research or other
7industrial or commercial activity and who, to the extent required by law, is licensed
8by the U.S. nuclear regulatory commission or a party state, to produce or possess
9such waste. "Generator" does not include a person who provides a service by
10arranging for the collection, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of wastes
11generated outside the region
. If the person who first produced an item or quantity
12of waste cannot be identified, "generator" means the person first possessing the
13waste who can be identified
.
AB559, s. 21 14Section 21. 16.11 (2) (g) of the statutes is created to read:
AB559,8,1615 16.11 (2) (g) "Disposal plan" means the plan adopted by the commission for the
16disposal of waste within the region.
AB559, s. 22 17Section 22. 16.11 (2) (h) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (k) and
18amended to read:
AB559,8,2019 16.11 (2) (k) "Host state" means any state which is designated by the
20commission to host a regional compact facility or has hosted a compact facility.
AB559, s. 23 21Section 23. 16.11 (2) (i) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (m) and
22amended to read:
AB559,9,623 16.11 (2) (m) "Low-level radioactive waste" or "waste" means radioactive waste
24that is not classified as high-level radioactive waste, transuranic waste, spent
25nuclear fuel or by-product material as defined in section 11e. (2) of the atomic energy

1act of 1954
and that is class A, B or C low-level radioactive waste as defined in 10
2CFR 61.55
, as that section existed on January 26, 1983. "Low-level radioactive
3waste" or "waste" does not include any such radioactive waste that is owned or
4generated by the U.S. department of energy or by the U.S. navy as a result of the
5decommissioning of its vessels; or as a result of any research, development, testing
6or production of any atomic weapon
.
AB559, s. 24 7Section 24. 16.11 (2) (i) of the statutes is created to read:
AB559,9,138 16.11 (2) (i) "Final decision" means a final action of the commission
9determining the legal rights, duties or privileges of any person. "Final decision" does
10not include preliminary, procedural or intermediate actions by the commission,
11actions regulating the internal administration of the commission or actions of the
12commission to enter into or refrain from entering into contracts or agreements with
13vendors to provide goods or services to the commission.
AB559, s. 25 14Section 25. 16.11 (2) (j) of the statutes is repealed.
AB559, s. 26 15Section 26. 16.11 (2) (k) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (o) and
16amended to read:
AB559,9,2417 16.11 (2) (o) "Party state" means any eligible state which that enacts the this
18compact into law, pays any eligibility fee established by the commission, and has not
19withdrawn from this compact or had its membership in this compact revoked,
20provided that a state that has withdrawn from this compact or had its membership
21revoked again becomes a party state if it is readmitted to membership in this compact
22pursuant to sub. (8) (a). "Party state" includes any host state. "Party state" also
23includes any statutorily created administrative departments, agencies or
24instrumentalities of a party state, but does not include municipal corporations,

1regional or local units of government or other political subdivisions of a party state
2that are responsible for governmental activities on less than a statewide basis
.
AB559, s. 27 3Section 27. 16.11 (2) (L) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (p) and
4amended to read:
AB559,10,105 16.11 (2) (p) "Person" means any individual, corporation, association, business
6enterprise or other legal entity either public or private and any legal successor,
7representative, agent or agency of that individual, corporation, association, business
8enterprise or other legal entity. "Person" also includes the United States, states,
9political subdivisions of states and any department, agency or instrumentality of the
10United States or a state.
AB559, s. 28 11Section 28. 16.11 (2) (L) of the statutes is created to read:
AB559,10,1512 16.11 (2) (L) "Long-term care" means those activities taken by a host state after
13a compact facility is permanently closed to ensure the protection of air, land and
14water resources and the health and safety of all people who may be affected by the
15facility.
AB559, s. 29 16Section 29. 16.11 (2) (m) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (q).
AB559, s. 30 17Section 30. 16.11 (2) (n) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB559,10,1918 16.11 (2) (n) "Operates", "operational" or "operating" means that the compact
19facility with respect to which any of those terms is used accepts waste for disposal.
AB559, s. 31 20Section 31. 16.11 (2) (o) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (r).
AB559, s. 32 21Section 32. 16.11 (2) (p) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (s).
AB559, s. 33 22Section 33. 16.11 (2) (q) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (t) and
23amended to read:
AB559,10,2524 16.11 (2) (t) "Storage" means the temporary holding of waste for treatment or
25disposal
.
AB559, s. 34
1Section 34. 16.11 (2) (r) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (u).
AB559, s. 35 2Section 35. 16.11 (2) (s) of the statutes is renumbered 16.11 (2) (v) and
3amended to read:
AB559,11,64 16.11 (2) (v) "Waste management", "manage waste", "management of waste",
5"management" or "managed"
means the storage, transportation, treatment or
6disposal of waste.
AB559, s. 36 7Section 36. 16.11 (3) (b) to (d) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB559,11,128 16.11 (3) (b) Each commission member is entitled to one vote. No Except as
9otherwise specifically provided in this compact, an
action of the commission is
10binding unless if a majority of the total membership cast their cast its vote in the
11affirmative. A party state may direct its member or alternate member of the
12commission how to vote or not to vote on matters before the commission.
AB559,11,2013 (c) The commission shall elect annually from among its members a
14chairperson. The commission shall adopt and publish, in convenient form, bylaws
15and policies which are not inconsistent with this compact, including procedures for
16the use of binding arbitration under sub. (6) (o) and procedures
which substantially
17conform with the provisions of the federal administrative procedure act "The Federal
18Administrative Procedure Act"
, 5 USC 500 to 559, in regard to notice, conduct and
19recording of meetings; access by the public to records; provision of information to the
20public; conduct of adjudicatory hearings; and issuance of decisions.
AB559,11,2221 (d) The commission shall meet at least once annually and shall also meet upon
22the call of the chairperson or a any other commission member.
AB559, s. 37 23Section 37. 16.11 (3) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,12,724 16.11 (3) (g) The office of the commission shall be in a party state. The
25commission may appoint or contract for and compensate such limited staff necessary

1to carry out its duties and functions. The staff shall have the responsibilities and
2authority delegated to it by the commission in its bylaws.
The staff shall serve at the
3commission's pleasure with the exception that staff hired as the result of securing
4federal funds shall be hired and governed under applicable federal statutes and
5regulations. In selecting any staff, the commission shall assure that the staff has
6adequate experience and formal training to carry out the functions assigned to it by
7the commission.
AB559, s. 38 8Section 38. 16.11 (3) (h) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,12,99 16.11 (3) (h) (intro.) The commission may do any or all of the following:
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