83R11160 JGH-D
By: Bonnen of Brazoria H.C.R. No. 81
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Fifty years ago this year, the State of Texas
entered into an agreement with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to
assume regulatory and licensing authority over certain radioactive
materials in the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, On January 10, 1963, Governor Price Daniel agreed to
have Texas take responsibility for the oversight of radioactive
materials in the state, with the exception of special nuclear
material in excess of a critical mass and radioactive material that
was used by federal agencies; the agreement went into effect on
March 1, 1963, making Texas the fifth state to become an "agreement
state" under Section 274 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954; and
WHEREAS, This historic pact remains in effect with the AEC's
successor agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; in addition to
the functions outlined in the original agreement, Texas is one of
only three agreement states with regulatory authority over uranium
recovery and the disposal of low-level radioactive waste; the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality regulates uranium, disposal of
low-level radioactive waste, and non-oil and gas naturally
occurring radioactive material waste; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Department of State Health Services
regulates the 1,700 other radioactive material licensees, as well
as 20,000 x-ray and laser medical facilities, including those that
perform mammography; Texas was the first state, in fact, to enact
laser regulations; DSHS is also the lead agency for emergency
response planning in regard to nuclear accidents and other
emergencies involving radiation; and
WHEREAS, Uranium and other radioactive products are
essential to research, industry, and medicine in the 21st century,
and for 50 years, the State of Texas has capably and safely
regulated the use of these invaluable materials; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the agreement between
the State of Texas and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and pay
tribute to those state agencies and their employees responsible for
this agreement's implementation.