Provides for funding for emergency management services for certain counties with non-operational nuclear power plants

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gary Pretlow

Provides state funding to counties hosting non-operational nuclear power plants to strengthen emergency management planning, training, and response capacity.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Overview

Bill Number: A 4403

Title: Provides for funding for emergency management services for certain counties with non-operational nuclear power plants

Status: Referred to Governmental Operations

Introduced: February 4, 2025

Primary Sponsor: J. Gary Pretlow

Committee Reference: Governmental Operations ( Assembly)

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to provide funding to support emergency management services (EMS) in certain counties that host non-operational (i.e., shut down or inactive) nuclear power plants. The goal is to bolster local capacity for emergency planning, preparedness, and response in areas where nuclear facilities are no longer in operation but may still present emergency planning considerations.

Key Provisions (as available)

The text provided does not include specific provisions, so the following details are not yet confirmed:

The exact funding mechanism (state appropriations, grants, or other financing) and the total funds authorized.
Eligible counties or list of non-operational nuclear power plant sites covered.
Eligible uses of funds (e.g., planning, training, equipment, staffing, exercises).
Administration, oversight, reporting requirements, and duration of funding.
Any matching requirements, sunset provisions, or conditions tied to continued funding.

Potential Impact

Affected Entities: Counties hosting non-operational nuclear power plants and their emergency management offices could receive targeted funding to support EMS activities.

Budgetary Implications: If enacted, the bill would require state resources and could influence local and state budgeting and appropriations processes. Details on amount and allocation would drive fiscal impact analyses.

Emergency Management: Potential improvements in planning, coordination with state agencies, and preparedness exercises related to nuclear incident scenarios, even in counties where plants are no longer operational.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

The bill has been introduced and sent to the Assembly Committee on Governmental Operations for consideration.

The legislative actions show two entries for the same referral date (02/04/2025), indicating initial committee referrals on that day.

Related legislation from prior sessions suggests ongoing interest in funding for emergency management around nuclear facilities.

Next Steps and What to Watch

Committee hearings or amendments in Governmental Operations.

Potential companion or related actions in the Senate (e.g., consideration of S 8383).

Any published fiscal impact notes, funding amounts, and detailed eligibility criteria when the bill’s text is released.

Final floor action and potential gubernatorial signature if the bill progresses.

If you’d like, I can compare A 4403 to its related bills (S 8383, A 8038, A 3592) once their texts are available, or track updates on its progress through the legislature.

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