HB 1375: Nuclear energy; Oklahoma Nuclear Energy Feasibility Study Act of 2025; Corporation Commission; emergency. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to reflect its progression from the House to the Senate floor, adding the Senate sponsor (Burns) and updating the title to indicate it is the Senate floor version. The substantive policy content of the bill remains unchanged, as the amendments are primarily formatting and procedural updates to track the bill's legislative journey.

TECHNICAL

Header and title were updated to reflect Senate floor version with Senate sponsor added.

Page numbers and document footers were updated to reflect Senate floor version.

House Committee Substitute → Floor (House) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was revised from a Committee Substitute version to a Floor version, adding co-sponsorship by a Senate member and updating formatting headers. The substantive policy content regarding nuclear energy feasibility study requirements, funding amounts, and timelines remained unchanged.

ELIGIBILITY

Added co-sponsorship by Burns of the Senate to the bill authorship line.

TECHNICAL

Updated document headers from 'HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION' and adjusted page numbering and formatting throughout.

Removed original Committee Substitute header and related page markers.

Engrossed → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended by the Policy Committee to make it more restrictive and specific about which consulting firms can be hired for a nuclear energy feasibility study. The main changes involve shortening the timeline for hiring a firm, adding strict qualifications for the consulting firm, and simplifying the funding authorization.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by adding specific eligibility requirements for the consulting firm and reducing the time allowed to engage them.

TIMELINE

The time to engage a consulting firm was reduced from 90 days to 30 days after the bill passes.

ELIGIBILITY

New requirements were added for the consulting firm: must have 35+ years in nuclear industry, 90% of US nuclear operators as customers, 50%+ of revenue from nuclear licensing in past 20 years, and a licensed attorney with regulatory experience.

Preference is now given to firms where at least 40% of assets are owned by military veterans with nuclear operating experience.

FISCAL

The funding authorization remains at $375,000 but the process to hire a firm was simplified if the Commission cannot find a qualified firm.

REQUIREMENT

Removed language about exempting the firm from state procurement processes and about using expert witnesses to conduct the study.

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · Mar 4, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was modified to extend the timeline for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to engage a consulting firm for a nuclear energy feasibility study from 30 days to 90 days. The requirements for selecting a consulting firm were significantly relaxed, removing strict criteria about industry experience and veteran ownership. The bill also added new considerations for the feasibility study, including small modular reactors and military base proximity, and increased the budget authorization for the study.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include small modular nuclear reactors and microreactors, and added specific considerations for proximity to military bases and leveraging existing facilities within the state.

TIMELINE

Extended the timeline for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to start engaging a consulting firm from 30 days to 90 days after the act's passage.

REQUIREMENT

Removed strict requirements for consulting firms, including the 35-year industry experience, 90% customer base requirement, 50% revenue from nuclear licensing, and 40% military veteran ownership.

Added that the consulting firm engagement shall be exempt from the state procurement process.

TECHNICAL

Added new feasibility study considerations including small modular nuclear reactors, microreactor capability, and proximity to military bases for electric generation resiliency.

Added consideration for leveraging existing facilities within the state and areas of potential acceleration or efficiencies in the development timeline.

FISCAL

Increased the authorized budget for the feasibility study from $375,000 to allow for additional expenditures as necessary to compensate the consulting firm.

Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 2 → House Committee Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change its title from 'Proposed Policy Committee Substitute' to 'Committee Substitute,' update page reference numbers, and add new language authorizing the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to conduct a notice of inquiry to gather stakeholder information before hiring a consulting firm. An emergency clause was also added to allow immediate effect upon passage.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on nuclear energy feasibility studies, but the process for conducting the study was modified to include a stakeholder inquiry phase before contracting.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to conduct a notice of inquiry and gather stakeholder input before hiring a consulting firm to reduce study costs.

TIMELINE

Added an emergency clause declaring immediate effect upon passage and approval of the bill.

TECHNICAL

Updated page reference numbers from 12540 to 12972 and changed document title from 'Proposed Policy Committee Substitute' to 'Committee Substitute'.

Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 2 · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill revision extends the timeline for engaging a consulting firm from 30 to 90 days, removes strict eligibility requirements for the consulting firm, and adds new guidance for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission if they cannot hire a firm within budget. The changes make the process more flexible while maintaining the core goal of conducting a nuclear energy feasibility study.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on nuclear energy feasibility studies, but the requirements for selecting a consulting firm have been relaxed and additional guidance has been added for budget constraints.

TIMELINE

Extended the time to engage a consulting firm from 30 days to 90 days after the act's passage and approval.

REQUIREMENT

Removed strict eligibility criteria for the consulting firm, including requirements for 35+ years in existence, 90% of customers being US nuclear operators, 50% revenue from nuclear licensing, and staffing requirements for licensed attorneys with specific experience.

Added new requirement that the consulting firm must be well-established in the nuclear energy industry.

Added new requirement that the feasibility study must consider maximizing use of in-state workers and products in nuclear facility construction.

Added new requirement that the feasibility study must evaluate military resiliency requirements and include cities near military bases.

Added new requirement that the feasibility study must assess small modular nuclear reactors and microreactor capability.

Added new requirement that the feasibility study must include assessment of current and future policies needed to support nuclear energy adoption, including a survey of federal programs.

Added new provision requiring the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to have guidelines for what to do if they cannot retain a consulting firm for the allocated budget amount.

FISCAL

Changed language from 'is authorized' to 'shall be authorized' regarding the Oklahoma Corporation Commission's ability to retain and negotiate with a consulting firm.

Nuclear energy; Oklahoma Nuclear Energy Feasibility Study Act of 2025; Corporation Commission; emergency.

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