Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act

Summary (Congressional Research Service)

The following analysis is based on draft bill text that was made available by the House of Representatives and may differ from the bill text as introduced.

Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act

This bill directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to license future recycling facilities that reprocess certain spent nuclear fuel (i.e., radioactive waste) under regulations for special nuclear material rather than regulations for production and utilization facilities. The bill applies to domestic facilities that reprocess spent nuclear fuel in a manner that does not isolate plutonium. Generally, such recycling facilities reprocess spent nuclear fuel into materials that may be reused as nuclear fuel for electricity.

While there are no commercial reprocessing facilities currently operating in the United States, the bill specifies which regulatory framework the NRC must use when issuing licenses to future facilities by excluding such facilities from the statutory definition of production facility. The licensing process under regulations for special nuclear material has fewer steps than the licensing process under regulations for production and utilization facilities.

Who lobbied on this bill

20 lobbying reports from 7 clients mention H.R. 3978. The client pays; the firm does the lobbying. Reports don't say whether the client supports or opposes the bill.

Source: Lobbying Disclosure Act reports at LDA.gov, retrieved November 10, 2026. We search each report's text for the bill number; one report can cover many issues. The Senate Office of Public Records cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from LDA.gov.

All actions

1. Nov 10, 2026 — Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 695.
2. Nov 9, 2026 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3. Nov 9, 2026 — On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 2 (Roll no. 315). (text: CR H6096)
4. Nov 9, 2026 — Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 2 (Roll no. 315). (text: CR H6096)
5. Nov 9, 2026 — Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6107-6108)
6. Nov 9, 2026 — At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
7. Nov 9, 2026 — DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3978.
8. Nov 9, 2026 — Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6096-6097)
9. Nov 9, 2026 — Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
10. Nov 5, 2026 — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 768.
11. Nov 5, 2026 — Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-871.
12. Jul 14, 2026 — Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
13. Jul 14, 2026 — Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
14. Jun 12, 2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
15. Jun 12, 2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
16. Jun 12, 2025 — Introduced in House