30-701

30-701. Adoption of compact; text of
compact

The western interstate nuclear compact is hereby entered into and enacted into law
as follows:

WESTERN INTERSTATE NUCLEAR COMPACT

ARTICLE I.

Policy and Purpose

The party states recognize that the proper employment of scientific and
technological discoveries and advances in nuclear and related fields and direct and
collateral application and adaptation of processes and techniques developed in connection
therewith, properly correlated with the other resources of the region, can assist
substantially in the industrial progress of the west and the further development of the
economy of the region. They also recognize that optimum benefit from nuclear and related
scientific or technological resources, facilities and skills requires systematic
encouragement, guidance, assistance, and promotion from the party states on a cooperative
basis. It is the policy of the party states to undertake such cooperation on a
continuing basis. It is the purpose of this compact to provide the instruments and
framework for such a cooperative effort in nuclear and related fields, to enhance the
economy of the west and contribute to the individual and community well-being of the
region's people.

ARTICLE II.

The Board

(a) There is hereby created an agency of the party states to be known as the
"western interstate nuclear board", hereinafter called the board. The board shall be
composed of one member from each party state designated or appointed in accordance with
the law of the state which he represents and serving and subject to removal in accordance
with such law. Any member of the board may provide for the discharge of his duties and
the performance of his functions thereon, either for the duration of his membership or
for any lesser period of time, by a deputy or assistant, if the laws of his state make
specific provisions therefor. The federal government may be represented without vote if
provision is made by federal law for such representation.

(b) The board members of the party states shall each be entitled to one vote on the
board. No action of the board shall be binding unless taken at a meeting at which a
majority of all members representing the party states are present and unless a majority
of the total number of votes on the board are cast in favor thereof.

(c) The board shall have a seal.

(d) The board shall elect annually, from among its members, a chairman, a vice
chairman, and a treasurer. The board shall appoint and fix the compensation of an
executive director who shall serve at its pleasure and who shall also act as secretary,
and who, together with the treasurer, and such other personnel as the board may direct,
shall be bonded in such amounts as the board may require.

(e) The executive director, with the approval of the board, shall appoint and
remove or discharge such personnel as may be necessary for the performance of the board's
functions irrespective of the civil service, personnel or other merit system laws of any
of the party states.

(f) The board may establish and maintain, independently or in conjunction with any
one or more of the party states, or its institutions or subdivisions, a suitable
retirement system for its full-time employees. Employees of the board shall be eligible
for social security coverage in respect of old age and survivors insurance provided that
the board takes such steps as may be necessary pursuant to federal law to participate in
such program of insurance as a governmental agency or unit. The board may establish and
maintain or participate in such additional programs of employee benefits as may be
appropriate.

(g) The board may borrow, accept, or contract for the services of personnel from
any state or the United States or any subdivision or agency thereof, from any interstate
agency, or from any institution, person, firm or corporation.

(h) The board may accept for any of its purposes and functions under this compact
any and all donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services,
conditional or otherwise, from any state or the United States or any subdivision or
agency thereof, or interstate agency, or from any institution, person, firm, or
corporation, and may receive, utilize, and dispose of the same. The nature, amount and
conditions, if any, attendant upon any donation or grant accepted pursuant to this
paragraph or upon any borrowing pursuant to paragraph (g) of this article, together with
the identity of the donor, grantor or lender, shall be detailed in the annual report of
the board.

(i) The board may establish and maintain such facilities as may be necessary for
the transacting of its business. The board may acquire, hold, and convey real and
personal property and any interest therein.

(j) The board shall adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations for the conduct of its
business, and shall have the power to amend and rescind these bylaws, rules, and
regulations. The board shall publish its bylaws, rules, and regulations in convenient
form and shall file a copy thereof, and shall also file a copy of any amendment thereto,
with the appropriate agency or officer in each of the party states.

(k) The board annually shall make to the governor of each party state, a report
covering the activities of the board for the preceding year, and embodying such
recommendations as may have been adopted by the board, which report shall be transmitted
to the legislature of said state. The board may issue such additional reports as it may
deem desirable.

ARTICLE III.

Finances

(a) The board shall submit to the governor or designated officer or officers of
each party state a budget of its estimated expenditures for such period as may be
required by the laws of that jurisdiction for presentation to the legislature thereof.

(b) Each of the board's budgets of estimated expenditures shall contain specific
recommendations of the amount or amounts to be appropriated by each of the party
states. Each of the board's requests for appropriations pursuant to a budget of
estimated expenditures shall be apportioned equally among the party states. Subject to
appropriation by their respective legislatures, the board shall be provided with such
funds by each of the party states as are necessary to provide the means of establishing
and maintaining facilities, a staff of personnel, and such activities as may be necessary
to fulfill the powers and duties imposed upon and entrusted to the board.

(c) The board may meet any of its obligations in whole or in part with funds
available to it under article II, paragraph (h) of this compact, provided that the board
takes specific action setting aside such funds prior to the incurring of any obligation
to be met in whole or in part in this manner. Except where the board makes use of funds
available to it under article II, paragraph (h) hereof, the board shall not incur any
obligation prior to the allotment of funds by the party jurisdictions adequate to meet
the same.

(d) Any expenses and any other costs for each member of the board in attending
board meeting shall be met by the board.

(e) The board shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The
receipts and disbursements of the board shall be subject to the audit and accounting
procedures established under its bylaws. All receipts and disbursements of funds handled
by the board shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant and the
report of the audit shall be included in and become a part of the annual report of the
board.

(f) The accounts of the board shall be open at any reasonable time for inspection
to persons authorized by the board, and duly designated representatives of governments
contributing to the board's support.

ARTICLE IV.

Advisory Committees

The board may establish such advisory and technical committees as it may deem
necessary, membership on which may include but not be limited to private citizens, expert
and lay personnel, representatives of industry, labor, commerce, agriculture, civic
associations, medicine, education, voluntary health agencies, and officials of local,
state and federal government, and may cooperate with and use the services of any such
committees and the organizations which they represent in furthering any of its activities
under this compact.

ARTICLE V.

Powers

The board shall have power to:

(a) Encourage and promote cooperation among the party states in the development and
utilization of nuclear and related technologies and their application to industry and
other fields.

(b) Ascertain and analyze on a continuing basis the position of the west with
respect to the employment in industry of nuclear and related scientific findings and
technologies.

(c) Encourage the development and use of scientific advances and discoveries in
nuclear facilities, energy, materials, products, by-products, and all other appropriate
adaptations of scientific and technological advances and discoveries.

(d) Collect, correlate, and disseminate information relating to the peaceful uses
of nuclear energy, materials, and products, and other products and processes resulting
from the application of related science and technology.

(e) Encourage the development and use of nuclear energy, facilities, installations,
and products as part of a balanced economy.

(f) Conduct, or cooperate in conducting, programs of training for state and local
personnel engaged in any aspects of:

1. Nuclear industry, medicine, or education, or the promotion or regulation
thereof.

2. Applying nuclear scientific advances or discoveries, and any industrial
commercial or other processes resulting therefrom.

3. The formulation or administration of measures designed to promote safety in any
matter related to the development, use or disposal of nuclear energy, materials,
products, by-products, installations, or wastes, or to safety in the production, use and
disposal of any other substances peculiarly related thereto.

(g) Organize and conduct, or assist and cooperate in organizing and conducting,
demonstrations or research in any of the scientific, technological or industrial fields
to which this compact relates.

(h) Undertake such nonregulatory functions with respect to nonnuclear sources of
radiation as may promote the economic development and general welfare of the west.

(i) Study industrial, health, safety, and other standards, laws, codes, rules,
regulations, and administrative practices in or related to nuclear fields.

(j) Recommend such changes in, or amendments or additions to the laws, codes,
rules, regulations, administrative procedures and practices or local laws or ordinances
of the party states of their subdivisions in nuclear and related fields, as in its
judgment may be appropriate. Any such recommendations shall be made through the
appropriate state agency, with due consideration of the desirability of uniformity but
shall also give appropriate weight to any special circumstances which may justify
variations to meet local conditions.

(k) Consider and make recommendations designed to facilitate the transportation of
nuclear equipment, materials, products, by-products, wastes, and any other nuclear or
related substances, in such manner and under such conditions as will make their
availability or disposal practicable on an economic and efficient basis.

(l) Consider and make recommendations with respect to the assumption of and
protection against liability actually or potentially incurred in any phase of operations
in nuclear and related fields.

(m) Advise and consult with the federal government concerning the common position
of the party states or assist party states with regard to individual problems where
appropriate in respect to nuclear and related fields.

(n) Cooperate with the atomic energy commission, the national aeronautics and space
administration, the office of science and technology, or any agencies successor thereto,
any other officer or agency of the United States, and any other governmental unit or
agency or officer thereof, and with any private persons or agencies in any of the fields
of its interest.

(o) Act as licensee, contractor or sub-contractor of the United States government
or any party state with respect to the conduct of any research activity requiring such
license or contract and operate such research facility or undertake any program pursuant
thereto, provided that this power shall be exercised only in connection with the
implementation of one or more other powers conferred upon the board by this compact.

(p) Prepare, publish and distribute, with or without charge, such reports,
bulletins, newsletters or other materials as it deems appropriate.

(q) Ascertain from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances, and
conditions as may bring about the prevention and control of nuclear incidents in the area
comprising the party states, to coordinate the nuclear incident prevention and control
plans and the work relating thereto of the appropriate agencies of the party states and
to facilitate the rendering of aid by the party states to each other in coping with
nuclear incidents.

The board may formulate and, in accordance with need from time to time, revise a
regional plan or regional plans for coping with nuclear incidents within the territory of
the party states as a whole or within any subregion or subregions of the geographic area
covered by this compact.

Any nuclear incident plan in force pursuant to this paragraph shall designate the
official or agency in each party state covered by the plan who shall coordinate requests
for aid pursuant to article VI of this compact and the furnishing of aid in response
thereto.

Unless the party states concerned expressly otherwise agree, the board shall not
administer the summoning and dispatching of aid, but this function shall be undertaken
directly by the designated agencies and officers of the party states.

The plan or plans of the board in force pursuant to this paragraph shall provide for
reports to the board concerning the occurrence of nuclear incidents and the requests for
aid on account thereof, together with summaries of the actual working and effectiveness
of mutual aid in particular instances.

From time to time, the board shall analyze the information gathered from reports of
aid pursuant to article VI and such other instances of mutual aid as may have come to its
attention, so that experience in the rendering of such aid may be available.

(r) Prepare, maintain, and implement a regional plan or regional plans for carrying
out the duties, powers, or functions conferred upon the board by this compact.

(s) Undertake responsibilities imposed or necessarily involved with regional
participation pursuant to such cooperative programs of the federal government as are
useful in connection with the fields covered by this compact.

ARTICLE VI.

Mutual Aid

(a) Whenever a party state, or any state or local governmental authorities therein,
request aid from any other party state pursuant to this compact in coping with a nuclear
incident, it shall be the duty of the requested state to render all possible aid to the
requesting state which is consonant with the maintenance of protection of its own people.

(b) Whenever the officers or employees of any party state are rendering outside aid
pursuant to the request of another party state under this compact, the officers or
employees of such state shall, under the direction of the authorities of the state to
which they are rendering aid, have the same powers, duties, rights, privileges and
immunities as comparable officers and employees of the state to which they are rendering
aid.

(c) No party state or its officers or employees rendering outside aid pursuant to
this compact shall be liable on account of any act or omission on their part while so
engaged, or on account of the maintenance or use of any equipment or supplies in
connection therewith.

(d) All liability that may arise either under the laws of the requesting state or
under the laws of the aiding state or under the laws of a third state on account of or in
connection with a request for aid, shall be assumed and borne by the requesting state.

(e) Any party state rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact shall be
reimbursed by the party state receiving such aid for any loss or damage to, or expense
incurred in the operation of any equipment answering a request for aid, and for the cost
of all materials, transportation, wages, salaries and maintenance of officers, employees
and equipment incurred in connection with such requests: provided that nothing herein
contained shall prevent any assisting party state from assuming such loss, damage,
expense or other cost or from loaning such equipment or from donating such services to
the receiving party state without charge or cost.

(f) Each party state shall provide for the payment of compensation and death
benefits to injured officers and employees and the representatives of deceased officers
and employees in case officers or employees sustain injuries or death while rendering
outside aid pursuant to this compact, in the same manner and on the same terms as if the
injury or death were sustained within the state by or in which the officer or employee
was regularly employed.

ARTICLE VII.

Supplementary Agreements

(a) To the extent that the board has not undertaken an activity or project which
would be within its power under the provisions of article V of this compact, any two or
more of the party states, acting by their duly constituted administrative officials, may
enter into supplementary agreements for the undertaking and continuance of such an
activity or project. Any such agreement shall specify the purpose or purposes; its
duration and the procedure for termination thereof or withdrawal therefrom; the method of
financing and allocating the costs of the activity or project; and such other matters as
may be necessary or appropriate. No such supplementary agreement entered into pursuant to
this article shall become effective prior to its submission to and approval by the
board. The board shall give such approval unless it finds that the supplementary
agreement or activity or project contemplated thereby is inconsistent with the provisions
of this compact or a program or activity conducted by or participated in by the board.

(b) Unless all of the party states participate in a supplementary agreement, any
cost or costs thereof shall be borne separately by the states party thereto. However,
the board may administer or otherwise assist in the operation of any supplementary
agreement.

(c) No party to a supplementary agreement entered into pursuant to this article
shall be relieved thereby of any obligation or duty assumed by said party state under or
pursuant to this compact, except that timely and proper performance of such obligation or
duty by means of the supplementary agreement may be offered as performance pursuant to
the compact.

(d) The provisions to this article shall apply to supplementary agreements and
activities thereunder, but shall not be construed to repeal or impair any authority which
officers or agencies of party states may have pursuant to other laws to undertake
cooperative arrangements or projects.

ARTICLE VIII.

Other Laws and Relations

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to:

(a) Permit or require any person or other entity to avoid or refuse compliance with
any law, rule, regulation, order or ordinance of a party state or subdivision thereof now
or hereafter made, enacted or in force.

(b) Limit, diminish, or otherwise impair jurisdiction exercised by the atomic
energy commission, any agency successor thereto, or any other federal department, agency
or officer pursuant to and in conformity with any valid and operative act of Congress;
nor limit, diminish, affect, or otherwise impair jurisdiction exercised by any officer or
agency of a party state, except to the extent that the provisions of this compact may
provide therefor.

(c) Alter the relations between and respective internal responsibilities of the
government of a party state and its subdivisions.

(d) Permit or authorize the board to own or operate any facility, reactor, or
installation for industrial or commercial purposes.

ARTICLE IX.

Eligible Parties, Entry Into Force and Withdrawal

(a) Any or all of the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii,
Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming shall be
eligible to become party to this compact.

(b) As to any eligible party state, this compact shall become effective when its
legislature shall have enacted the same into law, provided, that it shall not become
initially effective until enacted into law by five states.

(c) Any party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing
the same, but no such withdrawal shall take effect until two years after the governor of
the withdrawing state has given notice in writing of the withdrawal to the governors of
all other party states. No withdrawal shall affect any liability already incurred by or
chargeable to a party state prior to the time of such withdrawal.

(d) Guam and American Samoa, or either of them may participate in the compact to
such extent as may be mutually agreed by the board and the duly constituted authorities
of Guam or American Samoa, as the case may be. Such participation shall not include the
furnishing or receipt of mutual aid pursuant to article VI, unless that article has been
enacted or otherwise adopted so as to have the full force and effect of law in the
jurisdiction affected. Neither Guam nor American Samoa shall be entitled to voting
participation on the board, unless it has become a full party to the compact.

ARTICLE X.

Severability and Construction

The provisions of this compact and of any supplementary agreement entered into
hereunder shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this
compact or such supplementary agreement is declared to be contrary to the constitution of
any participating state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any
government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the
remainder of this compact or such supplementary agreement and the applicability thereof
to any government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this
compact or any supplementary agreement entered into hereunder shall be held contrary to
the constitution of any state participating therein, the compact or such supplementary
agreement shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states and in full
force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters. The provisions of
this compact and of any supplementary agreement entered into pursuant thereto shall be
liberally construed to effectuate the purposes thereof.