The section discusses the passage of a Senate bill (S. 870) that aims to make changes to the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, allowing for funds to be allocated to the United States Fire Administration and programs that assist firefighters.

This section states that the official name for this part of the legislation is the "Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023."

The section amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to allocate $95 million annually from 2024 to 2028 for the United States Fire Administration, with $3.42 million each year specifically designated for activities outlined in section 8(f).

The bill proposes changes to the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 by extending the expiration date of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants and the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants programs from 2024 to 2030. It also sets funding at $750 million annually from 2024 to 2028 for these programs.

The section updates the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act by extending the expiration date for a grant program related to fire and emergency staffing from 2024 to 2030. Additionally, it authorizes funding for each of the fiscal years from 2024 to 2028 and removes an outdated funding provision.

The section requires that the Comptroller General of the United States conduct an audit and release a public report within three years of the law being enacted. This report should cover the obstacles fire departments face in obtaining federal funds and include information about the United States Fire Administration.

The Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024 (ADVANCE Act of 2024) aims to promote American leadership in nuclear energy by supporting international nuclear export activities, developing new nuclear technologies, and preserving existing nuclear energy generation. It addresses regulatory, licensing, fuel cycle, and workforce issues while also improving the efficiency of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission through various coordinated efforts and assessments.

The section provides definitions for various terms related to nuclear energy and policy, such as "accident tolerant fuel," "advanced nuclear fuel," "advanced nuclear reactor," and "National Laboratory," as well as specifying relevant government entities like the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The section outlines how the Commission should handle international nuclear export and innovation activities, emphasizing the coordination with other government agencies, countries, and institutions to improve nuclear regulation and safety. It also allows for the creation of an "International Nuclear Export and Innovation Branch" to oversee these activities and specifies that these efforts should not be funded by certain fees, with provisions effective from October 1, 2025.

The section prohibits people in the U.S. from owning or possessing certain nuclear fuel made in Russia or China unless they have a special license. Before issuing a license, the Commission must consult with the Secretaries of Energy and State to ensure that possessing the fuel doesn't threaten national security. If they can't make a decision, no license can be given. The section also clarifies that existing international agreements will not be affected.

In this section of the bill, the term “low-enriched uranium” is defined as uranium enriched to less than 20% uranium-235. It also outlines that if certain nuclear items are to be exported to specific countries that haven't agreed to additional nuclear safety protocols, the relevant U.S. Congressional committees must be notified.

The section requires the Secretary of Energy, along with other officials, to study the global status of the civilian nuclear energy industry and its supply chains. The study must cover various aspects such as risks, environmental benefits, foreign policy roles, and strategic collaborations, and include recommendations for expanding nuclear energy's role in U.S. diplomacy and security. The results must be reported to Congress within 180 days after the study's completion.

The Secretary of Energy, with approval from the Secretary of State, must identify and assess factors for determining which countries can freely receive nuclear technology under part 810 regulations. This includes updating the current process and revising the list of authorized countries at least every five years.

The section amends the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act by defining terms related to advanced nuclear reactor applications, clarifying excluded costs in fees, specifying that fees for applicants and pre-applicants cannot exceed certain salary rates, and establishing an expiration date in 2030 for specific provisions. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025.

The section amends the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act to introduce prizes for non-federal entities and the Tennessee Valley Authority that successfully license advanced nuclear reactors. These awards are given in various categories based on accomplishments like being the first to receive a license or using innovative reactor designs, without requiring repayment or dividends.

The section outlines that the Commission must report to Congress about special licensing issues for using advanced nuclear reactors in non-electric ways, like creating hydrogen or treating wastewater, within 270 days of the act's enactment. To prepare this report, the Commission will gather input from various stakeholders and consider cost and budget estimates, while suggesting how to address these issues within current or new regulatory frameworks.

The section amends a law related to nuclear energy to include costs for reviewing applications for early site permits to demonstrate advanced nuclear reactors at certain government sites. This change will take effect on October 1, 2025.

The section amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to define a "fusion machine" as a device that can transform atomic nuclei through fusion and use the resulting products, and it also updates other laws to incorporate this definition. Additionally, it mandates a report to Congress on establishing licensing frameworks for fusion machines based on approaches like those used for aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration.

In this section, terms like "brownfield site," "covered site," and others related to nuclear facilities at brownfield and retired fossil fuel sites are defined. The section directs the Commission to evaluate and possibly modify regulations to facilitate site licensing, with reports due at specified intervals to Congress.

The section outlines a fast-track process for obtaining a combined license for a new nuclear reactor if certain qualifications are met, such as using a pre-approved design and building on or near an existing nuclear site. Once an application is lodged, the review process, including safety evaluations and environmental assessments, should ideally be completed within 18 to 25 months. If deadlines are missed, the Commission must inform Congress and provide a plan to address any delays.

The section lays out the framework for how the Commission will develop and implement a licensing and regulatory strategy for micro-reactors within 18 months, including guidelines for staffing, security, and environmental reviews. Additionally, the Commission will consider micro-reactor characteristics, reduce inefficiencies, consult with key stakeholders, and make use of a new regulatory framework over the following three years.

The section outlines exceptions to prohibitions on certain foreign entities receiving licenses for nuclear facilities. These exceptions apply if the entity is not considered a threat to security or public safety and is backed by specific countries, while excluding those linked to governments or individuals under U.S. sanctions. Additionally, it makes a minor technical correction to the Atomic Energy Act.

The bill requires the Commission to create a report about more modern manufacturing and building methods for nuclear energy projects, seeking input from various stakeholders like industry experts and government officials. The report will explore challenges, opportunities, and safety issues related to these methods, and suggest how to address them within current rules or through new regulations, also including cost and time estimates for updating guidance.

The section modifies the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 by defining terms related to nuclear training, such as "advanced nuclear reactor" and "Commission," and establishes a nuclear energy traineeship program. This program involves awarding traineeships at colleges, trade schools, and National Laboratories to meet the needs of the nuclear workforce and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's mission.

The text outlines the requirement for the U.S. Secretary of Energy to deliver a report to Congress every two years by January 2026. This report will detail the costs related to breaches of nuclear waste contracts, expenses of storing and managing nuclear waste, projected future costs, and any improvements or actions taken regarding nuclear waste management and technology development.

The bill establishes an initiative by the Commission to improve the process of qualifying and licensing advanced nuclear fuel, requiring collaboration with the Secretary of Energy to share expertise and maintain necessary research facilities. Additionally, within two years, a report detailing progress and challenges will be submitted to Congress, developed with input from various stakeholders, including National Laboratories and industry experts.

The section requires the Commission to update its mission statement within a year to ensure that the regulation and licensing of radioactive materials and nuclear energy are efficient and do not unnecessarily restrict their use or benefits. Additionally, the Commission must report to Congress with the new mission statement and provide guidance to its staff for effective mission performance.

The bill amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to enhance the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) hiring and compensation practices. It gives the NRC Chairman the authority to directly hire highly qualified individuals, offer bonuses for exceptional performance, and adjust salaries for critical positions, while also making provisions for reporting and assessments to ensure effective workforce management through 2039.

The section outlines the authority of the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to directly hire and compensate exceptionally qualified individuals for specialized positions, bypassing some standard federal hiring procedures, to ensure the Commission can fulfill its responsibilities effectively. It also specifies the limits on the number of such hires, the level of compensation, and provisions for bonuses, as well as the requirement for planning, reporting, and future workforce considerations, with the authority set to expire in 2034, unless extended.

The section outlines that within three years, a report must be submitted to Congress detailing the progress of specific energy-related regulations and assesses budget goals related to corporate support costs, with amendments to exclude certain expenses from these costs.

The section amends the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act by changing a timeframe from 180 to 90 days in two instances. It also requires the Commission to review and update performance metrics and schedules at least every three years to ensure they are as efficient as possible.

The bill amends the Energy Reorganization Act and the Atomic Energy Act to improve the process for licensing nuclear reactors by requiring efficient, timely, and predictable reviews. It mandates the establishment and maintenance of evaluation techniques and guidance for licensing and allows the use of existing information when reviewing applications for permits and licenses at already licensed sites.

The section requires the Commission to report to Congress on improving the efficiency and predictability of environmental reviews for nuclear reactor license applications, considering various methods and collaborations with other agencies to speed up the process while still meeting legal obligations. The report should also include a timeline for any new rules needed to implement these improvements.

The section outlines plans to improve nuclear reactor and materials oversight and inspection programs by the Commission, focusing on enhancing efficiency through new technologies, risk-informed procedures, and staff training. It mandates seeking stakeholder input, assessing procedures, encouraging innovation, and recommending actions for improvement without compromising safety standards.

The bill amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 by modifying the conditions under which the Commission may issue licenses for facilities used in research and development. It specifies limits on how much of the facility's operating costs can be devoted to selling energy or nonenergy services, with stricter conditions on the sale of energy.

The section requires the Commission to deliver a report to several Congressional committees within one year, detailing its interactions with the Canadian government concerning nuclear waste issues in the Great Lakes Basin.

The savings clause in Section 603 states that the Act does not change or limit the powers and responsibilities that the Department of State already has.