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 $95,000,000 annually from 2024 to 2028 for the United States Fire Administration, with $3,420,000 each year specifically designated for section 8(f) activities.

The section extends the expiration date of certain grants under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act from 2024 to 2030 and authorizes $750 million in funding each year from 2024 to 2028 for these programs.

The section proposes changes to the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act by extending the expiration date for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program from 2024 to 2030 and updating the fiscal years for which appropriations are authorized to include 2024 through 2028.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must conduct an audit and publish a report within three years of the Act's passage, focusing on the challenges fire departments face in obtaining Federal funding and evaluating the United States Fire Administration.

The "Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024" aims to support the growth of nuclear energy in the U.S. by promoting international cooperation, modernizing regulations for new technologies, preserving current nuclear facilities, improving the nuclear fuel supply chain, and enhancing the efficiency of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It includes provisions for developing advanced nuclear reactors, addressing regulatory challenges, and enhancing workforce training and management.

In this section, key terms related to nuclear energy, such as "accident tolerant fuel," "advanced nuclear reactor," and "institution of higher education," are clearly defined, including the roles of the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Additionally, the section specifies relevant committees within Congress, as well as references legal sections where specific definitions can be found.

The section outlines the responsibilities of the Commission in coordinating international activities related to nuclear export and innovation, including import and export licensing, and international cooperation and assistance for nuclear reactors and materials. It establishes the possibility of creating a dedicated branch within the Office of International Programs and requires that costs for these activities be excluded from the fee base, emphasizing coordination with other government departments and maintaining the Commission's regulatory authority.

The section outlines the rules for handling enriched uranium fuel made outside the U.S. by entities associated with Russia or China. It prohibits possessing or owning such fuel without a specific license, which requires consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and State to ensure it does not threaten U.S. national security.

The section outlines the process for notifying Congress when an export license for specific nuclear-related items is granted to certain countries. It defines "low-enriched uranium" and specifies the types of items and countries involved, particularly highlighting countries that have not adhered to certain international nuclear safety agreements.

The section requires the Secretary of Energy to work with other top officials to study the global nuclear energy industry's current status and supply chains within a year of the Act's enactment. The study should cover topics like the industry's risks, its role in foreign policy, collaboration possibilities with allied countries, and recommendations for aligning nuclear energy policies with national security, among others. A report of findings, possibly with a classified section, must be sent to Congress 180 days after the study is done.

The section outlines a process where the Secretary of Energy, with input from the Secretary of State, must evaluate certain factors to decide which countries can receive nuclear-related assistance without a special agreement. The list of these countries must be reviewed within a year of the law's passage and every five years after that, with updates to the process for determining such status where necessary.

The amendments to the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act outline the definitions and fees related to reviewing advanced nuclear reactor applications. They establish terms like "advanced nuclear reactor applicant," determine how fees are assessed, and clarify that certain costs cannot be included in the fees charged to these applicants, with some provisions expiring on September 30, 2030.

The section amends existing law to introduce prizes for the first eligible entities, which include non-Federal entities and the Tennessee Valley Authority, that achieve specific licensing milestones for advanced nuclear reactors. The awards are based on different categories of advanced reactors and aim to cover the costs the entities incur for obtaining the necessary licenses, with the amount of the award also being limited by certain funding restrictions.

The section requires the Commission to report to Congress within 270 days on licensing issues for advanced nuclear reactors, particularly focusing on their flexible use for nonelectric applications like industrial heat and hydrogen production. The report will seek input from various stakeholders and must outline existing licensing challenges, propose solutions, discuss potential regulatory actions, and include cost estimates and timelines for integrating new regulatory measures.

The section amends the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act to include costs for reviewing applications for early site permits to demonstrate advanced nuclear reactors on Department of Energy sites or critical national security infrastructure. These amendments will take effect on October 1, 2025.

The section aims to amend existing laws to define and regulate "fusion machines," which are devices that transform atomic nuclei using fusion and capture the products for use. It requires a report on developing licensing frameworks for these machines within one year, considering safety and performance standards similar to those used in the aviation industry.

The section outlines plans for improving the regulatory process for nuclear facilities at sites that have shut down fossil fuel plants or are environmentally degraded, called brownfield sites. The Commission is tasked with evaluating and updating its guidelines to speed up the licensing and oversight processes for these facilities, considering using existing infrastructure, and engaging with local communities, with specific deadlines for reporting their progress to Congress.

The section outlines a fast-tracked process for issuing combined licenses for new nuclear reactors. It specifies qualifications for applicants, sets deadlines for the Commission to complete reviews and issue licenses, and requires reporting on delays and plans to address them if deadlines are missed.

The section outlines the responsibilities of the Commission in creating guidelines for licensing and regulating micro-reactors, emphasizing risk-informed and performance-based strategies covering areas like staffing, safety, and environmental impact within 18 months. It also requires the implementation of these strategies within 3 years, taking into account the unique features of micro-reactors and consulting with various stakeholders, including the Secretary of Energy and technology developers.

The section outlines exceptions to the prohibitions on issuing licenses for certain nuclear facilities to foreign entities, allowing licenses if the entity is not a threat to public safety or security. It specifies eligible foreign entities, excludes certain countries under sanctions, and includes a technical amendment to correct language in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.

The section requires the Commission to deliver a report to Congress within 180 days, detailing advanced methods in nuclear manufacturing and construction. This report will include stakeholder feedback, address unique licensing issues, explore safety and transport requirements, and estimate costs and timelines needed to update regulatory guidance for the nuclear energy sector.

The section updates a law about training programs for nuclear energy by forming a special subprogram that offers traineeships. This program will work with universities, trade schools, and other institutions to provide training for jobs in the nuclear field and meet critical needs of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The section mandates that the Secretary of Energy must provide a report to Congress every two years, starting in 2026, detailing the costs and management processes related to spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in the U.S. This includes financial damages, storage, lifecycle costs, liability accounting, and actions taken by the Department of Energy to improve technology and manage nuclear waste safely.

The section outlines an initiative by the Commission to enhance coordination and preparedness for qualifying and licensing advanced nuclear fuel, including collaboration with the Department of Energy. It requires a report on the efforts, assessing the preparedness for new fuel types, and highlighting research needs and challenges, with input from various stakeholders.

The section mandates that, within one year of the Act's enactment, the Commission must update its mission statement to ensure that the regulation of nuclear energy and materials is efficient and does not unnecessarily impede their civilian use or the societal benefits they offer. Once updated, the Commission is required to report to Congress with the new mission statement and guidance for staff to effectively fulfill this mission.

The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 has been updated to allow the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to directly hire well-qualified individuals for certain technical positions to improve efficiency. It also enables offering hiring and performance bonuses and adjusting compensation to address hiring and retention challenges, with all these provisions expiring by 2039 unless renewed by the NRC.

The section empowers the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to hire and set pay for highly-qualified employees more flexibly to meet the Commission's needs efficiently, with specific limits on the number of hires, salary caps, and bonuses; it also mandates future workforce planning, reporting to Congress, and a sunset clause where the authority expires in 2034 unless extended.

The section discusses the Commission's responsibilities to report on the progress of certain budgetary and operational goals under the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act. It also amends the act to limit corporate support costs to 30% from fiscal year 2025 onwards and clarifies that certain costs, such as rent in specific buildings and staffing expenses, are excluded from corporate support costs.

The proposed amendments to the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act reduce the review period for performance metrics and milestones from 180 to 90 days and mandate that the Commission reassess these metrics and schedules every three years, making adjustments as necessary to ensure they are as efficient as possible.

The section improves the process for nuclear reactor licensing by establishing efficient review guidelines, requiring periodic updates, and making use of prior information for site permits. It aims to ensure nuclear safety while expediting reviews and decisions related to licenses, permits, and applications.

The section requires the Commission to report to Congress on how it will improve the environmental review process for nuclear reactor license applications. It suggests using existing federal assessments, working with other agencies, and adopting new technologies to make the process faster and more predictable.

The section outlines the requirement for the Commission to create a report identifying ways to improve nuclear oversight and inspection programs by using new technologies, better planning, and training. The report should seek input from various stakeholders, evaluate the effectiveness of current practices, suggest improvements, and propose specific actions for implementing those improvements without compromising safety.

The section amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to limit licenses for research facilities so that most of their operation costs cannot be from sales unrelated to research, ensuring not more than 75% comes from non-research activities and not more than 50% from energy sales. Additionally, it reorganizes clauses for clarity about regulation and research activities.

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.