CHAPTER 603—PROLIFERATION MATTERS

        

Editorial Notes

Codification

Chapter analysis added pursuant to operation of section 102 of this title.

§6151. Authority to conduct program relating to fissile materials

The Secretary of Energy may conduct programs designed to improve the protection, control, and accountability of fissile materials in Russia.

(Added Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1372.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6151 was renumbered section 8262 of this title.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2565 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(1).

§6152. Completion of material protection, control, and accounting activities in the Russian Federation

(a) In General.—Except as provided in subsection (b) or specifically authorized by Congress, international material protection, control, and accounting activities in the Russian Federation shall be completed not later than fiscal year 2018.

(b) Exception.—The limitation in subsection (a) shall not apply to international material protection, control, and accounting activities in the Russian Federation associated with the Agreement Concerning the Management and Disposition of Plutonium Designated as No Longer Required for Defense Purposes and Related Cooperation, signed at Moscow and Washington August 29 and September 1, 2000, and entered into force July 13, 2011 (TIAS 11–713.1), between the United States and the Russian Federation.

(Added Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1372.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6152 was renumbered section 8263 of this title.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 3122(b) of Pub. L. 113–291, which was set out as a note under section 2565 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(14).

§6153. Disposition of weapons-usable plutonium at Savannah River Site

(a) Plan for Construction and Operation of MOX Facility.—(1) Not later than February 1, 2003, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to Congress a plan for the construction and operation of the MOX facility at the Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina.

(2) The plan under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) a schedule for construction and operations so as to achieve, as of January 1, 2012, and thereafter, the MOX production objective, and to produce 1 metric ton of mixed-oxide fuel by December 31, 2012; and

(B) a schedule of operations of the MOX facility designed so that 34 metric tons of defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials at the Savannah River Site will be processed into mixed-oxide fuel by January 1, 2019.

(3)(A) Not later than February 15 each year, beginning in 2004 and continuing through 2024, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the plan required by paragraph (1).

(B) Each report under subparagraph (A) for years before 2010 shall include—

(i) an assessment of compliance with the schedules included with the plan under paragraph (2); and

(ii) a certification by the Secretary whether or not the MOX production objective can be met by January 2012.

(C) Each report under subparagraph (A) for years after 2014 shall—

(i) address whether the MOX production objective has been met; and

(ii) assess progress toward meeting the obligations of the United States under the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement.

(D) Each report under subparagraph (A) for years after 2019 shall also include an assessment of compliance with the MOX production objective and, if not in compliance, the plan of the Secretary for achieving one of the following:

(i) Compliance with such objective.

(ii) Removal of all remaining defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials from the State of South Carolina.

(b) Corrective Actions.—(1) If a report under subsection (a)(3) indicates that construction or operation of the MOX facility is behind the applicable schedule under subsection (g) by 12 months or more, the Secretary shall submit to Congress, not later than August 15 of the year in which such report is submitted, a plan for corrective actions to be implemented by the Secretary to ensure that the MOX facility project is capable of meeting the MOX production objective.

(2) If a plan is submitted under paragraph (1) in any year after 2008, the plan shall include corrective actions to be implemented by the Secretary to ensure that the MOX production objective is met.

(3) Any plan for corrective actions under paragraph (1) or (2) shall include established milestones under such plan for achieving compliance with the MOX production objective.

(4) If, before January 1, 2012, the Secretary determines that there is a substantial and material risk that the MOX production objective will not be achieved by 2012 because of a failure to achieve milestones set forth in the most recent corrective action plan under this subsection, the Secretary shall suspend further transfers of defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials to be processed by the MOX facility until such risk is addressed and the Secretary certifies that the MOX production objective can be met by 2012.

(5) If, after January 1, 2014, the Secretary determines that the MOX production objective has not been achieved because of a failure to achieve milestones set forth in the most recent corrective action plan under this subsection, the Secretary shall suspend further transfers of defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials to be processed by the MOX facility until the Secretary certifies that the MOX production objective can be met.

(6)(A) Upon making a determination under paragraph (4) or (5), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the options for removing from the State of South Carolina an amount of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials equal to the amount of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials transferred to the State of South Carolina after April 15, 2002.

(B) Each report under subparagraph (A) shall include an analysis of each option set forth in the report, including the cost and schedule for implementation of such option, and any requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) relating to consideration or selection of such option.

(C) Upon submittal of a report under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall commence any analysis that may be required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 in order to select among the options set forth in the report.

(c) Contingent Requirement for Removal of Plutonium and Materials From Savannah River Site.—If the MOX production objective is not achieved as of January 1, 2014, the Secretary shall, consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and other applicable laws, remove from the State of South Carolina, for storage or disposal elsewhere—

(1) not later than January 1, 2016, not less than 1 metric ton of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials; and

(2) not later than January 1, 2022, an amount of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials equal to the amount of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials transferred to the Savannah River Site between April 15, 2002, and January 1, 2022, but not processed by the MOX facility.

(d) Economic and Impact Assistance.—(1) If the MOX production objective is not achieved as of January 1, 2016, the Secretary shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, pay to the State of South Carolina each year beginning on or after that date through 2021 for economic and impact assistance an amount equal to $1,000,000 per day, not to exceed $100,000,000 per year, until the later of—

(A) the date on which the MOX production objective is achieved in such year; or

(B) the date on which the Secretary has removed from the State of South Carolina in such year at least 1 metric ton of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials.

(2)(A) If, as of January 1, 2022, the MOX facility has not processed mixed-oxide fuel from defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials in the amount of not less than—

(i) one metric ton, in each of any two consecutive calendar years; and

(ii) three metric tons total,

the Secretary shall, from funds available to the Secretary, pay to the State of South Carolina for economic and impact assistance an amount equal to $1,000,000 per day, not to exceed $100,000,000 per year, until the removal by the Secretary from the State of South Carolina of an amount of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials equal to the amount of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials transferred to the Savannah River Site between April 15, 2002, and January 1, 2022, but not processed by the MOX facility.

(B) Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to terminate, supersede, or otherwise affect any other requirements of this section.

(3) If the State of South Carolina obtains an injunction that prohibits the Department of Energy from taking any action necessary for the Department to meet any deadline specified by this subsection, that deadline shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period of time during which the injunction is in effect.

(e) Failure to Complete Planned Disposition Program.—If less than 34 metric tons of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials have been processed by the MOX facility by October 1, 2026, the Secretary shall, not later than December 1, 2026, and on a biennial basis thereafter, submit to Congress a plan for—

(1) completing the processing of 34 metric tons of defense plutonium and defense plutonium material by the MOX facility; or

(2) removing from the State of South Carolina an amount of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials equal to the amount of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials transferred to the Savannah River Site after April 15, 2002, but not processed by the MOX facility.

(f) Removal of Mixed-oxide Fuel Upon Completion of Operations of MOX Facility.—If, one year after the date on which operation of the MOX facility permanently ceases, any mixed-oxide fuel remains at the Savannah River Site, the Secretary shall submit to Congress—

(1) a report on when such fuel will be transferred for use in commercial nuclear reactors; or

(2) a plan for removing such fuel from the State of South Carolina.

(g) Baseline.—Not later than December 31, 2006, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the construction and operation of the MOX facility that includes a schedule for revising the requirements of this section during fiscal year 2007 to conform with the schedule established by the Secretary for the MOX facility, which shall be based on estimated funding levels for the fiscal year.

(h) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "MOX production objective" means production at the MOX facility of mixed-oxide fuel from defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials at an average rate equivalent to not less than one metric ton of mixed-oxide fuel per year. The average rate shall be determined by measuring production at the MOX facility from the date the facility is declared operational to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission through the date of assessment.

(2) The term "MOX facility" means the mixed-oxide fuel fabrication facility at the Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina.

(3) The terms "defense plutonium" and "defense plutonium materials" mean weapons-usable plutonium.

(Added and amended Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), (d)(2), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1373, 1462.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsecs. (b)(6)(B), (C) and (c), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6153 was enumbered section 8264 of this title.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2566 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(1).

Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(d)(2)(B), realigned margins.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(d)(2)(A), struck out pars. (1) to (3) headings which corresponded to the defined term in each par.

§6154. Disposition of surplus defense plutonium at Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina

(a) Consultation Required.—The Secretary of Energy shall consult with the Governor of the State of South Carolina regarding any decisions or plans of the Secretary related to the disposition of surplus defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials located at the Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina.

(b) Notice Required.—For each shipment of defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials to the Savannah River Site, the Secretary shall, not less than 30 days before the commencement of such shipment, submit to the congressional defense committees a report providing notice of such shipment.

(c) Plan for Disposition.—The Secretary shall prepare a plan for disposal of the surplus defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials currently located at the Savannah River Site and for disposal of defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials to be shipped to the Savannah River Site in the future. The plan shall include the following:

(1) A review of each option considered for such disposal.

(2) An identification of the preferred option for such disposal.

(3) With respect to the facilities for such disposal that are required by the Department of Energy's Record of Decision for the Storage and Disposition of Weapons-Usable Fissile Materials Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement dated January 14, 1997—

(A) a statement of the cost of construction and operation of such facilities;

(B) a schedule for the expeditious construction of such facilities, including milestones; and

(C) a firm schedule for funding the cost of such facilities.

(4) A specification of the means by which all such defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials will be removed in a timely manner from the Savannah River Site for storage or disposal elsewhere.

(d) Plan for Alternative Disposition.—If the Secretary determines not to proceed at the Savannah River Site with construction of the plutonium immobilization plant, or with the mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility, the Secretary shall prepare a plan that identifies a disposition path for all defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials that would otherwise have been disposed of at such plant or such facility, as applicable.

(e) Submission of Plans.—Not later than February 1, 2002, the Secretary shall submit to Congress the plan required by subsection (c) (and the plan prepared under subsection (d), if applicable).

(f) Limitation on Plutonium Shipments.—If the Secretary does not submit to Congress the plan required by subsection (c) (and the plan prepared under subsection (d), if applicable) by February 1, 2002, the Secretary shall be prohibited from shipping defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials to the Savannah River Site during the period beginning on February 1, 2002, and ending on the date on which such plans are submitted to Congress.

(g) Rule of Construction.—Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit or limit the Secretary from shipping defense plutonium or defense plutonium materials to sites other than the Savannah River Site during the period referred to in subsection (f) or any other period.

(h) Annual Report on Funding for Fissile Materials Disposition Activities.—The Secretary shall include with the budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the Department of Energy budget for each fiscal year (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31) a report setting forth the extent to which amounts requested for the Department for such fiscal year for fissile materials disposition activities will enable the Department to meet commitments for the disposition of surplus defense plutonium and defense plutonium materials located at the Savannah River Site, and for any other fissile materials disposition activities, in such fiscal year.

(Added Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1376.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6154 was renumbered section 8265 of this title.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2567 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(1).

§6155. Acceleration of removal or security of fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment at vulnerable sites worldwide

(a) Sense of Congress.—(1) It is the sense of Congress that the security, including the rapid removal or secure storage, of high-risk, proliferation-attractive fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment at vulnerable sites worldwide should be a top priority among the activities to achieve the national security of the United States.

(2) It is the sense of Congress that the President may establish in the Department of Energy a task force to be known as the Task Force on Nuclear Materials to carry out the program authorized by subsection (b).

(b) Program Authorized.—The Secretary of Energy may carry out a program to undertake an accelerated, comprehensive worldwide effort to mitigate the threats posed by high-risk, proliferation-attractive fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment located at sites potentially vulnerable to theft or diversion.

(c) Program Elements.—(1) Activities under the program under subsection (b) may include the following:

(A) Accelerated efforts to secure, remove, or eliminate proliferation-attractive fissile materials or radiological materials in research reactors, other reactors, and other facilities worldwide.

(B) Arrangements for the secure shipment of proliferation-attractive fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment to other countries willing to accept such materials and equipment, or to the United States if such countries cannot be identified, and the provision of secure storage or disposition of such materials and equipment following shipment.

(C) The transportation of proliferation-attractive fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment from sites identified as proliferation risks to secure facilities in other countries or in the United States.

(D) The processing and packaging of proliferation-attractive fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment in accordance with required standards for transport, storage, and disposition.

(E) The provision of interim security upgrades for vulnerable, proliferation-attractive fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment pending their removal from their current sites.

(F) The utilization of funds to upgrade security and accounting at sites where proliferation-attractive fissile materials or radiological materials will remain for an extended period of time in order to ensure that such materials are secure against plausible potential threats and will remain so in the future.

(G) The management of proliferation-attractive fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment at secure facilities.

(H) Actions to ensure that security, including security upgrades at sites and facilities for the storage or disposition of proliferation-attractive fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment, continues to function as intended.

(I) The provision of technical support to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), other countries, and other entities to facilitate removal of, and security upgrades to facilities that contain, proliferation-attractive fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment worldwide.

(J) The development of alternative fuels and irradiation targets based on low-enriched uranium to convert research or other reactors fueled by highly-enriched uranium to such alternative fuels, as well as the conversion of reactors and irradiation targets employing highly-enriched uranium to employment of such alternative fuels and targets.

(K) Accelerated actions for the blend down of highly-enriched uranium to low-enriched uranium.

(L) The provision of assistance in the closure and decommissioning of sites identified as presenting risks of proliferation of proliferation-attractive fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment.

(M) Programs to—

(i) assist in the placement of employees displaced as a result of actions pursuant to the program in enterprises not representing a proliferation threat; and

(ii) convert (including through the use of alternative technologies) sites identified as presenting risks of proliferation regarding proliferation-attractive fissile materials, radiological materials, and related equipment to purposes not representing a proliferation threat to the extent necessary to eliminate the proliferation threat.

(2) The Secretary of Energy shall, in coordination with the Secretary of State, carry out the program in consultation with, and with the assistance of, appropriate departments, agencies, and other entities of the United States Government.

(3) The Secretary of Energy shall, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, carry out activities under the program in collaboration with such foreign governments, non-governmental organizations, and other international entities as the Secretary of Energy considers appropriate for the program.

(d) Funding.—Amounts authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy for defense nuclear nonproliferation activities shall be available for purposes of the program under this section.

(e) Participation by Other Governments and Organizations.—(1) The Secretary of Energy may, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, enter into one or more agreements with any person (including a foreign government, international organization, or multinational entity) that the Secretary of Energy considers appropriate under which the person contributes funds for purposes of the programs described in paragraph (2).

(2) The programs described in this paragraph are any programs within the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation of the National Nuclear Security Administration.

(3) Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, the Secretary of Energy may retain and use amounts contributed under an agreement under paragraph (1) for purposes of the programs described in paragraph (2). Amounts so contributed shall be retained in a separate fund established in the Treasury for such purposes and shall be available for use without further appropriation and without fiscal year limitation.

(4) If an amount contributed under an agreement under paragraph (1) is not used under this subsection within 5 years after it was contributed, the Secretary of Energy shall return that amount to the person who contributed it.

(5) Not later than October 31 of each year, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the receipt and use of amounts under this subsection during the preceding fiscal year. Each report for a fiscal year shall set forth—

(A) a statement of any amounts received under this subsection, including, for each such amount, the value of the contribution and the person who contributed it;

(B) a statement of any amounts used under this subsection, including, for each such amount, the purposes for which the amount was used; and

(C) a statement of the amounts retained but not used under this subsection, including, for each such amount, the purposes (if known) for which the Secretary intends to use the amount.

(f) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "fissile materials" means plutonium, highly-enriched uranium, or other material capable of sustaining an explosive nuclear chain reaction, including irradiated items containing such materials if the radiation field from such items is not sufficient to prevent the theft or misuse of such items.

(2) The term "radiological materials" includes Americium-241, Californium-252, Cesium-137, Cobalt-60, Iridium-192, Plutonium-238, Radium-226, Strontium-90, Curium-244, and irradiated items containing such materials, or other materials designated by the Secretary of Energy for purposes of this paragraph.

(3) The term "related equipment" includes equipment useful for enrichment of uranium in the isotope 235 and for extraction of fissile materials from irradiated fuel rods and other equipment designated by the Secretary of Energy for purposes of this section.

(4) The term "highly-enriched uranium" means uranium enriched to or above 20 percent in the isotope 235.

(5) The term "low-enriched uranium" means uranium enriched below 20 percent in the isotope 235.

(6) The term "proliferation-attractive", in the case of fissile materials and radiological materials, means quantities and types of such materials that are determined by the Secretary of Energy to present a significant risk to the national security of the United States if diverted to a use relating to proliferation.

(7) The term "alternative technologies" means technologies, such as accelerator-based equipment, that do not use radiological materials.

(Added and amended Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), (d)(2), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1377, 1462.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6155 was renumbered section 8266 of this title.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2569 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(1).

Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(d)(2)(B), realigned margins.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(d)(2)(A), struck out pars. (1) to (5) headings which read as follows: "In general", "Programs covered", "Retention and use of amounts", "Return of amounts not used within 5 years", and "Annual report", respectively.

§6156. Acceleration of replacement of cesium blood irradiation sources

(a) Goal.—The Administrator shall ensure that the goal of the covered programs is eliminating the use of blood irradiation devices in the United States that rely on cesium chloride by December 31, 2027.

(b) Implementation.—To meet the goal specified by subsection (a), the Administrator shall carry out the covered programs in a manner that—

(1) is voluntary for owners of blood irradiation devices;

(2) allows for the United States, subject to the review of the Administrator, to pay up to 50 percent of the per-device cost of replacing blood irradiation devices covered by the programs;

(3) allows for the United States to pay up to 100 percent of the cost of removing and disposing of cesium sources retired from service by the programs; and

(4) replaces such devices with x-ray irradiation devices or other devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration that provide significant threat reduction as compared to cesium chloride irradiators.

(c) Duration.—The Administrator shall carry out the covered programs until December 31, 2027.

(d) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the covered programs, including—

(1) identification of each cesium chloride blood irradiation device in the United States, including the number, general location, and user type;

(2) a plan for achieving the goal established by subsection (a);

(3) a methodology for prioritizing replacement of such devices that takes into account irradiator age and prior material security initiatives;

(4) in consultation with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Food and Drug Administration, a strategy identifying any legislative, regulatory, or other measures necessary to constrain the introduction of new cesium chloride blood irradiation devices;

(5) identification of the annual funds required to meet the goal established by subsection (a); and

(6) a description of the disposal path for cesium chloride sources under the covered programs.

(e) Assessment.—The Administrator shall submit an assessment to the appropriate congressional committees by September 20, 2023, of the results of the actions on the covered programs under this section, including—

(1) the number of replacement irradiators under the covered programs;

(2) the life-cycle costs of the programs, including personnel training, maintenance, and replacement costs for new irradiation devices;

(3) the cost-effectiveness of the covered programs;

(4) an analysis of the effectiveness of the new irradiation devices' technology; and

(5) a forecast of whether the Administrator will meet the goal established in subsection (a).

(f) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "appropriate congressional committees" means—

(A) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and

(B) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.

(2) The term "covered programs" means the following programs of the Office of Radiological Security of the National Nuclear Security Administration:

(A) The Cesium Irradiator Replacement Program.

(B) The Off-Site Source Recovery Program.

(Added and amended Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), (d)(2)(A), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1380, 1462.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of the enactment of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, referred to in subsec. (d), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 115–232, which was approved Aug. 13, 2018.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6156 was renumbered section 8267 of this title.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 3141 of Pub. L. 115–232, which was set out as a note under section 2569 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(15).

Amendments

2025—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(d)(2)(A), struck out pars. (1) and (2) headings which corresponded to the defined term in each par.

§6157. International agreements on nuclear weapons data

The Secretary of Energy may, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State and in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, enter into agreements with countries or international organizations to conduct data collection and analysis to determine accurately and in a timely manner the source of any components of, or fissile material used or attempted to be used in, a nuclear device or weapon.

(Added Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1382.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6157, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 387, related to transportation of motor vehicles on permanent change of station, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 87–651, title I, §123(b), Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 514.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2572 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(1).

§6158. International agreements on information on radioactive materials

The Secretary of Energy may, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State and in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, enter into agreements with countries or international organizations—

(1) to acquire for the materials information program of the Department of Energy validated information on the physical characteristics of radioactive material produced, used, or stored at various locations, in order to facilitate the ability to determine accurately and in a timely manner the source of any components of, or fissile material used or attempted to be used in, a nuclear device or weapon; and

(2) to obtain access to information described in paragraph (1) in the event of—

(A) a nuclear detonation; or

(B) the interdiction or discovery of a nuclear device or weapon or nuclear material.

(Added Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1382.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6158, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 387, exempted enlisted members of the Marine Corps, while on active duty, from personal arrest for debt or contract, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 90–235, §7(b)(1), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 763.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2573 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(1).

§6159. Defense nuclear nonproliferation management plan

(a) Plan Required.—The Administrator shall develop and annually update a five-year management plan for activities associated with the defense nuclear nonproliferation programs of the Administration to prevent and counter the proliferation of materials, technology, equipment, and expertise related to nuclear and radiological weapons in order to minimize and address the risk of nuclear terrorism and the proliferation of such weapons.

(b) Submission to Congress.—(1) Not later than March 15 of each even-numbered year, the Administrator shall submit to the congressional defense committees a summary of the plan developed under subsection (a).

(2) Not later than March 15 of each odd-numbered year, the Administrator shall submit to the congressional defense committees a detailed report on the plan developed under subsection (a).

(3) Each summary submitted under paragraph (1) and each report submitted under paragraph (2) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex if necessary.

(c) Elements.—The plan required by subsection (a) shall include, with respect to each defense nuclear nonproliferation program of the Administration, the following:

(1) A description of the policy context in which the program operates, including—

(A) a list of relevant laws, policy directives issued by the President, and international agreements; and

(B) nuclear nonproliferation activities carried out by other Federal agencies.

(2) A description of the objectives and priorities of the program during the year preceding the submission of the summary required by paragraph (1) of subsection (b) or the report required by paragraph (2) of that subsection, as the case may be.

(3) A description of the activities carried out under the program during that year.

(4) A description of the accomplishments and challenges of the program during that year, based on an assessment of metrics and objectives previously established to determine the effectiveness of the program.

(5) A description of any gaps that remain that were not or could not be addressed by the program during that year.

(6) An identification and explanation of uncommitted or uncosted balances for the program, as of the date of the submission of the summary required by paragraph (1) of subsection (b) or the report required by paragraph (2) of that subsection, as the case may be, that are greater than the acceptable carryover thresholds, as determined by the Secretary of Energy.

(7) An identification of funds for the program received through contributions from or cost-sharing agreements with foreign governments consistent with section 6155(e) during the year preceding the submission of the summary required by paragraph (1) of subsection (b) or the report required by paragraph (2) of that subsection, as the case may be, and an explanation of such contributions and agreements.

(8) A description and assessment of activities carried out under the program during that year that were coordinated with other elements of the Department of Energy, with the Department of Defense, and with other Federal agencies, to maximize efficiency and avoid redundancies.

(9) Plans for activities of the program during the five-year period beginning on the date on which the summary required by paragraph (1) of subsection (b) or the report required by paragraph (2) of that subsection, as the case may be, is submitted, including activities with respect to the following:

(A) Preventing nuclear and radiological proliferation and terrorism, including through—

(i) material management and minimization, particularly with respect to removing or minimizing the use of highly enriched uranium, plutonium, and radiological materials worldwide (and identifying the countries in which such materials are located), efforts to dispose of surplus material, converting reactors from highly enriched uranium to low-enriched uranium (and identifying the countries in which such reactors are located);

(ii) global nuclear material security, including securing highly enriched uranium, plutonium, and radiological materials worldwide (and identifying the countries in which such materials are located), and providing radiation detection capabilities at foreign ports and borders;

(iii) nonproliferation and arms control, including nuclear verification and safeguards;

(iv) defense nuclear research and development, including a description of activities related to developing and improving technology to detect the proliferation and detonation of nuclear weapons, verifying compliance of foreign countries with commitments under treaties and agreements relating to nuclear weapons, and detecting the diversion of nuclear materials (including safeguards technology); and

(v) nonproliferation construction programs, including activities associated with Department of Energy Order 413.1 (relating to program management controls).

(B) Countering nuclear and radiological proliferation and terrorism.

(C) Responding to nuclear and radiological proliferation and terrorism, including through—

(i) crisis operations;

(ii) consequences management; and

(iii) emergency management, including international capacity building.

(10) A threat assessment, carried out by the intelligence community (as defined in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4))), with respect to the risk of nuclear and radiological proliferation and terrorism and a description of how each activity carried out under the program will counter the threat during the five-year period beginning on the date on which the summary required by paragraph (1) of subsection (b) or the report required by paragraph (2) of that subsection, as the case may be, is submitted and, as appropriate, in the longer term.

(11) A plan for funding the program during that five-year period.

(12) An identification of metrics and objectives for determining the effectiveness of each activity carried out under the program during that five-year period.

(13) A description of the activities to be carried out under the program during that five-year period and a description of how the program will be prioritized relative to other defense nuclear nonproliferation programs of the Administration during that five-year period to address the highest priority risks and requirements, as informed by the threat assessment carried out under paragraph (10).

(14) A description and assessment of activities to be carried out under the program during that five-year period that will be coordinated with other elements of the Department of Energy, with the Department of Defense, and with other Federal agencies, to maximize efficiency and avoid redundancies.

(15) A summary of the technologies and capabilities documented under section 6160(a).

(16) A summary of the assessments conducted under section 6160(b)(1).

(17) Such other matters as the Administrator considers appropriate.

(Added and amended Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), (d)(2)(B), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1382, 1462.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6159, added Pub. L. 85–56, title XXII, §2201(31)(C), June 17, 1957, 71 Stat. 161, provided for a pension to disabled naval enlisted personnel serving 20 years or more, equal to one-half the pay of enlisted man's rating at the time of his discharge, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–482, §1(a), Oct. 21, 1970, 84 Stat. 1082.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2575 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(1).

Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(d)(2)(B), realigned margins.

§6160. Information relating to certain defense nuclear nonproliferation programs

(a) Technologies and Capabilities.—The Administrator shall document, for efforts that are not focused on basic research, the technologies and capabilities of the defense nuclear nonproliferation research and development program that—

(1) are transitioned to end users for further development or deployment; and

(2) are deployed.

(b) Assessments of Status.—(1) In assessing projects under the defense nuclear nonproliferation research and development program or the defense nuclear nonproliferation and arms control program, the Administrator shall compare the status of each such project, including with respect to the final results of such project, to the baseline targets and goals established in the initial project plan of such project.

(2) The Administrator may carry out paragraph (1) using a common template or such other means as the Administrator determines appropriate.

(Added and amended Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), (d)(2)(B), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1385, 1462.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6160 was renumbered section 8270 of this title.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2576 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(1).

Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(d)(2)(B), realigned margins.

§6161. Annual Selected Acquisition Reports on certain hardware relating to defense nuclear nonproliferation

(a) Annual Selected Acquisition Reports.—(1) At the end of each fiscal year, the Administrator shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on each covered hardware project. The reports shall be known as Selected Acquisition Reports for the covered hardware project concerned.

(2) The information contained in the Selected Acquisition Report for a fiscal year for a covered hardware project shall be the information contained in the Selected Acquisition Report for such fiscal year for a major defense acquisition program under section 4351 or any successor system, expressed in terms of the covered hardware project.

(b) Covered Hardware Project Defined.—In this section, the term "covered hardware project" means a project carried out under the defense nuclear nonproliferation research and development program that—

(1) is focused on the production and deployment of hardware, including with respect to the development and deployment of satellites or satellite payloads; and

(2) exceeds $500,000,000 in total program cost over the course of five years.

(Added and amended Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), (d)(2), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1385, 1462.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6161 was renumbered section 8271 of this title.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2577 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(1).

Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(d)(2)(B), realigned margins.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(d)(2)(A), struck out pars. (1) and (2) headings which read as follows: "In general" and "Matters included", respectively.