An act to set forth a Federal policy for the disposal of low-level radioactive wastes, and for other purposes.
Public Law 96-573 · S. 2189 · 96th Congress · began in the Senate
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Dec 22, 1980 · Environmental Protection
Sponsor: Sen. John Johnston (D-LA)
Cosponsors (4): Sen. Charles Mathias, Sen. Scoop Jackson,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
(Senate agreed to House amendment with an amendment)
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act - Declares it to be the policy of the Federal Government that each State is responsible for providing for the availability of capacity either within or outside the State for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste generated within its borders. Authorizes States to enter into compacts providing for the establishment and operation of regional low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities. Directs that a compact shall not be effective until Congress consents to same.
Directs the Secretary of Energy, in order to assist the States in the above policy, to prepare and submit to Congress and to each State a report which: (1) defines the needed low-level present and future waste capacity; (2) defines the status of all commercial low-level radioactive waste disposal sites; (3) evaluates the transportation requirements for the shipment of wastes; and (4) evaluates disposal facilities owned and operated by the Department of Energy.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 14 actions.
- Dec 22, 1980Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 96-573.
- Dec 17, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Dec 16, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Dec 13, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendments.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to House amendment with an amendment.
- Dec 3, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference scheduled in House.
- FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R.8378.
- Jul 30, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #329 (88-7).Senate roll call 329
- Jul 28, 1980FloorFloor · Measure called up by unanimous consent in Senate.
- Jan 3, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.