H.R. 9613, the Nuclear Advisory Committee Reform Act, aims to streamline the functions of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) by reducing its responsibilities to the minimum necessary to fulfill its statutory obligations. This includes focusing ACRS reviews on unique, novel, and noteworthy issues, as directed by Executive Order 14300 issued on May 23, 2025. The bill is part of a broader legislative effort to modernize nuclear regulatory processes and is scheduled for markup by the House Subcommittee on Energy on July 14, 2026.
Supporters of H.R. 9613 argue that the bill will enhance the efficiency of the nuclear regulatory process by allowing the ACRS to concentrate on critical safety issues, thereby expediting the approval and oversight of nuclear facilities. This reform is seen as a step toward modernizing the nuclear industry and promoting the development of safe and reliable nuclear power.
Critics express concern that reducing the scope of the ACRS's responsibilities may lead to insufficient oversight of nuclear facilities, potentially compromising safety standards. They argue that the ACRS's comprehensive reviews are essential for ensuring the long-term safety and security of nuclear operations.
The analysis of H.R. 9613, the Nuclear Advisory Committee Reform Act, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the sponsor Diana Harshbarger's top donor industries and the subject matter of the bill. This lack of overlap suggests that the financial interests of her donors are not directly aligned with the legislative intent of the bill, which focuses on reforming the advisory committee related to nuclear policy. Given that there are no significant financial ties that could influence the bill's outcome, the risk of conflicts of interest appears minimal. Voters should be aware that while the absence of overlap reduces concerns, it is still important to monitor any future developments or changes in donor relationships that could arise as the bill progresses.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AVIS BUDGET GROUP, INC. | AVIS BUDGET GROUP, INC. | $240,000 |
| TUNGSTEN MINING NL | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | $120,000 |
| NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | $80,000 |
| LEARN ALLIANCE (INFORMAL COALITION) | CAPITOL TAX PARTNERS, LLP | $40,000 |
| FRAYM | CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | $40,000 |
| GLOBAL TECHNICAL SYSTEMS | GLOBAL TECHNICAL SYSTEMS | $30,000 |
| ML STRATEGIES, LLC (ON BEHALF OF DAIKIN U.S. CORPORATION) | PLURUS STRATEGIES, LLC | $30,000 |
| LIBERTY MUTUAL GROUP INC. | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $30,000 |
| SONOVA USA. INC. | AMERICAN CAPITOL GROUP | $30,000 |
| THE MCKEON GROUP INC. (ON BEHALF OF D-WAVE GOVERNMENT INC.) | PLURUS STRATEGIES, LLC | $30,000 |
| ML STRATEGIES, LLC (ON BEHALF OF PRICESMART, INC.) | PLURUS STRATEGIES, LLC | $20,000 |
| NLMK PENNSYLVANIA | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | $10,000 |
| THE CORMAC GROUP, ON BEHALF OF TENDO | AMERICAN CAPITOL GROUP | undisclosed |
| AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE (API) | KELLER AND HECKMAN, LLP | undisclosed |
| LASSEN PEAK, INC. | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Diana Harshbarger, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
