ML20236R250

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Forwards for Signature Final Rule,To Be Published in Fr,That Amends 10CFR35 to Remove Ref to 5-yr Term Limit for Medical Use Licenses
ML20236R250
Person / Time
Issue date: 05/15/1998
From: Paperiello C
NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To: Callan L
NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
Shared Package
ML20236R069 List:
References
FRN-63FR31604, RULE-PR-35 AF77-2-013, AF77-2-13, NUDOCS 9807210322
Download: ML20236R250 (37)


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20565 4001 4F 7 7- }

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  1. May 15, 1998 MEMORANDUM TO: L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Operations 1 FROM: Carl J. Paperiello, Director I Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

SUBJECT:

LICENSE TERM FOR MEDICAL USE LICENSES -

10 CFR PART 35 Attached for your signature is a final rule (Attatchment 1), to be published in the Federal Reaister. that amends 10 CFR Part 35 to remove the reference to the 5-year term limit for medical use licenses. This action mdes the license terms for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35 consistent with the license terms for other materials licenses.

Background:

On July 31,1997, the proposed rule revising 10 CFR 35.18 to eliminate the 5-year terrn limit for medical use licenses was published for comment in the Federal Register (62 FR 40975). The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) received five letters of comment addressing the proposed rule. The " Statement of Considerations" for the final rule contains a discussion of the comments received.

Notices: The appropriate Congressional committees will be notified (Attatchment 2), and the transmittalletters pursuant to the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act of 1996 (SBREFA) are provided (Attatchment 3). A notice to the Commission that the Executive Director for Operations has signed the attached Federal Register notice is attached for inclusion in the " Daily Staff Notes" (Attatchment 4). The approval for publication is also attached (Attachment 5).

Resources: No additional resources will be needed to implement this rule. 1 Coordination: The Offices of Administration, Enforcement, and State Programs concur with these amendments. The Office of the General Counsel has no legal objection. The Office of

'l the Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this paper for resource implications and has no objections. The Office of the Chief Information Officer has reviewed the final rule for information technology and information management implications and concurs with it.

Attachments:

1. Federal Register Notice of Final Rulemaking and disk  ;
2. Congressional Letters  !

l 3. SBREFA Letters

( 4. Daily Staff Notes item l 5. Approval for Publication l

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MEMORANDUM TO: L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Operations FROM: Carl J. Paperiello, Director (0RIGINAL SIGNED BY)

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

SUBJECT:

LICENSE TERM FOR MEDICAL USE LICENSES - 10 CFR PART 35 i

' Attached for your signature is a final rule (Attatchment 1), to be published in the Federal Register, that amends 10 CFR Part 35 to remove the reference to the 5-year term limit for medical use licenses. This action makes the license terms for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35 consistent with the license terms for other materials licenses.

Backaround: On July 31,1997, the proposed rule revising 10 CFR 35.18 to eliminate the 5-year term limit for medical use licenses was published for comment in the Federal Reaister (62 FR 40975). The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission received five letters of comment addressing the proposed rule. The " Statement of Considerations" for the final rule contains a discussion of the comments received.

Notices: The appropriate Congressional committees will be i.otified (Attatchment 2), and the transmittal letters pursuant to the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act of 1996 (SBREFA) are provided (Attatchment 3). A notice to the Commission that the Executive Director for Operations has signed the attached Federal Register notice is attached for inclusion in the

  • Daily Staff Notes"(Attatchment 4). The approved for publication is also attached (Att. 5).

Epsources: No additional resources will be needed to ir ,..s: tent this rule.

Coordination: The Offices of Administration, Enforcement, and State Programs concur with these amendments. The Office of the General Counsel has no legal objection. The Office of the Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this paper for resource implications and has no objections. The Office of the Chief Information Officer has reviewed the final rule for information technology and information management implications and concurs with it.

Attachments: 1. Federal Register Notice of Final Rulemaking and disk

2. Congressional Letters
3. SBREFA Letters
4. Daily Staff Notes item
5. Approval for Publication DISTRIBUTION- NMsS9800036/EDO 9700010 CPapenello JPice.:one CPoland NMs3 Files IMNs r# NRC Central File DACool PHolahan JMcCausland EDO r# PTressler NMSS Ticket No. 970036
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, DATE: 03/30198 04 / 03 /98 04 /03 /98 5/12/98 OFFICE: TECH ED D/N Q NAME: *EKraus (e-rnail) CPa 1 DATE: 05/07/98 05/ 198 l

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY NMsS FILE CODE NO.:

5-07-1998 2:47PM FRifi FETZER-KRAUS. INC. 202 537 5133 P. 2 MEMOf(ANDUM TO; L Jose;4 Callan Executive Director for Operations FROM: CarlJ. Paperiello. Director Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

SUBJECT:

UCENSE TERM FOR MEDICAL USE UCENSES - 10 CFR PART 35 Attached for your signature is a final rule (Attachment 1), to be published in the Federal O ,

Register. that amends 10 CFR Part 35 to remove the reference to the 5-year term hmit for l g'nical use licenses. This actionnse makes theother terms for license terms materials for licenses issued pursuant to 16 ,.

licenses.

L-- ,Part 35 consistent with u.s-Background On July 3 ,199 proposed rule revising 10 CFR 35.18 to eliminate the o fh(f 5-year term limit for ical use licenses was published for comment in the Fedetal Recister go (62 FR 40975). T uclear Regulatory Commission.(stefreceived five letters of comment M y

addressin0 the proposed rule. The

  • Statement of Considerations" for M-' rule contains a discussion of the comments received.

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< Y j M Nouces The appropriate Congressional committee (Attachments 2 and 3). A notice to the Commission that the Executsve Directo Ior Operations has signed the attached i p

Eadsall Registar notice is attached for inclusion in the ' Daily Staff Notes" (Attachment 4). The t ,3 approved for publication is also attached (Attachment 5). -

Resourcat. No additional resources will be needed to implement this rule.

Coordination: The Offices of Administration. Enforcement, and State Programs concu these amendments. The Office of the General Counsel has no legal objection. The Office of i Chief Financial Officar has reviewed this paper for resource implications and has no objections. The Office of the Chiefinformation Officer has review the final rule for information technology and information management implications and neu it.

w1W Attachments: 1. Faderst Reais No ce of F al 9 Rulemaking and d$k \ A 4'5 4o 2.

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5. Approvalfor Publication DISTRIBUTION: (0.\MCCAUSLA\ FINAL.,35.EDO) l CPaperiello JPiccone CPoland NMS$ Fies DACool PHotahan JMCausland *$ee previous concurrences i.

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Mr. Robert P. Murphy GeneralCounsel General Accounting OfRoe Room 7175 ,

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Dear Mr. Murphy Pursuant to Suttitle E of the Small Business Regulatory nforcement Faimess Act of 1996, 5 is submitting a final rule to remove 4he--

hs U.S.C. 801, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commi year heense term for medical use licenses in NRC's 10 CFR Port 35. Ucanse terms for l hoenses issued pursuant to Part 36 will be est try policy, as are the license terms for other

{M~h matenais hcenses. This amendment reduces the administrative burden of a 5-year license for both NRC and the heensee and supports NRC's goal of streamlining the license process.

l- pk.4 4 ptt We have determmed that this rule is not a *malior rule,* as denned in 5 U.S.C. 804(2). We have I g" confirmed this determination with the OfRoe of Management and Budget.

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Enclosed is a copy of the final ruie'that is being transmitted to the Office of the Federal Register j for publicahon The " Regulatory Analysis *

  • included in the final rule This final rule is l acheduled to become effaceve 30 days after publication in the Federal Register Sincerely,
Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congr onal Affairs j Enclosure. FinalRule 7 l,f*/

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identicalletters sont to: The Hon. Al Gore and The Hon. Newt Gingrich fl' f DOCUME.NT NAME: 0;WCCAUSLAPINAL,.35. SBR , gf #"/ ,pl*'

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The Honorable James M. Inhofe, Chairman Subcommittee on Clean Air, Wetlands, ,

Private Property and Nudear Safety j Commsttee on Ermronment and Public )

United States Senate Washington, DC 20510

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Dear Mr. Chairman pcr Y The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissior adondsgoorrto publis n the Federal Raa6+% v m ) ,

enclosed final amendment to the Commission's rules in 10 CFR PNrt 35. The amendmed removes the 5-year license term for medcal use licenses. License term @r licenses issued pursuant to Part 3 11 be set by polcy, as are the license terms for othermaterials licenses. bIdMy This amendment reduces the siPWrative burden of a 5-year license term for both NRC and the licensee and supports NRC's goal of streamlining the licensing process without any adverse impact on the health and safety of worteers or the public. ,

Sincerely, 7 L*

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ge Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs ,

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I ATTACHMENT 1 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 10 CFR Part 35 RIN 3150-AF77 License Term for Medical Use Licerises AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is amending its regulations pertaining to the l

medical use of byproduct material to eliminate the 5-year term limit for medical use licenses.

License terms for licenses issued under these regulations will be set by policy. Other materials i licenses are issued for up to 10 years. The NRC will issue some licenses for shorter terms if warranted by the individual circumstances of license applicants. The amendment reduces the administrative burden of license renewals on a 5-year cycle for both NRC and licensees and supports NRC's goal of streamlining the licensing process.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation becomes effective on (30 days following publication in the l

Federal Register).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jayne M. McCausland, Office of Nuclear Materia!

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Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, 1 I

telephone (301) 415-6219, e-mail JMM2 @ nrc. gov.

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s SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background.

II. Discussion.

Ill. Statement of Regulatory Action.

IV. - Summary of Public Comments.

V. Agreement State Compatibility.

VI. Finding of No Significant EnvironmentalImpact: Availability.

Vil. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement.

Vill. Regulatory Analysis.

IX. Regulatory Flexibility Certification.

X. Backfit Analysis.

1. Background

in 1995, the NRC's Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) initiated a t

review to determine whether the license term for materials licenses could be lengthened so that NRC's licensing resources could be redirected to other areas of the materials program. At that time, the resources devoted to renewals constituted over 50 percent of the total resources expended for licensing. NMSS undertook this review as a part of NRC's " business process redesign" efforts.

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The license renewal process has been used as an opportunity for the Commission to review the history of the licensee's operating performance (e.g., the record on compliance with regulatory requirements) and the licensee's overall materials safety program. This review is performed to ascertain if the licensee employs up-to-date technology and practices in the protection of health, safety, and the environment, and complies with any new or amended regulations. As part of a license renewal, the licensee is asked to provide information on the current status of its program as well as any proposed changes in operations (types and quantities of authorized materials), personnel (authorized users and radiation safety officers),

facility, equipment, or applicable procedures. The renewal process has been perceived to benefit both the licensee and NRC because it requires both to take a comprehensive look at the licensed operation. However, in practice, comprehensive program reviews occur when proposed changes are identified and requested by licensees as license amendments rather than during the license renewal process.

License terms have been reviewed on numerous occasions since 1967. On May 12, 1967 (32 FR 7172), the Commission amended 10 CFR Part 40 to eliminate a 3-year limit on the term of source material licenses. At that time, there was no restriction on the term of byproduct I licenses under 10 CFR Part 30 or special nuclear material licenses under 10 CFR Part 70. In the notice of proposed rulemaking associated with amending 10 CFR Part 40, dated December 22,1966, NRC indicated that if the proposed amendment to eliminate the 3-year restriction were adopted, licenses would be issued for 5-year terms, except when the nature of the applicant's proposed activities indicated a need for a shorter license period. At that time, the Commission believed there was little justification for granting licenses under 10 CFR Parts 30,40, and 70 for terms of less than 5 years, in view of the cumulative experience up to that i

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9 time and the means available to NRC to suspend, revoke. or modify such licenses if public health and safety or environment so required.

In March 1978, NMSS conducted a study (SECY-78-284, "The License Renew Study for Parts 30,40, and 70 Licenses") to consider changing the 5-year renewal period for Parts 30, 40, and 70 licenses. The study concluded, in part, that the NRC should continue its practice of issuing specific licenses for 5-year terms and should retain an option to write licenses for shorter terms, if deemed necessary, for new types of operations or if circumstances warranted.

On July 26,1985 (50 FR 30616), NRC proposed revising 10 CFR Part 35, " Medical Use of Byproduct Material." The proposed rulemaking indicated that the Commission had selected a term of five yearc for a license. It was believed that a term shorter than 5 years would not benefit health and safety because past experience indicated that medical programs did not generally change significantly over that period of time. The notice also indicated that a longer term may occasionally result in unintentional abandonment of the license. On October 16,1986 (51 FR 36932), NRC issued the final rule that consolidated and clarified radiation safety requirements related to the medical use of byproduct materials, and included a license term of 5  !

years.

On June 19,1990 (55 FR 24948), the Commission announced that the license term for major operating fuel cycle licensees (i.e., licenses issued pursuant to 10 CFR Parts 40 or 70) would be increased from a 5-year term to a 10 year term at the next renewal of the affected licenses. This change enabled NRC resources to be used to improve the licensing and inspection programs. The bases for this change were that major operating fuel cycle facilities l

had become stable in terms of significant changes to their licenses and operations and that i

. licensees would be required to update the safety demonstration sections of their licenses every 2 years.

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l On July 2,1996, the Commission approved the NRC staff's proposal to extend the license term for uranium recovery facilities from 5 years to 10 years. Extending the license term reduces the administrative burden associated with the license renewal process for both the NRC staff and the uranium recovery licensees. Also, the extension reduces licensee fees, makes the license term for these facilities more commensurate with the level of risk, and I

supports NRC's goal of streamlining the licensing process. Licensees were informed of the extensions in July 1996.

On February 6,1997 (62 FR 5656), the Commission gave notice that the license term for materials licenses issued pursuant to 10 CFR Parts 30. 40, or 70 would be increased from a 5-year term to up to a 10-year term at the next renewal of the affected licenses. However, L

whereas the 10-year term for other licenses was set by this policy, the term for licenses issued I pursuant to 10 CFR Part 35 was established by regulation at 5 years.

On July 31,1997 (62 FR 40975), the NRC published a proposed rule to revise 10 CFR Part 35 to eliminate the 5-year term limit in 10 CFR 35.18 for medical use licenses. The term for medical licenses could then be set by policy for up to 10 years. The NRC could issue a license for a shorter term, depending on the individual circumstances of the license applicant.

l The public comment period closed on October 14,1997. A summary of the public comments is provided in Section IV, below.

1 II. Discussion i 1

The change described above (i.e., increasing the license term for materials licenses I

issued under 10 CFR Parts 30,40, and 70 to up to 10 years) has created an inconsistency between the license terms for medical use and nonmedical use materiils licenses. NRC l

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3 believes that the license duration period for medical use licenses may also be extended without adverse impacts on public health and safety, such as increases in tha Unintentional abandonment of licensed material or decreases in the licensees' attention to licensed activities, for the following reasons:

(1) Licensees would continue to be required to adhere to the regulations and their license conditions, and to apply for license amendments for certain proposed changes to their programs; (2) No changes in either the frequency or elements of the medical inspection program are being proposed; (3) NRC would continue to be in a position to identify, by inspection or other means, violations of its regulations or the license conditions that affect public health and safety, and to take appropriate enforcement actions; (4) Cases of abandonment of NRC licenses would be identified through nonpayment of the annuallicensing fees and regional NRC office follow-up; (5) The NRC staff would continue to make licensees aware of health and safety issues through the issuance of generic communications (such as information notices, generic letters, bulletins, and the NMSS Licensee Newsletter); and (6) NRC is moving to a more performance-based regulatory approach, where emphasis is placed on the licensee's execution of commitments rather than on rereview of the details of the licensee's program.

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Ill. Statement of Regulatory Action The NRC is revising Part 35 to eliminate the 5-year term limit in 10 CFR 35.18 for i

i medical use licenses so that the term for medical use licenses will be set by policy.

IV. Discussion of Public Comments Five letters of public comment were received on the proposed rule. Comments were received from National Physics Consultants, Ltd., the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Cincinnati, and the American Hospital Association.

All commenters fully supported the proposed amendment to eliminate the reference to the 5-year term limit for medical use licenses in 10 CFR 35.18. In addition, the commenters endorsed the change in license terms for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35, to be set by policy for as many as 10 years, as are the license terms for other material licenses.

In general, commenters disparaged the license renewal process, on a 5-year frequency, as requiring a significant expenditure of time and fees with minimal benefit, and suoported NRC's proposal to eliminate this requirement, citing a reduction of staff time and costs for both the NRC and individuallicensees with no decrease in public health and safety. Commenters

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recognized that the NRC may issue some licenses for shorter terms if warranted by the individual circumstances of license applicants.

One commenter stated that routine license reviews by the local Radiation Safety Committee will ensure operation of a radiation safety program that protects public health and safety.

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Anoth commenter indicated that because the NRC is in contact with the licensees on i

an ongoing basis, any changes in operations, personnel, facility, equipment, or applicable procedures are identified during the inspection and license amendment process.

One of the commenters agreed that the radiation safety programs at most medical facilities are very stable and pointed out that significant changes in the radiation safety program require license amendments.

Another commenter recommended that NRC extend the license term for medical use licenses from 5 years to 10 years as soon as possible to reduce the license fees and achieve further cost savings. This commenter expressed support for the NRC's " business process l

redesign" efforts to reduce both the administrative burden of license renewals and license fees.

According to the commenter, this will allow that organization's members to redirect their 1

resources to support and implement NRC's initiative to move to a more performance-based i

regulatory approach.

1 V. Compatibility for Agreement States ,

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This rulemaking will be a matter of compatibility between the NRC and the Agreement States. Compatibility Category D has been assigned to the changes in 10 CFR 35.18.

Category D means the provisions are not required for purposes of compatibility. No problems have been identified regarding Agreement State compatibility implementation of this rule l

change.

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w-________-_-___-__________.

1 VI. EnvironmentalImpact: Categorical Exclusion The Commission has determined that this final rule is the type of action described in categorical exclusion 10 CFR 51.22(c)(3)(i) for amendments to Part 35 that relate to renewals of licenses. Therefore, neither an environmental statement nor an environmental assessment has been prepared for this final regulation. ,

Vll. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement This final rule reduces the burden for both medicallicensees and the NRC because license terms for Part 35 licensees could be established by policy, for as many as 10 years, as is the case for other materials licensees. However, the reduced burden from less frequent license renewal will not be realized in the near future because the affected licenses are operating under a 5-year extension of current licenses granted in 1995. The impact of that one-time extension is addressed in the current supporting statement for NRC Form 313, " Application for Material License," which was approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Clearance No. 3150-0120 and which expires on July 31,1999. The data on reduced burden from extension of the license term for all materiallicenses and from other actions taken to streamline the licensing process will be included in the request for renewal of the information collection requirements on NRC Form 313 in 1999. This is appropriate because I

the next OMB clearance extension will cover 1999-2002, when the medical licer. es currently under the 5-year extension will expire and will be affected by this rulemaking. Send comments on any aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for further reducing the burden, to the information and Records Management Branch (T-6F33), U.S. Nuclear 9

o Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or by Internet electronic mail at BJS1@NRC. GOV; and to the Desk Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, NEOB-10202 (3150-0014), Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503.

Public Protection Notification if a document used to impose an information collection does not display a currently valid OMB control number, the NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, the information collection.

Vill. Regulatory Analysis Problem The current rule requirement, regarding the term of medical licenses, is codified in 10 CFR 35.18 and states that "The Commission shall issue a license for the medical use of byproduct material for a term of five years." The license term of other materials licenses, as established by Commission policy, is up to 10 years. There is an inconsistency as to duration and manner of specifying the license terms of medical use licenses and all other materials licenses. Based on the above, the following options were considered.

Altemative Approaches

1. Take no action: Maintain the requirement that licenses issued pursuant to Part 35 would be issued for 5 years.

This option would continue the inconsistencies between medical licenses and all other l

f materials licenses as to the duration and specification of license terms. Terms for medical use 10 L -- - /

t licenses are established in codified regulations, wi ereas the term for other materials licenses is now set by policy. Also, this option would result in disparities in the duration of the term for materials licenses. Medical use licenses would continue to be issued for 5-year terms whereas ths duration of the term for other materials licenses is up to 10 years.

2. Revise 10 CFR 35.18: Revise the regulations to delete any reference to the license term for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35.

This option would result in consistency between how license terms for medical licenses and all other materials licenses are established and in the duration of these licenses.

Commission decisions regarding the duration of a materials license could therefore apply uniformly to all types of materials licenses. After final rulemaking action to revise 10 CFR 35.18, the license term for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35 would be set by the already established policy for as many as 10 years.

Value andImpact The license renewal process is resource-intensive for both the licensee and NRC. At the time of license renewal, licensees submit to NRC any changes in operations, personnel, facility, equipment, or applicable procedures. Because NRC is in contact with the licensees on an ongoing basis, many of these changes are identified during the inspection and license amendment process. Therefore, the rulemaking to remove the 5-year license term for medical use of byproduct material would not change the health and safety requirements imposed on licensees.

l By removing the reference to the 5-year term in 10 CFR 35.18 and, with the

l. Commission's February 1997 extension of the license term for as many as 10 years for all materials licenses issued pursuant to Parts 30,40, and 70, there is a reduction in the regulatory burden for approximately 1,900 NRC licensees that use byproduct material for medical 11

9 procedures. Estimated savings are based on the assumption that these licensees would only be required to submit a renewal application every 10 years as opposed to every 5 years, resulting, on average, in a savings of 190 applications per year. However, offsetting these savings, medical licensees may need to submit an average of one additional amendment during the 10-year period to account for changes in operations that would have routinely been addressed when the license was renewed on a 5-year cycle. Assuming that a typicallicense e renewal application and typical amendment involves 19 hours2.199074e-4 days <br />0.00528 hours <br />3.141534e-5 weeks <br />7.2295e-6 months <br /> and 4 hours4.62963e-5 days <br />0.00111 hours <br />6.613757e-6 weeks <br />1.522e-6 months <br /> of licensee lyp ) id \

professional effort, respectively, there would be a net savings per licensee of 15 hours1.736111e-4 days <br />0.00417 hours <br />2.480159e-5 weeks <br />5.7075e-6 months <br />. Based on an industry professionallabor rate of $125 per hour, the annualindustry-wide savings would approximate $356,000. Over a 30-year time frame, based on a 7-percent real discount rate, the present worth savings to industry would approximate $4.4 million.

Similarly, this rulemaking is also cost effective for the NRC because fewer resources )y would be required to review and process renewal applications. On average, it takes  %

approximately 14 hours1.62037e-4 days <br />0.00389 hours <br />2.314815e-5 weeks <br />5.327e-6 months <br /> of NRC professionhi time to renew a medicallicense and 4 hours4.62963e-5 days <br />0.00111 hours <br />6.613757e-6 weeks <br />1.522e-6 months <br /> to Vb review and issue a license amendment. This means a net savings to the NRC of 10 hours1.157407e-4 days <br />0.00278 hours <br />1.653439e-5 weeks <br />3.805e-6 months <br /> per licensee. Assuming an NRC labor rate of $125 per hour, and on average,190 applications per 6p9n )

year, the annual NRC savings would equal $237,000. The 30-year present worth savings to the i NRC would approximate $2.9 million.

Conclusion This rulemaking, to remove the 5-year license term for medical use of byproduct material, is promulgated so the term for medical licenses will be consistent with that of other materials licenses (set by policy to be as many as 10 years). The extension will reduce the administrative burden of license renewals for both NRC and licensees and will support NRC's goal of streamlining the licensing process without any reduction in health and safety. NRC may 12 l

L issue some licenses for shorter terms if warranted by the individual circumstances of license applicants.

DecisionalRationale Based on the desire to reduce burden whenever it is possible to do so without reducing protection of public health and safety, to maintain consistency among license terms for materials licensees, and the cost effectiveness of longer license terms, the NRC is amending 10 CFR Part 35 to eliminate the 5-year term limit for medical use licenses and allow the !icense l term to be set by policy, as is the case for other materials licenses.

l IX. Regulatory Flexibility Certification As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980,5 U.S.C. 605(b), the Commission certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. By removing the reference to the 5-year license term in 10 CFR 35.18, the 1

i duration of medical use licenses will be set by policy, resulting in a reduction in the regulatory l

l burden for NRC medical use licensees.

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X, Backfit Analysis l'

The NRC has determined that the backfit rule,10 CFR 50.109, does not apply to this final rule and, therefore, that a backfit analysis is not required for this final rule because the amendment does not involve any provision that would impose backfits as defined in 10 CFR 50.109(a)(1).

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Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act in accordance with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, the NRC has determined that this action is not a " major rule" and has verified this determination with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 35 Byproduct material, Criminal penalties, Drugs, Health facilities, Health professions, Medical devices, Nuclear materials, Occupational safety and health, Radiation protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended, and 5 U.S.C.

552 and 553, the NRC is adopting the following amendment to 10 CFR Part 35.

1 PART 35 -- MEDICAL USE OF BYPRODUCT MATERIAL I

1. The authority citation for Part 35 continues to read as follows:

AUTHORITY: Secs. 81,161,182,133, 68 Stat. 935, 948, 953, 954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2111,2201,2232,2233); sec. 201,88 Stat.1242, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5841).

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}

2. The introductory text of S 35.18 is revised to read as follows:

$_35.18 License issuance.

The Commission shall issue a license for the medical use of byproduct materialif:

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this day of 1998.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

L. Joseph Callan, Executive Director for Operations.

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2. The introductory text of 9 35.18 is revised to read as follows:

6 35.18 License issuance.

The Commission shall issue a license for the medical use of byproduct material if:

e e e e e Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this day of 1998.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Origi=1 Signed by L.J.CaHan L. Joseph Callan, Executive Director for Operations.

RECORD NOTE: A Copy of this final rule was sent to OlG for information on April 9,1998.

Di:tribution:(0:\MCCAUSLA\ FINAL 35.FRN)

  • See previous concurrence.

Ta recolve a co y of thle document. Indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure "E" dpwwlth attachment / enclosure "N" = No copy orriCE Ros:iMus I espinNs I gs:insp D I D:iMO-NAISE: 'JhecCausland Mn JP @ohb' '

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NAME: 'RBangart(14emo) 'JLloberman (Memo) "JGrey *EHalmen (Memo) '8JShelton (Memo)

DATE: 04127 198 04 / 28 198 051 D8 / 98 04127198 04116198 DEDR E NARAE: "JLFunches (e-malt) C% bpln' HThorrlbW LJQallarA DATE: D4129198 91 { 198 41 l 4 198 iVf.f 198 DFFICIAL RECORD COPY (NMss File Code) ,,,,,,,,,

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2. The introductory text of 9 35.18 is revised to read as follows:

6 35.18 License issuRDGR.

The Commission shallis ue a license for the medical use of b roduct materialif:

e . . .

Dated at Rockville, ryland, this day of 1998.

For the Nuci r Regulatory Commission.

I

)

L Joseph Callan, cutive Director for Operations.

I RECORD N TE: A copy of is final rule was sent to OlG for information on .

/

Distribution: (0:\MCCAUSLA\ FINAL _35.FRN Tm receive a co w of thle document, Indicate in the Ims: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure "E" = C with attachment /enclaure "N" = No copy OFFICE RGB:lRANS q l RGB:lRAN5 l RGB:lRANS l TECH ED \l D:ltANS:NIASS I N 4RAE: JtAcCausland fy)t.,Ms PHolahan JPnccone EKraus '\ DCool DATE: 198 f i 198 f its 1 198 \ f 198 OFFICE: D:OSP l Ot: R NARAE: RBangart JLloberman JGray W/d//u ,6 Dthyer $

BJShelton  !

DATE: i 198 # 198 4'i o 1 98 7 198 1 198 I DEDR I E NARAE: JLFunches CPapertello HThompson LJCallan l DATE: 1 198 i 198 1 198 f 19 8  !

OFFiclAL RECORD COPY  ;

(NMss File Code) __, j i

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s

2. The introductory text of 9 35.18 is revised to read as follows:

$ 35.18 License issuance.

The Commission shall issue a license for the medical use of byproduct material if:

e e . . .

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this day of 1998.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

L. Joseph Callan, Executive Director for Operations.

RECORD NOTE: A copy of this final rule was sent to OlG for information on April 9,1998.

Di;tribution: (0:\MCCAUSLA\ FINAL _35.FRN)

  • See previous concurrence.

Ta receive a co 4 of this document. Indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure "E" dpiir ithwattachment / enclosure "N" = No copy OFFICE RGS:IMNS QB:q Q

[._ /F=t#ANS l l D:16fM NAME: 'JI8cCausland Man JP d'ohb' ' ' DC W I~ W DATE: 03 130 198 C f 1,L /98 ft\lQt98 5 \ 7 /98 /

OFFICE: D:OSP l D:OE l OGC l ADM l OClO l NAME: "RBangart(Memo) 'JLieberman (Memo) *JGray *EHalman (Memo) *SJShelton (Memo)

DATE: 04127198 - 04128 138 05106198 04 127 198 04115198 55 l EDO I l NAME: 'JL>unches (e-mail) CP,a insp]b HThompson LJCallan DATE: 04 1 29 198 91 '( 19 8 1 19 8 1 19 8 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY (NMss File Code) ,,

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ATTACHMENT 2 CONGRESSIONAL LETTERS

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/,[ 4 UNITED STATES g g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 2 WASHINGTON, D.C. 2055tH1001 )

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l The Honorable James M. Inhofe, Chairman Subcommittee on Clean Air, Watlands, Private Property and Nuclear Safety Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) intends to publish, shortly, in the Federal Reaister. the enclosed final amendment to the Commission's rules in 10 CFR Part 35. The amendment removes the 5-year license term for medical use licenses. License terms, for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35, will be set by policy, as are the license terms for other materials licenses.

This amendment reduces the administrative burden of a 5-year license term for both NRC and the licensee and supports NRC's goal of streamlining the !. censing process wi".hout any adverse impact on the health and safety of workers or the public.

Sincerely, Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs

Enclosure:

Federal Reaister Notice cc: Senator Bob Graham l

The Honorable James M. Inhofe, Chairman Subcommittee on Clean Air, Wetlands, r'tivate Property and Nuclear Safety Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) intends to publish, s. .;,tly, in the Federal Reaister. the enclosed final amendment to the Commission's rules in 10 CFR Part 35. The amendment removes the 5-year license term for medical use licenses. License terms, for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35, will be set by policy, as are the license terms for other .

materials licenses.

This, amendment reduces the administrative burden of a 5-year license term for both NRC and the licensee and supports NRC's goal of streamlining the licensing process without any adverse impact on the health and safety of workers or the public.

Sincerely, Dennis K Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs

Enclosure:

Identicalletter sent to: The Hon. Dan Schaeffer Federal Reaister Notice Chairman, Subcommittee on Energy and Power cc: Senator Bob Graham DISTRIBUTION: [O:\MCCAUSLA\ FINAL _35. CON)

CJPaperiello DACool JPiccone PHolahan JMcCausland

  • See previous concurrences.
v. .....,,oei,,. c. ... . C ..ogy.,ino ..cs .,.ocio.u e . copy . .cn .,.ocio..,.. N.No.0,y OFFtCE: ROMMNS RGMWNS RGMMNS OflMNS/N M NAME- *JMcC.ual.nd *PHol.h.n *JPiccon.

DATE: 0313010e 04 # 03 fee 04 f 03 fee i fee OFFICE TECH ED DrNMSS OCA NAME: *EK,.u. (E 4n.il) CP.p.n.llo DR.thbun DAff: 06107 fee # see i tee NMSS FILE CODE NO.:

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jap t'eg 3 4 UNITED STATES t g g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION I o, f WASHINGTON, D.C. 20666-4001 s,...../

The Honorable Dan Schaefer, Chairman Subcommittee on Energy and Power Committee on Commerce United States House of Representatives i Washington, DC 20515 l

Dear Mr. Chairman:

l The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) intends to publish, shortly, in the Federal Register. the enclosed final amendment to the Commission's rules in 10 CFR Part 35. The l

amendment removes the 5-year license term for medical use licenses. License terms, for l licenses issued pursuant to Part 35, will be set by policy, as are the license terms for other materials licenses.

This amendment reduces the administrative burden of a 5-year license term for both NRC and the licensee and supports NRC's goal of streamlining the licensing process without any adverse impact on the health and safety of workers or the public.

, Sincerely, Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs

Enclosure:

Federal Register Notice cc: Representative Ralph Hall l

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ATTACHMENT 3 SBREFA LETTERS

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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o WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001

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Mr. Robert P. Murphy General Counsel General Accounting Office Room 7175 441 G. St., NW Washington, DC 20548

Dear Mr. Murphy:

Pursuant to Subtitle E of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. 801, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is submitting a final rule to remove the 5-year license term for medical use licenses in NRC's 10 CFR Part 35. License terms for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35 will be set by policy, as are the license terms for other materials licenses. This amendment reduces the administrative burden of a 5-year license term for both NRC and the licensee and supports NRC's goal of streamlining the license process.

We have determined that this rule is not a " major rule," as defined in 5 U.S.C 804(2). We have confirmed this determination with the Office of Management and Budget.

Enclosed is a copy of the final rule that is being transmitted to the Office of the Federal Register for publication. The ' Regulatory Analysis" is included in the final rule. This final rule is scheduled to become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Sincerely, Dennis K. Pathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs

Enclosure:

Final Rule l

,4 Mr. Robert P. Murphy General Counsel General Accounting Office Room 7175 441 G. St., NW Washington, DC 20548

Dear Mr. Murphy:

Pursuant to Subtitle E of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. 801, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is submitting a final rule to remove the 5-year license term for medical use licenses in NRC's 10 CFR Part 35. License terms for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35 will be set by policy, as are the license terms for other materials licenses. This amendment reduces the administrative burden of a 5-year license for both NRC and the licensee and supports NRC's goal of streamlining the license process.

We have determined that this rule is not a " major rule," as defined in 5 U.S.C. 804(2). We have confirmed this determination with the Office of Management and Budget.

Enclosed is a copy of the final rule that is being transmitted to the Office of the Federal Register for publication. The

  • Regulatory Analysis"is included in the final rule. This final rule is scheduled to become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Reaister.

Sincerely, Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs

Enclosure:

Final Rule Identicalletters sent to: The Hon. Al Gore and The Hon. Newt Gingrich DOCUMENT NAME: 0:\MCCAUSLA\ FINAL _35. SBR

  • See previous concurrences.

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[* k UNITED STATES j ,f j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON. D.C. ;3565 0001 o,

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The Honorable Al Gore President of the United States Senate Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. President:

Pursuant to Subtitle E of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. i'01, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is submitting a final rule to remove the 5-year license term for medical use licenses in NRC's 10 CFR Part 35. License terms for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35 will be set by policy, as are the license terms for other materials licenses. This amendment reduces the administrative burden of a 5-year license term for both NRC and the licensee and supports NRC's goal of streamlining the license process.

We have determined that this rule is not a " major rule," as defined in 5 U.S.C. 804(2). We have confirmed this determination with the Office of Management and Budget.

Enclosed is a copy of the final rule that is being transmitted to the Office of the Federal Register for publication. The " Regulatory Analysis" is included in the final rule. This final rule is scheduled to become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Reaister.

Sincerely, Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs

Enclosure:

Final Rule l

t L______________.____ __ -

~

s- Q Cig O* UNITED STATES j j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION o

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The Honorable Newt Gingrich Speaker of the United States <

House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Pursuant to Subtitle E of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. 801, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is submitting a final rule to remove the 5-year license term for medical use licenses in NRC's 10 CFR Part 35. License 1 terms for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35 will be set by policy, as are the license terms for other materials licenses. This amendment reduces the administrative burden of a 5-year license term for both NRC and the licensee and supports NRC's goal of streamlining the license process.

We have determined that this rule is not a " major rule," as defined in 5 U.S.C. 804(2). We have confirmed this determination with the Office of Management and Budget.

Enclosed is a copy of the final rule that is being transmitted to the Office of the Federal Register for publication. The " Regulatory Analysis" is included in the final rule. This final rule is scheduled to become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Reaister.

Sincerely, Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs

Enclosure:

Final Rule

a-ATTACHMENT 4 DAILY STAFF NOTES ITEM

(

DAILY STAFF NOTES OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS Final Rule Sianed by EDO On hm 20 .1998, the Executive Director for Operations approved a final rule, "Licent() Term for Medical Use Licenses," that amends 10 CFR 35.18 by removing the reference to a 5-year license term for medical use licenses. License terms for licenses issued pursuant to Part 35 will be set by policy, up to 10 years, as are the license terms for other materials licenses.

This notice informs the Commission that, in accordance with the rulemaking authority delegated to the EDO, the EDO has signed this final rule and proposes to forward it on MoA O 9 .1998, to the Office of the Federal Register for publication, unless otherwiseQirected by the Commission.

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4-ATTACHMENT 5 APPROVAL FOR PUBLICATION l

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6 6-Acoroved for Publication l The Commission delegated to the EDO (10 CFR 1.31(c)) the authority to develop and promulgate rules as defined in the APA (5 U.S.C. 551 (4)) subject to the limitations in NRC Management Directive 9.17. Organization and Functions, Office of the Executive Director for Operations, paragraphs 0213,038,039, and 0310.

The enclosed final rule, " License Term for Medical Use Licenses" amends 10 CFR 35.18 to remove the reference to a 5-year license term for medical use licenses. This rule makes the term for medical licenses consistent with that of other materials licenses which has been set by policyt u;; M 10 yuan,. The extension reduces the administrative burden of a 5-year license term for both NRC and the licensee and supports NRC's goal of streamlining the licensing process without any reduction in health and safety.- NRC may issue some licenses for shorter terms, if warranted by the individual circumstances of license applicants.

This final rule does not constitute a significant question of policy, nor does it amend regulations contained in 10 CFR Parts 7,8, or 9 (Subpart C) concerning matters of policy. I, therefore, find that this rule is within the scope of my rulemaking authority and am proceeding to issue it.

Date L. Joseph Callan, Executive Director for Operations.

I