# Plain Language Summary: Strengthening the NRC Workforce Act of 2023

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is the federal agency responsible for overseeing nuclear power plants and nuclear materials to keep Americans safe. This bill gives the NRC's leadership more flexibility to hire and pay talented workers, especially scientists, engineers, and other specialized professionals who are hard to find and recruit.

Right now, the NRC has to follow the same federal hiring and pay rules as most government agencies. These rules can make it difficult to compete with private companies that offer higher salaries for the same skilled workers. This bill lets the NRC's chairman bypass some of those restrictions when there's a serious shortage of qualified candidates. For example, if the chairman certifies there's a critical need for nuclear engineers or safety experts, the NRC can directly hire people without going through the normal lengthy federal hiring process. The NRC can also offer new hires signing bonuses up to $25,000 and give performance bonuses up to $25,000 to exceptional employees. Additionally, the chairman can set higher salary levels for certain job categories if needed to attract and keep talented staff, without being limited by standard federal pay scales.

These special hiring and pay authorities aren't permanent—they last for five years at a time and can be renewed if the NRC still faces staffing challenges. The bill requires the NRC chairman to consult with the Office of Personnel Management (the federal agency that oversees government hiring) before making these decisions, and the chairman must report to Congress every two years about hiring trends and compensation efforts. This approach aims to help the NRC maintain a strong workforce to safely regulate the nation's nuclear facilities without requiring Congress to pass new laws each time staffing problems arise.

Strengthening the NRC Workforce Act of 2023

DeGette, Diana

Strengthening the NRC Workforce Act of 2023This bill authorizes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to address insufficient compensation of its personnel without regard to civil service laws. The NRC must consult with the Office of Personnel Management when making a determination of the appropriate compensation for its personnel.&nbsp;It also allows the NRC to respond to a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for certain positions by using direct hiring to carry out the NRC's responsibilities and activities.&nbsp;&nbsp;