US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 2121

Authority of Commission

(a)

Research and development; weapons production; hazardous wastes; transfers of technologies

The Commission is authorized to—
(1)
conduct experiments and do research and development work in the military application of atomic energy;
(2)
engage in the production of atomic weapons, or atomic weapon parts, except that such activities shall be carried on only to the extent that the express consent and direction of the President of the United States has been obtained, which consent and direction shall be obtained at least once each year;
(3)
provide for safe storage, processing, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste (including radioactive waste) resulting from nuclear materials production, weapons production and surveillance programs, and naval nuclear propulsion programs;
(4)
carry out research on and development of technologies needed for the effective negotiation and verification of international agreements on control of special nuclear materials and nuclear weapons; and
(5)
under applicable law (other than this paragraph) and consistent with other missions of the Department of Energy, make transfers of federally owned or originated technology to State and local governments, private industry, and universities or other nonprofit organizations so that the prospects for commercialization of such technology are enhanced.
(b)

Material for Department of Defense use

Provided, howeverThe President from time to time may direct the Commission (1) to deliver such quantities of special nuclear material or atomic weapons to the Department of Defense for such use as he deems necessary in the interest of national defense, or (2) to authorize the Department of Defense to manufacture, produce, or acquire any atomic weapon or utilization facility for military purposes: , That such authorization shall not extend to the production of special nuclear material other than that incidental to the operation of such utilization facilities.

(c)

Sale, lease, or loan to other Nations of materials for military applications

The President may authorize the Commission or the Department of Defense, with the assistance of the other, to cooperate with another nation and, notwithstanding the provisions of section 2077, 2092, or 2111 of this title, to transfer by sale, lease, or loan to that nation, in accordance with terms and conditions of a program approved by the President—
(1)
nonnuclear parts of atomic weapons provided that such nation has made substantial progress in the development of atomic weapons, and other nonnuclear parts of atomic weapons systems involving Restricted Data provided that such transfer will not contribute significantly to that nation’s atomic weapon design, development, or fabrication capability; for the purpose of improving that nation’s state of training and operational readiness;
(2)
utilization facilities for military applications; and
(3)
source, byproduct, or special nuclear material for research on, development of, production of, or use in utilization facilities for military applications; and
(4)
Provided, howeverAnd provided further source, byproduct, or special nuclear material for research on, development of, or use in atomic weapons: , That the transfer of such material to that nation is necessary to improve its atomic weapon design, development, or fabrication capability: , That such nation has made substantial progress in the development of atomic weapons,
Provided, howeversection 2153 of this titleAnd provided furtherwhenever the President determines that the proposed cooperation and each proposed transfer arrangement for the nonnuclear parts of atomic weapons and atomic weapons systems, utilization facilities or source, byproduct, or special nuclear material will promote and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to the common defense and security, while such other nation is participating with the United States pursuant to an international arrangement by substantial and material contributions to the mutual defense and security: , That the cooperation is undertaken pursuant to an agreement entered into in accordance with : , That if an agreement for cooperation arranged pursuant to this subsection provides for transfer of utilization facilities for military applications the Commission, or the Department of Defense with respect to cooperation it has been authorized to undertake, may authorize any person to transfer such utilization facilities for military applications in accordance with the terms and conditions of this subsection and of the agreement for cooperation.

Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, § 168 Stat. 936Pub. L. 85–479, § 172 Stat. 276Pub. L. 101–189, div. C, title XXXI, § 3157103 Stat. 1684Pub. L. 102–486, title IX, § 902(a)(8)106 Stat. 2944(, title I, § 91, as added , ; amended , , ; , , ; renumbered title I, , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

section 1806(a) of this titleProvisions similar to this section were contained in , prior to the general amendment and renumbering of act , by act .

Amendments

Pub. L. 101–1891989—Subsec. (a)(3) to (5). added pars. (3) to (5).

Pub. L. 85–4791958—Subsec. (c). added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Form of Certifications Regarding Safety or Reliability of Nuclear Weapons Stockpile

Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [div. C, title XXXI, § 3194]114 Stat. 1654section 4206 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(e)(7)117 Stat. 1759section 2526 of Title 50section 6118 of Title 10Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, § 3111(a)139 Stat. 1356, , , 1654A–481, which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by , , , and classified to , War and National Defense, and was repealed and restated as , Armed Forces, by , (b)(1), , , 1458.

Authority To Provide Certificate of Commendation to Department of Energy and Contractor Employees for Exemplary Service in Stockpile Stewardship and Security

Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [div. C, title XXXI, § 3195]114 Stat. 1654section 4605 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(i)(6)117 Stat. 1778section 2705 of Title 50section 6244 of Title 10Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, § 3111(a)139 Stat. 1417, , , 1654A–481, which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by , , , and classified to , War and National Defense, and was repealed and restated as , Armed Forces, by , (b)(1), , , 1458.

Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Life Extension Program

Pub. L. 106–65, div. C, title XXXI, § 3133113 Stat. 926section 4204 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(e)(5)(A)117 Stat. 1758section 2524 of Title 50section 6116 of Title 10Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, § 3111(a)139 Stat. 1352, , , which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by –(C), , , and classified to , War and National Defense, and was repealed and restated as , Armed Forces, by , (b)(1), , , 1458.

Report on Stockpile Stewardship Criteria

Pub. L. 105–261, div. C, title XXXI, § 3158112 Stat. 2257Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, § 1067(3)113 Stat. 774section 4202 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(e)(3)117 Stat. 1758section 2522 of Title 50section 6113 of Title 10Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, § 3111(a)139 Stat. 1345, , , as amended by , , , which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by , , , and classified to , War and National Defense, and was repealed and restated as , Armed Forces, by , (b)(1), , , 1458.

Panel To Assess the Reliability, Safety, and Security of the United States Nuclear Stockpile

Pub. L. 105–261, div. C, title XXXI, § 3159112 Stat. 2258Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, § 1067(3)113 Stat. 774Pub. L. 107–107, div. C, title XXXI, § 3156115 Stat. 1379Pub. L. 107–314, div. C, title XXXI, § 3175116 Stat. 2745

“(a)

Requirement for Panel .—

The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall enter into a contract with a federally funded research and development center to establish a panel for the assessment of the certification process for the reliability, safety, and security of the United States nuclear stockpile.
“(b)

Composition and Administration of Panel .—

(1)
The panel shall consist of private citizens of the United States with knowledge and expertise in the technical aspects of design, manufacture, and maintenance of nuclear weapons.
“(2)
The federally funded research and development center shall be responsible for establishing appropriate procedures for the panel, including selection of a panel chairman.
“(c)

Duties of Panel .—

Each year the panel shall review and assess the following:
“(1)
The annual certification process, including the conclusions and recommendations resulting from the process, for the safety, security, and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile of the United States, as carried out by the directors of the national weapons laboratories.
“(2)
The long-term adequacy of the process of certifying the safety, security, and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile of the United States.
“(3)
The adequacy of the criteria established by the Secretary of Energy pursuant to section 3158 [formerly set out as a note above] for achieving the purposes for which those criteria are established.
“(d)

Report .—

Not later than October 1 of 1999 and 2000, and not later than , the panel shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report setting forth its findings and conclusions resulting from the review and assessment carried out for the year covered by the report. The report shall be submitted in classified and unclassified form.
“(e)

Cooperation of Other Agencies .—

(1)
The panel may secure directly from the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, or any of the national weapons laboratories or plants or any other Federal department or agency information that the panel considers necessary to carry out its duties.
“(2)
For carrying out its duties, the panel shall be provided full and timely cooperation by the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Defense, the Commander of United States Strategic Command, the Directors of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the Sandia National Laboratories, the Savannah River Site, the Y–12 Plant, the Pantex Facility, and the Kansas City Plant, and any other official of the United States that the chairman of the panel determines as having information described in paragraph (1).
“(3)
The Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Defense shall each designate at least one officer or employee of the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, respectively, to serve as a liaison officer between the department and the panel.
“(f)

Funding .—

The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy shall each contribute 50 percent of the amount of funds that are necessary for the panel to carry out its duties. Funds available for the Department of Energy for the National Nuclear Security Administration shall be available for the Department of Energy contribution.
“(g)

Termination of Panel .—

The panel shall terminate .
“(h)

Initial Implementation .—

The Secretary of Defense shall enter into the contract required under subsection (a) not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act []. The panel shall convene its first meeting not later than 30 days after the date as of which all members of the panel have been appointed.
“(i)

Follow-Up Report .—

Not later than , the panel shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a follow-up report assessing progress toward meeting the expectations set forth by the panel for the United States stockpile stewardship program, and making recommendations for corrective legislative action where progress has been unsatisfactory.”
, , , as amended by , , ; , , ; , , , provided that:

Plan for Stewardship, Management, and Certification of Warheads in the Nuclear Weapons Stockpile

Pub. L. 105–85, div. C, title XXXI, § 3151111 Stat. 2041section 4203 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(e)(4)117 Stat. 1758section 2523 of Title 50section 6114 of Title 10Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, § 3111(a)139 Stat. 1346, , , which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by , , , and classified to , War and National Defense, and was repealed and restated as , Armed Forces, by , (b)(1), , , 1458.

Commission on Maintaining United States Nuclear Weapons Expertise

Pub. L. 104–201, div. C, title XXXI, § 3162110 Stat. 2843Pub. L. 105–85, div. C, title XXXI, § 3163111 Stat. 2049, , , as amended by , , , established the Commission on Maintaining United States Nuclear Weapons Expertise to develop a plan to attract qualified personnel to the nuclear weapons complex and directed the Commission to submit a report to the Secretary of Energy and to Congress by , 30 days after which the Commission would terminate.

Tritium Production Program

Pub. L. 104–106, div. C, title XXXI, § 3133110 Stat. 618section 4231 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(e)(16)(A)117 Stat. 1761section 2541 of Title 50section 6141 of Title 10Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, § 3111(a)139 Stat. 1372, , , which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by –(C), , , and classified to , War and National Defense, and was repealed and restated as , Armed Forces, by , (b)(1), , , 1458.

Manufacturing Infrastructure for Refabrication and Certification of Nuclear Weapons Stockpile

Pub. L. 104–106, div. C, title XXXI, § 3137110 Stat. 620Pub. L. 104–201, div. C, title XXXI, § 3132(a)110 Stat. 2829section 4212 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(e)(13)(A)117 Stat. 1760section 2532 of Title 50section 6122 of Title 10Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, § 3111(a)139 Stat. 1358, , , as amended by , (b), , , which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by –(C), , , and classified to , War and National Defense, and was repealed and restated as , Armed Forces, by , (b)(1), , , 1458.

Fellowship Program for Development of Skills Critical to Department of Energy Nuclear Weapons Complex

Pub. L. 104–106, div. C, title XXXI, § 3140110 Stat. 621Pub. L. 106–65, div. C, title XXXI, § 3162(a)113 Stat. 943section 4623 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(i)(10)117 Stat. 1779section 2723 of Title 50section 6253 of Title 10Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, § 3111(a)139 Stat. 1418, , , as amended by –(d), , , which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by , , , and classified to , War and National Defense, and was repealed and restated as , Armed Forces, by , (b)(1), , , 1458.

Study on Nuclear Test Readiness Postures

Pub. L. 104–106, div. C, title XXXI, § 3152110 Stat. 623Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [div. C, title XXXI, § 3192]114 Stat. 1654section 4208 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(e)(9)117 Stat. 1759section 2528 of Title 50Pub. L. 112–239, div. C, title XXXI, § 3133(e)(1)(A)126 Stat. 2192, , , as amended by , , , 1654A–480, which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by , , , and was classified to , War and National Defense, prior to repeal by , (2), , , 2193.

Report on Waste Streams Generated by Nuclear Weapons Production Cycle

Pub. L. 103–337, div. C, title XXXI, § 3154108 Stat. 3091, , , directed Secretary of Energy, not later than , to submit to Congress report containing description of all waste streams generated before 1992 during each step of complete cycle of production and disposition of nuclear weapon components by Department of Energy, with description for each such step to be based on unit of analysis appropriate for that step, and to include estimate of volume of waste generated per unit of analysis and analysis of characteristics of each waste stream.

Prohibition on Research and Development of Low-Yield Nuclear Weapons

Pub. L. 103–160, div. C, title XXXI, § 3136107 Stat. 1946Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3116(a)117 Stat. 1746, , , expressed policy of United States with respect to research and development of low-yield nuclear weapons, prior to repeal by , , .

Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3116(b)117 Stat. 1746

section 3136 of Pub. L. 103–160“Nothing in the repeal made by subsection (a) [repealing , formerly set out as a note above] shall be construed as authorizing the testing, acquisition, or deployment of a low-yield nuclear weapon.”
[, , , provided that: ]

Stockpile Stewardship Program

Pub. L. 105–85, div. C, title XXXI, § 3156111 Stat. 2045Pub. L. 105–261, div. C, title XXXI, § 3157112 Stat. 2257, , , expressed findings of Congress and policy of United States about the direction and conduct of the stockpile stewardship program, prior to repeal by , , .

Pub. L. 103–160, div. C, title XXXI, § 3138107 Stat. 1946Pub. L. 105–85, div. C, title XXXI, § 3152(e)111 Stat. 2042section 4201 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(e)(2)117 Stat. 1758section 2521 of Title 50section 6111 of Title 10Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, § 3111(a)139 Stat. 1344, , , as amended by , , , which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by , , , and classified to , War and National Defense, and was repealed and restated as , Armed Forces, by , (b)(1), , , 1458.

Limitations on United States Nuclear Weapons Testing

Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title II, § 261107 Stat. 1608

“(a)

Limitation on Obligation of Funds .—

section 507 of Public Law 102–377106 Stat. 1343The Secretary of Defense may not obligate funds in preparation for any activity of the Department of Defense, including the so-called ‘Mighty Uncle’ test, to study the effects of a nuclear weapon explosion through underground nuclear weapons testing unless that test is permitted in accordance with the provisions of [set out below] ().
“(b)

Certain Actions Not Prohibited .—

Subsection (a) does not preclude the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Defense Nuclear Agency, from—
“(1)
proceeding with underground nuclear test tunnel deactivation and environmental cleanup; or
“(2)
expending funds for infrastructure activities not covered by the limitation in subsection (a).
“(c)

Funding .—

107 Stat. 1583Of the funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section 201 [] for Defense-wide activities, not more than $38,000,000 may be used for activities described in subsection (b).”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 103–160, div. C, title XXXI, § 3137107 Stat. 1946section 4211 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(e)(12)(A)117 Stat. 1760section 2531 of Title 50Pub. L. 112–239, div. C, title XXXI, § 3131(d)(3)126 Stat. 2181, , , which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by –(C), , , and was classified to , War and National Defense, prior to repeal by , , .

Pub. L. 102–377, title V, § 507106 Stat. 1343Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(e)(11)117 Stat. 1760

“(a)
Hereafter, funds made available by this Act or any other Act for fiscal year 1993 or for any other fiscal year may be available for conducting a test of a nuclear explosive device only if the conduct of that test is permitted in accordance with the provisions of this section.
“(b)
No underground test of a nuclear weapon may be conducted by the United States after , and before .
“(c)
On and after , and before , an underground test of a nuclear weapon may be conducted by the United States—
“(1)
only if—
“(A)
the President has submitted the annual report required under subsection (d);
“(B)
90 days have elapsed after the submittal of that report in accordance with that subsection; and
“(C)
Congress has not agreed to a joint resolution described in subsection (d)(3) within that 90-day period; and
“(2)
only if the test is conducted during the period covered by the report.
“(d)
(1)
Not later than March 1, of each year beginning after 1992, the President shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives, in classified and unclassified forms, a report containing the following matters:
“(A)
A schedule for resumption of the Nuclear Testing Talks with Russia.
“(B)
A plan for achieving a multilateral comprehensive ban on the testing of nuclear weapons on or before .
“(C)
An assessment of the number and type of nuclear warheads that will remain in the United States stockpile of active nuclear weapons on .
“(D)
For each fiscal year after fiscal year 1992, an assessment of the number and type of nuclear warheads that will remain in the United States stockpile of nuclear weapons and that—
“(i)
will not be in the United States stockpile of active nuclear weapons;
“(ii)
will remain under the control of the Department of Defense; and
“(iii)
will not be transferred to the Department of Energy for dismantlement.
“(E)
A description of the safety features of each warhead that is covered by an assessment referred to in subparagraph (C) or (D).
“(F)
A plan for installing one or more modern safety features in each warhead identified in the assessment referred to in subparagraph (C), as determined after an analysis of the costs and benefits of installing such feature or features in the warhead, should have one or more of such features.
“(G)
An assessment of the number and type of nuclear weapons tests, not to exceed 5 tests in any period covered by an annual report under this paragraph and a total of 15 tests in the 4-fiscal year period beginning with fiscal year 1993, that are necessary in order to ensure the safety of each nuclear warhead in which one or more modern safety features are installed pursuant to the plan referred to in subparagraph (F).
“(H)
A schedule, in accordance with subparagraph (G), for conducting at the Nevada test site, each of the tests enumerated in the assessment pursuant to subparagraph (G).
“(2)
The first annual report shall cover the period beginning on the date on which a resumption of testing of nuclear weapons is permitted under subsection (c) and ending on . Each annual report thereafter shall cover the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the report is submitted.
“(3)
For the purposes of paragraph (1), ‘joint resolution’ means only a joint resolution introduced after the date on which the Committees referred to in that paragraph receive the report required by that paragraph the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: ‘The Congress disapproves the report of the President on nuclear weapons testing, dated          .’ (the blank space being appropriately filled in).
“(4)
No report is required under this subsection after 1996.
“(e)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), during a period covered by an annual report submitted pursuant to subsection (d), nuclear weapons may be tested only as follows:
“(A)
Only those nuclear explosive devices in which modern safety features have been installed pursuant to the plan referred to in subsection (d)(1)(F) may be tested.
“(B)
Only the number and types of tests specified in the report pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(G) may be conducted.
“(2)
(A)
One test of the reliability of a nuclear weapon other than one referred to in paragraph (1)(A) may be conducted during any period covered by an annual report, but only if—
“(i)
within the first 60 days after the beginning of that period, the President certifies to Congress that it is vital to the national security interests of the United States to test the reliability of such a nuclear weapon; and
“(ii)
within the 60-day period beginning on the date that Congress receives the certification, Congress does not agree to a joint resolution described in subparagraph (B).
“(B)
For the purposes of subparagraph (A), ‘joint resolution’ means only a joint resolution introduced after the date on which the Congress receives the certification referred to in that subparagraph the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: ‘The Congress disapproves the testing of a nuclear weapon covered by the certification of the President dated          .’ (the blank space being appropriately filled in).
“(3)
The President may authorize the United Kingdom to conduct in the United States, within a period covered by an annual report, one test of a nuclear weapon if the President determines that it is in the national interests of the United States to do so. Such a test shall be considered as one of the tests within the maximum number of tests that the United States is permitted to conduct during that period under paragraph (1)(B).
“(f)

section 2530 of Title 50section 6121 of Title 10 [Transferred to former , War and National Defense. See , Armed Forces.]

“(g)
In the computation of the 90-day period referred to in subsection (c)(1) and the 60-day period referred to in subsection (e)(2)(A)(ii), the days on which either House is not in session because of an adjournment of more than 3 days to a day certain shall be excluded.
“(h)
In this section, the term ‘modern safety feature’ means any of the following features:
“(1)
An insensitive high explosive (IHE).
“(2)
Fire resistant pits (FRP).
“(3)
An enhanced detonation safety (ENDS) system.”
, , , as amended by , , , provided that:

Nuclear Test Ban Readiness Program

Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title XIV, § 1436102 Stat. 2075Pub. L. 105–85, div. C, title XXXI, § 3152(i)111 Stat. 2042section 4207 of Pub. L. 107–314Pub. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(e)(8)(A)117 Stat. 1759section 2527 of Title 50section 6119 of Title 10Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, § 3111(a)139 Stat. 1356, , , as amended by , , , which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered by –(C), , , and classified to , War and National Defense, and was repealed and restated as , Armed Forces, by , (b)(1), , , 1458.

Executive Documents

Delegation of Functions

section 2153 of this titleAuthority vested in President by subsec. (c) of this section delegated to Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Energy, see section 2(a)(1) of Ex. Ord. No. 10841, as amended, set out as a note under .