§2115. Perpetual care payments

A. The department may require a licensee to pay funds to the state on a quarterly basis, when it is deemed there is a reasonable probability that the licensed facility may eventually cease to operate although still containing, or have associated with the facility property, licensable radioactive material which will require maintenance, surveillance, or other care on a continuing and perpetual basis.

B. In order to provide for the proper care and surveillance of facilities subject to Subsection A of this Section, the department may acquire by gift or transfer from another government agency or private person, any and all lands, buildings, and grounds necessary to fulfill the purposes of this Section.

C. The department may, by lease or license with any person, provide for the operation of a site or facility subject to this Section for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Chapter. Any lessee or licensee operating under the provisions of this Subsection shall be subject to R.S. 30:2114.

D. The payments required by Subsection A of this Section shall be established at such rate that interest on the sum of all funds reasonably anticipated as payable shall provide an annual amount equal to the anticipated reasonable costs necessary to maintain, monitor, and otherwise supervise and care for the lands and facilities as required in the interest of public safety and welfare. In arriving at the rate of funds to be deposited, the department shall consider the nature of the licensed material, size and type of facility, the potential for contamination or injury, cost of disposal or reclamation of the facility, estimated future receipts, and estimated future expenses of maintenance, monitoring, and supervision.

E. Recognizing the uncertainty of the existence of a person in perpetuity, and the necessity of reposing ultimate responsibility to protect health and safety in a solvent government without regard to the existence of any particular agency or department thereof, all lands, buildings, and grounds acquired by the state under Subsection B of this Section shall be owned by the state and dedicated in perpetuity to the purposes stated in Subsection B. All radioactive material received at such facility and located therein at time of acquisition of ownership by the state shall become the property of the state and may be disposed of in a manner which is in the best interest of the state.

F. In the event a person, licensed by any governmental agency other than the state of Louisiana, desires to transfer a facility to the state for the purpose of administering or providing perpetual care, that person shall make a lump sum perpetual care payment. The amount of such payment shall be determined by the department taking into consideration the factors stated in Subsection D of this Section.

G. All bonds forfeited to the state under this Chapter and all perpetual care payments under this Section shall be paid into the state treasury and shall be credited to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.

Acts 1979, No. 449, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1980; Acts 1992, No. 984, §9; Acts 1999, No. 303, §1, eff. June 14, 1999.