Senate panel advances funding for Palo Verde off‑site nuclear emergency planning

Senate Bill 1009, an emergency measure to fund off‑site emergency planning for the Palo Verde nuclear generating station, received a due‑pass recommendation from the Appropriations Committee.

Staff described the bill as a biannual statutory assessment on the owners and operators of commercial nuclear generating stations that deposits revenue into the Nuclear Emergency Management Fund. The bill appropriates $2,761,339 in fiscal year 2027 from that fund to the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, the Arizona Department of Agriculture, the City of Buckeye and Maricopa County for development and implementation of the off‑site plan.

Herschel Fink, testifying for Arizona Public Service (operator of Palo Verde), said federal regulations require both on‑site and off‑site emergency plans and that the plant and local agencies "work closely with the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs" to develop a "sound and fiscally responsible budget" for the required activities.

Travis Schulte, legislative liaison for the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, told the committee DEMA coordinates off‑site emergency response planning with "at least 26 state, county, tribal, and local planning partners." He answered committee questions briefly and took no further testimony.

The committee recorded a roll call; the bill passed the committee by voice/roll call and was given a due‑pass recommendation. The committee chair opened and closed the public record without objection.

Outcome: SB1009 advanced with a due‑pass recommendation and will proceed to further legislative action.