Indiana Will Assume Control of Radioactive Licensing
The state will take over authority for 213 radioactive material licenses starting September 30, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Nuclear
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Indiana becomes the 41st state to enter into a regulatory agreement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This shift transfers oversight of radioactive materials to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security effective September 30, 2026.
Why it matters
State leadership expects the move to accelerate development of small modular nuclear energy projects by reducing bureaucratic delays. By localizing oversight, officials aim to decrease regulatory fees and shorten review timelines for regional businesses.
Indiana assumes authority over 213 specific radioactive materials licenses, joining 40 other states that have reached similar agreements with federal regulators. The NRC currently maintains direct administration of approximately 10 percent of the 18,000 total national licenses.
The players
Mike Braun
Mike Braun is the Governor of Indiana who formally requested the transfer of radioactive materials oversight to state authorities.
Indiana Department of Homeland Security
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is the state agency tasked with managing radioactive licensing and enforcement.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is the federal body responsible for the oversight of civilian nuclear energy and radioactive materials.
The details
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security will administer the new regulatory framework through its Radioactive Materials Control Program. This transfer follows an extensive review by federal officials of the state laws and the regulatory capacity of the department.
Timeline
November 26, 2025: Indiana finalized the state radioactive materials regulation rule.
January 29, 2026: Governor Mike Braun formally requested the regulatory agreement.
September 24, 2026: The agreement was officially signed in Indianapolis.
September 30, 2026: The regulatory authority transfer takes full effect.
Deeper Dive
This transfer follows the framework established by Senate Enrolled Act 381, which set the state policy for nuclear regulatory autonomy. The current agreement represents the final administrative execution of the goals set forth in the 2022 legislation.
Businesses operating with radioactive materials may see changes to permit review times and regulatory fees under the new state-led program. The transition is designed to provide faster administrative processes for entities seeking to develop nuclear energy technology.
The takeaway
The move signifies a broader trend of states seeking greater control over nuclear energy regulation to spur local economic growth. Residents should anticipate state-level updates regarding the Radioactive Materials Control Program as the new authority structure begins implementation.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's oversight transition on the Indiana Nuclear section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WVPE.
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