HB 1708

This bill authorizes the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to establish and collect fees from facilities and individuals who use radioactive materials, X-ray machines, and other radiation-producing equipment to cover the costs of regulatory oversight, inspections, licensing, emergency response, and environmental monitoring. The bill sets specific fee schedules for various types of facilities, including medical practices, educational institutions, industrial operations, and nuclear facilities (capped at $25,000 annually), with initial application fees ranging from $125 to $3,600 depending on the license type, plus annual renewal fees. These fees are intended to ensure adequate regulatory oversight for homeland security purposes and public safety by funding the state's radiation monitoring and emergency response programs.