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A.  The secretary may adopt, promulgate, amend, and repeal rules and regulations governing the transportation of radioactive materials in Louisiana which, in the judgment of the secretary, shall promote the public safety or welfare and protect the environment, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Chapter.

B.  In adopting rules and regulations for transportation of radioactive materials in Louisiana, such may include, but shall not be limited to, provisions for the use of signs designating radioactive material cargo, for the packaging, marking, loading, and handling of radioactive materials and the precautions necessary to determine whether the material, when offered, is in proper condition for transport, and may include designation of routes in this state which are to be used for the transportation of radioactive material.

C.  Such rules and regulations shall not include the carrier vehicle or its equipment or the licensing of packages, nor shall they apply to the handling of transportation of radioactive material within the confines of a facility licensed or owned by a federal agency.

D.  Notwithstanding any law, order, or regulation to the contrary, no high-level radioactive wastes, including spent fuel rods from nuclear reactors, nor any radioactive waste generated outside of the United States or its territories, except such waste generated by the United States Armed Forces, shall be transported into the state for disposal or storage in this state or elsewhere.

E.  Whoever violates the provisions of this Subsection D shall be punished by a fine of no more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisonment for no more than two years, or both, and vehicles or equipment used in connection with the violation shall be seized and disposed of in accordance with law.

F.  The secretary may adopt rules and regulations governing the transportation of radioactive material which are compatible with those established by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the United States Federal Aviation Agency, the United States Department of Transportation, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Post Office, or any federal agency which is a successor to any of the foregoing agencies, as such federal rules may be amended from time to time.

G.  The secretary may enter into agreements with the respective federal agencies designed to avoid duplication of effort or conflict in enforcement and inspection activities so that rules and regulations adopted by the secretary pursuant to this Section may be enforced within their respective jurisdiction by any authorized representatives of the department, other state agencies, and federal agencies according to mutual understandings between such agencies of their respective responsibilities and authorities.

Acts 1979, No. 449, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1980; Acts 1983, No. 97, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 1984; Acts 1999, No. 303, §1, eff. June 14, 1999; Acts 2008, No. 96, §1.