(a)        An applicant for a license for a low-level radioactive facility shall satisfy the Department that:

(1)        Any low-level radioactive waste facility heretofore constructed or operated by the applicant (or any parent or subsidiary corporation if the applicant is a corporation) has been operated in accordance with sound waste management practices and in substantial compliance with federal and state laws and regulations; and

(2)        The applicant (or any parent or subsidiary corporation if the applicant is a corporation) is financially qualified to operate the subject low-level radioactive waste facility.

(a1)      The approval of a license shall be contingent upon the applicant first satisfying the Department that the applicant has met the above two requirements. In order to continue to hold a license under this Chapter, a licensee must remain financially qualified, and must provide any information requested by the Department to show that the licensee continues to be financially qualified.

(b)        Each license applicant or license holder or any parent or subsidiary corporation if the license applicant or license holder is a corporation, as a condition of receiving or holding a license, shall have an independent annual audit by a firm of duly licensed certified public accountants carrying a minimum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) professional liability insurance coverage, proof of which coverage shall be provided with the issuance of the audit report. Each license applicant or license holder referred to above shall also provide the Department with a copy of the report and shall submit a copy of the report to the State Auditor for approval regarding its adequacy and completeness. As a minimum, the required report shall include the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, all disclosures in the public interest required by law, and the auditor’s opinion and comments relating to the financial statements. The audit shall be performed in conformity with generally accepted auditing standards.

(c)        Within 10 days of receiving an application for a license or an amendment to a license to operate a low-level radioactive waste facility, the Department shall notify the clerk of the board of commissioners of the county or counties in which the facility is proposed to be located or is located, and, if the facility is to be located or is located within a city, the clerk of the governing board of the city, that the application has been filed, and shall file a copy of the application with the clerk. Prior to issuing a license or an amendment to an existing license the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee shall conduct a public hearing in the county, or in one of the counties, in which a person proposes to operate a low-level radioactive waste facility or to enlarge an existing facility. The Secretary shall give notice of the hearing at least 30 days prior to the date thereof by:

(1)        Publication in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in the county or counties where the facility is to be located for three consecutive weeks beginning 30 days prior to the scheduled date of the hearing; and

(2)        First class mail to persons who have requested such notice. The Department shall maintain a mailing list of persons who request notice pursuant to this subsection. (1981, c. 704, s. 11; 1985, c. 529; 1987, c. 24, ss. 1-3; c. 850, ss. 7, 8; 1989, c. 727, s. 219(20); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2007-495, s. 10.)