ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION AND PERPETUAL CARE ACCOUNT.

(a) The environmental radiation and perpetual care account is an account in the general revenue fund to support the activities of the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission.

(b) The commission shall deposit to the credit of the environmental radiation and perpetual care account money and security it receives under this chapter, including fees collected under Section 401.301(d). Interest earned on money in the environmental radiation and perpetual care account shall be credited to the environmental radiation and perpetual care account.

(c) Money and security in the environmental radiation and perpetual care account may be administered by the commission only for the decontamination, decommissioning, stabilization, reclamation, maintenance, surveillance, control, storage, and disposal of radioactive substances for the protection of the public health and safety and the environment under this chapter and for refunds under Section 401.303.

(d) Money and security in the environmental radiation and perpetual care account may not be used for normal operating expenses of the commission.

(e) The commission may use money in the environmental radiation and perpetual care account to pay for measures:

(1) to prevent or mitigate the adverse effects of abandonment of radioactive substances, default on a lawful obligation, insolvency, or other inability by the holder of a license issued by the commission to meet the requirements of this chapter or of commission rules; and

(2) to ensure the protection of the public health and safety and the environment.

(f) The commission may provide, by the terms of a contract or lease entered into between the commission and any person, or by the terms of a license issued to any person, for the decontamination, closure, decommissioning, reclamation, surveillance, or other care of a site or facility subject to commission jurisdiction under this chapter as needed to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(g) The existence of the environmental radiation and perpetual care account does not make the commission liable for the costs of decontamination, transfer, transportation, reclamation, surveillance, or disposal of radioactive substances arising from a license holder's abandonment of radioactive substances, default on a lawful obligation, insolvency, or inability to meet the requirements of this chapter or of commission rules.