Current state law requires the Legislature and the governor to give their permission before a waste facility can accept so-called Class B and C waste.

Senate Bill 24, sponsored by Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, would take away the possibility of accepting anything hotter than the currently allowable class A waste and would stop the state from even considering such a permit.

For months, Bramble maintained that an overt ban wasn't needed and could invite litigation. He substituted his bill to include the ban language after Envirocare of Utah changed hands Monday and voluntarily gave up the regulatory permit to accept B and C waste secured by the company's former owner.

During his remarks in the crowded room of the the House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee, Bramble fumed about what he called misinformation about the bill and state law covering Class B and C waste.

A task force that met on the issue for two years concluded its work in October by recommending the state not allow the hotter waste. That, Bramble said, plus the permit requirements already in place meant "it has been illegal to bring B and C waste into the state."

Rep. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, asked if the bill would affect a proposal to bring spent fuel rods to the Skull Valley Band of Goshutes reservation.

Bramble said that the bill had nothing to do with the high-level waste issue, then accused "activists" of trying to equate the two by "invoking mushroom clouds."

"They would do all they can to confuse the issue and make you think this has something to do with it," he said.

The bill also enhances state regulatory powers over commercial radioactive waste facilities and makes changes to the way those facilities are taxed.