Comment on FR Doc # 2026-09877, NRC-2025-1205-0001, from Francis Fota

The proposed expansion of general licensing for byproduct, source, and certain special nuclear materials raises significant safety concerns that warrant careful reconsideration. While I support efforts to modernize and streamline regulatory processes, reducing oversight for materials with long biological half-lives introduces avoidable risks to both patients and the public. Materials that persist in the body for extended periods increase the potential severity of medical events, misadministration, or improper handling. General licensing, by design, reduces regulatory scrutiny and may not provide sufficient safeguards to ensure proper training, accountability, and incident prevention in these cases. The current licensing framework, though sometimes burdensome, serves an important role in maintaining safety standards proportional to the risks involved. Eliminating or relaxing these requirements for higher-risk materials could undermine that balance. I encourage the NRC to retain stricter licensing controls for materials with long biological half-lives and to ensure that any regulatory changes prioritize patient safety and public health over administrative efficiency.