The Legislature finds and declares that the peacetime uses of atomic energy and radiation can be instrumental in improving the health, welfare and economic productivity of the people of the State of California if properly utilized, and may be hazardous to the health and safety of the public if carelessly or excessively employed. It is therefore declared to be the policy of the state to:

(a)  Encourage the constructive development of industries producing or utilizing atomic energy and radiation and to eliminate unnecessary exposure of the public to ionizing radiation.

(b)  Have state agencies retain their traditional jurisdictions wherever possible.

(c)  Have various departments and agencies of the state that are concerned with atomic energy and radiation and its various applications develop programs designed to protect the people of the state from unnecessary exposure to radiation.

(d)  Assure the coordination of the programs of the state agencies and the laws, regulations incident thereto and to insure the coordination of these activities with the development and regulatory activities of local agencies, other states and the government of the United States, including the Atomic Energy Commission.

(e)  Keep the public, labor, industry, and all other legitimate interests as completely informed as possible on all matters relating to peacetime atomic energy and radiation development and control in this state.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1996.)