The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its Rules of Practice for the licensing proceeding on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste at a geologic repository (HLW proceeding). The amendments are intended to allow application of technological developments that have occurred after the original rule was adopted in 1989, while achieving the original goals of facilitating the NRC's ability to comply with the schedule for decision on the construction authorization for the repository contained in Section 114(d) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, and providing for a thorough technical review of the license application and equitable access to information for the parties to the hearing.