Selecting the appropriate seismic design criteria for a given nuclear installation can have dramatic implications on the cost and constructability of a given facility. ANSI/ANS-2.26-2004 provided an initial concept of unmitigated release assessments for test and research reactors which justifies reducing the seismic design of structures systems and components as a function of the contained hazards. ANS-2.26 is currently undergoing a revision to expand the potential approach to set the seismic design criteria beyond the traditional unmitigated release assessment. Simultaneously, the Nuclear Energy Institute has submitted NEI 25-08 to the NRC to propose alternative approaches for setting Seismic Design Criteria for commercial reactors. NUREG-2271’s siting guidance for Part 57 has increased the attention on each of these approaches. This panel will discuss the past and future of seismic design criteria determinations in a rapidly evolving licensing and deployment landscape.