  The rapid neutron capture process (r-process) is one of the main mechanisms
whereby elements heavier than iron are synthesized, and is entirely responsible
for the natural production of the actinides. Kilonova emissions are modeled as
being largely powered by the radioactive decay of species synthesized via the r
-process. Given that the r -process occurs far from nuclear stability,
unmeasured beta decay rates play an essential role in setting the time scale
for the r -process. In an effort to better understand the sensitivity of
kilonova modeling to different theoretical global beta-decay descriptions, we
incorporate these into nucleosynthesis calculations. We compare the results of
these calculations and highlight differences in kilonova nuclear energy
generation and light curve predictions, as well as final abundances and their
implications for nuclear cosmochronometry. We investigate scenarios where
differences in beta decay rates are responsible for increased nuclear heating
on time scales of days that propagates into a significantly increased average
bolometric luminosity between 1-10 days post-merger. We identify key nuclei,
both measured and unmeasured, whose decay rates are directly impact nuclear
heating generation on timescales responsible for light curve evolution. We also
find that uncertainties in beta decay rates significantly impact ages estimates
from cosmochronometry.
