Report Title:

Depleted Uranium; Health Effects; Environmental Impact

 

Description:

Provides access for all returning veterans to a health screening test for exposure to depleted uranium.  Establishes a task force to study the health effects of depleted uranium exposure.  Requires an environmental impact study on storage and disposal of depleted uranium munitions on Oahu.


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1575

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to health.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the chemical and radiological toxicity of depleted uranium has been a reported cause of kidney dysfunction, lung damage, neurological disorders, liver infection, and high miscarriage rates among military personnel.  These health problems have been reported from military personnel who have served in designated combat zones where depleted uranium munitions and armor have been used, including the 1991 Gulf War and during the three years since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

     The legislature further finds that the military use and disposal of depleted uranium munitions are capable of having a significant environmental impact, and depleted uranium has been found in contaminated ground surfaces that lead to food and ground water contamination.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide access for all returning veterans to a best practices health screening test for exposure to depleted uranium and to take steps to evaluate the scope and adequacy of storage and disposal of depleted uranium munitions on Oahu where they have been used for military training.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 121, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§121-     Screening for exposure to depleted uranium.  The adjutant general shall ensure access to appropriate screening for all members of the Hawaii national guard who return or have returned to this State after service:

     (1)  In the Persian Gulf War, as defined in Title 38 United States Code section 101; or

     (2)  In an area designated as a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area by the President of the United States during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom; or recognized as such by the Internal Revenue Service for purposes of exclusion from income tax."

SECTION 3.  (a)  There is created a task force on depleted uranium exposure, to be placed within the office of veterans' services.

     (b)  The task force shall consist of fourteen members as follows:

(1)  The director of veterans' services or a designee who shall serve as the chairperson of the task force;

(2)  The director of health or a designee;

(3)  Four members of the legislature appointed by the governor as nominated, one each, by the majority and minority leaders of the senate, and the majority and minority leaders of the house of representatives;

(4)  Two members who are physicians or scientists with knowledge of or experience in the detection of health effects from exposure to depleted uranium or other hazardous materials, to be appointed by the governor as nominated, one each, by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives;

(5)  Four members who are veterans with knowledge of or experience with exposure to depleted uranium or other hazardous materials, to be appointed by the governor as nominated, one each by the majority and minority leaders of the senate, and the majority and minority leaders of the house of representatives; and

(6)  Two members of the community at large with knowledge, experience, or interest in health effects resulting from exposure to depleted uranium, to be appointed by the governor as nominated by the director of veterans' services.

     (c)  The task force shall study the effects of depleted uranium as it relates to veterans in the State and develop a plan for outreach and follow up for veterans who have been exposed to depleted uranium and who have developed adverse health effects due to their exposure.

     (d)  The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2008.

     (e)  The task force shall cease to operate on January 1, 2008.

     SECTION 4.  (a)  The department of health shall conduct an environmental assessment of the scope and adequacy of depleted uranium storage and disposal in Hawaii and compile a report on training received by members of the armed forces on exposure to depleted uranium.

     (b)  The department shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2008.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, for the purposes of conducting an environmental assessment of the scope and adequacy of depleted uranium storage and disposal in Hawaii and compiling a report on training received by members of the armed forces on exposure to depleted uranium.

     SECTION 6.  The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 7.  New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 8.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________