STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1376-06
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2006
RE: H.R. No. 100
H.D. 1
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2006
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 100 entitled:
"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ADJUTANT GENERAL TO PROVIDE HEALTH SCREENING FOR DEPLETED URANIUM EXPOSURE TO MEMBERS AND VETERANS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND TO REPORT ON THE SCOPE AND ADEQUACY OF DEPLETED URANIUM STORAGE AND DISPOSAL IN HAWAII,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this resolution is to:
(1) Request the Adjutant General to:
(A) Provide health screening for depleted uranium exposure to members and veterans of the Armed Forces; and
(B) Conduct an environmental assessment on depleted uranium storage and disposal in Hawaii;
and
(2) Indicate that the Legislature will consider passing legislation in 2007 to:
(A) Ensure access to proper depleted uranium exposure health screening; and
(B) Establish a task force within the Office of Veterans' Services to study the various aspects of depleted uranium as they relate to veterans.
The Life of the Land and several concerned individuals supported this resolution. The Department of Defense (DOD) and Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii opposed this measure.
Your Committee finds that studies show depleted uranium causes severe health risks and environmental contamination. In January 2006, The Honolulu Advertiser reported the Army's confirmation of finding remnants of depleted uranium munitions on Oahu. This resolution addresses the safety of the citizen-soldiers, environment, and public.
Your Committee finds that the state DOD is not the appropriate department to conduct an environmental study and the Adjutant General has jurisdiction over the Hawaii National Guard, but not the armed forces.
Accordingly, this resolution has been amended by:
(1) Requesting the United States Department of Defense to conduct the environmental impact study;
(2) Amending the title of this measure to read: "REQUESTING THE ADJUTANT GENERAL TO PROVIDE HEALTH SCREENING FOR DEPLETED URANIUM EXPOSURE TO MEMBERS AND VETERANS OF THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD AND the united states department of defense to REPORT ON THE SCOPE AND ADEQUACY OF DEPLETED URANIUM STORAGE AND DISPOSAL IN HAWAII"; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for consistency, clarity, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 100, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 100, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,
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____________________________ KEN ITO, Chair |