Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 21, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Adjutant General of the Hawaii National Guard 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.

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the Vietnam Veterans of Maui County, Maui Peace Action, Americans for Democratic Action Hawaii Chapter, Life of the Land, and thirteen individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. The State Adjutant General submitted testimony in opposition.

Depleted uranium is a waste byproduct of the enrichment of natural uranium for use in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. According to the testimony, the United States Department of Defense has used depleted uranium for many years for a variety of military applications, including armor-piercing shells, bomb casings, missiles, tank armor plating, aircraft ballast, and anti-personnel mines. The chemical and radiological toxicity of depleted uranium has been reported to cause kidney dysfunction, damage to lung cells, neurological disorders, liver infection, and high miscarriage rates among military personnel who have been exposed to depleted uranium munitions.

Your Committee finds that the Adjutant General of the Hawaii National Guard should assist any member or veteran of the armed forces who returns after service in a designated combat zone to obtain a health screening test for exposure to depleted uranium to help protect the health of our service members.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 21, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.