HCR262

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has released several reports and scientific studies concerning the health risks from exposure to depleted uranium; and

WHEREAS, the chemical and radiological toxicity of depleted uranium has been a reported cause of kidney dysfunction, damage to lung cells that increases the possibility of lung cancer, neurological disorders, liver infection, birth defects, high miscarriage rates, and other harms among military personnel who have returned from a designated combat zone where depleted uranium munitions have been used; and

WHEREAS, these munitions and armor have been used extensively in the 1991 Gulf War, during the six years since the start of the war in Afghanistan, and during the four years since the 2003 invasion of Iraq; and

WHEREAS, the military use and disposal of depleted uranium munitions have caused significant environmental impact and depleted uranium has been found in contaminated ground surfaces that, over time, will lead to food and ground water contamination; and

WHEREAS, Connecticut, New York, California, and Louisiana have recently passed legislation and several other states are hearing legislation this year to give all returning veterans the right to a best practices health screening test for exposure to depleted uranium; and

WHEREAS, reliable reports indicate widespread military non-compliance with regulations, orders, and directives, for example, Medical Management of Unusual Depleted Uranium Casualties, October 14, 1993; Medical Management of Army Personnel Exposed to Depleted Uranium, April 20, 2004; and section 2-5 of Army Regulations 700-48, requiring prompt medical care to all exposed individuals; and

WHEREAS, in January 2006, The Honolulu Advertiser reported the Army's confirmation of finding remnants of depleted uranium munitions on Oahu; and

WHEREAS, there is a public health need to ensure the safe storage, disposal, and clean-up of munitions and other products containing depleted uranium; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the Senate concurring, that the Governor is requested to mobilize personnel and resources from any and all agencies in the executive branch of government to:

(1) Assist any member of the Hawaii National Guard or veteran who returns or has returned to this State after service:

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

(B) 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 the income tax;

to obtain a health screening test for exposure to depleted uranium that uses methods capable of detecting low levels of depleted uranium; and

(2) 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; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Adjutant General is requested to submit an assessment of the adequacy of training of Hawaii national guard and active duty service members in Hawaii concerning potential exposure to depleted uranium, the cost of pre-deployment training concerning potential exposure, and recommended precautions to be taken while under combat and non-combat conditions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Adjutant General is requested to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor and the state Department of Defense are urged to develop policies that will:

(1) Ensure ongoing access to appropriate screening for all members of the Hawaii National Guard or other veterans who return or have returned to this State after service:

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

(2) Establish a task force within the Office of Veterans' Services to study the various aspects of depleted uranium as it relates to veterans in the State of Hawaii and develop a plan for outreach to and follow-up with eligible veterans; and

(3) Structure the task force established under paragraph (2) to consist of fourteen members as follows:

(A) The Director of the Office of Veterans' Services or a designee;

(B) The Director of Health or a designee;

(C) Four members of the Legislature appointed by the Governor as nominated, one each, by the majority and the minority leaders of the Senate, and the majority and minority leaders of the House of Representatives;

(D) Two members who are physicians or scientists with knowledge of or experience in the detection or health effects of exposure to depleted uranium or other hazardous materials appointed by the Governor as nominated, one each, by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(E) Four members who are veterans with knowledge of or experience with exposure to depleted uranium or other hazardous materials appointed by the Governor as nominated, one each, by the majority and the minority leaders of the Senate and the majority and the minority leaders of the House of Representatives; and

(F) Two members of the community with knowledge of or interest in exposure to depleted uranium; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature not later than twenty days before the commencing of the Regular Session of 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is requested to issue a formal request to the United States Department Defense to provide a report on the scope of testing and use of depleted uranium and the adequacy of storage, transportation, and disposal of depleted uranium in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to United States Secretary of Defense, the Governor, the Adjutant General, Director of Health, the Director of Veterans' Services, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Screen Veterans for Depleted Uranium Exposure; Storage; Disposal

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	262
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII