HOUSE BILL REPORT

                     SJM 8009

                              As Passed House

                               April 9, 1991

Brief Description:  Requesting Congress to create a HAMMER training center at Hanford.

Sponsor(s):  Senators Hayner and Jesernig.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Energy & Utilities, March 28, 1991, DP;

Passed House, April 9, 1991, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Grant, Chair; H. Myers, Vice Chair; May, Ranking Minority Member; Hochstatter, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Casada; Cooper; R. Fisher; Jacobsen; Miller; and Rayburn.

Staff:  Fred Adair (786-7113).

Background:  Thousands of shipments of hazardous materials are made each day.  New guidelines from the federal government require training for members of certain occupational groups that may come in contact with an accident involving hazardous materials.  These occupational groups include law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and other emergency response entities.

Several organizations representing emergency response occupations contend that a need exists for a state-of-the-art facility equipped to provide training for a hazardous materials accident.  Locating such a facility at Hanford would allow for certain advantages, including an ample amount of federally-owned land, a base of technical and training expertise, local support, and a project that complements the new mission of cleanup activities at the site.

Summary of Bill:  Congress is asked to support and fund legislation that would create a Hazardous Materials Management and Emergency Response training center located at Hanford.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  There is a great need for this facility in the area, but at the same time there are excellent sites, facilities, and qualified personnel to establish and successfully operate the facility.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Senator Hayner, prime sponsor; and Representative Lane Bray, prime sponsor of companion measure HJM 4005.