SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SJM 8009

                        AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 7, 1991

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

SPONSORS:Senators Hayner and Jesernig.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Thorsness, Chairman; Saling, Vice Chairman; Jesernig, Nelson, Patterson, Roach, and Stratton.  

Staff:  Phil Moeller (786‑7445)

Hearing Dates:February 19, 1991

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:

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

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The creation of a HAMMER training center at Hanford would provide benefits to emergency response entities throughout the state and the region.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Senator Hayner, prime sponsor; Gary Karnofski, Benton/Franklin Governmental Conference; Bob Gear, Benton County Fire District #1