HOUSE BILL REPORT

HJM 4031

BYRepresentatives Sayan, Prentice, D. Sommers, Fraser, Nealey, Brumsickle, Todd, Wood, Doty, Dellwo, Horn, Baugher, Kirby, Grant, Rasmussen, Wineberry, Padden, Holland, Heavey, Hine, Pruitt, Jones, Smith, Morris, K. Wilson, Basich, Crane, H. Sommers, Brekke, Chandler, Belcher, Anderson, Hargrove, Cantwell, Brough, Ballard, G. Fisher, Silver, P. King, Winsley, Rayburn, Rector, Haugen, Zellinsky, Valle, Sprenkle, Bowman, Cooper, Kremen, Scott, Miller and Nelson

Requesting support for veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Sayan, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Republican Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Brekke, Hargrove, Leonard, Padden, Raiter and Winsley.

House Staff:Dave Knutson (786-7146)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 13, 1990

BACKGROUND:

During the Vietnam war, the United States armed forces used a chemical defoliant known as Agent Orange in conjunction with tactical military operations to deprive enemy forces of effective ground cover.  Large numbers of military personnel and noncombatants were exposed to this toxic chemical agent because of its widespread use.  Children of many Vietnam veterans are stricken with extremely high rates of lymphomas and cancers.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature of the state of Washington supports Vietnam veterans who were exposed to toxic chemical agents, is concerned about possible adverse health outcomes, and expresses its distress over the potential for birth defects in the children and grandchildren of affected veterans.  The federal government is requested to fulfill its responsibility to all veterans and resolve this issue quickly.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    No one.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    None.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.