HOUSE BILL REPORT

HCR 4430

BYRepresentatives Nelson, Barnes, P. King, Sutherland and Spanel

Creating a joint select committee on nuclear affairs.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. (14)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; Todd, Vice Chair; Barnes, Brooks, Gallagher, Hankins, Jacobsen, Jesernig, May, Meyers, Miller, Sutherland, Unsoeld and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Nuclear issues can be complicated and require detailed examination to assure proper public protection and accurate public information.  The legislature, as a direct representative of the public, should have a means to identify and become involved in an in-depth manner in nuclear issues determined to be of significance to state citizens.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  A joint committee on nuclear affairs is created to monitor and air nuclear issues.  The committee will consist of eight members appointed jointly by leadership of each major political caucus in each house. The membership shall consist of two members from each major political caucus in each house and each member within a house shall be from a different congressional district.  Staff support shall be provided by the energy and utilities committees of the House and Senate as mutually agreed by the chairs.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Committee membership was changed from one from each of the state's eight congressional districts to a requirement that no two members of one house can be from the same congressional district.  Appointment of members from each house shall be jointly made by caucus leadership.  Reference to specific nuclear issues was deleted.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Sarah McCoy, Puget Sound SANE.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The public needs the facts on important nuclear issues.  The public is concerned over a number of nuclear issues, especially the cleanup of defense radioactive waste on the Hanford Reservation.  This committee could have an effect in expediting the cleanup.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.