Uranium Munitions "DU" Action Team Report

Subject: Uranium Munitions Health Effects- re WA National Guard

Rob Duff, MS, Director, Office of Environmental Health Assessments, Washington State Department of Health, was very helpful on the phone 9/26/06, regarding the status of the uranium munition study budget appropriation. He is open to us calling him, but in fairness to his time, try George first, who will explain if able. George's email is above.

The timeline for developing best use of the budget for assessing health effects of uranium munitions on returning troops is as follows:

Sept '06: The Office of Environmental Assessments submitted a literature review to Col. Ron Weaver of the Washington National Guard. Our input at the legislative hearings, oral and written, was considered in preparing this report.

Oct '06: Col. Weaver submits the National Guard opinion, which will include Rob Duff's submission, to the Office of Financial Management (OFM) in the Governor's Office.

Oct.-Nov. '06: OFM and the Governor's Office assess and then pass the report to the Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs. At this stage we receive copies so we can prepare for the next meeting:

Probably Dec '06: The Joint Committee will hold an informal work session, to which all interested parties, including the state offices above, are invited. There is no formal invitation list, but we need to organize our points for productive discussion. Usually these sessions last about an hour. This is our main opportunity to affect the wording of the report from the Joint Committee to the Legislature.

Jan "07: The legislature convenes.

Probably July "07: Formal hearing by the Joint Committee, regarding their report. Testimony on this occasion will be limited to about 3 minutes per person.

July - 07: Legislative proposals, debate, voting.

Submitted by George Hill (sec'y pro-tem, UM Committee)