Republic of the Marshall Islands Supplemental Nuclear Compensation Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-2941
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2010-01-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Disability assistance
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Marshall Islands
Medical research
Micronesia
Nuclear weapons
Public contracts and procurement
Radiation
Water quality
Water use and supply
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2010-01-20
text: 
Republic of the Marshall Islands Supplemental Nuclear Compensation Act of 2010 - Amends the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 to direct the Secretary of Energy to periodically survey and report on radiological conditions on Runit Island. 
 
Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include a citizen of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands within the definitions of &quot;covered employee,&quot; &quot;atomic weapons employee,&quot; and &quot;Department of Energy contractor employee.&quot;
 
Coordinates specified benefits with respect to the Compact of Free Association (as defined by this Act).
 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to use amounts appropriated by this Act to supplement health care in the communities affected by the U.S. nuclear testing program, including outer island primary healthcare facilities of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in: (1) Enewetak Atoll, (2) Kili (until the resettlement of Bikini); (3) Majetto Island in Kwajalein Atoll (until the resettlement of Rongelap Atoll); and (4) Utrik Atoll. 
 
Provides for a National Academy of Sciences assessment of the U.S. nuclear testing program's health impacts on the residents of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

action_date: 2010-08-05
text: 
Republic of the Marshall Islands Supplemental Nuclear Compensation Act of 2010 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 to direct the Secretary of Energy, as a part of the Marshall Islands program, to conduct at least every four years: (1) a visual study of the concrete exterior of the Cactus Crater containment structure on Runit Island; and (2) a radiochemical analysis of the groundwater surrounding, and in, the Cactus Crater containment structure on Runit Island. Makes specified funds available to conduct such radiochemical groundwater analysis.
 
(Sec. 3) Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include a citizen or national of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or the Federated States of Micronesia within the definitions of &quot;covered employee,&quot; &quot;atomic weapons employee,&quot; and &quot;Department of Energy contractor employee.&quot;
 
Reduces compensation awarded to an individual under such Act who also received compensation under the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands for the same illness by any compensation received under such Compact, other than medical benefits and benefits for vocational rehabilitation that the individual received by reason of the illness, after deducting the reasonable costs of obtaining those benefits.
 
 
(Sec. 4) Amends the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to provide to the Republic of the Marshall Islands an annual supplemental health care grant to: (1) provide enhanced primary health care, with an emphasis on providing regular screenings for radiogenic illnesses by upgrading existing services or by providing quarterly medical field team visits in Enewetak, Bikini, Rongelap, Utrik, Ailuk, Mejit, Likiep, Wotho, Wotje, and Ujelang Atolls, which were affected by the U.S. nuclear testing program; (2) enhance the capabilities of the Marshall Islands to provide secondary treatment for radiogenic illness; and (3) operate a whole-body counting facility on Utrik Atoll.
 
Appropriates FY2009-FY2023 funds.
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to assess the health impacts of the U.S. nuclear testing program conducted in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the residents of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
 
Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 538.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-268.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-268.
action_date: 2010-06-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2010-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-666.
action_date: 2010-01-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S55-56)
action_date: 2010-01-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S54-55, S56)
action_date: 2010-01-20
text: Introduced in Senate