SM 27

1A MEMORIAL
2  ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPACT OF RADIATION EXPOSURE ON NEW MEXICO
3  RESIDENTS; RECOGNIZING THE EXPANSION OF THE FEDERAL RADIATION
4  EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ACT; URGING STATEWIDE OUTREACH AND
5  ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT ELIGIBLE PERSONS APPLYING FOR
6  COMPENSATION PRIOR TO THE DECEMBER 31, 2027 DEADLINE.
7
8WHEREAS, New Mexico is home to many communities that
9  were exposed to radiation as a result of the trinity nuclear
10 test and decades of uranium mining, milling and transport
11 activities that supported national defense and energy security
12 interests; and
13      WHEREAS, for generations, New Mexico downwinders,
14 uranium workers and their families have experienced elevated
15 rates of cancer and other serious health impacts without
16 formal recognition or compensation; and
17      WHEREAS, congress expanded the federal Radiation
18 Exposure Compensation Act to include New Mexico downwinders
19 and post-1971 uranium workers, providing a one-time payment of
20 one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to eligible persons or
21 their survivors; and
22      WHEREAS, the expanded eligibility under the federal
23 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act requires all claims to be
24 filed no later than December 31, 2027; and
25      WHEREAS, many eligible New Mexico residents,  SM 27
                                                                  Page 1
1  particularly elders, rural residents, tribal members and
2  families of deceased persons, may be unaware of their
3  eligibility, uncertain of how to document presence or illness
4  or unable to navigate the federal application process without
5  assistance; and
6WHEREAS, New Mexico maintains critical public health and
7  community resources, including the New Mexico tumor registry
8  and local health, aging, veterans and tribal service
9  organizations, that can assist eligible persons in
10 understanding eligibility and the application process; and
11      WHEREAS, ensuring that eligible New Mexico residents
12 receive compensation under the federal Radiation Exposure
13 Compensation Act is a matter of justice, dignity and
14 responsibility to communities that bore disproportionate risk
15 in service to the nation;
16      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE
17 STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it acknowledge the harm experienced
18 by New Mexico downwinders, uranium workers and their families
19 and recognize the importance of the expanded federal
20 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act as an act of federal
21 accountability and recognition; and
22      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health,
23 the aging and long-term services department, the veterans'
24 services department and the Indian affairs department be
25 requested to collaborate with community-based organizations,    SM 27
                                                                 Page 2
1  tribal governments and local governments to conduct outreach
2  and education and to provide technical assistance to ensure
3  that eligible persons are informed of and supported in
4  applying for compensation under the federal Radiation
5  Exposure Compensation Act before the December 31, 2027
6  deadline; and
7BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the senate encourage the
8  dissemination of clear, culturally appropriate and accessible
9  information regarding eligibility, documentation options and
10 survivor claims under the federal Radiation Exposure
11 Compensation Act, particularly in rural and historically
12 impacted communities; and
13      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
14 transmitted to the governor, the secretary of health, the
15 secretary of aging and long-term services, the secretary of
16 veterans' services, the secretary of Indian affairs and the
17 New Mexico congressional delegation.  SM 27
                                                                 Page 3
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25