Study of radiological fallout impacts in the commonwealth of the northern mariana islands

(a) Study required Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, shall conduct a study to determine the extent to which radioactive fallout resulting from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing conducted by the United States in the Pacific Proving Grounds, including the Marshall Islands, during the period beginning in 1946 and ending in 1962 (in this section referred to as covered testing) may have affected residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (b) Elements The study under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a review of historical records, meteorological data, environmental monitoring data, fallout modeling, declassified documents, and other relevant information relating to covered testing; (2) an assessment of the extent to which radioactive fallout resulting from covered testing reached inhabited areas of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, including Saipan, Tinian, and Rota; (3) an evaluation of potential radiation doses received by individuals residing in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands during the period specified in subsection (a) as a result of covered testing, and any associated health risks; (4) an identification of any gaps in available data necessary to assess historical radiation exposure experienced by such individuals, and recommendations for additional research necessary to address such gaps; (5) an assessment of whether the levels of radiation exposure identified pursuant to paragraph (3) would be comparable to radiation exposure levels experienced by populations eligible, or previously eligible, for compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (Public Law 101–426; 42 U.S.C. 2210 note); and (6) a determination of whether the available evidence supports extending eligibility for compensation under such Act, or any successor compensation program, to individuals who resided in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands during the period specified in subsection (a). (c) Report (1) Submission to congress Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing the findings and recommendations of the study under subsection (a). (2) Form The report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. (3) Public availability The Secretary of Energy shall make the unclassified portion of the report under paragraph (1) publicly available on a website of the Department of Energy. (d) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.