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78R2781 CLE-D

By:  Chisum                                                     H.C.R. No. 20 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, March 1, 2003, is the 40th anniversary of the 
agreement between the State of Texas and the U.S. Atomic Energy 
Commission giving Texas licensing and regulatory authority over 
radioactive materials in the state, and this occasion presents an 
opportune time to reflect on the development and importance of 
regulatory oversight of radioactive materials in Texas; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Health (TDH) first became 
involved in radiological health activities in 1947 and during the 
next nine years conducted a series of short courses about 
radiological hazards, demonstrated the radiation hazards of 
shoe-fitting fluoroscopes, and adopted regulations governing 
radiation exposure; and
	WHEREAS, In 1959 the Texas Legislature created the Radiation 
Study Committee to review all aspects of Texas' role in nuclear 
energy, and this led to the passage of the Texas Radiation Control 
Act in 1961 and subsequent creation of the Texas Radiation Advisory 
Board and designation of TDH as Texas' radiation control agency; 
and
	WHEREAS, On March 1, 1963, when the agreement between the 
State of Texas and the Atomic Energy Commission became effective, 
there were 520 active radioactive material licenses, and today the 
Bureau of Radiation Control, which administers the radiation 
control program for TDH, regulates approximately 1,550 such 
licenses and 16,000 registrations for use of x-ray machines; and
	WHEREAS, Texas is one of only three states that also have 
regulatory authority over uranium recovery and low-level 
radioactive waste disposal in addition to the regulatory authority 
assumed by the signatory states under the basic agreement; TDH 
issues permits for uranium recovery, and the Texas Commission on 
Environmental Quality regulates the disposal of low-level 
radioactive waste; and
	WHEREAS, Virtually every industry in Texas and many 
educational and medical facilities use radioactive materials, and 
the beneficial uses of radiation include diagnostic nuclear 
medicine, highway construction materials testing, pipeline 
radiography, emergency exit lighting, and malignant cancer 
treatment; and
	WHEREAS, Texas' decision to accept authority for radioactive 
materials was a significant milestone that paved the way for 
subsequent efforts to ensure that the beneficial uses of radiation 
are maximized while unnecessary exposure to radiation affecting 
occupational workers and Texas citizens can be minimized; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby commemorate the 40th anniversary of the agreement between 
Texas and the Atomic Energy Commission, and its successor agency, 
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and that it honor the 
individuals responsible for implementation of this historic 
compact.