RADIATION EXPOSURE & COMPENSATION

HM055

HOUSE MEMORIAL 55

57
th legislature
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
second session
, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Tara L. Lujan and Patricia A. Lundstrom and Rebecca Dow

and Joseph Franklin Hernandez and Martha Garcia

A MEMORIAL

ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPACT OF RADIATION EXPOSURE ON NEW MEXICO
RESIDENTS; RECOGNIZING THE EXPANSION OF THE FEDERAL RADIATION
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ACT; URGING STATEWIDE OUTREACH AND
ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT ELIGIBLE PERSONS APPLYING FOR
COMPENSATION PRIOR TO THE DECEMBER 31, 2027 DEADLINE.

WHEREAS, New Mexico is home to many communities that were
exposed to radiation as a result of the trinity nuclear test
and decades of uranium mining, milling and transport activities
that supported national defense and energy security interests;
and

WHEREAS, for generations, New Mexico downwinders, uranium
workers and their families have experienced elevated rates of
cancer and other serious health impacts without formal
recognition or compensation; and

WHEREAS, congress expanded the federal Radiation Exposure
Compensation Act to include New Mexico downwinders and post-1971 uranium workers, providing a one-time payment of one
hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to eligible persons or
their survivors; and

WHEREAS, the expanded eligibility under the federal
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act requires all claims to be
filed no later than December 31, 2027; and

WHEREAS, many eligible New Mexico residents, particularly
elders, rural residents, tribal members and families of
deceased persons, may be unaware of their eligibility,
uncertain of how to document presence or illness or unable to
navigate the federal application process without assistance;
and

WHEREAS, New Mexico maintains critical public health and
community resources, including the New Mexico tumor registry
and local health, aging, veterans and tribal service
organizations, that can assist eligible persons in
understanding eligibility and the application process; and

WHEREAS, ensuring that eligible New Mexico residents
receive compensation under the federal Radiation Exposure
Compensation Act is a matter of justice, dignity and
responsibility to communities that bore disproportionate risk
in service to the nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it acknowledge
the harm experienced by New Mexico downwinders, uranium workers
and their families and recognize the importance of the expanded
federal Radiation Exposure Compensation Act as an act of
federal accountability and recognition; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health, the
aging and long-term services department, the veterans' services
department and the Indian affairs department be requested to
collaborate with community-based organizations, tribal
governments and local governments to conduct outreach and
education and to provide technical assistance to ensure that
eligible persons are informed of and supported in applying for
compensation under the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation
Act before the December 31, 2027 deadline; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the house of representatives
encourage the dissemination of clear, culturally appropriate
and accessible information regarding eligibility, documentation
options and survivor claims under the federal Radiation
Exposure Compensation Act, particularly in rural and
historically impacted communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the governor, the secretary of health, the
secretary of aging and long-term services, the secretary of
veterans' services, the secretary of Indian affairs and the New
Mexico congressional delegation.