Assigned to GOV FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to GOV FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
blue water navy; Vietnam veterans
Purpose
Urges the U.S. Congress (Congress) to enact the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act.
Background
The Agent Orange Act of 1991 granted benefits and medical treatment to veterans suffering from diseases linked to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. These include non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, soft-tissue sarcoma and additional diseases resulting from exposure to herbicide agents. Veterans serving in Vietnam from January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975, are presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents. However in 2002, the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs limited the presumption of exposure to those who served on the ground in Vietnam, based upon a 1997 General Counsel’s opinion (27-97) that interpreted service in the Republic of Vietnam to apply only to the landmass.
The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act clarifies that the Republic of Vietnam includes its territorial seas. This Act restores the presumptive coverage for veterans with diseases associated with exposure to herbicide agents while serving in the bays, harbors and territorial seas of Vietnam.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Urges Congress to enact the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act into law.
2. Directs the Arizona Secretary of State to transmit copies of this memorial to the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and each member of Congress from Arizona.
House Action
MVRA 2/12/18 DP 9-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/21/18 58-0-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 19, 2018
JO/lat