New Jersey-2020-AJR170-Introduced

A Joint Resolution creating a commission to study the health effects of 5G wireless technologies.

Whereas, The wireless industry is engaged in a large scale deployment of microwave antennas to facilitate the next generation of wireless communications known as 5G, which promises to dramatically enhance the nation's broadband infrastructure by eliminating rural internet disparities, enabling new forms of automation, and promoting advancements in telemedicine; and

Whereas, 5G technology uses existing technology and new applications of microwave radiation to transmit large amounts of data, but requires closer proximity to network users, resulting in dense deployment of antennas near schools, residences, and businesses; and

Whereas, The deployment of these antennas across the State raises questions concerning the potential health impacts of these antennas on nearby residents, and results in an involuntary exposure of citizens without express knowledge or consent of the potential health impacts; and

Whereas, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has not yet conducted long-term testing of 5G technology, and has not updated the FCC wireless radiation human exposure guidelines since 1996; and

Whereas, Wireless industry leaders have admitted that safety tests have not yet been conducted to determine any possible adverse health effects from the constant exposure to higher frequency wireless radiation; and

Whereas, A significant body of published, peer-reviewed, independent scientific studies links exposure to wireless radiation with serious biological harm and increased risk of cancer, reproductive problems, and neurological impairments; and

Whereas, This growing body of research cast doubt on the theory that low-level exposure to radio-frequency microwave radiation is harmless, which has been the underlying principle of all federal legislation and regulation regarding wireless technology for more than 20 years; and

Whereas, More than 250 medical and public health professionals have signed a joint statement urging government officials to consider the latest science on microwave radiation and human health, especially the latest science concerning abnormal brain development in unborn children; and

Whereas, Populations that are especially at risk from possible harm from wireless radiation include pregnant women, children, the elderly, individuals with implanted medical devices, or cardiac or neurological problems; and

Whereas, The overall body of evidence concerning the potential health impacts of wireless radio wave radiation is inconclusive and lacking in high-quality research, and therefore, requires further study and consideration to help shape appropriate regulatory policies that best represent the public's interest; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. a. There is established the "New Jersey Commission on 5G Health Effects." This commission will study the environmental and health effects of 5G wireless technologies, with a focus on the potential health risks the deployment and use of these technologies pose to vulnerable populations.

b. The task force will consist of 11 members as follows:

(1) two members of the General Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly;

(2) two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(3) one member of the cellphone and wireless technology industry, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(4) one member representing the business community, appointed by the Governor;

(5) one member of the public with expertise in the biological effects of wireless radiation, appointed by the Governor;

(6) the Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee;

(7) the Commissioner of Health, or the commissioner's designee;

(8) one member of the State Medical Society, who specialized in environmental medicine and is familiar with wireless radiation, appointed by the Governor; and

(9) one member representing the university system of Rutgers knowledgeable in wireless radiation, appointed by the Governor.

c. The members of this commission shall be appointed within 45 days after the date of enactment of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before this Legislature as this bill). The commission shall organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of a majority of the commission's members. The presence of six members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

d. A majority of the commission's membership shall elect a chairperson from among the commission's members.

e. The commission will meet regularly as the commission determines, or at the call of the chairperson or a majority of commission's membership.

f. All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public. Agendas, minutes, documents, and testimony from all meetings shall be posted on the state's website.

g. All members of this commission shall serve without compensation.

h. Any vacancy in the membership of this commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

i. The Department of Health shall provide stenographic, clerical, and other administrative assistants, and professional staff as the commission requires to carry out the commission's work. The commission shall be entitled to call to the commission's assistance and avail of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as the commission may require and as may be available for the commission's purposes.

2. a. The commission shall examine the known and studied health and environmental impacts of exposure to wireless radiation emitted by waves in the 300 kilohertz (kHz)-100 gigahertz (GHz) range; assess the long-term health and environmental impacts of chronic exposure to those types of frequencies from wireless antennas placed in close proximity to homes, apartments, schools, and businesses; and receive testimony from the scientific community, as well as other organizations and members of the public with an interest in the deployment or use of 5G technology. The commission specifically shall:

(1) outline the advantages of, and risks associated with 5G technology;

(2) develop a strategy, if deemed necessary, to limit the publics' wireless radiation exposure from 5G or other wireless technologies;

(3) consider alternatives to 5G technology, such as fiber optic; and

(4) provide any recommendations for proposed legislation developed by the commission.

b. The commission shall prepare and submit to the Governor and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1) a final report no later than one year after the organization of the commission. The commission shall expire upon submission of the commission's report.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution establishes the "New Jersey Commission on 5G Health Effects" to study the environmental and health effects of 5G wireless technologies. The wireless industry is engaged in the deployment of the next generation of wireless communications known as 5G, which promises to enhance the nation's broadband infrastructure. 5G technology uses new applications of microwave radiation to transmit large amounts of data, but requires closer proximity to network users, but the deployment of 5G technology raises questions about the potential health impacts of these installations on nearby residents. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has not yet conducted long-term testing of 5G technology and has not updated the FCC wireless radiation human exposure guidelines since 1996. The overall body of evidence concerning the potential health impacts of wireless radio wave radiation is inconclusive and lacking in high-quality research and therefore, requires further study and consideration to help shape appropriate regulatory policies that best represent the publics' interest.

The commission will consist of 11 members, with representation from the General Assembly, the Senate, the Governor, the cellphone and wireless technology industry, the business community, the public, the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Health, the State Medical Society, and the university system of Rutgers. The commission will examine the health and environmental impacts of exposure to wireless radiation emitted by waves in the 300 kilohertz (kHz)-100 gigahertz (GHz) range; assess the long-term health and environmental impacts of chronic exposure to those types of frequencies from wireless antennas placed in close proximity to homes, apartments, schools, and businesses; and receive testimony from the scientific community, as well as other organizations and members of the public with an interest in the deployment or use of 5G technology.

Within a year after the organization of the commission, the commission will submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature of the commission's findings and recommendations. Specifically, the report should outline the advantages of, and risks associated with 5G technology; develop a strategy, if deemed necessary, to limit the publics' wireless radiation exposure from 5G or other wireless technologies; consider alternatives to 5G technology; and provide any recommendations for proposed legislation developed by the commission.