JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. –  Missouri House Representatives voted unanimously on Thursday for HB 516, a radioactive waste investigation bill.

The bill will allow the state to test soil, groundwater and dust for radiological contamination. 

Rep. Mark Matthiesen of District 107 delivered an introduction to a three-part bill on the Missouri House floor. 

“Multiple myeloma does not care if you are Black or white. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma doesn’t care about your political affiliation. Leukemia doesn’t care if you pray to Allah, Jesus, or don’t pray at all. These rare cancers can affect everyone, and that is why I will not stop pushing for this legislation to seek out areas of radioactive contamination so people can be informed about their risks,” Matthiesen said. 

Representatives across the aisles shared personal stories of rare cancers and autoimmune diseases. 

“I have a whole highway from one side of my district to the other where every family on that highway has been touched with a rare and odd cancer,” said Representative Richard West of District 102. 

Representatives also came together to address 80 years of Missouri’s history, from refining uranium for the Manhattan Project in downtown St. Louis to the leftover nuclear waste that is still sitting in the area today. 

“This is federal government waste, poison left in our soils,” said Representative Doug Clemens of District 72.

The bill’s language also states that the federal government will reimburse the state for cleanup costs. 

“For years that just sat there with no appropriation. So that means we weren’t doing any testing. So my portion removed that cap and allowed the general assembly to appropriate to that fund as we see fit,” said Representative Raychel Proudie of District 73.

Representatives who spoke on Thursday said the bill is motivation to stand up to the federal government and demand action.