Engrossed House Bill No. 97, introduced in Washington State's 43rd Legislature in January 1973, establishes the right of property owners to seek compensation in inverse condemnation actions when their property value is diminished due to highway, aviation, or airport operations. Qualifying impacts include noise, vibrations, air pollution, water pollution, loss of view or scenery, and risk to life from nearby traffic. The bill also limits recovery to properties within one-quarter mile of a highway right-of-way or within one hundred yards of an airport facility, and requires actions to be filed within three years of the alleged taking or damaging.Open full document
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A Washington State legislative bill relating to eminent domain for highway purposes, aviation purposes, and airport operations. The bill adds new sections to chapter 8.28 RCW establishing the right to compensation for diminution in property value caused by noise, vibrations, air pollution, water pollution, loss of view or scenery, or risk to life or limb from vehicular or air traffic. It also limits certain defenses previously available to governmental entities paying compensation and restricts recovery to properties within specified distances of the relevant facility.