Notes
Washington State House Bill 2103 (HB2103), prefiled 2024-01-03 by Representatives Orwall and Fitzgibbon, 68th Legislature 2024 Regular Session. Amends RCW 53.36.020, 53.54.010, 53.54.020, 53.54.040, and 70A.65.260 to require large port districts operating airports (specifically referencing Sea-Tac Airport and King County) to dedicate a portion of their property tax levy toward remedial mitigation programs for communities near the airport. Requires that after July 1, 2024, at least half of any levy revenue increase be used for mitigation; after July 1, 2025, at least 1% of annual tax levy revenue must be used for mitigation, increasing 1% annually to a 10% maximum. Mitigation programs include repair/replacement of failed sound insulation, air quality equipment (HEPA/air purifiers for ultrafine particles), urban forests, indoor recreation facilities, and community greenhouses. Findings cite 2019 King County Department of Health study showing health disparities — premature births, asthma, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, lower life expectancy — among Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations living within 10 miles of Seattle-Tacoma international airport.