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Bill Analysis: E2SSB 5955 – Mitigating Harm and Improving Equity in Large Port Districts

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SB5955

Washington State bill E2SSB 5955 creates a grant program, running through July 1, 2029, managed by the Department of Commerce to help large port districts — primarily the Port of Seattle, which operates Sea-Tac Airport — repair or replace faulty noise mitigation equipment installed in nearby homes, and address any structural damage caused by that equipment. Port districts can hire building inspectors or partner with their county to inspect affected properties, and must apply for grant funds when inspections reveal problems. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee will review the program's effectiveness by July 1, 2028.

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Notes

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research bill analysis of E2SSB 5955, heard by the Local Government Committee on 2/20/24, staff Kellen Wright. The bill establishes through July 1, 2029 a grant program administered by the Department of Commerce to assist port districts undertaking noise mitigation programs, covering repair or replacement of noise mitigation equipment not working as intended, and addressing hazards or structural damage caused by previously installed soundproofing equipment. Applies specifically to large port districts operating airports with more than 900 scheduled jet flights per day — in 2023 only Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Port of Seattle) qualified. Creates the port district equity fund; authorizes interlocal agreements with counties for building inspectors; requires Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee review by July 1, 2028. Sponsors include Senators Keiser, Hasegawa, Kauffman, Nguyen, and Wilson, C. Amends RCW 53.54.020 noise abatement program financing provisions.

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