House Bill 1328 authorized the Port of Seattle to establish jet aircraft noise abatement programs for surrounding communities, allowing the port to purchase affected properties, fund soundproofing, and provide mortgage insurance for residents unable to obtain it due to noise impacts. The bill was amended by the Committee on Local Government to expand the defined impact area, remove eminent domain powers, and extend time limits for property payments. Funding for the program could come from general obligation bonds, capped at 1/8 of one percent of the total taxable property value within the port district.Open full document
Notes
This is a legislative report to the Speaker’s Office regarding House Bill 1328, which authorizes certain port districts (specifically the Port of Seattle) to provide jet aircraft noise abatement programs for surrounding areas. The bill allows the port to purchase property, establish soundproofing programs, provide mortgage insurance, and manage acquired lands, funded through general obligation bonds. The committee recommended ‘Do Pass as Amended’ with amendments increasing impact area size, removing eminent domain powers, and expanding payment time allowances.