Washington Senate Bill 5955 proposes creating a 'port district equity fund' to help large port districts—such as the one operating Sea-Tac Airport—pay for aircraft noise mitigation programs. The fund would be seeded with a $10 million appropriation for fiscal year 2025 and subsequently replenished by sales and use tax revenue collected on capital construction projects at the airport, with the port district required to match at least half of state-provided funds. The Department of Commerce would administer grants from the fund to cover costs such as inspecting and repairing soundproofing equipment in nearby homes and addressing any structural damage caused by its installation.Open full document
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Senate bill report for SB 5955, which establishes a port district equity fund to provide grants to qualifying port districts for noise mitigation programs. The bill appropriates $10 million from the general fund and directs sales and use tax revenue from capital construction projects within port districts to fund noise abatement activities. The Department of Commerce would administer grants and prepare annual reports on program outcomes.