TagLegislation(121)

Washington State's Substitute House Bill 1915, signed into law on April 30, 1993, expanded the tools available to port districts for addressing aircraft noise impacts on nearby properties. The law allows ports to offer affected property owners a range of remedies, including property acquisition, transaction assistance, soundproofing programs, and mortgage insurance. A key update permits individual properties to receive benefits more than once if they experience increased or changed aircraft noise levels that would have warranted a different level of mitigation.

Washington State Senate Bill 3076, introduced in 1979, proposed the creation of a State Port Commission to financially assist and coordinate port districts across Washington. The three-member commission, appointed by the governor with senate approval, would serve six-year terms and be tasked with promoting domestic and foreign trade, eliminating wasteful competition, and supporting port facility development. Note: This bill pertains to port district governance and commerce, and does not directly address Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

Washington State House Bill 1191, introduced in 1979, amends laws governing port district commissioners in the state, covering how candidates file for office and how commissioner positions are numbered and assigned. The bill updates rules for port districts in Class AA counties, including provisions for expanding commissions from three to five members, with some commissioners elected by district and others chosen at large. While this bill governs port district governance structure, it does not directly address airport noise policy.

A January 1979 legislative memorandum from research analyst Jay Holman to Washington state representatives proposes amendments to port district governance laws, including allowing voters to split port districts into separate functional entities and modify how port commissioners are elected. A follow-up note from January 31, 1979 refines the proposal, suggesting that five port commissioners be retained but that three be elected from newly formed sub-districts and two chosen at-large, with changes to take effect at the November 1979 general election.

A 1978 Washington State House of Representatives bill analysis outlines proposed legislation to limit airport noise, giving local governments that own airports the authority to restrict aircraft use and flight times to keep residential community noise levels below 65 decibels. Airports with more than 30 scheduled flights per day would be required to take action to meet this standard, with special attention to reducing noise during evening and nighttime hours. A public hearing on the legislation was held on December 7, 1978, at the Burien Public Library near Sea-Tac Airport.

In this January 1976 letter, U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson responds to Seattle resident Virginia E. Dana, enclosing copies of two House bills—H.R. 4312 and H.R. 7720—known as the 'Airport and Airway Development Extension Acts of 1975.' The bills, introduced by Representative Dale Milford and referred to the House Subcommittee on Aviation, were relevant to airport development policy, including plans for Sea-Tac Airport. Magnuson acknowledges Dana's comments about Sea-Tac development and expresses hope that the documents will support her research into airport development programs.

H.R. 7720, the Airport and Airway Development Extension Act of 1975, was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 9, 1975, to amend the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970. The bill sought to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for airport development and provide direct payments to certain sponsors during fiscal years 1976 through 1980. It also established national policy for protecting and enhancing natural resources and environmental quality in airport development projects, including measures to mitigate adverse environmental effects from airport operations and aircraft.

A 1974 Washington State law (Chapter 121, House Bill 1328) authorizes port districts operating busy airports to take action against jet aircraft noise affecting nearby communities. Programs available include buying affected properties, soundproofing structures, and providing mortgage insurance to residents who cannot obtain it due to noise impact — all within defined geographic boundaries around runways. Funding may come from federal grants, airport revenues, and general obligation bonds up to one-eighth of one percent of taxable property value in the port district.

Senate Bill No. 3076, introduced by Senators Dore, Mardesich, and Day on January 17, 1974, proposes giving Washington's Department of Social and Health Services the authority to regulate and control noise pollution, including emissions from motor vehicles and aircraft. The bill would allow the department to set noise level limits, investigate complaints, and seek injunctions against violators. Anyone found in violation could face a misdemeanor charge and a fine of up to $100 per offense.

This 1972 King County Zoning Code Synopsis outlines dimensional standards and land-use purposes for all zoning classifications in King County, Washington, ranging from single-family residential zones (RS-7,200 through RS-15,000) to agricultural, commercial, and industrial designations. Each zone specifies minimum lot sizes, yard setbacks, lot coverage limits, and building height restrictions. The document provides the regulatory framework that governed land development in the King County area, including communities near Sea-Tac Airport, during the early 1970s.