FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2315

C 135 L 20

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Installing, repairing, replacing, and updating mitigation equipment installed within an impacted area.

Sponsors: Representatives Orwall, Fitzgibbon and Pellicciotti.

House Committee on Local Government

Senate Committee on Local Government

Background:

A port district operating an airport with more than 20 scheduled jet aircraft flights per day may undertake a noise abatement program to alleviate the impact of jet noise on areas surrounding the airport. Under state law, the port district may only operate a noise abatement program in an area within 1 mile of the centerline of a runway, or within 1 mile of the centerline of an imaginary runway running for 6 miles from the paved end of a runway. The funding for noise abatement programs, however, comes from airport revenue, which is considered federal funding under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules. The FAA limits the use of these funds to areas within 3 miles of the end of a runway, rather than 6.

Within an impacted area, a port may undertake one or more noise abatement programs. The port may acquire affected property directly; assist with transactions involving impacted properties; provide mortgage insurance; or soundproof structures.

An individual property may be provided with benefits under multiple programs but may generally only be provided with each kind of benefit once. However, if a property is subsequently subject to increased or different aircraft noise than it was at the time that the benefits were provided, and if these increased or differing noise impacts would have afforded a different level of mitigation at the time benefits were provided, then benefits may again be provided under a program. Federal Aviation Administration-funded noise mitigation projects do not allow for soundproofing or mitigation benefits to be provided more than once, and FAA funding is not available for the replacement of previously installed soundproofing or sound mitigation equipment.

Summary:

An individual property may be provided with abatement benefits under a program more than once if the property contains a soundproofing installation, structure, or other type of mitigation impact equipment previously installed by the port district that is in need of repair or replacement, as determined by an inspection by the port district. Where mitigation improvements are no longer working as intended, port districts choosing to exercise mitigation authority for the provision of benefits more than once must work with a state certified building inspector to determine whether package failure has resulted in additional hazards or structural damage to the property.

Votes on Final Passage: