Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 2828

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Prohibits the use of port district funds to purchase fully automated marine container cargo handling equipment.

Background:

Port districts are a type of special purpose district. There are 75 port districts in Washington. Port districts can include harbors and marine transport, but can also include airports, railroads, and other facilities. Port districts are funded by property taxes, services fees, lease fees, and bonds. Ports may also receive funding from the federal government and from the state.

Marine cargo generally comes in three forms: containerized (cargo transported by container), bulk (cargo transported unpackaged, like grain or oil), and break bulk (cargo, such as a car or barrels, that is loaded individually, rather than in containers or in bulk). Most non-bulk cargo is transported by intermodal container. Such containers can be transferred between different modes of transportation - for example, from ship to rail - without removing the cargo from the container.

Summary of Bill:

Port districts are prohibited from using port funds to purchase fully automated marine container cargo handling equipment. Container cargo handling equipment is fully automated if it is remotely operated or remotely monitored. Port districts may use funds to purchase human-operated zero, or near zero, emission equipment and the infrastructure to support the equipment.