SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 2375

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,

                               FEBRUARY 24, 1992

Brief Description:  Allowing less restrictive easements concerning aircraft noise.

SPONSORS: Representatives Hine, G. Fisher, Heavey and Mitchell

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Madsen, and Sutherland.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1992

BACKGROUND:

A port district that operates an airport serving more than 20 scheduled jet aircraft flights per day may establish a program of aircraft noise abatement.  Among other items, the aircraft noise abatement program may include purchasing property and soundproofing structures.  When a port district soundproofs a structure under this program a property owner must waive all damages and convey a full and unrestricted easement to the port district for the operation of aircraft and associated aircraft noise.

SUMMARY:

The requirements for owner participation in a port noise abatement program are reduced.  Owners are not required to waive all claims and the easement granted does not need to be total and unrestricted.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Full waiver of rights shouldn't be required when only partial mitigation occurs.  Future remedy is allowed if noise gets worse.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Hine, prime sponsor; Pat Jones, Port of Seattle