H-4398.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2825
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 54th Legislature 1996 Regular Session
By Representatives Keiser, Patterson, Poulsen, Valle and Mitchell
Read first time 01/22/96. Referred to Committee on Transportation.
AN ACT Relating to a study of airport noise; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature desires to be fully informed of the potential costs and impacts of its decisions prior to enacting public policies. Fiscal notes, which describe the financial impacts of specific policies, are typically requested from government agencies in order to assess the fiscal impacts to government. Currently, no formal mechanism exists for legislators to evaluate the financial impacts their policies might have upon private persons and businesses of the state. By enacting this measure, the legislature intends to evaluate the impact of governmental policies, particularly airport policies and decisions, that financially impact the state=s citizens living near airport facilities.
(2) The legislature does not expressly or impliedly acquiesce to, or agree with, any general or specific proposal having the effect of increasing air traffic at Seattle-Tacoma international airport. This act is not intended to establish mitigation payments that might be required if proposals for additional runways at Seattle-Tacoma international airport are adopted. The legislature intends only to measure the potential financial impact such policies might have upon residents in the airport vicinity, to enable better public policy decisions by state, regional, and local governmental entities.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The legislative transportation committee shall conduct a study analyzing the impacts of airport impacts, such as air quality, water quality, street traffic, and noise, upon residential housing values near Seattle-Tacoma international airport. The committee may retain consultants as necessary to conduct or assist in the analysis.
(2) At a minimum, the study shall (a) establish the study area, including all residential properties located within 55 LDN contour of Seattle-Tacoma international airport as well as the cities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Sea-Tac, and Tukwila; (b) conduct the study according to accepted methodology such as the "neighborhood pair" model, comparing at least two comparable neighborhoods, one of which is exposed to a higher level of airport traffic than the other; and (c) make use of local realtors and appraisers who are familiar with the study area.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The sum of seventy-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1997, from the transportation fund created under RCW 82.44.180, to the legislative transportation committee for the purposes of conducting the study required under section 2 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The legislative transportation committee shall submit a final report on the results of the study to the appropriate legislative committees by December 15, 1996.
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