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AN ACT Relating to existing general aviation airport land use encroachment planning; adding a new section to chapter 35.63 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35A.63 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.70 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.70A RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that existing general aviation airports are essential to the state's interest in an efficient and effective transportation system. Consequently, such airports, whether publicly owned or privately owned public-use, should be protected against encroachment by incompatible land uses.

It is the purpose of this act to protect existing general aviation airports against encroachment by incompatible land uses. It is also the purpose of this act to protect public health, safety, and welfare by encouraging adoption of land use measures that minimize the public's exposure to excessive noise and safety hazards within areas around public general aviation airports and private public-use general aviation airports to the extent that these areas are not already devoted to incompatible uses.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 35.63 RCW to read as follows:

Every municipality, including municipalities planning under a charter, in which there is located a general aviation airport that is not served by a scheduled airline, but is operated for the benefit of the general public, whether publicly owned or privately owned public-use, shall, through its comprehensive plan and development regulations, discourage the siting of incompatible uses adjacent to such general aviation airport. Such plans and regulations may only be adopted or amended after formal consultation with: Airport owners and managers, private airport operators, general aviation pilots, ports, and the aviation division of the department of transportation.

Any additions or amendments to comprehensive plans or development regulations required by this section may be adopted during the normal course of land use proceedings.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 35A.63 RCW to read as follows:

Every city in which there is located a general aviation airport that is not served by a scheduled airline, but is operated for the benefit of the general public, whether publicly owned or privately owned public-use, shall, through its comprehensive plan and development regulations, discourage the siting of incompatible uses adjacent to such general aviation airport. Such plans and regulations may only be adopted or amended after formal consultation with: Airport owners and managers, private airport operators, general aviation pilots, ports, and the aviation division of the department of transportation.

Any additions or amendments to comprehensive plans or development regulations required by this section may be adopted during the normal course of land use proceedings.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 36.70 RCW to read as follows:

Every county in which there is located a general aviation airport that is not served by a scheduled airline, but is operated for the benefit of the general public, whether publicly owned or privately owned public-use, shall, through its comprehensive plan and development regulations, discourage the siting of incompatible uses adjacent to such general aviation airport. Such plans and regulations may only be adopted or amended after formal consultation with: Airport owners and managers, private airport operators, general aviation pilots, ports, and the aviation division of the department of transportation.

Any additions or amendments to comprehensive plans or development regulations required by this section may be adopted during the normal course of land use proceedings.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 36.70A RCW to read as follows:

Every county or city in which there is located a general aviation airport that is not served by a scheduled airline, but is operated for the benefit of the general public, whether publicly owned or privately owned public-use, shall, through its comprehensive plan and development regulations, discourage the siting of incompatible uses adjacent to such general aviation airport. Such plans and regulations may only be adopted or amended after formal consultation with: Airport owners and managers, private airport operators, general aviation pilots, ports, and the aviation division of the department of transportation.

Any additions or amendments to comprehensive plans or development regulations required by this section may be adopted during the normal course of land use proceedings.