[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to creating a citizens committee for the enhancement of communities surrounding an airport; adding a new section to chapter 53.08 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 the communities surrounding SeaTac Airport deal with unique impacts from air takeoffs and landings that affect the livability of these communities. The legislature also finds that these communities also deal with the impacts of increased traffic, noise, and the continuing environmental degradation of air and water quality.

Therefore, the legislature creates the citizens committee for the enhancement of communities surrounding SeaTac Airport, to be composed of citizens recommended by the legislative representatives from the surrounding districts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 53.08 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A port district that is countywide with a population greater than one million shall establish by September 1, 2002, a citizens committee for the enhancement of communities surrounding an airport that is owned and operated by the port.

(2) The citizens committee shall consist of six members, who are appointed by the port commission, from a list of recommendations received from the legislative members of the legislative district that encompasses the airport. The committee chair shall be designated by the port commission from among the members of the citizens committee. Staff support for the citizens committee shall be provided by the port commission.

(3) The members of the citizens committee shall be representatives of communities that are either wholly or partially situated within a five-mile radius of the airport.

(4) Committee members shall serve as follows:

(a) Terms shall be three years;

(b) Terms are staggered, with the initial six appointees to serve terms as follows:

(i) Two appointee terms expire in 2003;

(ii) Two appointee terms expire in 2004; and

(iii) Two appointee terms expire in 2005;

(d) A member who is appointed to serve an unfinished term may be reappointed for one full term, or until a successor is appointed.

(5) The citizens committee shall meet regularly at the call of the chair. The port commission shall appoint a liaison to the committee, and the liaison shall attend meetings of the committee and report back to the port commission at least quarterly.

(6) Members of the citizens committee may not receive compensation or other reimbursement for expenses.

(7) The committee shall:

(a) Evaluate issues of livability in the communities located in the area described in subsection (3) of this section, and the unique impacts on livability in these communities arising from their close proximity to the airport;

(b) Develop projects designed to restore quality of life, including but not limited to park, school, and transportation issues that affect livability in the communities; and

(c) Make recommendations to the port commission for the funding of projects designed to address transportation issues that affect livability in the communities.

(8) The port commission shall:

(a) Consider the recommendations of the committee;

(b) Make grants to fund related projects recommended by the citizens committee; and

(c) Identify in the annual budget an amount designated for the grants authorized under this section. The amount designated shall include an amount equal to at least one dollar for every takeoff and landing of an aircraft that occurs for the most recent calendar year.