BILL REQ. #:  H-1018.1 

Read first time 02/10/2005.   Referred to Committee on Local Government.

     AN ACT Relating to the creation of a citizen's committee to monitor aircraft noise abatement programs administered by the Port of Seattle at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; and adding a new section to chapter 53.54 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 53.54 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The citizen's committee on aircraft noise abatement is established to advise the Port of Seattle, as well as appropriate state, local, and federal agencies, regarding the operation of aircraft noise abatement programs authorized under this chapter regarding the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The committee shall serve as an advisory committee to the Port of Seattle on matters relating to the policies, administration, procedures, and funding of aircraft noise abatement programs. The port shall consult with and provide periodic reports to the committee on matters related to the port's aircraft noise abatement program, including but not limited to program policies, procedures, administration, and funding.
     (2) The committee shall have a total of eleven members who either reside in areas impacted by the noise from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or who represent governmental entities having jurisdiction within the impacted areas. The appointments shall be made by the governor and the appointees shall serve staggered three-year terms. The committee membership shall consist of: (a) Three members consisting of officials from three cities within the impacted areas; (b) one King county official; and (c) seven citizen members who reside in the impacted areas. All members of the committee may participate fully in the committee's meetings and activities and shall timely receive all notices and information related to committee business and decisions.
     (3) The port shall seek recommendations and comments from the committee regarding the port's aircraft noise abatement program. The port shall also provide the committee with sixty days' advance notice of any proposed changes in the policies, procedures, or administration of its aircraft noise abatement program, and shall consider the recommendations and comments of the committee with respect to such proposed changes. In the event the port does not follow the recommendations of the committee, the port shall provide the committee with a written explanation stating the reasoning behind, and the factual basis for, the decision to not follow such recommendations.
     (4) At the request of the committee, the governing body of the port shall meet with the committee not less than three times per calendar year, at intervals to be determined by the committee.
     (5) The port shall fully and timely respond to requests for information that are submitted by the committee.
     (6) Under this section, "impacted areas" has the same meaning as defined under RCW 53.54.020.
     (7) The committee established in this section constitutes a class one group under RCW 43.03.220. Expenses for this group, including staff support, shall be provided by the department of community, trade, and economic development.