COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                Item No.       7b 
BRIEFING ITEM                   Date of Meeting    October 10, 2017 
DATE:    October 3, 2017 
TO:     Dave Soike, Interim Executive Director 
FROM:   Eric ffitch, State Government Relations Manager, Public Affairs 
Pearse Edwards, Director, Government Relations, Public Affairs 
SUBJECT:  DRAFT State Legislative Agenda for 2018 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Since the end of the 2017 state legislative session in Olympia, Washington, staff from the
Government Affairs department has been working with subject-matter experts across the Port,
members of the Executive Leadership Team, staff from the Commission office, and the
Commissioners themselves to develop a draft legislative agenda for 2018. The policy
statements included in this memo, and set for discussion at the October 10, 2017, commission
meeting, reflect work that is ongoing at the port, core priorities laid out by our Commission, or
high-profile issues on which we may be asked to take a position. 
This appearance in public session follows meetings with commissioners and staff to revise and
sharpen this agenda, and it remains a living document that is subject to feedback from the
commission prior to the potential adoption of the agenda on October 24. Once adopted,
Commissioners and staff will meet with state lawmakers in advance of the January 8, 2018, 
start date for next year's session to share the agenda and discuss priorities for the coming year. 
DRAFT State Legislative Agenda for 2018 
Priority Agenda Items 
Workforce development: Support proposals to enhance state investments in workforce
development in the maritime, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. This may include
possible amendments to port statute to clarify the authority of port districts to continue
to play a role in workforce development in these sectors. 
Transportation access to Sea-Tac Airport: Support funding for a partnership between
the Port of Seattle and the Washington State Department of Transportation to conduct
a study of State Route 518 to address current and future corridor needs related to
increased regional development that will affect transportation demand on that corridor. 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. __7b__                    Page 2 of 5 
Meeting Date: October 10, 2017 

Statewide tourism marketing: Support efforts to establish a statewide tourism
marketing program that includes a sustainable means of funding, and ensures that funds
collected for tourism marketing are maintained for that explicit use. 
Land use: Provide detailed information to legislators and to House and Senate
Committees on the current land use issues facing Washington ports, with a specific
focus on zoning issues related to the Growth Management Act that may affect port
competitiveness. This may include: 
o  Proposals that are consistent with, but not limited to, the recommendations
from the state legislature's Spring 2016 Joint Task Force on the Economic
Resilience of Maritime and Manufacturing report; 
o  Proposals that reflect the "Guiding Principles: Stewardship, Enhancement, and
Protection of Maritime and Manufacturing Lands" document that was adopted
by the Northwest Seaport Alliance on November 1, 2016; and 
o  Any legislative changes that may otherwise impact the efficient functioning of
statewide essential public facilities. 
Priority Issue Areas 
Quality Jobs and Small Business: 
o  Quality Jobs: Support proposals that are consistent with the Port's focus on
bringing quality, sustainable jobs to the region, including through proposals that: 
Clarify the authority of port districts to pursue creative approaches to
workforce, as well as any efforts to expand state-level support for worker
training programs in the aviation, maritime, and manufacturing trades. 
Support career-connected and work-based learning programs that seek
to expose middle- and high-school age students to professions in portrelated
industries. 
Expand and strengthen state support for apprenticeship programs. 
Ensure responsible enforcement of labor standards. 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. __7b__                    Page 3 of 5 
Meeting Date: October 10, 2017 
o  Small Business: Support proposals that seek to provide equity in the workplace
for disadvantaged groups, and promote inclusion of small businesses, including
disadvantaged, minority, and women owned business enterprises (SMWBEs).
This includes: 
Continued support for the repeal of Initiative 200, and other policy
proposals that seek to achieve similar objectives. 
Support for proposals that provide flexibility in contracting to public
owners while ensuring that contracting practices enfranchise SMWBEs. 
Support proposals that enhance the opportunities for SMWBEs to more
effectively compete for small works projects. 
Support business assistance programs at the state-level that are focused
on small business capacity building, and help SMWBEs to compete in the
government marketplace. 
Transportation 
o  Closely monitor and support continued funding of state transportation projects
that are critical to Port of Seattle and Northwest Seaport Alliance operations,
including the Puget Sound Gateway Program (SR-509/SR-167), the Alaskan Way
Viaduct Replacement Program, State Route 518, and others. 
o  Support proposals that speed the movement of freight and passengers from
origin to destination through seaport and airport facilities. This includes
investments in freight-related infrastructure based on recommendations from
the state's freight advisory committee and Freight Mobility Strategic Investment
Board, and consistent with a methodology developed collectively by all members
of that committee. 
o  Support proposals that allow for creative approaches to infrastructure
development and funding, including potential expansion of authority of public
owners to partner with private entities, permitted that such proposals do not
compromise public infrastructure. 
o  Support proposals that clarify and affirm the authority of the Port Commission to
control access to port facilities by ground transportation service providers. 
o  Support proposals intended to promote aviation safety while maintaining the
authority of airport operators to enforce their own rules and regulations at the
facilities within their control. 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. __7b__                    Page 4 of 5 
Meeting Date: October 10, 2017 

o  Support state actions that promote resilience in the transportation network, and
support collaboration with other government agencies, including on issues of
climate resilience. 
Energy and Environment: 
o  Support and advocate for continued state investment in environmental cleanup
programs and state-level policies that promote the adoption and
implementation of clean energy sources to reduce the state's reliance on fossil
fuels and seek to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. That includes: 
Programs funded through the Model Toxics Control Act that assist ports
in their efforts to promote environmental stewardship and support
Washington State's pursuit of a healthier Puget Sound. 
Work with state and local agencies on development of a statewide
mitigation plan for funds from the national Volkswagen settlement.
Support efforts that direct funds to regionally significant projects,
including projects that result in emissions reductions at airports and
seaports across the state. 
Policies that promote the use of clean energy technology and support a
statewide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and that can be
implemented in ways: that leverage our state's competitiveness;
maintain the efficient operation of essential public facilities such as
airports and seaports; and support equity between our business partners. 
Policies that promote the use of low-carbon fuels for transportation, and
otherwise support the continued reduction in the cost of low-carbon
energy sources to consumers in the state, including action to spur
adoption of aviation biofuels; and allow for electrification of large-scale
transportation infrastructure. 
Support state actions that promote climate change resilience, and
support collaboration with other government agencies in this effort,
including a focus on resilience within the transportation network. 
Policies that reduce carbon and air pollution emissions for passengers
and employees traveling to and from Port facilities, including promoting
efficient transportation improvements, public transit, and low carbon
fuels. 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. __7b__                    Page 5 of 5 
Meeting Date: October 10, 2017 
Tax: 
o  Support tax policies at the state level that support the economic health of portrelated
businesses and activities, including: 
Policies that promote the efficient movement of freight and support
those communities that house the warehousing and distribution
infrastructure necessary to enable the Port of Seattle, the Northwest
Seaport Alliance, and its partner entities to serve Washington state
businesses, including in agriculture, manufacturing, and trade sectors. 
Policies that reduce the cost of manufacturing activities that support
port-related businesses, including businesses that support the efficient
functioning of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and that incentivize
construction of fishing vessels in Washington state shipyards. 

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING 
(1)  Presentation slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
November 6, 2016  The Commission adopted the 2017 State Legislative Agenda 
October 25, 2016  The Commission was briefed on the Draft 2017 State Legislative Agenda 








Template revised September 22, 2016.