Item No.   6c 
Date:    October 24, 2017 
Draft 2018 State Legislative Agenda 
Presentation to Port of Seattle Commission 
October 24, 2017 
Pearse Edwards, Director, Government Relations, Port of Seattle 
Eric ffitch, Manager, State Government Relations, Port of Seattle 
Trent House, Contract Lobbyist, Port of Seattle 



1

Status Check-in 
Agenda status: 
Presented to Commission on 10/10 
Received written feedback before and after 10/10 presentation 
Current version has redline additions to reflect feedback 
Seeking Commission adoption in today's meeting 



Questions? 
2

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. 
In this way, the Port can continue on a path of leadership in providing
opportunities to the region's young people while supporting our business
partners in their search for skilled workers. 
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. 
Improvements to this critical regional transportation corridor will reduce congestion and improve safety as the growth of the 
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport adds increasing pressure to communities surrounding the airport and to an already oversubscribed
state transportation asset. 

Focus on Growing Jobs, Increasing Opportunities 
3

Priority Agenda Items  Continued 
Statewide tourism marketing: Support the establishment of a state-level entity
charged with promoting tourism in Washington state, to compete with similar statesupported
tourism marketing agencies in Idaho, Oregon, and around the country. 
State investment to match that made to tourism promotion currently by the
ports, statewide Destination Marketing Organizations, and private entities
will strengthen the states economy as a whole, and forms a key pillar to the
consensus support for policies to promote rural economic development. 

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 planning issues related to the Growth Management Act that may affect port competitiveness. This may include: 
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; 
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 
Any legislative changes that may impact the efficient functioning of statewide essential public facilities. 

Focus on Growing Jobs, Increasing Opportunities 
4

Priority Issue Areas: Quality Jobs and Small Business 
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 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 highschool
age students to professions in port-related industries. 
Expand and strengthen state support for apprenticeship programs 
Ensure responsible enforcement of labor standards 
Support rural economic development: Partner with the state and other ports and 
economic development actors to promote rural economic development initiatives, including rural 
broadband deployment, support for small manufacturers in rural Washington, 
investments in freight corridors in rural areas, and other actions to support economic 
growth across Washington state. 

Quality, Sustainable Jobs  Workplace Equity  SWMBE Support 
5

Priority Issue Areas: Quality Jobs and Small Business  
Continued 
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. 



Quality, Sustainable Jobs  Workplace Equity  SWMBE Support 
6

Priority Issue Areas: Transportation 
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 (SR509/SR167), the
Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program, State Route 518, and others. 
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. 
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. 


Move Passengers and Freight Swiftly and Safely 
7

Priority Issue Areas: Transportation  Continued 
Support proposals that clarify and affirm the authority of the Port Commission to control access to port facilities
by ground transportation service providers. all transportation modes, including private vehicle access, commercial
ground transportation providers, and public transportation providers, and promote fairness and equity among
transportation service providers in support of responsible operation in all areas of regulation, including insurance,
monitory, safety, and environmental standards. 
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. 
Support state actions that promote resilience in the transportation
network, and support collaboration with other government agencies, 
including on issues of climate resilience. 

Move Passengers and Freight Swiftly and Safely 
8

Priority Issue Areas: Energy and Environment 
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 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 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. 
Partner with State on Environmental Cleanup and Clean Energy Promotion 
9

Priority Issue Areas: Energy and Environment  Continued 
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 potential legislative changes to action to
spur adoption of aviation biofuels; and allow for electrification of large-scale transportation infrastructure. 
State support for partnership with the Port on aviation biofuels,
including state-level actions intended to drive the development of
biofuels within the state, for us at in-state transportation facilities. 
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 
improving the efficient efficiency of public transit transportation
improvements, public transit, and increasing the availability of low
carbon fuels. 
Partner with State on Environmental Cleanup and Clean Energy Promotion 
10

Priority Issue Areas: Tax 
Support tax policies at the state level that support the economic health of port-related businesses and activities,
including: 
Policies that promote the efficient movement of freight and
supports 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. 

Port Facilities Support Thousands of Jobs at Businesses across WA 
11

Next Steps 
Seeking adoption today 
Meetings with lawmakers between now and January 2018 to share agenda 




Questions? 
12