AVIATION 2018 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

There is a lot riding on the future of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. We are one of the nation's largest and
fastest-growing airports, and a key contributor to regional travel, commerce and job creation. We pride ourselves on
an efficient, smooth customer experience, on-time performance and environmental commitment. As we continue to
grow, we are focused on developing more modern, high-tech facilities that will speed travelers on their way, better
connect the Puget Sound region to the world and ensure that our local communities and residents thrive. The federal
government can help us achieve this vision by:
I. INVESTING IN OUR AIRPORT
Sea-Tac International Airport has been one of the fastest growing airport in the country for the past five years,
transforming us into the nation's ninth busiest airport. To adjust to that booming growth, we are investing billions in
renovations and new infrastructure. In particular, we seek to:
a. Increase Federal Funding: We support passage of a long-term FAA reauthorization bill and other federal
infrastructure funding programs that strengthens our region's airport system by allowing us to invest in today's
needs and the future.
b. Increase Funding Flexibility: We will be a national leader on the effort to modernize the Passenger Facility
Charge user fee  raising the federal cap from $4.50 while maintaining the Port Commission's ability to determine
whether or not to change the user fee based on locally determined needs and competitive dynamics.
c. Build Federal Support: We will work closely with federal agencies and members of Congress to ensure their
support for in-progress and future capital projects, including the Sustainable Airport Master Plan.
II. ACCOMMODATING PASSENGER GROWTH
Travel demand for Sea-Tac International Airport is projected to increase to 66 million passengers per year by 2034.
Keeping our airport as efficient as possible is essential to accommodating the increasing number of passengers and
flights going in and out. In particular, we seek to:
a. Increase TSA Screening Capacity: We support TSA efforts to authorize additional canine teams and hire new
Transportation Security Officers, while advocating for airports to be allowed to procure and train canines for local
TSA use. We will also fight to preserve TSA funding for Law Enforcement Officer reimbursement grants.
b. Continue TSA reform: We will work with TSA to implement innovative solutions to address surge capacity,
including expansion of PreCheck and use of new technologies.
c. Increase CPB Screening Capacity: We support increased funding for Customs and Border Protection officers, as
well as increasing allocation of current CBP officers to airport-specific jobs.

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d. Ensure Air Traffic Control Quality: We oppose changes to our nation's Air Traffic Control (ATC) system that 1)
negatively impact a fully functioning statewide airport ecosystem; 2) create uncertainty or reduction in job quality
for current federal employees; 3) reduce responsiveness to community needs related to aircraft impacts; and 4)
reduce funding and long-term investment predictability for ATC infrastructure.
e. Ensure Continued Air Safety: We encourage FAA to provide structure and systemic context to safety management,
and to require airports to establish and maintain a Safety Management System to manage airfield risk.
III. CONNECTING US TO THE WORLD
Sea-Tac is truly an international airport, serving as a gateway to and from the rest of the world for both passengers and
goods. The success of our airport depends on international visitation to the United States that is both highly secure and
also maximally accessible to those individuals who do not pose a threat. To continue in this capacity, we seek to:
a. Welcome International Travelers and Residents: We will be a leading voice on immigration policies that
ensure the Port, its partner and its customers have the workforce to succeed in the global economy  including
permanent legal protections for immigrant children, as well as policy and legal decisions related to immigrants
and refugees from countries targeted by the "travel ban" executive order.
b. Lower Trade Barriers: With 40% of Washington's economy tied to international trade, we support policies that
simultaneously level playing fields for international commerce while protecting workers and the environment.
c. Comply with REAL ID: We will align with efforts at the state level to coordinate with federal agencies on a
reasonable timeframe for implementation of REAL ID.
IV. ADDRESSING COMMUNITY IMPACT
As our airport grows, we are focused on how that growth impacts our surrounding communities. Federal legislation and
regulation can help us:
a. Engage Communities on Flight Paths, Noise and Emissions: We will pursue increased authority for the FAA to
engage directly with local communities on flight path changes, noise issues and airplane environmental impacts.
We also support federal efforts to study the relationship between aviation activity and ultrafine particulate
emissions, and changes to noise insulation eligibility policy that ensure funding for key community projects. We
will also track any proposed changes the current 65 DNL standard for noise mitigation.
b. Steward Our Environment: We support proposals to reduce carbon emissions from Port operations, promote
energy efficient operation of transportation infrastructure, and ensure innovative strategies to offset the local air
quality impacts. In particular, we will pursue policies and funding that boosts the Port's efforts to scale sustainable
aviation fuels.
c. Increase Economic & Workforce Development: We will engage actively in growing policies and programs that
boost economic, workforce and tourism development, and augment existing Port efforts to promote the health of
small businesses.
d. Create Thriving Communities & Quality of Life: We will engage on efforts that make our region a better place to live,
work and play, including policies and funding for improved working conditions, affordability and public safety. In particular,
we will partner with Congress and federal agencies to improve human trafficking prevention and intervention.

P.O. Box 1209                           For more information on the Port of Seattle's 
Seattle, WA 98111                     federal legislative agenda, contact:
(206) 787-3000
www.portseattle.org                                                 Eric Schinfeld, Port of Seattle
Senior Manager Federal & Int'l Gov't Relations
Printed on recycled paper                                        02/2018      (206) 787-5031 | Schinfeld.E@portseattle.org