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PRIORITY AGENDA ITEMS
HARBOR MAINTENANCE TAX (HMT) REFORM        NATIONAL FREIGHT POLICY AND FUNDING
Support reform of the HMT to ensure U.S. tax policy          Support implementation and increased federal funding
does not disadvantage U.S. ports and to provide            for a strengthened national multimodal freight strategy
greater equity for HMT donor ports through expanded     and related grant programs, including continued
use of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund revenues. Seek      authorization and funding for the TIGER/BUILD
$50 million appropriation for the "donor port" HMT          discretionary grant program. Support establishing a
rebate program authorized under Section 2106 of the      sustainable funding source for freight infrastructure
2014 Water Resources Reform and Development Act to     and ensure user fee proposals 1) do not hurt the
compensate for the current structure and impacts of        competitiveness of the Northwest trade corridor relative
the HMT.                                              to others in North America; 2) are mode neutral; and 3)
funds should spent on improvements that benefit users
TERMINAL 5 MODERNIZATION PROJECT           who pay the fees and not diverted to other uses.
Support federal funding for the Terminal 5
Modernization Project to meet changing container          SAFE AND EFFICIENT CARGO SCREENING
industry requirements, ensure the long-term                Support adequate Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
competitiveness of the gateway and meet our               staffing levels to ensure efficient movement of cargo
environmental and community goals.                      through the Puget Sound gateway. The port seeks
increased federal funding for CBP staffing at maritime
FISHING FLEET MODERNIZATION                 ports of entry and reforms to expedite the hiring of
Advocate for reforms to NOAA's Fisheries Finance           new CBP officers. Pursue efforts to ensure the federal
Program (FFP) that would remove prohibitions on          government resumes responsibility for funding CBP
loans and loan guarantees for the construction             services, equipment and facility development.
and reconstruction of fishing vessels and that
would include safeguards that prevent overfishing,         TRADE POLICY ADVANCEMENT
including limitations on the use of replaced vessels in       Support policies that level playing fields for
international fisheries. Support increasing the FFP loan      international commerce while protecting workers and
authority, which is presently $100 million annually;          the environment. The port believes tariffs should be a
support other policies and programs that improve          measure of last resort and, when necessary, be carefully
access to financing in order to facilitate modernization      and narrowly targeted to minimize impacts on American
of the North Pacific fleet.                                       producers and consumers. Tariff collection revenues
should be prioritized toward trade promotion, freight
SEATTLE AND TACOMA HARBOR DEEPENING       infrastructure, and programs that lessen retaliatory tariff
Secure appropriation for design and construction to            losses by U.S. exporters.
deepen the federal channels serving T-18, T-30, and T-5
in Seattle. Secure funding for the feasibility study on          HIRAM M. CHITTENDEN LOCKS FUNDING
deepening channels in Tacoma Harbor.                    Support funding for continued federal operation and
maintenance of the locks, as well as additional funding
for priority, non-routine maintenance.

PUGET SOUND RESTORATION                   WELCOMING AND COMPETITIVE IMMIGRATION
Support increased federal resources for Puget Sound         POLICIES
and Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) restoration,       We will be a leading voice on immigration policies that
including funding to support habitat restoration,             ensure the port, its partners and its customers have the
to manage predation of Chinook and other species           workforce to succeed in the global economy, and that
critical to SRKW recovery, to help cleanup legacy              immigrants and refugees are fully welcomed into the
sources of contaminants that affect SRKW, and to             opportunities that our region's economy provides.
manage stormwater runoff. Support appropriations
for the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration
Project, the National Estuary Program, the Puget Sound
Geographic Program and the Pacific Coastal Salmon
Recovery Fund.
ADDITIONAL PRIORITY ISSUE AREAS
DIESEL EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS, DERA, AND        PEBBLE MINE AT BRISTOL BAY
ALTERNATIVE FUELS                            The EPA has determined the proposed Pebble Mine
Support authorization and full funding for the EPA            at Bristol Bay would jeopardize one of the world's last
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program,             wild salmon nurseries, a finding the fishing industry has
which provides funding for emissions reduction              endorsed. The Port of Seattle opposes mining activity
programs. Advocate for federal programs that support       and other development proposals in the Bristol Bay
electrification and alternative fuel use at ports.                 watershed that put Bristol Bay fisheries at risk.
OIL TRAIN SAFETY                                OFFSHORE DRILLING
Support efforts to increase oil train safety standards           Offshore drilling threatens our state's fishing and tourism
and to provide resources to communities to address          industries and puts wildlife habitat at risk. The Port of
hazardous fuel incidents.                                     Seattle opposes offshore oil and gas drilling in both state
and federal waters off the coastline of Washington state.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION
Partner with federal agencies to improve human
trafficking prevention and intervention efforts.
JONES ACT
Support the Jones Act and its crucial role in providing the
institutional framework that helps keep the U.S. domestic
maritime industry viable. Maintain limited flexibility to
grant waivers from Jones Act regulations in extraordinary             For more information on the Port of Seattle's 
cases when domestic shipping capacity is insufficient to              federal legislative agenda, contact:
respond to a given need and when Puget Sound domestic          R yan McFarland
maritime stakeholders validate that a waiver is necessary
Port of Seattle
to support the vitality of their industry.
Federal Government Relations Manager
(206) 787-3014 | McFarland.R@portseattle.org


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