COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          6b 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting      January 24, 2017 
DATE:     December 27, 2016 
TO:        Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:    Pearse Edwards, Government Relations Director 
Ryan McFarland, Federal Government Relations Manager 
Eric Schinfeld, Sr. Manager, Federal & International Government Relations 
SUBJECT:  Final Adoption of 2017 Federal Legislative Agenda 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission approval of the 2017 Federal Legislative Agenda. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
As we look ahead to the 115th  United States Congress and the inauguration of a new
administration, Port of Seattle government relations staff has worked with Commissioners,
executive team members, and internal subject-matter experts to develop an agenda to guide
advocacy efforts  on the Port's maritime, aviation,  and international trade priorities.  In
implementing this agenda, we will leverage the Port's role as a strategic gateway to Asia and
Alaska to maximize our political influence and achieve the Port's legislative priorities 
DRAFT FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 
Priority Agenda Items 
Aviation 
Sufficient Federal Funding: Advocate for a long-term FAA Reauthorization bill that
strengthens our region's airport system by allowing us to invest in today's needs and the
future;  specifically,  support  robust  Airport  Improvement  Program  (AIP)  funding
necessary to enable Sea-Tac to provide service in a cost competitive manner. 
Federal Funding Flexibility: Provide leadership on the effort to modernize the Passenger
Facility Charge (PFC) user fee  raising the federal cap from $4.50 and giving the Port of
Seattle Commission the ability to both set their own levels based on locally determined
needs and expand the uses of those dollars. 
Efficient and Safe Airport Operations: Work closely with the federal government and
key members of Congress to alleviate passenger wait times by: 
o  Supporting TSA efforts to authorize additional canine teams for both passenger
and freight issues, and hire and train new Transportation Security Officers
(TSOs), as well as working with them to implement innovative solutions to
address surge capacity. 
Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 6b                                  Page 2 of 4 
Meeting Date: January 24, 2017 
o  Supporting implementation of TSA efforts to expand PreCheck, as well as to
identify additional solutions that maximize security and efficiency. 
Regulatory Compliance: Increase FAA notification to the Port and the community
related to flight path changes; ensure the federal government and key members of
Congress are properly engaged related to flight corridor safety and the appropriate use
of aviation funds for both airport and community noise mitigation investments.
Maritime 
Harbor Maintenance Tax Reform: Continue efforts to reform the HMT to ensure United
States tax policy does not disadvantage United States ports and maritime cargo and to
provide greater equity for HMT donor ports through expanded use of Harbor
Maintenance Trust Fund revenues. 
Donor Port and Rebate Funding: Support a $50 million appropriation in FY17 and FY18
spending bills for the "donor port" and rebate program authorized under Section 2106
of the 2014 Water Resources Reform and Development Act to compensate for the
current structure and impacts of the Harbor Maintenance Tax. 
Fishing Fleet Modernization: Advocate for reforms to NOAA's Fisheries Finance
Program that would remove prohibitions on loans and loan  guarantees for the
construction and reconstruction of fishing vessels and that would include safeguards
that prevent overfishing, including limitations on the use of replaced vessels in
international fisheries; support other policies and programs that improve access to
financing in order to facilitate modernization of the North Pacific fleet. 
Seattle Harbor Deepening: Support an appropriation of $500,000 for the final year of
the feasibility study on deepening the federal channels serving T-18, T-30 and T-5; on
completion of the study and Chief's Report, advocate for authorization and funding for
design and construction. 
National Freight Policy and Funding: Continue to engage with key partners at the
national level to implement and fund a national multimodal freight strategy and related
grant programs that recognize the significance of U.S. West Coast ports; support
continued authorization and funding for the TIGER Discretionary Grant program; work
with members of the Washington State Congressional Delegation and others to secure
additional federal funding for key Port freight mobility priorities, including for Terminal
5 modernization. 
Safe and Efficient Cargo Screening:  Work with the federal government and key
members of Congress for expedited deployment by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) of
radiation portal monitors capable of scanning containers in a more efficient manner for
marine container terminals utilizing straddle carriers; secure adequate CBP staffing
levels to ensure efficient movement of cargo through the Puget Sound gateway. 
Puget Sound Restoration:  Support increased federal resources for Puget Sound
restoration,  including  appropriations  for  the  Puget  Sound  Nearshore  Ecosystem
Restoration Project. 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 6b                                  Page 3 of 4 
Meeting Date: January 24, 2017 
Additional Priority Issues the Port of Seattle is Supporting, Engaging on or Monitoring: 
Support or Engage 
REAL ID: Coordinate with federal agencies on advocacy efforts that support action to
bring Washington state into compliance with new rules and regulations; align with Port
efforts at the state level to ensure success of necessary action in Olympia. 
Environmental and Clean Technology Funding and Regulation: Find opportunities to
partner with the federal government & key members of Congress on efforts to improve
the environmental impact of the Port's maritime and aviation activities, including but
not limited to funding for the port's emissions reduction efforts and water quality
programs as well as expansion of the Port's aviation biofuels program. 
Capital Projects Funding & Regulatory Approval: Ensure that the federal government
and key members of Congress are supportive of all aspects of in-progress (NorthStar,
IAF, Baggage Optimization, South Satellite) and future (SAMP) capital projects to
facilitate  continued  economic  development  in  the  Puget  Sound  region.  Identify
opportunities for continuous engagement at key decision points, as well as strong
support for additional federal funding opportunities. 
Trade Liberalization and Expansion Policy Advancement: Engage with local, state and
national partners to advocate for trade policies that open new markets and level playing
fields for Washington employers and others who use the Port as their international
gateway, while creating verifiable, measureable and enforceable standards to protect
workers and the environment. 
Diesel Emissions Reductions and DERA: Support authorization and full funding for the
EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program, which provides funding for
emissions reduction programs. 
Comprehensive Tax Reform: Participate in relevant discussions with key members of
Congress regarding overarching changes to current US tax code as it relates to solutions
that would create revenue to fund infrastructure programs, reduce Port costs and
address the competitive imbalances caused by the Harbor Maintenance Tax. 
Economic & Workforce Development: Work with the federal government and key
members of Congress to identify and secure additional federal funding for key priorities
within  the  Port's  economic  development,  tourism  development  and  workforce
development programs; support steps to increase and facilitation tourism into the
United States such as expansion of preclearance and Global Entry as well as
strengthening the Visa Waiver Program. 
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks Funding: Support funding for continued federal operation
and maintenance of the locks, as well as additional funding for priority repairs like the
Stoney Gates valve replacement. 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 6b                                  Page 4 of 4 
Meeting Date: January 24, 2017 
Monitor 
Goods Movement User Fees: Support the concept of establishing a sustainable source
for freight infrastructure and monitor individual user fee proposals to ensure that 1)
fees should not hurt the competitiveness of the Northwest trade corridor relative to
others in North America; 2) fees should be mode neutral; and 3) funds should spent on
improvements that benefit users who pay the fees and not diverted to other uses. 
FAA Air Traffic Control System Governance: Monitor ongoing conversations related to
the management and staffing of the U.S. air traffic control system to ensure increased
predictability and efficiency. 
Visa Reform: Follow efforts to enable targeted professionals and individuals to visit and
work in Washington state by reforming laws in a way that the needs of our economy
and public safety. 
Community Engagement: Respond to federal and local stakeholders where appropriate
to address issues of concern related to noise impacts, environmental impacts and
workforce enforcement issues for the Port and its customers, vendors and contractors. 
Local Government Partnerships: Play a supportive role on key federal priorities of our
local  partners  that  have  a  Port  nexus,  such  as  increasing  federal  funding  for
homelessness & housing affordability, securing federal transportation investments, and
policies that improve the environment and quality of life for our region's residents. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST - 
(1)   None 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
January 10, 2017  The Commission was briefed on the 2017 Federal Legislative Agenda. 
January 10, 2017  The Commission authorized staff to pursue the 2017 local and regional
policy priorities. 
December 13, 2016  The Commission was briefed on 2017 local and regional policy
priorities. 
November 8, 2016  The Commission authorized staff to pursue legislative priorities during
the 2017 state legislative session. 
October 25, 2016  The Commission was briefed on 2017 state legislative priorities. 



Template revised September 22, 2016.