9a - Federal legislative agenda presentation
Item No. 9a_supp Meeting Date: January 7, 2020 Draft Federal Legislative Agenda for 2020 Briefing to Port of Seattle Commission January 7, 2020 Ryan McFarland, Federal Government Relations Manager, Port of Seattle Eric Schinfeld, Sr. Manager, Federal Government Relations, Port of Seattle 1 Overview 2019 Key Accomplishments & 2020 Outlook Priority Agenda Items Port-wide, Aviation & Maritime Additional Issues Supporting or Engaging Monitoring Next steps Incorporate Commission feedback Seek Commission adoption at 1/28/20 meeting 2 2019 Successes Maritime HMT: HMT reform legislation we helped develop was introduced by the Senate EPW Committee and is under consideration for the 2020 water resources bill. Helped prevent adoption of HMT reform proposals that did not address donor port issues. Appropriation of the full $50 million authorized amount for the Section 2106 donor port program is on track Freight policy: New Port Infrastructure Development Program grants created in FY19 appropriations bill. NWSA submits application. Surface transportation authorization proposal expands port eligibility under INFRA and freight formula programs Aviation TSA Staffing: Increased TSA staffing levels and compensation at Sea-Tac; MD Lyttle testified in House Homeland on this topic IAF Activation: Improved partnership with CBP DC leadership on IAF construction and operational readiness efforts; included language prioritizing CBP staffing to new international facilities in the FY20 Senate THUD appropriations bill Aviation Noise: Developed shared federal priorities with airport communities; successfully pushed for hiring of an FAA regional community outreach liaison. SAF: Included committee report language on a fuel resiliency study in the National Defense Authorization Act Port-wide Sustainability: Commissioner Felleman testified in a House Commerce Committee hearing on decarbonization Tariffs: Substantive engagement, including a joint letter from West Coast Ports. Removal of cranes from tariff list. Trafficking: Played major role in the US Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking report. Impactful Progress on Current Port Priorities 3 2020 Outlook Presidential Election year + impeachment has potential to stymie most legislative action Potential for delays or baseline levels in FY2021 appropriations; shutdown risk exists Potential areas of Port-relevant progress: Appropriations (Section 2106 funding, TSA & CBP staffing, infrastructure & environmental grants) Trade (UK) Potential areas of Port-relevant conflict Trade (China) Immigration Potential Opportunities for Progress on Port Priorities 4 Priority Agenda Items Port-wide Welcoming and Competitive Immigration & Trade Policies: Immigration policies that ensure Port success as well as welcoming of local immigrants and refugees Productive, strategic engagement on trade, ensuring tariffs and quotas are targeted and a last resort; prioritize trade promotion and infrastructure with tariff collection revenues. Top Port Priorities 5 Priority Agenda Items Aviation Sufficient Infrastructure Funding and Flexibility: Raise the federal PFC cap, maintaining Commission oversight Efficient and Safe Airport Operations: Partner with CBP to ensure success of the International Arrivals Facility (staffing, ORAT) Partner with TSA to reduce wait times (staffing, canines and technology) Increased Airport Community Focus: FAA Reauthorization priorities identified by StART: evaluation of the 65 DNL noise standard; study of overflight noise/human health; and proposed environmental mitigation pilot program. StART federal priorities: Smith ultra-fine particulates bill, Lynch aircraft expert consensus act, Smith secondary noise mitigation investments bill, alternatives to commercial airplane travel. Expanded Sustainable Aviation Fuels Deployment: Use of airport & federal grant revenue for benefits of fuel switching Federal incentives for research, as well as feedstock processing and fuel production facilities Top Port Priorities Italics represent new items for 2020 6 Priority Agenda Items Maritime Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) Reform: Reform the HMT to not disadvantage US ports and provide greater equity for donor ports Secure the "donor port" HMT rebate program Fishing Fleet Modernization: Reform NOAA's Fisheries Finance Program (FFP) for fishing vessels Increase the FFP loan authority Seattle and Tacoma Harbor Deepening: Obtain funding for design for deepening federal channels serving T-18, T-30 and T-5 in Seattle and support Tacoma feasibility study. Top Port Priorities 7 Priority Agenda Items Maritime (cont'd) Hiram M. Chittenden Locks Funding: Advocate for funding for continued federal operation and maintenance of the locks National Freight Policy and Funding: Support funding for a strengthened national multimodal freight strategy and related grant programs, including TIGER/BUILD. Support sustainable revenue source for freight. Safe and Efficient Cargo and Passenger Screening: Advocate for adequate CBP staffing levels Ensure the federal responsibility for funding CBP services, equipment and facility development Puget Sound Restoration: Support federal resources for Puget Sound restoration Regulatory reform to speed habitat site development Support federal engagement in orca recovery Top Port Priorities Italics represent new items for 2020 8 Additional Priority Issue Areas: Port-wide Welcoming and Competitive Immigration & Trade Policies: Trade policies that open new markets and level playing fields, while protecting workers and the environment Permanent protections for DACA-eligible residents Partnerships to welcome immigrants and refugees to the Port Standardized federal regulations on biometric technology/data Sufficient Infrastructure Funding and Flexibility: Increased aviation, maritime and freight-mobility funding through appropriations or comprehensive investment legislation Increased Community Focus: Improve human trafficking prevention and intervention efforts Support and Engage Italics represent new items for 2020 9 Additional Priority Issue Areas: Aviation Sufficient Infrastructure Funding and Flexibility: Federal and Congressional support for current and future airport capital projects Efficient and Safe Airport Operations: CBP staffing appropriations and TSA law enforcement grant funding Increased Seattle-based flights into DCA Increased funding for UAS detection/mitigation; increased local law enforcement authority Expedited airfield management program deployment Increased Community Focus: Alternatives to fluorinated fire-fighting foams Expanded Sustainable Aviation Fuels Deployment: Pursue policies through the annual National Defense Authorization Act that leverage the U.S. Department of Defense as a key partner in sustainable aviation fuels research and implementation. Support and Engage Italics represent new items for 2020 10 Additional Priority Issue Areas: Maritime Diesel Emissions Reductions, DERA and alternative fuels: Support funding for the EPA DERA program and programs that support alternative fuel use at seaports and Coast Guard facilities Pebble Mine at Bristol Bay and Offshore Drilling Oppose mining activity in the Bristol Bay watershed that put fisheries at risk. Oppose offshore oil and gas drilling in both state and federal waters off the coastline of Washington state. Jones Act: Support the Jones Act with limited flexibility to grant waivers Support and Engage Italics represent new items for 2020 11 Additional Issues to Monitor Port-wide Welcoming and Competitive Immigration & Trade Policies: Real ID implementation Foreign tourism promotion Census 2020 Community Focus: Environmental, economic & workforce development funding & support Local government priorities, such as housing and transportation Aviation Efficient and Safe Airport Operations: PreCheck expansion and TSA innovation Air Traffic Control system-wide investments FAA Safety Management Systems improvement Appropriate Urban Air Mobility policy and regulation TSA reimbursements to airports for checkpoint-area janitorial services Monitor Italics represent new items for 2020 12 Next Steps Today Commission briefing in public session Now through January 28, 2020 Incorporate feedback received January 28, 2020 Ask Commission for adoption in public session February 2020 Meetings with Congressional offices to distribute agenda and share priorities Questions? 13
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