8e. Attachment 02
2022 Federal Legislative Agenda Action
Agenda Item: 8e_Attach_02 www.portseattle.org Meeting Date: January 25, 2022 MARITIME 2021 FEDERAL AGENDA Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Port of Seattle is committed to creating a safe and healthy travel and trade experience, and to serving as a key contributor to regional and statewide economic recovery. In addition to our COVID prevention efforts, we are focused on developing more modern, high-tech facilities that will facilitate maritime activities; better connecting the Puget Sound region to the world; maximizing the environmental sustainability of our operations; and ensuring that our local communities and residents thrive. The federal government can help us achieve this vision by: I. INVESTING IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE a. Secure Pandemic Relief Funding: We will advocate strongly for additional federal relief to offset the economic impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Port, tenant and vendor operations as well as associated industries such as tourism and hospitality, fishing and agriculture. b. Implement Harbor Maintenance Tax Reform: We will work closely with our federal partners to translate the passage of this long-sought legislation into actionable regulations. We also support full appropriations for the "donor port" HMT rebate program. c. Rebuild the West Seattle Bridge: We support federal funding to restore capacity of the West Seattle Bridge for both cargo and commuters. d. Reform the Fisheries Finance Program: We support the removal of prohibitions on loans and loan guarantees for the construction and reconstruction of fishing vessels, which would include safeguards that prevent overfishing. In addition, we support increasing the FFP loan authority, and other policies and programs that improve access to financing for modernization of the North Pacific fleet. e. Fund the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and Channel Deepening: We support funding for continued federal operation and maintenance of the locks, as well as additional funding for priority, non-routine maintenance. In addition, we support design and construction phases of projects to deepen the federal channels serving T-18, T-30 and T-5 in Seattle in an environmentally responsible manner, as well as an environmentally sound feasibility study on deepening channels in Tacoma Harbor. f. Invest in National Freight Infrastructure: We support implementation of and increased federal funding for a strengthened national multimodal freight strategy and related grant programs, including continued authorization and funding for the TIGER/BUILD, INFRA and PIDP discretionary grant programs. In addition, we support establishing a sustainable funding source for freight infrastructure. COVID-19 IMPACTS IN CRUISE COVID-19 Impacted had a catastrop hic impact on Port of Seattle Alaskan cruise season 2020 vs 2019 Home Port Cruise Calls (-100%) Annual Cruise Passengers (-100%) Revenue to local businesses 2020: 0 2020: 0 2020: $0 2019: 211 2019: 1,210,722 2019: $893.6M II. FACILITATING A RETURN TO TRAVEL AND TRADE a. Create Consistent Health Rules: We will advocate for comprehensive national protocols that protect the health of maritime passengers and employees while simultaneously restoring traveler confidence in a return to cruise ships. In addition, we support global agreements that set clear standards and protocols for COVID-19 testing in ways that facilitate the recovery of international travel and trade. b. Improve Trade Competitiveness: We will advocate for productive engagement and negotiations that ensure a fair and level playing field for mutually beneficial trade; ensure that enforcement actions such as tariffs and quotas are a measure of last resort and, when necessary, be carefully and narrowly targeted to address the problem and minimize the unintended impacts on American producers and consumers. c. Partner with Federal Agencies: We support adequate federal staffing levels to ensure efficient movement of cargo through the Puget Sound gateway and facilitation of cruise passengers. If necessary, we will advocate for federal funding to supplement lost user fees, and to ensure that the federal government resumes responsibility for funding CBP services, equipment and facility development. We will also look for opportunities to play a supportive role in vaccine distribution. d. Maintain the Jones Act: We support the Jones Act's crucial role in keeping the U.S. domestic maritime industry viable, maintaining limited flexibility to grant waivers from Jones Act regulations in extraordinary cases when domestic shipping capacity is insufficient to respond to a given need and when Puget Sound domestic maritime stakeholders validate that a waiver is necessary to support the vitality of their industry. III. IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY a. Fight Climate Change We support comprehensive proposals for sector-specific and economy-wide solutions to address the climate crisis with legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful toxic pollutants while providing flexibility to respond to changing market conditions and technological advances. b. Restore Puget Sound: We will advocate for increased federal resources and federal agency involvement for Puget Sound restoration and Southern Resident Killer Whales recovery. c. Fund Maritime Electrification, Diesel Emissions Reductions, and Renewable Energy: We support authorization and full funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program, as well as federal programs and funding that support electrification, alternative fuel use, and other emissions reductions strategies at ports. d. Oppose Pebble Mine at Bristol Bay and Offshore Drilling: We oppose mining activity and other development proposals in the Bristol Bay watershed that put Bristol Bay fisheries at risk. We oppose offshore oil and gas drilling in both state and federal waters off the coastline of Washington state. e. Support Consistent Permitting Processes: We oppose changes to the process for permitting projects that jeopardize ports' ability to fulfill their economic, environmental and social missions. IV. ADDRESSING COMMUNITY IMPACT a. Support Immigration Reform: We will be a leading voice on immigration policies that ensure the Port, its partners and its customers have the workforce to succeed in the global economy, and that immigrants and refugees are fully welcomed into the opportunities that our region's economy provides. b. Support Small Business Recovery: We support realigning federal funding, programs and policies to support rebuilding the U.S. small business sector, reviving entrepreneurship, and closing the racial wealth gap. For more information on the Port of Seattle's c. Address Racial Equity: We will advocate for comprehensive federal legislative agenda, contact: federal policing reforms that further the goals of the Port Commission's Task Force on Policing and Civil Rights. In Eric Schinfeld, Port of Seattle addition, we support federal legislation on biometric Senior Manager Federal & Int'l Gov't Relations technology that ensures protections for privacy, equity and (206) 787-5031 | [email protected] civil liberties. d. Fight Human Trafficking: We will partner with federal P.O. Box 1209 agencies to improve human trafficking prevention and Seattle, WA 98111 intervention efforts. (206) 787-3000 www.portseattle.org 02/2021
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