SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5370
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Transportation, February 18, 2019
Title: An act relating to creating a state commercial aviation coordinating commission.
Brief Description: Creating a state commercial aviation coordinating commission.
Sponsors: Senators Keiser, Warnick, Saldaña, Hasegawa, Wilson, C. and Honeyford.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/04/19, 2/18/19 [DPS].
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill
Creates a Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission tasked with
identifying a location for a new primary commercial aviation facility.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5370 be substituted therefor, and the
substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Hobbs, Chair; Saldaña, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Sheldon,
Assistant Ranking Member; Cleveland, Das, Fortunato, Lovelett, Nguyen, O'Ban, Padden,
Randall, Takko, Wilson, C. and Zeiger.
Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)
Background: Past Studies. In 1990, SB 6480 created the Air Transportation Commission
(AIRTRAC) with a broad mandate to study the state's air transportation needs. AIRTRAC
concluded the addition of a third runway at Sea-Tac was the only viable solution to meeting
regional air service needs. In 1994, the Legislature dissolved AIRTRAC and a moratorium
on Puget Sound airport expansion correspondingly expired.
A Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) air cargo study completed in December 2018
concluded that while airside capacity is adequate, landside capacity—such as cargo buildings
—is inadequate to meet the cargo needs of the main air cargo airports in the state, particularly
at Sea-Tac. The landside capacity deficit could be worsened by the rapid growth of
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This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it
constitute a statement of legislative intent.
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passenger demand at Sea-Tac. The JTC study further concluded access to the two Seattle
airports is restricted due to congestion and increasing costs to shippers and trucking
companies. The study recommended a number of strategies to address air cargo congestion
in Washington, including developing non-hub airports into regional logistics centers,
establishing an air cargo development program, and marking Washington air cargo.
Current Studies. Sea-Tac is the ninth busiest airport in the nation when measured by
passenger boardings—22.6 million in 2017—and nineteenth in air cargo volume in North
America—425,000 metric tons in 2017. The airport offers daily, non-stop service to 90
domestic and 25 international destinations. Both passenger and cargo traffic are forecast to
continue to grow. Sea-Tac airport is currently in the environmental review phase of a master
plan to address growth at the airport.
In 2018 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funded the Puget Sound Regional
Council (PSRC) to complete a regional aviation baseline study. The study will build on
individual airport master plans and set a regional stage for future aviation planning. The
PSRC study is not a siting study, but will provide a comprehensive view of the regional
aviation system and inform follow-up actions by policymakers.
Summary of Bill (First Substitute): An intent section states the Legislature seeks to
identify a location for a new primary commercial aviation facility in Washington.
The state Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (Commission) is created.
Commission's Role, The Commission must initiate a broad review of potential aviation
facility sites, review existing data, and conduct research as necessary. A shortlist of six sites
must be recommended by January 1, 2020, narrowed to two sites by September 1, 2020, and
a single preferred location for a new commercial aviation facility must be identified by
January 1, 2021. Options for a new primary commercial aviation facility in Washington may
include expansion of an existing airport facility. The Commission must project a timeline for
developing an additional commercial aviation facility that is completed and functional by
2040. The Commission must also make recommendations on future Washington State long-
range commercial facility needs.
Commission's Membership. The Commission is made up of 13 voting and two nonvoting
positions. Nonvoting representatives are from the FAA and the Washington State Aviation
Alliance. The Governor may appoint additional nonvoting members as deemed appropriate.
The Commission is made up of the following members:
one member from the Department of Commerce;
one member from the DOT Aeronautics Division;
the Governor, or designee;
one member from the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board;
one member from a ports association, appointed by the Governor;
one member from a port located in a county with a population of 2 million or more,
appointed by the Governor;
one member from a port in eastern Washington with an airport runway of at least
13,500 feet;
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one member from a port, appointed by the Governor;
three members from the private sector and the airline industry, appointed by the
Governor;
one member from a eastern Washington metropolitan planning organization,
appointed by the Governor; and
one member from a western Washington metropolitan planning organization,
appointed by the Governor.
Commission Administration. DOT staff must provide staff support as necessary. The
Governor, or designee must convene the initial meeting as soon as practicable. Commission
members are not entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses if they are elected officials or
are participating on behalf of an employer, governmental entity, or other organization. The
Commission must select a chair from among its membership. The Commission ends July 1,
2021.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (First
Substitute): Options for a new primary commercial aviation facility in Washington may
include expansion of an existing airport facility. Commission recommendations must be
consistent with the DOT LATS study. Nothing in this bill should be construed to impact
existing or future plans at existing commercial airports in Washington. The four Commission
members representing ports are identified as representatives of commercial service airports
and ports.
One of the port Commission members is specified as from a port in eastern Washington with
an airport runway of at least 13,500 feet in length. Technical corrections to the freight board
title—FMSIB—and transportation committees are made.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: The committee recommended a
different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: There have been many studies on
this topic. We just finished the air cargo study. The Puget Sound Regional Council is also
doing a study, the LATS study was completed in 2009 and nothing has changed. The growth
at SeaTac has been phenomenal, which has a very small footprint. We have a finite amount
of airspace. The intent of this bill is to set forth a process to solve a problem. The city of
SeaTac supports this Commission and the siting of a new facility. The timelines are
realistic. The city of Des Moines supports this bill and it is good public policy. The Port of
Seattle looks forward to working on this bill. This bill should not encumber or delay any
SeaTac planning processes. The Port of Moses Lake has an excess of space.
OTHER: Section 2(2)(a) of the bill provides that ports may sit on the commission. Not all
airports are ports, some are municipal airports. DOT is ready to participate on this bill. The
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timeline of June 2021 could be extended out to take advantage of information from the PSRC
study.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Karen Keiser, Prime Sponsor; Bruce Beckett, Port of
Moses Lake; Trent House, Port of Seattle; Eric Johnson, Washington Public Ports
Association; Peter Kwon, Councilmember, City of Seatac; Clyde Hill, Councilmember, City
of Seatac; JC Harris, Seatac Noise Info; Robert Back, Council Member, City of Des Moines.
OTHER: Cliff Webster, Spokane International Airport; David Fleckenstein, DOT Aviation
Division.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.
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