Item No. 11b_Attachment_3
Meeting Date: May 27, 2025

2024/25 Annual Report

The Policy Working Group is tasked with advocating for policies that create new aircraft noise and
emissions reduction and mitigation tools, authorities, resources and approaches at the federal and state
levels. The working group, comprised of a subset of StART members, Port staff, and additional staff from
the Highline Forum-member cities and other representational entities, typically meets every other month and
focuses on two major efforts: 1) tracking and advancing their shared policy priorities through the 2024
FAA Reauthorization Act, and 2) developing and advocating for a shared State Legislative policy agenda.
Federal Policy Priorities
Through unprecedented coordination and joint advocacy, the Port and the six airport-area cities celebrated
the inclusion of four of their seven shared federal policy priorities in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act,
which was signed into law in May 2024. Those policies were as follows:
1. Implementation of a Deadline for Action and a Stakeholder Advisory Group for the FAA's Noise Policy
Review
2. Renewal of the FAA's Environmental Mitigation Grant Program
3. Requirement of a Federal Study of Ultrafine Particle Emissions from Aircraft Engines
4. Requirement of a FAA report on policies and funding related to the development of new regional
airport capacity
The Policy Working Group continues to track the implementation of these new policies and looks for other
ways to advance StART's remaining federal priorities.
State Legislative Agenda
The Policy Working Group also successfully crafted the first-ever Port and airport-area cities' shared state
policy agenda and has been advocating for the passage of these priorities during the 2025 State
Legislative Session. Those policies are as follows:
1. Effectively implement the Noise Insulation Repair and Replacement Program
2. Make tangible progress toward identifying locations for additional regional airport capacity in the
next three years
3. Sustain existing State programs to enhance air quality
4. Maintain and expand Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and use in Washington
5. Decarbonize ground transportation, reduce transportation emissions, and promote electrification