Template revised September 22, 2016.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No. 11b
BRIEFING ITEM Date of Meeting January 13, 2026
DATE: January 2, 2025
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Eric Schinfeld, Sr. Manager, Federal and International Government Relations
SUBJECT: Federal Legislative Agenda for 2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Over the last twelve months, Port of Seattle government relations staff have worked with
Commissioners, Port executives, and internal subject-matter experts to both execute the Port’s
Commission-approved 2025 federal policy priorities while simultaneously responding to one of
the most significant federal policy overhauls of any Presidential Administration in history.
In partnership with our Congressional delegation and other public and private sector
collaborators, the Port has been able to make progress at the federal level in ways that tangibly
benefit the Port, the region, and the users of our aviation and maritime facilities. Similarly, the
Port has been able to identify and address federal policies and programs that go against our
values and/or negatively impact our operations.
The Trump Administration has radically reshaped federal policy on everything from trade and
energy to equity and immigration. These changes have required the Port to adjust its practices,
enhance its advocacy, and even engage in litigation. However, the Port has found ways to
continue to make progress, in small but impactful ways, and to also position itself as a strong
advocate for our mission, our constituents, and our community when we see federal policies that
are problematic.
With the November 2026 elections in the forefront, there is likely to be limited legislative action
in Washington, DC in the year ahead. To that end, the Port’s draft 2026 federal agenda includes
a more limited list of opportunities for progress as well as several areas that are potential risks
or concerns. We anticipate a balanced effort of both “offense and defense” in the year ahead.
Following Commission feedback on this draft legislative agenda, staff will revise and bring a final
proposed agenda for full Commission approval. Staff will then begin engaging local and national
partners to pursue the successful passage and implementation of these priorities.
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
I. Areas of Potential Progress
a. Fiscal Year 2026 & 2027 Appropriations Investments: Work closely with
Congressional leaders to ensure that any final fiscal year 2026 (FY26) and 2027 (FY27)
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11b Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: January 13, 2026
Template revised September 22, 2016.
appropriations legislation includes proposed investments that would benefit the Port,
including:
i. Funding to add Customs & Border Protection Officers, including a focus on
deploying a significant portion of these new staff to air and sea gateways.
ii. Funding for key Transportation Security Administration (TSA) programs,
including Transportation Security Compensation Program, the law
enforcement officer (LEO) reimbursement program, the state/local canine law
enforcement officer reimbursement program, and the TSA staffing of exit
lanes.
iii. Provide airports with a CERCLA liability exemption for federally required
PFAS use as well as funding for the Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Transition Grant Program to help airports with the transition to these new
foams, including the costs of replacing or cleaning current equipment.
iv. Funding of the Port’s Two FY26 “Community Directed Spending” Requests
and Successful application for additional FY27 CDS funding
b. Implementation of Congressionally Approved Policies:
i. Ensure FAA implementation of the four StART Priorities included in the 2024 FAA
Reauthorization legislation, including the provision directing a study of ultrafine
particles from aircraft engines; a report on federal programs and policies relating
to adding airport capacity; the development of a deadline and a stakeholder
advisory group for the FAA’s Noise Policy Review.
ii. Ensure implementation of legislation in the 2025 National Defense Authorization
Act that directs the FAA to allow up to two (2) airports to use existing federal
funding to repair or replace federally funded sound insulation in near-airport
residences.
iii. Conduct a joint Port-Airport Cities DC Fly-in to jointly advocate for these priorities
c. Pursuit of Grant Funding: Work closely with federal partners to successfully apply for
grant funding from relevant, existing federal programs like the Airport Terminal Grant
(ATG) Program, the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG), BUILD, INFRA, and the Port
Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).
i. Support local partner grants that are aligned with Port goals and interests,
particularly the Northwest Seaport Alliance.
d. Trade & Maritime
i. Work with Congressional leaders to support policies and programs that can
enhance domestic ship building capacity
ii. Support trade policies that disincentivize cargo diversion from the Pacific
Northwest to Canada
iii. Ensure continued implementation of the donor port funding program and
other HMT reform provisions in Section 102 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2020.
iv. Secure appropriations for the HMT donor port program authorized under
Section 2106 of the 2014 Water Resources Reform and Development Act.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11b Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: January 13, 2026
Template revised September 22, 2016.
v. Secure funding for design phase of the West Waterway portion of the Seattle
Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, which will deepen the federal
channels serving T-5 in Seattle Harbor.
vi. Secure funding for design phase of the Tacoma Harbor Navigation
Improvement Project. The project will deepen the Blair Waterway to
accommodate ultra-large container ships at key NWSA cargo facilities.
vii. Support full funding for continued federal operation and maintenance of the
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks.
e. Clean Energy and Environment
i. Secure Farm Bill programs that support sustainable aviation fuels
ii. Promote alternative maritime fuels, including hydrogen, as key sources of
energy independence for the country.
iii. Support major permitting reform legislation that makes it easier to site new
clean energy facilities.
iv. Advocate for full funding for Puget Sound restoration and Southern Resident
Killer Whale (SRKW) protection, including funding to support habitat
restoration, to sustain Chinook salmon populations and other species critical
to SRKW recovery, to help clean up legacy sources of contaminants that affect
SRKW, to better understand and reduce impacts of vessel- and marine
construction-related underwater noise, and to manage stormwater runoff.
v. Support full funding for regulatory staff for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reduce permit and mitigation bank approval
backlogs.
II. Areas of Potential Concern
a. Highlight Risks of New Policies to Port Business, Operations and Employees
i. Express the need for trade enforcement actions such as tariffs and quotas to
be carefully and narrowly targeted to address problems and minimize the
unintended impacts on American producers and consumers.
1. Advocate for productive engagement and negotiations that ensure a
fair and level playing field for mutually beneficial trade.
ii. 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 actively included in the opportunities that
our region’s economy provides.
1. Take steps to support workers and travelers impacted by changes in
immigration policy
2. Take all available steps to limit the use of Port facilities for immigration
detention and deportation
iii. Be a strong advocate for keeping the United States open to travelers and
visitors from throughout the world, without discrimination based on specific
individual characteristics
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11b Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: January 13, 2026
Template revised September 22, 2016.
iv. Push back against policies that would limit the Port’s ability to pursue
equity, diversity and inclusion efforts throughout our organization, or would
limit our access to federal dollars because of those efforts.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS PRESENTATION -
(1) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
• January 23, 2024 – The Commission approved the 2024 Federal Legislative Agenda.
• January 24, 2023 – The Commission approved the 2023 Federal Legislative Agenda.
• January 25, 2022 – The Commission approved the 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda.
• January 12, 2021 – The Commission approved the 2021 Federal Legislative Agenda.
• January 28, 2020 – The Commission approved the 2020 Federal Legislative Agenda.
• December 10, 2018 – The Commission approved the 2019 Federal Legislative Agenda.
• January 9, 2018 – The Commission approved the 2018 Federal Legislative Agenda.
