Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Capital Budget Committee |
HB 2988
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. |
Brief Description: Concerning the distribution of state forestland revenues for certain former state forestlands.
Sponsors: Representatives Tharinger and DeBolt.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/19/18
Staff: Christine Thomas (786-7142).
Background:
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages more than 600,000 acres of state forestlands, which were acquired primarily through tax foreclosures in the 1920s and 1930s, and to a lesser extent through purchases by the state or gifts to the state. State forestlands are managed for the benefit of taxing districts that provide public services such as roads, schools, hospitals, libraries, and fire districts in the counties in which the lands are located. Revenues generated by state forestlands are distributed to the counties in the same manner as general taxes are paid and distributed to the various taxing districts.
The 2017-19 omnibus capital budget contained a provision in the Trust Land Transfer appropriation that directed the DNR to exchange land within the Common School Trust for state forestlands of equal value known as the Harriet A. Spanel State Forest by June 30, 2018. The taxing districts of the former Common School Trust land may change as a result of the inter-trust land exchange.
Summary of Bill:
The county may pay, distribute, and prorate payments for the former Common School Trust land exchanged into the State Forestlands Trust in the same manners as general taxes are paid for the former state forestlands that were subject to the exchange.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.