SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2119

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.

As of April 3, 2019

Title: An act relating to the distribution of moneys derived from certain state forestlands.

Brief Description: Concerning the distribution of moneys derived from certain state forestlands.

Sponsors: Representatives Morris and Lekanoff; by request of Department of Natural Resources.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/07/19, 66-31.

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 3/18/19.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes a county to prorate payments from the exchange of certain state forest lands in the same manner as general taxes are paid and distributed.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff: Jed Herman (786-7346)

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 and the various junior taxing districts based on the geographic location in which the revenue was generated.

The 2018 supplemental capital budget contained a provision in the trust land transfer appropriation that directed DNR to exchange land within the Common School Trust for state forestlands of equal value within the area known as the Harriet A. Spanel State Forest by June 30, 2019. The taxing districts of the former Common School Trust land may change as a result of the inter-trust land exchange.

Summary of Bill: In order to test county flexibility in distributing state forestland revenue, a county may pay, distribute, and prorate payments of monies derived from the former Common School Trust land exchanged into the State Forestlands Trust in the same manner as general taxes are paid for the former state forestlands that were subject to the exchange.

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: PRO: This bill solves the Blanchard Trust land transfer issue. This bill completes the final piece of a complicated transfer of forest land. It maintains revenue flow to the intended junior taxing district.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Matt Comisky, American Forest Resource Council; Joanna Eide, DNR; Duane Emmons, DNR.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.