WSR 97-22-035

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

[Filed October 30, 1997, 4:13 p.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 97-19-030.

Title of Rule: WAC 458-40-540 Forest land values--1998.

Purpose: RCW 84.33.120 requires that forest land values be adjusted annually by a statutory formula contained in RCW 84.33.120(2). These published land values are used by county assessors for property tax purposes in 1998.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 82.32.330 and 84.33.096.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 84.33.120.

Summary: The rule adjusts the table of forest land values in Washington as required by statute.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW 84.33.120 requires the values provided in this rule be adjusted each year.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Ed Ratcliffe, 711 Capitol Way South, # 303, Olympia, WA, (360) 586-3505; Implementation and Enforcement: Gary O'Neil, 2735 Harrison N.W., Building 4, Olympia, WA, (360) 753-2871.

Name of Proponent: Department of Revenue, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: WAC 458-40-540 adjusts the forest land values in accordance with the statutory formula found in RCW 84.33.120(2). County assessors use these land values to assess property tax for 1998.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Values are statutorily adjusted. See Explanation above.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Updating the forest land values are required by law under a set statutory formula. The rule does not impose a responsibility or require a small business to perform something that is not already required by law.

Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. The rule is excepted from section 201 by RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vi).

Hearing Location: Department of Revenue, Conference Room, Target Place Building, No. 4, 2735 Harrison Avenue N.W., Olympia, WA, on December 10, 1997, at 10 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Janet Schilter by December 3, 1997, TDD 1-800-451-7985 or (360) 753-3217.

Submit Written Comments to: Ed Ratcliffe, Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 47467, Olympia, WA 98504-7467, FAX (360) 664-0693, by December 10, 1997.

Date of Intended Adoption: December 30, 1997.

October 30, 1997

James M. Thomas

Acting Assistant Director

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 97-07-041, filed 3/14/97, effective 4/14/97)

WAC 458-40-540 Forest land values--((1997)) 1998. The forest land values, per acre, for each grade of forest land for the ((1997)) 1998 assessment year are determined to be as follows:

((1997))

1998

land operability values

grade class rounded

1 (($232)) $245

1 2 ((226)) 238

3 ((215)) 227

4 ((156)) 164

1 ((196)) 207

2 2 ((188)) 198

3 ((180)) 190

4 ((131)) 138

1 ((153)) 161

3 2 ((148)) 156

3 ((146)) 154

4 ((112)) 118

1 ((116)) 122

4 2 ((113)) 119

3 ((112)) 118

4 ((85)) 90

1 ((84)) 89

5 2 ((78)) 82

3 ((77)) 81

4 ((51)) 54

1 ((43)) 45

6 2 ((39)) 41

3 ((39)) 41

4 ((37)) 39

1 ((21)) 22

7 2 ((21)) 22

3 ((20)) 21

4 ((20)) 21

8 1