Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 458-40-540 Forest land values—2020, and 458-40-660 Timber excise tax—Stumpage value tables—Stumpage value adjustments.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 84.33.096, 82.32.300, and 82.01.060(2).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 84.33.140 requires that forest land values be adjusted annually by a statutory formula contained in RCW 84.33.140(3). The department anticipates amending the forest land values rule (WAC 458-40-540) to adjust the table of forest land values in Washington as required by statute. County assessors will use these published land values for property tax purposes in 2021.

RCW 84.33.091 requires the department of revenue to revise the stumpage value tables every six months. The department establishes stumpage value tables to apprise timber harvesters of the timber values used to calculate the timber excise tax. The department anticipates amending WAC 458-40-660 to provide valuations for the first half of 2021.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Although the United States Forest Service and Washington state department of natural resources both regulate forest practices, neither is involved in valuation for taxation purposes. The nontax processes and definitions are coordinated with these agencies to avoid conflict, but it is not necessary to involve them in the valuation revisions provided in this rule.

Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in this rule making may contact the individual listed below. The public may also participate by providing written comments throughout this rule making or giving oral testimony at the public meeting or public hearing.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jennifer Arnold, 6400 Linderson Way S.W., P.O. Box 47453, Tumwater, WA 98504, phone 360-534-1574, fax 360-534-1606, TTY 800-833-6384, email JenniferA@dor.wa.gov.

Additional comments: A preliminary draft of possible rule changes will be available upon request shortly before the public meeting. Written comments may be submitted by mail or email and should be directed to Jennifer Arnold using one of the contact methods above.

Written and oral comments will be accepted at the public meeting on October 20, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.