Z-1362

AN ACT Relating to incentives to maintain the productive forest land base; amending RCW 7.48.300, 7.48.305, 7.48.310, 76.09.330, 84.33.100, 84.34.300, 84.34.310, 84.34.320, 84.34.330, 84.34.340, 84.34.360, 84.34.370, 84.34.380, 76.09.060, 76.09.230, and 76.04.005; reenacting and amending RCW 4.24.210; adding new sections to chapter 84.33 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.45 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 4.24.210 and 1991 c 69 s 1 and 1991 c 50 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, any public or private landowners or others in lawful possession and control of any lands whether designated resource, rural, or urban, or water areas or channels and lands adjacent to such areas or channels, who allow members of the public to use them for the purposes of outdoor recreation, which term includes, but is not limited to, the cutting, gathering, and removing of firewood by private persons for their personal use without purchasing the firewood from the landowner, hunting, fishing, camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking, bicycling, the riding of horses or other animals, clam digging, pleasure driving of off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, and other vehicles, boating, nature study, winter or water sports, viewing or enjoying historical, archaeological, scenic, or scientific sites, without charging a fee of any kind therefor, shall not be liable for unintentional injuries to such users.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, any public or private landowner or others in lawful possession and control of any lands whether rural or urban, or water areas or channels and lands adjacent to such areas or channels, who offer or allow such land to be used for purposes of a fish or wildlife cooperative project, or allow access to such land for cleanup of litter or other solid waste, shall not be liable for unintentional injuries to any volunteer group or to any other users.

(3) Any public or private landowner, or others in lawful possession and control of the land, may charge a fee for the outdoor recreational use of forest lands as defined in RCW 76.09.020 and any public or private landowner may charge an administrative fee of up to ((~~ten~~)) twenty-five dollars for the cutting, gathering, and removing of firewood from the land. Nothing in this section shall prevent the liability of such a landowner or others in lawful possession and control for injuries sustained to users by reason of a known dangerous artificial latent condition for which warning signs have not been conspicuously posted. Nothing in RCW 4.24.200 and 4.24.210 limits or expands in any way the doctrine of attractive nuisance. Usage by members of the public, volunteer groups, or other users is permissive and does not support any claim of adverse possession.

(4) For purposes of this section, a license or permit issued for state-wide use under authority of chapter 43.51 RCW, Title 75, or Title 77 RCW is not a fee.

Sec. 2. RCW 7.48.300 and 1979 c 122 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds that agricultural activities conducted on farmland and forest practices in urbanizing areas are often subjected to nuisance lawsuits, and that such suits encourage and even force the premature removal of the lands from agricultural uses and timber production. It is therefore the purpose of RCW 7.48.300 through 7.48.310 and 7.48.905 to provide that agricultural activities conducted on farmland and forest practices be protected from nuisance lawsuits.

Sec. 3. RCW 7.48.305 and 1979 c 122 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, agricultural activities conducted on farmland and forest practices, if consistent with good agricultural and forest practices and established prior to surrounding nonagricultural and nonforestry activities, are presumed to be reasonable and do not constitute a nuisance unless the activity has a substantial adverse effect on the public health and safety.

If ((~~that~~)) those agricultural ((~~activity is~~)) activities and forest practices are undertaken in conformity with ((~~federal, state, and local~~)) all applicable laws and ((~~regulations~~)) rules, ((~~it is~~)) the activities are presumed to be good agricultural and forest practices ((~~and~~)) not adversely affecting the public health and safety for purposes of this section and RCW 7.48.300.

Sec. 4. RCW 7.48.310 and 1991 c 317 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in RCW 7.48.305:

(1) "Agricultural activity" means a condition or activity which occurs on a farm in connection with the commercial production of farm products and includes, but is not limited to, marketed produce at roadside stands or farm markets; noise; odors; dust; fumes; operation of machinery and irrigation pumps; movement, including, but not limited to, use of current county road ditches, streams, rivers, canals, and drains, and use of water for agricultural activities; ground and aerial application of seed, fertilizers, conditioners, and plant protection products; employment and use of labor; roadway movement of equipment and livestock; protection from damage by wildlife; prevention of trespass; construction and maintenance of buildings, fences, roads, bridges, ponds, drains, waterways, and similar features and maintenance of streambanks and watercourses; and conversion from one agricultural activity to another.

(2) "Farm" means the land, buildings, freshwater ponds, freshwater culturing and growing facilities, and machinery used in the commercial production of farm products.

(3) "Farmland" means land or freshwater ponds devoted primarily to the production, for commercial purposes, of livestock, freshwater aquacultural, or other agricultural commodities.

(4) "Farm product" means those plants and animals useful to humans and includes, but is not limited to, forages and sod crops, dairy and dairy products, poultry and poultry products, livestock, including breeding, grazing, and recreational equine use, fruits, vegetables, flowers, seeds, grasses, trees, freshwater fish and fish products, apiaries, equine and other similar products, or any other product which incorporates the use of food, feed, fiber, or fur.

(5) "Forest practice" means "forest practice" as defined in RCW 76.09.020.

Sec. 5. RCW 76.09.330 and 1987 c 95 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature hereby finds and declares that riparian ecosystems on forest lands in addition to containing valuable timber resources, provide benefits for wildlife, fish, and water quality. ((~~Forest landowners may be required to leave~~)) The legislature further finds and declares that leaving upland areas unharvested for wildlife and leaving snags and green trees for future snag recruitment provides benefits for wildlife. Public resources may benefit where snags or live trees standing in riparian and upland areas ((~~to benefit public resources~~)). It is recognized that these trees may blow down or fall into streams and that organic debris may be allowed to remain in streams. This is beneficial to riparian dependent and other wildlife species. The landowner shall not be held liable for damages resulting from ((~~the leave trees falling from natural causes in riparian areas~~)) these actions, including but not limited to wildfire, erosion, flooding, and other damages resulting from the trees being left.

Sec. 6. RCW 84.33.100 and 1983 c 3 s 224 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in RCW 84.33.110 through 84.33.140 and sections 7 through 13 of this act:

(1) "Forest land" is synonymous with timberland and means all land in any contiguous ownership of twenty or more acres which is primarily devoted to and used for growing and harvesting timber and means the land only.

(2) "Owner" means the party or parties having the fee interest in land, except where land is subject to a real estate contract "owner" means the contract vendee.

(3) "Local government" shall mean any city, town, county, sewer district, water district, public utility district, port district, irrigation district, flood control district, or any other municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or other political subdivision authorized to levy special benefit assessments for sanitary or storm sewerage systems, domestic water supply or distribution systems, or road construction or improvement purposes.

(4) "Local improvement district" shall mean any local improvement district, utility local improvement district, local utility district, road improvement district, or any similar unit created by a local government for the purpose of levying special benefit assessments against property specially benefited by improvements relating to such districts.

(5) The term "average rate of inflation" shall mean the annual rate of inflation as determined by the department of revenue averaged over the period of time as provided in section 8 (1) and (2) of this act. Such determination shall be published not later than January 1 of each year for use in that assessment year.

(6) "Special benefit assessments" shall mean special assessments levied or capable of being levied in any local improvement district or otherwise levied or capable of being levied by a local government to pay for all or part of the costs of a local improvement and which may be levied only for the special benefits to be realized by property by reason of that local improvement.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) Any forest land which is designated for classification pursuant to chapter 84.33 RCW at the earlier of the times the legislative authority of a local government adopts a resolution, ordinance, or legislative act (a) to create a local improvement district, in which such land is included or would have been included but for such classification designation, or (b) to approve or confirm a final special benefit assessment roll relating to a sanitary or storm sewerage system, domestic water supply or distribution system, or road construction or improvement, which roll would have included such land but for such classification designation, shall be exempt from special benefit assessments or charges in lieu of assessment for such purposes as long as that land remains in such classification, except as otherwise provided in section 11 of this act.

(2) Whenever a local government creates a local improvement district, the levying, collection, and enforcement of assessments shall be in the manner and subject to the same procedures and limitations as are provided pursuant to the law concerning the initiation and formation of local improvement districts for the particular local government. Notice of the creation of a local improvement district that includes forest land shall be filed with the county assessor and the legislative authority of the county in which such land is located. The county assessor, upon receiving notice of the creation of such a local improvement district, shall send a notice to the owner of the forest lands listed on the tax rolls of the applicable county treasurer of:

(a) The creation of the local improvement district;

(b) The exemption of that land from special benefit assessments;

(c) The fact that the forest land may become subject to the special benefit assessments if the owner waives the exemption by filing a notarized document with the governing body of the local government creating the local improvement district before the confirmation of the final special benefit assessment roll; and

(d) The potential liability, pursuant to section 8 of this act, if the exemption is not waived and the land is subsequently removed from the forest land status.

(3) When a local government approves and confirms a special benefit assessment roll, from which forest land has been exempted pursuant to this section, it shall file a notice of such action with the county assessor and the legislative authority of the county in which such land is located and with the treasurer of that local government, which notice shall describe the action taken, the type of improvement involved, the land exempted, and the amount of the special benefit assessment which would have been levied against the land if it had not been exempted. The filing of such notice with the county assessor and the treasurer of that local government shall constitute constructive notice to a purchaser or encumbrancer of the affected land, and every person whose conveyance or encumbrance is subsequently executed or subsequently recorded, that such exempt land is subject to the charges provided in sections 8 and 9 of this act, if such land is withdrawn or removed from its classification as forest land.

(4) The owner of the land exempted from special benefit assessments pursuant to this section may waive that exemption by filing a notarized document to that effect with the legislative authority of the local government upon receiving notice from said local government concerning the assessment roll hearing and before the local government confirms the final special benefit assessment roll. A copy of that waiver shall be filed by the local government with the county assessor, but the failure of such filing shall not affect the waiver.

(5) Except to the extent provided in section 11 of this act, the local government shall have no duty to furnish service from the improvement financed by the special benefit assessment to such exempted land.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Whenever forest land has once been exempted from special benefit assessments pursuant to section 7 of this act, any withdrawal from classification or change in use from forest land under chapter 84.33 RCW shall result in the following:

(1) If the bonds used to fund the improvement in the local improvement district have not been completely retired, such land shall immediately become liable for:

(a) The amount of the special benefit assessment listed in the notice provided for in section 7 of this act; plus

(b) Interest on the amount determined in (a) of this subsection, compounded annually at a rate equal to the average rate of inflation from the time the initial notice is filed by the governmental entity which created the local improvement district as provided in section 7 of this act to the time the owner withdraws such land from the exemption category provided by this chapter; or

(2) If the bonds used to fund the improvement in the local improvement district have been completely retired, such land shall immediately become liable for:

(a) The amount of the special benefit assessment listed in the notice provided for in section 7 of this act; plus

(b) Interest on the amount determined in (a) of this subsection compounded annually at a rate equal to the average rate of inflation from the time the initial notice is filed by the governmental entity which created the local improvement district as provided in section 7 of this act, to the time the bonds used to fund the improvement have been retired; plus

(c) Interest on the total amount determined in (a) and (b) of this subsection at a simple per annum rate equal to the average rate of inflation from the time the bonds used to fund the improvement have been retired to the time the owner withdraws such lands from the exemption category provided by this chapter;

(3) The amount payable pursuant to this section shall become due on the date such land is withdrawn or removed from its forest land classification and shall be a lien on the land prior and superior to any other lien whatsoever except for the lien for general taxes, and shall be enforceable in the same manner as the collection of special benefit assessments are enforced by that local government.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Whenever forest land is withdrawn or removed from its forest land classification, the county assessor of the county in which such land is located shall forthwith give written notice of such withdrawal or removal to the local government or its successor which had filed with the assessor the notice required by section 7 of this act. Upon receipt of the notice from the assessor, the local government shall mail a written statement to the owner of such land for the amounts payable as provided in section 8 of this act. Such amounts due shall be delinquent if not paid within one hundred eighty days after the date of mailing of the statement, and shall be subject to the same interest, penalties, lien priority, and enforcement procedures that are applicable to delinquent assessments on the assessment roll from which that land had been exempted, except that the rate of interest charged shall not exceed the rate provided in section 8 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Payments collected pursuant to sections 8 and 9 of this act, or by enforcement procedures referred to therein, after the payment of the expenses of their collection, shall first be applied to the payment of general or special debt incurred to finance the improvements related to the special benefit assessments, and, if such debt is retired, then into the maintenance fund or general fund of the governmental entity which created the local improvement district, or its successor, for any of the following purposes: (1) Redemption or servicing of outstanding obligations of the district; (2) maintenance expenses of the district; or (3) construction or acquisition of any facilities necessary to carry out the purpose of the district.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. The department of revenue shall adopt rules it shall deem necessary to implement RCW 84.33.100 and sections 7 through 13 of this act which shall include, but not be limited to, procedures to determine the extent to which a portion of the land otherwise exempt may be subject to a special benefit assessment for: (1) The actual connection to the domestic water system or sewerage facilities; (2) for access to the road improvement in relation to its value as forest land as distinguished from its value under more intensive uses; and (3) for such lands which benefit from or cause the need for a local improvement district. The provision for limited special benefit assessments shall not relieve such land from liability for the amounts provided in sections 8 and 9 of this act when such land is withdrawn or removed from its forest land classification.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. Whenever a portion of a parcel of land which was classified as forest land pursuant to this chapter is withdrawn from classification or there is a change in use, and such land has been exempted from any benefit assessments pursuant to section 6 of this act, the previously exempt benefit assessments shall become due on only that portion of the land which is withdrawn or changed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. (1) Forest land on which the right to future development has been acquired by any local government, the state of Washington, or the United States government shall be exempt from special benefit assessments in lieu of assessment for such purposes in the same manner, and under the same liabilities for payment and interest, as land classified under this chapter as forest land, for as long as such classification applies.

(2) Any interest, development right, easement, covenant, or other contractual right which effectively protects, preserves, maintains, improves, restores, prevents the future nonforest use of, or otherwise conserves forest land shall be exempt from special benefit assessments as long as such development right or other such interest effectively serves to prevent nonforest development of such land.

Sec. 14. RCW 84.34.300 and 1979 c 84 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds that farming, timber production, and the related agricultural ((~~industry~~)) and forest industries have historically been and currently are central factors in the economic and social lifeblood of the state; that it is a fundamental policy of the state to protect agricultural and timber lands as a major natural resource in order to maintain a source to supply a wide range of agricultural and forest products; and that the public interest in the protection and stimulation of farming, timber production, and the agricultural ((~~industry~~)) and forest industries is a basic element of enhancing the economic viability of this state. The legislature further finds that farmland and timber land in urbanizing areas ((is)) are often subjected to high levels of property taxation and benefit assessment, and that such levels of taxation and assessment encourage and even force the ((~~premature~~)) removal of such lands from agricultural and forest uses. The legislature further finds that because of this level of taxation and assessment, such farmland and timber land in urbanizing areas ((is)) are either converted to nonagricultural and nonforest uses when significant amounts of nearby nonagricultural and nonforest area could be suitably used for such nonagricultural and nonforest uses, or, much of this farmland and timber land is left in an unused state. The legislature further finds that with the approval by the voters of the Fifty-third Amendment to the state Constitution, and with the enactment of chapter 84.34 RCW, the owners of farmlands and timber lands were provided with an opportunity to have such land valued on the basis of its current use and not its "highest and best use" and that such current use valuation is one mechanism to protect agricultural and timber lands. The legislature further finds that despite this potential property tax reduction, farmlands and timber lands in urbanized areas are still subject to high levels of benefit assessments and continue to be removed from farm and forest uses.

It is therefore the purpose of the legislature to establish, with the enactment of RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380, another mechanism to protect agricultural and timber land which creates an analogous system of relief from certain benefit assessments for farm and agricultural land and timber land. It is the intent of the legislature that special benefit assessments not be imposed for the availability of sanitary and/or storm sewerage service, or domestic water service, or for road construction and/or improvement purposes on farm and agricultural lands and timber lands which have been designated for current use classification as farm and agricultural lands or timber lands until such lands are withdrawn or removed from such classification or unless such lands benefit from or cause the need for the local improvement district.

The legislature finds, and it is the intent of RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380 and 84.34.922, that special benefit assessments for the improvement or construction of sanitary and/or storm sewerage service, or domestic water service, or certain road construction do not generally benefit land which has been classified as open space farm and agricultural land or timber land under the open space act, chapter 84.34 RCW, until such land is withdrawn from such classification or such land is used for a more intense and nonagricultural use, or the land is no longer used as timber land. The purpose of RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380 and 84.34.922 is to provide an exemption from certain special benefit assessments which do not benefit timber land or open space farm and agricultural land, and to provide the means for local governmental entities to recover such assessments in current dollar value in the event such land is no longer devoted to farming or timber production under chapter 84.34 RCW. Where the owner of such land chooses to make limited use of improvements related to special benefit assessments, RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380 ((~~and 84.34.922~~)) provides the means for the partial assessment on open space timber and farmland to the extent the land is directly benefited by the improvement.

Sec. 15. RCW 84.34.310 and 1979 c 84 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380, unless a different meaning is required, the words defined in this section shall have the meanings indicated.

(1) "Farm and agricultural land" shall mean the same as defined in RCW 84.34.020(2).

(2) "Timber land" shall mean the same as defined in RCW 84.34.020(3).

(3) "Local government" shall mean any city, town, county, sewer district, water district, public utility district, port district, irrigation district, flood control district, or any other municipal corporation, quasi municipal corporation, or other political subdivision authorized to levy special benefit assessments for sanitary and/or storm sewerage systems, domestic water supply and/or distribution systems, or road construction or improvement purposes.

((~~(3)~~)) (4) "Local improvement district" shall mean any local improvement district, utility local improvement district, local utility district, road improvement district, or any similar unit created by a local government for the purpose of levying special benefit assessments against property specially benefited by improvements relating to such districts.

((~~(4)~~)) (5) "Owner" shall mean the same as defined in RCW 84.34.020(5) or the applicable statutes relating to special benefit assessments.

((~~(5)~~)) (6) The term "average rate of inflation" shall mean the annual rate of inflation as determined by the department of revenue averaged over the period of time as provided in RCW 84.34.330 (1) and (2). Such determination shall be published not later than January 1 of each year for use in that assessment year.

((~~(6)~~)) (7) "Special benefit assessments" shall mean special assessments levied or capable of being levied in any local improvement district or otherwise levied or capable of being levied by a local government to pay for all or part of the costs of a local improvement and which may be levied only for the special benefits to be realized by property by reason of that local improvement.

Sec. 16. RCW 84.34.320 and 1979 c 84 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

Any farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land which is designated for current use classification pursuant to chapter 84.34 RCW at the earlier of the times the legislative authority of a local government adopts a resolution, ordinance, or legislative act (1) to create a local improvement district, in which such land is included or would have been included but for such classification designation, or (2) to approve or confirm a final special benefit assessment roll relating to a sanitary and/or storm sewerage system, domestic water supply and/or distribution system, or road construction and/or improvement, which roll would have included such land but for such classification designation, shall be exempt from special benefit assessments or charges in lieu of assessment for such purposes as long as that land remains in such classification, except as otherwise provided in RCW 84.34.360.

Whenever a local government creates a local improvement district, the levying, collection and enforcement of assessments shall be in the manner and subject to the same procedures and limitations as are provided pursuant to the law concerning the initiation and formation of local improvement districts for the particular local government. Notice of the creation of a local improvement district that includes farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land shall be filed with the county assessor and the legislative authority of the county in which such land is located. The county assessor, upon receiving notice of the creation of such a local improvement district, shall send a notice to the owner of the farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber lands listed on the tax rolls of the applicable county treasurer of: (1) the creation of the local improvement district; (2) the exemption of that land from special benefit assessments; (3) the fact that the farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land may become subject to the special benefit assessments if the owner waives the exemption by filing a notarized document with the governing body of the local government creating the local improvement district before the confirmation of the final special benefit assessment roll; and (4) the potential liability, pursuant to RCW 84.34.330, if the exemption is not waived and the land is subsequently removed from the farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land status. When a local government approves and confirms a special benefit assessment roll, from which farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land has been exempted pursuant to this section, it shall file a notice of such action with the county assessor and the legislative authority of the county in which such land is located and with the treasurer of that local government, which notice shall describe the action taken, the type of improvement involved, the land exempted, and the amount of the special benefit assessment which would have been levied against the land if it had not been exempted. The filing of such notice with the county assessor and the treasurer of that local government shall constitute constructive notice to a purchaser or encumbrancer of the affected land, and every person whose conveyance or encumbrance is subsequently executed or subsequently recorded, that such exempt land is subject to the charges provided in RCW 84.34.330 and 84.34.340 if such land is withdrawn or removed from its current use classification as farm, agricultural, or timber land.

The owner of the land exempted from special benefit assessments pursuant to this section may waive that exemption by filing a notarized document to that effect with the legislative authority of the local government upon receiving notice from said local government concerning the assessment roll hearing and before the local government confirms the final special benefit assessment roll. A copy of that waiver shall be filed by the local government with the county assessor, but the failure of such filing shall not affect the waiver.

Except to the extent provided in RCW 84.34.360, the local government shall have no duty to furnish service from the improvement financed by the special benefit assessment to such exempted land.

Sec. 17. RCW 84.34.330 and 1979 c 84 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

Whenever farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land has once been exempted from special benefit assessments pursuant to RCW 84.34.320, any withdrawal from classification or change in use from farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land under chapter 84.34 RCW shall result in the following:

(1) If the bonds used to fund the improvement in the local improvement district have not been completely retired, such land shall immediately become liable for: (a) The amount of the special benefit assessment listed in the notice provided for in RCW 84.34.320; plus (b) interest on the amount determined in (1)(a) of this section, compounded annually at a rate equal to the average rate of inflation from the time the initial notice is filed by the governmental entity which created the local improvement district as provided in RCW 84.34.320 to the time the owner withdraws such land from the exemption category provided by this chapter; or

(2) If the bonds used to fund the improvement in the local improvement district have been completely retired, such land shall immediately become liable for: (a) The amount of the special benefit assessment listed in the notice provided for in RCW 84.34.320; plus (b) interest on the amount determined in (2)(a) of this section compounded annually at a rate equal to the average rate of inflation from the time the initial notice is filed by the governmental entity which created the local improvement district as provided in RCW 84.34.320, to the time the bonds used to fund the improvement have been retired; plus (c) interest on the total amount determined in (2) (a) and (b) of this section at a simple per annum rate equal to the average rate of inflation from the time the bonds used to fund the improvement have been retired to the time the owner withdraws such lands from the exemption category provided by this chapter.

(3) The amount payable pursuant to this section shall become due on the date such land is withdrawn or removed from its current use or timber land classification and shall be a lien on the land prior and superior to any other lien whatsoever except for the lien for general taxes, and shall be enforceable in the same manner as the collection of special benefit assessments are enforced by that local government.

Sec. 18. RCW 84.34.340 and 1979 c 84 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

Whenever farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land is withdrawn or removed from its current use classification as farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land, the county assessor of the county in which such land is located shall forthwith give written notice of such withdrawal or removal to the local government or its successor which had filed with the assessor the notice required by RCW 84.34.320. Upon receipt of the notice from the assessor, the local government shall mail a written statement to the owner of such land for the amounts payable as provided in RCW 84.34.330. Such amounts due shall be delinquent if not paid within one hundred and eighty days after the date of mailing of the statement, and shall be subject to the same interest, penalties, lien priority, and enforcement procedures that are applicable to delinquent assessments on the assessment roll from which that land had been exempted, except that the rate of interest charged shall not exceed the rate provided in RCW 84.34.330.

Sec. 19. RCW 84.34.360 and 1979 c 84 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

((~~Within ninety days after June 7, 1979,~~)) The department of revenue shall adopt rules it shall deem necessary to implement RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380 which shall include, but not be limited to, procedures to determine the extent to which a portion of the land otherwise exempt may be subject to a special benefit assessment for the actual connection to the domestic water system or sewerage facilities, and further to determine the extent to which all or a portion of such land may be subject to a special benefit assessment for access to the road improvement in relation to its value as farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land as distinguished from its value under more intensive uses. The provision for limited special benefit assessments shall not relieve such land from liability for the amounts provided in RCW 84.34.330 and 84.34.340 when such land is withdrawn or removed from its current use classification as farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land.

Sec. 20. RCW 84.34.370 and 1979 c 84 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

Whenever a portion of a parcel of land which was classified as farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land pursuant to this chapter is withdrawn from classification or there is a change in use, and such land has been exempted from any benefit assessments pursuant to RCW 84.34.320, the previously exempt benefit assessments shall become due on only that portion of the land which is withdrawn or changed.

Sec. 21. RCW 84.34.380 and 1979 c 84 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

Farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land on which the right to future development has been acquired by any local government, the state of Washington, or the United States government shall be exempt from special benefit assessments in lieu of assessment for such purposes in the same manner, and under the same liabilities for payment and interest, as land classified under this chapter as farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land, for as long as such classification applies.

Any interest, development right, easement, covenant, or other contractual right which effectively protects, preserves, maintains, improves, restores, prevents the future nonagricultural or nonforest use of, or otherwise conserves farm ((~~and~~)), agricultural, or timber land shall be exempt from special benefit assessments as long as such development right or other such interest effectively serves to prevent nonagricultural or nonforest development of such land.

Sec. 22. RCW 76.09.060 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 62 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall prescribe the form and contents of the notification and application. The forest practices ((~~regulations~~)) rules shall specify by whom and under what conditions the notification and application shall be signed or otherwise certified as acceptable. The application or notification shall be delivered in person ((or)) to the department, sent by ((~~certified~~)) first class mail to the department or electronically filed in a form defined by the department. The form for electronic filing shall be readily convertible to a paper copy, which shall be available to the public pursuant to chapter 42.17 RCW. The information required may include, but ((~~shall~~)) is not ((be)) limited to:

(a) Name and address of the forest landowner, timber owner, and operator;

(b) Description of the proposed forest practice or practices to be conducted;

(d) Planimetric and topographic maps showing location and size of all lakes and streams and other public waters in and immediately adjacent to the operating area and showing all existing and proposed roads and major tractor roads;

(e) Description of the silvicultural, harvesting, or other forest practice methods to be used, including the type of equipment to be used and materials to be applied;

(f) Proposed plan for reforestation and for any revegetation necessary to reduce erosion potential from roadsides and yarding roads, as required by the forest practices ((~~regulations~~)) rules;

(g) Soil, geological, and hydrological data with respect to forest practices;

(h) The expected dates of commencement and completion of all forest practices specified in the application;

(i) Provisions for continuing maintenance of roads and other construction or other measures necessary to afford protection to public resources; and

(j) An affirmation that the statements contained in the notification or application are true.

(2) ((At the option of the applicant, the application or notification may be submitted to cover a single forest practice or any number of forest practices within reasonable geographic or political boundaries as specified by the department.)) Long range plans may be submitted to the department for review and consultation.

(3) The application for a forest practice or the notification of a Class II forest practice shall indicate whether any land covered by the application or notification will be converted or is intended to be converted to a use other than commercial timber production within three years after completion of the forest practices described in it.

(a) If the application states that any such land will be or is intended to be so converted:

(i) The reforestation requirements of this chapter and of the forest practices ((~~regulations~~)) rules shall not apply if the land is in fact so converted unless applicable alternatives or limitations are provided in forest practices ((~~regulations~~)) rules issued under RCW 76.09.070 as now or hereafter amended;

(ii) Completion of such forest practice operations shall be deemed conversion of the lands to another use for purposes of chapters 84.28, 84.33, and 84.34 RCW unless the conversion is to a use permitted under a current use tax agreement permitted under chapter 84.34 RCW;

(iii) The forest practices described in the application are subject to applicable county, city, town, and regional governmental authority permitted under RCW 76.09.240 as now or hereafter amended as well as the forest practices ((~~regulations~~)) rules.

(b) If the application or notification does not state that any land covered by the application or notification will be or is intended to be so converted:

(i) For six years after the date of the application the county, city, town, and regional governmental entities may deny any or all applications for permits or approvals, including building permits and subdivision approvals, relating to nonforestry uses of land subject to the application;

(ii) Failure to comply with the reforestation requirements contained in any final order or decision shall constitute a removal from classification under the provisions of RCW 84.28.065, a removal of designation under the provisions of RCW 84.33.140, and a change of use under the provisions of RCW 84.34.080, and, if applicable, shall subject such lands to the payments and/or penalties resulting from such removals or changes; and

(iii) Conversion to a use other than commercial timber operations within three years after completion of the forest practices without the consent of the county, city, or town shall constitute a violation of each of the county, municipal city, town, and regional authorities to which the forest practice operations would have been subject if the application had so stated.

(c) The application or notification shall be either signed by the landowner or accompanied by a statement signed by the landowner indicating his or her intent with respect to conversion and acknowledging that he or she is familiar with the effects of this subsection.

(4) Whenever an approved application authorizes a forest practice which, because of soil condition, proximity to a water course or other unusual factor, has a potential for causing material damage to a public resource, as determined by the department, the applicant shall, when requested on the approved application, notify the department two days before the commencement of actual operations.

(5) Before the operator commences any forest practice in a manner or to an extent significantly different from that described in a previously approved application or notification, there shall be submitted to the department a new application or notification form in the manner set forth in this section.

(6) The notification to or the approval given by the department to an application to conduct a forest practice shall be effective for a term of ((~~one~~)) two years from the date of approval or notification and shall not be renewed unless a new application is filed and approved or a new notification has been filed. At the option of the applicant, an application or notification may be submitted to cover a single forest practice or a number of forest practices. An application or notification that covers more than one forest practice may have an effective term of more than two years. The board shall adopt rules that establish standards and procedures for approving an application or notification that has an effective term of more than two years. Such rules shall include extended time periods for application or notification approval or disapproval. On an approved application with a term of more than two years, the applicant shall inform the department before commencing operations.

(7) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no prior application or notification shall be required for any emergency forest practice necessitated by fire, flood, windstorm, earthquake, or other emergency as defined by the board, but the operator shall submit an application or notification, whichever is applicable, to the department within forty-eight hours after commencement of such practice.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 23. A new section is added to chapter 82.45 RCW to read as follows:

It is the intent of this section to foster the assemblage or consolidation of forest land and to encourage long-term commitment to timber production.

(1) When the real estate excise tax is due upon the sale of forest land classified under chapter 84.33 RCW or open space timber land classified under RCW 84.34.020(3) and the buyer elects to continue the use, the payment of all or some of the state portion of the real estate excise tax as provided in RCW 82.45.060 may be deferred until the land is removed from the forest land classification or open space classification.

(a) Upon the removal from the classification as provided in RCW 84.34.070, 84.34.108, 84.33.140, and 84.33.145, the owner at time of removal shall remit all amounts which were deferred during the previous ten-year period, plus interest, within thirty days of removal.

(b) All amounts deferred upon the sale of the property under this section shall become a specific lien on the property from the time of removal from the classification, and such lien may be enforced in the manner prescribed for the foreclosure of mortgages.

(2) The agreement of the buyer to continue the use of the land as forest land under chapter 84.33 RCW or as open space timber land under chapter 82.34 RCW shall also be an agreement to pay the amount due under this section if the buyer is the owner of the property when it is removed from the classification.

(3) The department of revenue shall adopt such rules as are necessary for the administration of this section.

Sec. 24. RCW 76.09.230 and 1989 c 175 s 165 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) In all appeals filed with the appeals board, the party filing the first or initial paper in the action shall pay, at the time the paper is filed, a fee of one hundred dollars. All filing fees under this section shall be deposited in the state general fund.

(2) In all appeals over which the appeals board has jurisdiction, a party taking an appeal may elect either a formal or an informal hearing, unless such party has had an informal hearing with the department. Such election shall be made according to the rules of practice and procedure to be promulgated by the appeals board. In the event that appeals are taken from the same decision, order, or determination, as the case may be, by different parties and only one of such parties elects a formal hearing, a formal hearing shall be granted.

((~~(2)~~)) (3) In all appeals over which the appeals board has jurisdiction, upon request of one or more parties and with the consent of all parties, the appeals board shall promptly schedule a conference for the purpose of attempting to mediate the case. The mediation conference shall be held prior to the hearing on not less than seven days' advance written notice to all parties. All other proceedings pertaining to the appeal shall be stayed until completion of mediation, which shall continue so long as all parties consent: PROVIDED, That this shall not prevent the appeals board from deciding motions filed by the parties while mediation is ongoing: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That discovery may be conducted while mediation is ongoing if agreed to by all parties. Mediation shall be conducted by an administrative appeals judge or other duly authorized agent of the appeals board who has received training in dispute resolution techniques or has a demonstrated history of successfully resolving disputes, as determined by the appeals board. A person who mediates in a particular appeal shall not participate in a hearing on that appeal or in writing the decision and order in the appeal. Documentary and other physical evidence presented and evidence of conduct or statements made during the course of mediation shall be treated by the mediator and the parties in a confidential manner and shall not be admissible in subsequent proceedings in the appeal except in accordance with the provisions of the Washington Rules of Evidence pertaining to compromise negotiations.

(4) In all appeals the appeals board shall have all powers relating to administration of oaths, issuance of subpoenas, and taking of depositions, but such powers shall be exercised in conformity with chapter 34.05 RCW.

((~~(3)~~)) (5) In all appeals involving formal hearing the appeals board, and each member thereof, shall be subject to all duties imposed upon and shall have all powers granted to, an agency by those provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW relating to adjudicative proceedings.

((~~(4)~~)) (6) All proceedings, including both formal and informal hearings, before the appeals board or any of its members shall be conducted in accordance with such rules of practice and procedure as the board may prescribe. The appeals board shall publish such rules and arrange for the reasonable distribution thereof.

((~~(5)~~)) (7) Judicial review of a decision of the appeals board shall be de novo except when the decision has been rendered pursuant to the formal hearing, in which event judicial review may be obtained only pursuant to RCW 34.05.510 through 34.05.598.

Sec. 25. RCW 76.04.005 and 1986 c 100 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Additional fire hazard" means a condition existing on any land in the state covered wholly or in part by forest debris which is likely to further the spread of fire and thereby endanger life or property. The term "additional fire hazard" does not include green trees or snags left standing in upland or riparian areas under the provisions of RCW 76.04.465 or chapter 76.09 RCW.

(2) "Closed season" means the period between April 15 and October 15, unless the department designates different dates because of prevailing fire weather conditions.

(3) "Department" means the department of natural resources, or its authorized representatives, as defined in chapter 43.30 RCW.

(4) "Department protected lands" means all lands subject to the forest protection assessment under RCW 76.04.610 or covered under contract or agreement pursuant to RCW 76.04.135 by the department.

(5) "Emergency fire costs" means those costs incurred or approved by the department for emergency forest fire suppression, including the employment of personnel, rental of equipment, and purchase of supplies over and above costs regularly budgeted and provided for nonemergency fire expenses for the biennium in which the costs occur.

(6) "Forest debris" includes forest slash, chips, and any other vegetative residue resulting from activities on forest land.

(7) "Forest fire service" includes all wardens, rangers, and other persons employed especially for preventing or fighting forest fires.

(8) "Forest land" means any unimproved lands which have enough trees, standing or down, or flammable material, to constitute in the judgment of the department, a fire menace to life or property. Sagebrush and grass areas east of the summit of the Cascade mountains may be considered forest lands when such areas are adjacent to or intermingled with areas supporting tree growth. Forest land, for protection purposes, does not include structures.

(9) "Forest landowner," "owner of forest land," "landowner," or "owner" means the owner or the person in possession of any public or private forest land.

(10) "Forest material" means forest slash, chips, timber, standing or down, or other vegetation.

(11) "Landowner operation" means every activity, and supporting activities, of a forest landowner and the landowner's agents, employees, or independent contractors or permittees in the management and use of forest land subject to the forest protection assessment under RCW 76.04.610 for the primary benefit of the owner. The term includes, but is not limited to, the growing and harvesting of forest products, the development of transportation systems, the utilization of minerals or other natural resources, and the clearing of land. The term does not include recreational and/or residential activities not associated with these enumerated activities.

(12) "Participating landowner" means an owner of forest land whose land is subject to the forest protection assessment under RCW 76.04.610.

(13) "Slash" means organic forest debris such as tree tops, limbs, brush, and other dead flammable material remaining on forest land as a result of a landowner operation.

(14) "Slash burning" means the planned and controlled burning of forest debris on forest lands by broadcast burning, underburning, pile burning, or other means, for the purposes of silviculture, hazard abatement, or reduction and prevention or elimination of a fire hazard.

(15) "Suppression" means all activities involved in the containment and control of forest fires, including the patrolling thereof until such fires are extinguished or considered by the department to pose no further threat to life or property.

(16) "Unimproved lands" means those lands that will support grass, brush and tree growth, or other flammable material when such lands are not cleared or cultivated and, in the opinion of the department, are a fire menace to life and property.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 26. Nothing in RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.340 or 84.34.360 through 84.34.380 shall amend the provisions of chapter 79.44 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 27. Sections 7 through 13 of this act are each added to chapter 84.33 RCW.