H-3476

AN ACT Relating to conservation futures; and amending RCW 84.34.230, 36.70A.160, 84.34.240, and 84.34.250.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 84.34.230 and 1973 1st ex.s. c 195 s 94 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) For the purpose of acquiring conservation futures as well as other rights and interests in real property pursuant to RCW 84.34.210 and 84.34.220, a county may levy an amount not to exceed six and one-quarter cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation against the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the county, which levy shall be in addition to that authorized by RCW 84.52.050 and 84.52.043.

(2) In addition to the amount authorized under subsection (1) of this section, a county may levy one and three-fourths cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation against the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the county, which levy shall be in addition to that authorized by RCW 84.52.050 and 84.52.043. The moneys from this additional levy may be used solely for the purpose of funding maintenance and operation of real property, whether owned in less than fee simple or fee simple, and either acquired or of the type eligible to be acquired under RCW 84.34.210 and 84.34.220 or owned by a nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association as defined in RCW 84.34.250.

Sec. 2. RCW 36.70A.160 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:

Each county and city that is required or chooses to prepare a comprehensive land use plan under RCW 36.70A.040 shall identify open space corridors within and between urban growth areas. They shall include lands useful for recreation, wildlife habitat, trails, and connection of critical areas as defined in RCW 36.70A.030.

The city or county may seek to acquire by purchase the fee simple or lesser interests in these open space corridors using funds authorized by RCW 84.34.230(1) or other sources.

Sec. 3. RCW 84.34.240 and 1971 ex.s. c 243 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

Any board of county commissioners may establish by resolution a special fund which may be termed a conservation futures fund to which it may credit all taxes levied pursuant to RCW 84.34.230(1) and (2). Amounts placed in this fund attributable to RCW 84.34.230(1) may be used solely for the purpose of acquiring rights and interests in real property pursuant to the terms of RCW 84.34.210 and 84.34.220. Amounts placed in this fund attributable to RCW 84.34.230(2) may be used solely for the purpose of funding maintenance and operation of real property, whether owned in less than fee simple or fee simple, and either acquired or of the type eligible to be acquired under RCW 84.34.210 and 84.34.220 or owned by a nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association as defined in RCW 84.34.250. Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting in any manner methods and funds otherwise available to a county for financing the acquisition of such rights and interests in real property.

Sec. 4. RCW 84.34.250 and 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 22 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in RCW 84.34.210, ((~~as now or hereafter amended, and RCW~~)) 84.34.220, ((~~as now or hereafter amended~~)) and 84.34.230, "nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association" means an organization which qualifies as being tax exempt under 26 U.S.C. section 501(c) (of the Internal Revenue Code) as it exists on June 25, 1976 and one which has as one of its principal purposes the conducting or facilitating of scientific research; the conserving of natural resources, including but not limited to biological resources, for the general public; or the conserving of open spaces, including but not limited to wildlife habitat to be utilized as public access areas, for the use and enjoyment of the general public.