SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5770

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS, MARCH 1, 1993

Brief Description:  Allowing metropolitan park districts to purchase land for the purpose of creating conservation futures.

SPONSORS: Senators Fraser and Winsley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Fraser, Chairman; Barr, Deccio, McCaslin, Moore, Sutherland, and Talmadge.

Staff:  Cathy Baker (786‑7708)

Hearing Dates: February 26, 1993; March 1, 1993

BACKGROUND:

In 1971 the Legislature authorized certain entities to participate in "conservation futures" programs.  Under these programs, an entity may purchase development rights or make other contractual agreements with a property owner of select open space, farm land, or timber land.  The purpose of purchasing development rights or making other contractual agreements is to preserve these open spaces or areas from future development.  Under current law, the following entities are authorized to participate in conservation futures programs: counties, cities, towns, metropolitan municipal corporations, nonprofit historic preservation corporations, and nonprofit nature conservancy corporations or associations.

SUMMARY:

Metropolitan park districts are added to the list of entities authorized to participate in conservation futures programs.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The one metropolitan park district in the state would like to participate in the county's conservation futures program.  The district is precluded from doing so because these park districts are not currently listed in the statute.  Passing this legislation would allow the district to participate in this worthwhile program.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Jim Montgomerie, Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma (pro)