FINAL BILL REPORT

                           ESSB 6228

                          C 307 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to definitions of agricultural and forest land of long‑term commercial significance.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Anderson, Owen, Hargrove, Sellar, Oke, McAuliffe and M. Rasmussen)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

BACKGROUND:

The Growth Management Act defined lands of long-term commercial significance.  Definitions of those lands have caused problems in the continued operation of forest management on commercial forest lands covered by the act. 

SUMMARY:

Legislative intent provides long-term protection be given to lands which grow timber.  Clarification of definitions does not require all counties covered by the Growth Management Act to readopt plans.

Forest land is defined as land devoted to growing commercial timber.  "Long-term commercial significance" means land with growing  capacity, productivity, soil composition and economic viability for long-term production based on the land's nearness to population areas, surrounding uses and parcel sizes.

Upland finfish hatcheries are added to the definition of agricultural land.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    47   0

House     90   4    (House amended)

Senate    38   0    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994