BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to financing the acquisition of wetland and other sensitive areas with a portion of the receipts from state utility taxes; and amending RCW 82.16.020 and 43.98A.010.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 82.16.020 and 1989 c 302 s 204 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) There is levied and there shall be collected from every person a tax for the act or privilege of engaging within this state in any one or more of the businesses herein mentioned. The tax shall be equal to the gross income of the business, multiplied by the rate set out after the business, as follows:

(a) Railroad, express, railroad car, sewerage collection, and telegraph businesses: Three and six-tenths percent;

(b) Light and power business: Three and sixty-two one-hundredths percent;

(d) Urban transportation business: Six-tenths of one percent;

(e) Vessels under sixty-five feet in length, except tugboats, operating upon the waters within the state: Six-tenths of one percent;

(f) Motor transportation and tugboat businesses, and all public service businesses other than ones mentioned above: One and eight-tenths of one percent;

(g) Water distribution business: Four and seven-tenths percent.

(2) An additional tax is imposed equal to the rate specified in RCW 82.02.030 multiplied by the tax payable under subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Twenty percent of the moneys collected under subsection (1) of this section on water distribution businesses and sixty percent of the moneys collected under subsection (1) of this section on sewerage collection businesses shall be deposited in the public works assistance account created in RCW 43.155.050.

(4) Ten percent of the moneys collected under subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited in the habitat conservation account created in RCW 43.98A.020.

Sec. 2. RCW 43.98A.010 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 14 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Acquisition" means the purchase on a willing seller basis of fee or less than fee interests in real property. These interests include, but are not limited to, options, rights of first refusal, conservation easements, leases, and mineral rights.

(2) "Committee" means the interagency committee for outdoor recreation.

(3) "Critical habitat" means lands important for the protection, management, or public enjoyment of certain wildlife species or groups of species, including, but not limited to, wintering range for deer, elk, and other species, waterfowl and upland bird habitat, fish habitat, and habitat for endangered, threatened, or sensitive species, including, but not limited to, fish and wildlife habitat areas or wetlands designated under chapter 36.70A RCW.

(4) "Local agencies" means a city, county, town, tribe, special purpose district, port district, or other political subdivision of the state providing services to less than the entire state.

(5) "Natural areas" means areas that have, to a significant degree, retained their natural character and are important in preserving rare or vanishing flora, fauna, geological, natural historical, or similar features of scientific or educational value, or areas that are designated under chapter 36.70A RCW as either areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water or geologically hazardous areas.

(6) "Special needs populations" means physically restricted people or people of limited means.

(7) "Trails" means public ways constructed for and open to pedestrians, equestrians, or bicyclists, or any combination thereof, other than a sidewalk constructed as a part of a city street or county road for exclusive use of pedestrians.

(8) "Urban wildlife habitat" means lands that provide habitat important to wildlife in proximity to a metropolitan area, including, but not limited to, fish and wildlife areas or wetlands designated under chapter 36.70A RCW.

(9) "Water access" means boat or foot access to marine waters, lakes, rivers, or streams.