Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Natural Resources Committee

HB 1627

Brief Description:  Using revenues under the county conservation futures levy.

Sponsors:  Representatives Fromhold, Dunn, Ogden, Edmonds, Dunshee, Jarrett and Edwards.

Brief Summary of Bill

$If approved by the voters, a county may levy an additional 5.75 cents per $1,000 dollars of assessed valuation for conservation futures.

$At least 3.75 cents of the additional levy must be used for acquiring real property for the preservation of salmon habitat.

Hearing Date:  2/23/01

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786‑7092).

Background: 

Counties are authorized to impose a levy up to 6.25 cents per $1,000 dollars of assessed valuation upon all taxable property in the county for the purpose of acquiring conservation futures.  ?Conservation futures@ are the future development rights to property designated as open space, farm and agricultural land, and timber land.

Summary of Bill: 

A county may levy an additional 5.75 cents per $1,000 dollars of assessed valuation for conservation futures against all taxable property in the county if the levy is approved by the voters.  At least 3.75 cents of the additional levy must be used for acquiring real property for the preservation of salmon habitat.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.