SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6332

As of January 17, 2002

Title:  An act relating to operation and maintenance of open space, agricultural, and timber lands acquired through the conservation futures program.

Brief Description:  Allowing counties to increase funding for properties acquired through conservation easements.

Sponsors:  Senators Poulsen, Jacobsen, Regala and Swecker.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  1/24/02.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Staff:  Kari Guy (786‑7437)

Background:  The conservation futures tax is a local option property tax assessed at the county level, at a maximum rate of 6.25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.  Revenue from the tax may be used to purchase or acquire development rights for open space, agricultural, and timber lands.  Thirteen counties currently levy the conservation futures tax.

The Legislative Task Force on Local Parks and Recreation Maintenance and Operations recommended that counties be given the option of increasing the tax, and using a portion of the conservation futures tax revenue for operation and maintenance of properties acquired.

Summary of Bill:  A county may levy up to 11 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for conservation futures.  A county may use up to 25 percent of the revenues from the conservation futures tax for operation and maintenance of properties acquired with conservation futures tax revenues.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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