FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6216

C 217 L 04

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Defining timber land to include certain incidental uses.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Swecker, Doumit and Hargrove).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water

House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources

Background: The statutes relating to the timber tax allow incidental compatible uses on timber land as long as the incidental use is related to the growing and harvest of timber. There is no similar provision in the tax exemption for open space land and this causes a confusing situation for both the public and for the timber landowners.

Incidental uses must be directly related to timber production and do not include residences or other types of commercial buildings.

Summary: The open space land definition of "timber land" is modified to include land used for incidental uses that are compatible with the growing and harvesting of timber, but no more than 10 percent of the land may be used for the incidental purpose. There is no effect on land use or zoning.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       49  0

House       94  0

Effective: June 10, 2004