Brief Description: Changing the maximum per parcel rate for conservation district special assessments.

Sponsors: Senator Jacobsen.

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development
House Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade

Background: In 1989, a process was established to allow funds to be generated for programs and activities provided by conservation districts by establishing special assessments on lands within the districts.

The process is initiated by a conservation district board, which holds a public hearing on a proposal. On or before August 1 in the year prior to which it is proposed that special assessments be collected, the conservation district may file a proposed system of special assessments and a proposed budget with the county legislative authority. The county legislative authority is required to hold a public hearing and then may accept or modify the proposal. To establish special assessments, the county legislative authority must find that the public interest will be served and that special assessments imposed on any land will not exceed the special benefit that the land will receive. The actual cost of collecting special assessments are to be deducted by the county treasurer from the revenue generated by the special assessments.

The maximum rate of assessment is ten cents per acre or five dollars per parcel, or both. Such assessments may continue for a period of up to ten years.

Summary: The maximum assessment to fund conservation district programs or activities for counties with a population of over 1.5 million is raised from five dollars to ten dollars per parcel. Clarification is provided that all funds except those to reimburse the county for the actual cost of collecting the assessments are to go to the conservation district and used by the district as authorized by statute.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      29   17
House      56   39   (House amended)
Senate            (Senate refused to concur)
House      57   40   (House receded)

Effective: July 24, 2005