BILL REQ. #:  S-1725.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/24/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to operation and maintenance of open space, agricultural, and timber lands acquired through the conservation futures program; and amending RCW 84.34.230 and 84.34.240.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 84.34.230 and 1995 c 318 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     For the purposes of acquiring conservation futures as well as other rights and interests in real property pursuant to RCW 84.34.210 and 84.34.220, and for maintaining and operating any property acquired, a county may levy an amount not to exceed ((six and one-quarter)) twelve and one-half cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation against the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the county. The limitations in RCW 84.52.043 shall not apply to the tax levy authorized in this section.

Sec. 2   RCW 84.34.240 and 1971 ex.s. c 243 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Any board of county commissioners may establish by resolution a special fund which may be termed a conservation futures fund to which it may credit all taxes levied pursuant to RCW 84.34.230. Amounts placed in this fund may be used ((solely)) for the purpose of acquiring rights and interests in real property pursuant to the terms of RCW 84.34.210 and 84.34.220((.)), and for the maintenance and operation of any property acquired. The amount of revenue used for maintenance and operations of parks and recreational facilities may not exceed twenty-five percent of the total amount collected from the tax levied under RCW 84.34.230 in the preceding calendar year. Revenues from this tax may not be used to supplant existing sources of maintenance and operation funding.
     (2) Conservation futures are a useful tool for counties to preserve lands of public interest for future generations. Counties are encouraged to use some conservation futures as one tool for salmon preservation purposes.
     (3) In counties with a population greater than one hundred thousand, the board of county commissioners or county legislative authority shall develop a process to help ensure distribution of the tax levied under RCW 84.34.230, over time, throughout the county.
     (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting in any manner methods and funds otherwise available to a county for financing the acquisition of such rights and interests in real property.