SB 5859 - DIGEST

Provides that, whenever the department secures land or interests in land by eminent domain for a right of way in order to construct or improve a state highway or other state transportation facility and the land is in an area designated as agricultural land of long-term commercial significance under RCW 36.70A.170, the department shall pay a farmland mitigation fee to the county in which the land exists.

Requires the county to use the farmland mitigation fee to purchase development rights to an equivalent amount of agricultural land of comparable or better soil quality elsewhere in the respective county.

Provides that the farmland mitigation fee imposed under this act applies only to transportation projects in a county administering a farmland preservation program that allows for the purchase of development rights from willing sellers.