HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5108


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Agriculture & Natural Resources

Title: An act relating to farmland preservation.

Brief Description: Creating the office of farmland preservation.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Rasmussen, Jacobsen, Shin, Spanel, Swecker, Brandland, Hatfield and Parlette).

Brief History:

Agriculture & Natural Resources: 3/21/07, 3/26/07 [DPA].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
(As Amended by House Committee)
  • Creates the Office of Farmland Preservation in the State Conservation Commission and establishes a Farmland Preservation Task Force.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 14 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Blake, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Grant, Hailey, Kagi, Lantz, McCoy, Newhouse, Strow and VanDeWege.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Orcutt.

Staff: Meg Van Schoorl (786-7105).

Background:

State Conservation Commission

The State Conservation Commission (Commission) established in Chapter 89.08 RCW is charged with a number of powers and duties related to the conservation of renewable natural resources, including:

   facilitating interchange and cooperation;

Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (Chapter 89.08.530 and .540 RCW)

In 2002, the Legislature created the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (Program) to "facilitate the use of federal funds, ease the burdens of local governments launching similar programs at the local level, and help local governments fight the conversion of agricultural lands they have not otherwise protected through their planning processes." The Commission is required to manage the Program, and is authorized to receive and expend public and private gifts, grants, or endowments for the benefit of the Program. An Agricultural Conservation Easements Account (Account) was created in the State Treasury to receive such gifts, grants and endowments, and expenditures from the Account may only be made to purchase easements under the Program. The Commission must report to the Legislature on an ongoing basis regarding potential funding sources and recommendations for changes to existing funding. To date, the Account has not been funded.


Summary of Amended Bill:

An Office of Farmland Preservation (Office) is created within the Commission, with staff support by the Commission. The Farmland Preservation Task Force (Task Force) is also established, staffed by the Commission, and directed to meet at least twice yearly. Members are entitled to travel cost reimbursement. The Task Force terminates on January 1, 2011, and has the following membership provisions:

#
REPRESENTING
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
VOTING MEMBERS               
6
Farmer, one from each of six regions delineated by the Commission   
Governor, from nominees by recognized agricultural organizations
At least two representatives must be under age 45. At least one must be a commercial livestock producer.
1
State Conservation Commission
Commission Chair

1
Department of Agriculture
Department Director

1
Counties in eastern Washington
Washington State Association of Counties

1
Counties in western Washington
Washington State Association of Counties

2
Senate - one from each major political caucus
Senate President

2
House - one from each major political caucus
House Speaker

1
Governor's office
Governor

1
Conservation Districts
State Association of Conservation Districts

NON-VOTING MEMBERS (PARTICIPATION TO BE REQUESTED)         
1
Federal Natural Resources Conservation Service
State Conservationist
Knowledge of federal agricultural land retention programs and funding sources.   
1
Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
Department Director
Technical Expertise


The Office of Farmland Preservation is authorized to:

Moneys in the Program may be used to purchase easements in perpetuity or to purchase or lease easements for a fixed term.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:

The Office may include in its advice to the Commission the merits of leasing or purchasing agricultural conservation easements for a fixed term as well as purchasing easements in perpetuity. The Office may develop recommendations for the use of the Account. "Economic" viability is added to the analysis of factors affecting past declines and future retention of agricultural lands. Loss of profitability and productivity, water availability and quality, and restrictions on agricultural land use are added to the factors to be analyzed. Development of model programs and tools includes innovative economic incentives for landowners. Moneys in the Account and expenditures from the Account are authorized to be used to purchase easements in perpetuity or to purchase or lease easements for a fixed term.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Thousands of acres of agricultural lands have been lost across the state. Lands are being threatened by urban sprawl and development pressures. It is important to stem the tide of vanishing farmland to be able to pass it on to succeeding generations. Keeping farmland in production is critical for food security and for its multiplier effects that retain and strengthen other existing businesses. It is important to analyze the socio-economic, regulatory, and environmental pressures that cause farmers to stop farming. Creating an Office in the non-regulatory Commission will be a great resource and an additional tool to assist farmers. Because their programs are non-regulatory and their supervisors and staff are members of the community, conservation districts play a trusted liaison role between farmers, agencies, other landowners, and citizens. The Task Force will be made up of farmers. The Account should also be funded, but the tools that will be developed through the Office and the Task Force encompass more than the Account. The Office and Task Force will be focal points for collecting and vetting good ideas, however none of us thinks this is the only solution to keeping farms viable. To be successful, the Office and Task Force should take a comprehensive view of the issues. Potential tools should be voluntary and incentive-based.

(Opposed) This bill creates another agency and artificially locks up affordable, buildable land. We do not agree with granting conservation easements in perpetuity.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Haugen, prime sponsor; Craig Nelson, Okanogan County Conservation District; Albert Roberts; Alan Stromberger, Lincoln County Conservation District; Lynn Bahrych, Washington Conservation Commission; Kaleen Cottingham, Futurewise; Don Stuart, American Farmland Trust; Dan Wood, Washington Farm Bureau; and Carolyn Kelly, Skagit County Conservation District.

(Opposed) Andrew Cook, Building Industry Association of Washington.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.