BILL REQ. #:  S-2049.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/25/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to the protection of agricultural lands; and amending RCW 36.70A.103.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 36.70A.103 and 2002 c 68 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:
     State agencies shall comply with the local comprehensive plans and development regulations and amendments thereto adopted pursuant to this chapter except as otherwise provided in RCW 71.09.250 (1) through (3), 71.09.342, and 72.09.333. Except for the acquisition of land for highway rights-of-way, no state agency may acquire in fee simple or provide funds to other entities to acquire in fee simple agricultural lands, designated by a county under this chapter as agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance, for conversion to nonagricultural activities without prior written approval by the county legislative authority. The county legislative authority may require the state agency or other entity receiving funds from a state agency to acquire property, to submit information including, but not limited to, the property's legal description, the proposed use of the property to be acquired, and an analysis of the impact on adjacent lands and the continued viability of the region's agricultural industry.
     The provisions of chapter 12, Laws of 2001 2nd sp. sess. do not affect the state's authority to site any other essential public facility under RCW 36.70A.200 in conformance with local comprehensive plans and development regulations adopted pursuant to chapter 36.70A RCW.