SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5414

BYSenators Peterson, Patterson and Hansen; by request of Department of Transportation

Exempting certain transfers of land by public agencies from platting requirements.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 12, 1987

Senate Staff:Vicki Fabre (786-7313)

AS OF FEBRUARY 12 1987

BACKGROUND:

Short platting involves the division or redivision of land into lots, tracts or parcels for the purpose of sale, lease or transfer of ownership.  The legislative authority of a city, town or county regulates short platting through local ordinance.  Exemptions to platting requirements are delineated under RCW 58.17.040.

Short platting requirements, therefore, vary among the different jurisdictions.  Currently, some cities and counties require public agencies, such as the Department of Transportation (DOT), to short plat surplus lands acquired by eminent domain prior to sale.  Because the cost of short platting is often not cost effective or economic, this requirement poses a problem for agencies who are required under state law to dispose of unneeded, tax exempt state land and return such land to the tax rolls.

SUMMARY:

An additional exemption is added to RCW 58.17.040 which exempts from local short plat requirement divisions, sales, leases, or transfers of land by a public agency previously acquired under eminent domain, when such sale returns tax exempt land to taxable status.

Fiscal Note:      requested