Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Natural Resources Committee

HB 2558

Brief Description:  Specifying additional purposes for the use of revenues under the county conservation futures levy.

Sponsors:  Representatives Lovick, Upthegrove, McDermott, Doumit, Esser, O'Brien, Ericksen, Boldt, Mitchell, Ogden and Morell.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Authorizes a county to use up to 25 percent of funds derived from the county conservation futures levy for developing, maintaining, and operating real property acquired from funds received from this levy.

Hearing Date:  1/30/02

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786‑7092).

Background:

Counties are authorized to impose a levy up to 6.25 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation upon all taxable property in the county for the purpose of acquiring conservation futures.  Conservation futures are the future development rights to property designated as open space, farm and agricultural land, and timber land.  Proceeds from this levy are not authorized for the maintenance or operation of parks.

The Legislative Task Force on Local Parks and Recreation Maintenance and Operations recommended in its 2001 report to the Legislature that a portion of the funds from county conservation futures levies be authorized for maintaining and operating property acquired through these levies.

Summary of Bill:

A county may use up to 25 percent of funds derived from the county conservation futures levy for developing, maintaining, and operating real property acquired from funds received from this levy.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.