Brief Description: Ordering a study of the designation of agricultural lands in three counties.

Sponsors: Senators Mulliken and Parlette.

Hearing Date: 2/19/04

Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

The Growth Management Act (GMA) establishes a comprehensive land use planning framework for county and city governments in Washington. Counties and cities meeting specific population and growth criteria are required to comply with the major requirements of the GMA. Counties not meeting these criteria may choose to plan under the GMA. Twenty-nine of 39 counties, and the cities within those 29 counties, are required to or have chosen to comply with the major requirements of the GMA (GMA jurisdictions).

The GMA requires all local governments to designate agricultural, forest, and mineral resource lands of long-term significance. GMA jurisdictions also must adopt development regulations to assure the conservation of these designated natural resource lands. "Agricultural land" is defined by the GMA, in part, to include land primarily devoted to the commercial production of specified products, such as horticultural, viticultural, floricultural, vegetable, or animal products.

The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) provides technical and financial assistance to jurisdictions implementing the GMA. The CTED also adopts procedural criteria to assist counties and cities in adopting comprehensive plans and development regulations that meet the goals and requirements of the GMA.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) must provide a report regarding the designation of agricultural resource land in King, Chelan, and Yakima counties to the Senate Committee on Land Use and Planning by December 1, 2004. The report must address:

•    the amount of land designated as agricultural resource land;

•    the amount of land in agricultural production;

•    changes in the amount of such land since 1990;

•    comparison with amounts of land in other uses;

•    designation standards and procedures;

•    effect of designation on tax revenue;

•    contribution of agriculture to the local economy; and

•    any other type of information that will help the committee to evaluate the implementation and effect of designation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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