BILL REQ. #:  S-1871.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/19/07.   

     AN ACT Relating to a conservation futures levy; and amending RCW 84.34.230 and 29A.36.210.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 84.34.230 and 2005 c 449 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Conservation futures are a useful tool for counties to preserve lands of public interest for future generations. Counties are encouraged to use some conservation futures as one tool for salmon preservation purposes.
     (2) For the purpose of acquiring conservation futures and other rights and interests in real property pursuant to RCW 84.34.210 and 84.34.220, and for maintaining and operating any property acquired with these funds, a county may levy an amount not to exceed six and one-quarter cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation against the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the county.
     (3) In addition to the levy under subsection (1) of this section, a county may levy an amount not to exceed six and one-quarter cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation against the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the county. At least one-half of the revenues from this levy shall be used to acquire conservation easements on farm and agricultural land or purchase the development rights to farm and agricultural land. Such acquisition of a conservation easement or purchase of a development right shall be made in a way to retain the long-term farm and agricultural use of the land. The remaining revenues from this levy may be used for the purpose of acquiring conservation futures and other rights and interests in real property pursuant to RCW 84.34.210 and 84.34.220, and for maintaining and operating any property acquired with these funds. A county shall not impose the levy under this subsection for more than ten years unless specifically authorized at a general election by a majority of the registered voters of the county voting on the proposition. The ballot proposition submitted to the voters shall conform with RCW 29A.36.210.
     (4) The limitations in RCW 84.52.043 shall not apply to the tax ((levy)) levies authorized in this section.
     (5) Any rights or interests in real property acquired under this section after July 24, 2005, must be located within the assessing county. Further, the county must determine if the rights or interests in real property acquired with these funds would reduce the capacity of land suitable for development necessary to accommodate the allocated housing and employment growth, as adopted in the countywide planning policies. When actions are taken that reduce capacity to accommodate planned growth, the jurisdiction shall adopt reasonable measures to increase the capacity lost by such actions.

Sec. 2   RCW 29A.36.210 and 2004 c 80 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The ballot proposition authorizing a taxing district to impose the regular property tax levies authorized in RCW 36.69.145, 67.38.130, 84.52.069, or 84.52.135 shall contain in substance the following:

     "Shall the . . . . . . (insert the name of the taxing district) be authorized to impose regular property tax levies of . . . . . . (insert the maximum rate) or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for each of . . . . . . (insert the maximum number of years allowable) consecutive years?
     Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . □
     No . . . . . . . . . . . . □"
     Each voter shall indicate either "Yes" or "No" on his or her ballot in accordance with the procedures established under this title.

     (2) The ballot proposition authorizing a taxing district to impose a permanent regular tax levy under RCW 84.52.069 or 84.34.230(3) shall contain the following:

     "Shall the . . . . . (insert the name of the taxing district) be authorized to impose a PERMANENT regular property levy of . . . . . (insert the maximum rate) or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation?
     Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . □
     No . . . . . . . . . . . . □"