1886-S AMH TAYL MOET 499

SHB 1886 - H AMD 41

By Representative Taylor

WITHDRAWN 02/28/2011

    On page 15, beginning on line 5, strike all of section 15 and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 15.  (1) Nothing in sections 1 through 14 of this act may be construed to:

    (a) Interfere with or supplant the ability of any agricultural operator to work cooperatively with a conservation district or participate in state or federal conservation programs;

    (b) Prohibit the voluntary sale or leasing of land for conservation purposes, either in fee or as an easement;

    (c) Grant counties or state agencies additional authority to regulate critical areas on lands used for agricultural activities; or

    (d) Expand the authority of a state agency, local government, or landowner to carry out its obligations under any other federal, state, or local law.

    (2) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to:

    (a) Require an agricultural operator to discontinue agricultural activities legally existing before the effective date of this section; or

    (b) Require the enhancement of critical areas in areas that are not subject to a work plan adopted in accordance with sections 1 through 14 of this act."

EFFECT:  (1) Specifies that nothing in the voluntary stewardship program (Program) created in the bill may be construed to expand, rather than limit, the authority of a state agency, local government, or landowner to carry out its obligations under any other federal, state, or local law.  (2) Specifies that nothing in the Growth Management Act (GMA), rather than the Program, may be construed to require an agricultural operator to discontinue agricultural activities legally existing before the effective date of a specific section.  (3) Specifies that nothing in the GMA may be construed to require the enhancement of critical areas in areas that are not subject to work plan adopted in accordance with the Program.

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