AN ACT Relating to nondefault or early termination provisions in state land leases for agricultural or grazing purposes; and adding a new section to chapter 79.13 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 79.13 RCW to read as follows:

(1) For the purposes of this section, "nondefault or early termination provision" means a provision that authorizes the department to terminate a lease in the event the department includes the leased land in a plan for higher and better use, land exchange, or sale.

(2) Any nondefault or early termination provision included in a state land lease for agricultural or grazing purposes must:

(a) Require advance written notice of at least one hundred eighty days by the department to the lessee prior to termination of the lease; and

(b) Require the department to provide to the lessee, along with the notice under (a) of this subsection, written documentation demonstrating that the department has included the leased land in a plan for higher and better use, land exchange, or sale.

(3) This section does not require the department to include a nondefault or early termination provision in any state land lease for agricultural or grazing purposes.

(4) This section does not prohibit the department from allowing the lessee to surrender the leasehold subject to terms provided in the lease.

(5) This section does not prohibit the department from executing other lease provisions designed to protect the interests of the lessee in the event that the lease is terminated under a nondefault or early termination provision.

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