SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5510
As of February 3, 2025
Title: An act relating to conservation district revenue limitations.
Brief Description: Concerning conservation district revenue limitations.
Sponsors: Senators Shewmake, Goehner, Chapman, Lovelett and Nobles.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/04/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Eliminates the maximum annual per-parcel rate charge for conservation districts.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Staff: Alia Kennedy (786-7405)
Background:

Conservation Districts.? Conservation districts are governmental subdivisions approved by a county to support conservation efforts and responsible use of natural resources.? There are 45 conservation districts in Washington that receive basic funding from the Washington State Conservation Commission. Districts may also receive funding through special assessments or benefit charges.

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Conservation district special assessments are charges imposed on properties to fund services or improvements that benefit land within the district.? The charges are separate from property taxes. ?Local governments typically charge an amount to a parcel of property reflecting a benefit to the property through the assessments. The charges may differ depending on the benefit received and are commonly spread across the tax rolls and collected much like property taxes, usually appearing on a property tax statement.

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The system of rates and charges may include an annual per-acre amount, an annual per-parcel amount, or an annual per-parcel amount plus an annual per-acre amount.?

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The maximum annual per-acre charge is $0.10 per acre.

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The maximum per-parcel charges are:

  • $5 per?parcel in counties with a population of less than 480,000;
  • $10 per?parcel in counties with a population of 480,000 and up to 1.5 million; and
  • $15 per?parcel in counties with a population over 1.5 million.

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The county treasurer collects the special assessment on behalf of the district and is allowed to retain the actual costs incurred in collecting the assessment.??

Summary of Bill:

The maximum per-parcel rate charge for conservation districts is eliminated.??

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A county treasurer may retain 1 percent of the assessments collected or the actual costs incurred in collecting the assessment, whichever is less.?

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 27, 2025.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.