HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1969

BYRepresentatives Belcher, Brough, Allen, Locke, Hine, Wineberry, Fisher, Wang, Cole, Beck, Sayan, Grimm, Cantwell, Appelwick, Holland, Jacobsen, Valle, Leonard and Nelson

Prohibiting sex discrimination by private golfing clubs qualifying for open space classification.

House Committe on Ways & Means/Revenue

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Basich, Dellwo, Holland, Rust, Taylor, Valle and Winsley.

House Staff:Bill Freund (786-7136)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 13, 1988

BACKGROUND:

For property tax purposes, lands designated as open space lands are valued on the basis of current use rather than at market value.  There are three types of open space lands, open space agricultural, open space timber and open space open. Current law specifies the conditions upon which lands can be classified as open space agricultural and open space timber.

With respect to open space "open space" and timberlands, counties and cities have the option of whether or not to participate. If a county or city participate, current law specifies the process that must be used to evaluate applications for open space open designation.  The various uses which can qualify land for open space open designation, include preservation, conservation or enhancement of scenic resources, streams and water supplies, soils, wetlands, historic sites and recreational opportunities.

There are various statutory provisions for withdrawal of lands from open space and penalties are specified if withdrawal occurs prior to ten years from the time the land was classified as open space land.

It is estimated that most golf courses in this state have been classified as open space "open space" as enhancement of recreational opportunities.

SUMMARY:

A finding of sex discrimination by a golf course shall be cause for removal from open space classification.  To obtain open space designation a golf course must not discriminate on the basis of sex.

Discrimination on the basis of sex is defined as restricting the use of the course by either sex for more than one weekend per month or two weekdays per week.  If a golf club provides a class or category of membership providing golfing privileges for more than one adult member of a family, either spouse in that family must be allowed to use the golf facilities at all times, except when the use of the facility is restricted on the basis of sex as authorized by this act.

Revenue:    This bill has a revenue impact.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 3, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Elaine Holmstrom; Joyce Hauk; Lonnie Johns-Brown, NOW; Ann Clifton and Thurston County Assessor; Pat Thibadeau.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The state prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.  Tax statutes should be in concert with this principle.  It should not grant an exception from property tax for those who discriminate.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.