Legislation watch
Capitol Building

2012 Senate Bill 6165: Creating flexible conservation futures taxing districts
  1. Introduced by Sen. James Hargrove (Hoquiam) (D) on January 12, 2012, authorizes counties to create a flexible conservation futures taxing district for the purpose of acquiring conservation futures and other rights and interests in real property and for maintaining and operating any property acquired with these funds. “Conservation futures” is a land preservation program for protection of threatened areas of open space, timber lands, wetland, and habitat areas.
    • Referred to the Senate Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections Committee on January 12, 2012.
      • Substitute offered in the Senate on February 3, 2012, clarifies language and changes the title to refer to authorizing rather than creating districts. Provides that district tax revenue can be spent only to acquire and manage conservation futures in the district. Clarifies that a district levy is subject to the same tax provisions applying to countywide levies. The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on February 3, 2012.
      • Substitute offered in the Senate on February 7, 2012, provides that a county that is imposing a conservation future levy as of the effective date of the bill may not create a flexible conservation futures district. The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on February 7, 2012.
    • Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on February 11, 2012.
  2. Passed 31 to 17 in the Senate on February 13, 2012, allows counties to create a flexible conservation futures taxing district to acquire and manage conservation futures in an area less than the entire county. A county may not create a district if it imposes a countywide levy. A county that is imposing a conservation future levy as of the effective date of the bill may not create a flexible conservation futures district. A county may impose a district levy in the same manner and subject to the same tax limitations and provisions applying to a countywide levy. A county may alter a district by enlarging or reducing it. To create or alter a district, a county legislative authority must adopt a resolution of intention, conduct a public hearing, and adopt a resolution. Following a public hearing, a county legislative authority may create or alter a district by adopting a resolution finding that the interests of the area will be benefited. The county legislative authority must designate a person to serve as district supervisor. The county treasurer is treasurer of a district. The county assessor and other county officers must provide assistance in administering a district.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  3. Received in the House on February 15, 2012.
    • Referred to the House Ways & Means Committee on February 15, 2012.

Comments