Committee approves amended resolution directing study of wetlands and water-jurisdiction issues

The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee on the morning of the April meeting gave a due pass to House Concurrent Resolution 3,018 as amended, sending the amended resolution forward for further consideration.

The amended resolution directs a study of wetlands and “jurisdictional water” — including how water that inundates farmland is classified, who holds taxing authority when land is underwater, and related policy questions. Chairman Lewick said the amendment combined Representative Belt’s concurrent resolution with additional study items requested by legislative leadership. "What this does is it added... studying wetlands," Chairman Lewick said.

The study, as described by the sponsor and staff, will examine situations where property is inundated and owners continue to be assessed property taxes on land beneath water; it also adds related questions about taxing authority and administrative handling of inundated farmland. Senator Weston moved a due-pass motion on amendment 2002 to HCR 3,018; Senator Weber seconded the motion. The committee approved the amendment and then approved the concurrent resolution as amended on a roll call.

Supporters said the broader study will produce needed information on how state and local taxing and water-management rules apply where farms are inundated. No fiscal note or specific budget appropriation for the study was described on the record during the committee action.

The committee appended the amendment after discussion and recorded the roll call on the amended resolution. Following the vote, Senator Marsalais indicated she would carry the measure. "I'll carry it," she said.

The committee did not adopt any additional substantive changes on the floor; the resolution now moves on according to the normal legislative path for concurrent resolutions.