SB 3078

Abstract

Amends the Real Estate Transfer Tax Law of the Property Tax Code. Provides that, notwithstanding any other law, whether enacted before, on, or after the effective date of this amendatory Act, (i) the deposit of 35% of the moneys collected under the real estate transfer tax into the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund and the deposit of 15% of those moneys into the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund is mandatory and without exception, (ii) the moneys deposited into the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund and into the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund shall not be transferred or otherwise moved from those funds to any other fund or account for any purpose whatsoever other than the purposes of the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act, and (iii) to the extent that any of these provisions is ever violated or thwarted by any other device, the State Treasurer is ordered to immediately transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund and the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund the amount of any deficiency caused thereby. Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides for an irrevocable and continuing appropriation in fiscal year 2006 and each fiscal year thereafter of all moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund and in the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund to the Department of Natural Resources for use under the Act. Provides that all moneys appropriated from the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund and from the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund must be expended, during the fiscal year and any appropriate lapse period, for the purposes of the Act and are not subject to any reserve, withholding, set-aside, or other device. Effective immediately.