5647-S AMH BAIL TAYL 158

 

 

 

 

SSB 5647 - H AMD TO CEDT COMM AMD (H3208.1) 692

By Representative Bailey

FAILED 4/12/2007

 

   Beginning on page 1, line 3 of the amendment, strike all material through "2013." on page 3, line 14 and insert the following:

   "Sec. 1. RCW 67.28.080 and 1997 c 452 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

   (1) "Acquisition" includes, but is not limited to, siting, acquisition, design, construction, refurbishing, expansion, repair, and improvement, including paying or securing the payment of all or any portion of general obligation bonds, leases, revenue bonds, or other obligations issued or incurred for such purpose or purposes under this chapter.

   (2) "Municipality" means any county, city or town of the state of Washington.

   (3) "Operation" includes, but is not limited to, operation, management, and marketing.

   (4) "Person" means the federal government or any agency thereof, the state or any agency, subdivision, taxing district or municipal corporation thereof other than county, city or town, any private corporation, partnership, association, or individual.

   (5) "Tourism" means economic activity resulting from tourists, which may include sales of overnight lodging, meals, tours, gifts, or souvenirs.

   (6) "Tourism promotion" means activities and expenditures designed to increase tourism, including but not limited to advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists; developing strategies to expand tourism; operating tourism promotion agencies; and funding marketing of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists.

   (7) "Tourism-related facility" means real or tangible personal property with a usable life of three or more years, or constructed with volunteer labor((,)) that is: (a) Owned by a public entity, a nonprofit organization described under 501(c)(6) of the federal internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, a business organization, a destination marketing organization, a main street organization, a lodging association or a chamber of commerce; and (b) used to support tourism, including visitor information centers, performing arts, or to accommodate tourist activities.

   (8) "Tourist" means a person who travels from a place of residence to a different town, city, county, state, or country, for purposes of business, pleasure, recreation, education, arts, heritage, or culture.

   (9) "Visitor information center" means real property which is owned or leased by a municipality, a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(6) of the federal internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, a business organization, a destination marketing organization, a main street organization, a lodging association or a chamber of commerce and is used for the purpose of providing information to tourists.

 

   Sec. 2. RCW 67.28.1815 and 1997 c 452 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

   All revenue from taxes imposed under this chapter shall be credited to a special fund in the treasury of the municipality imposing such tax and used solely for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of tourism promotion, acquisition of tourism-related facilities, or operation of tourism-related facilities. Municipalities may, under chapter 39.34 RCW, agree to the utilization of revenue from taxes imposed under this chapter for the purposes of funding a multijurisdictional tourism-related facility. In addition, municipalities may contract with a nonprofit organization described under 501(c)(6) of the federal internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, for tourism promotion activities, a business organization, a destination marketing organization, a main street organization, a lodging association, or a chamber of commerce."

 

 

EFFECT:

(1) Eliminates authorization for the lodging tax revenues to be used for tourism-related facilities owned by 501(c)(3) organizations.

 

(2) Eliminates authorization for the lodging tax revenues to be used for the operating costs associated with tourism promotion or a tourism related facility.

 

(3) Eliminates the authorization for the lodging tax revenues to be used for the operating costs of festivals and special events.

 

(4) Adds 501(c)(6) like organizations to the list of tourism-related facilities owners.

 

(5) Adds 501(c)(6) like organization to the list of the type of organization that a municipality may contract with for tourism promotion activities.

 

(6) Adds a definition of visitors center.