AN ACT Relating to the mental sports competition and research commission; adding a new chapter to Title 67 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The development of a facility for competition and research in mental sports such as chess, checkers, bridge, go, and others will provide many benefits to the people of the state. Such a facility will:

(1) Promote education, competition, and research in mental sports in the common schools and institutions of higher education of the state, as well as among the general public; and

(2) Promote tourism and economic development through the hosting of regional, national, and international tournaments in mental sports.

The legislature finds that mental sports promote intellectual development and offer the ultimate combination of art, science, and sport.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. As used in this chapter:

(1) "Mental sports" includes chess, checkers, go, bridge, and other nongambling games.

(2) "Commission" means the mental sports competition and research commission.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) There is established the mental sports competition and research commission. The commission consists of five persons appointed by the governor. In making the appointments, the governor shall select one person who is primarily a chess player, one person who is primarily a bridge player, one person who is primarily a checkers player, and one person who is primarily a go player.

(2) The members of the commission shall serve terms of four years. However, in making the initial appointments, the governor may provide for staggered terms. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(3) Members of the commission shall not be compensated but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

(4) The commission may adopt such rules as may be necessary in the administration of this chapter. The rules shall be adopted under chapter 34.04 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The commission may employ up to two full-time equivalent staff members. The commission shall to the maximum extent feasible rely on volunteer labor. The department of commerce and economic development shall provide additional staff support if necessary.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The commission may accept and expend such gifts, grants, and endowments from public and private sources as may be made available to the commission.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The commission may exercise all of the powers of a public corporation under chapter 39.84 RCW, including the issuance of industrial development revenue bonds for the purposes of this chapter. The bonds shall not exceed a value of six hundred thousand dollars.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) Within two years of the effective date of this act, the commission shall promote and host an international chess tournament and an international bridge tournament, each with a prize fund of eighty thousand dollars.

(2) The prize fund of the chess tournament shall be divided equally among the following skill categories, based on the rating points awarded by the United States chess federation or a comparable international rating system:

(a) Senior master (2,400 points or more);

(b) Master (2,200 through 2,399 points);

(d) Class A (1,800 through 1,999 points);

(e) Class B (1,600 through 1,799 points);

(f) Class C (1,400 through 1,599 points);

(g) Class D (1,200 through 1,399 points); and

(h) Class E (less than 1,199 points or unrated).

(3) In conducting mental sports tournaments and events, the commission shall consult with and seek the cooperation of local and national mental sports clubs and federations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. By June 30, 1987, the mental sports competition and research commission shall submit to the legislature a report on the viability and revenue-generating capability of the commission.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Sections 1 through 7 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 67 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.