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                                        REENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 5955

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                                                                            C 032 L 87

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senators McDermott, Talmadge, Fleming, Warnke, Rinehart, Moore, Bender and Garrett

Read first time 2/20/87 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to public ownership of professional sports franchises; adding a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature hereby declares and finds that professional sports franchises are economic, cultural, and entertainment assets to the state and that unilateral actions by the owners of such franchises to move franchises to other locations result in a loss of direct and indirect employment and national visibility for the state.  The legislature finds that the retention of professional sports franchises and the enabling authority created by section 2 of this act are public purposes and that section 2 of this act shall not be construed in any manner contrary to the provisions of Article VIII, section 7, of the Washington state Constitution.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 35.21 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) Any city, code city, or county, individually or collectively, may own and operate an existing professional sports franchise when the owners of such franchises announce their intention to sell or move a franchise.

          (2) If a city, code city, or county purchases a professional sports franchise, a public corporation shall be created to manage and operate the franchise.  The public corporation created under this section shall have all of the authorities granted by RCW 35.21.730 through 35.21.757.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

                                                                                                                          Passed the Senate March 20, 1987.

                                                                                                                                       President of the Senate.

                                                                                                                           Passed the House April 10, 1987.

                                                                                                                                         Speaker of the House.