5034-S AMS CHAS S2483.2

SSB 5034  - S AMD252
     By Senator Chase

WITHDRAWN 04/05/2013

     On page 17, after line 11, insert the following:
     "(10)(a) When the state tourism office was closed in 2011, the Washington tourism alliance was formed to provide a privately funded and managed statewide tourism marketing program. While the tourism alliance has kept the basics of a statewide tourism marketing in place, it is necessary to find a long-term reliable funding mechanism and source so that Washington state can continue to compete with its neighboring states for valuable tourist dollars. It is the intent of the legislature to establish a working group comprised of public and private sector stakeholders in order to identify possible long-term funding solutions which incorporate private-public partnerships.
     (b)(i) A tourism stakeholder task force comprised of representatives from the department of revenue, the department of commerce, the Washington public ports association, the Washington tourism alliance, the Washington lodging association, the Washington restaurant association, and other private sector and nonprofit organizations interested in tourism must convene to identify effective operational structures and long-term funding sources for the implementation of a statewide tourism marketing program.
     (ii) The tourism stakeholder task force must convene no less than three separate meetings over the interim. Issues for discussion must include, but are not limited to: The appropriate funding level for a statewide tourism marketing program, identification of long-term funding sources and mechanisms for collecting funds from those sources, identification of the proper governance structure including the relationship between the public and private sectors, and measurements needed to identify the outcomes from the use of tourism marketing funds. Specific recommendations on these issues are due to the legislature by December 1, 2013.
     (iii) Legislative staff to the applicable committees must assist the tourism stakeholder task force in planning and facilitating all task force meetings.
     (c) This subsection expires December 1, 2013."

SSB 5034  - S AMD
     By Senator Chase

WITHDRAWN 04/05/2013

     On page 1, line 18 of the title, after "appropriations;" insert "providing an expiration date;"

EFFECT:  Requires a tourism stakeholder task force to convene to identify effective operational structures and long-term funding sources for the implementation of a statewide tourism marketing program.

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