H-1703

AN ACT Relating to convention facilities; and amending RCW 67.28.080, 67.28.120, 67.28.130, and 67.28.170.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 67.28.080 and 1967 c 236 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

"Convention center facilities" as used in this chapter means a building or buildings containing facilities for the purpose of conferences, meetings, trade shows, conventions, cultural, political, musical, educational, entertainment, recreational, athletic, and other events, for displaying exhibits, or for promoting agricultural, historic, natural and recreational resources of the state, which includes one or more facilities suitable for such purposes, including, but not limited to, exhibition halls, meeting halls, conference rooms, auditoriums, and theaters. Without limiting the foregoing, for any county the population of which is less than thirty thousand, the term "convention center facilities" may include a hotel, destination resort, conference center, or similar facility.

"Municipality" as used in this chapter means any county, city or town of the state of Washington.

"Person" as used in this chapter 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.

Sec. 2. RCW 67.28.120 and 1979 ex.s. c 222 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

Any municipality is authorized either individually or jointly with any other municipality, or person, or any combination thereof, to acquire by purchase, gift or grant, to lease as lessee, and to construct, install, add to, improve, replace, repair, maintain, operate and regulate the use of public stadium facilities, convention center facilities, performing arts center facilities, and/or visual art center facilities, whether located within or without such municipality, including but not limited to buildings, structures, concession and service facilities, roads, bridges, walks, ramps and other access facilities, terminal and parking facilities for private vehicles and public transportation vehicles and systems, landscaping, parks, or other recreation areas, together with all lands, properties, property rights, equipment, utilities, accessories and appurtenances necessary or convenient for such public stadium facilities, convention center facilities, performing arts center facilities, or visual arts center facilities, and to pay for any engineering, planning, financial, legal and professional services incident to the development and operation of such public facilities.

Sec. 3. RCW 67.28.130 and 1979 ex.s. c 222 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Any municipality, taxing district, or municipal corporation is authorized to convey or lease any lands, properties or facilities to any other municipality or person for the development by such other municipality or person of public stadium facilities, convention center facilities, performing arts center facilities, and/or visual art center facilities or to provide for the joint use of such lands, properties or facilities, ((or)) for such price or for such period and under such terms and conditions, and upon such rentals, fees, and charges as such municipality, taxing district, or municipal corporation shall determine. A municipality, taxing district, or municipal corporation is authorized to participate in the financing of all or any part of the public facilities on such terms as may be fixed by agreement between the respective legislative bodies without submitting the matter to the voters of such municipalities, unless the provisions of general law applicable to the incurring of municipal indebtedness shall require such submission.

Sec. 4. RCW 67.28.170 and 1979 ex.s. c 222 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislative body of any municipality owning or operating public stadium facilities, convention center facilities, performing arts center facilities, and/or visual arts center facilities acquired or developed pursuant to this chapter shall have power to lease or sell to any municipality or person, or to contract for the use or operation by any municipality or person, of all or any part of the facilities authorized by this chapter, including but not limited to parking facilities, concession facilities of all kinds and any property or property rights appurtenant to such stadium facilities, convention center facilities, performing arts center facilities, and/or visual arts center facilities, for such price or for such period and under such terms and conditions and upon such rentals, fees and charges as such legislative body may determine, and may pledge all or any portion of such sales proceeds, rentals, fees and charges and all other revenue derived from the ownership and/or operation of such facilities to pay and to secure the payment of general obligation bonds and/or revenue bonds of such municipality issued for authorized public stadium, convention center, performing arts center, and/or visual arts center facilities purposes.