H-3979.1          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2722

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1992 Regular Session

By Representatives Jacobsen, Cantwell, Basich, Casada, G. Fisher, Ferguson, Wineberry, Neher, Appelwick, Paris, Heavey, Beck, Nelson, Brumsickle, Bray and J. Kohl

Read first time 01/24/92.  Referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.Authorizing cities, code cities, and counties to own an interest in a professional sports franchise.

     AN ACT Relating to professional sports franchises; amending RCW 35.21.695; and declaring an emergency.

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

     Sec. 1.  RCW 35.21.695 and 1987 c 32 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

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

     (2) If a city, code city, or county purchases a professional sports franchise or an interest in the franchise, a public corporation shall be created to manage and operate the franchise or the city's, code city's, or county's interest in 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. 2.      This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.