SENATE BILL REPORT

2SHB 1973

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Economic Development, April 2, 2003

Title: An act relating to promoting tourism.

Brief Description: Promoting tourism.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Veloria, McCoy and Kenney).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Economic Development: 3/28/03, 4/2/03 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators T. Sheldon, Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Hale, Kohl-Welles, Rossi, Schmidt, B. Sheldon and Shin.

Staff: Alison Mendiola-Hamilton (786-7576)

Background: Washington is an ideal state for nature-based tourism, given its diverse geography. For example, the wildlife viewing industry generates $1.7 billion annually and supports 21,000 jobs in this state. Wildlife viewing is considered the fastest growing outdoor activity and segment of the travel industry.

Summary of Amended Bill: The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED), in cooperation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other appropriate agencies and organizations, promotes tourism, including the promotion of nature-based tourism to national and international tourist markets. This includes the development of a business and marketing plan; partnerships among agencies, organizations, tribes and local communities; and the promotion of local industries. CTED may solicit money for the promotion of tourist-related activities. Revenue received is deposited into the tourism development and promotion account. No appropriation is necessary for expenditures.

Amended Bill Compared to Second Substitute Bill: Before amendment, the second substitute bill included a null and void clause if the bill was not financed in the budget. This language was struck. The amended bill allows CTED to solicit money for the promotion of tourism. Such revenue is deposited into the state's tourism development and promotion account.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: CTED should work with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop an infrastructure that promotes nature-based tourism, including wildlife viewing. The wildlife viewing tourism industry is very lucrative.

More should be done to draw people to Washington, due to its rich opportunities for wildlife viewing, including bird watching. We should conserve the wildlife. This industry contributes greatly to the economy, and is great business for rural areas. This bill will provide for intra-agency coordination to promote nature-based tourism. Nature-based activities exist, but not on the state level. Also, funding should not come out of the fish and wildlife fund. Money should come from the general fund, since that is where the revenue will accrue.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Representative Veloria, prime sponsor; Peter McMill, Community, Trade and Economic Development; Jim King, Citizens for Parks and Recreation; Nina Carter, Audubon Washington; Jan McMillan, Grays Harbor Audubon.