Brief Description: Authorizing the acquisition and operation of tourism-related facilities by port districts.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Kastama, Rockefeller and Rasmussen).

Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management
House Committee on Local Government

Background: Port districts may expend monies and conduct promotion of resources and facilities in the district or general area by advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information to attract visitors and encourage tourist expansion.

Ports may: acquire land, property, leases, and easements; condemn property and exercise the power of eminent domain; develop lands for industrial and commercial purposes; impose taxes; and construct and maintain specified types of park and recreation facilities.

Summary: Port districts are authorized to acquire and operate tourism-related facilities either individually or in conjunction with any other municipality, port district, or person. The term "municipality" includes a port district.

Port districts are granted land use, bond issuance, and leasing authority related to the acquisition and operation of tourism-related facilities. A port district is not authorized to levy any lodging or special excise taxes related to its tourism-related activities.

Port districts may not use the new authority described above as the authority for the exercise of the power of eminent domain.

A port district and any municipality or other entity involved in a joint venture or project with a port district under certain statutory requirements must comply with prevailing wage law. Nothing in specified provisions should be interpreted as a legislative intent to expand the application of prevailing wage law.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      46   2
House      89   7   (House amended)
Senate            (Senate refused to concur)
House            (House refused to recede)

Conference Committee
House      83   14
Senate      46   1

Effective:   July 22, 2007