BILL REQ. #:  S-0491.2 

Read first time 02/02/2007.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management.

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing the use of hotel and motel tax proceeds for public safety activities directed toward certain tourism areas; amending RCW 67.28.1815; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the demands made on law enforcement by seasonal tourist populations in cities or towns with populations under ten thousand are above and beyond the abilities of the permanent residents of these cities or towns to fund.

Sec. 2   RCW 67.28.1815 and 1997 c 452 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) All revenue from taxes imposed under this chapter shall be credited to a special fund in the treasury of the municipality imposing such tax and used solely for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of tourism promotion((,)); the cost of acquisition of tourism-related facilities((, or)); the cost of operation of tourism-related facilities; or the cost, such as salaries and equipment acquisition or maintenance, of public safety activities directed towards tourism areas in cities or towns with populations under ten thousand.
     (2) Municipalities may, under chapter 39.34 RCW, agree to the utilization of revenue from taxes imposed under this chapter for the purposes of funding a multijurisdictional tourism-related facility.