BILL REQ. #:  S-0098.1 

Read first time 01/24/13.   Referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to the lodging tax; amending RCW 67.28.1816; reenacting and amending RCW 67.28.080; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 67.28.1816 and 2008 c 28 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Lodging tax revenues under this chapter may be used, directly by local jurisdictions or indirectly through a convention and visitors bureau or destination marketing organization, for the marketing and operations of special events and festivals and to support the operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned by nonprofit organizations described under section 501(c)(3) and section 501(c)(6) of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended.
     (2) ((Local jurisdictions that use the lodging tax revenues under this section must submit an annual economic impact report to the department of community, trade, and economic development for expenditures made beginning January 1, 2008. These reports must include the expenditures by the local jurisdiction for tourism promotion purposes and what is used by a nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6). This economic impact report, at a minimum, must include: (a) The total revenue received under this chapter for each year; (b) the list of festivals, special events, or nonprofit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) organizations that received funds under this chapter; (c) the list of festivals, special events, or tourism facilities sponsored or owned by the local jurisdiction that received funds under this chapter; (d) the amount of revenue expended on each festival, special event, or tourism-related facility owned or sponsored by a nonprofit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) organization or local jurisdiction; (e) the estimated number of tourists, persons traveling over fifty miles to the destination, persons remaining at the destination overnight, and lodging stays generated per festival, special event, or tourism-related facility owned or sponsored by a nonprofit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) organization or local jurisdiction; and (f) any other measurements the local government finds that demonstrate the impact of the increased tourism attributable to the festival, special event, or tourism-related facility owned or sponsored by a nonprofit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) organization or local jurisdiction.
     (3) The joint legislative audit and review committee must report to the legislature and the governor on the use and economic impact of lodging tax revenues by local jurisdictions since January 1, 2008, to support festivals, special events, and tourism-related facilities owned or sponsored by a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, or a local jurisdiction, and the economic impact generated by these festivals, events, and facilities. This report shall be due September 1, 2012.
     (4) Reporting under this section must begin with calendar year 2008.
     (5) This section expires June 30, 2013.)) (a) Applicants applying for use of revenues in this chapter must provide the local jurisdiction to which they are applying estimates of how any moneys received will result in increases in:
     (i) The number of tourists visiting the local jurisdiction; and
     (ii) Tourism-related economic benefits to the local jurisdiction.
     (b) All applicants must submit a postevent report to the local jurisdiction reporting pertinent data evaluating tourism benefits resulting from the use of the funds as compared with the estimates contained in the application. A local jurisdiction receiving a postevent report must: Make such report available to the local legislative body and the public; and furnish copies of the report to members of the local lodging tax advisory committee.

Sec. 2   RCW 67.28.080 and 2007 c 497 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Acquisition" includes, but is not limited to, siting, acquisition, design, construction, refurbishing, expansion, repair, and improvement, including paying or securing the payment of all or any portion of general obligation bonds, leases, revenue bonds, or other obligations issued or incurred for such purpose or purposes under this chapter.
     (2) "Municipality" means any county, city or town of the state of Washington.
     (3) "Operation" includes, but is not limited to, operation, management, and marketing.
     (4) "Person" 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.
     (5) "Tourism" means economic activity resulting from tourists, which may include sales of overnight lodging, meals, tours, gifts, or souvenirs.
     (6) "Tourism promotion" means activities, operations, and expenditures designed to increase tourism, including but not limited to advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists; developing strategies to expand tourism; operating tourism promotion agencies; and funding the marketing of or the operation of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists.
     (7) "Tourism-related facility" means real or tangible personal property with a usable life of three or more years, or constructed with volunteer labor that is: (a)(i) Owned by a public entity; (ii) owned by a nonprofit organization described under section 501(c)(3) of the federal internal revenue code of 1986, as amended; or (iii) owned by a nonprofit organization described under section 501(c)(6) of the federal internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, a business organization, destination marketing organization, main street organization, lodging association, or chamber of commerce and (b) used to support tourism, performing arts, or to accommodate tourist activities.
     (8) "Tourist" means a person who travels from a place of residence to a different town, city, county, state, or country, for purposes of business, pleasure, recreation, education, arts, heritage, or culture.
     (((9) Amendments made in section 1, chapter 497, Laws of 2007 expire June 30, 2013.))

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   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 takes effect July 1, 2013.