FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 1279
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 131 L 15
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Modifying the definition of legislative authority for purposes of local tourism promotion areas.
Sponsors: Representatives Kochmar and Gregory.
House Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs
House Committee on Finance
Senate Committee on Trade & Economic Development
Background:
In 2003 legislative authorities of counties with populations between 40,000 and 1 million, and all incorporated cities and towns located in such counties, were authorized to establish tourism promotion areas and impose a charge on lodging to increase tourism and conventions within such areas. A fee may be assessed on lodging businesses of up to $2 per night of stay. Funding must be used for increasing tourism and convention business. Examples include advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information to attract and welcome tourists, and operating tourism destination marketing organizations. to increase convention and tourism business.
In 2009 tourism promotion areas in a county with a population of 1 million or more were authorized. A "legislative authority" for such a county is two or more jurisdictions acting under an interlocal agreement to jointly establish and operate a tourism promotion area.
Summary:
The requirement for jurisdictions within a county with a population of 1 million or more to act jointly for the purposes of establishing and operating a tourism promotion area is eliminated for cities incorporated after January 1990 with a population greater than 89,000. The "legislative authority" for these cities is the city's legislative authority.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 73 | 25 | |
Senate | 46 | 3 |
Effective: | July 24, 2015 |