H-2246              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1202

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Ferguson, Heavey, Patrick, Nelson, May and Wineberry

Read first time 3/6/87 and referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

AN ACT Relating to public ownership of professional sports franchises; adding a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature hereby declares and finds that professional sports franchises are economic, cultural, and entertainment assets to the state and that unilateral actions by the owners of such franchises to move franchises to other locations result in a loss of direct and indirect employment and national visibility for the state.  The legislature finds that the retention of professional sports franchises and the enabling authority created by section 2 of this act are public purposes and that section 2 of this act shall not be construed in any manner contrary to the provisions of Article VIII, section 7, of the Washington state Constitution.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 35.21 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) Any city, county, or the state, individually or collectively, may own and operate an existing professional sports franchise when the owners of such franchises announce their intention to sell or move a franchise.

          (2) If a city, county, or the state purchases a professional sports franchise, a public corporation shall be created to manage and operate the franchise.  The public corporation created under this section shall have all of the authorities granted by RCW 35.21.730 through 35.21.757.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.