AN ACT Relating to state tourism policy; amending RCW 43.31.065; and adding new sections to chapter 43.31 RCW.

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

Sec. 1. Section 9, chapter 466, Laws of 1985 and RCW 43.31.065 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds that tourism is a major contributor to the economy of the state. The legislature finds that tourism is a key industry in providing employment and investment opportunities in both rural and urban areas in the state and has the potential of enhancing the vitality of economically distressed areas. Targeted programs and activities which promote tourism, encourage tourism development, and increase the effectiveness of the state's tourism-related industries should be an integral part of the state's long-term economic development strategy. The legislature further finds that state tourism programs must be designed to minimize impacts on recreational resources and population growth, and to maintain the diversity and viability of local communities throughout the various regions of the state. The department shall market and coordinate the attraction of visitors and conventions to the state and the expansion of the tourism industry throughout the state in cooperation with the visitor industry, as well as public and private tourism development organizations. The department's activities shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Developing cooperative marketing programs with local public and private tourism promotion organizations throughout the state for dissemination both domestically and internationally.

(2) Participating in select tourism industry trade shows as part of a program to increase the state's attractiveness to all segments of the visitor market.

(3) Encouraging and stimulating the development of specific local tourism attractions and tourism destination facilities throughout the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.31 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The Washington state tourism policy advisory committee is established in the department of trade and economic development. The advisory committee shall recommend policies and advise the department on the future direction of tourism-related program development in the state. The advisory committee shall be composed of seventeen members appointed by the governor.

(2) The advisory committee shall represent a broad cross section of community interests, including but not limited to small and large business, labor, state and local government, public ports, and higher education. The members shall be selected to ensure representation from the various geographic regions within the state, and shall include representatives from rural and urban areas.

(3) The governor shall appoint a private sector representative to serve as one of the co-chairs of the advisory committee and the director shall serve as the other co-chair of the advisory committee. Advisory committee members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Staff support shall be provided by the department. The advisory committee may work with any state-wide tourism industry group to obtain views on tourism development from businesses engaged in tourism.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.31 RCW to read as follows:

(1) An interagency committee of state agencies with tourism-related activities is created to coordinate state programs with tourism development impacts. This committee shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of the following agencies:

(a) The department of trade and economic development;

(b) The department of community development;

(d) The department of natural resources;

(e) The department of agriculture;

(f) The department of fisheries;

(g) The department of wildlife;

(h) The department of ecology;

(i) The parks and recreation commission;

(j) The state convention and trade center;

(k) The state arts commission;

(l) The winter recreation commission;

(m) The Columbia river gorge commission; and

(n) The interagency committee for outdoor recreation.

!ixThe director of each agency shall appoint a representative to the committee. The committee shall be chaired by the assistant director of tourism development for the department of trade and economic development.

(2) The committee shall identify tourism development activities which may have potential adverse impacts and develop strategies to minimize problems which may arise as a result of tourism development. The committee shall also develop a plan that identifies potential areas of cooperation which will enable communities to take better advantage of the economic opportunities that can be provided through tourism. This plan shall include a review of the need to develop public facilities such as visitor information centers, public restrooms, and directional signs in smaller communities and scenic areas. The committee shall also consider the potential for developing these facilities in cooperation with and as ancillary to local businesses.

(3) The committee shall report to the senate economic development and labor committee and the house of representatives trade and economic development committee by December 31 each year on its efforts to coordinate state tourism-related activities and provide recommendations for improving state tourism-related efforts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 43.31 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department shall review the state's regional tourism program and report to the legislature with its findings and recommendations by December 31, 1989.

(2) The department's report shall include information on:

(a) Program purposes;

(b) Costs;

(d) Benefits derived through the program;

(e) Coordination with local economic development efforts; and

(f) Recommendations for the future direction of the program.

(3) The department shall research and present to the legislature, recommendations on performance measures to be used in evaluating the effectiveness of state tourism development programs. This research shall include a review of performance measures utilized by the private sector and other state and local tourism programs. The research shall also include the recommended frequency and estimated cost of utilizing the methods of measurement reported.

(4) The department may establish an advisory committee comprised of local tourism and other economic development organization representatives in conducting the review required by this section.