HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2958

Title: An act relating to baseball stadiums.

Brief Description: Modifying baseball stadium provisions.

Sponsors: Representatives Veloria, Dunn, Eickmeyer, Fortunato, Benson, DeBolt and Kenney.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF BILL

CRequires that at least 10 percent of the seats, at home games of the professional baseball team in Safeco Field, are available at an affordable price.

HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING & TRADE COMMITTEE

     Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392)

     Background:

In 1995, the Legislature authorized the financing of a professional major league baseball stadium to be constructed in the largest city in a county with a population of 1 million or more--Seattle, King County.  The financing of the baseball stadium involved a variety of state and local tax sources and a cash contribution from the owners of the professional major league baseball team.

As a condition of the collection of the state and local taxes, the county executive was required to certify that: (1) a professional baseball team will occupy the stadium for a period equal to or greater than the terms of the bonds; (2) the baseball team will contribute $45 million toward the cost of stadium construction, with interest paid on amounts deferred after the bonds are issued; and (3) the baseball team will share a portion of the profits from its operation, for a period not to exceed the term of the bonds, to retire the initial bonds on stadium construction.

     Summary of Bill:

The contractual agreement between the public facilities district and the professional baseball team must include a requirement that at least 10 percent of the seats in the baseball stadium for home games are available at an affordable price.  An Aaffordable price@ means a price that is equal to or less than the average of the lowest ticket prices charged by all other major league baseball teams.

Appropriation:   None.

Fiscal Note:   Not requested.

Effective Date:   Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.