Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Trade & Economic Development Committee

HB 2715

Brief Description:  Revising state convention and trade center marketing provisions.

Sponsors:  Representatives Murray and Esser.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Removes the requirement that any contract entered into by the Washington State Convention and Trade Center (WSCTC) with the Seattle-King County Convention and Visitors Bureau (SKCCVB), for the marketing of the WSCTC's facilities and services, contain language that requires a match of one dollar and ten cents of non-state funds for every dollar provided by the WSCTC.

Hearing Date:  2/5/02

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786‑7392).

Background:

In 1982, the Legislature imposed an additional hotel-motel tax to fund the construction and operation of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center (WSCTC) located in Seattle.  The additional state sales tax is imposed on the renting of hotels and motels in King County that contain more than sixty lodging units.  The rate of the additional state sales tax is 7 percent in Seattle and 2.8 percent in King County outside the city of Seattle.

In 1988, the Legislature authorized the expansion of the WSCTC.  The WSCTC corporation was also authorized to contract with the Seattle-King County Convention and Visitors Bureau (SKCCVB) for the marketing of the WSCTC's facilities and services.  Any contract had to include a provision that required for each dollar provided to the SKCCVB, by the WSCTC, must be matched by at least one dollar and ten cents in non-state funds.

Summary of Bill:

The contract provision that required a match of one dollar and ten cents in non-state funds to every dollar provided by the Washington State Convention and Trade Center (WSCTC) to the Seattle-King County Convention and Visitors Bureau (SKCCVB) is removed.  The funds were used for the marketing of the facilities and services of the WSCTC by the SKCCVB.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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