Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Eliminates the requirement that certain cities in a county with a population of one million or more act jointly for purposes of establishing and operating tourism promotion areas.

Background:

In 2003 the Legislature authorized the creation of tourism promotion areas. Legislative authorities of counties with populations between 40,000 and one 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 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 one 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 of Bill:

The requirement for jurisdictions within a county with a population of one 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.