Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
HB 1798
Brief Description: Concerning powers of the legislative committee on economic development and international relations.
Sponsors: Representatives Ryu, Boehnke and Berry; by request of Lieutenant Governor.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Removes the requirement that the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations review the adoption of any state tourism slogan or tagline recommended by the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority.
Hearing Date: 1/17/22
Staff: Emily Stephens (786-7296) and Desiree Omli (786-7105).
Background:

Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.

The Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (Committee) provides responsive and consistent involvement by the Legislature in economic development to maintain a healthy state economy and to provide employment opportunities to Washington residents.  The Committee is authorized to study and review economic development issues, with a special emphasis on international trade, tourism, investment, and industrial development.  The Committee must assist the Legislature in developing a comprehensive and consistent economic development policy.  The Committee is composed of six senators and six representatives from the Legislature and is chaired by the Lieutenant Governor. 

 

The Committee is required to review 10 issues related to economic development.  In 2020 legislation was enacted requiring the Committee to review, among other things, the study or adoption of any state tourism slogan or tagline recommended by the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority (Authority).


Washington Tourism Marketing Authority.
The Authority was established in 2018 and is responsible for contracting for statewide tourism marketing services that promote tourism.  The Authority may enter into a contract for a statewide tourism marketing plan and evaluation of the impact of the statewide tourism marketing program. 
Summary of Bill:

The requirement that the Committee must review the issue of studying and adopting any state tourism slogan or tagline recommended by the Authority is removed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.