Bill > SB6061

This bill establishes a self-supported tourism assessment program to fund statewide tourism promotion, creating a new chapter in Title 43 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). The program aims to support the tourism industry by enabling businesses within sectors like lodging, travel services, attractions, recreation, beverage production, and certain restaurants and retailers to fund their own promotion and marketing efforts. A "tourism business" is defined as one that derives a significant portion of its revenue from tourism activities. The Washington Tourism Marketing Authority (Authority) will administer this program, but its activities related to the assessment program will be governed by a "ratepayer oversight board," composed of representatives from the assessed businesses. This board will design the assessment program, including classifications, rates, and a referendum process for businesses to approve it. Once ratified, an annual assessment, calculated as a percentage of gross revenue, will be levied on participating tourism businesses. The collected funds will be deposited into a dedicated tourism assessment account, which is not considered state money and does not require legislative appropriation for expenditures, and will be used solely for tourism promotion, administration, and enforcement costs. The bill also outlines provisions for nonpayment, enforcement, and ensures that financial and commercial information submitted to the Authority and the ratepayer oversight board remains confidential and exempt from public disclosure, except for general statistical summaries. The bill also amends existing laws related to the Authority's board of directors, increasing the number of appointed tourism business representatives and clarifying their nomination process.

Business and Industry

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6061&Year=2025&Initiative=false