Washington tourism office seeks funding to preserve programs amid budget cuts

The Senate Ways & Means Committee convened on April 23, 2025, to discuss key legislative matters, including funding for tourism promotion and proposed bills aimed at enhancing state programs.

The meeting began with a public hearing on Engross Substitute House Bill 2061, which focuses on tourism funding. A representative expressed gratitude for the $3 million allocated for tourism promotion in both the Senate and House budgets. This funding is deemed crucial for maintaining the operations of the Washington State tourism office. However, the representative noted that this level of funding would necessitate significant cuts to current programming. The bill sponsor was commended for identifying a new funding source linked to travel, which could help preserve essential programs, especially in light of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Washington. The representative emphasized the economic benefits this funding would bring to communities statewide and urged the committee to consider House Bill 2061 to mitigate the impending cuts.

Following this discussion, the committee moved on to Substitute House Bill 2081, presented by committee staff member Jeff Mitchell. This bill serves as a companion to Senate Bill 5815, which had been discussed in a previous meeting. Mitchell provided a brief recap of the major elements of the proposed substitute, setting the stage for further deliberations.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the implications of the discussed bills and the potential impact on state programs and tourism. The committee's ongoing efforts to address funding challenges and support economic growth through tourism were highlighted as key takeaways from the session.