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Industry-backed bill would create statewide tourism assessment with ratepayer oversight
Summary
Substitute House Bill 23-25 would create a Tourism Assessment Program administered by the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, levy an annual assessment on several tourism business categories, and establish a 10-member ratepayer oversight board. Supporters said it’s a voluntary, industry-led funding model to generate a sustainable statewide marketing fund.
The House Finance Committee heard substitute House Bill 23-25, a proposal to create a statewide Tourism Assessment Program (TAP) administered by the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority (WTMA). The measure would levy an industry assessment on specified tourism businesses and require approval through a weighted industry referendum before any collections begin.
Martha Whaling (staff) outlined the bill’s structure: a 10-member ratepayer oversight board made up of employees or officers of assessed businesses would design the…
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