The bill amends RCW 43.384.040 to enhance the statewide tourism marketing account in Washington state, aiming to increase tourism through improved funding mechanisms. The key change involves adjusting the matching fund requirement for expenditures from the account from a "two-to-one" ratio to a "one-to-one" ratio. This modification allows for greater flexibility in securing matching funds, which can include cash contributions, advertising equivalency contributions, or in-kind contributions, thereby potentially increasing the effectiveness of the tourism marketing program.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that all receipts from specific tax revenues must be deposited into the statewide tourism marketing account, which can only be accessed after appropriation. The funds are designated solely for expenditures related to the implementation of a statewide tourism marketing program and the operation of the authority responsible for tourism marketing. The board is tasked with establishing criteria for qualifying in-kind contributions, ensuring that the matching requirements are clear and manageable for stakeholders involved in promoting tourism in Washington state.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.384.040, 82.08.225
Substitute Bill: 43.384.040, 82.08.225
Bill as Passed Legislature: 43.384.040
Session Law: 43.384.040