The bill amends RCW 82.08.225 to simplify the funding provisions for the statewide tourism marketing account. Starting July 1, 2025, it mandates that 0.2 percent of taxes collected from retail sales of lodging, car rentals, and restaurants, capped at $3,000,000 per biennium, be deposited into the statewide tourism marketing account. The previous provisions that allowed for varying deposit amounts and required legislative authorization for deposits have been removed, streamlining the funding process.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new effective date of July 1, 2025, for these changes. This legislative update aims to provide a more consistent and predictable funding mechanism for tourism marketing efforts in Washington State.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 82.08.225