The bill establishes a tourism self-supported assessment program in Washington, aimed at enhancing statewide tourism promotion and supporting the visitor economy. It creates a governance structure led by a ratepayer oversight board, which will include representatives from various tourism sectors to oversee the collection and allocation of assessment funds. The program requires ratification by affected tourism businesses through a referendum and establishes a tourism assessment account dedicated to managing funds for tourism promotion and administrative costs. Additionally, the bill expands the board of directors of the tourism marketing authority from nine to thirteen members to ensure broader representation of the tourism industry.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new provisions to protect the confidentiality of financial and commercial information related to the tourism assessment program, specifically stating that certain information will be exempt from public disclosure. It consolidates existing exemptions for sensitive financial and proprietary information across various sectors, including cannabis, gambling, and economic development, emphasizing the need to safeguard data that could lead to financial loss if disclosed. Overall, the bill aims to create a comprehensive framework for promoting tourism while ensuring the protection of sensitive information.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 43.384.010, 43.384.040, 43.384.030