House Bill Analysis — SSB 5492, Sustainable State Tourism Promotion (Washington, Hearing 3/18/25)

Summary

A House Bill Analysis of SSB 5492, concerning sustainable state tourism promotion, from the Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research for the Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee, with a hearing date of 3/18/25. The brief summary says the bill requires the Chair of the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority to appoint an eight-member advisory group and requires the group to report recommendations on a self-supported assessment by November 1, 2025. The analysis lists Appropriation: None, a fiscal note requested on March 10, 2025, and an effective date 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

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Full text

Washington State BILL
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research ANALYSIS
Technology, Economic Development, &
Veterans Committee
SSB 5492
Brief Description: Concerning sustainable state tourism promotion.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services & Trade (originally sponsored by
Senators Riccelli, Chapman, Cleveland, Dozier, Goehner, Harris, Krishnadasan and Wilson,
C.).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
• Requires the Chair of the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority to
appoint an eight-member advisory group composed of representatives
from various sectors of the tourism industry.
• Requires the advisory group to report recommendations for a self-
supported assessment on business sectors of the tourism industry by
November 1, 2025.

Hearing Date: 3/18/25

Staff: Martha Wehling (786-7067).

Background:

The Washington Tourism Marketing Authority (WTMA) contracts for marketing services that
promote tourism. The WTMA is governed by a Board of Directors (Board) made up of 13
members who receive staff support from the Department of Commerce (Commerce). The Board
selects a Chair from its membership. The Chair must be a member from the tourism industry or
related business. The Board also has a nonvoting four-member advisory committee.

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
constitute a statement of legislative intent.

House Bill Analysis -1- SSB 5492
Board membership includes two representatives, two senators, and nine members with expertise
in the tourism industry and related businesses, including hotel, restaurant, outdoor recreation,
attractions, retail, and rental car businesses. The advisory committee includes representatives
from Commerce, the State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department of Transportation,
and a federally recognized Indian tribe.

The WTMA was created by legislation enacted in 2018, and contains directives related to the
formation of the first Board, as well as ongoing appointments and operations.

The Statewide Tourism Marketing Account (Account) is funded from tax revenues on lodging,
car rentals, and restaurants. Expenditures from the Account are limited to implementation of the
statewide tourism program and the operation of the WTMA. A match of one-to-one nonstate or
state fund, other than general fund state, must be provided for all expenditures from the
Account. Until July 1, 2025, 0.2 percent of taxes on retail sales of lodging, car rentals, and
restaurants are deposited into the Account. The Legislature must authorize the deposit, and it is
limited to $3 million per biennium. After July 1, 2025, the Legislature is not required to
authorize the deposit.

Summary of Bill:

The Chair of the Board of Directors of the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority is required
to appoint at least eight members to a Tourism Self-Supported Assessment Advisory Group
(TSSAAG) within two weeks of the effective date of the legislation. The TSSAAG is required
to evaluate the viability of an industry self-supported assessment to fund statewide tourism
promotion, recommend procedures to establish the self-supported assessment, and report to the
Legislature. Members of the TSSAAG must represent tourism industry sectors, including
lodging, beverage, arts and culture, tour operators, attractions, transportation, and a statewide
Washington tourism promotion nonprofit.

The TSSAAG is required to make recommendations to the Legislature by November 1, 2025,
regarding:
• classification of businesses included in a self-supported assessment;
• methodology to conduct the self-supported assessment, including the petition process for
businesses to approve the assessment;
• rate of self-supported assessment for each business classification;
• characteristics of the businesses that will benefit from the self-supported assessment;
• duration of the self-supported assessment; and
• establishment of an oversight board.

The TSSAAG will expire on June 1, 2026, and must comply with the appointment requirements
in RCW 43.18A.020. The Department of Commerce must comply with the reporting
requirements to the Office of Equity in RCW 43.18A.030.

Funds in the Statewide Tourism Marketing Account may be used to pay the administrative costs

House Bill Analysis -2- SSB 5492
of the TSSAAG until June 30, 2026.

The directives describing the formation of the first Board of Directors and first contract with a
statewide nonprofit organization are removed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 10, 2025.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is
passed.

House Bill Analysis -3- SSB 5492

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