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WashingtonHB 23252025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Establishing a tourism self-supported assessment program to fund statewide tourism promotion.

Sponsored By: Dave Paul (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Annual assessment on tourism businesses

The law creates an annual assessment on tourism businesses, set as a percentage of gross revenue. It applies after sectors approve the plan by referendum. Full‑service restaurant and retail locations are included only if yearly revenue is over $5,000,000. If you do not pay on time, the authority can add up to 10% for collection and sue to collect. This assessment is an ongoing business cost once your sector approves it.

Tourism funds, audits, and spending rules

The authority keeps assessment money in separate accounts that are not state funds and spends them only on tourism promotion. It can contract for a multi‑year statewide marketing plan that includes diverse communities and tribal nations. Administrative costs paid from state funds cannot exceed 2% of the state portion each year. The authority pays referendum and department costs and reimburses audit costs from the reimbursement account. The Department of Commerce serves as fiscal agent for appropriated funds until June 30, 2030. Debts are limited to program assets; the state is not liable, and members are shielded except for dishonesty or crime.

Tourism program keeps business data confidential

Financial and commercial information your business gives to the authority or the ratepayer board is confidential. General statistics that do not identify any business can still be shared. The public‑records law is updated to include tourism assessment program information in its exemptions.

Businesses vote and oversee rates

Affected businesses vote to ratify the assessment within three years. Each vote is weighted by the business’s projected assessment, and a majority by sector is required. A ratepayer oversight board designs sector classes, rates, opt‑outs, revenue cutoffs, program term, and reauthorization rules. The board elects a chair, meets quarterly, makes an annual budget and report, and tracks results. The authority, with director review, must approve or reject the board’s budget and cannot add items on its own.

New tourism board membership rules

The authority’s board includes 13 governor‑appointed members from tourism businesses and organizations. Eight seats go to businesses that pay the assessment, with nominees from the ratepayer oversight board; appointments must reflect geographic, size, gender, and ethnic diversity. All board terms are four years. A temporary advisory group of at least eight sector members must give recommendations to the legislature by November 1, 2025; this section ends June 1, 2027.

Tribes opt in and get a voice

Federally recognized tribes, tribal‑owned enterprises, and businesses on tribal land are not covered unless a tribe chooses to join. If a tribe opts in, the program’s rules and assessments apply. A nonvoting advisory committee to the board includes one tribal member appointed by the Commerce director.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dave Paul

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Bernbaum

    Democratic • House

  • Andrew Barkis

    Republican • House

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Clyde Shavers

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Steele

    Republican • House

  • Monica Jurado Stonier

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 218 • No: 15

House vote • 3/11/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 91 • No: 5 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 43 • No: 5 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/23/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 84 • No: 5 • Other: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/26/2026House

  2. Chapter 229, 2026 Laws.

    3/26/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/26/2026legislature

  4. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 91; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/11/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/11/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 43; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/10/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/10/2026House

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/10/2026House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2026House

  13. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/2/2026House

  14. WM - Majority; do pass.

    3/2/2026House

  15. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  16. First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

    2/24/2026House

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 84; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 9.

    2/23/2026House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/23/2026House

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/23/2026House

  20. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    2/23/2026House

  21. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/13/2026House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/9/2026House

  23. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/9/2026House

  24. Minority; do not pass.

    2/9/2026House

  25. FIN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/9/2026House

Bill Text

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