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WashingtonSB 54922025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Concerning sustainable state tourism promotion.

Sponsored By: Marcus Riccelli (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Industry group studies self-funded assessment

Beginning July 27, 2025, the board chair appoints an advisory group within two weeks to study an industry-funded assessment. The group must include at least eight members: two lodging, one beverage, one arts and culture, one tour operators, one attractions, one transportation, and one statewide tourism nonprofit. It recommends business classes, an assessment method and petition process, rates by class, who benefits, the duration, and an oversight board for ratepayers. The group must send written recommendations to the Legislature by November 1, 2025. The Department of Commerce provides the required report. This section ends June 1, 2026.

Marketing plan must boost rural tourism

The statewide tourism marketing plan must focus on rural tourism counties and the state’s natural wonders and outdoor recreation, including sustainable whale watching. It must work to attract international tourists and list local offerings for visitors. It must also help tourism areas hit by natural disasters.

New rules for state tourism board

Beginning July 27, 2025, the state tourism board has two House members, two Senate members, and nine industry members. The governor’s picks must reflect geography, business size, gender, and ethnicity. No county can have more than two, and no city more than one, of the governor’s appointees. All terms are four years, and the chair must come from the tourism industry. A majority makes a quorum, and the board meets at least quarterly. Members can be removed for misfeasance, malfeasance, or willful neglect after notice and a public hearing, unless waived. Members get no salary, only expense reimbursements from authority funds. No member may sit on the board of any group that could receive an authority contract.

Guardrails on tourism marketing funds

The law caps administrative expenses at 2% of the state portion of funds each fiscal year. All nonstate matching money must be kept in a private local account and held in trust for uses allowed by this law. The authority may spend its funds to support the advisory group’s work through June 30, 2026.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marcus Riccelli

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Annette Cleveland

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Deborah Krishnadasan

    Democratic • Senate

  • Keith Goehner

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Paul Harris

    Republican • Senate

  • Perry Dozier

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 1

House vote • 4/10/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 95 • No: 1 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 2/28/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/30/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 189, 2025 Laws.

    4/30/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    4/30/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/22/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/18/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/16/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    4/10/2025Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/10/2025Senate

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

    4/8/2025Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/25/2025Senate

  11. TEDV - Majority; do pass.

    3/21/2025Senate

  12. TEDV - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/21/2025Senate

  13. First reading, referred to Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans.

    3/4/2025Senate

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    2/28/2025Senate

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/28/2025Senate

  16. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/28/2025Senate

  17. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/12/2025Senate

  18. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/6/2025Senate

  19. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/5/2025Senate

  20. BFT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/5/2025Senate

  21. First reading, referred to Business, Financial Services & Trade.

    1/24/2025Senate

  22. Introduced

    1/24/2025Senate

Bill Text

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