Concerning sustainable state tourism promotion.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Chapman and 7 co-sponsors

Establishes a temporary Tourism Self-Supported Assessment Advisory Group to design an industry-funded, self-assessment plan for sustaining statewide tourism promotion.

Effective date 7/27/2025.

Purpose / Intent

SB 5492 directs the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority (WTMA) to study and develop a pathway for a sustainable, industry-funded mechanism to support statewide tourism promotion. The Legislature’s findings in the bill note tourism is Washington’s fourth-largest industry (about $23.9 billion in annual revenue and ~230,000 jobs) and that current state marketing funding is comparatively low. The goal is to solicit recommendations for a self‑supported industry assessment to create a dedicated, long‑term funding source.

Key provisions

Creates a Tourism Self‑Supported Assessment Advisory Group (TSSAAG):

The WTMA chair must appoint the TSSAAG no later than two weeks after the bill’s effective date (effective date: 7/27/2025; appointment deadline ≈ 8/10/2025).
Minimum membership: eight representatives from tourism sectors: lodging (2), beverage (1), arts & culture (1), tour operators (1), attractions (1), transportation (1), and one representative from a statewide Washington tourism promotion nonprofit.
Appointment must comply with RCW 43.18A.020 (appointment requirements) and Department of Commerce reporting must comply with Office of Equity requirements (RCW 43.18A.030).

TSSAAG deliverable:

Submit written recommendations to the Legislature by November 1, 2025 addressing:
Which business classifications should be included in a self‑assessment;
Methodology for the assessment, including petition/approval processes for businesses;
Proposed assessment rates by business classification;
Characteristics of businesses that would benefit;
Proposed duration/time period of the assessment;
Design of an oversight board representing assessed ratepayers.

Time limits and funding:

TSSAAG expires June 1, 2026.
Reports indicate the Statewide Tourism Marketing Account may be used to pay the TSSAAG’s administrative costs through June 30, 2026.

Other statutory edits:

Amends RCW 43.384.030 (governance/appointments for the WTMA board) — removes directives related to initial board formation and first contract language from the 2018 enactment; clarifies appointment terms and diversity requirements.

Who is affected

Primary: businesses in tourism sectors that could be included in a future self‑supported assessment (lodging, beverage, food/beverage-related, tour operators, attractions, transportation, arts & culture, statewide tourism nonprofits).

Secondary: WTMA, Department of Commerce (staff support and reporting duties), local tourism organizations, and consumers indirectly via potential changes to marketing and visitor management.

Timeline & procedural status

Introduced: 01/24/2025

Passed Legislature: Senate (2/28/2025), House (4/10/2025)

Governor signed: 04/30/2025

Chaptered: Chapter 189, 2025 Laws

Effective date: 07/27/2025

TSSAAG appointment deadline: within two weeks after 7/27/2025

TSSAAG report due to Legislature: 11/01/2025

TSSAAG expiration: 06/01/2026

Fiscal/other notes

No appropriation in the bill; a fiscal note was requested.

The bill authorizes use of existing Statewide Tourism Marketing Account funds for administrative costs of the advisory group (per legislative reports).

If the TSSAAG recommends and the Legislature or stakeholders pursue a self‑assessment, businesses may face new assessments subject to the methodology and approval procedures recommended.

Bill