The clarification of local-option authority to establish exemptions for designated lodging businesses, lodging units, or lodging guests from tourism promotion fees within a tourism promotion area passed the Senate on February 27. HB 2137 will now head to the Governor for signature.
The bill is a technical fix to address existing local exemptions for tourism promotion fees, which are per-night per-room charges used to fund tourism activities. Last fall, the Department of Revenue flagged existing exemptions as inconsistent with statutory authority. This bill clarifies authority to exempt certain types of lodging.
Tourism promotion fee exemption clarification moves to Senate floor
February 23, 2024
The tourism promotion fee bill (HB 2137) to provide a technical fix to local exemption authority moved out of the Senate Rules Committee to the floor calendar on February 23.
Tourism promotion fee exemption authority passes out of Senate committee
February 16, 2024
The tourism promotion fee bill (HB 2137) to provide a technical fix to local exemption authority passed out of the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming, & Trade Committee on February 15. The committee moved the Senate companion out of committee last month, and SB 6202 is currently in the House Local Government Committee.
Companion bills to clarify authority for local tourism promotion fee exemptions pass
February 9, 2024
The House and Senate each passed a bill to clarify the authority to continue existing exemptions in tourism promotion fees (HB 2137/SB 6202). Each bill now moves over to the opposite chamber for further action.
Tourism promotion fee companion bill set for hearing in Senate
January 22, 2024
The bill clarifying authority to continue existing exemptions for local tourism promotion fees in cities and counties (SB 6202), sponsored by Sen. Claudia Kauffman (D–Kent), is set for hearing in the Senate. AWC supports this technical fix to allow exemptions by types of lodging within a tourism promotion area.
Meanwhile, the companion HB 2137 moved out of the House Local Government Committee on January 19.
Dates to remember
SB 6202 is scheduled for executive session in the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade on Thursday, January 25 at 10:30 am.
Tourism promotion fee flexibility to provide exemptions set for quick action
January 12, 2024
Tourism promotion fees may be imposed by cities or counties in tourism promotion areas to help fund tourism activities as a $2 per room, per night fee and an additional $3 fee through 2027, if there is agreement by 60% of the lodging businesses. HB 2137, sponsored by Rep. April Berg (D–Mill Creek), would allow cities and counties the local option to establish exemptions for designated lodging businesses, lodging units, or lodging guests within a tourism promotion area.
This is essentially a technical fix bill needed to address existing local exemptions. Last fall the Department of Revenue flagged existing exemptions as inconsistent with statutory authority. This bill addresses that by clarifying the authority to exempt certain types of lodging.
The bill was heard in the House Local Government Committee on Friday, January 12.
Dates to remember
HB 2137 is scheduled for executive session in the House Local Government Committee on Friday, January 19 at 10:30 am.