To expand the definition and scope of “tourism promotion” to include expenditures to owners of farms, forests, and open lands for habitat management that promote wildlife tourism.   Official Text and Analysis.

By Steve Pozzanghera, Department of Fish and Wildlife; Ron Newbry, Washington Economic Development Association; Ed Owens, Hunters Heritage Council; Heath Packard, Audubon. They testified that providing incentives for landowners to maintain habitat will increase recreational opportunities and encourage economic development through tourism.

By T.K. Bentler, Washington State Hotel and Lodging Association, whot testified that allowing lodging tax revenues to pay for landowners to maintain habitat will create more competition for the already limited lodging tax revenues. Lodging tax revenues should be spent on advertising and the distribution of information, not on infrastructure.

To add a requirement that owners open their lands to the public and enter into agreements with local governments in order to receive funds for tourism promotion.

To include "payments to nonprofit organizations for activities or events that attract tourists and promote appreciation of wildlife or natural heritage" along with "tourism" in the bill's definition of tourism promotion. S1485.1.

To modify the bill. The original bill amended the definition of the term "tourism promotion" to include payments to the owners of farms, forests, and open lands for habitat management that promotes wildlife tourism. The substitute bill, however, creates a new source of local revenue for funding landowner activities that promote nature-based tourism.