HB 1437 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning sustainable state tourism promotion.

HB 1437 establishes a new governance structure for Washington's state tourism marketing authority, requiring a board of 13 members (including nine tourism industry experts appointed by the governor) to oversee promotion efforts. It directs a tourism self-assessment advisory group - representing sectors like lodging, attractions, and transportation - to evaluate implementing an industry-funded fee for sustainable tourism marketing, with recommendations due by November 1, 2025. The bill specifically aims to address current funding gaps (currently $4.5 million annually) by exploring a self-supported model that could generate dedicated revenue, though it does not mandate implementation. The authority and advisory group provisions expire June 1, 2026.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from H-0594.1 to H-1167.1 and updated to reflect its status as a substitute bill. The scope was expanded to include amendments to RCW 43.384.050 in addition to the original RCW 43.384.030. Key substantive changes include a new requirement for the board chair to appoint an advisory group within two weeks of the effective date, a specific definition for 'sustainable whale watching,' and a temporary authorization for the authority to incur expenditures under the new section until June 30, 2026.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly amends RCW 43.384.050 in addition to RCW 43.384.030, expanding its legislative reach within the tourism authority chapter.

TIMELINE

The appointment of the tourism self-supported assessment advisory group must now occur no later than two weeks after the section becomes effective.

DEFINITION

A new definition was added for 'sustainable whale watching,' specifying it must reduce impact on whales, provide educational value, and motivate conservation.

FISCAL

A new provision authorizes the authority to incur expenditures for the purposes of Section 3 until June 30, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

The act description was updated to reflect amendments to two RCW sections instead of one, and the sponsor list was updated to include the committee.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.

lower

1 primary · 8 co-sponsors