Notes
This document outlines the State of Washington Tourism’s request for operational funding through companion bills HB 1258 and SB 5465, which would raise the general funds cap to $13 million per fiscal year and adjust the industry matching requirement to 1:1. The document argues the funding is necessary to operate the rebuilt tourism program statewide and year-round, highlighting that without it, the program’s budget would decline 36% in 2023 and an additional 30% in 2024. It positions tourism investment as economically beneficial, noting Washington lags behind competing western states like Oregon ($44M) and Montana ($40M) in tourism program funding.