Featured Inquiry (05/26/08)

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Question:

May local jurisdictions allow lodging tax recipients use funding for personnel costs?

Answer:

Yes, the definitions of “tourism promotion” and “tourism-related facility” in RCW 67.28.180 were amended in 2007 to allow local jurisdictions to use lodging tax revenues for the operation of tourism promotion agencies and of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists. Rather strict reporting requirements have been put in place, however. See RCW 67.28.1816.