RCW 43.385.030: Ratepayer oversight board.

(1)(a) The authority shall appoint a ratepayer oversight board.

(b) For the initial board, the tourism self-supported assessment advisory group created by section 3, chapter 189, Laws of 2025 shall prepare a list of nominees for appointment to the ratepayer oversight board. All nominees for membership on the ratepayer oversight board must be employees or officers of tourism businesses proposed to be subject to the assessment imposed under RCW 43.385.040, pursuant to the ratification procedures established under RCW 43.385.050.

(c) The initial board must be comprised of at least 10 members with at least two representatives from each sector identified in RCW 43.385.010.

(d) Initial board members shall serve for six months or until completion of the initial referendum, and vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term.

(e) Subsequent appointments shall be made under the process developed under RCW 43.385.040 and ratified under RCW 43.385.050.

(f) The authority, with review of the director, may remove any appointed member of the ratepayer oversight board for inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or four unexcused absences in one year.

(2) The ratepayer oversight board shall:

(a) Develop an annual budget and expenditure plan;

(b) Develop an annual report to the authority and the legislature; and

(c) Monitor program effectiveness and recommend adjustments.

(3) The authority, with review of the director, shall approve an annual budget and approve and submit annual reports to the legislature and office of the governor. The authority must approve or reject the annual budget recommended by the board and may not amend, replace, or independently adopt policies or provisions not submitted by the board.

(4) The ratepayer oversight board shall elect a chair and meet at least quarterly.