RCW 43.385.040: Assessments.

(1) The ratepayer oversight board shall design and propose to the authority for approval the structure of the assessment program, including:

(a) Sector-specific classifications;

(b) Assessment methodology and the rates for each business sector;

(c) A referendum process for ratification;

(d) Opt-out provisions, if applicable;

(e) Revenue thresholds for businesses assessed in each sector, where applicable;

(f) Program term length, and reauthorization and termination procedures; and

(g) The nomination process for the ratepayer oversight board following the initial appointments made in RCW 43.385.030(1). The nomination process designed under this subsection (1)(g) is subject to ratification under RCW 43.385.050.

(2) Pursuant to approval by ratification in accordance with RCW 43.385.050, there shall be levied, and the authority shall collect, upon all participating tourism businesses in this state, an annual assessment to be calculated as a percentage of gross revenue.

(3) An assessment shall not be applied to any federally recognized Indian tribe, any business owned or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe, any tribal-owned enterprise, or any business operating on land owned in fee or in trust by a tribe or tribal member, unless the tribe or tribal member has officially opted to participate in the tourism assessment program under this section.