Tourism promotion and tourism-related facilities authorized.
RCW 53.08.255
in effect(1) Any port district in this state, acting through its commission, has power to expend moneys and conduct promotion of resources and facilities in the district or general area by advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information to attract visitors and encourage tourist expansion. (2)(a) Any port district is authorized either individually or jointly with any other municipality, or person, or any combination thereof, to acquire and to operate tourism-related facilities. (b) When exercising the authority granted under (a) of this subsection, a port district may exercise any of the powers granted to a municipality under RCW 67.28.120 , 67.28.130 through 67.28.170 , and 67.28.220 , but may not exercise powers granted to municipalities under RCW 67.28.180 and 67.28.181 or other powers granted to municipalities under chapter 67.28 RCW. The definitions contained in RCW 67.28.080 apply to the exercise of authority by a port district under (a) of this subsection, and for that purpose the term "municipality" includes a port district. (c) Port districts may not use this section as the authority for the exercise of the power of eminent domain.
(1) Any port district in this state, acting through its commission, has power to expend moneys and conduct promotion of resources and facilities in the district or general area by advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information to attract visitors and encourage tourist expansion.
(2)(a) Any port district is authorized either individually or jointly with any other municipality, or person, or any combination thereof, to acquire and to operate tourism-related facilities.
(b) When exercising the authority granted under (a) of this subsection, a port district may exercise any of the powers granted to a municipality under RCW 67.28.120 , 67.28.130 through 67.28.170 , and 67.28.220 , but may not exercise powers granted to municipalities under RCW 67.28.180 and 67.28.181 or other powers granted to municipalities under chapter 67.28 RCW. The definitions contained in RCW 67.28.080 apply to the exercise of authority by a port district under (a) of this subsection, and for that purpose the term "municipality" includes a port district.
(c) Port districts may not use this section as the authority for the exercise of the power of eminent domain.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=53.08&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026