H-3630.1 _______________________________________________ HOUSE BILL 2838 _______________________________________________ State of Washington 57th Legislature 2002 Regular Session By Representatives Hunt, Schmidt, Simpson, Schual-Berke, Morris, Lovick, Sullivan, Anderson, Esser, Conway, Tokuda, Kirby and Berkey Read first time 01/30/2002. Referred to Committee on Technology, Telecommunications & Energy. AN ACT Relating to restrictions on local access to broadcasts of professional sports; and adding a new section to chapter 36.102 RCW. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON: {+ NEW SECTION. +} Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 36.102 RCW to read as follows: (1)(a) Any professional football team performing in a stadium constructed or operated under this chapter, and any league, association, or conference affiliated with the team, shall not deny local broadcast rights for a live broadcast of any event held in the stadium to an area within seventy-five miles of the stadium based on attendance. (b) The prohibition in this section does not apply if, seventy-two hours before the event, the percentage of seats not sold for the event is greater than the percentage of the total cost of the construction of the stadium paid with public funds. (2) This section is not intended to impair existing contract rights, but shall be applied to any extension or renegotiation of an existing contract and to any new contract between a professional football team performing in a stadium constructed or operated under this chapter, and any league, association, or conference or any local, regional, or national television broadcaster, cable network, or satellite carrier. (3) The legislature finds that the practices covered by this section are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW. A violation of this section is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business and is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW. --- END ---