HB 1939
In CommitteeHouse
FIFA world cup/low-income
Promoting opportunities during the fédération internationale de football association world cup 2026.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill requires Washington’s state government to set aside a meaningful share of money spent on the 2026 FIFA World Cup—such as for promotion or fan events—to help low-income young people across the state, especially in central Washington, attend or participate in World Cup–related activities. The requirement ends on June 30, 2026.
- Requires the Department of Commerce to ensure a meaningful portion of state funds used for FIFA World Cup 2026 activities (like marketing and fan events) is directed toward providing access opportunities for low-income youth.
- Focuses specifically on low-income young people in central Washington and across the state.
- Applies only to state funds spent on activities related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup—not general youth programs or other events.
- Sets a sunset date of June 30, 2026, after which the requirement no longer applies.
Who is affected
- Low-income youth — Low-income young people in central Washington and across the state who may receive financial or programmatic support to attend or participate in FIFA World Cup–related events or activities.
- State government agencies — State agencies—especially the Department of Commerce (which administers chapter 43.330 RCW)—must allocate a meaningful portion of FIFA World Cup–related state funds to support youth access programs.
- Community-based youth programs — Organizations and programs in central Washington that serve low-income youth may receive new funding or partnership opportunities tied to the World Cup.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (2)
The bill directs state spending on the 2026 FIFA World Cup to include a meaningful share for low-income youth access, potentially enabling hundreds or thousands of disadvantaged young people across central Washington to attend or participate in high-profile events—addressing real barriers of cost and geography.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)By explicitly targeting low-income youth in central Washington—a region with lower median incomes and fewer large-scale event venues—the bill could help reduce geographic inequity in access to world-class cultural experiences, especially for families who cannot afford travel or tickets.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)
Potential Concerns (3)
The bill imposes a new administrative requirement on the Department of Commerce to track and allocate a “material allocation” of FIFA-related state funds toward youth access, potentially diverting staff time and resources from other priorities without specifying how to implement or verify compliance.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1(1)The bill does not provide new funding or clarify whether the “material allocation” must come from existing FIFA-related budgets or require additional appropriations—creating uncertainty for agencies and potentially leading to underfunded or under-delivered programs if no new revenue is allocated.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(1)By focusing narrowly on the 2026 FIFA World Cup and setting a strict sunset date, the bill creates a one-time, time-limited initiative that may not establish sustainable infrastructure for youth access to major cultural or sporting events beyond 2026.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1(1)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income youth (ages 13–24) in central WA may gain unprecedented access to World Cup events through subsidized tickets, transportation, or program participation—potentially boosting engagement, inspiration, and civic pride.
Community-based youth programs in central WA may receive new funding or partnership opportunities tied to World Cup events, but success depends on whether the “material allocation” translates into flexible, accessible grants or just administrative overhead.
The Department of Commerce must implement tracking and allocation protocols for FIFA-related funds, which could strain existing resources unless additional staffing or guidance is provided—though it also offers an opportunity to build new partnerships with local organizations.