HB 2497-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Requires that notification of any significant natural resource-related action undertaken by any state entity must be provided to the legislative authority of any federally recognized Indian tribe that is, or could be, affected by the action.

Applies only to the following state entities: (1) The board of natural resources and the department of natural resources;

(2) The forest practices board;

(3) The department of fish and wildlife and the fish and wildlife commission;

(4) The department of agriculture;

(5) The department of ecology;

(6) The state conservation commission;

(7) The department of transportation; and

(8) The state board of health and the department of health.

Provides that an agency may satisfy the requirements of this provision by providing electronic notification, or another method of notification found by the agency to be most cost-effective, to the legislative authority of a federally recognized Indian tribe that the agency determines would be affected by a natural resource-related action.

Declares that no action may be invalidated based on the failure of an agency to provide notification to an Indian tribe under this act.