Finds that tidal and wave energy is a renewable energy resource, and that Washington's coastal areas and estuaries provide an abundance of potential resources for this emerging technology for the generation of electrical power. The legislature further finds that state assistance to this emerging technology is appropriate and should be comparable to assistance provided to other renewable energy technologies, including wind and solar power.

Requires the department of ecology to contract with the William D. Ruckelshaus policy consensus center to organize and facilitate a stakeholder review of issues relating to the siting and operation of tidal and wave energy projects. Included within the review should be each state agency with regulatory or proprietary jurisdiction over the projects or sites on which projects are located, federal agencies with such jurisdiction, tribes, project sponsors, utilities purchasing power from or sponsoring such projects, nongovernmental organizations concerned with environmental quality and ocean resources, citizens, and local governments. The review must consider and build on the efforts of the interagency work group that has been examining these issues over the past year.

Requires the center with oversight by the department, to provide a report from the stakeholders and agencies, together with any recommendations for administrative or legislative changes, to the governor and appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 31, 2008.