﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><CertifiedBill type="pl" xmlns="http://leg.wa.gov/2012/document"><EnrollingCertificate xmlns="http://leg.wa.gov/2012/document" type="hBill"><Table align="center" pubwidth="wide" width="504.0pt" fontFamily="Courier New"><Col width="252.0pt" /><Col width="228.0pt" /><TR><TDEnroll><Passage><PassedBy chamber="h"><PassedDate>March 9, 2026</PassedDate><Yeas>71</Yeas><Nays>24</Nays><Signer /></PassedBy><PassedBy chamber="s"><PassedDate>February 28, 2026</PassedDate><Yeas>30</Yeas><Nays>19</Nays><Signer /></PassedBy></Passage></TDEnroll><TDEnroll><Certificate><P><TextRun>I, Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is </TextRun><TextRun fontWeight="bold">SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2496</TextRun><TextRun> as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.</TextRun></P><Certifier /><CertifierPosition>Chief Clerk</CertifierPosition></Certificate></TDEnroll></TR><TR><TDEnroll><ApprovedDate /></TDEnroll><TDEnroll><FiledDate /></TDEnroll></TR><TR><TDEnroll><Governor /></TDEnroll><TDEnroll><P textAlign="center"><TextRun fontWeight="bold">Secretary of State</TextRun></P><P textAlign="center"><TextRun fontWeight="bold"> State of Washington</TextRun></P></TDEnroll></TR></Table></EnrollingCertificate><Bill type="bill" xmlns="http://leg.wa.gov/2012/document"><BillHeading><ShortBillId>SHB 2496.PL</ShortBillId><LongBillId>SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2496</LongBillId><AsAmended>SENATE</AsAmended><PLMessage><Message>Passed Legislature</Message><PLSession>2026 Regular Session</PLSession></PLMessage><Legislature>69th Legislature</Legislature><Session>2026 Regular Session</Session><Sponsors>House Environment &amp; Energy (originally sponsored by Representatives Stearns, Ramel, Parshley, Simmons, Santos, Doglio, Ormsby, Hill, and Pollet)</Sponsors><BillHistory><ReadDate>READ FIRST TIME 02/04/26.</ReadDate></BillHistory><BriefDescription>Concerning tribal consultation conducted by the energy facility site evaluation council.</BriefDescription></BillHeading>

<BillBody>
<BillTitle>AN ACT Relating to tribal consultation conducted by the energy facility site evaluation council; and amending RCW 80.50.060 and 42.30.140.</BillTitle>
<EnactedClause />
<BillSection type="amendatory" action="amend">
<BillSectionHeader><BillSectionNumber><TextRun>Sec. </TextRun><Value>1</Value><TextRun>.  </TextRun></BillSectionNumber><SectionCite><TextRun>RCW </TextRun><TitleNumber>80</TitleNumber><TextRun>.</TextRun><ChapterNumber>50</ChapterNumber><TextRun>.</TextRun><SectionNumber>060</SectionNumber></SectionCite> and 2025 c 261 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:<Caption>Energy facilities to which chapter applies<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>Applications for certification<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>Forms<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>Council's duties<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>Potential effects to tribal cultural resources.</Caption></BillSectionHeader>
<P>(1)(a) The provisions of this chapter apply to the construction of energy facilities which includes the new construction of energy facilities and the reconstruction or enlargement of existing energy facilities where the net increase in physical capacity or dimensions resulting from such reconstruction or enlargement meets or exceeds those capacities or dimensions set forth in RCW 80.50.020 (14) and (29). No construction or reconstruction of such energy facilities may be undertaken, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, without first obtaining certification in the manner provided in this chapter.</P>
<P>(b) If applicants proposing the following types of facilities choose to receive certification under this chapter, the provisions of this chapter apply to the construction, reconstruction, or enlargement of these new or existing facilities:</P>
<P>(i) Facilities that produce refined biofuel, but which are not capable of producing 25,000 barrels or more per day;</P>
<P>(ii) Alternative energy resource facilities;</P>
<P>(iii) Electrical transmission facilities: (A) Of a nominal voltage of at least 115,000 volts; and (B) located in more than one jurisdiction that has promulgated land use plans or zoning ordinances;</P>
<P>(iv) Clean energy product manufacturing facilities;</P>
<P>(v) Storage facilities; and</P>
<P>(vi) Fusion energy facilities. However, such a fusion energy facility receiving site certification must also secure required licenses and registrations, or equivalent authorizations, for radiation control purposes from designated state or federal agencies.</P>
<P>(c) All of the council's powers with regard to energy facilities apply to all of the facilities in (b) of this subsection and these facilities are subject to all provisions of this chapter that apply to an energy facility.</P>
<P>(2)(a) The provisions of this chapter must apply to:</P>
<P>(i) The construction, reconstruction, or enlargement of new or existing electrical transmission facilities: (A) Of a nominal voltage of at least 500,000 volts alternating current or at least 300,000 volts direct current; (B) located in more than one county; and (C) located in the Washington service area of more than one retail electric utility; and</P>
<P>(ii) The construction, reconstruction, or modification of electrical transmission facilities when the facilities are located in a national interest electric transmission corridor as specified in RCW 80.50.045.</P>
<P>(b) For the purposes of this subsection, "modification" means a significant change to an electrical transmission facility and does not include the following: (i) Minor improvements such as the replacement of existing transmission line facilities or supporting structures with equivalent facilities or structures; (ii) the relocation of existing electrical transmission line facilities; (iii) the conversion of existing overhead lines to underground; or (iv) the placing of new or additional conductors, supporting structures, insulators, or their accessories on or replacement of supporting structures already built.</P>
<P>(3) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to normal maintenance and repairs which do not increase the capacity or dimensions beyond those set forth in RCW 80.50.020 (14) and (29).</P>
<P>(4) Applications for certification of energy facilities made prior to July 15, 1977, shall continue to be governed by the applicable provisions of law in effect on the day immediately preceding July 15, 1977, with the exceptions of RCW 80.50.071 which shall apply to such prior applications and to site certifications prospectively from July 15, 1977.</P>
<P>(5) Applications for certification shall be upon forms prescribed by the council and shall be supported by such information and technical studies as the council may require.</P>
<P>(6) Upon receipt of an application for certification under this chapter, the chair of the council shall notify:</P>
<P>(a) The appropriate county legislative authority or authorities where the proposed facility is located;</P>
<P>(b) The appropriate city legislative authority or authorities where the proposed facility is located;</P>
<P>(c) The department of archaeology and historic preservation; and</P>
<P>(d) The appropriate federally recognized tribal governments that may be affected by the proposed facility.</P>
<P>(7) The council must work with local governments where a project is proposed to be sited in order to provide for meaningful participation and input during siting review and compliance monitoring.</P>
<P>(8) The council must consult with all federally recognized tribes that possess resources, rights, or interests reserved or protected by federal treaty, statute, or executive order in the area where an energy facility is proposed to be located to provide early and meaningful participation and input during siting review and compliance monitoring. <TextRun amendingStyle="strike">The</TextRun> <TextRun amendingStyle="add">Within 90 days of receipt of an application for certification, the</TextRun> chair and designated staff must offer to conduct government-to-government consultation to address issues of concern raised by such a tribe. <TextRun amendingStyle="add">The consultation must occur once sufficient information is made available to the tribe to assess the project's potential impacts, and must be scheduled consistent with the applicable timeline for application review. As part of the consultation process, and upon request of the tribe to meet with the full council, consultation shall include as many members of the council as can be arranged. The goal is to coordinate the full council's attendance. Attendance by a quorum of the council at the consultation does not constitute a meeting under chapter 42.30 RCW, provided that there is no deliberation between the members of the council and that no assurances or commitments are made by members of the council.</TextRun> The goal of the consultation process is <TextRun amendingStyle="strike">to identify</TextRun> <TextRun amendingStyle="add">for the tribe to provide information regarding</TextRun> tribal resources or rights potentially affected by the proposed energy facility <TextRun amendingStyle="strike">and to seek</TextRun><TextRun amendingStyle="add">, as well as its proposal for</TextRun> ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects on tribal resources or rights. <TextRun amendingStyle="strike">The chair must provide regular updates on the consultation to the council throughout the application review process.</TextRun> The report from the council to the governor required in RCW 80.50.100 must include a summary of the government-to-government consultation process that complies with RCW 42.56.300, including the issues and proposed resolutions. <TextRun amendingStyle="add">The council's summary shall be provided to the tribe before it is submitted to the governor and the tribe will have 30 days to request any corrections to the summary, or to provide its own summary of the consultation to be included in the council's report to the governor required in RCW 80.50.100.</TextRun></P>
<P>(9) The department of archaeology and historic preservation shall coordinate with the affected federally recognized tribes and the applicant in order to assess potential effects to tribal cultural resources, archaeological sites, and sacred sites.</P>
<History>2025 c 261 s 3; 2023 c 229 s 4; 2022 c 183 s 6; 2021 c 317 s 18; 2007 c 325 s 2; 2006 c 196 s 4; 2001 c 214 s 2; 1977 ex.s. c 371 s 5; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 108 s 34; 1970 ex.s. c 45 s 6.</History>
<RCWNoteSection>
<AnnNote><NoteP><TextRun fontWeight="bold">Finding<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>Intent<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>2023 c 229:</TextRun> See note following RCW 19.280.030.</NoteP></AnnNote>
<AnnNote><NoteP><TextRun fontWeight="bold">Effective date<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>2022 c 183:</TextRun> See note following RCW 80.50.010.</NoteP></AnnNote>
<AnnNote><NoteP><TextRun fontWeight="bold">Severability<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>2021 c 317:</TextRun> See note following RCW 70A.535.005.</NoteP></AnnNote>
<AnnNote><NoteP><TextRun fontWeight="bold">Severability<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>Effective date<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>2001 c 214:</TextRun> See notes following RCW 80.50.010.</NoteP></AnnNote>
<AnnNote><NoteP><TextRun fontWeight="bold">Findings<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>2001 c 214:</TextRun> See note following RCW 39.35.010.</NoteP></AnnNote>
<AnnNote><NoteP><TextRun fontWeight="bold">Severability<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>Effective date<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 108:</TextRun> See notes following RCW 43.21F.010.</NoteP></AnnNote>
</RCWNoteSection>
</BillSection>
<BillSection type="amendatory" action="amend">
<BillSectionHeader><BillSectionNumber><TextRun>Sec. </TextRun><Value>2</Value><TextRun>.  </TextRun></BillSectionNumber><SectionCite><TextRun>RCW </TextRun><TitleNumber>42</TitleNumber><TextRun>.</TextRun><ChapterNumber>30</ChapterNumber><TextRun>.</TextRun><SectionNumber>140</SectionNumber></SectionCite> and 1990 c 98 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:<Caption>Chapter controlling<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>Application.</Caption></BillSectionHeader>
<P>If any provision of this chapter conflicts with the provisions of any other statute, the provisions of this chapter shall control: PROVIDED, That this chapter shall not apply to:</P>
<P>(1) The proceedings concerned with the formal issuance of an order granting, suspending, revoking, or denying any license, permit, or certificate to engage in any business, occupation, or profession or to any disciplinary proceedings involving a member of such business, occupation, or profession, or to receive a license for a sports activity or to operate any mechanical device or motor vehicle where a license or registration is necessary; or</P>
<P>(2) That portion of a meeting of a quasi-judicial body which relates to a quasi-judicial matter between named parties as distinguished from a matter having general effect on the public or on a class or group; or</P>
<P>(3) Matters governed by chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administrative Procedure Act; or </P>
<P>(4)(a) Collective bargaining sessions with employee organizations, including contract negotiations, grievance meetings, and discussions relating to the interpretation or application of a labor agreement; or (b) that portion of a meeting during which the governing body is planning or adopting the strategy or position to be taken by the governing body during the course of any collective bargaining, professional negotiations, or grievance or mediation proceedings, or reviewing the proposals made in the negotiations or proceedings while in progress<TextRun amendingStyle="add">; or</TextRun></P>
<P><TextRun amendingStyle="add">(5) Government-to-government consultation with a federally recognized tribe under requirements provided in RCW 80.50.060</TextRun>.</P>
<History>1990 c 98 s 1; 1989 c 175 s 94; 1973 c 66 s 4; 1971 ex.s. c 250 s 14.</History>
<RCWNoteSection>
<AnnNote><NoteP><TextRun fontWeight="bold">Effective date<TextRun fontFamily="Times New Roman">—</TextRun>1989 c 175:</TextRun> See note following RCW 34.05.010.</NoteP></AnnNote>
<CrossRefNote><NoteP>Drug reimbursement policy recommendations: RCW 74.09.653.</NoteP></CrossRefNote>
<CrossRefNote><NoteP>Mediation testimony competency: RCW 5.60.070 and 5.60.072.</NoteP></CrossRefNote>
</RCWNoteSection>
</BillSection>
</BillBody>
</Bill></CertifiedBill>