Except as provided in this section, affordable housing projects funded out of the state capital budget are exempt from the provisions of this chapter. On or before July 1, 2008, the department of commerce shall identify, implement, and apply a sustainable building program for affordable housing projects that receive housing trust fund (under chapter 43.185A RCW) funding in a state capital budget. The department of commerce shall not develop its own sustainable building standard, but shall work with stakeholders to adopt an existing sustainable building standard or criteria appropriate for affordable housing. Any application of the program to affordable housing, including any monitoring to track the performance of either sustainable features or energy standards or both, is the responsibility of the department of commerce. Beginning in 2009 and ending in 2016, the department of commerce shall report to the department as required under RCW 39.35D.030(3)(b).