Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  "(1) The legislature recognizes and respects the sovereign status of the tribes and the state in a government-to-government relationship and seeks to enhance and improve communications and facilitate resolution of issues between tribes and the state.

(2) In 1989 the governor signed the Centennial Accord on behalf of the state, along with federally recognized tribes of the state, to achieve mutual tribal-state goals through an improved relationship and shared respect between sovereign governments. The Centennial Accord provided a framework and procedures for implementing this government-to-government relationship. In 1999, the governor and the tribes signed the New Millennium Agreement, which reaffirmed the commitments of the Centennial Accord, and strengthened the foundation for government-to-government relations and cooperation. The New Millennium Agreement specifically called upon the legislature, "to establish a structure to address issues of mutual concern to the state and tribes." Washington has also recognized a similar commitment to government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes located out of state who have treaty reserved rights within Washington.

(3) The legislature recognizes that the executive branch has established and continues its efforts to improve and promote a government-to-government relationship, and further recognizes, as a coequal branch of state government, its own responsibility and role in maintaining a government-to-government relationship with the tribes of this state and tribes located out of state with treaty reserved rights within Washington. The legislature has a particular concern and interest in growing and maintaining strong relationships with the tribes to preserve, protect, and manage resources, and recognizes that tribes have specific reserved treaty rights including, but not limited to, the right of taking fish and to hunt within the state.

(4) For these reasons, the legislature intends to establish a joint committee to address issues of mutual concern to the tribes and the state.

(5) This section expires July 1, 2026.

(i) The president of the senate must appoint four members from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate.

(ii) The speaker of the house of representatives must appoint four members from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives.

(b) Executive agencies, including the department of fish and wildlife, the department of natural resources, and the governor's office of Indian affairs, must cooperate with the committee and provide information as the cochairs may reasonably request.

(c) The committee must choose its cochairs from among its membership. The two cochairs must represent different chambers as well as different political parties.

(2) The committee must serve as a forum for effective government-to-government communications and seek to foster resolution of issues of mutual concern between the tribes and the state. The committee must consider the needs and concerns of:

(a) Tribal groups and organizations in Washington, as well as the needs and concerns of all American Indians in Washington; and

(b) Federally recognized tribes located out of state who have treaty reserved rights within Washington.

(3) The cochairs may schedule up to two meetings per year, at least one of which must be scheduled in Olympia to coincide with committee assembly meetings convened by either the senate or the house of representatives. Committee meetings must be scheduled and conducted in accordance with the requirements of both the senate and the house of representatives. By December 15th of each year, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, the cochairs must develop and submit an annual report of committee activities, findings, and recommendations to the governor and the legislature.

(4) Staff support for the committee is provided by senate committee services and the house of representatives' office of program research.

(5) Legislative members of the committee are reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.

(6) The expenses of the committee must be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives. Committee expenditures are subject to approval by the senate facilities and operations committee and the house of representatives executive rules committee, or their successor committees.

(7) The committee may not abrogate or supersede negotiations or relations that any Indian tribe, band, or group might have or develop individually with any state, federal, or local government.

(8) This section expires July 1, 2026.

On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "relations;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new chapter to Title 44 RCW; creating a new section; and providing expiration dates."

EFFECT: (1) Provides clean up and clarification throughout the bill.

(2) Requires that the committee consider the needs and concerns of federally recognized tribes located out of state who have treaty reserved rights within Washington.