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WashingtonHB 24962025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning tribal consultation conducted by the energy facility site evaluation council.

Sponsored By: Chris Stearns (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Stronger tribal consultation on energy siting

Beginning June 11, 2026, the council must notify counties, cities, the state archaeology department, and affected tribes when it gets an application. The council must offer government‑to‑government consultation to affected tribes within 90 days and give tribes enough project info to assess impacts. If a tribe asks, many council members may attend; a quorum at that session is not an open public meeting if there is no deliberation or commitments. These consultation sessions are exempt from the Open Public Meetings Act. The council must work with local governments during siting review and monitoring, and the archaeology department must coordinate with tribes and applicants on cultural and sacred sites. The council’s report to the governor must include a consultation summary, and the tribe has 30 days to request corrections or submit its own summary.

More energy projects face state siting

Beginning June 11, 2026, more facility types can choose state certification by the energy siting council. These include refined biofuel plants under 25,000 barrels per day, alternative energy, clean energy product manufacturing, storage, and fusion. Big transmission lines also come under state rules if they are at least 500,000 volts AC or 300,000 volts DC, cross more than one county, and serve more than one retail utility. Lines inside a national interest transmission corridor are also covered, and certain 115,000‑volt lines in more than one local land‑use jurisdiction may be covered. The council can use all its usual powers for these projects. Routine transmission work is not treated as a “modification,” like minor replacements, relocations, converting overhead to underground, or adding conductors on existing structures. Fusion facilities that are certified must also get required radiation control licenses or registrations.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chris Stearns

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Tomiko Santos

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 171 • No: 67

House vote • 3/9/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 71 • No: 24 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/28/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 30 • No: 19

House vote • 2/13/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 70 • No: 24 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/30/2026House

  2. Chapter 244, 2026 Laws.

    3/30/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/30/2026legislature

  4. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 71; nays, 24; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/9/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/9/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/28/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/28/2026House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    2/28/2026House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/24/2026House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/23/2026House

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/20/2026House

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    2/20/2026House

  16. ENET - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/20/2026House

  17. First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

    2/17/2026House

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 70; nays, 24; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    2/13/2026House

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/13/2026House

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/13/2026House

  21. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/12/2026House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/4/2026House

  23. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/2/2026House

  24. Minority; do not pass.

    2/2/2026House

  25. ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

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