SHB 2496 — Concerning tribal consultation conducted by the energy facility site evaluation council.

What this bill does

Requires the entire Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) to conduct government-to-government consultation with federally recognized tribes during siting review and compliance monitoring. Exempts government-to-government consultation meetings between a tribe and the EFSEC from the Open Public Meetings Act as long as there is no deliberation between or commitments made by EFSEC members.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• House — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · February 13, 2026
  70 yea · 24 nay · 4 not voting
• House — Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · March 9, 2026
  71 yea · 24 nay · 3 not voting
• Senate — 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · February 28, 2026
  30 yea · 19 nay

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Other bills sponsored by Stearns

• HB 1222 — Concerning public inspection and copying of proprietary financial and security information submitted to or obtained by the gambling commission.
• EHB 1461 — Concerning contracts for materials or work required by joint operating agencies.
• SHB 1532 — Authorizing funding tools to mitigate the impact of sales tax sourcing in certain cities that host industrial and warehousing industries.
• 2SHB 2281 — Concerning the state and tribal government-to-government relationship.