Washington · 2025-2026 Biennium (69th Legislature)

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

AN ACT Relating to tribal consultation conducted by the energy facility site evaluation council;

SHB 2496·House·Bill

Rep. Chris StearnsState House · LD-47·8 cosponsors

Fiscal noteState NoLocal No

Effective dateJune 11, 2026

Primary sponsor

Chris StearnsState House · LD-47

Cosponsors

Alex RamelState House · LD-40

Lisa ParshleyState House · LD-22

Tarra SimmonsState House · LD-23

Sharon Tomiko SantosState House · LD-37

Beth DoglioState House · LD-22

Timm OrmsbyState House · LD-03

Natasha HillState House · LD-03

Gerry PolletState House · LD-46

Floor votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage · SHB 2496Feb 13, 202670–24

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · SHB 2496Feb 28, 202630–19

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · SHB 2496Mar 9, 202671–24

Legislative history

Jan 15, 2026

First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.

Feb 2, 2026

ENVI - Executive action taken by committee.

Feb 2, 2026

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

Feb 2, 2026

Minority; do not pass.

Feb 2, 2026

Minority; without recommendation.

Feb 4, 2026

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

Feb 12, 2026

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

Feb 13, 2026

1st substitute bill substituted.

Feb 13, 2026

Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

Feb 13, 2026

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

Feb 17, 2026

First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

Feb 20, 2026

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

Feb 20, 2026

Minority; do not pass.

Feb 20, 2026

Minority; without recommendation.

Feb 23, 2026

Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

Feb 24, 2026

Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

Feb 28, 2026

Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

Feb 28, 2026

Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

Feb 28, 2026

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

Mar 9, 2026

House concurred in Senate amendments.

Mar 9, 2026

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

Mar 11, 2026

Speaker signed.

Mar 12, 2026

President signed.

Mar 12, 2026

Delivered to Governor.

Mar 30, 2026

Governor signed.

Mar 30, 2026

Chapter 244, 2026 Laws.

Mar 30, 2026

Effective date 6/11/2026.

Bill text

Original Bill Substitute Bill Bill as Passed Legislature

Amendments

Committee amendment by Environment, Energy & Technology (Adopted as amended)Floor amendment (Adopted and engrossed)Floor amendment by Shewmake (Adopted)

Bill reports

House Bill Analysis 2026 — Initial House Analysis 01-26-26 House Bill Report — Reported by ENVI 02-02-26 Substitute House Bill Report — Passed House 02-13-26 Substitute Senate Bill Report — Reported by ENET 02-20-26 Substitute House Bill Report — Amended by Senate 02-28-26 Substitute Senate Bill Report — Passed Senate 02-28-26 Final Bill Report — Final Bill Report 2026 Substitute House Bill Report — Passed Legislature

Session law

Chapter 244, Laws of 2026