WA HB1237

Amends the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) application process to require adjudicative hearings only when a proposed site is found inconsistent with local land use plans or zoning ordinances, rather than for all applications

Requires the council to hold a public hearing after issuance of a final environmental impact statement and before making recommendations to the governor, replacing the previous "public meeting" requirement

Establishes that the council must recommend approval of clean energy projects (alternative energy, clean manufacturing, biofuel, fusion, storage, or transmission facilities) when evidence shows the project provides public benefits, minimizes environmental impacts, and protects overburdened communities

Sets a 12-month timeline for council recommendations to the governor from receipt of a complete application, with an expedited 180-day timeline for certain energy facilities in counties with coal-fired generation facilities (applications filed before December 31, 2025)

Repeals RCW 80.50.075 (expedited processing of applications) and RCW 80.50.320 (governor evaluation of council efficiency) as part of streamlining the review process