WA HB2496

Shifts responsibility for government-to-government tribal consultation from the council chair alone to the full Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council and designated staff

Clarifies that a quorum of council members attending tribal consultation does not trigger Open Public Meetings Act requirements, provided there is no deliberation or commitments made by members

Requires tribes to have 30 days to review and request corrections to the council's consultation summary before it is submitted to the governor, or to provide their own summary for inclusion

Expands the consultation goal from identifying tribal resources to having tribes provide information about affected resources and rights, as well as ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects

Exempts government-to-government tribal consultations under RCW 80.50.060 from the Open Public Meetings Act (chapter 42.30 RCW)