Bill > SB5609

This bill aims to enhance cultural resource protection for certain land use activities that are categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Specifically, the bill requires that government branches make decisions about proposed actions that are exempt from SEPA environmental review must meet additional cultural resource protection requirements. To do this, the branch must have: a data-sharing agreement with the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, either a local ordinance or cultural resource management plan protecting archaeological and historic properties (which the department will develop minimum standards for), and a written consultation agreement with affected federally recognized tribes. The bill applies to categorical exemptions from environmental review established under various existing statutes, including RCW 43.21C.229, RCW 43.21C.240, and other current or future exemptions identified through rule-making. The goal is to ensure that even when a project is exempt from full environmental review, there are still protections in place to identify and preserve important cultural and historical resources.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5609&Year=2025&Initiative=false