This bill amends existing Washington state law to include federally recognized Indian tribes as eligible participants in the conservation futures program. Specifically, it modifies RCW 84.34.210 and RCW 84.34.220 to allow these tribes, alongside counties, cities, towns, and various nonprofit organizations, to acquire rights to protect and conserve open space, agricultural land, and timberland. The bill emphasizes that these entities can acquire property through various means, excluding eminent domain, and outlines the rights and restrictions associated with such acquisitions.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that explicitly states that nothing in the conservation futures program may be interpreted in a way that undermines the treaty rights of federally recognized Indian tribes. It also clarifies that certain existing regulations (RCW 82.32.805 and RCW 82.32.808) do not apply to this act, ensuring that the new provisions are distinct and protected from previous legal constraints.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 84.34.210, 84.34.220
Substitute bill: 84.34.210, 84.34.220