(1) Nothing in chapter 314, Laws of 2021 prevents state agencies that are not covered agencies from adopting environmental justice policies and processes consistent with chapter 314, Laws of 2021.

(2) The head of a covered agency may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt a significant agency action or decision process from the requirements of RCW 70A.02.060 and 70A.02.080 upon determining that:

(a) Any delay in the significant agency action poses a potentially significant threat to human health or the environment, or is likely to cause serious harm to the public interest;

(b) An assessment would delay a significant agency decision concerning the assessment, collection, or administration of any tax, tax program, debt, revenue, receipt, a regulated entity's financial filings, or insurance rate or form filing;

(c) The requirements of RCW 70A.02.060 and 70A.02.080 are in conflict with:

(i) Federal law or federal program requirements;

(ii) The requirements for eligibility of employers in this state for federal unemployment tax credits; or

(iii) Constitutional limitations or fiduciary obligations, including those applicable to the management of state lands and state forestlands as defined in RCW 79.02.010.

(3) A covered agency may not, for the purposes of implementing any of its responsibilities under this chapter, contract with an entity that employs a lobbyist registered under RCW 42.17A.600 that is lobbying on behalf of that entity.

Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 314: See note following RCW 70A.02.005.