(1) The agency shall seek federal financial assistance as authorized by the nuclear waste policy act of 1982, P.L. 97-425 section 116(c), for activities related to the high-level radioactive waste program in the state of Washington. The activities for which federal funding is sought shall include, but are not limited to, the development of a radiological baseline for the Hanford reservation; the implementation of a program to monitor ionizing radiation emissions on the Hanford reservation; the collection of statistical data and epidemiological research, where available, on diseases that result from exposure to sources of ionizing radiation on the Hanford reservation.

(2) In the event the federal government refuses to grant financial assistance for the activities under subsection (1) of this section, the agency is directed to investigate potential legal action.