00                      CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 432(TRA)                                                                    
01 "An Act expanding the Alaska marine highway system to Yukon River locations and                                         
02 relating to the duty of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to                                       
03 construct, purchase, or lease ferry terminal facilities."                                                               
04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
05    * Section 1. AS 19.65.011 is amended to read:                                                                      
06            Sec. 19.65.011. Comprehensive long-range plan. The Department of                                           
07       Transportation and Public Facilities shall prepare a comprehensive long-range plan for                            
08       the development and improvement of the Alaska marine highway system, including a                              
09       study on the feasibility of expanding to Yukon River locations, and shall revise and                          
10       update the plan at least every five years. The department shall submit the                                        
11       comprehensive long-range plan and revisions and updates of the plan to the                                        
12       legislature.                                                                                                      
13    * Sec. 2. AS 19.65.030(a) is amended to read:                                                                      
14            (a)  The department may [SHALL] construct, purchase, or lease ferry terminal                             

01       facilities at locations, including communities along the Yukon River, it selects for                          
02       the loading and unloading of passengers and vehicles under their own power, on and                                
03       off ferries. The department shall repair and maintain these facilities. Construction and                          
04       purchasing under this subsection are governed by AS 36.30 (State Procurement Code).                               
05    * Sec. 3. AS 19.65.050(a) is amended to read:                                                                      
06            (a)  The legislature finds that                                                                              
07                 (1)  the Alaska marine highway system is an essential part of the state                                 
08       transportation system, and that it warrants continued and predictable state support;                              
09                 (2)  many communities' economies are dependent on a steady and                                          
10       stable marine highway system service level;                                                                       
11                 (3)  many communities along the Yukon River will greatly benefit                                    
12       from regular marine highway transportation service for passengers and freight;                                
13                 (4)  [(3)] the state's tourism industry is greatly enhanced by a                                    
14       dependable marine highway transportation network; and                                                             
15                 (5)  [(4)] efficient and prudent management of the system will benefit                              
16       the state's economy and foster economic development.