Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-05-17 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-05-17 Senate Journal Page 1231 SB 156 SENATE BILL NO. 156 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to commercial passenger vessel environmental compliance; relating to commercial passenger vessel fees; establishing the wastewater infrastructure grant fund; repealing the authority for citizens' suits relating to commercial passenger vessel environmental compliance; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Environmental Conservation Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Governor's transmittal letter dated May 16: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to commercial passenger vessel environmental compliance. This bill is an overhaul of the commercial passenger vessel environmental compliance program created by ballot initiative in 2006. It replaces the Ocean Ranger on-board cruise ship monitoring program with a program designed by the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) water and air quality technical staff that will be more efficient and effective in protecting Alaska’s environment. It changes the statutory environmental compliance fee applied to commercial passenger vessels and provides options for an owner or operator of a commercial passenger vessel to reduce the environmental compliance fee by participating in electronic monitoring of wastewater discharge, applying for a rebate based on the 2023-05-17 Senate Journal Page 1232 vessel’s total number of unoccupied lower berths in a year, or both. The bill also adjusts wastewater discharge definitions and aligns the commercial passenger vessel environmental compliance program within DEC’s regulatory structure. The proposal has delayed effective dates, particularly for small commercial vessels, that will allow for uniform implementation and time for the industry to come into compliance with the new law. It would remove and repeal many aspects of the existing chapter, while retaining the core structure and enabling DEC to adopt and implement regulations. Finally, the bill creates a new wastewater infrastructure grant fund that would be available for municipal port communities that serve commercial passenger vessels to apply for and receive partial funding toward establishing, upgrading, or improving wastewater treatment systems or facilities. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor