The bill proposes the repeal of the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Limited Entry Commission and the transfer of its responsibilities to the Department of Fish and Game and the Office of Administrative Hearings. This legislative change aims to streamline the management of commercial fisheries in Alaska by consolidating authority under the Department of Fish and Game. Key amendments include the commissioner’s ability to regulate entry into commercial fisheries, which now falls under the department's jurisdiction rather than the commission. The bill also modifies various sections of existing law to reflect this transfer of authority, including the issuance of vessel licenses and the handling of landing permits. Significant changes include the deletion of references to the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission throughout the relevant statutes, with new provisions inserted to empower the Department of Fish and Game to oversee commercial fisheries management.

Additionally, the bill introduces new regulatory frameworks, such as the establishment of a right of first refusal for the Department in the event of a foreclosure on an entry permit and the requirement for the department to assist in forming qualified salmon fishery associations. It clarifies the procedures for the transfer and renewal of entry permits, including provisions for waiving fees under certain circumstances. The bill also outlines the process for establishing moratoriums on new entrants into certain fisheries, emphasizing stakeholder consultation for sustainable management. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of fisheries management in Alaska while ensuring fair practices and educational opportunities within the industry.

Statutes affected:
SB0199A, AM SB 199, introduced 01/09/2026: 16.05.050, 16.05.251, 37.10.050, 16.43.225, 16.05.270, 16.05.255, 16.05.450, 16.05.490, 16.05.480, 25.27.010, 16.05.520, 16.05.530, 16.05.675, 16.05.671, 16.05.815, 41.21.500, 41.21.514, U.S.C, 16.10.333, 16.10.310, 16.10.335, 16.10.338, 16.10.337, 16.43.290, 16.43.330, 16.40.250, 16.43.100, 16.43.010, 16.43.210, 16.43.220, 16.43.310, 16.43.320, 16.43.160, 16.43.340, 16.43.390, 44.33.895, 16.43.110, 16.43.120, 44.62.560, 44.62.570, 44.62.010, 44.62.319, 44.62.640, 16.43.140, 16.43.270, 16.43.150, 09.63.010, 13.12.505, 44.81.215, 44.81.231, 44.81.250, 45.45.010, 16.43.170, 16.43.180, 25.27.230, 16.43.200, 16.43.240, 44.62.220, 16.43.227, 16.43.228, 16.43.230, 16.43.250, 16.43.260, 16.05.536, 16.05.670, 16.43.300, 43.75.290, 16.43.351, 16.43.371, 16.43.381, 16.43.400, 16.10.400, 16.10.475, 16.43.410, 16.43.440, 16.43.850, 16.43.880, 16.05.722, 16.05.723, 16.05.831, 16.10.055, 16.10.070, 16.10.090, 16.10.100, 16.10.110, 16.10.120, 16.10.200, 16.10.220, 16.10.760, 16.10.790, 16.43.855, 16.43.895, 16.43.860, 16.43.870, 16.43.955, 16.43.960, 16.43.030, 16.10.300, 16.10.370, 16.43.970, 11.56.210, 16.43.975, 16.43.980, 16.43.990, 37.05.146, 43.76.015, 43.76.160, 43.76.210, 43.76.230, 43.76.280, 43.76.300, 43.76.370, 44.64.030, 44.81.241, 44.81.249, 44.81.245, 44.81.247, 16.10.360, 16.43.020, 16.43.040, 16.43.050, 16.43.060, 16.43.070, 16.43.080, 39.25.110, 39.50.200, 44.81.350