AK SB183

Amends ocean ranger qualifications for large commercial passenger vessels entering Alaska waters to include either a Coast Guard-licensed marine engineer or a person holding a degree in marine safety and environmental protection from an accredited maritime educational institution.

Ocean rangers hired by the Department of Environmental Conservation must monitor state and federal marine discharge and pollution requirements and ensure passenger, crew, and port resident protection from improper sanitation, health, and safety practices.

Ocean rangers must monitor, observe, and record vessel engineering, sanitation, and health operations including registration, reporting, record-keeping, and discharge functions, with information conveyed to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and U.S. Coast Guard.

Authorizes the Department of Environmental Conservation to award grants using federal or other received funds for controlling air emissions or developing and administering air quality control programs in the state.

Takes effect immediately; the grant provisions in AS 46.14.535 are repealed January 1, 2011.