SB 3 Summary

• Creates an alternative permitting pathway for small commercial passenger vessels to discharge wastewater through departmentally-approved plans rather than traditional permits under AS 46.03.100.

• Allows small vessel operators to submit plans incorporating alternative discharge requirements and best management practices for a five-year approval period, with exemptions from standard record-keeping and sampling requirements.

• Prohibits the department from requiring vessel retrofits solely for waste treatment purposes if retrofitting requires additional stability testing or relicensing by the United States Coast Guard.

• Maintains existing discharge standards for suspended solids (not exceeding 150 milligrams per liter) and fecal coliform counts (not exceeding 200 colonies per 100 milliliters) for vessels operating under alternative plans.

• Takes effect immediately upon enactment.