AK HB28

Amends AS 05.25.055(i) to exempt commercial vessels with valid U.S. Coast Guard documentation and an Alaska commercial fishing license from state boat numbering and registration requirements, effective retroactive to January 1, 2022.

Establishes an $8 annual registration fee for commercial fishing vessels with U.S. Coast Guard certificates of documentation, effective January 1, 2023, to be collected by the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.

Waives the new $8 registration fee for calendar year 2023 for vessels that paid registration fees in 2021, and waives the fee for calendar years 2023 and 2024 for vessels that paid fees in 2022.

Requires fees collected under the new registration requirement to be separately accounted for per AS 05.25.096(b).

Takes effect immediately upon enactment.