AK SB103

Repeals the Alaska Marine Transportation Advisory Board and establishes the Alaska Marine Highway System Operation and Planning Board in the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

Board composition includes the transportation commissioner (or designee) and 10 public members appointed by the governor with specific expertise: three in marine operations/maintenance/construction, three in business (one marine-related), two representing Alaska Native organizations/tribes and communities served, one union representative, and one in travel industry restructuring.

Public members serve staggered three-year terms; governor must fill vacancies within 30 days; board members serve at the governor's pleasure and can be removed for missing more than two meetings per calendar year without excuse or for other good cause.

Board must meet at least four times annually and submit an annual report by September 1 covering financial information and short-term system improvements, plus a comprehensive three-year report on long-term operations plans; board confers with the transportation commissioner on director and deputy commissioner candidates.

Long-range planning cycle changes from five years to three years for comprehensive plan updates; Act takes effect immediately with initial board reports due September 1, 2021.