AK SB180

Department of Environmental Conservation shall regulate commercial passenger vessel discharges and environmental compliance through regulations, verification of compliance, and a registration system for monitoring.

Prohibits wastewater discharges from commercial passenger vessels into state marine waters except under prior department authorization or to secure vessel safety and save life at sea.

Establishes environmental compliance fees of $5 per berth per voyage for commercial passenger vessels, with $1 reduction for vessels with approved electronic monitoring systems; small vessels (50-249 passengers) pay flat fees of $75 or $175 per voyage.

Creates a wastewater infrastructure grant fund for municipalities in port communities to establish, upgrade, or improve wastewater treatment systems serving commercial passenger vessels, with grant awards based on project priorities including public health, water quality, and environmental impact mitigation.

Repeals citizens' suit authority and the commercial passenger vessel recognition program; most provisions take effect January 1, 2023, with certain sections effective immediately.