SB 226 Summary

• Moves the Alaska marine highway system fund from inside the general fund to a special account outside and separate from the general fund, with the commissioner of transportation and public facilities authorized to expend money without further appropriation.

• Establishes sources for the Alaska marine highway system fund from gross revenue of the system, general fund appropriations, and designated federal receipts.

• Creates a new section (AS 19.65.065) defining permissible expenditures from the fund, including operation costs, property management, contracts with federal/municipal/foreign governments, and administration of legislature-authorized grants.

• Moves the Alaska marine highway system vessel replacement fund outside the general fund and grants the commissioner of transportation and public facilities authority to expend money without further appropriation for vessel refurbishment, acquisition, and replacement.

• Changes the annual operating cycle definition from the state fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) to the calendar year (January 1 - December 31) and repeals AS 19.65.080.