Sponsor Statement for SB 192

Senate Bill 192 was introduced as back up for SB 21, the Marine Highway Authority legislation.

AS 36.90.050, the statuatory requirement that state-owned vessels be maintained and repaired in Alaska, will sunset on August 30, 1997.

Provisions that eliminate this sunset clause are included in Senate Bill 21. The legislation before you addresses only the issues from SB 21 that relate to in state maintenance.

SB 192 contains the exact same language adopted by the Senate Transportation Committee and later amended in Senate State Affairs that became sections 21 and 22 of the Marine Highway Authority bill.

Passage of SB 192 will ensure that state-owned vessels will continue to be maintained in Alaska facilities.