Background. In 2000, the Legislature passed HB 108 or The Alaska Boating Safety Act. This was a comprehensive bill regulating boats and establishing a uniform state waterway marking system. It was enacted in ch. 28, SLA 2000. Bill sections 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, and 25 took effect on August 9, 2000 and they appear in the statutes under AS 05.25.010 - 05.25.100. These statutes are The Alaska Boating Safety Act that is in effect today.

In addition, HB 108 enacted other sections (3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 26, and 27) that will repeal some of the provisions that took effect on August 9, 2000. These bill sections have not yet taken effect, but according to section 30, they will take effect on one of two possible dates or circumstances:

1. July 1, 2005; or
2. 90 days after the chair of Legislative Council notifies the reviser of statutes that in the previous fiscal year, the state did not receive and does not anticipate receiving federal funding for a statewide boating and safety education program.

The provisions found in sections 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 26, and 27 are minimal boating safety provisions that not only fall short of the federal guidelines but fail to provide Alaskans with a comprehensive boating safety and education program.

Amends AS 05.25.055(a), the registration and numbering of boats. Deletes the registration requirement for all boats not equipped with mechanical propulsion.

Amends AS 05.25.055(i), exempts all boats not equipped with mechanical propulsion.

Extends the "sunset" date of the federally recognized Alaska Boating Safety Act until July 1, 2010, or 90 days after the chair of Legislative Council notifies the reviser of statutes that in the previous fiscal year, the state did not receive and does not anticipate receiving federal funding for a statewide boating and safety education program.

Provides for an immediate effective date.