Published: 2015
Key Benefits:
Sec. 30.05.010. Subsidies to freight carriers.
The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities may pay a sum of money not to exceed $30,000 a year to the owner or charterer of a vessel of American registry who operates the vessel as a common carrier of freight and mail to and from points the department designates.
Sec. 30.05.020. Payment of subsidies.
The subsidy shall be paid in the installments the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities thinks proper, after proof is submitted that the conditions of the contract or subsidy are fulfilled up to the time of payment. The inability to touch at a point along the route designated by the department due to a lack of proper docking or harbor facilities or to stress of weather does not prevent the owner or charterer from receiving the money otherwise earned, and is not a cause for reducing the amount of the subsidy. If the subsidized vessel is lost, wrecked, or damaged, the department may permit the contractor to carry out the service temporarily with another vessel or ship of American registry that meets with its approval.
Sec. 30.05.030. Tariff of rates.
The owner or charterer of the vessel awarded the subsidy must adopt and publish a tariff of freight rates to be approved by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The tariff must be reasonable, and the operator of the vessel may not charge more than provided for in the tariff. The tariff must be published before services are performed under the subsidy.
Sec. 30.05.040. Report by owner or charterer.
It is a condition in awarding of the subsidy that the contractor agrees to make a report under oath, in form and manner designated by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities at the end of each year, giving the following information:
(1) tariff sheet of freight rates for the route covered;
(2) total tonnage carried;
(3) gross earning from freight and mail service rendered, segregating the two amounts;
(4) a statement in detail of all expenses incurred and on what account, the names and addresses of all persons employed, and the gross earnings and gross expense of the route covered.
Chapter 30.07. MARINE RADIOTELEPHONE INSTALLATIONSec. 30.07.010. Radiotelephone installation requirements for vessels in excess of 200 gross tons.
In addition to applicable federal statutes and regulations, a person may not operate a vessel of any type in excess of 200 gross tons in the territorial waters of the state unless a licensed VHF radiotelephone installation equipped with at least five channels, including standard VHF calling and distress frequencies, or a standard marine radiotelephone equipped with at least five channels, including standard radiotelephone calling and distress frequencies, is installed and capable of being operated from the bridge or wheelhouse of the vessel. While the vessel is underway the radiotelephone shall be monitored at all times on the applicable standard calling and distress frequency by a person qualified to operate radio equipment of the type required by this section.
Sec. 30.07.020. Regulations.
The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities may adopt regulations, not in conflict with federal law or regulations, that establish standards for marine communications in the state.
Sec. 30.07.030. Penalties.
A master or owner of a vessel in operation that is in violation of this chapter, or a regulation adopted under it, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000. Each day the violation continues constitutes a separate offense under this section.
Chapter 30.10. MARINE PILOTS[Repealed, Sec. 4 ch 106 SLA 1970. For current law, see AS 08.62].
Chapter 30.13. REGIONAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIESSec. 30.13.010. Creation of authority.
(a) The residents of each area of the state within the boundaries of a regional housing authority established under AS 18.55.996 that is located in whole or in part in the unorganized borough of the state may create a public body corporate and politic under the name and style of the "Resource Development Authority" with all or any significant part of the name of the region of the state inserted. The boundaries of the authority created shall be coterminous with the portion of the applicable regional housing authority that lies in the unorganized borough. Creation of an authority is initiated by a petition filed with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development and a statement submitted to the governor. The petition must include the proposed name of the authority, its boundaries, and a statement of the facilities proposed to be provided by the authority. The petition must be signed by 15 percent of the total number of residents in the portion of the applicable regional housing authority that lies in the unorganized borough who cast votes in the preceding general election. The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development shall review petitions for content and signatures. If the department determines that the petition is adequate, it shall transmit the petition to the director of elections.
(b) The statement required under (a) of this section to be submitted to the governor must include the purposes for which the authority is to be created, the goals and potential projects the authority intends to accomplish, and an analysis of alternative methods of accomplishing the goals and projects of the proposed authority. The governor shall determine whether the accomplishment of the goals and potential projects of the proposed authority would be advantageous to the economic growth of the region and the state and whether the creation of the proposed authority would be an appropriate and desirable method of accomplishing those goals and projects. The governor shall submit findings under this subsection to the division of elections within 90 days after receipt of the statement.
(c) The director of elections shall order an election in the area of the proposed authority to determine whether the voters desire the creation of the authority if the director has received the petition and
(1) the governor has submitted affirmative findings to the director under (b) of this section; or
(2) more than 90 days have elapsed since the statement was submitted to the governor under (a) of this section and the governor has failed to submit negative findings to the division of elections.
(d) An order for an election shall be made within 30 days after the requirements of (c) of this section have been met. The election shall be held not less than 30 nor more than 120 days after the date of the election order. To the extent practicable, the election shall be held on a date coinciding with the date for other elections in the region. The election order must specify the dates after which nomination petitions for election of initial officers may be filed.
(e) A registered voter who has been a resident within the area of the proposed authority for 30 days before the date of election may vote.
(f) If creation of an authority is approved, the director of elections shall, within 10 days of certification, order an election to choose the five initially elected members of the board of governors of the authority. The election shall be held not less than 60 or more than 90 days after the date of the election order. The initially elected members of the board of governors shall take office on the first Monday following certification of their election. Two of the initially elected members shall be designated by lot to serve for a term expiring on the first day of the second November after the date of their election; two of the initially elected members shall be designated by lot to serve for a term expiring on the first day of the third November after the date of their election; and one of the initially elected members shall be designated by lot to serve for a term expiring on the first day of the fourth November after the date of election.
(g) Nominations for elected members are made by petition. The petition must be in the form prescribed by the director of elections and include the name and address of the nominee and the statement of the nominee that the nominee is qualified under this chapter for the office of member of the board of governors of the authority. A nomination petition must include the signature and resident address of 20 voters in the area of the authority. The director of elections shall supervise the elections in the general manner prescribed by AS 15 (Alaska Election Code). The state shall pay all election costs under this chapter.
(h) A copy of each petition for the creation of an authority and of the certificate of the director of elections as to the election shall be filed in the office of the director of elections. Upon proof of filing the authority referred to shall, in any suit, action, or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of, or relating to, any contract or obligation or act of the authority, be conclusively presumed to have been lawfully and properly created as a public body corporate and politic and established and authorized to transact business and exercise its powers under this chapter.
Sec. 30.13.020. Board of governors.
(a) The authority shall be governed by a board of governors consisting of eight members, five of whom shall be elected and three of whom shall be appointed by the governor. Elections of members to succeed those initially elected under AS 30.13.010 (f) shall be held on the first Tuesday of October of each year in which a term expires. Terms of elected members shall be two years.
(b) Nominations for elected members to succeed those initially elected under AS 30.13.010 (f) shall be in accordance with the procedures set out in AS 30.13.010 (g).
(c) The three members appointed by the governor shall be the commissioner of transportation and public facilities and the heads of two other principal departments of the executive branch.
(d) The members of the board of governors shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members. Five members of the board of governors, one of whom shall be a member appointed under (c) of this section, constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Action may be taken and motions or resolutions adopted by the board of governors at a meeting at which a quorum is present by vote of a majority of the members present, unless the bylaws of an authority require a larger number. The board of governors may delegate to one or more of its officers, agents, or employees the powers and duties that it considers proper. The board of governors may appoint persons as officers it considers advisable, including an executive director, and may employ professional advisors, counsel, technical experts, agents, and other employees it considers advisable.
(e) A member of the board of governors of an authority may not vote on a resolution of the board relating to any agreement to be entered into by the authority under this chapter if the member is a party to the agreement or has a direct ownership or equity interest, beneficially or of record, exceeding one percent in, or is employed by, a firm, partnership, corporation, or association that is a party to the agreement. A resolution of the board that is approved by a majority of all the members who are not barred from voting under this subsection is a valid action of the authority for all purposes.
(f) The board of governors may hold meetings by teleconference.
Sec. 30.13.030. Purpose of an authority.
The purpose of an authority shall be the improvement, establishment, and development of facilities in its district for transportation purposes in connection with natural resource enterprises, either directly or by agreement with any public or private entity or person.
Sec. 30.13.040. Powers of an authority.
Subject to AS 30.13.050 and AS 30.13.130 , in furtherance of its corporate purposes under AS 30.13.030 , an authority has the power to
(1) sue and be sued;
(2) have a seal and alter it at its pleasure;
(3) adopt and amend bylaws for its organization and internal management;
(4) adopt regulations governing the exercise of its corporate powers;
(5) acquire, rent, hold, use, and dispose of projects and other real and personal property necessary, useful, or convenient for its purposes upon the terms and conditions the authority may consider advisable;
(6) provide for and secure the payment of bonds and the rights of the holders of them, and to purchase, hold, and dispose of bonds;
(7) accept gifts, loans, or grants, including organizational grants, from, and enter into contracts or other transactions regarding them with, any federal, state, municipal, or other agency or instrumentality, private organization, or other person;
(8) deposit or invest its funds, subject to agreements with bondholders;
(9) charge and collect only those rents, rates, fees, or other charges that are necessary to pay for capital, maintenance, and operating costs of the services and facilities of the authority and for the establishment of reserves to secure, and for the payment of, bonds or notes or interest on bonds or notes;
(10) enter into contracts or other transactions with any federal, state, municipal, or other agency, or instrumentality, private organization, or person consistent with the exercise of any powers under this chapter; and
(11) do all things necessary and convenient to carry out its corporate purposes and exercise the powers granted in this chapter.
Sec. 30.13.050. Limitation on powers.
An authority has only those powers expressly granted in this chapter, reasonably implied from this chapter, or reasonably necessary or convenient to carry out its corporate purposes and to exercise the powers expressly granted in or reasonably implied from this chapter. An authority does not have powers of eminent domain, taxation, land use planning, zoning, permitting, or other similar governmental powers. An authority may not use state grants, appropriations, or other transfers from the state to satisfy bond obligations or otherwise establish collateral or security for bonds issued by the authority. An authority may not use rents, rates, fees, or other charges collected through operation of a facility owned by the authority to finance the improvement, establishment, and development of unrelated facilities.
Sec. 30.13.055. Consideration of projects to be financed.
(a) Before issuing bonds for any project under this chapter, an authority must find, on the basis of all information reasonably available to it, that
(1) the project and its development under this chapter will be economically advantageous to the state and the general public welfare and will contribute to the economic growth of the state and the region within which the authority may exercise its powers;
(2) the project is financially sound and can be expected to produce revenue adequate to repay the bonds with which it is financed; and
(3) the scope of the project is sufficient to provide a reasonable expectation of a benefit to the region and the economy of the state.
(b) An authority shall give fair and reasonable consideration to a project presented to it for financing. When the authority determines whether to finance or assist in the financing of the project, the authority shall state the reasons for its determination in a written resolution upon request by a person who presented the project to the authority or a person who presented opposition to the project. The authority shall base its reasons on the information presented to it concerning the project and on other information considered appropriate by the authority.
Sec. 30.13.060. Bonds of an authority.
(a) Subject to the provisions of AS 30.13.055 (a), an authority may borrow money and may issue revenue bonds, including but not limited to bonds on which the principal and interest are payable
(1) exclusively from the income and receipts or other money derived from the project financed with the proceeds of the bonds;
(2) exclusively from the income and receipts or other money derived from designated projects whether or not they are financed in whole or in part with the proceeds of the bonds; or
(3) from the income and receipts or assets generally, or a designated part or parts of them, of the authority or of any other person.
(b) Bonds shall be authorized by resolution of the authority, and be dated and shall mature as the resolution may provide, except that no bond may mature more than 40 years from the date of its issue. Bonds shall bear interest at the rate or rates, be in the denominations, be in the form, either coupon or registered, carry the registration privileges, be executed in the manner, be payable in the medium of payment, at the place or places, and be subject to the terms of redemption which the resolution or a subsequent resolution may provide.
(c) All bonds, regardless of form or character, shall be negotiable instruments for the purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code.
(d) All bonds may be sold at public or private sale in the manner, for the price or prices, and at the time or times that the authority may determine.
(e) The superior court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine suits, actions, or proceedings relating to an authority, including without limitation suits, actions, or proceedings brought to foreclose or otherwise enforce a mortgage, pledge, assignment, or security interest or brought by or for the benefit or security of a holder of its bonds or by a trustee for or other representative of the holders.
(f) Before issuing bonds for a project under this chapter an authority shall submit to the state bond committee a description of the bond issue and an independent economic feasibility analysis of the project and expected revenues. This information may be contained in a preliminary prospectus, offering circular, or official statement relating to the bond issue. Bonds may not be issued unless the state bond committee finds, based upon the information submitted by the authority under this subsection and other information that is reasonably available to it, that the project revenues can be reasonably expected to be adequate for payment of the principal and interest on the bonds to be issued if the bonds are to be secured by project revenues alone, and in any event that issuance of the bonds by the authority would not be expected to adversely affect the ability of the state or its political subdivisions to market bonds.
(g) The total principal sum of bonds issued under this section for all authorities formed under this chapter is $400,000,000 exclusive of refunding bonds.
Sec. 30.13.070. Trust indentures and trust agreements.
In the discretion of the authority, an issue of bonds may be secured by a trust indenture or trust agreement between the authority and a corporate trustee, that may be a trust company, bank, or national banking association, with corporate trust powers, located inside or outside the state, or by a secured loan agreement or other instrument or under a resolution giving powers to a corporate trustee, after this in this section referred to as "trust agreement", by means of which the authority may
(1) make and enter into the covenants and agreements with the trustee or the holders of the bonds that the authority determines necessary or desirable, including, without limitation, covenants, provisions, limitations, and agreements as to
(A) the application, investment, deposit, use, and disposition of the proceeds of the bonds of the authority or of money or other property of the authority or in which it has an interest;
(B) the fixing and collection of rents or other consideration for, and the other terms to be incorporated in an agreement with respect to a project;
(C) the assignment by the authority of its rights in a mortgage or other security interest created with respect to a project to a trustee for benefit of bondholders;
(D) the terms and conditions upon which additional bonds of the authority may be issued;
(E) the vesting in a trustee of rights, powers, duties, funds, or property in trust for the benefit of bondholders, including, without limitation, the right to enforce payment, performance, and all other rights of the authority or of the bondholders, under a lease, contract of sale, mortgage, security agreement, or trust agreement with respect to a project by mandamus or other proceeding or by taking possession of by agent or otherwise and operating a project and collecting rents or other consideration and applying the same in accordance with the trust agreement;
(2) pledge, mortgage, or assign money, leases, agreements, property, or other assets of the authority either presently in hand or to be received in the future, or both; and
(3) provide for any other matters that in any way affect the security or protection of the bonds.