AlaskaAlaska measure sets monitoring rules and separates Cook Inlet fishing areas
Starting in 2027, the fish commissioner may require monitoring on some trawl vessels, while Cook Inlet set net permit holders face new area and reassignment rules.
What it does
The fish commissioner may require electronic monitoring on state finfish trawl vessels only after making written findings about existing equipment, practical use, and reasonable cost. Participating fishers cannot be charged for the program.
The entry commission must set apart six east-side Cook Inlet areas for set net permits. A permit for the broader Cook Inlet area will not cover them unless the commission reassigns it.
Starting January 1, 2027, permit holders who prove recent fishing in the listed areas must receive permits for the new area. Some holders may use a family member's record for renewal, and holders may appeal certain commission decisions.
Argument forElectronic monitoring could help gather data or enforce fishing rules while the written findings and no-charge rule limit equipment costs for participating fishers.
Argument againstPermit holders without proof of recent fishing in the listed areas could lose access there unless the commission reassigns their permits.
More detail
The fish commissioner may require electronic monitoring on vessels in a state commercial finfish trawl fishery. The rule covers vessels registered in a state commercial finfish trawl fishery. Before starting a program, the commissioner must find in writing that vessels already have monitoring systems for a federally managed fishery and will not need extra equipment. The commissioner must also find monitoring is practical, will not unduly disrupt fishing, can be done at a reasonable cost, and can be coordinated with other agencies. The commissioner may not charge participating fishers to fund the program. These provisions take effect January 1, 2027.
The entry commission must establish a separate administrative area for east-side Cook Inlet set net permits. The separate area covers statistical areas 244-21, 244-22, 244-31, 244-32, 244-41, and 244-42 in the Upper Subdistrict of the Cook Inlet Central District. A permit for the Cook Inlet administrative area does not allow commercial set net fishing in the separate area unless the commission reassigns it. The provision takes effect January 1, 2027.
The entry commission must reassign a permit to the new area when a permit holder proves qualifying participation in the fishery. These rules apply to individuals holding permits to commercially set net in the Cook Inlet administrative area. Participation must be in the listed east-side areas within the five years before December 31, 2024. The commission decides whether proof is satisfactory. For renewal into the Cook Inlet set net area, a holder who got a permit from an immediate family member may use that family member's participation as proof. A person may appeal if the commission renews their permit for the broader area instead of issuing one for the new area. The appeal must be filed in superior court by March 1, 2027, and the commission must provide a provisional permit during the appeal. Renewals and reassignments begin January 1, 2027. Appeals must be filed by March 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 20(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTERLatest
- Jun 20(H) LAW W/O GOVERNOR SIGNATURE 6/18 CHAPTER 7 SLA 26Major
- Jun 4(H) MANIFEST ERROR(S)
- Jun 4(H) 10:44 A.M. 6/1/26 Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- May 17(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
- Vote recorded (H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y40 #2745. Result: pass.Lower
- May 17(H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y40
- May 17(H) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 29
- May 17(H) CONCUR MESSAGE TAKEN UP
- May 17(H) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND HELD
- May 16(S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 117(RES)
- Vote recorded (S) PASSED Y19 N- E1 #2691. Result: pass.Upper
- May 16(S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDEDMajor
- May 16(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
- May 16(S) PASSED Y19 N- E1Major
- May 16(S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 117(RES)Minor
- May 15(S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/16 CALMinor
- May 15(S) RES SCS ADOPTED UC
- May 15(S) READ THE SECOND TIMEMinor
- May 15(S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/15/2026
- May 14(S) FN7: ZERO(DPS)
- May 14(S) FN6: ZERO(DFG)
- May 14(S) FN5: ZERO(DFG)
- May 14(S) AM: KAWASAKI
- May 14(S) NR: RAUSCHER, MYERS
- May 14(S) DP: GIESSEL, DUNBAR, CLAMAN, WIELECHOWSKI
- May 14(S) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 29
- May 14(S) RES RPT SCS 4DP 2NR 1AM NEW TITLE
- May 12(S) Minutes (SRES)
- May 12(S) Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 5/12/26 at 9:00 am
- May 12(S) RESOURCES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
- May 12(S) Moved SCS CSHB 117(RES) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --
- May 12(S) RESOURCES at 09:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
- May 6(S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
- May 6(S) RESOURCES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
- Apr 21(S) Minutes (SRES)
- Apr 21(S) Moved SCS CSHB 117(RES) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --
- Apr 21(S) RESOURCES at 09:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
- Apr 20(S) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --
- Apr 20(S) RESOURCES at 09:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
- Apr 7(S) RES
- Apr 7(S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALSMinor
- Apr 1(H) VERSION: CSHB 117(RES)
- Vote recorded (H) PASSED Y39 E1 #2022. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 1(H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)Passed Senate
- Apr 1(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
- Apr 1(H) PASSED Y39 E1Passed House
- Apr 1(H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 117(RES)Minor
- Mar 30(H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 4/1 CALENDARMinor
- Mar 30(H) RES CS ADOPTED UC
- Mar 30(H) FN4: ZERO(DPS)(SUBMITTED BY RULES)
- Mar 30(H) FN3: ZERO(DFG)(SUBMITTED BY RULES)
- Mar 30(H) READ THE SECOND TIMEMinor
- Mar 30(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 3/30/2026
- 2025
- Apr 7(H) FN2: ZERO(DPS)
- Apr 7(H) FN1: ZERO(DFG)
- Apr 7(H) DP: COULOMBE, HALL, SADDLER, MEARS, BURKE, DIBERT
- Apr 7(H) RES RPT CS(RES) 6DP
- Apr 4(H) Minutes (HRES)
- Apr 4(H) Moved CSHB 117(RES) Out of Committee
- Apr 4(H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124
- Mar 28(H) Minutes (HRES)
- Mar 28(H) Heard & Held
- Mar 28(H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124
- Mar 24(H) Minutes (HRES)
- Mar 24(H) Heard & Held
- Mar 24(H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124
- Mar 21(H) -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --
- Mar 21(H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124
- Mar 13(H) Minutes (HFSH)
- Mar 13(H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
- Mar 13(H) FISHERIES at 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
- Mar 11(H) Minutes (HFSH)
- Mar 11(H) Moved HB 117 Out of Committee
- Mar 11(H) FISHERIES at 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
- Mar 11(H) FN2: ZERO(DPS)
- Mar 11(H) FN1: ZERO(DFG)
- Mar 11(H) NR: EDGMON
- Mar 11(H) DP: VANCE, KOPP, HIMSCHOOT, ELAM, MCCABE, STUTES
- Mar 11(H) FSH RPT 6DP 1NR
- Mar 6(H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
- Mar 6(H) FISHERIES at 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
- Mar 4(H) Minutes (HFSH)
- Mar 4(H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --
- Mar 4(H) FISHERIES at 10:30 AM GRUENBERG 120
- Mar 1(H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
- Mar 1(H) FISHERIES at 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
- Feb 26(H) FSH, RES
- Feb 26(H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALSIntroduced
Agriculture