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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB356

Alaska Coastal Micro-Fisheries Act

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law creates new rules to simplify health and permit requirements for small commercial fishing boats in Alaska.

What it does

  • Exempts qualifying vessels from extra health and sanitary rules if they meet safety standards, including federal food safety rules.
  • Allows up to 5,000 pounds of fish to be packaged and frozen on the boat during each trip for qualifying vessels.
  • Limits annual permit fees to $100 for small boats that catch less than 10,000 pounds of fish per year and hold a direct marketing fisheries business license.
  • Requires state agencies to simplify regulations for specific types of commercial fishers using smaller vessels or those under 65 feet in length.
  • Sets a deadline for officials to approve or deny permits within 30 days.

Who it affects

  • Commercial fishers who use boats under 50 feet long and catch less than 10,000 pounds annually.
  • Commercial fishers using boats up to 65 feet in length.
  • Fishers operating from rural coastal communities.

Limits and unknowns

  • Vessels must meet specific safety standards, including federal food safety rules (21 C.F.R. Part 123).
  • Fishers can only harvest species that have a low risk of spreading pests or disease.
  • The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Plain language

Terms to know

Direct marketing fisheries business license
A permit issued under state law that allows a fisher to process and sell their catch directly, which is required for certain fee limits and regulatory simplifications in this act.
Department of Environmental Conservation
The state agency responsible for setting health rules, issuing permits, and determining if vessels meet safety standards under this law.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS\MICRO-FISHERY An Act relating to health and sanitary requirements and certain permits for commercial fishing vessels; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) Minutes (HFSH)Min
  2. (H) Heard & HeldText
  3. (H) FISHERIES at 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120Text
  4. (H) -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- MEETING CANCELED --Text
  5. (H) FISHERIES at 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120Text
  6. (H) REFERRED TO FISHERIES1690
  7. (H) FSH, L&C1690
  8. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1690