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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

SB158

Creating a New Fishing Zone on the East Side of Cook Inlet

Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law creates a new administrative area for commercial set net fishing on the east side of Cook Inlet and sets rules to reassign existing permits into this zone starting in 2027.

What it does

  • Creates a distinct administrative area separate from the main Cook Inlet zone covering specific statistical areas (244-21, 244-22, 244-31, 244-32, 244-41, and 244-42) on the east side of the inlet.
  • States that current permits for the general Cook Inlet area do not automatically allow fishing in this new zone unless the commission reassigns them.
  • Allows permit holders to have their permits reassigned into the new administrative area if they prove participation in those waters within five years before December 31, 2024.
  • Defines 'immediate family member' for cases where a person acquired a permit from a relative who fished in these areas.
  • Provides an appeal process to state superior court by March 1, 2027, if the commission decides not to assign a permit to the new area.

Who it affects

  • Commercial fishermen holding set net entry permits for Cook Inlet
  • The Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
  • Individuals who acquired fishing permits from immediate family members

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how many new entry permits will be issued or if there is a limit on their number.
  • The text defines proof of participation but lists only examples like leases, area registrations, buoy tags, and previous fishing statistics rather than an exhaustive list.

Plain language

Terms to know

Entry permit
A legal document that allows a person to fish commercially in specific areas.
Set net
A type of fishing gear used by commercial fishermen, which this law regulates.
Administrative area
A defined geographic zone where specific rules apply for issuing permits and managing the fishery.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

COOK INLET: NEW ADMIN AREA An Act relating to administrative areas for regulation of certain commercial set net entry permits; 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) Heard & Held -- Delayed to 10:30 AM --Text
  5. (H) FISHERIES at 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120Text
  6. (H) REFERRED TO FISHERIES1908
  7. (H) FSH, RES1908
  8. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1908
  9. (S) VERSION: SB 158 AM2000
  10. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)2004
  11. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE2000
  12. (S) PASSED Y17 N- E32000
  13. (S) AUTOMATICALLY IN THIRD READING2000
  14. (S) AM NO 1 ADOPTED UC2000
  15. (S) RETURN TO SECOND FOR AMS UC1999
  16. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SB 1581999
  17. (S) COSPONSOR(S): DUNBAR1978
  18. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 3/20 CAL1975
  19. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME1975
  20. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 3/18/20261975

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

AM 1

This amendment delays the start dates for new fishing permit rules in Cook Inlet from early 2026 to early 2027.