I, Mike Dunleavy, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority of Article III, Sections 1 and 24, of the State of Alaska Constitution and AS 44.19.145(c), establish the Alaska Marine Highway Reshaping Work Group (Work Group).
Background
The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) currently extends across 3,500 miles of coastline and provides service to over 30 communities.
Purpose
The Work Group shall make recommendations on the future finances and service levels of the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS).
Duties
The Work Group will consider the analysis and data in the Alaska Marine Highway System Economic Reshaping Report (January 15, 2020), current and past service levels, travel demand, cost of service, regional economic importance, labor contracts, current and potential service providers, and other available information. The Work Group will define the future needs and purpose of the AMHS, with the goal to ensure residents have access to essential transportation services among Alaskan coastal communities.
Recommendations from the Work Group may include ports of call; levels of service; tariffs; contracting options; fleet size, type, maintenance, and replacement; governance and labor contract requirements.
The Work Group will submit recommendations to the Governor by September 30, 2020 with implementation beginning in FY 2023 (July 1, 2022).
Membership
The Work Group will consist of nine members who are appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor. There will be a two-week recruitment process. The Work Group will be comprised of the following:
- The Chairperson or his/her designee from the Marine Transportation Advisory Board established by AS 19.65.110.
- The Chairperson or his/her designee from the Aviation Advisory Board established by AS 44.42.200.
- The Chairperson or his/her designee from the Roads & Highways Advisory Board established by Administrative Order 287.
- Three members from the general public representing areas of broad statewide public interest.
- The Governor requests that the Work Group include two members of the Legislature – to be selected jointly by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House with one member from a coastal region served by AMHS and one from a region not served by AMHS.
- The Governor requests that one member be a representative chosen from one of the three marine unions that are signatory to collective bargaining agreements with the State of Alaska (International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots; Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association; Inland Boatman’s Union). The three organizations will collaborate on selecting a nominee and forward that name to the Governor for consideration.
A majority of the appointed members of the Work Group shall constitute a quorum for conducting business. Final recommendations to the Governor require participation by all members of the Work Group.
The Governor shall appoint the Chairperson of the Work Group.
Work Group members do not receive compensation as members of the Work Group; however, per diem and travel expenses authorized for boards and commissions.
Administrative Support
Administrative Support will be the responsibility of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The Work Group will be given a budget and six months to complete its recommendations.
Other Provisions
The Work Group may set operating procedures and establish committees, as it considers appropriate. Meetings of the Work Group and any committee formed by the Work Group shall comply with AS 44.62.310 – 44.62.319 (Open Meetings Act). Records are subject to inspection and copying as public records under AS 40.25.100 – 40.25.295 (Alaska Public Records Act).
Duration
This Order takes effect immediately, and sunsets on October 1, 2020.
Dated this 17th day of January, 2020.
/s/Michael J. Dunleavy
Governor
