Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board

Vessel stack with Alaska Flag © Emily Frederick / Alaska Marine Highway System

Description (+)

Description (-)

The board is composed of the deputy commissioner of transportation and public facilities assigned to the Alaska marine highway system and the following eight public members, each of whom must be a resident of the state. One representative, who may be retired, of a recognized union that represents employees of the Alaska marine highways system, appointed by the governor. One representative of an Alaska Native organization or tribe who is from a community served by the Alaska marine highway system, appointed by the governor; six public members who collectively have experience in enterprise, architecture, business operations, financial management, risk management, logistics, supply chain management, engineering, project management and controls, marine operations, strategy, regulatory compliance, ship maintenance, construction, and repair, quality management, continuous improvement, sales, marketing, communications, customer interface, or experience management; two of whom are appointed by the governor, two of whom are appointed by the Speaker and two of who are appointed by the Senate President.

Function (+)

Function (-)

The Board provides recommendations regarding the statewide transportation improvement program. The Board provides input on the short-term plan and a comprehensive long-range plan for development and improvement of the Alaska marine highway system. The short-term plan must be updated annually and the long-range plan at least every five years. The short term plan must describe the means by which effective and efficient progress toward priorities and goals defined in the comprehensive long-range plan will be attained, must include recommendations for the state operating and capital budgets, and must include a description of skill or competency gaps in the membership of the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board. The comprehensive long-range plan must include priorities and goals for the Alaska marine highway system and a proposed strategic maintenance and vessel replacement plan and may recommend performance measures, including output, efficiency, and effectiveness measures.

The board shall provide advice and recommendations to the commissioner of transportation and public facilities concerning the operation and management of the Alaska marine highway system, including advice and recommendations regarding business to enhance revenue and reduce costs, personnel management, commercial service options, ship maintenance, construction, and repair, fleet strategy, reliability, and regulatory compliance and other service objectives. If the board determines that the Alaska marine highway system has deviated from a plan, policy or procedure described in the short-term plan or comprehensive long-range plan, the board may prepare a report recommending corrective action. The board shall submit an electronic report recommending correction to the legislature and the governor and shall make the report available to the public.

The board may establish a task force that includes members who are not members of the board and that is tasked with investigating matters relevant to the Alaska marine highway system and reporting to the board. Members of a task force established under this subsection are not entitled to receive a salary, per diem, or travel expenses.

The board shall annually submit recommendations to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities regarding the preparation of the statewide transportation improvement program.

Prohibitions (+)

Prohibitions (-)

A majority of the membership of the board may remove a member, except for the deputy commissioner of transportation and public facilities, if that member misses more than two meetings in a calendar year and has not been previously excused. Members appointed by the Speaker serve at the pleasure of the Speaker. Members appointed by the Senate President serve at the pleasure of the Senate President.

Special Facts (+)

Special Facts (-)

The members of the board, except for the deputy commissioner of transportation and public facilities, shall serve staggered six-year terms. If a vacancy arises on the board, the governor, Senate president or Speaker as applicable shall within 30 days after the vacancy arises appoint a person to serve the balance of the unexpired term.

Meetings (+)

Meetings (-)

The board shall meet at least 2-4 times each year. Meeting information can be found in the Engage Portal

Contact (+)

Contact (-)

AMHOB Board
Alaska Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 112500
Juneau, AK 99811
amhob@alaska.gov

Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities