Sec. 43.76.170. - Amendment of dive fishery management assessment.

(a) The rate of the dive fishery management assessment levied on a species of fishery resources under AS 43.76.150 (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) may be amended by the commissioner of revenue upon majority vote at an election held under AS 43.76.160 in the administrative area in which the dive fishery management assessment is levied.

(b) The commissioner of revenue shall amend the rate of a dive fishery management assessment under (a) of this section following an election in an administrative area if

(1) a petition, that is signed by at least 25 percent of the number of persons who voted under AS 43.76.160 in the most recent election approving or amending the dive fishery management assessment on the species of fishery resources in the administrative area that are the subject of the petition, is presented to the commissioner of fish and game requesting amendment of the rate of the dive fishery management assessment on a species of fishery resources; the petition must state whether the proposed rate of the dive fishery management assessment is to be levied under AS 43.76.150 (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h); only a person who would be eligible to vote in an election to amend the rate of the assessment may validly sign the petition;

(2) an election is held in accordance with AS 43.76.160 ; the ballot must ask the question whether the dive fishery management assessment on a species of fishery resources taken in the administrative area shall be amended and must state whether the dive fishery management assessment on the species of fishery resources is to be levied under AS 43.76.150(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) if the assessment is amended; the ballot must be worded so that a "yes" vote is for amendment of the dive fishery management assessment and a "no" vote is for continuation of the current dive fishery management assessment;

(3) a majority of the eligible interim-use permit and entry permit holders who vote in the election cast a ballot for the amendment of the dive fishery management assessment; in this paragraph, "eligible interim-use permit and entry permit holders" has the meaning given in AS 43.76.160 ; and

(4) the qualified regional dive fishery development association provides notice of the election in accordance with AS 43.76.160 within two months after receiving notice from the commissioner of fish and game that a valid petition under (1) of this subsection has been received.