(a) Unless otherwise provided by law,

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Terms Used In Alaska Statutes 28.10.421

  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • commercial purposes: means activities for which a person receives direct monetary compensation or activities for which a person receives no direct monetary compensation but that are incidental to and done in furtherance of the person's business. See Alaska Statutes 28.90.990
  • commissioner: means the commissioner of administration. See Alaska Statutes 28.90.990
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • department: means the Department of Administration. See Alaska Statutes 28.90.990
  • Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • highway: means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way that is publicly maintained when a part of it is open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel, including but not limited to every street and the Alaska state marine highway system but not vehicular ways or areas. See Alaska Statutes 28.90.990
  • license: when used in relation to driver licensing, means a license, provisional license, or permit to drive a motor vehicle, or the privilege to drive or to obtain a license to drive a motor vehicle, under the laws of this state whether or not a person holds a valid license issued in this or another jurisdiction. See Alaska Statutes 28.90.990
  • low-speed vehicle: means a motor vehicle that has four wheels, that was manufactured to be capable of propelling itself and achieving a minimum speed of 20 miles an hour and a maximum speed of 25 miles an hour, that has not been modified to have a maximum speed greater than 25 miles an hour, and that meets weight, equipment, and safety standards set by the department by regulation. See Alaska Statutes 28.90.990
  • motor vehicle: means a vehicle which is self-propelled except a vehicle moved by human or animal power. See Alaska Statutes 28.90.990
  • motor-driven cycle: means a motorcycle, motor scooter, motorized bicycle, or similar conveyance with a motor attached and having an engine with 50 or less cubic centimeters of displacement. See Alaska Statutes 28.90.990
  • motorcycle: means a vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. See Alaska Statutes 28.90.990
  • municipality: means a political subdivision incorporated under the laws of the state that is a home rule or general law city, a home rule or general law borough, or a unified municipality. See Alaska Statutes 01.10.060
  • owner: means a person, other than a lienholder, having the property in or title to a vehicle, including but not limited to a person entitled to the use and possession of a vehicle subject to a security interest in another person, but exclusive of a lessee under a lease not intended as security. See Alaska Statutes 28.90.990
  • person: includes a corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, organization, business trust, or society, as well as a natural person. See Alaska Statutes 01.10.060
  • property: includes real and personal property. See Alaska Statutes 01.10.060
  • state: means the State of Alaska unless applied to the different parts of the United States and in the latter case it includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Alaska Statutes 01.10.060
  • vehicle: means a device in, upon, or by which a person or property may be transported or drawn upon or immediately over a highway or vehicular way or area. See Alaska Statutes 28.90.990
(1) the fees prescribed in this section shall be paid to the department at the times provided under Alaska Stat. § 28.10.108 and 28.10.111;
(2) an additional fee of $10 shall be added to the registration fee set out in this section for registration not conducted by mail, on the department’s Internet website, or at an emissions inspection station or contract office offering vehicle registration services; the department may waive this additional fee for a good cause based on criteria established in regulations adopted by the department; and
(3) an additional fee in an amount not to exceed $50 shall be added to the registration fee set out in this section for a vehicle registration plate celebrating the arts under Alaska Stat. § 28.10.161 (b)(1)(C); the Alaska State Council on the Arts shall determine the fee required under this paragraph in regulation; the additional fee shall be collected only on the first issuance of the special request plates; the commissioner of administration shall separately account for the fees received under this paragraph that the department deposits in the general fund; notwithstanding (g) of this section, the annual estimated balance in the account that is in excess of the cost of issuing the vehicle registration plate celebrating the arts may be appropriated by the legislature to the arts and cultural investment fund established in Alaska Stat. § 44.27.059.
(b) The biennial registration fees under this subsection are imposed within the following classifications for

(1) a vehicle not exceeding 10,000 pounds unladen weight as established by the manufacturer’s advertised weight or on the actual weight, which the owner shall furnish, subject to the approval of the commissioner or the commissioner’s representative that is a

(A) passenger vehicle, low-speed vehicle, pick-up truck, truck, or van not used or maintained for the transportation of persons or property for hire or for other commercial use and not registered in the name of a company or business ….. $100;
(B) a taxicab ….. $160;
(2) a motor home not used or maintained for the transportation of persons or property for hire or for other commercial use and not registered in the name of a company or business ….. $100;
(3) a motor bus with a seating capacity of

(A) less than 20 persons and used exclusively for commercial purposes in the transporting of visitors or tourists ….. $100;
(B) 20 or more persons and used exclusively for commercial purposes in the transporting of visitors or tourists ….. $300;
(4) a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle ….. $60.
(5) [Repealed by 2014 amendment.]
(c) The biennial registration fees under this subsection are imposed for a vehicle not subject to registration under (b) of this section and are based on the actual unladen weight as established by the manufacturer’s advertised weight or on the actual weight, which the owner shall furnish, subject to the approval of the commissioner or the commissioner’s representative, as follows:

(1) up to and including 5,000 pounds ….. $180;
(2) more than 5,000 pounds to and including 12,000 pounds ….. $268;
(3) more than 12,000 pounds to and including 18,000 pounds ….. $516;
(4) more than 18,000 pounds ….. $662.
(d) The special registration fees under this subsection are imposed biennially, unless otherwise specified, for

(1) a historic vehicle registered under

(A)Alaska Stat. § 28.10.181 (b)(1) and that is driven or moved on a highway for the primary purpose of historical exhibition or similar activity, one time only upon initial registration under Alaska Stat. § 28.10.181 (b) ….. $10;
(B)Alaska Stat. § 28.10.181 (b)(2) ….. $30 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b) of this section, unless the historic vehicle is eligible for the fee described under (C) of this paragraph; the fee required by this subparagraph shall be collected only on the first issuance and on the replacement of the historic plates;
(C)Alaska Stat. § 28.10.181 (b)(2) and that is driven or moved on a highway for the primary purpose of historical exhibition or similar activity, one time only upon initial registration under Alaska Stat. § 28.10.181 (b) ….. $10;
(2) special request plates for

(A) Alaska National Guard personnel………………………… $30;
(B) veterans, retired veterans, or Lao veterans……………. $30;
(C) recipients of the Purple Heart……………………………. none;
(D) recipients of the Bronze Star awarded for valor, Silver Star, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, Coast Guard Cross, or other award reflecting valor………………………………… $30;
(E) owners of custom collector vehicles…………………….. $50;
(F) Iditarod race finishers…………………………………. $50;
(G) other special request plates…………………………. $30;

plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b) of this section; the fee required by this paragraph shall be collected only on the first issuance and on the replacement of special request plates;

(3) a vehicle owned by a person with a disability and registered under Alaska Stat. § 28.10.181 (d), or by a resident 65 years of age or older who files a written application for an exemption on a form prescribed by the department ….. none;
(4) a vehicle owned by the state ….. none;
(5) a vehicle owned by an elected state official ….. the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section;
(6) a vehicle owned by a rancher, farmer, or dairyman and registered under Alaska Stat. § 28.10.181….. $68;
(7) a snowmobile or off-highway vehicle ….. $10;
(8) an amateur mobile radio station vehicle,

(A) with a transceiver capable of less than 5-band operation ….. the fee required for that vehicle under (b) or (c) of this section;
(B) in recognition of service to the public a mobile amateur radio station owned by an amateur with general class or higher license, provided the station must be satisfactorily proved capable of operating on at least five bands from 160 through 10 meters, must have an antenna, and must have a power supply and wiring as a permanent part of the vehicle; the transmitting unit may be removed from the car for service or dry storage ….. none for a mobile amateur radio station vehicle included in (b)(1)(A) of this section;
(9) dealer registration plates

(A) the initial plate …………………….. $88;
(B) each subsequent plate …………… $50;
(10) a vehicle owned by a municipality or charitable organization meeting the requirements of Alaska Stat. § 28.10.181 (e) ….. $10;
(11) a vehicle owned by a Pearl Harbor survivor, a former prisoner of war, a recipient of the Medal of Honor awarded by the President of the United States in the name of the United States Congress, or the spouse, parent, guardian, brother, sister, or dependent of a member of the United States armed forces killed in the line of duty ….. none;
(12) special request university plates ….. $50 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the fee required by this paragraph shall be collected only on the first issuance and on the replacement of special request plates; the commissioner of administration shall separately account by university campus designation for the fees received under this paragraph that the department deposits in the general fund; the annual estimated balance in the accounts that is in excess of the cost of issuing special request university plates may be appropriated by the legislature for the support of programs at each campus;
(13) special request dog mushing plates ….. $50 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the fee required by this paragraph shall be collected only on the first issuance and on the replacement of special request plates; the commissioner of administration shall separately account for the fees received under this paragraph that the department deposits in the general fund; notwithstanding (g) of this section, the annual estimated balance in the account that is in excess of the cost of issuing special request plates may be appropriated by the legislature for the support of programs benefiting dog mushing;
(14) special request Alaska children’s trust plates ….. $100 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the fee required by this paragraph shall be collected only on the first issuance and the replacement of special request plates; the commissioner of administration shall separately account for the fees received under this paragraph that the department deposits in the general fund; notwithstanding (g) of this section, the annual estimated balance in the account that is in excess of the cost of issuing special request plates may be appropriated by the legislature into the Alaska children’s trust grant account established in Alaska Stat. § 37.14.205;
(15) [Repealed by 2018 amendment.]
(16) special request plates commemorating Alaska veterans ….. $100 plus a fee of $35 and the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the $100 fee required by this paragraph shall be collected only on the first issuance of and the replacement of the commemorative veterans’ plates; the $35 fee required by this paragraph shall be collected biennially in the same manner as the fee required under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the commissioner of administration shall separately account for the fees received under this paragraph that the department deposits in the general fund; notwithstanding (g) of this section, the annual estimated balance in the account that is in excess of the cost of issuing special request plates may be appropriated by the legislature to the Alaska veterans’ cemetery fund created under Alaska Stat. § 37.05.600 and for the support of programs benefiting Alaska veterans;
(17) special request plates commemorating and supporting troops ….. $40 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the $40 fee required by this paragraph shall be collected on issuance and biennial renewal in the same manner as the fee required under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the commissioner of administration shall separately account for the fees received under this paragraph that the department deposits in the general fund; notwithstanding (g) of this section, the annual estimated balance in the account that is in excess of the cost of issuing special request plates may be appropriated by the legislature to the organization for which the specialty license plate was purchased for the benefit of Alaska troops and their families;
(18) special request plates for firefighter and emergency medical service provider ….. $30;

plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the fee required by this paragraph shall be collected only on the first issuance of and the replacement of the plates;

(19) special request fraternal organization member plates ….. $50 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the $50 fee required by this paragraph shall be collected only on the first issuance of and the replacement of the plates.
(20) special request United States flag “In God We Trust” plates ….. $30 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the fee required by this paragraph shall be collected biennially in the same manner as the fee required under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section;
(21) special request National Rifle Association plates ….. $50 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the $50 fee required by this paragraph shall be collected only on the first issuance and the replacement of the special request plates; a $30 fee shall be collected biennially thereafter in the same manner as the fee required under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the commissioner shall separately account for the fees received under this paragraph that the department deposits into the general fund; notwithstanding (g) of this section, the annual estimated balance in the account that is in excess of the cost of issuing special request plates may be appropriated by the legislature to establish and maintain a scholastic clay target program and for other youth shooting programs;
(22) special request breast cancer awareness plates ….. $50 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the $50 fee required by this paragraph shall be collected only on the first issuance and the replacement of the special request plates; the commissioner shall separately account for the fees received under this paragraph that the department deposits into the general fund; notwithstanding (g) of this section, the annual estimated balance in the account that is in excess of the cost of issuing special request plates may be appropriated by the legislature to programs that provide screening for breast and cervical cancer;
(23) special request “Choose Life” plates ….. $30 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the fee required by this paragraph shall be collected biennially in the same manner as the fee required under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the commissioner shall separately account for the fees received under this paragraph that the department deposits in the general fund; the annual estimated balance in the account that is in excess of the cost of issuing special request “Choose Life” plates may be appropriated by the legislature to programs supporting or benefiting adoption;
(24) special request “Pro-Family, Pro-Choice” plates ….. $30 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the fee required by this paragraph shall be collected biennially in the same manner as the fee required under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the commissioner shall separately account for the fees received under this paragraph that the department deposits in the general fund; the annual estimated balance in the account that is in excess of the cost of issuing special request “Pro-Family, Pro-Choice” plates may be appropriated to the Alaska Children’s Trust (Alaska Stat. § 37.14.200).
(25) special request Blood Bank of Alaska plates…………………….. $50 plus the fee required for that vehicle under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the fee required by this paragraph shall be collected biennially in the same manner as the fee required under (b), (c), (h), or (i) of this section; the commissioner of administration shall separately account for the fees received under this paragraph that the department deposits in the general fund; notwithstanding (g) of this section, the annual estimated balance in the account that is in excess of the cost of issuing special request plates may be appropriated by the legislature to the Blood Bank of Alaska.
(e) A vehicle registered under this section which, by the removal of seats, a camper unit, a canopy or other equipment, may be converted into a vehicle on which the registration fee is computed on a different basis or in a different amount may not be driven or moved with seats, camper unit, canopy or other equipment removed unless the other applicable registration fee is paid.
(f) In addition to the fees imposed under (b) and (d) of this section, the following special biennial registration fee is imposed upon renewal of registration for a passenger vehicle, motor home, pick-up truck, or a van with special request Winter Olympics commemorative plates ….. $60.
(g) The fees collected by the department under this section shall be deposited in the general fund. The Department of Administration shall separately account for three percent of the fees collected under this section and deposited in the general fund. The annual estimated balance in the account may be used by the legislature to make appropriations for administration of Alaska Stat. § 28.10.021 (a) and Alaska Stat. Chapter 28.22 (Alaska Mandatory Automobile Insurance Act).
(h) The annual registration fees under this subsection for vehicles, including low-speed vehicles, used for commercial purposes are imposed and are based upon the actual unladen weight as established by the manufacturer’s advertised weight or upon the actual weight, which the owner shall furnish, subject to the approval of the commissioner or the commissioner’s representative, as follows:

(1) up to and including 5,000 pounds ….. $90;
(2) more than 5,000 pounds to and including 12,000 pounds ….. $134;
(3) more than 12,000 pounds to and including 18,000 pounds ….. $258;
(4) more than 18,000 pounds ….. $331.
(i) A one-time registration fee of $20 is imposed upon initial registration for a trailer or semi-trailer used for commercial purposes.
(j) When a person registers a trailer not used or maintained for the transportation of persons or property for hire or for other commercial use, including a boat trailer, baggage trailer, box trailer, utility trailer, house trailer, travel trailer, or trailer rented or offered for rent, the person may choose to pay a biennial registration fee of $30 or, if the person resides within the unorganized borough or in a municipality that elects, by passage of an appropriate ordinance, to allow the permanent registration of motor vehicles, to register the trailer permanently. If the person permanently registers the trailer, the person shall pay the biennial registration fee plus a permanent registration fee of $25. If the person permanently registers the trailer, no additional registration fees are required if the same person who initially registered the trailer continues to own the trailer. A new owner of a trailer previously registered under this subsection shall register and pay the biennial registration fee or the permanent registration fee as provided in this subsection. The motor vehicle registration tax for a permanently registered trailer is the rate established for permanent trailer registration under AS 28.10.431(j). If a municipality has not established a tax for a permanently registered trailer, the biennial rate established in AS 28.10.431(b) or (j), if any, is levied upon the trailer and is payable only once at the time a trailer is permanently registered. If the person pays the registration tax as required by this subsection and AS 28.10.431, no additional registration taxes are required if the same person who initially registered the trailer continues to own the trailer.