An Act relating to administrative areas for regulation of certain commercial set net entry permits; and providing for an effective date.

SB 158 creates a new administrative area on the east side of Cook Inlet for regulating commercial set net fishing permits, defined by specific statistical zones (244-21, 244-22, 244-31, 244-32, 244-41, and 244-42) as of January 1, 2024. Existing permits for the broader Cook Inlet area no longer cover this new zone unless reassigned, requiring permit holders to prove they fished in these specific zones during the five years ending December 31, 2024 (using documents like shore leases or fishing records). Reassignment occurs automatically on January 1, 2026, for qualifying permit holders, with an appeal option to superior court by March 1, 2026, for those denied. The bill directly affects commercial fishers holding Cook Inlet permits seeking to operate in the newly defined east Cook Inlet area.