Alaska Senate passes bill to ease classic car import registration

The Alaska State Senate voted 20-0 Wednesday to pass legislation that modernizes the state's motor vehicle registration laws for legally imported classic vehicles.

Senate Bill 239 aligns Alaska's titling process with the federal 25-year rolling exemption for imported vehicles. It replaces an outdated fixed cutoff date that has blocked collectors and everyday Alaskans from registering legally imported classics. The change brings Alaska in line with 46 other states and carries no fiscal impact.

Sen. Cathy Tilton introduced the bill February 11 with cosponsors Myers, Kawasaki, Bjorkman, and Cronk. Later cosponsors included Rauscher, Kaufman, Merrick, and Yundt. The bill came after a constituent who had titled one imported vehicle was blocked from titling a second. That block stemmed from a regulation drafted more than 20 years ago that did not align with federal law and began being arbitrarily enforced about a year ago, according to the bill's sponsor.

"For too long, our statutes have relied on an outdated fixed cutoff date that was never correctly aligned with federal law," Tilton said on the Senate floor. "Right now, collectors, enthusiasts, and everyday Alaskans who want to bring in an imported classic vehicle that is 25 years or older and fully compliant with federal import laws are hitting unnecessary roadblocks at the DMV."

The bill removes red tape without compromising safety standards. It benefits Alaskan families, small businesses that restore and sell classic vehicles, and collectors, supporters said.

The Senate Transportation Committee heard the bill in February and moved it out of committee March 24. Public testimony was received through March 24. The Transportation Committee report on March 25 included one "do pass" recommendation from Bjorkman and three "no recommendation" votes from Kiehl, Stedman, and Tobin.

The State Affairs Committee moved the bill forward April 21 with an amendment by Kawasaki. The committee report on April 22 included three "do pass" recommendations from Gray-Jackson, Tilton, and Bjorkman, and one "no recommendation" from Wielechowski. The bill was then referred to the Senate Rules committee.

Senate Bill 239 underwent its second reading April 28 and passed on third reading April 29. The bill now heads to the House for consideration. If signed into law, it takes effect immediately.