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Panel backs aligning Alaska titling rules for older imported vehicles with 25-year federal standard; DMV drafting regulation
Summary
Representative Steve Saint Clair introduced HB 303 to allow registration and titling of legally imported vehicles 25 years old or older, replacing Alaska's fixed 1981 threshold; DMV staff said they are drafting a corresponding regulatory change and have enforced the existing rule since 2006.
Representative Steve Saint Clair presented House Bill 303 during the Feb. 19 House Transportation Committee meeting as a narrow change to titling and registration rules for legally imported vehicles.
Saint Clair said federal law (49 U.S.C.) treats imported vehicles that are at least 25 years old as exempt from current federal motor vehicle safety standards for importation and noted Alaska’s DMV currently enforces a fixed standard that effectively uses a 1981 cutoff. HB 303 would adopt a rolling 25-year standard for legally imported vehicles that are at least 25 years old and were legally imported into the United States, preventing the DMV from requiring current federal safety standards as a condition of registration for those vehicles.
At the hearing Saint Clair said the DMV is already working on a regulatory update, and that the bill would codify that change to ensure it happens. Representative Nelson signaled support, noting that affected imported vehicles are already in Alaska and some owners are facing registration enforcement. Representative McCabe asked about a fiscal note; Saint Clair and others replied that aligning statute with federal guidance and DMV rulemaking should not produce a fiscal impact.
Lauren Whiteside of the Division of Motor Vehicles told the committee the division sent a letter to Senator Tilton that it is drafting the regulatory change now and predicted, subject to Department of Law review and public comment, that the change could be completed in roughly 2–3 months under favorable circumstances. Whiteside also stated the DMV has enforced the existing regulation since it became effective in 2006.
Committee co-chairs said they are likely to bring HB 303 back at the committee's next hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, and that members should work with the sponsor’s office on outstanding questions.
The committee did not take formal action at the Feb. 19 hearing; the bill was scheduled for additional consideration at the Feb. 24 meeting.
