There is created within the department's air quality improvement section, a department office responsible for administration and enforcement of all aspects of the I/M program (I/M office). The I/M office will

1. (1) administer and enforce the requirements of this chapter, including ensuring that the requirements of this chapter are followed under each I/M program implemented or administered under this chapter;
2. (2) evaluate, and approve or disapprove I/M program plans submitted under 18 AAC 52.035;
3. (3) accept complaints from the public against certified mechanics or stations;
4. (4) investigate and gather evidence regarding suspected violations of this chapter;
5. (5) suggest measures to resolve disputes between motorists and certified mechanics or stations;
6. (6) approve referrals to the referee facility described in 18 AAC 52.070;

7. (7) keep, as a public record, a list of the

   1. (A) names and addresses of all certified mechanics and stations; and
   2. (B) manufacturers of equipment certified for use under this chapter;
8. (8) provide materials to assist the public in understanding and complying with the requirements of this chapter;
9. (9) send each certified station that is subject to a department-administered I/M program, a newsletter describing recently adopted ordinances, procedure changes, suspension or revocation hearings, and any other information that the program administrator determines will benefit the I/M program;
10. (10) routinely evaluate the effectiveness of each I/M program created under this chapter through the analysis of data obtained from certified stations and from special studies;
11. (11) at the request of the office of the governor, submit a report to the governor on the status and effectiveness of the statewide I/M program; the I/M office will have a copy of this report available at the I/M office for public review; and
12. (12) prepare reports for a department-administered I/M program, upon request of the department; the reports must fulfill the requirements of 18 AAC 52.037(a) and (b)(1) - (5).

(Eff. 2/1/94, Register 129; am 1/1/97, Register 140; am 1/1/98, Register 144; am 2/18/2006, Register 177)

Authority: AS 46.03.020, AS 46.14.030, AS 46.14.510