An Act repealing the exemptions from state law relating to the sale and use of TBT-based marine antifouling paints; and providing for an effective date.

Updated: March 2, 2000

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Tributyltin (TBT) antifouling paint has been shown to cause reproductive and other adverse effects to shellfish even at very low levels of exposure. Antifouling paints are applied to boat bottoms to reduce the growth of marine organisms such as barnacles and algae. But, when research showed that the paint was affecting more than just the barnacles and algae, Congress passed the Organotin Antifouling Paint Control Act in late 1988, restricting the use of these paints to larger ships and those with aluminum hulls. The International Maritime Organization has proposed banning the use of TBT, effective 2003, with all TBT-based paints to be phased out by 2008.

The Alaska Legislature outlawed the use of TBT paints in 1987, except for:

• Vessels of the U.S. Government
• Foreign vessels in state waters fewer than 90 consecutive days
• Vessels of 4,000 gross tons or more

CS SB 266(RES) disallows application of TBT-based paint to these vessels effective 2001, putting these vessels in the same class as small boat owners who had to meet the ban in 1987.

• EPA Toxicology Study
  

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