(a) Before the department adopts a regulation described under AS 46.14.010(b), written findings under AS 46.14.010(c) and (d) shall be made available by the department to the public at locations throughout the state that the department considers appropriate.
(b) Before the department adopts a regulation described in AS 46.14.010(b), the department shall submit the findings described under (a) of this section, the studies on which the findings are based, and other related data for peer review to a minimum of three separate parties who are not employees of the department and who are determined by the commissioner to be technically qualified in the subject matter under review. The commissioner shall ensure that the peer review includes an analysis of the factors considered by the commissioner to support the standards proposed to be adopted and recommendations, if any, for additional research or investigation considered appropriate. Peer review reports shall be submitted to the commissioner within 45 days after the department submits a matter for peer review unless the commissioner determines that additional time is required.
(c) The department shall make available to the public at least 30 days before the public hearing required under AS 46.14.010(a), at convenient locations, copies of the department's proposed regulation, the findings of the department describing the basis for adoption of the regulation, and the peer review reports, submitted under (b) of this section.
(d) The department shall contract with persons to perform peer review under (b) of this section. All persons selected shall be selected on the basis of competitive sealed proposals under AS 36.30.200 - 36.30.270 (State Procurement Code). The commissioner may not contract with a person to perform peer review under this section if the person has a significant financial interest or other significant interest that could bias evaluation of the proposed regulation. An interest is not considered significant under this subsection if it is an interest possessed generally by the public or a large class of persons or if the effect of the interest on the person's ability to be impartial is only conjectural.