(a) An association of persons who hold entry permits under AS 16.43 comprising at least 51 percent of the persons holding entry permits and actively participating in a fishery to be benefited by a hatchery program may levy and collect an assessment from among its members for the purpose of securing and repaying a loan made under AS 16.10.890 - 16.10.945.
(b) Upon satisfactory demonstration to the department that an assessment levied under this section may reasonably be relied on to secure and repay a loan to be made under AS 16.10.890 - 16.10.945, the department may make the loan.