(a) The department shall review each application for registration received and, when satisfied that it is correct, register the vehicle and keep a record of the registration in suitable books, index cards, or electronic or photographic recording and storage media, or in any combination of them. The vehicles are referred to as “registered vehicles.” The department may compile a record of the number and types of vehicles registered in this state and may make statistical data available to the public for a fee as prescribed in regulations adopted by the commissioner. The department may also provide vehicle registration lists to the public for a fee as an electronic service or product under AS 40.25.115. The commissioner may prescribe, by regulation, fees relating to the provision of vehicle registration lists.

(b) Records under this section shall be maintained

(1) by a distinctive registration number assigned to the vehicle;

(2) by the vehicle identification number, including but not limited to a record of identification numbers replaced or assigned under AS 28.10.061;

(3) by the name and residence and mailing address of the owner; and

(4) as otherwise required by the department.

(c) The department shall keep a record of the registrations of vehicles used in law enforcement work when secrecy is necessary. This record is separate from the record required by (a) of this section and may be disclosed only to and upon the request of the chief peace officer of a municipality, a state trooper district commander, the chief federal law enforcement officer assigned to the state, or to a court upon an appropriate order.

(d) The department shall maintain and appropriately index cumulative records of stolen, converted, recovered, and unclaimed vehicles reported to it. The department may make and distribute weekly lists of these vehicles to peace officers and to other departments upon their request without charge and to the public for a reasonable fee as prescribed by the department.