(a) The duties of the commission are to

(1) survey, evaluate, and catalog Alaska prehistory and history materials now in print;

(2) ascertain and register what Alaska prehistory and history work is now in progress;

(3) identify the existing gaps in the coverage of Alaska's past in presently available published works and establish priorities for bridging them;

(4) prepare a thematic study of Alaska's history for historic preservation;

(5) identify the sources of Alaska's history;

(6) coordinate the production and publication of works that will adequately present all aspects of Alaska's past;

(7) cooperate with the federal government in programs relating to history and archaeology;

(8) develop criteria for the evaluation of state monuments and historic sites and all real and personal property that may be considered to be of historic, prehistoric, or archeological significance as would justify their acquisition and ownership by the state;

(9) cooperate with the department in formulating and administering a statewide historic sites survey under 16 U.S.C. 470-470n (P.L. 89-665, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966);

(10) review those surveys and historic preservation plans that may be required, and approve properties for nomination to the National Register as provided for in 16 U.S.C. 470-470n (P.L. 89-665, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966);

(11) provide necessary assistance to the governor and the legislature for achieving balanced and coordinated state policies and programs for the preservation of the state's historic, prehistoric, and archeological resources;

(12) consult with local historical district commissions regarding the establishment of historical districts under AS 29.55.010 - 29.55.020 and the approval of project alterations under AS 45.98.040; recommend, if appropriate, the formulation of additional criteria for the designation of historical districts under AS 29.55.020(b); approve plans for and evaluate the suitability of specific structures for purposes of loan eligibility and continuance under the historical district revolving loan fund (AS 45.98); and consult with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development relative to the adoption of regulations for historical district loans under AS 45.98;

(13) determine the correct and most appropriate names of the lakes, streams, places, and other geographic features in the state and their spelling;

(14) pass upon and give names to lakes, streams, places, and other geographic features in the state for which no single generally acceptable name has been in use;

(15) cooperate with local subdivisions of government and, with their approval, change the names of lakes, streams, places, and other geographic features to eliminate duplication of names in the state;

(16) prepare and publish an official state dictionary of geographic names and publish it for sale, either as a complete whole or in parts when ready; and

(17) serve as the state representatives of the United States Board on Geographic Names and cooperate with that board so that there is no conflict between the state and federal designations of geographic features in the state.

(b) In carrying out its duties to name geographic features under this section, the commission shall consider using Alaska Native place names for geographic features in the state that have not previously been named, using Native language writing systems accepted by the Alaska Native Language Center of the University of Alaska at Fairbanks.

(c) When the commission gives a name to a lake, stream, place, or other geographic feature in the state, the name is the official name of the geographic feature and shall be used in all maps, records, documents, and other publications issued by the state or its departments and political subdivisions.

(d) A person may not attempt to modify local usage or name an unnamed geographic feature in an advertisement or publication without first obtaining the approval of the commission. If a person violates this section, the commission shall promptly announce its disapproval and shall adopt an official name for the feature.