Sec. 69.017. DUTIES. (a) The board shall:

(1) establish the number of pilots necessary to provide adequate pilot services for each Jefferson or Orange County port;

(2) establish pilotage rates;

(3) hear and determine complaints relating to the conduct of pilots;

(4) make recommendations to the governor concerning any pilot whose license or certificate should not be renewed or should be revoked;

(5) adopt rules and issue orders to pilots and vessels when necessary to secure efficient pilot services;

(6) institute investigations or hearings or both to consider casualties, accidents, or other actions that violate this chapter;

(7) provide penalties to be imposed on a person who is not a pilot for a Jefferson or Orange County port and who pilots a vessel into or out of the port if the person offered pilot services to the vessel;

(8) establish times during which pilot services will be available;

(9) accept applications for pilot licenses and certificates and determine whether each applicant meets the qualifications for a pilot;

(10) submit to the governor the names of persons who have qualified under this chapter to be appointed as branch pilots; and

(11) approve any changes of the locations of pilot stations.

(b) The board may:

(1) recommend the number of deputy pilots each branch pilot may appoint under Section 69.038; and

(2) make any other provision for proper, safe, and efficient pilotage under this chapter and for the efficient administration of this chapter.

(c) The board may assess against the users of pilot services:

(1) the actual costs the board considers fair and just incurred in connection with hearings against any applicant or objecting party; and

(2) other expenses that are necessary and proper to enable the board to effectively carry out the purposes and requirements of this chapter, including processing of applications for pilot licenses and certificates, establishing pilotage, determining and approving the locations for pilot stations, establishing times during which pilot services will be available, hearing and ruling on complaints relating to the conduct of pilots, adopting rules and issuing orders to pilots or vessels when necessary to secure efficient pilot services, instituting investigations or hearings to consider casualties, accidents, or other actions that violate this chapter, making of any provision for proper, safe, and efficient pilotage, and funding general administrative expenses associated with the operation of the board.

(d) Assessments against the users of pilot services under Subsection (c) may not exceed $100,000 in a fiscal year.

(e) Funds collected under this section may not be used for compensation to any member of the board.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.