TRANSPORTATION CODE
CHAPTER 69. JEFFERSON AND ORANGE COUNTY PILOTS LICENSING AND
REGULATORY ACT
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 69.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the
Jefferson and Orange County Pilots Licensing and Regulatory Act.
Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20,
2003.
§ 69.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Board" means the board of pilot commissioners
described by Section 69.011.
(2) "Consignee" means a person, including a master,
owner, agent, subagent, firm, or corporation or any combination of
those persons, who enters or clears a vessel at the office of the
collector of customs.
(3) "Jefferson or Orange County port" means a place in
Jefferson or Orange County into which a vessel enters or from which
a vessel departs and the waterway leading to that place from the
Gulf of Mexico.
(4) "Pilot" means a person who is licensed as a branch
pilot or certified as a deputy branch pilot under this chapter.
(5) "Pilotage rate" means the remuneration a pilot may
lawfully charge a vessel for pilot services.
(6) "Pilot services" means acts of a pilot in
conducting a vessel through navigable water in this state and the
ports in which the pilot is licensed or certified as a pilot.
(7) "Vessel" means an oceangoing vessel.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.003. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. This chapter
applies only to a Jefferson or Orange County port.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
SUBCHAPTER B. BOARD OF PILOT COMMISSIONERS
§ 69.011. COMPOSITION OF BOARD. (a) The board of pilot
commissioners for all of the ports and private terminals located in
Jefferson or Orange County, or both, is composed of five
commissioners from Jefferson or Orange County appointed by the
governor in the manner provided by Subchapter A, Chapter 63.
(b) The presiding officer of the board shall be selected by
the members of the board.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.012. PROHIBITED INTEREST. A person may not be a
member of the board if the person has a direct or indirect pecuniary
interest in a pilot boat or branch pilot in the business of the
board's trust.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.013. OATH. Before beginning service as a board
member, each board member must take and sign before a person
authorized to administer oaths an oath to faithfully and
impartially discharge the duties of the office.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.014. TERMS OF OFFICE. (a) Board members serve
staggered two- year terms of office.
(b) A member holds office until the member's successor is
appointed and qualified.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.015. JURISDICTION OF BOARD. The board has
exclusive jurisdiction over the pilot services provided in
Jefferson or Orange County, including intermediate stops and
landing places for vessels on navigable streams wholly or partially
located in the board's jurisdiction.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.016. ADMINISTRATION; RULES. (a) The board shall
administer this chapter and may perform any act or function
necessary to carry out its powers and duties under this chapter.
(b) The board may adopt rules to carry out this chapter.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 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, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.018. UNFAIR DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED. (a) In
all its duties, including rulemaking, the board may not sanction
discriminatory practices or discriminate against a pilot or pilot
applicant because of race, religion, sex, ethnic origin, or
national origin.
(b) A person seeking a remedy for a violation of this
section must bring suit in a district court in Jefferson County.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.019. OPEN MEETINGS LAW. Chapter 551, Government
Code, applies to actions and proceedings under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.020. RULE OR RATE CHANGE. (a) The board shall
give at least 10 days' notice as provided by this section before the
board adopts a rule or changes a pilotage rate.
(b) The board shall send the notice and a copy of the
proposed rule or change by registered mail to the last known address
of:
(1) all known pilots association offices;
(2) all pilots licensed or certified in the port;
(3) all steamship agencies and associations in the
port; and
(4) all known users of pilot services for the previous
12 months.
(c) The board shall post a copy of the proposed rule or
change at the county courthouse of Jefferson County and of Orange
County, as well as the subcourthouse in Port Arthur, for public
inspection.
(d) The board shall publish a copy of the proposed rule or
change in a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson and
Orange Counties.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.021. CONTESTED CASE NOTICE. The board shall give
notice in each contested case to the persons and in the manner
provided by Section 69.020(b) that includes the same information as
the notice given to the parties in each contested case.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.022. JUDICIAL REVIEW. Proceedings for judicial
review of a board decision shall be brought in a district court in
Jefferson County.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.023. BUDGET; ANNUAL REPORT; AUDITS. (a) The
board shall adopt a budget not later than the 45th day before the
start of a fiscal year. The budget may be adopted only after a
public meeting has been held to explain the budget.
(b) Accounts of the board are subject to audit by the state
auditor.
(c) The board shall keep minutes of its meetings and other
books and records that clearly reflect all acts and transactions of
the board. The board shall open its records to examination by any
person during regular business hours.
(d) Not later than the 30th day after the end of a fiscal
year, the board shall submit to the governor a report itemizing all
income and expenditures and describing all activities of the board
during the previous fiscal year.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.024. DEPOSITORY BANK; EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS. The
board shall deposit all money received by the board under this
chapter, including assessments and grants from governmental
agencies, in a bank located in Jefferson or Orange County and
selected by the board.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
SUBCHAPTER C. PILOT LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
§ 69.031. LICENSES OR CERTIFICATE REQUIRED. A person
may not provide pilot services unless the person has a license or
certificate issued under this chapter for the Jefferson and Orange
County ports in which the pilot services are to be provided.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.032. EXEMPTIONS. The requirement to use a pilot
does not apply to:
(1) a vessel sailing under enrollment, or licensed or
engaged in the coasting trade between Texas ports or between any
Texas port and any other port of the United States; or
(2) a vessel exempt under federal law from payment of
state pilotage rates.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.033. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSE. To be eligible
for a license as a branch pilot for the ports within the
jurisdiction of the board, a person must:
(1) be at least 25 years of age and younger than 68
years of age unless exempted under the provisions of Section
69.040(b);
(2) be a United States citizen;
(3) as of the date the license is issued, have resided
continuously in this state for at least two years;
(4) have at least one year's service as a deputy branch
pilot or equivalent service piloting vessels of at least 5,000
gross tons within the board's jurisdiction;
(5) have successfully completed the board-approved
training program;
(6) have commanded or controlled the navigation of
vessels such as the person would pilot;
(7) have extensive experience in the docking and
undocking of vessels;
(8) be in good mental and physical health;
(9) have good moral character;
(10) possess the requisite skill as a navigator and
pilot to perform competently and safely the duties of a branch
pilot; and
(11) hold a license under federal law to act as a pilot
on vessels that navigate water on which the applicant will furnish
pilot services.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.034. QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATE. To be
eligible for a certificate as a deputy branch pilot, a person must:
(1) be at least 25 years of age;
(2) be a United States citizen;
(3) hold a license under federal law to act as a pilot
on vessels that navigate water on which the applicant will furnish
pilot services;
(4) be in good mental and physical health;
(5) have good moral character;
(6) possess the requisite skill as a navigator and
pilot to perform competently and safely the duties of a deputy
branch pilot; and
(7) successfully complete the board-approved
apprenticeship training program.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.035. APPLICATION FOR LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE. To
apply for a branch pilot's license or a deputy branch pilot's
certificate, a person must give the board a written application in
the form and manner required by board rule.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.036. CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATION. (a) The board
shall carefully consider each application submitted under Section
69.035 and shall conduct any investigation it considers necessary
to determine whether an applicant is qualified for a license or
certificate.
(b) As part of its consideration under Subsection (a), the
board may develop and administer standardized examinations to
determine an applicant's knowledge of piloting, management of
vessels, and the waterways in the board's jurisdiction.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.037. BRANCH PILOT APPOINTMENT BY
GOVERNOR. (a) On filing of the bond and oath required by Section
69.039, the board shall certify to the governor that a person
licensed as a branch pilot has qualified.
(b) On receipt of the board's certification, the governor
shall issue to the person, in the name of the state and under the
state seal, a commission to serve as a branch pilot to and from
Jefferson and Orange County ports.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.038. DEPUTY BRANCH PILOT APPOINTMENT BY BRANCH
PILOT. (a) Each branch pilot, subject to examination and
approval of the board, may appoint two deputy branch pilots.
(b) A branch pilot may appoint an additional deputy branch
pilot if the board considers the appointment advisable.
(c) A branch pilot who appoints a deputy branch pilot
without the approval of the board forfeits the pilot's appointment
as a branch pilot.
(d) A branch pilot who appoints a deputy branch pilot is
responsible for the actions of the deputy branch pilot.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.039. OATH AND BOND. (a) A person appointed as a
pilot must take the official oath before entering service as a
pilot. The oath shall be endorsed on the bond required by
Subsection (b).
(b) Each pilot must execute a $25,000 bond payable to the
governor and conditioned on compliance with the laws, rules, and
orders relating to pilots and on the faithful performance of the
pilot's duties.
(c) Each bond must be approved by the board.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.040. TERMS OF LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES. (a) A
branch pilot's license expires on the earlier of:
(1) the fourth anniversary of the date it is issued or
renewed; or
(2) the license holder's 68th birthday.
(b) Subsection (a)(2) does not apply to a person who is a
branch pilot serving a port covered under this chapter on the
effective date of this chapter or who reaches his or her 68th
birthday within one year after the effective date of this chapter.
(c) A deputy branch pilot's certificate expires on the
second anniversary of the date it is issued and may not be renewed.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.041. BRANCH PILOT'S LICENSE RENEWAL. (a) The
governor shall renew a branch pilot's expiring license if the board
recommends renewal.
(b) If a pilot applies in writing and qualifies, the board
shall recommend renewal unless the board determines there is
probable cause not to renew the license.
(c) Probable cause not to renew a license exists if the
board finds that the license holder:
(1) does not possess a qualification required by this
chapter for pilots; or
(2) has a disability that will affect the license
holder's ability to serve as a pilot.
(d) If the board determines that it has probable cause not
to renew a license, the board shall notify the license holder not
later than the 60th day before the date the license expires. On
request, the board shall provide a hearing after proper notice to
consider whether the board has cause not to recommend renewal of the
license.
(e) If the board finds at the conclusion of the hearing that
the board lacks probable cause for nonrenewal of the license, the
board shall recommend that the governor renew the license.
(f) The board shall issue a written order recommending that
the governor not renew a license and the governor may not renew the
license if:
(1) the pilot does not contest the board's decision not
to renew the license; or
(2) the board after a hearing finds that it has
probable cause not to renew the license.
(g) The denial of renewal of a pilot's license does not
prohibit the pilot from applying for a new license and being
reappointed.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.042. DEPUTY BRANCH PILOT. A person who has been
issued a deputy branch pilot's certificate may not be issued a
deputy branch pilot's certificate before the fifth anniversary of
the date the person was previously issued a deputy branch pilot's
certificate.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.043. SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF BRANCH PILOT'S
LICENSE. (a) On complaint or on its own motion, and after notice
and hearing, the board may suspend a branch pilot's license for not
more than six months or recommend that the governor revoke a branch
pilot's license if the board finds that the pilot has:
(1) failed to demonstrate and maintain the
qualifications for a license required by this chapter;
(2) used narcotics or other types of drugs, chemicals,
or controlled substances as defined by law that impair the pilot's
ability to perform the pilot's duties skillfully and efficiently;
(3) used alcohol to an extent that impairs the pilot's
ability to perform the pilot's duties skillfully and efficiently;
(4) violated a provision of this chapter or rules
adopted by the board under this chapter;
(5) made a material misstatement in the application
for a license;
(6) obtained or attempted to obtain a license under
this chapter by fraud or misrepresentation;
(7) charged a pilotage rate other than that approved
by the board;
(8) intentionally refused to pilot a vessel when
requested to do so by the master or person responsible for
navigation of the vessel except when, in the judgment of the pilot,
movement of the vessel would have constituted a hazard to life or
property or when pilotage charges that are due and owing are unpaid
by the person ordering the pilot services;
(9) been absent from duty in violation of board rules
and without authorization;
(10) aided or abetted another pilot in failing to
perform the other pilot's duties;
(11) been guilty of carelessness, neglect of duty,
intentional unavailability for normal performance of duties,
refusal to perform duties, misconduct, or incompetence while on
duty;
(12) intentionally failed to comply with an order of
the board; or
(13) intentionally caused damage to a vessel.
(b) On determining that a license should be suspended or
revoked, the board shall adopt a written order that states its
findings and:
(1) suspends the license for a stated period; or
(2) recommends to the governor revocation of the
license.
(c) If the federal pilot's license of a pilot licensed under
this chapter is suspended or revoked, the board, on a finding that
it has good cause, shall suspend the license for the same period or
revoke the license under this chapter.
(d) The governor, on receipt of a board order recommending
revocation of a license, shall revoke the license.
(e) A suspension of a license on the recommendation of a
pilot review board takes effect on adoption of the board's order. A
revocation of a branch pilot's license takes effect on issuance of
the governor's decision.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.044. SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF DEPUTY BRANCH
PILOT'S CERTIFICATE. A deputy branch pilot's certificate may be
suspended or revoked by the board in the same manner and for the
same reasons as provided for the suspension or revocation of a
branch pilot's license by Section 69.043.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.045. LIABILITY TO PILOT. (a) A person who is not
a pilot and who, in violation of this chapter, pilots a vessel and
the consignee of the vessel are liable to a pilot, on written
demand, for the amount of the applicable pilotage rate.
(b) In an action to recover compensation under Subsection
(a), the court may include in a judgment in favor of a pilot an award
of court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
SUBCHAPTER D. PILOTAGE RATES
§ 69.061. PILOTAGE RATE CHANGE. The board may not
change pilotage rates before the first anniversary of the preceding
rate change.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.062. PILOTAGE RATE CHANGE APPLICATION. (a) An
application for a change in a pilotage rate may be filed with each
commissioner of the board by:
(1) a pilot;
(2) an association of pilots;
(3) a consignee liable under Section 69.070 to pay
pilotage rates;
(4) an association of consignees; or
(5) a party financially responsible for the payment of
pilot services.
(b) The application must be written and must state
specifically the changes requested.
(c) The board shall set a hearing date within two weeks of
receipt of an application. The hearing may not be set for a day
earlier than the 20th day or later than the 40th day after the date
the board sets the hearing.
(d) An applicant shall give notice of the application and
the hearing date, by certified mail to the last known address, to:
(1) all pilots licensed or certified in the port;
(2) all known pilots associations or consignees;
(3) all steamship agencies and associations in the
port;
(4) each Jefferson and Orange County port; and
(5) all known users of pilot service within the past 12
months.
(e) The board may not increase pilotage rates for the public
ports of Beaumont, Port Arthur, or Orange unless the affected board
of commissioners approves the increase.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.063. PILOT FINANCIAL REPORT. (a) Not later than
the 10th day before the date set for a pilotage rate hearing, the
pilots who are licensed or certified to serve the port for which the
rates are being considered shall submit in writing to the board and
to any party designated by the board complete accounts of:
(1) all amounts received from performance of pilot
services within the board's jurisdiction organized by categories or
classifications of rates, if rates are set in that manner;
(2) all earnings from capital assets devoted to
providing pilot service;
(3) all expenses incurred in connection with pilotage
activities within the board's jurisdiction; and
(4) estimates of receipts and expenses anticipated to
result from the requested changes in pilotage rates.
(b) The pilots shall provide the information for:
(1) the calendar or fiscal year preceding the date of
the pilotage rate change application; and
(2) the subsequent period to within 60 days of the date
of the application.
(c) The board may require an independent audit of financial
information submitted under Subsection (a) by an accountant
selected by the board. The board, as it considers fair and just,
shall assess the costs of the audit against one or more of the
applicants and objecting parties.
(d) The board may require relevant additional information
it considers necessary to determine a proper pilotage rate.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.064. FACTORS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION. In acting on
a pilotage rate change application, the board shall consider:
(1) characteristics of vessels to be piloted;
(2) the public interest in maintaining safe,
efficient, and reliable pilot services;
(3) the average number of hours spent by a pilot in
performing all pilot services and pilot services onboard vessels;
(4) costs to pilots to provide the required pilot
services;
(5) economic factors affecting the shipping industry
in the area in which the port is located;
(6) the average wages of masters of United States flag
vessels;
(7) an adequate and reasonable compensation for the
pilots and a fair return on the equipment and vessels that the
pilots employ in connection with pilot duties; and
(8) the relationship between pilotage rates in
Jefferson or Orange County ports and the rates applicable in other
ports of this state and in competitive ports in other states
bordering the Gulf of Mexico.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.065. RATE DECISION. Not later than the 10th day
after the date of the completion of a hearing on an application for
a change in pilotage rates, the board shall issue a written decision
that:
(1) grants or denies the application wholly or partly;
(2) states the reasons for the decision; and
(3) states each new pilotage rate.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.066. COSTS. The board, in a final order under this
subchapter, may charge all or part of the costs of processing an
application to the parties in the proceedings.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.067. APPEAL OF BOARD DECISION. Any party aggrieved
by a board decision on pilotage rates, after exhausting all
administrative remedies, may appeal the order to a court.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.068. EMERGENCY PILOTAGE RATES. (a) The board may
establish emergency pilotage rates for the period of an emergency,
not to exceed 30 days, if the board finds that:
(1) a natural or man-made disaster has created a
substantial hazard to piloting vessels into and out of a port; and
(2) the existence of the hazard overrides the
necessity to comply with normal pilotage rate-setting procedures.
(b) In adopting emergency pilotage rates, the board is not
required to comply with the procedures in this chapter and in its
rules relating to the adoption of pilotage rates.
(c) Emergency pilotage rates may not be appealed.
(d) The board shall adopt rules to carry out this section.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.069. PILOT SERVICES REQUIRED. The consignee of a
vessel under the consignee's control shall obtain pilot services
for the vessel and shall pay the pilot who pilots the vessel into
and out of the port area compensation according to the pilotage
rates filed by the board.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.070. PILOTAGE RATE LIABILITY. (a) A consignee
who declines the services of a pilot offered outside the bar and
enters the port without the aid of a pilot is liable for the payment
of pilotage to the first pilot whose services were declined.
(b) A consignee is liable for the payment of pilotage to the
pilot who brings a vessel in if the vessel goes out without
employing a pilot.
(c) A consignee is liable for the payment of pilotage for a
vessel that goes out without the aid of a pilot and that came in
without the aid of a pilot to the pilot who first offered services
before the vessel came in.
(d) A consignee is not liable for the payment of pilotage
for a vessel going out without a pilot if the vessel came in without
the aid of a pilot or came in without the offer of a pilot outside.
(e) Subsections (a)-(d) do not apply to a consignee exempt
under this chapter from payment of pilotage rates.
(f) A pilot who charges a pilotage rate for pilot services
different from the pilotage rates established under this chapter
for the port in which the pilot serves is liable to each person who
was charged the different rate for double the amount of pilotage.
(g) A court may include in a judgment in favor of a person
who files suit to collect an amount owed under this chapter an award
to cover court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.071. RECOVERY OF COMPENSATION. A pilot who offers
pilot services to a vessel required under this chapter to obtain
pilot services and whose services are refused is entitled to
recover from the consignee the pilotage rate for the services.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
SUBCHAPTER E. PILOT LIABILITY
§ 69.081. PURPOSE. The purpose of this subchapter is
to:
(1) in the public interest, stimulate and preserve
maritime commerce on the pilotage grounds of this state by limiting
and regulating the liability of pilots; and
(2) maintain pilotage fees at reasonable levels.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.082. PILOT LIABILITY. A pilot is not liable
directly or as a member of an organization of pilots for a claim
that:
(1) arises from an act or omission of another pilot or
organization of pilots; and
(2) relates directly or indirectly to pilot services.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 69.083. PILOT LIABILITY LIMITED. (a) A pilot
providing pilot services is not liable for more than $1,000 for
damage or loss caused by the pilot's error, omission, fault, or
neglect in the performance of the pilot services, except as
provided by Subsection (b).
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to:
(1) damage or loss that arises because of the wilful
misconduct or gross negligence of the pilot;
(2) liability for exemplary damages for gross
negligence of the pilot and for which no other person is jointly or
severally liable; or
(3) an act or omission related to the ownership and
operation of a pilot boat unless the pilot boat is directly involved
in pilot services other than the transportation of pilots.
(c) This section does not exempt the vessel or its owner or
operator from liability for damage or loss caused by the vessel to a
person or property on the grounds that:
(1) the vessel was piloted by a pilot; or
(2) the damage or loss was caused by the error,
omission, fault, or neglect of a pilot.
(d) In an action brought against a pilot for an act or
omission for which liability is limited as provided by this section
and in which other claims are made or anticipated with respect to
the same act or omission, the court shall dismiss the proceedings as
to the pilot to the extent the pleadings allege pilot liability that
exceeds $1,000.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
