Bill > AB1025

This bill makes numerous amendments to the Harbors and Navigation Code concerning bar pilots, who are licensed professionals responsible for guiding vessels into and out of harbors and bays, particularly in Monterey Bay and the San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun Bays. Key provisions include clarifying the definition of an "inland pilot" as someone licensed before January 1, 2011, and reinforcing that piloting vessels in these areas without a state license is a misdemeanor, with exceptions for specific situations like a state-licensed pilot refusing service due to safety concerns. The bill also addresses the administrative functions of the Board of Pilot Commissioners, including the powers of its executive director, the maintenance of pilot records, and the confidentiality of pilot personal information. It establishes an examination fee for pilot trainee applicants, details the process for investigating and acting on pilot misconduct or navigational incidents through an incident review committee, and outlines grounds for license suspension or revocation, such as intoxication or negligence. Furthermore, the bill adjusts pilotage rates and introduces surcharges for pilot continuing education and board operations, ensuring these funds are used for their intended purposes and are transparently managed.