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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to compulsory pilotage, including bond requirements for |
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certain branch pilots. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 61.003(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A consignee having control of a vessel shall obtain a |
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pilot to provide pilot services when the vessel is under way or |
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otherwise moving on a river, bay, harbor, or port in this state |
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unless: |
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(1) the vessel is: |
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(A) [(1)] documented as a United States vessel |
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and licensed for and engaged in coastwise trade; |
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(B) [(2)] a public vessel; |
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(C) [(3)] of 20 gross tons or less; |
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(D) [(4)] a motorboat registered in this state; |
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or |
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(E) [(5)] subject to Subsection (b), in distress |
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or jeopardy; or |
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(2) the consignee having control of a vessel that is a |
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passenger cruiser has on six or more occasions: |
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(A) provided pilot services for the vessel to the |
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port from open sea or from the port to open sea; or |
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(B) served as the master of the vessel while a |
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pilot provided pilot services for the vessel. |
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SECTION 2. Section 62.042(b), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The branch pilot must enter into a bond in the amount of |
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$100,000 [$5,000] with one or more good and sufficient sureties. |
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The bond must be: |
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(1) payable to the governor; |
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(2) conditioned on the faithful performance of the |
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branch pilot's duties; |
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(3) approved by the pilot board; and |
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(4) deposited in the office of the secretary of state. |
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SECTION 3. Section 63.043(b), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The bond must: |
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(1) be in the amount of $100,000 [$5,000]; |
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(2) be conditioned on the faithful performance of the |
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pilot's duties; |
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(3) be approved by the board for the port or, if there |
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is not a board for the port, by the county judge of the county in |
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which the port is located; and |
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(4) be sent to the governor. |
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SECTION 4. A branch pilot must comply with the amount of the |
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bond required by Section 62.042(b) or 63.043(b), Transportation |
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Code, as amended by this Act, by the earlier of: |
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(1) the date the branch pilot is appointed; or |
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(2) December 1, 2011. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |