NAVIGATION DISTRICT PILOT BOARDS

Tex. TRANSP Code ch. 62
in effect

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.001. DEFINITION.

In this chapter, "navigation district" means a navigation district included in: (1) Subchapters C, D, E, F, G, and H, Chapter 60 , Water Code; (2) Subchapter E , Chapter 61 , Water Code; or (3) Sections 62.154 through 62.159 , Water Code.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.002. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER.

This chapter does not apply to a navigation district, pilot board, pilot, or vessel described by Section 71.002 . Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 821 (S.B. 1353 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER B. PILOT BOARDS OF NAVIGATION DISTRICTS

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.021. PILOT BOARD; COMMISSIONERS OF PILOTS.

(a) The pilot board of a navigation district is composed of the district's navigation and canal commissioners. (b) A member of the pilot board is a commissioner of pilots.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.022. TERM OF OFFICE.

The term of office of a commissioner of pilots coincides with the person's term as a navigation and canal commissioner.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.023. DISQUALIFICATION.

A person who is engaged directly or indirectly in a towing, pilot boat, or other business affected by or connected with the performance of the duties of a commissioner of pilots may not be a commissioner of pilots.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.024. JURISDICTION.

The pilot board of a navigation district has exclusive jurisdiction over the pilotage of a vessel between the Gulf of Mexico and a port of the navigation district, including an intermediate stop or landing place on a navigable stream in the district.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.025. POWERS OF PILOT BOARDS.

The pilot board of a navigation district may: (1) appoint, suspend, or dismiss a branch or deputy pilot of a port in the district; (2) establish pilotage rates for service in the board's jurisdiction; or (3) adopt and enforce rules consistent with this chapter about the appointment, qualification, or regulation of branch or deputy pilots that are needed to govern those pilots and for the proper operation of the district's ports. SUBCHAPTER C. REGULATION OF BRANCH AND DEPUTY PILOTS

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.041. BRANCH OR DEPUTY PILOT QUALIFICATIONS.

(a) The pilot board of a navigation district shall examine and determine the qualifications of each applicant for the position of branch or deputy pilot before appointing a branch or deputy pilot. (b) The pilot board shall specify a period that an applicant must reside in this state immediately before the person's appointment. The period may not exceed two years.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.042. OATH; BOND.

(a) A branch pilot appointed under this chapter or the rules of the pilot board of a navigation district must take the official oath. The oath must be endorsed on the bond required by Subsection (b). (b) The branch pilot must enter into a bond in the amount of $5,000 with one or more good and sufficient sureties. The bond must be: (1) payable to the governor; (2) conditioned on the faithful performance of the branch pilot's duties; (3) approved by the pilot board; and (4) deposited in the office of the secretary of state.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.043. ISSUANCE OF BRANCH PILOT LICENSE.

(a) On the filing of the bond and the taking of the oath required by Section 62.042 , a commissioner of pilots shall certify to the governor that the branch pilot has qualified. (b) On receiving the certificate, the governor shall issue to the branch pilot, in the name of the state and under the state seal, a commission to serve as a branch pilot in the jurisdiction of the pilot board of a navigation district.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.044. TERM OF BRANCH PILOT LICENSE.

(a) The term of a branch pilot commission is four years. (b) If the pilot board of a navigation district dismisses a branch pilot from service, the branch pilot's commission expires.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.045. APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY PILOTS.

(a) A branch pilot may appoint two deputy pilots, subject to the examination by and approval of the pilot board of a navigation district. (b) The branch pilot may appoint an additional deputy pilot if the pilot board considers the appointment advisable. (c) The branch pilot is responsible for the acts of the deputy pilots. (d) The branch pilot's own appointment under this chapter is forfeited if the branch pilot appoints a deputy pilot without the pilot board's approval.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.046. SUSPENSION OR DISMISSAL OF PILOTS.

The pilot board of a navigation district may suspend or dismiss a branch or deputy pilot only for misconduct, inefficiency, or intoxication on duty and after a hearing on the accusation is held before the pilot board at which there is opportunity for testimony and defense. SUBCHAPTER D. PILOTAGE CHARGES AND LIABILITY

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.062. PILOTAGE CHARGES INAPPLICABLE.

Pilotage charges under this subchapter do not apply to a vessel of 20 tons or less or to a vessel that is excepted by a federal statute or regulation.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.063. PILOTAGE CHARGES.

(a) A pilotage rate charged by a pilot must be fair and just. (b) A pilot shall furnish a schedule of pilotage rates that must be on file at all times in the office of the navigation district commissioners. (c) Each time a change in the rates occurs, the pilot must file a revised schedule. (d) A pilot shall strictly follow the schedule of rates on file in the commissioners' office.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.064. CONSIGNEE LIABILITY FOR PILOT SERVICES.

The consignee of a vessel is liable to a pilot for the pilotage of the vessel.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.065. LIABILITY OF CERTAIN VESSELS DECLINING PILOT SERVICES.

(a) A vessel that, without the aid of a pilot, enters any channel that is under the jurisdiction of a pilot board of a navigation district and declines pilot services offered by the pilot outside the bar, is liable for the payment of half pilotage to the first pilot whose services the vessel declined. (b) The consignee of a vessel is responsible for pilot services offered and declined under Subsection (a).

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.066. LIABILITY OF CERTAIN VESSELS TO OTHER PILOTS.

(a) A vessel that goes out of a channel under the jurisdiction of a pilot board of a navigation district without the aid of a pilot is liable for the payment of half pilotage to: (1) the pilot who brought the vessel into the channel; or (2) the pilot who first offered the vessel services outside the bar, if the vessel did not employ a pilot to come in. (b) The consignee of a vessel is responsible for pilot services offered under Subsection (a).

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.067. UNAUTHORIZED PILOT LIABILITY.

A person, other than a pilot, who pilots a vessel for which a pilot is required out of or into a port, channel, or waterway under the exclusive jurisdiction of the pilot board of a navigation district is liable to a pilot authorized to provide pilot services in the port, channel, or waterway who offers to pilot the vessel for a payment of $50.

Tex. TRANSP Code § 62.068. RECOVERY OF PILOTAGE CHARGES.

(a) A pilot may recover in court compensation for pilotage or services offered. (b) A pilot may bring suit to recover the payment under Section 62.067 .
Source: TX Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Fetched: 6/29/2026