HB 4337

relating to the regulation of pilots for the ports of Harris County
and the board of pilot commissioners for those ports.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 66.002(3), Transportation Code, is
(3)  "Harris County port" means a place in Harris or
Chambers County into which a vessel using the Houston Ship Channel
enters or from which a vessel using the Houston Ship Channel
departs, and the waterway leading to that place from the Gulf of
SECTION 2.  Section 66.012, Transportation Code, is amended
Sec. 66.012.  PROHIBITED INTEREST.  A person may not be a
member of the board if the person, directly or indirectly, is
engaged in or has an interest in any [pilot boat or in any other]
business that may adversely affect [affected by or connected with]
the performance of the person's duties as a pilot commissioner.
SECTION 3.  Section 66.040(b), Transportation Code, is
(b)  A deputy branch pilot's certificate expires on the
fourth [third] anniversary of the date it is issued and may [not] be
renewed as provided by Section 66.042.
SECTION 4.  Section 66.042, Transportation Code, is amended
Sec. 66.042.  DEPUTY BRANCH PILOT'S CERTIFICATE RENEWAL
[PILOT].  A person who has been issued a deputy branch pilot's
certificate may apply to renew the certificate if the deputy branch
pilot is reappointed by a branch pilot as provided by Section 66.038
[not be issued a deputy branch pilot's certificate before the fifth
anniversary of the date the person was previously issued a deputy
SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.