The bill pertains to the rulemaking authority of the State Pilotage Commission in Class 2 municipalities, specifically concerning the piloting of ships and watercraft into and out of the Port of Mobile. It amends Section 33-4A-13 of the Code of Alabama 1975. The bill changes the language to allow the commission to make necessary rules regulating the piloting of vessels until they are berthed at the docking facility or until they are past the Mobile Entrance Lighted Buoy (M). It also specifies that maritime data produced by foreign states or companies must be preapproved by the commission for official use in pilotage.

Additionally, the bill modifies the commission's authority to require evidence of the physical and mental fitness of any active bar pilot at any time and to adopt rules regarding the physical and mental capacity and fitness of active bar pilots. The legal language changes include the replacement of "shall have the power and authority to" with "may," the deletion of "and regulations" after "rules," and the insertion of "adopt" in place of "make." The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2024. The document also includes signatures from the President and Presiding Officer of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as certification of passage from the Senate Secretary and the House of Representatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 33-4A-13
Engrossed: 33-4A-13
Enrolled: 33-4A-13