S.B. No. 1353 establishes the Cameron County Pilots Licensing and Regulatory Act, which governs the licensing and regulation of pilots operating within the jurisdiction of the pilot board of a navigation district in Cameron County, Texas. The bill introduces new provisions to the Transportation Code, including Section 62.002, which clarifies that the chapter does not apply to certain navigation districts, pilot boards, pilots, or vessels as described in Section 71.002. Additionally, it creates Chapter 71, detailing definitions, applicability, and the structure of the pilot board, including qualifications for branch pilots and deputy branch pilots. The bill outlines the powers of the pilot board, including the authority to appoint, suspend, or dismiss pilots, establish pilotage rates, and enforce regulations.

Moreover, the bill addresses the liability of consignees and pilots regarding pilot services for vessels in the jurisdiction of the pilot board. It establishes that consignees are liable for pilotage fees, including penalties for vessels that move without utilizing available pilot services. Unauthorized individuals providing pilot services are also held liable for twice the current pilotage rate. The bill limits pilots' liability to $1,000 for damages caused by their errors or omissions, with exceptions for willful misconduct or gross negligence, and clarifies that this limitation does not exempt vessels or their operators from liability for damages to others. The new liability provisions will apply only to acts or omissions occurring on or after the effective date of the Act, set for September 1, 2025.

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