H.B. No. 4337 proposes amendments to the Transportation Code regarding the regulation of pilots for the ports of Harris County and the board of pilot commissioners. The bill expands the definition of "Harris County port" to include areas in Chambers County that utilize the Houston Ship Channel. It also introduces a prohibition on board members having interests in businesses that could negatively impact their duties as pilot commissioners, removing the previous restriction related to pilot boats.

Additionally, the bill modifies the expiration and renewal process for deputy branch pilot certificates, changing the expiration from the third to the fourth anniversary of issuance and allowing for renewal if the pilot is reappointed by a branch pilot. The previous requirement that a deputy branch pilot could not be issued a new certificate before the fifth anniversary of their last certificate has been eliminated. This legislation is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 66.002, Transportation Code 66.012, Transportation Code 66.040, Transportation Code 66.042 (Transportation Code 66)