The bill amends RCW 47.64.340 to clarify the responsibilities and authority of the captain of a Washington state ferry vessel. It establishes that the captain is the ultimate authority under their command, responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel, compliance with international, federal, and state laws, and overseeing all aspects of vessel operations. Key changes include the replacement of terms such as "manager" with "ultimate authority," "supervising" with "directing," and "managing" with "coordinating." Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision that allows captains in the masters and pilots bargaining unit to vote on joining a combined bargaining unit by August 31, 2025, with the new unit to be effective July 1, 2026.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that beginning with the 2027-2029 biennium negotiations, if a majority of captains express a desire to join the combined bargaining unit, the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative must negotiate collective bargaining agreements consistent with the new provisions. If the majority does not vote in favor, the captains will continue to negotiate agreements as part of their existing bargaining unit. The bill also removes previous provisions related to the creation of a captains-only bargaining unit and the associated timelines.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 47.64.340