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 to vote on joining a combined bargaining unit with masters and mates by August 31, 2025, with the potential for a new bargaining unit to be certified effective July 1, 2026.

Furthermore, the bill outlines 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 condition is not met, separate agreements for the captains-only bargaining unit will be negotiated. The bill also removes previous provisions regarding the severance of captains from the masters, mates, and pilots bargaining unit, reflecting a shift towards a more integrated bargaining approach.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 47.64.340
Bill as Passed Legislature: 47.64.340
Session Law: 47.64.340