Brief Description: Funding the board of pilotage commissioners' training program.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Haugen).

Hearing Date: 2/15/06

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

In order to prevent the loss of human lives, damage to property, and to protect the marine environment, Washington established compulsory pilotage provisions related to vessels in certain state waters.

The Board of Pilotage Commissioners (Board) administers the pilotage provisions. Among the Board's responsibilities is the establishment of a comprehensive training program to assist in the training and evaluation of pilot applicants before final licensing. In furtherance of its duties, the Board created a pilotage training program. According to the rules promulgated by the Board, trainees enrolled in the pilotage training program may receive a monthly stipend, and pilot training surcharges are collected for each vessel assignment to fund the trainee stipends.

No agency may expend funds in excess of the amount appropriated by law for a particular purpose. The Office of Financial Management (OFM) is responsible for managing the cash flow of public funds.

Summary of Bill:

The Board is granted the authority to pay stipends to the trainees enrolled in the pilotage training program. The Board's authority is retroactive to December 1, 2005.

The amount of the Board's current appropriation is increased by $600,000. Of the additional appropriation, $500,000 is restricted to stipend payments to trainees participating in the pilotage training program.

Appropriation: Six hundred thousand dollars is appropriated from the pilotage account to the Board of Pilotage Commissioners.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.