Subject of Possible Rule Making: Marine pilot licensing qualifications and procedures, chapter 363-116 WAC, Pilotage rules.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 88.16 RCW.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: New administrative rules are being considered in anticipation of legislation being enacted that would modify pilot licensing qualifications and procedures. If new laws are passed in this regard, it would be necessary to adopt new or repeal/revise existing rules in order to develop pilot qualification criteria, comprehensive pilot training program procedures and evaluation criteria, and pilot examination preparation and administration procedures consistent with the anticipated legislation. Consideration will also be given to other aspects of the pilotage rules such as determining the appropriate number of pilots in each district, vessel simulator evaluation criteria, stipend payments for pilot trainees, issuance of training licenses, and the appropriate assessment of related license fees.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The board will begin considering written and oral comments from persons who may be interested in the development of new rules as described above. A committee will be established and public workshops held for those interested in participating in the formulation of the proposed rules. Stakeholder comments are welcome. Public hearings will then be scheduled to consider the proposed new rules pursuant to notice requirements for formal rule making.

     The latest version of both the RCW and WAC can be found at http://access.wa.gov.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Peggy Larson, Administrator, larsonp@wsdot.wa.gov, (206) 615-3904 [515-3904] or Judy Bell, Administrative Assistant, belljud@wsdot.wa.gov, (206) 515-3647, Board of Pilotage Commissioners, 2911 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121, fax (206) 515-3906. Please contact one of the above persons if you want to participate in or be notified of the activities of this project.

January 13, 2005

Peggy Larson

Administrator

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office