(a) The board may establish emergency pilotage rates for the period of an emergency, not to exceed 30 days, if the board finds that:
- (1) a natural or man-made disaster has created a substantial hazard to piloting vessels into and out of a port; and
- (2) the existence of the hazard overrides the necessity to comply with normal pilotage rate-setting procedures.
- (b) In adopting emergency pilotage rates, the board is not required to comply with the procedures in this chapter and in its rules relating to the adoption of pilotage rates.
- (c) Emergency pilotage rates may not be appealed.
- (d) The board shall adopt rules to carry out this section.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 745, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.