| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Relating to the efficient provision of pilot services by the board of pilot commissioners for Harris County ports.
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
SB 2223 would update regulations regarding one-way and two-way vessel traffic within Harris County Ports, including limitations on vessel length.
SB 2223 would require the board of pilot commissioners for the Harris County ports to adopt rules for navigation guidelines for the transit of vessel under the board's jurisdiction. The board would be prohibited from authorizing: (1) more than one vessel per week for which one-way traffic has been imposed to call on a terminal at Bayport or Barbours Cut; (2) more than one vessel for which one-way traffic has been imposed to call on or depart from a terminal on the same day; or (3) the passage of a vessel calling on a terminal that is not capable of turning around within the turning basin that serves the port authority terminal on which the vessel calls. There would be certain exceptions to these rules, including the operation of military vessels.
This bill would also set the maximum overall length of a vessel at 1,100 feet to ensure safe and efficient pilot services. The board may authorize piloting of a larger vessel if the board determines that the proposed rules would allow two-way routes to be maintained efficiently and two-way traffic to be conducted efficiently.
Texas Action remains neutral on SB 2223 because it does not affect our liberty principles.