HLS 11RS-747 ENGROSSED
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE BILL NO. 501
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
PILOTS: Amends and repeals certain provisions relative to bar pilots for the Port of New
Orleans
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 34:963 and to repeal R.S. 34:950, 951, 952, 954, and 965,2
relative to bar pilots; to authorize bar pilots to form corporations or limited liability3
companies; to repeal certain provisions relative to bar pilots for the Port of New4
Orleans; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 34:963 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:7
ยง963. Pilot associations8
Bar pilots may, for the furtherance of their interest, form themselves into a9
voluntary private association, or partnership, corporation, or limited liability10
company.11
Section 2. R.S. 34:950, 951, 952, 954, and 965 are hereby repealed in their entirety.12
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Leger HB No. 501
Abstract: Amends and repeals certain provisions relative to bar pilots for the Port of New
Orleans.
Present law provides that bar pilots may, for the furtherance of their interest, form
themselves into a voluntary private association or partnership. HLS 11RS-747 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 501
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Proposed law retains present law and adds corporations and limited liability companies.
Present law (R.S. 34:950) requires every bar pilot to own or be a part owner of at least one
decked pilot boat of not less than 50 tons burden. Present law further provides that the pilot
can be suspended, and the governor may revoke his commission for noncompliance with
present law.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law (R.S. 34:951) requires pilot boats, when cruising, to exhibit from the foremast
head, from sunset to sunrise, a bright white light, visible all around the horizon for a distance
of five miles, and exhibit a search light every 15 minutes. Present law also requires pilot
boats to exhibit, from sunrise to sunset, a blue-peter from the main top-mast head. Present
law exempts boats that have boarded out all their pilots.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law (R.S. 34:952) requires all pilot boats to cruise seaward on a radius of five
nautical miles from the several entrances of the Mississippi River or from any other
waterways connecting the Gulf of Mexico or other outside waters with the Port of New
Orleans.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law (R.S. 34:954) provides that Associated Branch Pilots (bar pilots) of the Port of
New Orleans shall be entitled to charge and receive pilotage at the rate of $6.75 per foot of
water drawn by any ship or vessel piloted by them, provided that any ship drawing less than
10 feet shall pay on the basis of a minimum of 10 feet. Present law further provides that
Associated Branch Pilots (bar pilots) of the Port of New Orleans shall also be entitled to
enter into agreements with the masters or owners of ships and vessels for special services
and the hire of boats and equipment, and the like, at such rates and for such sums as may be
agreed between them.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law (R.S. 34:965) prohibits members of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of
New Orleans from having an interest, directly or indirectly, in any bar pilot boat or pilotage.
Proposed law repeals present law.
(Amends R.S. 34:963; Repeals R.S. 34:950, 951, 952, 954, and 965)