HLS 21RS-2956 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 119
BY REPRESENTATIVE JONES
PILOTS: Urges and requests the Blanco Center to analyze market demand, market rates,
diversity, education and training related to the maritime industry
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University
3 of Louisiana at Lafayette (Blanco Center) to collaborate with the University of
4 Louisiana System including Grambling, the Southern University System, and the
5 Louisiana Community and Technical College System to analyze market demand,
6 market rates, diversity, and education and training related to maritime and port-
7 related jobs, including the offshore, marine, and barge industries in Louisiana and
8 to submit a written report of its findings to the legislature.
9 WHEREAS, Louisiana is number one in waterborne traffic via the five ports on the
10lower Mississippi River combined; and
11 WHEREAS, river port pilots and steamship pilots assist in steering foreign-flagged
12cargo vessels from the Gulf of Mexico and down the Mississippi River; and
13 WHEREAS, river port and steamship piloting is one of the most lucrative blue collar
14careers in this state; and
15 WHEREAS, the river port and steamship pilots' associations have attempted to
16increase the diversity of their pool of qualified candidates to fill open pilot positions; and
17 WHEREAS, river port and steamship pilots are required to have a maritime degree
18but Louisiana has no maritime schools; and
19 WHEREAS, river port and steamship pilots often begin their careers in other
20maritime and port-related jobs; and
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HCR NO. 119
1 WHEREAS, Blanco Center Director Stephen Barnes has conducted numerous studies
2of the Louisiana economy including studies on waterborne commerce, workforce demand,
3and education and training; and
4 WHEREAS, the Blanco Center is a valuable resource for independent research and
5analysis on matters of importance to public policy in Louisiana.
6 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
7urge and request the Blanco Center, in consultation with the University of Louisiana System
8including Grambling, the Southern University System, and the Louisiana Community and
9Technical College System, to analyze market demand, market rates, diversity, and education
10and training related to maritime and port-related jobs, including the offshore, marine, and
11barge industries and make recommendations to the legislature while balancing the following
12goals:
13 (1)Increasing equitable access to employment as a river port and steamship pilot
14 in Louisiana.
15 (2)Maintaining safe and efficient navigation of rivers and waterways in
16 Louisiana.
17 (3)Supporting Louisiana's competitive role as a hub for waterborne commerce.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that written reports shall be submitted to the House
19Committee on Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection,
20and International Affairs on the following timeline:
21 (1)A preliminary status report no later than February 1, 2022.
22 (2)A final report of recommendations no later than February 1, 2023.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
24director of the Blanco Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the chairman of the
25board of supervisors of the University of Louisiana System, the chairman of the board of
26supervisors of the Southern University System, and the chairman of the board of supervisors
27of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
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HCR NO. 119
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)]
HCR 119 Original 2021 Regular Session Jones
Urges and requests the Blanco Center to collaborate with certain organizations to analyze
market demand, market rates, diversity, and education and training related to maritime and
port-related jobs, including the offshore, marine, and barge industries.
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