CA AB251

Revises bar pilotage fees from $8.11 to $10.26 per draft foot of vessel deepest draft and adjusts additional charge from 73.01 to 92.43 mills per high gross registered ton.

Changes the Secretary overseeing the Board of Pilot Commissioners from "Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing" to "Secretary of Transportation" throughout related statutes.

Allows the board to adjust mill rates only after a hearing if catastrophic cost increases would result in at least 2-percent increase in annual pilot service costs, repealing previous automatic adjustment provisions.

Requires the board to consider Section 1102 findings, results of Section 1196.5 study, the 1986 manpower study, and other factors when determining the number of pilots needed.

Creates Section 1190.2 to establish a separate incremental surcharge for pilot boat acquisition and modification costs, identified as a "pilot boat surcharge" on invoices and separately accounted for in board records.