CA AB1372

Transfers authority for setting bar pilotage rates from the Legislature to the Board of Pilot Commissioners, who may now adopt and adjust rates directly rather than requiring legislative action.

Establishes a new formal ratesetting process in Chapter 6 (Sections 1200-1203) of the Harbors and Navigation Code, including application procedures, public hearings, administrative law judge involvement, and opportunity for interested parties to protest proposed rate changes.

Updates base pilotage rates effective upon board adoption: increases per-draft-foot rate from $8.11 to $10.26 and per-gross-registered-ton charge from 73.01 to 92.43 mills, with minimum vessel charge remaining at $662.

Allows the board to adopt emergency regulations to implement the new ratesetting process and permits independent audits of pilotage operations to inform rate decisions.

Makes an appropriation by authorizing rate adjustments that may increase board operations surcharge revenues, with costs for administrative law judges funded by the board operations surcharge.