An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Marine Pilots.

The Board of Marine Pilots was originally created in 1970. The associated authority of the Board was then significantly broadened with the Marine Pilot Act of 1991. The Marine Pilot Act stated, "It is the policy of the state to prevent the loss of lives and property, and to protect the marine environment of the state by requiring compulsory pilotage on the inland and coastal water of and adjacent to the state."

The 1995 amendments to the State's marine pilot statutes changed the BMP's role in setting how much pilot organizations could charge for services. The process allows the flexibility of negotiated rates between the pilots and the shippers. It also fosters competition between pilot organizations while giving shippers an avenue of appeal and review when they believe rates may be excessively high in regions of the state where there is no competition.

The regulation and licensing of qualified marine pilots benefits the safety and welfare of the public. The BMP has begun improved training and continuing education of Alaska marine pilot's which is becoming increasingly important with the steady increase in tourist passenger ships in recent years.

The board provides reasonable assurance that the pilots of cargo and passenger ships are qualified to do so. The board has successfully worked with the pilot associations in resolving many problems identified in the 1994 audit and continues to improve the safety of Alaska's marine waters. The BMP is currently finishing a 5-year extension. The 1998 legislative audit, recognizing the public importance of the BMP, recommended another 5-year extension with a termination date of June 30, 2004.

Senator Leman amended the proposed termination date of June 30, 2004 in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee to a 4-year extension of June 30, 2003.