State Pilotage Commission as Class 2 municipality, commission may regulate maritime data used in Mobile Bay.

This bill designates the State Pilotage Commission as a Class 2 municipality and grants it sole authority to regulate maritime data used for navigating ships in Mobile Bay. Under the new rules, the commission can approve or reject any maritime data collected for vessel pilotage, except for data developed by U.S. government agencies. Additionally, the commission gains the power to set standards for the physical and mental fitness of active bar pilots. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and apply specifically to the Port of Mobile and the waters of Mobile Bay.