There is a State Board of Pilots in the Department.

The Board consists of 9 members. Of the 9 members of the Board: 1 shall be the Secretary, as an ex officio member, or a designee of the Secretary; 1 shall be the President of the Association; 3 shall be retired or licensed pilots who have at least 5 years’ experience providing pilotage; 2 shall be members of the steamship industry who actively employ pilots; 1 shall be a representative of the ship docking tugboat industry in the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore; and 1 shall be a consumer member. The Governor shall appoint each member under paragraph (2)(iii), (iv), (v), and (vi) of this subsection with the advice of the Secretary. A designee of the Secretary: may not be or ever have been employed in the shipping or maritime industry; and may not have or ever have had a financial interest in the shipping or maritime industry. The consumer member of the Board: shall be a member of the general public; may not be or ever have been employed or have or ever have had a financial interest in the shipping or maritime industry; may not be a licensee or otherwise be subject to regulation by the Board; may not, within 1 year before appointment, have had a financial interest in or have received compensation from a person regulated by the Board; and may not be required to meet the qualifications for the professional members of the Board. While a member of the Board, the consumer member may not: have a financial interest in or receive compensation from a person regulated by the Board; or grade any examination given by or for the Board. Before taking office, each appointee to the Board shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution. The term of an appointed member is 2 years and begins on June 1. The terms of appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on October 1, 1989. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. An appointed member may not serve more than 2 terms consecutively. The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct. Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, a member shall be considered to have resigned who has been appointed to the Board by the Governor if the member did not attend at least two–thirds of the Board meetings held during any consecutive 12–month period while the member was serving on the Board. The Governor may waive a member’s resignation and allow the member to continue serving if the member has been unable to attend meetings for reasons satisfactory to the Governor and the reasons are made public. In accordance with § 8–501 of the State Government Article, the chairperson shall provide notice to the Governor and the Governor shall appoint a successor.

From among the members of the Board, the Governor shall appoint a chairperson.

A majority of the authorized membership of the Board is a quorum. The Board shall determine the times and places of its meetings. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection and to the State budget, each member of the Board is entitled to: compensation of $500 per year, to be paid out of money that the Board collects; and reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations. The Secretary or designee of the Secretary is not entitled to compensation under this subsection. The Board may employ a staff in accordance with the State budget.

In addition to any powers set forth elsewhere, the Board may adopt regulations and pass orders to govern and regulate licensed pilots. In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the Board shall: adopt a seal; and be responsible for safety in providing pilotage.

The Board shall receive all fees and other charges collectible under §§ 11–406 and 11–408 of this title. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Board shall pay all money collected under this title into the General Fund of the State. The compensation of the Board and reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations shall be as provided in the State budget.

The Board exercises its powers, duties, and functions subject to the authority of the Secretary.

There is an incident committee within the Board. The chairperson of the Board shall appoint one pilot member of the Board and one steamship industry member of the Board to the incident committee. The incident committee shall: review all complaints filed with the Board and all reports of incidents filed by a licensed pilot; and make a recommendation to the full Board on the disposition of each matter. Before making a recommendation, the incident committee may request the Department to appoint an individual with experience in the investigation of maritime casualties to prepare a report on the underlying facts of a complaint or incident arising under § 11-409(a)(5) of this title.