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Panel hears bill to remove Oregon residency requirement for three licensed maritime pilots
Summary
Senate Bill 459 would remove the requirement that three named licensees on the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots be Oregon residents; proponents said the change is needed to expand a small candidate pool and align with neighboring states.
The House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans conducted a public hearing April 22, 2025, on Senate Bill 459, which would remove the statutory requirement that three named licensees on the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots be Oregon residents.
Senator Suzanne Weber and industry representatives explained that the pilot workforce is small and that many licensed pilots who work Oregon waters reside in neighboring states, particularly Washington. Mark Landauer, representing the Oregon Public Ports Association and the Columbia River Steamship Operators Association, told the committee his organizations had not requested the bill but that removing the residency requirement would expand the pool of eligible licensees who could serve on the board.
Committee staff summarized the current structure: the board has nine members, and three licensed pilots are appointed to represent distinct license areas (Columbia River Bar, Columbia River, and Coos Bay/Yaquina Bay). Those three licensee members are the only members with an existing Oregon residency requirement; SB 459 would remove that residency requirement while leaving licensing and other qualifications intact.
Members questioned practical and policy implications. Representative Brooke Raber asked how many pilots live out of state; Landauer said he believed many live in Washington, in part due to tax incentives, but characterized that as anecdotal. Representative Evans and other members expressed reluctance about allowing out‑of‑state residents to set policy for Oregon; some suggested amendments to ensure public members remain Oregon residents. Witnesses said pilots’ primary role is safety and navigation of large vessels through hazardous bars and channels and that qualified pilots are essential to avoid groundings and environmental incidents.
No formal position was recorded from the port associations during the hearing; the witness said his organizations had not taken a position. The committee closed the hearing with committee members seeking more background before further action; there was no vote on SB 459 during the session.
If enacted, the bill would align Oregon with Washington and California on residency rules for pilot licensees and remove an explicit barrier to appointing licensed pilots who live outside Oregon but operate in Oregon waters.
