Pilot commissioners must be Harris County qualified voters and property tax payers, with some eligibility exclusions. Appointments must be made within 45 days after a term ends or a vacancy begins, and if later deadlines are missed the governor can step in.
Sec. 66.0115. QUALIFICATIONS; VACANCY. (a) Except as otherwise provided by Sections 66.011 and 66.0116, each pilot commissioner must be a property tax payer and a qualified voter in Harris County. (b) A person is not eligible for appointment to the board if the person: (1) has previously served the equivalent of at least 12 full years on the board; or (2) is currently serving or has previously served as a port commissioner for the Port of Houston Authority of Harris County, Texas. (c) Not later than the 45th day after the date on which a term expires or on which a vacancy on the board begins, the appointing entity must appoint a new pilot commissioner. If the appointing entity fails to make the appointment before the 45th day, the office is considered an open position and the person serving in that position is ineligible for reappointment to fill the position, and: (1) if the appointing entity is the city council of the City of Houston, the city council of the City of Pasadena, or the Harris County Mayors' and Councils' Association, the Harris County Commissioners Court shall appoint a pilot commissioner to fill the position; or (2) if the appointing entity is the Harris County Commissioners Court, the city council of the City of Houston shall appoint a pilot commissioner to fill the position. (d) If a second appointing entity under Subsection (c)(1) or (2) fails to make an appointment before the 90th day after the date on which the term expires or the vacancy begins: (1) the office is considered an open position and the person serving in that position is ineligible for reappointment to fill the position; and (2) the governor shall appoint a pilot commissioner to fill the position with the advice and consent of the senate. (e) If a vacancy occurs through death, resignation, or other reason, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided for making the original appointment and in accordance with Subsections (c) and (d). (f) The governor may appoint a pilot commissioner under Subsection (d) only if the appointing entity under Subsection (c) fails to make an appointment within the period described by this section, and any subsequent appointment must be made by the appropriate appointing entity. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1346 (S.B. 1915), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019.