§ 12:8-21 — Notice, hearing of revocation of license, suspension from acting as pilot, or reduction in grade.

12:8-21. Before a maritime pilot or a docking pilot shall be deprived of a license, or suspended from acting thereunder, or reduced in grade, he shall be compelled to appear before the commission to show cause against his suspension or the revocation of his license or reduction in grade. The notice shall be delivered to such maritime pilot or docking pilot not less than fifteen days before the time specified in the notice for his appearance. If the maritime pilot or docking pilot neglects or refuses to appear before the commission at the time specified in the notice, or if the cause shown by him against his suspension, or the revocation of his license or reduction in grade shall appear insufficient to the commission, it may, upon a majority vote of the full membership of the commission, either revoke the license or suspend him from acting as a maritime pilot or a docking pilot or reduce him in grade; except that the president of the commission, or in the absence of the president, the president's designee, may immediately and temporarily, for a period not to exceed 30 days, suspend the license of any maritime pilot or docking pilot upon a determination that, because of the maritime pilot's or docking pilot's mental or physical health or use of alcohol or controlled dangerous substance, the pilot cannot safely perform the pilot's duties. An order or judgment of the commission shall be considered final agency action for the purposes of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) and shall be subject only to judicial review as provided in the Rules of Court. Amended 2004, c.72, s.24.