California Boating and Waterways Commission Chair is Pier (really!)

The Boating and Waterways Commission (Commission) is mandated by the Harbors and Navigation Code (HNC) to advise and comment on all DBW matters within its jurisdiction. The Commission must also advise and comment on all boating facilities loans and grants proposed by the Division.

The Commission is composed of seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. Each commissioner's term runs for four years.

The mission is "To provide safe and convenient public access to California's waterways and leadership in promoting safe, enjoyable and environmentally sound recreational boating."

The California Boating and Waterways Commission (Commission) is required to prepare and submit a triennial program report to the Governor, the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.  2020-2022 Triennial Program Report  

• Boating Safety Fact Sheets
  
• Alert: Effective January 1, 2025 - All motorized vessel operators are now required by law to complete a boating safety course and obtain a California Boater Card before heading out on the water. For more information about the California Boater Card, list of approved courses and exemptions, please visit CaliforniaBoaterCard.com.
  
• Life Jacket Loaner Programs
  
• Life Jacket Trade-In Events.... Not updated since 2022.   
  • DBW partners with fire stations, law enforcement agencies and private partners to grow the life jacket loan program.   Life Jacket Loaner Programs
    
  • Los Angeles County LA Port Police
    Address: 330 Centre Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
    Phone Number: (310) 732-3500
  • Ventura County  New Hogan Lake
    Address: 2713 Hogan Dam Road, Valley Springs, CA 95252-8496
    Phone Number: (209) 772-1343
  • Kern County Kern River Outfitters
    Address: 6602 Wofford Blvd, Wofford Heights, CA 93285
    Phone Number: (760) 376-3370
    

Introducing a bold vision to add three new state parks while growing existing parks by 30,000 acres by the end of the decade.

April 22, 2026
Governor Newsom laid out State Parks Forward, adding three new state parks in the Central Valley — pushing the statewide total to 283 parks — while growing existing parks by 30,000 acres by the end of the decade. This is the biggest expansion of the State Park System in decades and is providing more access to parks in the Central Valley.  State Parks Forward Fact Sheet

TOM PIER, Chair San Francisco, California

• Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Boating and Waterways Commission in March 2020. T
• Of counsel at Alioto Law Firm since 2005. 
• Self-employed political consultant from 1991 to 1999
• Lifeguard for the City of Newport Beach from 1988 to 1992 
• Fisherman and ship engineer for various fishing vessels in Alaska from 1985 to 1988. 
• Recently earned a Master of Law (LL.M.) in Admiralty and Maritime Law from Tulane University. 
• Holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law 
• Has a Master of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Texas, Austin.

There are two remaining of four meetings of the CBW Commission. They are also live streamed. Locations are related to Boating and Waterways and include a tour.  Commission Meetings

• Aug. 3 & 4, 2026 (Location TBA)
• Nov. 4 & 5, 2026 (Location TBA)

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