02/08/1994 03:00 PM House L&C

  HB 419 - TRANSFER SECURITY GUARD LICENSING                                   
                                                                               
  TIM SULLIVAN, Staff, Rep. Eldon Mulder, Prime Sponsor of                     
  HB 419, read the sponsor statement for HB 419.  Mr. Sullivan                 
  stated that HB 419 provides for transferring the licensing                   
  of security guards and security guard agencies to the                        
  Department of Commerce and Economic Development.  Mr.                        
  Sullivan noted that the program is completely funded by                      
  program receipts; no money comes from the general fund.                      
  (The sponsor statement is on file.)                                          
                                                                               
  Number 071                                                                   
                                                                               
  KARL LUCK, Director, Division of Occupational Licensing,                     
  Department of Commerce and Economic Development, testified                   
  that presently there is no enforcement of the law in Public                  
  Safety.  He stated that if Occupational Licensing takes over                 
  the program, they would need the extra funds to pay for                      
  extra staff to bring the licensees into compliance.                          
                                                                               
  Number 105                                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. PORTER noted that at some point he would ask the                        
  committee for a ruling on whether or not he had a conflict                   
  of interest as he has managed a private security company and                 
  still consults in the business.                                              
                                                                               
  Number 114                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN HUDSON noted that the there would need to be an                     
  increase in the license fees for the increased staff.                        
                                                                               
  Number 120                                                                   
                                                                               
  MR. LUCK stated that under the current law each license                      
  program must pay for itself.                                                 
                                                                               
  Number 132                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked what the current fee for a license                     
  was.                                                                         
                                                                               
  No answer was given.                                                         
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN HUDSON stated that he is looking for what effect                    
  this bill would have on the fees.                                            
                                                                               
  Number 165                                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. PORTER  brought up the conflict that he may have in                     
  voting on this bill as he has had experience as a security                   
  agency consultant.                                                           
                                                                               
  Number 180                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN HUDSON objected.                                                    
                                                                               
  Number 205                                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. PORTER stated that there are requirements for licensing                 
  that involve fingerprinting and background checks, and asked                 
  if it was the intent of this bill to transfer everything to                  
  the Department of Commerce, with the exception of the                        
  endorsement for firearms.                                                    
                                                                               
  Number 210                                                                   
                                                                               
  SGT. RANDY CRAWFORD, Alaska State Troopers, Anchorage,                       
  answered yes, but the fingerprints will still be processed                   
  through the troopers and most of the application fee will be                 
  eaten up by the fingerprinting process.                                      
                                                                               
  Number 245                                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. PORTER asked if Sgt. Crawford knew how they would                       
  recoup those costs from the Department of Commerce.                          
                                                                               
  Number 255                                                                   
                                                                               
  SGT. CRAWFORD answered that he did not know the answer to                    
  that question.                                                               
                                                                               
  Number 285                                                                   
                                                                               
  MR. LUCK added that they have other licensees who are                        
  required to submit fingerprints and they can either submit                   
  them directly or the Department would collect the fees to                    
  cover the costs.                                                             
                                                                               
  Number 305                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked how a security guard is licensed now.                  
                                                                               
  Number 310                                                                   
                                                                               
  SGT. CRAWFORD stated that the process is primarily clerical.                 
  After applications are processed at the trooper                              
  headquarters, tests administered, and background checks are                  
  done, the temporary license is issued.  A permanent license                  
  is granted after the fingerprint checks clear with a                         
  picture.                                                                     
                                                                               
  Number 324                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked if there were any proficiency checks                   
  on the applicants.                                                           
                                                                               
  Number 328                                                                   
                                                                               
  SGT. CRAWFORD stated that the security guard agencies                        
  provide their course curriculum for firearms and the                         
  certification comes from the applicants passing this                         
  curriculum.                                                                  
                                                                               
  Number 332                                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. PORTER noted that there is a security guard permit that                 
  must be obtained and if you want to be an armed security                     
  guard you must have an endorsement on the permit.                            
                                                                               
  Number 337                                                                   
                                                                               
  MR. LUCK recommended a change to the committee substitute on                 
  page 3, line 2, to insert "or anytime thereafter."                           
                                                                               
  Number 352                                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. PORTER moved insertion of the above language.  No                       
  objection was heard; it was so ordered.                                      
                                                                               
  Number 362                                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. PORTER offered an amendment to page 3, line 10, to                      
  insert "of Public Safety."  There was no objection; it was                   
  so ordered.                                                                  
                                                                               
  Number 389                                                                   
                                                                               
  The committee discussed the probable increase in fees                        
  resulting from the passage of this bill.                                     
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN HUDSON announced that he would hold HB 419 in                       
  committee for further information and testimony from the                     
  industry.