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.