Legislative & Licensing News

Advisory_Board_monthly_reports

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ALOA Scammer Link

The link below is provided by ALOA, our National Organization so you can check out the latest available news about locksmith scammers, etc. around the country. Please take time to check it out and if you know of other incidents, please report them so we can get them to ALOA.

http://www.aloa.org/pdf/pressroom.pdf

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New Advisory Board Member Selected

Ed Humes is now serving on the Oklahoma Alarm and Locksmith Industry Advisory Board.  He will serve for the next 4 years, so please show your support as he works for our Industry.

Special Notice to all Locksmiths

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has issued a notification letter to all Alarm and Locksmith Industry licensed Businesses stating where the State issued company license number must be displayed.  I've provided a link to a pdf file of the letter sent to my company for you to read and print if you wish.  Each licensed company should have received a letter from code enforcement.  OSDH number notification letter.pdf

The second round of State License renewal has taken place and we're just about to begin another year.  Please be sure to comply with State Law by displaying our company license numbers on our vehicles, our ads, our business cards, pens, whatever we advertise on.  Be sure to have your State License with you at all times and present it to your customers when you arrive on the job site.

                         Did you know

 I was asked a question the other day on how can we as locksmiths stop someone from getting exempted from the law?

The answer is in three parts:

       # one:  You as the locksmith must get involved and get in touch with your Senator and Representative now (They go back in session February 1st, 2010) to speak with, and let them know your feelings on non-qualified entities being exempted from the law.( See List  Below)

     # two:  The easy part, OMLA has a group of locksmiths that go to the Capital every year to speak with the Senators and Representatives about this and other subjects concerning the locksmith industry.  Join them for one day and see what they do and voice your opinion to them..         

    # three:  Even easier.  When the time comes, be prepared to call, send a letter, or e-mail your Senator or Representative and remind them who you are and what you spoke to him / her about.  

 This question was asked because it appears AAA has begun moving their HQ's from CA to OK and they've started to bring their service fleet to OK with them and claim their fleet is exempted from our law, because they are a towing Co. and not a locksmith Co.( Please Note Below )

 Your Locksmith Licensing is a valuable item that others want, and are willing to fight to try to take from you, the question is, are you will to give it up without a fight or are you willing to fight for your Licensing.

It's very important each locksmith stay aware and let us know of any such information quickly so we can react to any such activities.  We have to stay vigilant to protect our Industry.  Every eye and ear counts.  Without the help of the Legislators, we'll have difficulty stopping the special interest groups.

 And the battle over exemptions begins again!

Activities by the Legislature

An ex Legislator has brought an exemption request (HB2308) forward thru Rep. Thomsen so Mr. Higgenbottom? can avoid having to get his CCTV license (He brought this before the Advisory Board in Aug. 09 and was told he needed to get his license.  He was mad and this is the result).  This is a very bad bill and needs to be stopped.  Contact your local Representatives and Senators and ask them to stop this bill.  The bill was brought before the committee February 3rd and Rep Thopsen pulled it to keep from getting it killed in committee because they were not in favor of it.

HB2320, sponsored by Rep. Martin, has been filed for us to do some clean-up on the Alarm and Locksmith Industry Act.  This bill has not come before the committee as of yet, but will in the next couple of weeks.

We haven't seen any legislation come forward from AAA yet, but we're watching closely and expect there will be.

Update on Tulsa's attempt to institute electronic equipment licensing fees

To our knowledge, Tulsa Officials withdrew their request just prior to the August 2009 meeting, when they realized they where violating State Law.  The thought they would not look to other avenues to accomplish their goals seems unlikely, so we'll be keeping an eye on the issue for some time to come.  Link to letter:  Tulsa- Electronic Locks Letter.pdf

Industry News Associates

The major Industry Publications are working very hard to keep us informed of changes and issues effecting the Locksmith Industry.  Thank them every chance you get and provide them with info if given the opportunity.

National Association Info

The link below will show you what ALOA, as the national organization, is doing to effect our Industry as a whole and how they continue to work for all locksmiths throughout the Country and World.

http://www.votervoice.net/Groups/ALOA/frameset.aspx

ALOA is beginning many new programs to assist the individual States, so be watching and ready to provide input as needed.

Effects of Legislation on our Act

Special Note:  As of December 5th, 2009, we've still not been able to get a ruling from the tax Commission as to whom or what, exactly, these exemptions apply to.  Hopefully, they'll provide the requested info at some point in time.

The approved changes to the exceptions of our act were as follows: 

Section 1800.3  The Alarm and Locksmith Industry Act shall not apply to:

1, 2, & 3 weren't changed.

4.  The sale, installation, service, or repair of alarm systems or electronic security devices such as electronic access control, closed circuit television, nurse call systems and the like by individuals licensed pursuant to the Electrical Licensing Act; or

5.remained the same

6.  Locksmith industry activities of persons primarily engaged in selling lumber and other building materials who hold a sales tax permit as a Group One vendor authorized to engage in business within this state pursuant to Sections 1363 and 1364 of the Oklahoma Sales Tax Code.

There seems to be a difference of opinion as to whether this exemption applies to just the tax permit holder or the entire workforce of that establishment.

  The Pres

Oklahoma State Department of Health

We invite all locksmiths (whether Association members or not) to come to the meetings and observe the process and insure the voice of all locksmiths in Oklahoma continue to be heard.  As locksmiths, we've won the right to have our concerns represented and we need to participate in the process to insure they are.  All the meetings will be attended by representatives of our Association to help insure the voice of the locksmith continues to be heard.  It's probably more important now than ever before that all locksmiths unite and stand together for this Industry.  There doesn't seem to be much help any where else.

  OMLA Contacts for information about licensing are: Lowell Roberts at 405-732-5838 or Dusty Brummitt at 580-541-1457 (Charles Hudecek is still available to answer questions at 580-512-6170).  If you wish to contact the Oklahoma State Department of Health, you can call Matt Schue at 405-271-5779 or go the their website at:

http://www.ok.gov/health/Protective_Health/Occupational_Licensing_Division/Alarm_and_Locksmith_Program/index.html

to view or print the Act, rules, or various application forms, or view the list of licensed Companies or Individuals, go to, and click on, the specific header for the area you want and that area will open.  The State will have to provide you with fingerprint cards via US mail. 

Our Association will continue to be very active in the licensing and education process and in assisting the State Department of Health.  Changes are already taking place and our Association is beginning to grow.

To all Oklahoma Locksmiths

Since not all locksmiths are a member of our Association we would like for non-members to be informed as to what the State is doing that impacts our industry.  Every one is welcome to generate inputs and have their voice heard.  We are not aware of any other organization in Oklahoma representing the Locksmith Industry, and since we seem to be the only voice available, we'd like to be the voice for everyone, member or not.  Our Industry depends on every one standing together.  If you're not willing to do that, you may not like the outcome.  There are groups who would like to make us go away, so they can have our business.  As far as I'm concerned, "from my cold dead hands, Partner".  It's your choice to make.  Unite or fail!

Be sure to inform folks the law prohibits unlicensed people from possessing such tools as bump keys, etc. and those caught with them can be prosecuted.  Local Law Enforcement is authorized to arrest and detain suspected violators for the State Enforcement Personnel, though most aren't aware of it, so contact your local Law Enforcement Agency and discuss it with them.  We are working with the Oklahoma Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (OSPOA) very closely to assist them in educating their officers as to what constitutes such tools.  If they have questions, they can contact Matt Schue, the Code Enforcement Director for the Oklahoma Department of Health in OKC at 405-271-5779. 

You can remind the folks there are many ways to insure their locks can't be bumped.  Several Companies are now offering new bump-proof designs; the locks can be reworked, or the locks can be replaced with higher security locks.    This is a great opportunity to help provide the security we strive for in our industry. 

The Pres

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