Legislative & Licensing Info

 

Legislative & Licensing News

 

Locksmith Licensing Update

By Dusty Brummitt (old reports by Charles Hudecek)

For a historical view of the monthly Alarm and Locksmith Industry Advisory Board meetings, please click on this link, or use the tab on the main menu, to access the monthly reports.

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

Charles Hudecek is now serving along with Ed Humes 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.  OSDH number notification letter.pdf

The third round of State License renewal is taking 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 the first week in February of each year) 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.  

  Your Locksmith Licensing is a valuable item that others would love to take away from you.  The question is, are you willing to fight for your Licensing and your Industry.

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 will continue on!

 

Activities by the Legislature

An ex Legislator brought an exemption request (HB2308) forward thru Rep. Thomsen so Mr. Higgenbottom? could 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.  Guess he didn't like the response).    The bill was pulled and it went no where.

HB2320, sponsored by Rep. Martin, provides some clean-up on the Alarm and Locksmith Industry Act.  This bill was signed by the Governor June 5th, 2010.

AAA's attempt was re-routed through the DPS and their own Industry, so no exemption was granted.

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

To our knowledge, Tulsa Officials withdrew their request and we know of no further action at this time.  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

We will post the changes to our act once they are published by the Sec. of State.

 

Oklahoma State Department of Health

 

Mr. Matt Schue ( Dir. Of Occupational Licensing) has stated O.S.D.H. Occupational Licensing is currently pursuing any and all unlicensed Companies whether Phony / Gypsy locksmiths, or in or out-of-state unlicensed Companies trying to do business in the state of OK.

The O.S.D.H. web site now has all licensed Companies and individuals listed on their web site, as per listed ion the link below, and clicking on the list header you want:

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

We've asked Department of Health Officials to provide a periodic report indicating enforcement progress and necessary information our Industry needs to know, and they have agreed to provide what they can release.  Due to the need to limit release of information during the investigative and litigation process, the reports will be sporadic.  Our intent is to help keep our Industry aware and up to date about issues within the State, and this will help greatly.

 

 

Additional Board Information

We invite all locksmiths to come to our meetings and observe the process and insure the voice of all locksmiths in Oklahoma continue to be heard.  As the recognized representative of our Industry, we want to speak for all, member or not, so please come and share your views so we have the entire picture.

  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

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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