Legislative & Licensing News

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 receive a letter from code enforcement.  OSDH number notification letter.pdf

If you have not received your license from the State because they have contacted you about additional information or have question(s) you need to answer, your license will not be issued until these issues are resolved.  If you haven't resolved them with the State Health Department before June 1st, 2008, your license is subject to suspension and possible revocation and you will not be eligible for renewal for the year 2008/9.  Take

Locksmith Businesses who have submitted application for State licensure but not received license

If you have not received your license from the State because they have contacted you about additional information or have question(s) you need to answer, your license will not be issued until these issues are resolved.  If you haven't resolved them with the State Health Department before June 1st, 2008, your license is subject to suspension and possible revocation and you will not be eligible for renewal for the year 2008/9.  Take this seriously, because your lively-hood could depend on it.

The Advisory board completed the review of the felony applications during their May meeting.  Most were approved for licensure.

Since the June meeting of the Alarm & Locksmith Advisory Board provided little of consequence for us, we will do a general summary of the June and July meetings later this month.

The Department of Health is sending out follow-up letters to those who need to provide additional information this month.  As stated above, if you ignore these requests, you won't receive your license and you won't receive a renewal notice.  NOT GOOD!!!!!

Advisory_Board_monthly_reports

Activities by the Legislature

Governor Henry chose to approve SB45 March 3rd, 2008. 

February 26th, 2008, The Oklahoma House voted in favor of SB45 CCS 2 by an overwhelming majority.  So much for common sense or the concern for the protection of the Oklahoma Public prevailing within the ranks of our State legislators.  Oklahoma Locksmiths will now find themselves competing with their local Lumber Yard for re-keying business, and whatever else they choose to do, because they will be completely exempted from any restrictions or licensing requirements of our Industry once this takes affect (November 1st, 2008).  Our only chance to stop this exemption from going into effect, was to contact the Governor and ask him to line item veto the exemption.  He chose not to do that!  You can contact the Governor through his "Message to the Governor" link on his website.  The link is:  http://www.governor.state.ok.us/message.php

Though your comments won't change the fact the legislation has been approved, you still have the right to voice your opinion about how this affects you and your business.

News from the National Publications

Below, you will find a link to the editorial written by Editor Greg Mango of The National Locksmith in the April 2008 edition.  Greg chose to include my letter to Governor Henry in its entirety.  He also published my response to him in reference to the Governor's signing the bill.  Check the June Issue for the second editorial.

Greg has been very supportive of our Industry and has promised to continue to do so.  If you get the opportunity, please thank him.

(this file is large and takes several seconds to open so please wait and give it time to load)

TNL_GregMango_Apr08.pdf

National Association Info

The link below will show you what ALOA, as the national organization, attempted to do prior to the Oklahoma House vote.  We  ask for their assistance with the letter to the Governor as well, and they were more than kind to accommodate us.

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 July 1st, 2008, we've not been able to get a ruling from the tax Commission as to whom or what, exactly, this applies to.  Hopefully, they'll provide the requested info this month.

The approved changes to the exceptions of our act are 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

And # 6 was the real sticking point.  We were informed today, the legislators intend to put this through.  As stated in # 6, any lumber company or its employees are exempt from licensing, background check or any fees and free to exercise any and all of the locksmith industry activities as stated in the act.

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.

How this happened and why

The person primarily responsible for, and the reason for the exemption is explained below:

(Though Gus Blackwell Authored the exemption, most of the Legislative body supported this and should all be held responsible for the outcome.)

While you and I pay for the privilege of doing business as locksmiths, the lumber Yards now get to do it for free.  This all started with Rep. Gus Blackwell from Texas County in the western part of the state.  One lumber yard has been doing locksmith work for years and didn't want to change.  That one individual and Gus Blackwell brought about the situation we now find ourselves in.  He was not interested in adjusting his error in judgment and we are now going to pay for this problem.  As SB45 was the last bill addressing Title 59 (our act) this was added to it at the last minute last year.  We stopped it then but Gus, as the new Speaker Pro-Tem, can bring any bill to the house floor he wishes.  As usual, the lumber yard association and the builders association backed this and a lot of money went to the lobbyists.  I'm sorry we're so small we can't stop the train.  It seems like big money always wins.  Contact your Reps and let them know the mistake they've made.  Maybe, someday, right will overcome special interests.  Neither we, or the Oklahoma public are being served by this legislation.  That didn't seem to concern the other parties.

  The Pres

Oklahoma State Department of Health

  The only "full-time locksmith" on the board is James Perry of Lakeside Safe & Lock Service at 7727 N. May Ave. in OKC, OK.  73116.  James can be reached at 405-843-5633 or e-mail him at james.perry@coxinet.net  James stated he is available any time to assist individuals with concerns.

The department continues to process applicants with the main delay being the background checks.  This whole process hit about the same time as the federally required passports.  The investigative agencies have been over-loaded.  If you have been asked to provide additional info or documentation to the Department and you haven't provided it, you could be the cause of the delay on receiving your license.

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 Charles Hudecek 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.  New members have been sworn in at each of the last several general business meetings.

TIME TO GET THE WORD OUT

Not all locksmiths are members of our Association and it is very important that each member contact the other locksmiths in their area and keep them informed of what is happening.  We're not getting much help from the press on getting the word out, so we need your help.

Be sure to inform folks the new law prohibits unlicensed people from possessing such tools as bump keys, etc. and those caught with them can be prosecuted.  Also remind the folks there are many ways to insure their locks can't be bumped, either by reworking them or replacing them with higher security locks.  This is a great opportunity to help provide the security we strive for in our industry. 

This is a great time to be contacting your individual Senators and Representatives, both by e-mail and any opportunities you have to see them in your local area through forums, etc.  Let them know how you feel about the actions they've taken to this point and the adverse effects they've caused for our Industry.  Throughout the next few years, special interest groups will be attempting to "adjust" the Act and regulations.

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.

Just remember to be straight up and positive about our goals.  Our goal must always be to insure the safety and protection of the citizens of Oklahoma.  Isn't that what being security professionals is all about?

The Pres

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