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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:
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.