ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
ASSEMBLY, No. 994
with Assembly committee amendments
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: DECEMBER 11, 1997
The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 994 ACS, with committee amendments.
Assembly Bill No. 994 (ACS), as amended, provides for the licensing and regulation of locksmiths, burglar alarm, fire alarm, and electronic security businesses by the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors and a fifteen-member "Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm and Locksmith Advisory Committee" under the board's jurisdiction. Under the bill, the board is given certain powers and duties to regulate licensees, based upon the committee's recommendations; or, the board may delegate these powers to the committee. These powers include setting standards for examinations; determining requirements for licensure; adopting a code of ethics and continuing education standards and requirements; disciplining licensees pursuant to the uniform enforcement act, P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-14 et seq.); and developing regulations regarding license and examination fees, record keeping and the form and content of applications, licenses and identification cards.
Licensees and their employees are required to submit their fingerprints and photographs to the Division of State Police for the purpose of obtaining criminal history background checks. Electrical contractors, telephone utility and cable television companies are exempt from licensure.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Sources have indicated that there are approximately 400 to 500 businesses which may be eligible under the bill. On average, these businesses are small with only one or two employees. The examination and licensing fees should be able to absorb any administrative costs arising from the regulatory function.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The amendment exempts from "locksmithing services" the routine installation of a prefabricated door lock set to allow the public to purchase and install a lock and doorknobs set.