House Bill 1045 would allow the North Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board to charge an application fee for non‑live online classroom training for apprentice security officers and would add a renewal fee and a late renewal fee for nonlicensed officers and owners with at least a 10% interest in private security or detective agencies.

The board’s executive director, John Shorey, told the Senate Industry and Business Committee that the bill “creates 2 new subsections to section 40‑33‑16 of the North Dakota Century Code.” He said the first new subsection would permit an initial application fee “which may not exceed $60” for approval of a non‑live remote or online apprentice training course, and the second would allow a renewal fee “which may not exceed $60” and a $20 late renewal fee for corporate officers and nonlicensed officers who must apply as part of an agency licensing renewal.

The change responds to a board administrative rule adopted after the COVID‑19 pandemic that allows non‑live remote training for apprentice security officers through an already board‑certified trainer (North Dakota Administrative Code 93‑02‑02.1‑17). Shorey said the rule took effect Oct. 1, 2022, and that, as of the hearing, “there have been no applications for the training but the Board anticipates several applications coming in soon.” He said the proposed fee is intended to cover board staff time and expenses associated with reviewing and processing those applications.

Shorey also described the board’s existing practice of requiring corporate officers and certain nonlicensed officers to apply and undergo fingerprint‑based criminal history searches as part of agency licensing. He said corporate officer renewals were added in 2019 and have had no fee attached; the bill would formalize a renewal fee and a late fee to offset administrative costs because the board “does not receive annual appropriations to fund its operations. All funding is derived from licensing and certification fees the board assesses,” he said.

Senators on the committee asked for clarifications about how apprenticeship and training are structured and who would pay the fees. Shorey said the application fee would be paid by a registered security trainer seeking approval to offer a non‑live online course; he said agencies typically provide in‑house training at no charge to employees but third‑party trainers sometimes charge fees. He described the multi‑step apprenticeship pathway for private security and private investigator licensing, including required hours and classroom training thresholds for different registration levels.

After testimony, Senator Klein moved a due‑pass recommendation on House Bill 1045 and Senator Castle seconded the motion. The committee recorded an affirmative vote: Senator Klein (aye), Senator Kessel (aye), Chairman Barta (aye), Vice Chair Behm (aye) and Senator Engage (aye). The committee reported a 5‑0 due pass recommendation on House Bill 1045.

The committee closed the hearing with no public opposition or neutral testimony. The board urged the committee to give the bill a due‑pass recommendation and offered to answer follow‑up questions as needed.