Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Law Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs measure to allow private-qualified instructors to certify retired officers under LEOSA
Summary
Senators recommended a do-pass on House Bill 1589 to allow approved private firearms instructors to administer annual LEOSA proficiency qualifications to retired officers, easing logistical burdens on agencies.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee recommended a do-pass on House Bill 1589 to allow private qualified firearms instructors to administer proficiency testing required under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) for retired and separated officers.
Representative Todd Porter presented the bill, explaining that LEOSA allows qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed under federal law if they meet annual firearms-proficiency requirements. Porter said the bill would permit certified firearms instructors (approved by the attorney general) to administer LEOSA proficiency tests so retired officers who relocate or cannot return to their home agency can meet the requirement.
Support came from multiple law-enforcement groups. Major Trent Wongen of the Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department said the measure would ease logistical issues for agencies and retirees who relocate; “This bill would allow concealed weapons instructors that are approved by the North Dakota attorney general that wish to offer this service the opportunity to do so,” he testified. Casey Miller, chief agent with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, said BCI will create a consistent qualification and be the repository for certification records.
Senators voted in favor of the committee recommendation; the clerk recorded 7 ayes, 0 nays. The committee assigned a carrier to move the bill to the floor.
