Committee advances bill letting retired officers use certified private trainers to qualify for concealed‑carry certification

Representative Pat Heiner presented House Bill 15‑89, which clarifies qualification standards for retired law‑enforcement officers who seek to carry under federal LEOSA provisions and North Dakota law. He told the committee the bill allows a retired officer to be certified annually by a concealed‑weapons test administrator rather than requiring the retired officer to return to a former employing agency for qualification.

Support for the bill was broad among law enforcement groups. Sheriff Kelly Leben, Burleigh County Sheriff, said the legislation would remove scheduling obstacles that sometimes prevent retirees from qualifying with their former agencies and stressed that the bill does not change credential requirements: a retiree still must have agency credentials and must qualify annually. "The threats against law enforcement don't end at separation or retirement," he said in supporting the bill.

Stephanie Ingebretson, appearing for the Chiefs of Police Association of North Dakota, and Kelvin Benson for the North Dakota Peace Officers Association also voiced their support. Casey Miller, a chief agent with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, said BCI would be the repository for qualification information and that the attorney general’s office will create a standardized qualification course; test administrators would need to opt in and meet that standard.

The committee debated whether an emergency clause was necessary; the sponsor said the bill could proceed under the normal timetable. Representative Hedlund moved the bill for a do‑pass recommendation, seconded by Representative Olson. The clerk called the roll; the committee recorded a unanimous do‑pass recommendation with a roll‑call vote of 13‑0. The committee chair declared the motion carried and the bill will be reported to the floor for further consideration.