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Industry stakeholders urge changes to AB 1244, warn it would burden small PIs and new firms
Summary
At a Bureau of Security and Investigative Services advisory meeting, private investigators, industry groups and some officers opposed AB 1244(Assemblymember Holden), saying the bill would require many sole-practice investigators and small companies to obtain a second "qualified manager" credential and could limit competition.
Members of the private security and private investigator communities pressed the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) and the billauthor's office to revise AB 1244 during a public-comment period at a BSIS advisory committee meeting held virtually. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Holden, would change qualification and experience rules for qualified managers for private patrol operators (PPOs) and private investigators (PIs).
Why it matters: dozens of licensed PIs and industry representatives said the bill, in its current form, would force many sole proprietors to buy an additional license to act as their own qualified manager, increasing costs and regulatory burden for small operators and potentially reducing competition in the sector.
The committee chair opened the legislative update by summarizing bills affecting the bureau and identified AB 1244 as a current-session item. The chair noted the bureau is offering technical assistance only and is not the bill sponsor.
Several public commenters representing the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) and individual license holders urged amendments. Jim Zimmer, identified as a licensed private investigator since 1986 and a past president of CALI, said the bill "would require me and the vast majority of licensed PIs who are sole proprietors like myself to obtain and pay for a second license to be a qualified manager of myself." He urged BSIS and the legislature to consider CALI-proposed amendments.
Other commenters made related points. Jay Paulino, a licensed private investigator and CALI member, said many PIs "do not act as qualified managers for many different companies" and that forcing an additional license would cause financial hardship. Sean (identified as a content creator) argued AB 1244 would favor large firms, narrow the candidate pool for managers, and could create economic and geographic barriers for minorities and small-business owners, recommending a grandfather clause or alternative certification. Tony Barreto, an armed guard and small-business operator recovering from an injury, said the bill in its current form would "completely disenfranchise" individuals from economically disadvantaged communities.
BSIS staff repeatedly told commenters the bureau is providing technical assistance only and recommended that concerns be taken up directly with the bill author's office. In closing, the bureau chair thanked speakers and said she hoped comments would also be directed to the author's office.
What was not decided: no formal action or vote on the bill took place at the meeting; the advisory committee has no authority to pass or block legislation and BSIS said it is not the bill sponsor.
What remains unclear from the meeting record: the transcript includes several specific concerns and proposed fixes (for example, grandfathering or certificate alternatives) but does not show any draft amendment language or a BSIS policy response beyond offering technical assistance.
Ending: Committee members and many public commenters asked BSIS to continue technical conversations with the author's office and noted they will pursue legislative amendments to avoid imposing duplicate licensing requirements on sole-proprietor investigators and small firms.
