Summary — SB 2051 (North Dakota) — Private Investigative and Security Board fees; performance audit; emergency
Status / key dates
- Introduced: March 7, 2025 (Senate)
- Filed with Secretary of State: April 22, 2025
- Sponsor / request: Industry and Business Committee (at the request of the Private Investigative and Security Board)
- Action: Passed by the Legislative Assembly; contains an emergency clause for Section 1.
Purpose
- To raise the statutory maximum fee caps that the North Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board may adopt by rule for examinations, licenses, registrations, certificates, and instructor certifications; and to require a performance audit of the Board. Section 1 (fee changes) is declared an emergency measure so the new caps take immediate effect on enactment.
Key provisions — fees (board may establish by rule and charge up to the listed maximums)
- Examination fee (applicant for investigator or security license): up to $150 (previous cap $100).
- Individual license (initial issuance or renewal — private investigator or security): up to $225 (previous cap $150). Late renewal fee: up to $75 per month (previous cap $50).
- Agency application (private security/detective agency): up to $150 (previous cap $100).
- Agency license issuance/renewal: up to $450 (previous cap $300). Late renewal fee: up to $150 per month (previous cap $100).
- Private security training certificate (one-time initial): up to $40 (previous cap $25). Renewal: $40. Late renewal fee: $15/month (previous cap $20).
- Armed certificate (annual): up to $45 (previous cap $30). Late renewal fee: up to $15/month (previous cap $10).
- Duplicate license issuance: up to $30 (previous cap $20).
- Initial registration to provide investigative/security service and renewal: up to $45 (previous cap $30). Late renewal fee: up to $15/month (previous cap $10).
- Certified course instructor (armed first responder training) initial application: up to $600 (previous cap $400). Renewal: up to $450 (previous cap $300).
Notes on fee provisions
- These are statutory maximums; the Board retains rulemaking authority to set specific fees at or below these caps. The bill increases the allowable ceilings across most categories.
Performance audit
- The State Auditor is directed to conduct a performance audit of the North Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board during the July 1, 2025 — June 30, 2027 biennium, under chapter 54‑10. The audit is specified to be in addition to the audit requirements of section 54‑10‑27.
Who is affected
- Private investigators, private security personnel, private security/detective agencies, certified course instructors, armed-certificate holders, and applicants for these credentials (will face potentially higher fees if the Board sets fees nearer the new statutory caps). The Private Investigative and Security Board is subject to a required State Auditor performance audit.
Procedural / timeline impacts
- Emergency declaration for Section 1 means the new fee caps take effect immediately upon enactment (rather than at a later date). The performance audit must be completed during the 2025–2027 biennium.
Potential impacts
- Increased statutory fee ceilings give the Board flexibility to raise fees—this could increase regulatory revenue and administrative resources for the Board, but may raise costs for licensees and applicants. The mandated performance audit may result in recommendations on Board operations, finances, and effectiveness.
