SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB540 SFLR Page 1 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SENATE FLOOR VERSION February 13, 2023 COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 540 By: Montgomery An Act relating to bail bondsmen; amending 59 O.S. 2021, Section 1308, which relates to bail bondsman application processing; removing requirement for applicants for licensure to appear in per son for examination; allowing for licensure prior to certain date; and declaring an emergency. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE O F OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 59 O.S. 2021, Section 1308, is amended to read as follows: Section 1308. A. The applicant for bail bondsman licensure shall be required to appear in person and take an examination prepared by the Insurance Commissioner, testing the applicant’s ability and qualifications to be a bail bondsman. Applicatio ns are valid for three (3) months after submission. If an applicant has not acted upon the application within t hat period, a new application and fees shall be submitted for the appl icant to be considered for licensure. Bail bondsman licenses issued prior to the effective date of this act, as a result of a successful completion of a remote examination, shall be valid licenses from the time of issuance. SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB540 SFLR Page 2 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 B. Each applicant shall become elig ible for examination if the applicant has completed sixteen (16) hours of education as required by Section 1308.1 of this title prior to the exam ination. Examinations shall be he ld at times and places as designated by the Commissioner. C. The fee for the examination shall be One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). Results will be provided after the applicant is examined. D. The failure of an applicant t o pass an examination shall not preclude the applicant from taking subsequent ex aminations; provided, however, that at least thirty (30) days shall intervene between examinations; and provided further, after a third or subsequent examination failure, an ap plicant may not be examined for at least one (1) year after the last examination failure. SECTION 2. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take e ffect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval. COMMITTEE REPORT BY: CO MMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND COMMERCE February 13, 2023 - DO PASS AS AMENDED BY CS