The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Commerce and Tourism
BILL: CS/SB 1018
INTRODUCER: Commerce and Tourism Committee and Senator Burgess
SUBJECT: Private Investigative and Security Services
DATE: February 8, 2022 REVISED:
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Harmsen McKay CM Fav/CS
2. JU
3. RC
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
Currently, licensees under ch. 493, F.S., cannot carry a firearm during the course of their
licensed activities unless they have a supplemental Class “G” license. CS/SB 1018 allows Class
“C” and “CC” licensees to bear a firearm during the course of their licensed duties if they qualify
for a newly created Class “CG” license by meeting one of the following qualifications:
Have an active Florida concealed weapon or firearm license issued pursuant to s. 790.06,
F.S.;
Be a retired law enforcement officer who separated from employment in good standing after
at least 10 years of service, and who maintains an annual firearms proficiency qualification
pursuant to the Federal law Enforcement Officers Safety Act; or
Be an active law enforcement officer who maintains an annual firearms proficiency
qualification as required by his or her employing law enforcement agency.
This provision does not alter the firearm carry limitations found in s. 790.06, F.S., or the Federal
Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act. Class “CG” licensees will be required to submit to a
criminal background check as part of their application with the Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services, and maintain their underlying qualification during their Class “CG”
licensure.
Class “CG” licensees are subject to the following Departmental regulations during the course of
their licensed activities:
A limit of 2 guns that the licensee may carry during the course of his or her licensed activity;
BILL: CS/SB 1018 Page 2
A limit on the types of guns and ammunition that he or she may use; and
Required incident reporting to the Department after a gun is discharged by a licensee during
the course of his or her licensed activity; and
The bill takes effect on July 1, 2022.
II. Present Situation:
Chapter 493 Licensees, Generally
The Division of Licensing within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(Department) is responsible for investigating and issuing licenses to conduct private investigative
services pursuant to ch. 493, F.S. As of January 31, 2022, there are 6,983 Class “C” private
investigator licensees and 1,327 Class “CC” private investigator intern licensees.1 A ch. 493,
F.S., licensee must renew his or her individual license every 2 years.
A private investigator is an individual who investigates a person for the purpose of obtaining
information with reference to the following specific matters:2
Crimes or wrongdoings against the United States or any state or territory, when operating
under express authority of a governmental official;
The identity, habits, conduct, movement, and other characteristics of any society, person, or
group of persons;
The credibility of a witness or other person;
The whereabouts of a missing person, owner of unclaimed or escheated property, or heirs to
an estate;
The location or recovery of lost or stolen property;
The causes and origin of fires, libel, slander, losses, accidents, damage, or injuries to real or
personal property; or
Securing evidence to be used before an investigating committee or board, or in a civil or
criminal trial.
A Class “CC” private investigator intern operates at the direction and under the control of a
sponsoring Class “C” private investigator licensee.3
Class “G” Statewide Firearm License
A Class “G” license is a supplemental license that permits specific licensees to carry a firearm
during the course of their licensed, employment-related activity. A Class “G” license is available
only to individuals who currently hold one of the following licenses: private investigator (Class
1
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) , Division of Licensing, Number of Licensees by Type
(Jan. 31, 2021), https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/82618/file/Number_of_Licensees_By_Type.pdf (last visited Feb.
4, 2022).
2
Section 493.6101(16), F.S. See also, FDACS, Private Investigation (Dec. 2017),
https://licensing.freshfromflorida.com/forms/P-01721.pdf (last visited Feb. 4, 2022).
3
Section 493.6116, F.S. See also, FDACS, Class “CC” Private Investigator Intern License Requirements,
https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Private-Investigation-Licenses/Class-CC-Private-Investigator-Intern-License-
Requirements (last visited Feb. 8, 2022).
BILL: CS/SB 1018 Page 3
“C”), private investigator intern (Class “CC”), security officer (Class “D”), private investigative
or security agency manager (Class “M”), private investigative agency manager (Class “MA”), or
security agency manager (Class “MB”).4 The “Class G” license must be renewed every 2 years.
Application and Training Requirements for Class “G” Licensees
An initial applicant for a Class “G” license must complete firearm training, which must include
at least 28 hours of range and classroom training (range training must be limited to no more than
8 hours) that is administered by a Class “K” licensee.5 An applicant who was discharged within
the last 12 months from service as a military officer, and has completed specific military courses
is deemed to have completed a substantially similar training, and is exempt from the 28 hours of
range and classroom training required for a Class “G” initial license.
Class “G” licensees must annually complete 4 hours of firearms requalification training for each
caliber of firearm that he or she carries in the course of his or her duties.6
A Class “G” licensee is subject to a biennial statewide firearm license fee of $112, but there is no
application fee.7 The applicant for a Class “G” license must submit a fingerprint processing ($42)
and retention ($10.75) fee, however—this fee is waived if the applicant has otherwise paid these
fees for any other license under ch. 493, F.S., within the last 6 months.8
Regulation of Class “G” Licensees
A Class “G” licensee may only carry two firearms when performing his or her licensed duties.
Unless the Department grants specific approval otherwise, the types of weapons a Class “G”
licensee may use are limited to the following: a .38 caliber revolver; a .380 caliber or .9 mm
semiautomatic pistol; a .357 caliber revolver used with .38 caliber ammunition; a .40 caliber
handgun; or a .45 ACP handgun.9
If a Class “G” licensee discharges his or her firearm during the course of her or his duties, the
licensee must file an incident report with the Department.10
Class “G” licensees are subject to penalty, ranging from a fine to the suspension or revocation of
their license, for the following violations of administrative rule:11
Conviction of, or adjudication of guilt withheld, on a crime directly related to the business
for which the license is held;
Improper exhibition of a firearm;
Careless or improper handling of a firearm resulting in a discharge;
4
Section 493.6115(2), F.S.
5
Section 493.6105(5), F.S. See also Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.132(1)(a).
6
Section 493.6113(3)(b), F.S.
7
Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.116(2)(a)6. and (2)(c). See also, FDACS, Chapter 493, F.S., Renewal License Fee Schedule,
https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/73502/file/FS493_Renewal_License_Fees.pdf (last visited Feb. 4, 2022).
8
Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.116(3)(a).
9
Section 493.6115(6), F.S. See also, FDACS, Approved Firearms for Class “G” License Holders,
https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Private-Investigation-Licenses/Approved-Firearms-for-Class-G-License-Holders
(last visited Feb. 4, 2022).
10
Section 493.6115(9), F.S.
11
Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.113. See also, s. 493.6118(1), F.S.
BILL: CS/SB 1018 Page 4
Firing an unjustifiable warning shot while on duty;
Impersonating a law enforcement officer or government employee; and
Commission of an act of violence not in the lawful protection of one’s self or another.
Concealed Weapon and Firearm Licenses
Florida is a “shall issue”12 state for applications for concealed weapon and firearm licenses.13
The Department must review and either issue or deny a license within 90 days of receiving an
application.14 As of December 31, 2021, there were 2,445,471 concealed weapon or firearm
licensees in Florida.15
The Department must deny issuance of a license, which expires after 7 years,16 if an applicant:
Is not a citizen of the United States, permanent resident alien, or consular security official of
a foreign government;
Is not 21 years of age or older;
Suffers from a physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a weapon or firearm;
Has been convicted of a felony;
Has been found guilty of a controlled substances crime within the previous 3 years;
Has been committed for the abuse of a controlled substance;17
Suffers from chronic and habitual use of alcohol or other substances to the extent that their
normal faculties are impaired;18
Does not intend to carry a concealed weapon or firearm for lawful self-defense;
Fails to demonstrate competency with a firearm;19
Has been adjudicated as an incapacitated person;
12
Generally, states issue a permit, or license, to carry a concealed weapon such as a firearm on either a “shall issue,” or “may
issue” basis. The key difference is that shall issue states must issue the permit or license if the applicant meets the
requirements; whereas, may issue states have much more discretion to deny an application even if the applicant meets the
requirements under the law. New York may deny a license, for example, if the applicant fails to demonstrate “proper cause”
or lacks “good moral character” as determined by a judge reviewing the application. N.Y. Penal Law s. 400.00.
13
Section 790.06(2), F.S.
14
Section 790.06(6)(c), F.S.
15
FDACS, Division of Licensing, Number of Licensees by Type (Dec. 31, 2021),
https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/82618/file/Number_of_Licensees_By_Type.pdf (last visited Feb. 4, 2022).
16
Section 790.06(1), F.S.
17
An applicant granted relief of firearms disabilities pursuant to s. 790.065(2)(a)4.d., F.S., after having been adjudicated
mentally defective or committed to a mental institution is deemed not to be committed for the abuse of a controlled
substance.
18
The law presumes that a person chronically and habitually uses alcoholic beverages or other substances to the point of
impairment if the applicant has been convicted of using a firearm while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical
substances, or controlled substances or has been deemed a habitual offender of disorderly intoxication under s. 856.011(3),
F.S., or has had two or more convictions of driving under the influence within a 3-year period preceding the date which the
application is submitted. See, s. 790.06(2)(f), F.S.
19
There are several methods of demonstrating competency with a firearm, including completion of a hunter education or
safety course approved by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, completion of any law enforcement firearms
safety or training course, or completion of firearms training safety courses using instructors certified by the National Rifle
Association, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, or the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
BILL: CS/SB 1018 Page 5
Has been committed to a mental institution;20
Has had an adjudication of guilt withheld or a suspended sentence on a felony unless 3 years
have elapsed since probation or any other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled, or
the record has been expunged;
Has had an adjudication of guilt withheld or an imposition of sentence suspended on a
misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless 3 years have elapsed since probation or any
other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled, or the record has been expunged;
Has been issued an injunction that is currently in force and effect that restrains that applicant
from committing acts of domestic violence or acts of repeat violence; or
Is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm by any other provision of Florida or
federal law.21
The Department must suspend a license or the processing of an application for a license if the
licensee or applicant is arrested or formally charged with a crime that would disqualify such
person from having a license until final disposition of the case.22 The Department is also required
to suspend a license or the processing of an application for a license if the licensee or applicant is
issued an injunction that restrains the licensee or applicant from committing acts of domestic
violence or acts of repeat violence.23
Once obtained, the licensee must carry the license with valid identification at all times when the
licensee is in actual possession of a concealed weapon or firearm.24 According to
s. 790.06(12)(a), F.S, the license, however, “does not authorize any person to carry a concealed
weapon or firearm into:”
Any place of nuisance;25
Any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station;
Any detention facility, prison, or jail;
Any courthouse;
Any courtroom;26
Any polling place;
Any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or
special district;
Any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof;
Any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms;
Any elementary or secondary school facility or administration building;
Any career center;
20
An applicant who has been granted relief from firearms disabilities pursuant to s. 790.065(2)(a)4.d., F.S., after having been
adjudicated mentally defective or committed to a mental institution is deemed not to have been committed in a mental
institution.
21
Section 790.06(2)(n), F.S.
22
Section 790.06(3), F.S.
23
Id.
24
Section 790.06(1), F.S.
25
See s. 823.05, F.S., for an extensive description of places of nuisance.
26
However, judges may carry a concealed weapon and allow others to do so within their courtroom. Section 790.06(12)(a)5.,
F.S.
BILL: CS/SB 1018 Page 6
Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on
the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to such purpose;
Any college or university facility;27
The inside of the passenger terminal and sterile area of any airport; or
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law.28
Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act
The federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) allows qualified law enforcement
officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed firearm in any
jurisdiction in the United States, regardless of local laws to the contrary, with certain
exceptions.29 LEOSA does not supersede a private individual’s right to restrict possession of a
concealed firearm on his or her property, nor does it override a state or local government’s
restriction on the possession of firearms on state or local government property.
A qualified law enforcement officer is a current employee of a governmental agency who:30
Is authorized to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or
prosecution of the incarceration of any person for a violation of law who also has statutory
powers of arrest or apprehension;