Substitute House Bill No. 5483, Public Act No. 24-136, is a comprehensive piece of legislation that restructures the fire services administration within the state. The bill establishes a Division of Fire Services Administration within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, transferring the functions, powers, duties, and personnel from the former Office of State Fire Administration to the new division. It ensures that existing orders or regulations of the former office remain effective until amended, repealed, or superseded. The bill also modifies the composition of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, with changes in membership and appointment processes effective until June 30, 2025, and thereafter. It adds new nonvoting members to the commission and outlines the commission's responsibilities, including recommending standards for firefighter candidates, establishing training programs, and managing the Statewide Fire Service Disaster Response Plan. The bill also changes the appointment procedures for the State Fire Administrator and the roles of the commission's officers.

The legislation includes provisions for the Division of Fire Services Administration to handle various tasks such as administering federal funds, developing a fire prevention information library, coordinating fire programs, and managing the Statewide Fire Service Disaster Response Plan. It repeals and replaces sections of the general statutes, including those related to volunteer firefighter training in distressed municipalities, and requires the Division to submit annual reports on training costs. The bill prevents municipalities from reducing funding to volunteer fire companies based on anticipated payments from other sources and allows regional fire schools to receive and use funds for their operations. Additionally, it establishes a working group to recommend improvements to the Office of State Fire Marshal and the Office of Education and Data Management, repeals certain statutory requirements for volunteer firefighters, and was approved on June 6, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 29-1b, 7-323k, 7-323l, 7-323n, 7-323o, 7-313m, 7-323s, 7-323v, 28-29a, 29-250, 29-291, 29-291e, 29-292a, 29-294, 29-298a, 29-312, 29-315c, 29-319, 29-418
PS Joint Favorable Substitute: 29-1b, 7-323k, 7-323l, 7-323n, 7-323o, 7-313m, 7-323s, 7-323v, 29-250, 29-291, 29-291e, 29-292a, 29-294, 29-298a, 29-312, 29-315c, 29-319, 29-418
File No. 291: 29-1b, 7-323k, 7-323l, 7-323n, 7-323o, 7-313m, 7-323s, 7-323v, 29-250, 29-291, 29-291e, 29-292a, 29-294, 29-298a, 29-312, 29-315c, 29-319, 29-418
File No. 653: 29-1b, 7-323k, 7-323l, 7-323n, 7-323o, 7-313m, 7-323s, 7-323v, 7-323j, 7-323m
Public Act No. 24-136: 29-1b, 7-323k, 7-323l, 7-323n, 7-323o, 7-313m, 7-323s, 7-323v, 7-323j, 7-323m