Substitute House Bill No. 6965 proposes significant amendments to the laws governing the State Fire Marshal and the establishment of a Fire Marshal Training Council, as well as the introduction of a licensing requirement for fire and catastrophic restoration businesses. Key changes include a revised appointment process for the State Fire Marshal, who can now only be dismissed after written notification of specific grounds and an opportunity for a hearing. The membership of the Fire Marshal Training Council is reduced from twelve to nine members, with a new composition that includes representatives from a professional association of architects and a state-wide organization of municipal leaders, while eliminating certain gubernatorial appointments. The bill also allows out-of-state residents to serve on the council and provides for reimbursement of members' expenses.

Additionally, the bill mandates that fire and catastrophic restoration businesses must obtain a license from the Office of the State Fire Marshal to operate legally, with an initial licensing fee of $150 and a renewal fee of $100. Violators of this licensing requirement face fines of up to $1,000 per violation. The State Fire Marshal is tasked with maintaining a registry of licensed businesses, which will include information on their standing and any complaints filed against them. The implementation of these provisions will occur in stages, with some taking effect immediately and others on October 1, 2025. The fiscal impact of these changes is estimated to be approximately $374,500 annually starting in FY 26, primarily due to the costs associated with the new Deputy Fire Marshal position and the regulation of restoration businesses.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 29-291, 29-298a, 29-312
PS Joint Favorable: 29-291, 29-298a, 29-312
File No. 510: 29-291, 29-298a, 29-312