This bill amends existing laws concerning the state fire code, fire incident reporting, and the responsibilities of the state fire marshal. It updates the state fire code to reference the 2024 editions of the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and the Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1), replacing the previous 2021 editions. The bill also modifies reporting procedures, mandating that fire chiefs report incidents to the state fire marshal within ten days. Additionally, it expands the investigative powers of the state fire marshal, allowing for notifications to local authorities when a fire is suspected to be of suspicious origin. New duties for the state fire marshal include the authority to charge inspection fees for electrical and mechanical safety inspections and to conduct local fire code inspections if local authorities are unavailable.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for the sharing of licensing information between the office of professional licensure and certification and the state fire marshal, ensuring confidentiality of personal information. It ratifies all amendments to the fire code approved by the board of fire control as of December 31, 2025, and will take effect 60 days after passage. Notably, the bill includes new language that clarifies the collection of mechanical inspection fees and introduces an electrical inspection fee, aligning it with existing mechanical fees. While the bill does not authorize new funding or positions, it is projected to generate up to $50,000 in annual revenue for the state general fund, although the Department of Safety anticipates needing to hire an additional Fire Inspector to manage the increased workload.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 153:1, 153:18, 153:4-a, 153:34, 319-C:5
As Amended by the Senate: 153:1, 153:18, 153:4-a, 153:34, 319-C:5
SB494 text: 153:1, 153:18, 153:4-a, 153:34, 319-C:5