Senate Bill 641 proposes to amend current statutes regarding local government authority over fire safety regulations in residential buildings. Specifically, the bill repeals section 101.02 (7r) (f) and creates a new section 101.02 (7r) (h), which allows counties, cities, villages, and towns to enact and enforce ordinances related to fire detection, prevention, and suppression in public buildings that contain dwellings. This change addresses the existing prohibition on local governments establishing minimum standards for the construction, alteration, or addition to public buildings, thereby granting them more regulatory power in the interest of fire safety.

The bill acknowledges that these new regulations may impact the costs associated with housing development, construction, and ownership in Wisconsin. As a result, the Department of Administration is required to prepare a report assessing the potential financial implications of these changes, which will be included as an appendix to the bill. This legislative move aims to enhance fire safety measures in residential settings while balancing the interests of local governance and housing affordability.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 101.02(7r)(f), 101.02