ARTICLE
This Legislative Update provides NAFED members with information related to new and/or modified fire protection and fire safety regulations/requirements at the state level. The report is not all-encompassing but rather informational and directional in nature. Should you be interested in learning more about a specific initiative listed, please click on the applicable link. ARKANSAS AR HB1425: To Abolish The Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board; And to Amend The Law Concerning The Duties of The Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board This bill abolishes the Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board and transfers all of its responsibilities, authority, personnel, records, and functions to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. Specifically, the bill eliminates the existing licensing board while ensuring that all existing rules, licenses, registrations, and standards remain in effect until they are formally amended or repealed. The bill makes numerous technical changes throughout Arkansas state law to replace references to the "Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board" with "Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board", effectively consolidating fire protection oversight under a single board. Additionally, the bill adds new provisions to the Fire Protection Services Board's powers, including the ability to oversee administration of fire extinguisher rules and registration, and provides a mechanism for removing board members who continuously fail to attend meetings. The changes aim to streamline fire protection regulatory processes and consolidate administrative responsibilities, while maintaining existing standards and protections for fire protection services and professionals. Learn More » COLORADO CO HB1077: Backflow Prevention Devices Requirements This proposed new bill introduced in early January by the Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee has moved for discussion on the legislative house floor. Backflow is the reverse flow of water, fluid, or gas caused by back pressure or back siphonage. Under current law, individuals who are engaged in the business of installing, removing, inspecting, testing, or repairing backflow prevention devices are subject to the licensure requirements for plumbers, except when the individuals are installing or testing a stand-alone fire suppression sprinkler system. The bill exempts individuals engaged in the business of inspecting, testing, or repairing backflow prevention devices from licensure requirements but retains the licensure requirements for individuals engaged in the installation or removal of the devices. Learn More » ILLINOIS IL SB2307: ELECTRICIAN LICENSING ACT This bill establishes the Electrician Licensing Act, which creates a comprehensive regulatory framework for electricians and electrical contractors in Illinois. The legislation aims to protect public safety by requiring electrical professionals to be licensed, undergo rigorous examination, and meet specific experience requirements. Key provisions include establishing an Electrical Licensing Advisory Board composed of 11 members representing various stakeholders in the electrical and construction industries, mandating that electrical contractors obtain a license, provide a $5,000 bond, and carry liability insurance, and requiring supervising electricians to have at least three years of experience and pass a detailed examination testing their knowledge of electrical systems and the National Electrical Code. Learn More » KENTUCKY KY HB306: An ACT Relating to the Licensing of Professional Engineers Amend KRS 322.040 to allow an individual to qualify for licensure as a professional engineer if he or she has graduated from a fire protection engineering technology program of four years or more accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Currently, individuals can qualify for licensure by graduating from an engineering program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The bill adds a new qualification allowing graduates of four-year fire protection engineering technology programs accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET to also be eligible for licensure. In addition to the educational requirement, applicants must still complete four or more years of progressive engineering experience and pass both the Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination and the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination. This change provides an additional route for professionals in fire protection engineering to become licensed professional engineers, potentially increasing the number of qualified engineers in this specialized field and offering more opportunities for career advancement. Learn More » MISSISSIPPI MS HB1289: Fire Extinguishers; Provide for Regulation and Servicing of A bill titled "An Act To Require The Licensing Of Businesses Engaged In The Sale, Installation, Or Maintenance Of Commercial Fire-extinguishing Equipment And Hood Systems For Cooking Operations; To Provide For The Administration Of Such Licensing By The State Fire Marshal; To Mandate Compliance With The National Fire Protection Association Standards And The International Fire Code; To Authorize The State Fire Marshal To Establish Rules And Regulations For Licensing; To Require Licenses By July 1, 2025, For Persons, Companies Or Corporations Involved In These Activities, Excluding The Sales And Maintenance Of Portable Fire Extinguishers; To Establish Application Requirements Including Certification Of Compliance And Passing A Competency Test; To Authorize The State Fire Marshal To Impose A License Fee Not Exceeding $400 For Administration And Enforcement; To Empower The State Fire Marshal To Issue Cease-and-desist Orders For Violations And Prescribe Penalties For Noncompliance, Including License Revocation; And For Related Purposes" was introduced in January. On February 4, it didn't make it past committee. Learn More »
This Legislative Update provides NAFED members with information related to new and/or modified fire protection and fire safety regulations/requirements at the state level. The report is not all-encompassing but rather informational and directional in nature. Should you be interested in learning more about a specific initiative listed, please click on the applicable link.
ARKANSAS
AR HB1425: To Abolish The Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board; And to Amend The Law Concerning The Duties of The Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board This bill abolishes the Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board and transfers all of its responsibilities, authority, personnel, records, and functions to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. Specifically, the bill eliminates the existing licensing board while ensuring that all existing rules, licenses, registrations, and standards remain in effect until they are formally amended or repealed. The bill makes numerous technical changes throughout Arkansas state law to replace references to the "Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board" with "Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board", effectively consolidating fire protection oversight under a single board. Additionally, the bill adds new provisions to the Fire Protection Services Board's powers, including the ability to oversee administration of fire extinguisher rules and registration, and provides a mechanism for removing board members who continuously fail to attend meetings. The changes aim to streamline fire protection regulatory processes and consolidate administrative responsibilities, while maintaining existing standards and protections for fire protection services and professionals.
Learn More »
COLORADO
CO HB1077: Backflow Prevention Devices Requirements This proposed new bill introduced in early January by the Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee has moved for discussion on the legislative house floor. Backflow is the reverse flow of water, fluid, or gas caused by back pressure or back siphonage. Under current law, individuals who are engaged in the business of installing, removing, inspecting, testing, or repairing backflow prevention devices are subject to the licensure requirements for plumbers, except when the individuals are installing or testing a stand-alone fire suppression sprinkler system. The bill exempts individuals engaged in the business of inspecting, testing, or repairing backflow prevention devices from licensure requirements but retains the licensure requirements for individuals engaged in the installation or removal of the devices.
ILLINOIS
IL SB2307: ELECTRICIAN LICENSING ACT This bill establishes the Electrician Licensing Act, which creates a comprehensive regulatory framework for electricians and electrical contractors in Illinois. The legislation aims to protect public safety by requiring electrical professionals to be licensed, undergo rigorous examination, and meet specific experience requirements. Key provisions include establishing an Electrical Licensing Advisory Board composed of 11 members representing various stakeholders in the electrical and construction industries, mandating that electrical contractors obtain a license, provide a $5,000 bond, and carry liability insurance, and requiring supervising electricians to have at least three years of experience and pass a detailed examination testing their knowledge of electrical systems and the National Electrical Code.
KENTUCKY
KY HB306: An ACT Relating to the Licensing of Professional Engineers Amend KRS 322.040 to allow an individual to qualify for licensure as a professional engineer if he or she has graduated from a fire protection engineering technology program of four years or more accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Currently, individuals can qualify for licensure by graduating from an engineering program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The bill adds a new qualification allowing graduates of four-year fire protection engineering technology programs accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET to also be eligible for licensure. In addition to the educational requirement, applicants must still complete four or more years of progressive engineering experience and pass both the Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination and the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination. This change provides an additional route for professionals in fire protection engineering to become licensed professional engineers, potentially increasing the number of qualified engineers in this specialized field and offering more opportunities for career advancement.
MISSISSIPPI
MS HB1289: Fire Extinguishers; Provide for Regulation and Servicing of A bill titled "An Act To Require The Licensing Of Businesses Engaged In The Sale, Installation, Or Maintenance Of Commercial Fire-extinguishing Equipment And Hood Systems For Cooking Operations; To Provide For The Administration Of Such Licensing By The State Fire Marshal; To Mandate Compliance With The National Fire Protection Association Standards And The International Fire Code; To Authorize The State Fire Marshal To Establish Rules And Regulations For Licensing; To Require Licenses By July 1, 2025, For Persons, Companies Or Corporations Involved In These Activities, Excluding The Sales And Maintenance Of Portable Fire Extinguishers; To Establish Application Requirements Including Certification Of Compliance And Passing A Competency Test; To Authorize The State Fire Marshal To Impose A License Fee Not Exceeding $400 For Administration And Enforcement; To Empower The State Fire Marshal To Issue Cease-and-desist Orders For Violations And Prescribe Penalties For Noncompliance, Including License Revocation; And For Related Purposes" was introduced in January. On February 4, it didn't make it past committee.