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. CONNECTICUT CT HB06859: An Act Concerning… the Fire Marshal Training Council, the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and the Codes and Standards Committee This bill introduces several modifications to existing Connecticut laws related to emergency services, public protection, firearm regulations, and school security. Key provisions include restructuring membership of the Fire Marshal Training Council and the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control. The bill also establishes a working group to study the Codes and Standards Committee and recommend potential improvements to its membership and procedures. Most sections of the bill are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, with some provisions effective immediately or on different dates, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to enhancing public safety and emergency services infrastructure in Connecticut. Learn More » DELAWARE DE State Fire Marshal: Product Alert – Class “L” Fire Extinguishers – Use Not Permitted The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal has issued an advisory for all Delaware citizens regarding the use of a Class “L” fire extinguishers. Class “L” fire extinguishers are being marketed to combat lithium battery fires. Currently Class “L” fire extinguishers are not listed by a third-party independent testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL). The current state fire code – 2021 State Fire Prevention Regulations – does not permit the use of unlisted fire protection devices such as the Class “L” fire extinguisher. The National Fire Protection Association does not address Class “L” fire extinguishers in the NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, 2022 Edition. Learn More » FLORIDA HB 7031: Taxation – Historic Tax Relief: $1.3 Billion in Tax Savings for Families & Businesses Signed Into Law The Florida Legislature passed a comprehensive tax bill, House Bill (HB) 7031, on June 16th during the extended session devoted to budget matters, and Governor DeSantis signed it into law on June 30th. For many years the Florida Legislature included fire extinguishers in the temporary sales tax exemptions for emergency preparedness week. HB 7031 makes the sales tax exemption on fire extinguishers permanent effective August 1, 2025. Noted below are some important points to keep in mind: 1) This exemption is for the sale of "fire extinguishers as defined in 633.102” of Florida statutes which state: 8) “Fire extinguisher” means a cylinder that: (a) Is portable and can be carried or is on wheels. (b) Is manually operated. (c) May use a variety of extinguishing agents that are expelled under pressure. (d) Is rechargeable or nonrechargeable. (e) Is installed, serviced, repaired, recharged, inspected, and hydrotested according to applicable procedures of the manufacturer, standards of the National Fire Protection Association, and the Code of Federal Regulations. (f) Is listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. 2) The Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR) previously ruled in a "Technical Assistance Advisement” that “labor only” work on a fire extinguisher is not subject to the sales tax but further explains that repairs that include parts ARE subject to the sales tax. From the advisement: Rule 12A-1.006, F.A.C., provides that the entire charge for repairing tangible personal property, which also includes adjusting, applying, installing, maintaining, and remodeling, is subject to sales tax when parts are included in the repair(s) made by the repairer. Sales tax is due on the entire charge for the repair of fire extinguishers where parts are added to the repair. Where parts are not added to the repair (i.e., “labor only”), and the repairman can prove no parts were added, the repair is not subject to sales tax. 3) The previous Disaster Preparedness Tax Holidays limited the exemption to fire extinguishers selling for $70 or less. There is no such cap on the price of a fire extinguisher in this permanent exemption. Learn More » OREGON SB 91: Prohibits fire departments from using firefighting foam containing perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) This bill prohibits fire departments in Oregon from using firefighting foam containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are synthetic chemicals known for their potential environmental and health risks, unless such use is specifically required by Federal Aviation Administration regulations or other federal laws. The bill defines a "fire department" as any organization dedicated to preventing or combating fires and "PFAS firefighting foam" as a foam substance intentionally containing PFAS chemicals used for fire control or extinguishment. The prohibition will become operative on July 1, 2026, giving fire departments time to prepare for and comply with the new restriction. 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.
CONNECTICUT
CT HB06859: An Act Concerning… the Fire Marshal Training Council, the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and the Codes and Standards Committee This bill introduces several modifications to existing Connecticut laws related to emergency services, public protection, firearm regulations, and school security. Key provisions include restructuring membership of the Fire Marshal Training Council and the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control. The bill also establishes a working group to study the Codes and Standards Committee and recommend potential improvements to its membership and procedures. Most sections of the bill are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, with some provisions effective immediately or on different dates, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to enhancing public safety and emergency services infrastructure in Connecticut.
Learn More »
DELAWARE
DE State Fire Marshal: Product Alert – Class “L” Fire Extinguishers – Use Not Permitted The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal has issued an advisory for all Delaware citizens regarding the use of a Class “L” fire extinguishers. Class “L” fire extinguishers are being marketed to combat lithium battery fires. Currently Class “L” fire extinguishers are not listed by a third-party independent testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL). The current state fire code – 2021 State Fire Prevention Regulations – does not permit the use of unlisted fire protection devices such as the Class “L” fire extinguisher. The National Fire Protection Association does not address Class “L” fire extinguishers in the NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, 2022 Edition.
FLORIDA
HB 7031: Taxation – Historic Tax Relief: $1.3 Billion in Tax Savings for Families & Businesses Signed Into Law The Florida Legislature passed a comprehensive tax bill, House Bill (HB) 7031, on June 16th during the extended session devoted to budget matters, and Governor DeSantis signed it into law on June 30th. For many years the Florida Legislature included fire extinguishers in the temporary sales tax exemptions for emergency preparedness week. HB 7031 makes the sales tax exemption on fire extinguishers permanent effective August 1, 2025. Noted below are some important points to keep in mind: 1) This exemption is for the sale of "fire extinguishers as defined in 633.102” of Florida statutes which state: 8) “Fire extinguisher” means a cylinder that: (a) Is portable and can be carried or is on wheels. (b) Is manually operated. (c) May use a variety of extinguishing agents that are expelled under pressure. (d) Is rechargeable or nonrechargeable. (e) Is installed, serviced, repaired, recharged, inspected, and hydrotested according to applicable procedures of the manufacturer, standards of the National Fire Protection Association, and the Code of Federal Regulations. (f) Is listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. 2) The Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR) previously ruled in a "Technical Assistance Advisement” that “labor only” work on a fire extinguisher is not subject to the sales tax but further explains that repairs that include parts ARE subject to the sales tax. From the advisement: Rule 12A-1.006, F.A.C., provides that the entire charge for repairing tangible personal property, which also includes adjusting, applying, installing, maintaining, and remodeling, is subject to sales tax when parts are included in the repair(s) made by the repairer. Sales tax is due on the entire charge for the repair of fire extinguishers where parts are added to the repair. Where parts are not added to the repair (i.e., “labor only”), and the repairman can prove no parts were added, the repair is not subject to sales tax. 3) The previous Disaster Preparedness Tax Holidays limited the exemption to fire extinguishers selling for $70 or less. There is no such cap on the price of a fire extinguisher in this permanent exemption.
OREGON
SB 91: Prohibits fire departments from using firefighting foam containing perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) This bill prohibits fire departments in Oregon from using firefighting foam containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are synthetic chemicals known for their potential environmental and health risks, unless such use is specifically required by Federal Aviation Administration regulations or other federal laws. The bill defines a "fire department" as any organization dedicated to preventing or combating fires and "PFAS firefighting foam" as a foam substance intentionally containing PFAS chemicals used for fire control or extinguishment. The prohibition will become operative on July 1, 2026, giving fire departments time to prepare for and comply with the new restriction.