ARTICLE
This Legislative Update provides NAFED members with information related to proposed 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. GEORGIA HB 1095: Fire Protection and Safety; Establish Permanent Consumer Fireworks Sales Facilities This bill amends Georgia law to establish clearer regulations for consumer fireworks sales facilities, distinguishing between permanent and temporary locations. It defines "permanent consumer fireworks retail sales facility" and "temporary consumer fireworks retail sales facility" according to standards set by the NFPA 1124, a set of guidelines for the safe manufacture, transportation, storage, and retail sale of fireworks. The bill allows for the sale of consumer fireworks from permanent facilities that meet NFPA 1124 requirements and are operated by licensed distributors. It also permits sales from temporary facilities, provided they also comply with NFPA 1124, are located within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant (unless waived by the fire chief), and are operated by licensed distributors. The bill increases the number of temporary sales stands a distributor can operate and introduces new provisions for temporary facilities, including licensing fees and requirements for nonprofit group involvement. Additionally, it revises penalties for violations, allowing for monetary penalties up to $2,500 per violation, and clarifies that local governments cannot unreasonably delay or deny applications for temporary sales stands. Learn More » ILLINOIS SB3393: OSFM: CONTINUING EDUCATION Amends the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act. Provides that the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall prepare a report evaluating the effectiveness and industry impacts of the continuing education requirements established under the Act. This bill mandates that the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), which is the state agency responsible for fire safety and the regulation of fire sprinkler contractors, will conduct an evaluation of the current continuing education requirements for fire sprinkler contractors. This evaluation will assess how effective these requirements have been and what impact they have had on the industry. The OSFM is required to include in this report any suggestions for changes to existing laws or regulations related to continuing education and must submit this report to the General Assembly, the state's legislative body, by December 31, 2026. The bill becomes effective immediately upon being signed into law. Learn More » INDIANA HB 1003: Boards and Commissions This bill makes several changes to Indiana law regarding boards and commissions, rule readoption, and governmental bodies. Key provisions include: * **Rule Readoption:** It modifies requirements for the readoption of administrative rules, including a new requirement for agencies to compare their rules to similar requirements in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and other states designated by the office of management and budget. Agencies must also provide detailed written findings justifying the continued need for a rule and its compliance with standards. * **Board and Commission Modifications:** The bill repeals, merges, consolidates, or otherwise modifies various governmental bodies, including the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, transferring its responsibilities and rules to the Department of Homeland Security. It also makes changes to the membership, duties, and operations of several other boards and commissions. * **Professional Licensing Agency Rules:** It allows the professional licensing agency to adopt and enforce procedural rules for board administration if the rules affect multiple boards and are not inconsistent with rules adopted by the affected boards. Learn More » MARYLAND SB 0513: Fire Prevention – Assistant Fire Marshals, Residential Rental High–Rise Property Fire Safety Equipment, and Fire Alarm System Technicians This bill modifies existing Maryland law to enhance fire safety by allowing counties and municipalities to designate assistant state fire marshals with the State Fire Marshal's approval, and requires the State Fire Marshal to establish clear qualifications, training, and certification standards for these officials, as well as for special assistant fire marshals who assist with arson investigations or other fire-related duties. It also updates the definition of a "high-rise building" for fire safety purposes to be based on the height of an occupiable story above fire department vehicle access, and mandates the installation of automatic fire sprinklers in residential rental high-rise buildings undergoing substantial renovations, defined as permanent alterations costing 40% of the building's value and intended to enhance it, starting October 1, 2026, with additional fire protection and life safety features also required for these renovated buildings. Furthermore, the bill establishes a licensing and regulatory program for fire alarm system technicians and companies, similar to the existing program for fire sprinkler contractors, requiring them to meet professional and technical standards and carry liability insurance, with the State Fire Marshal having the authority to deny, suspend, or revoke licenses for non-compliance. Learn More » NEW HAMPSHIRE SB 494: Relative to the State Fire Code, Fire Incident Reporting and Investigations, and the Duties of the State Fire Marshal This bill updates the state fire code to the 2024 editions of the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and the Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1), and ratifies any amendments approved by the state board of fire control by December 31, 2025. It modifies procedures for reporting and investigating fires, requiring fire departments to report all incidents to the state fire marshal within 10 days and allowing the state fire marshal to adopt rules for this reporting. The bill also expands the state fire marshal's investigative powers to include building collapses and carbon monoxide releases, and mandates immediate reporting and investigation of such incidents when death occurs, with the fire marshal having the authority to share findings with law enforcement for potential prosecution. Furthermore, the state fire marshal will be able to charge inspection fees for electrical and mechanical safety inspections requested by property owners, local authorities, or contractors, with fees determined by a specific schedule, and can conduct local fire code inspections if local officials are unavailable after three business days, also potentially charging a fee. To aid inspectors, the office of professional licensure and certification will share data on current and past licensees of the mechanical safety and licensing board and electricians' board with the state fire marshal, while maintaining confidentiality for certain information. Learn More » UTAH HB 0040: Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments This bill amends the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act by updating definitions, licensing requirements, and disciplinary procedures for various construction trades, including electricians, plumbers, and alarm companies. Key changes include establishing new definitions for terms like "construction trade," "qualifier," and specific contractor classifications (e.g., general building contractor, residential electrical contractor), and outlining new requirements for pre-licensure courses, continuing education, and financial responsibility for contractors. The bill also introduces a $1 surcharge on licenses to fund access to building codes and standards, revises rules for unincorporated entities and their reporting requirements, and clarifies licensing and disciplinary actions for alarm companies, including specific regulations for battery-charged suspended-wire systems. Additionally, it modifies provisions related to payment practices, contractor responsibilities for subcontractors and suppliers, and the process for handling citations and fines. The bill also repeals several existing sections related to construction trades and alarm companies, consolidating and updating the law. Learn More »
This Legislative Update provides NAFED members with information related to proposed 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.
GEORGIA
HB 1095: Fire Protection and Safety; Establish Permanent Consumer Fireworks Sales Facilities This bill amends Georgia law to establish clearer regulations for consumer fireworks sales facilities, distinguishing between permanent and temporary locations. It defines "permanent consumer fireworks retail sales facility" and "temporary consumer fireworks retail sales facility" according to standards set by the NFPA 1124, a set of guidelines for the safe manufacture, transportation, storage, and retail sale of fireworks. The bill allows for the sale of consumer fireworks from permanent facilities that meet NFPA 1124 requirements and are operated by licensed distributors. It also permits sales from temporary facilities, provided they also comply with NFPA 1124, are located within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant (unless waived by the fire chief), and are operated by licensed distributors. The bill increases the number of temporary sales stands a distributor can operate and introduces new provisions for temporary facilities, including licensing fees and requirements for nonprofit group involvement. Additionally, it revises penalties for violations, allowing for monetary penalties up to $2,500 per violation, and clarifies that local governments cannot unreasonably delay or deny applications for temporary sales stands.
Learn More »
ILLINOIS
SB3393: OSFM: CONTINUING EDUCATION Amends the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act. Provides that the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall prepare a report evaluating the effectiveness and industry impacts of the continuing education requirements established under the Act. This bill mandates that the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), which is the state agency responsible for fire safety and the regulation of fire sprinkler contractors, will conduct an evaluation of the current continuing education requirements for fire sprinkler contractors. This evaluation will assess how effective these requirements have been and what impact they have had on the industry. The OSFM is required to include in this report any suggestions for changes to existing laws or regulations related to continuing education and must submit this report to the General Assembly, the state's legislative body, by December 31, 2026. The bill becomes effective immediately upon being signed into law.
INDIANA
HB 1003: Boards and Commissions This bill makes several changes to Indiana law regarding boards and commissions, rule readoption, and governmental bodies. Key provisions include: * **Rule Readoption:** It modifies requirements for the readoption of administrative rules, including a new requirement for agencies to compare their rules to similar requirements in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and other states designated by the office of management and budget. Agencies must also provide detailed written findings justifying the continued need for a rule and its compliance with standards. * **Board and Commission Modifications:** The bill repeals, merges, consolidates, or otherwise modifies various governmental bodies, including the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, transferring its responsibilities and rules to the Department of Homeland Security. It also makes changes to the membership, duties, and operations of several other boards and commissions. * **Professional Licensing Agency Rules:** It allows the professional licensing agency to adopt and enforce procedural rules for board administration if the rules affect multiple boards and are not inconsistent with rules adopted by the affected boards.
MARYLAND
SB 0513: Fire Prevention – Assistant Fire Marshals, Residential Rental High–Rise Property Fire Safety Equipment, and Fire Alarm System Technicians This bill modifies existing Maryland law to enhance fire safety by allowing counties and municipalities to designate assistant state fire marshals with the State Fire Marshal's approval, and requires the State Fire Marshal to establish clear qualifications, training, and certification standards for these officials, as well as for special assistant fire marshals who assist with arson investigations or other fire-related duties. It also updates the definition of a "high-rise building" for fire safety purposes to be based on the height of an occupiable story above fire department vehicle access, and mandates the installation of automatic fire sprinklers in residential rental high-rise buildings undergoing substantial renovations, defined as permanent alterations costing 40% of the building's value and intended to enhance it, starting October 1, 2026, with additional fire protection and life safety features also required for these renovated buildings. Furthermore, the bill establishes a licensing and regulatory program for fire alarm system technicians and companies, similar to the existing program for fire sprinkler contractors, requiring them to meet professional and technical standards and carry liability insurance, with the State Fire Marshal having the authority to deny, suspend, or revoke licenses for non-compliance.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
SB 494: Relative to the State Fire Code, Fire Incident Reporting and Investigations, and the Duties of the State Fire Marshal This bill updates the state fire code to the 2024 editions of the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and the Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1), and ratifies any amendments approved by the state board of fire control by December 31, 2025. It modifies procedures for reporting and investigating fires, requiring fire departments to report all incidents to the state fire marshal within 10 days and allowing the state fire marshal to adopt rules for this reporting. The bill also expands the state fire marshal's investigative powers to include building collapses and carbon monoxide releases, and mandates immediate reporting and investigation of such incidents when death occurs, with the fire marshal having the authority to share findings with law enforcement for potential prosecution. Furthermore, the state fire marshal will be able to charge inspection fees for electrical and mechanical safety inspections requested by property owners, local authorities, or contractors, with fees determined by a specific schedule, and can conduct local fire code inspections if local officials are unavailable after three business days, also potentially charging a fee. To aid inspectors, the office of professional licensure and certification will share data on current and past licensees of the mechanical safety and licensing board and electricians' board with the state fire marshal, while maintaining confidentiality for certain information.
UTAH
HB 0040: Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments This bill amends the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act by updating definitions, licensing requirements, and disciplinary procedures for various construction trades, including electricians, plumbers, and alarm companies. Key changes include establishing new definitions for terms like "construction trade," "qualifier," and specific contractor classifications (e.g., general building contractor, residential electrical contractor), and outlining new requirements for pre-licensure courses, continuing education, and financial responsibility for contractors. The bill also introduces a $1 surcharge on licenses to fund access to building codes and standards, revises rules for unincorporated entities and their reporting requirements, and clarifies licensing and disciplinary actions for alarm companies, including specific regulations for battery-charged suspended-wire systems. Additionally, it modifies provisions related to payment practices, contractor responsibilities for subcontractors and suppliers, and the process for handling citations and fines. The bill also repeals several existing sections related to construction trades and alarm companies, consolidating and updating the law.