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HB 1555 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Fire marshal appeals authority

AI-generated

relative to the administration and enforcement of the state fire code.

Allows the state fire marshal to hear de novo appeals of local fire chief decisions and grants statewide authority to approve, deny, or modify code requirements under the state building code.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Authorizes local fire chiefs to grant variances from the state fire code. II. Establishes procedures and indemnification requirements for variance applications. III. Provides a 20-year exemption from retroactive fire code compliance for permitted construction. IV. Creates a de novo appeal process to the state fire marshal with further appeal to the building code review board.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Erica LayonRPrimeChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Finance
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Carol McGuireR, Rep. Yury PolozovR

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

75% support25% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose this bill because it reduces transparency or public oversight and does not meaningfully improve outcomes for New Hampshire residents.”
— Tiffany Gladu, Goffstownopposes
“The decision to grant variances to the fire code should only be made by subject matter experts. Many Fire chiefs will tell you that they are not SME's in codes or fire prevention.…”
— Jason Smedick, Goffstownopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2810:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-02-0411:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing
  • 2026-02-1110:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-03-0610:00 amHouse Finance - Division IIGP 230Public hearing
  • 2026-03-1710:00 amHouse FinanceGP 230Public hearing
  • 2026-04-159:00 amSenate Executive Departments and AdministrationSH 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 25
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 01:00 pm GP 231
  3. Feb 4, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/04/2026 11:00 am GP 231
  4. Feb 11, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  5. Feb 11, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0668h 02/11/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 7 P. 33
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0668h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 76
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0668h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 77
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 77
  9. Mar 6, 2026HouseDivision II Work Session: 03/06/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  10. Mar 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  11. Mar 17, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/17/2026 (Vote 14-10; RC)
  12. Mar 19, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  13. Mar 26, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 192-162 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 18
  14. Mar 26, 2026SenIntroduced 03/26/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7
  15. Apr 15, 2026SenHearing: 04/15/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 13
  16. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1650s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  17. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1650s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  18. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1650s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  19. May 14, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/14/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 18A
  20. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  21. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1650s (Rep. Layon): MA DV 180-160 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 11
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  23. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  24. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 231; eff. 7/1/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.