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SB 494 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Fire code and fire marshal updates

AI-generated

relative to the state fire code, fire incident reporting and investigations, and the duties of the state fire marshal.

Updates the state fire code, revises fire incident reporting and investigation procedures, expands the duties of the state fire marshal, and requires the office of professional licensure and certification to share licensee information with fire inspectors.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 29, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Updates the version of the fire code and ratifies all amendments reviewed and approved by the board of fire control as of December 31, 2025. II. Modifies the procedures for the reporting and investigation of fires. III. Adds additional duties to the state fire marshal. IV. Allows the office of professional licensure and certification to share with the fire marshal business contact information for licensees and past licensees of the mechanical safety and licensing board to aid certain inspectors appointed by the fire marshal or department of safety. This bill is a request of the state fire marshal's office.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Howard PearlRPrimeChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Bill GannonRVice Chair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Jeremy SlottjeRVice Chair· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR, Rep. James ThibaultR, Rep. Peter SchmidtD

Public testimony

1 signed in online

0% support100% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-149:00 amSenate Executive Departments and AdministrationSH 103Public hearing
  • 2026-03-2510:10 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-04-0810:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
  2. Jan 14, 2026SenHearing: 01/14/2026, Room 103, SH, 10:20 am; SC 1
  3. Feb 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0371s, 02/05/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 4
  4. Feb 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0371s, AA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  5. Feb 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0371s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  6. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/12/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 9
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 8 P. 114
  9. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 01:20 pm GP 231
  10. Apr 8, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  11. Apr 8, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  12. Apr 8, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 04/08/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC)
  13. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 9
  14. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 15
  15. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 72
  16. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  17. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  18. May 28, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 104; Effective 07/27/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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