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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. Requires the office of professional licensure and certification to share with the fire marshal certain information for current licensees and past licensees of the mechanical safety and licensing board and electricians' 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.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Every fire department incident response occurring in this state shall be reported to the state fire marshal within 10 days after the occurrence of the same by the appropriate fire chief or designee.”
RSA 153:11
“The state fire marshal shall have the power vested in a justice of the peace to compel the attendance of witnesses to testify upon an inquiry.”
RSA 153:18
“The state fire marshal shall provide the necessary instructional data for the fire chiefs for incident reporting.”
RSA 153:11
“Notwithstanding RSA 21-G:9, II(b), the state fire marshal may adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A with the approval of the commissioner of the department of safety relative to fire department incident response reporting. 104:3 State Board of Fire Control;”
RSA 153:11

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0371s4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0371sadopted
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0371sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass7–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 8, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass13–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration1:22:25–1:23:341m 9slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0371s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0371s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0371s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration3:16:04–3:18:011m 57slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration11:29–17:436m 14slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:07:27–5:08:0235slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance; Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f)
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

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.