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Senate approves measures shifting fire‑code postings and duties to State Fire Marshal
Summary
Senators passed a pair of bills (SB 860 A and SB 862 A) that revise responsibilities around the State Fire Marshal, moving certain reporting and posting duties and authorizing the marshal to offer technical assistance and act on behalf of the governor under specified statutes.
The Senate passed two related bills addressing fire protection oversight and the State Fire Marshal’s duties.
Senate Bill 860 A, carried on the floor by Senator Gerard, moves responsibility for reporting equipment loss and damage and certain investigatory duties from State Police to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, authorizes the marshal to provide technical assistance for safety education, and allows the marshal or a designated representative to act on behalf of the governor under specified emergency statutes when the governor is unavailable.
Senate Bill 862 A, carried by Senator Jirard, redefines facility definitions, removes a monthly district reporting requirement, and repeals a statute requiring fire districts to post their local fire prevention code at each station; instead the bill directs the Office of the State Fire Marshal to adopt a base fire prevention code and make it available electronically.
Senator Robinson questioned whether districts could still adopt their own codes; the carrier said the bills remove the posting requirement but do not prohibit districts from adopting local codes. Both bills were approved on third reading; SB 862 A was declared passed with a constitutional majority on the floor record.
