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Committee moves forward bill limiting state fire marshal to three terms (SB436)
Summary
SB436, which would limit the state fire marshal to three five‑year terms (15 years), was advanced with technical amendments; the Department of Land and Natural Resources raised concerns that term limits could complicate performance-based reappointment.
Senate Bill 436, which would prohibit any person from serving as State Fire Marshal for more than three terms (effectively 15 years), was passed out of the Senate Committee on Labor and Technology with amendments on Feb. 7.
Michael Walker, statewide fire protection forester for the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and a State Fire Council representative, submitted written testimony with concerns. Walker told the committee that the marshal serves five‑year terms and that performance evaluation and reappointment at the end of a term is preferable to imposing an arbitrary term limit. He said the proposed cap "adds an additional complication" to the State Fire Marshal position.
The committee recommended moving the bill as Senate Draft 1 with technical amendments and a defective effective date (07/01/2050). The recommendation was adopted; the committee recorded the vote with two senators excused. The measure advances to further legislative consideration in amended form.
