Representative Eric Tillman introduced House Bill 144, a bill that would add a member to the state building code council representing a fire chief from the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association.

"My name is Eric Tillman, T-I-L-L-E-M-A-N. And I represent House District 23," said Representative Eric Tillman, the bill sponsor, as he opened the public hearing. He described the bill as "a bill to strengthen the building codes council" by adding "one more member ... a fire chief from the Montana Fire Chiefs Association," saying the addition would "ensure that fire protection, fire prevention, protection systems, and emergency response considerations are integrated into the building codes decisions." Tillman said the change would "ultimately, [enhance] public safety."

Ole Hedstrom, who identified himself as representing the Montana State Firefighters Association, testified as a proponent. "This bill is simple and will definitely help us perform our job and provide for public safety. We urge you pass," Hedstrom said.

Online, Jeremy Jones identified himself as a fire chief and urged support, saying the association "will provide a municipal edge and bring another perspective" to the council and that municipal fire chiefs see what is happening "on the ground" in cities and towns.

Sarah Swanson, commissioner for Montana's Department of Labor and Industry, appeared as an informational witness. "They are two separate things. The fire code is not the same as the building code," Swanson said, describing the department's role in administering the state building code under Title 50 and explaining that the department adopts the state building code with recommendations from the building code advisory committee. She said Montana statute requires the department to consider three factors equally when establishing the building code: public health and safety, modern construction techniques, and the overall cost of construction.

Swanson also told the committee that some local jurisdictions adopt separate fire codes but cannot require local building-code standards above the state minimum in a way that would withhold occupancy certificates. She said the fire chiefs had asked to "be at the table when the code is established so that they have their voice for public health and safety considered."

Committee members asked questions. Representative Esteban asked for clarification about how a fire chief's perspective differs from the state fire marshal's representative; Representative Guest confirmed the bill aims to add a distinct municipal fire-service perspective; and another member asked Swanson how the building code interacts with local moves toward density, to which Swanson replied the building code governs "walls in" construction and does not address density or zoning.

Tillman closed by noting recent events in other states and urging the committee to pass the bill.

No formal committee action on House Bill 144 was recorded in the provided transcript segment.