Committee hears bill to add a fire chief to Montana building code council

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…