Today at the Capitol, the House Committee on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations unanimously advanced House Bill 565, legislation clarifying local fire enforcement authority, with a favorable report. 

HB 565 provides technical and clarifying changes to legislation in Senate Bill 25, passed last year, that created the local fire appeals board process. This year’s measure ensures that fire protection officials can effectively carry out their responsibilities when addressing fire code violations. 

Sponsored by Representative Myron Dossett (R-Pembroke), HB 565 clarifies that a “fire protection official,” which includes the state fire marshal, a fire chief, a fire marshal employed by a local government, or a local appeals board, can enforce a final order made on behalf of a fire protection official. 

The legislation also strengthens enforcement tools available to local fire officials by allowing them to seek restraining orders or injunctions to prevent or correct violations of fire protection laws. These tools help address dangerous conditions more quickly and ensure that valid orders issued to correct fire code violations are followed. 

Importantly, the bill does not create new fire code requirements. Instead, it clarifies enforcement authority and strengthens the ability of local officials to enforce existing fire protection laws.