HB 1555-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
19Feb2026... 0668h
2026 SESSION
26-2830
06/08
HOUSE BILL 1555-FN
AN ACT relative to the administration and enforcement of the state fire code.
SPONSORS: Rep. Layon, Rock. 13; Rep. Popovici-Muller, Rock. 17; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. C. McGuire, Merr. 27; Rep. Polozov, Merr. 10; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill allows the state fire marshal to hear de novo appeals of local fire chief decisions within set timelines and grants them statewide authority to approve, deny, or allow project-specific alternatives and code modifications under the state building code.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
19Feb2026... 0668h 26-2830
06/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to the administration and enforcement of the state fire code.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; State Board of Fire Control; Approval of Plans for Construction or Revision of all State Buildings Required. Amend RSA 153:8-a by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
III. The state fire marshal shall also be responsible for hearing appeals of any decision issued by the local fire chief, or the fire chief’s duly authorized subordinates, in accordance with RSA 154:2, II. The state fire marshal shall hold a hearing within 40 days of the receipt of an appeal, unless an extension of time has been granted by the state fire marshal at the written request of one of the parties, and shall render a decision in writing within 30 days of the conclusion of the hearing. The review of the state fire marshal shall be de novo. The hearing shall not be bound by the formal rules of evidence, and the state fire marshal may consider the evidence in the record transmitted by the fire chief or such other relevant evidence as may be admitted by the state fire marshal. In considering the appeal, the state fire marshal may affirm, modify, or reverse any decision issued pursuant to RSA 154:2, II(b). Any party aggrieved by a decision of the state fire marshal may appeal that decision to the building code review board in accordance with RSA 155-A:11.
2 New Paragraph; State Building Code; Enforcement Authority. Amend RSA 155-A:7 by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph:
VI. The state fire marshal shall have the power to approve, disapprove, or allow alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment and code modifications to the state building code for all municipalities.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 2, 2026.
26-2830
03/03/2026
HB 1555-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0668h)
AN ACT relative to the administration and enforcement of the state fire code.
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $199,000 | $203,000 | $212,000 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill, related to the administration and enforcement of the state fire code, states that the State Fire Marshal shall be responsible for hearing appeals of any decision issued by the local fire chief, or the fire chief’s duly authorized subordinates, in accordance with RSA 154:2, II. This bill also provides for the State Fire Marshal to have the power to allow exceptions to the state building code.
The Department of Safety states this bill adds work to the Division of Fire Safety and would require two new positions (assuming a September 1, 2026 start date); a building inspector (SOC 47-08, step 3) at a cost of $128,000 in FY 2027, $117,000 in FY 2028, and $122,000 in FY 2029, and an administrative assistant (SOC 43-04, step 3) at a cost of $71,000 in FY 2027, $86,000 in FY 2028, and $90,000 in FY 2029. This bill provides neither authorization nor appropriation for new personnel.
This bill is not expected to impact county and local revenue or expenditures.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Safety and New Hampshire Municipal Association
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 11, 2026 | 2026-0668h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 28, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 9, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 11, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| March 17, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
March 13, 2026: Executive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
Feb. 25, 2026: Division II Work Session: 03/06/2026 10:00 am GP 230
Feb. 19, 2026: Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5
Feb. 19, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0668h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5
Feb. 19, 2026: Amendment # 2026-0668h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5
Feb. 11, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0668h 02/11/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 7 P. 33
Feb. 5, 2026: Executive Session: 02/11/2026 10:00 am GP 231
Jan. 29, 2026: Full Committee Work Session: 02/04/2026 11:00 am GP 231
Jan. 15, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/28/2026 01:00 pm GP 231
Dec. 10, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration