Revision: Feb. 11, 2026, 4:01 p.m.
Rep. Layon, Rock. 13
February 11, 2026
2026-0668h
04/08
Amendment to HB 1555-FN
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
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.
2026-0668h
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.