relative to the state fire code, fire incident reporting and investigations, and the duties of the state fire marshal.
Sponsored By: Howard Pearl (r)
Signed by Governor
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Updated fire safety rules for buildings
New Hampshire’s fire code adopts the 2024 editions of the Life Safety Code and Uniform Fire Code, with state amendments. Codes referenced within them also apply unless amended under state law. The law ratifies amendments reviewed and approved by the state Board of Fire Control as of December 31, 2025. The entire law takes effect 60 days after passage.
Fire officials get more incident information
Fire chiefs or their designees must report every New Hampshire fire department incident response within 10 days. Reports go to the state fire marshal, who must provide reporting instructions. The marshal may adopt reporting rules with the Department of Safety commissioner’s approval. State licensing officials may also share current and former mechanical safety board licensees’ business contact information with the marshal. This includes work phone numbers, work email addresses, and work addresses.
Required investigations after fatal safety incidents
The state fire marshal may investigate fires, building collapses, and carbon monoxide releases, excluding vehicle releases from this general authority. Investigations may examine carelessness, design, or deliberate acts, and the marshal can require witnesses to attend. Fatal fires, collapses, and carbon monoxide releases must be reported immediately and investigated within 48 hours after the report arrives. This fatal-incident requirement includes carbon monoxide releases from vehicles. Chiefs or designees must immediately report suspicious or apparently deliberately set fires; the marshal may share findings with authorities helping prosecute cases.
More inspection options, with possible fees
The state fire marshal may charge for electrical or mechanical safety inspections requested by owners, local code officials, or responsible contractors. Consultation or assistance for local code officials remains free. Owners or contractors who follow local permit rules may request a backup fire code inspection after local officials are unavailable for three business days. The marshal may help with or conduct that inspection, decline the request, or charge the requester. Both inspection fees follow the Saf-C 8100 schedule; the law does not state dollar amounts.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Howard Pearl
r • Senate
Cosponsors
Bill M. Gannon
Republican • Senate
Erica J Layon
Republican • House
James R Thibault
Republican • House
Jeremy Slottje
Republican • House
Peter B Schmidt
Democratic • House
Tim McGough
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 104; Effective 07/27/2026
5/29/2026SenateEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
5/18/2026HouseEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
5/18/2026SenateReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 72
4/24/2026HouseReferred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 15
4/23/2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 9
4/23/2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 04/08/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC)
4/15/2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 231
4/15/2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 231
4/1/2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 01:20 pm GP 231
3/18/2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 8 P. 114
3/16/2026HouseOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
3/6/2026SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/12/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 9
3/5/2026SenateOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0371s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
2/5/2026SenateCommittee Amendment # 2026-0371s, AA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
2/5/2026SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0371s, 02/05/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 4
1/29/2026SenateHearing: 01/14/2026, Room 103, SH, 10:20 am; SC 1
1/8/2026SenateIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
11/21/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
5/18/2026
Introduced
11/21/2025
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
Version adopted by both bodies
Related Bills
HB2026, (New Title) relative to the state 10-year transportation improvement plan; relative to toll rate adjustments and periodic toll reviews for the New Hampshire turnpike system to support the 2027-2036 ten-year transportation plan; and relative to reconstruction of the Gregg Mill Road Bridge in the town of New Boston.
HB1102, (New Title) increasing the research and development tax credit cap and relative to state park fees for state residents.
HB610, (New Title) relative to the residential ratepayers advisory board.
HB1168, relative to employer documentation requirements.
HB1030, relative to licensed practical nurse scope of practice.
SB469, (New Title) allowing the director of the division of motor vehicles to adopt administrative rules regarding the use of electronic signatures and relative to signature requirements where ownership of a vehicle is transferred to an insurer after payment of damages.