SB 494-FN (2026): relative to the state fire code, fire incident reporting and investigations, and the duties of the state fire marshal.

SB 494-FN (2026)

relative to the state fire code, fire incident reporting and investigations, and the duties of the state fire marshal.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: Occupational Regulation
• Chapter law: 104

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 14, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0371s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0371s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 5, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 12, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the House Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 25, 2026, with one person signed in online in opposition. The committee held a work session on April 8, 2026. The committee met in executive session on April 8, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On April 23, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). The bill was enrolled on May 14, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on May 28, 2026, making it Chapter 104 of the session laws. It took effect on July 27, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Rep. Erica Layon (R - Rock 13)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Rep. Peter Schmidt (D - Straf 14)
• Rep. Jeremy Slottje (R - Hills 13)
• Rep. James Thibault (R - Merr 25)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 14, 2026, 10:20 AM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• February 5, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 12, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 25, 2026, 1:20 PM: public hearing, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
• April 8, 2026, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
• April 8, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0371s — voice vote, passed
• March 12, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 153:1
• RSA 153:18
• RSA 153:4-a
• RSA 153:34
• RSA 319-C:5
• RSA 153:11

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 1
• SC 4
• SC 9
• SJ 6
• HJ 8, page 114
• HJ 11, pages 9, 15 and 72
• SJ 13
• HJ 13, page 147
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report