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HB 6965

AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL, A DEPUTY STATE FIRE MARSHAL, THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE FIRE MARSHAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND A FIRE AND CATASTROPHIC RESTORATION BUSINESS LICENSE.

2025 Regular Session

Summary — HB 6965 (2025)Title: AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL, A DEPUTY STATE FIRE MARSHAL, THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE FIRE MARSHAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND A FIRE AND CATASTROPHI

REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations
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Bill Summary · HB 6965

Summary — HB 6965 (2025)

Title: AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL, A DEPUTY STATE FIRE MARSHAL, THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE FIRE MARSHAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND A FIRE AND CATASTROPHIC RESTORATION BUSINESS LICENSE
Bill Number: HB 6965
Introduced: February 13, 2025
Current Status: Referred by House to Committee on Appropriations (04/29/2025)
Referral & Hearings: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security (02/13/2025); Public hearing held 02/18/2025. Reported out of committee favorably 04/03/2025 (House Calendar No. 318; File No. 510). Referred to OLR/OFA for analysis 03/28/2025 (filed 04/02/2025).

Note: The official bill text is not included in the materials provided. The summary below describes the bill’s stated scope (from its title and legislative actions), highlights typical provisions such measures include, and identifies likely impacts and stakeholders. For exact statutory language and precise requirements, consult the bill text or the Office of Legislative Research (OLR) / Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) reports when available.

Purpose and intent

Based on the bill’s title, HB 6965 aims to (1) address the offices and roles of the State Fire Marshal and a Deputy State Fire Marshal, (2) change the membership or composition of the Fire Marshal Training Council, and (3) establish (or modify) a licensing regime for businesses that perform fire and catastrophic restoration work. The broad intent appears to be to strengthen regulatory oversight, training, and licensing connected to fire suppression, investigation, prevention, and post-fire restoration.

Key provisions likely included (by topic)

Because the actual bill text is not provided, these are the types of provisions commonly contained in legislation with this scope:

  • State Fire Marshal / Deputy State Fire Marshal

    • Clarification of appointment, qualifications, duties, and authority of the State Fire Marshal and a deputy.
    • Delegation of powers between the Marshal and deputy; succession/acting provisions.
    • Administrative or disciplinary powers, recordkeeping, and reporting obligations.

  • Fire Marshal Training Council

    • Changes to council membership (adding/removing categories of members or changing appointment authorities).
    • Updates to council responsibilities: curriculum standards, certification/recertification processes, minimum training hours.
    • Administration of training funds or coordination with local fire departments and academies.

  • Fire and Catastrophic Restoration Business License

    • Creation or revision of a licensing category for businesses that perform structural restoration after fires or catastrophic events.
    • Licensing requirements: application process, minimum qualifications, insurance and bonding, background checks, proof of training or certification.
    • Regulatory oversight: inspection authority, complaint procedures, penalties for unlicensed activity, license renewal and fee structure.

Who would be affected

  • State-level officials: State Fire Marshal’s office and any new deputy or expanded staff.
  • Fire Marshal Training Council members and organizations that provide firefighting training.
  • Businesses offering fire and catastrophic restoration services (property-restoration companies, contractors, mitigation firms).
  • Local fire departments and emergency management agencies that interact with the Marshal’s office.
  • Property owners and consumers (benefit from standardized restoration practices and consumer protections).
  • State budget/administrative units (possible costs for licensing implementation, enforcement, and training).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Regulatory compliance costs for restoration businesses (licensing fees, training, insurance).
  • Consumer protection improvements through standards and enforcement for restoration work.
  • Administrative costs to the Department of Administrative Services / State Fire Marshal for licensing and oversight — OFA analysis will quantify fiscal impact.
  • Changes in training council composition may affect curriculum priorities and interagency coordination.
  • Implementation timeline depends on effective dates in the bill and rulemaking or administrative setup.

Legislative timeline / procedural status

  • Introduced: 02/13/2025; referred to Public Safety and Security.
  • Public hearing: 02/18/2025.
  • Reported favorably out of committee and tabled for House calendar: 04/03/2025 (House Calendar No. 318; File No. 510).
  • Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis for review: 03/28/2025 (filed 04/02/2025).
  • Referred by House to Appropriations Committee: 04/29/2025.

Where to find more information

  • Consult the official bill text (HB 6965) via the Connecticut General Assembly website or LCO for exact statutory changes.
  • Review OLR and OFA analyses when posted for legal explanation and fiscal impact.
  • Committee reports from Public Safety and Security and Appropriations may summarize amendments and legislative intent.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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