Chief Patron: Cosgrove
State Fire Marshall's Office

Item 106 #2h

Language
Page 106, line 51, strike "$5,320,147" and insert "$2,528,816".

Explanation
(This amendment eliminates funding for the State Fire Marshall within DHCD to support House Bill 2356 which relocates the Office of the State Fire Marshall from the Department of Housing and Community Development to the Department of Fire Programs, at staff and funding levels of June 30, 2006. Under the current organizational structure, the Fire Marshall is precluded from performing his duties as the senior fire protection advocate for the Commonwealth. Studies in 1992, 1995 and 1997 concluded that the Office of the State Fire Marshall cannot be effective while located within the state agency tasked with ensuring affordable housing. This amendment supports legislation effecting this change which establishes the Fire Services Board as the promulgating board for the Statewide Fire Prevention Code working in conjunction with the Board of Housing and Community Development. A a companion amendment to Item 400 transfers the funding and positions to the Department of Fire Programs.)