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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia bill authorizes municipal fire officials to conduct State Fire Marshal inspections in specific occupancies
Last action · February 11, 2026: To House Government OrganizationSponsor: J.B. Akers
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What This Bill Proposed
House Bill 5446 extends State Fire Marshal inspection authority to municipal fire departments that employ certified fire code officials, inspectors, and plans examiners within business, mercantile, and . Uncertified municipal fire officials are granted a two-year probationary period to meet certification standards. The legislation also defines approved training categories based on National Fire Protection Association standards.
Local businesses and public assembly venues in participating municipalities may undergo fire safety inspections conducted by municipal personnel rather than exclusively state-level officers. Municipalities gain the option to employ certified or probationary enforcers and indemnify them against liability.
- The State Fire Marshal operates under the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security to enforce state fire and building codes across public and commercial structures. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Municipal fire departments
Municipal fire departments with certified personnel gain the authority to conduct inspections in business, mercantile, and public assembly occupancies within state jurisdiction.
Uncertified fire officials
Uncertified municipal fire officials receive a probationary period of up to two years to meet mandatory state certification requirements.
State Fire Marshal
The State Fire Marshal shares inspection duties in specific occupancies with qualified municipal entities while retaining oversight and jurisdiction.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which municipal fire officials are allowed to conduct State Fire Marshal inspections?
What is the time limit for uncertified municipal fire inspectors to obtain certification?
What qualifications are required for certification in fire code disciplines?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Feb 11, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Government Organization
- Feb 11, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Feb 11, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Government Organization
- Feb 11, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Decentralization of Inspection Authority
The bill shifts specific inspection responsibilities from exclusively state-level officials to qualified municipal personnel in business, mercantile, and public assembly properties.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 45)
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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