Sen. Barnes files bill in North Carolina Senate on public education insurance and fire marshal duties

A new bill filed by State Sen. Lisa S. Barnes in the North Carolina Senate seeks to enhance insurance coverage for public education entities and clarify the State Fire Marshal’s authority and related procedures, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 368 on March 20 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Office of State Fire Marshal Omnibus Bill.-AB’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates all public education boards and charter schools to obtain insurance for all other perils as part of the State Public Education Property Insurance Fund and establishes July 1, 2025, as the effective start date. The Office of the State Fire Marshal is authorized to contract for specialized services, and public education boards are required to participate in the insurance fund unless a waiver is approved. Registration fees for advanced fire and rescue courses may be charged and waived by the State Fire Marshal, with state funds provided for waivers. The bill clarifies the powers of the State Fire and Rescue Commission, the Home Inspector Licensure Board, and updates terminology and procedures for Code Officials Qualification Board training and licensing. It also exempts manufactured home dealers from showroom requirements and revises the process for local inspection departments, including permits, fees, and reporting, effective July 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill extends the exemption from the Department of Administration’s control of certain vehicles to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, mainly for law enforcement, fire, or emergency purposes. Various sections have specific effective dates, and the bill includes a severability clause.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Todd Johnson proposed the most bills (37) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Barnes graduated from Peace College with an AA and again in 1988 from North Carolina State University with a BA.

Barnes, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2021 to represent the state’s 11th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Rick Horner.