A new bill filed by State Sen. Lisa S. Barnes in the North Carolina Senate seeks to regulate the installation and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 374 on March 20 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Licensing Certain Fire Safety Equip. Work.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates licensing and permitting for individuals and firms that install, inspect, repair, service, or test portable fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems in North Carolina, effective Oct. 1, 2025. The State Fire Marshal will oversee the implementation, setting standards and granting licenses and permits. Firms and individuals must comply with specific requirements, such as evidence of competence and insurance, and are subject to fees. The bill also outlines penalties for non-compliance, including civil fines and potential misdemeanor charges. Certain exemptions apply, such as for government employees and routine visual inspections by fire inspectors.
Of the two sponsors of this bill, Michael A. Lazzara proposed the most bills (23) 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.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa S. Barnes and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 374 | 03/20/2025 | Licensing Certain Fire Safety Equip. Work. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Michael A. Lazzara, and Todd Johnson | SB 368 | 03/20/2025 | Office of State Fire Marshal Omnibus Bill.-AB |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Amy S. Galey, and Brad Overcash | SB 375 | 03/20/2025 | Harrison’s Law. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Paul Newton, and Phil Berger | SB 261 | 03/10/2025 | Energy Security and Affordability Act. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Michael A. Lazzara, and Todd Johnson | SB 226 | 03/03/2025 | Align Benefits for Firefighters with Cancer. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Jim Burgin, and Michael V. Lee | SB 55 | 02/05/2025 | Student Use of Wireless Communication Devices. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Benton G. Sawrey, and Buck Newton | SB 61 | 02/05/2025 | I-95 Toll Prohibition. |
| Lisa S. Barnes | SB 32 | 01/30/2025 | 11th Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
