Subcommittee advances bill to add fire-safety deputy, streamline hearings at Insurance Commissioner's office

Representative Chastain introduced House Bill 1385 to the House Subcommittee on Professional and Occupational Licensing, saying the departmental bill would modernize the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s fire-safety operations and appeals process. "It creates a deputy commissioner of the safety fire position in the agency," Chastain said, adding the change would relieve the state fire marshal and improve responsiveness.

The bill would require parties who wish to appeal an agency decision to request a hearing from the commissioner before seeking review in court; if the commissioner's decision is upheld, petitioners could petition for review to the Superior Court of Fulton County, Chastain said. HB1385 also clarifies oversight for deputized local fire marshals and state inspectors, and updates fees and fines tied to working smoke detectors and reinspection charges for manufactured-housing certificates.

Proponents told the committee the changes are largely housekeeping and aimed at efficiency. Chastain said the measure has been endorsed by the State Fire Fighters Association of Georgia. The presenter also said manufacturers of factory-built housing do not oppose higher reinspection fees intended to curb excessive reinspections.

The subcommittee heard no public opposition or committee questions and moved, on a motion and a second, to adopt the described substitute and give HB1385 a "due pass" to the full committee. The chair announced the bill passed the subcommittee and would be considered by the full committee at 2:00 p.m.

The next formal step is the full committee hearing; no vote tallies were recorded in the subcommittee transcript.