Bill > H22

This bill expands the investigatory powers of the State Fire Marshal and clarifies the process for investigating fires in North Carolina. The legislation modifies existing law to give both the State Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the State Fire Marshal joint authority to investigate fires, with specific guidelines for when each agency takes the lead. For fires involving death, serious bodily injury, arson, government buildings, educational institutions, churches, or religious buildings, the State Bureau of Investigation will have exclusive investigative supervision if requested by local officials. The bill grants these agencies expanded powers to summon witnesses, conduct investigations, enter premises at any time, and keep investigations private. Insurance companies are now required to cooperate more fully by releasing policy information, investigation materials, and claim histories to these agencies when requested. The bill also updates language to make investigative processes more gender-neutral and precise, removing gendered pronouns and clarifying investigative protocols. The new provisions will take effect on October 1, 2025, providing state agencies with clearer guidelines for fire investigations and potential criminal proceedings related to fires.

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https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H22