On March 5, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko testified before the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1221 – Public Safety – Short-Term Rental Units – Fire Safety (Jillian and Lindsay Wiener Short-Term Rental Fire Safety Act) with amendments.
This bill advances a straightforward and important goal: ensuring that short–term rental units meet baseline, common-sense fire safety expectations—clear egress information, functional smoke alarms, and readily available extinguishers.
Short-term rentals have rapidly emerged as a new and evolving part of the housing and tourism landscape, creating both opportunities and regulatory challenges for local governments. HB 1221 addresses certain challenges with a focus on practical safety measures that can help protect guests and first responders. At the same time, counties are seeking clarifying amendments to ensure the legislation preserves local authority as jurisdictions continue developing regulatory frameworks for this growing segment of the lodging market.
Counties share the bill’s life-saving priorities and appreciate the sponsor’s
focus on practical, in-unit measures that can meaningfully reduce risk for guests and first responders. MACo’s amendments are intended to clarify certain provisions and ensure the bill does not unintentionally preempt local authority.