FSSA Call to Action - NFPA Needs Your Support for the Pro Codes Act

Critical Action Needed: The fire safety standards system that has protected lives for over 125 years is under attack. Your voice is needed now.

The Situation: NFPA's ability to develop and maintain the 300+ fire, life, and electrical safety codes our industry depends on is being threatened by recent court decisions and legislative attacks. For-profit companies are selling unauthorized copies of safety codes, multiple states are freezing code updates for years, and special interests are exploiting public misunderstanding to weaken the consensus-based standards development system. Without the Pro Codes Act (H.R. 4072), we risk losing the self-funded system that has prevented countless tragedies like the Grenfell Tower fire (72 deaths) and Ghost Ship fire (36 deaths). The Pro Codes Act preserves copyright protection for standards developers while ensuring free public access—protecting both the funding model that supports rigorous safety standards and public transparency.

Minnesota PFAS Rule Disapproved by Judge

As part of Amara’s Law (HF-2310), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) proposed rules requiring manufacturers and importers to report intentionally added PFAS in products and pay associated fees. These rules are designed to implement the law’s reporting provisions ahead of the full PFAS phase-out by 2032

ALJ Decision (August 29, 2025)
On August 29, 2025, a Minnesota Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) disapproved the proposed PFAS reporting and fees rule.

• Procedural issue: MPCA failed to assess the cumulative effect of this rule alongside federal PFAS reporting requirements (e.g., TSCA).
• Substantive issues: Several provisions were found to lack need, reasonableness, or statutory authority, including the fee structure, which the ALJ flagged as excessive.
• Outcome: MPCA cannot adopt the rules as drafted. The Chief ALJ must now review the decision, and MPCA must either revise the rule or seek further legislative guidance before proceeding.

What This Means for FSSA Members

• The reporting deadline of July 1, 2026, still exists under statute, but the specific reporting process and fee structure are on hold until MPCA revises the rules.
• Fees ($1,000 initial / $500 annual) are not yet final, expect revisions or justification from MPCA.
• Companies may still need to prepare for reporting obligations in Minnesota, but compliance details will likely shift.

Next Steps

• MPCA must address the ALJ’s findings before final adoption. This process may take 3–6 months.
• FSSA will continue monitoring developments and provide updates on revised rules, potential stakeholder input opportunities, and CUU guidance.