Bill Sponsors
Burke, Felag, LaMountain, Sosnowski, Gallo, Ciccone, and Tikoian
Committee
Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Summary
Select
This legislation requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to collaborate on creating a database of electric and hybrid vehicles that use high-voltage lithium-ion batteries. The Fire Marshal must provide the DMV with a contact list of all fire departments in the state. Twice a year, on January 1 and July 1, the DMV is required to send specific information—including the vehicle's make, model, year, and the location where it is kept—to the local fire department responsible for providing protection to that specific address.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Enhances community safety and the welfare of first responders by providing them with critical information needed to handle dangerous lithium-ion battery fires effectively.
- Modernizes public service infrastructure by enabling better coordination and data sharing between state agencies and local municipal emergency services.
- Helps protect housing stock and densely populated neighborhoods from the unique risks of intense fires associated with modern vehicle technology.
Cons for Progressives
- Raises significant privacy concerns by creating a government-mandated list tracking the specific home addresses of individuals based on their environmentally conscious consumer choices.
- Could unintentionally stigmatize electric vehicle ownership or discourage adoption of green technology if owners feel they are being put on a government watch list.
- Risks the security of personal data, as distributing lists of valuable assets to various local departments increases the potential points of failure for data breaches.
Pros for Conservatives
- Supports law enforcement and first responders by equipping them with the necessary intelligence to perform their duties safely and protect property.
- Ensures that the risks associated with new technologies are managed responsibly without banning the products, focusing on preparedness rather than restriction.
- Promotes transparency and information flow to local municipalities, ensuring local fire districts have control over the data relevant to their specific jurisdictions.
Cons for Conservatives
- Creates a government registry of private property owners, which could be viewed as an overreach of state surveillance into personal assets.
- Increases bureaucratic red tape and administrative costs by mandating ongoing coordination and data transfer between state agencies and local districts.
- Violates the privacy of law-abiding citizens by distributing their home addresses to government entities solely because they purchased a specific type of legal vehicle.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Electric Vehicle Owners
- Hybrid Vehicle Owners
- Firefighters
- Division of Motor Vehicles Staff
- Office of the State Fire Marshal
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
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Freedom Impact
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Public Services
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Regulatory
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Clarity of Bill Language
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Enforcement Provisions
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Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/16/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Chapter 23-28.2 of the General Laws entitled "Office of State Fire Marshal" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
23-28.2-31. Electric and hybrid motor vehicle identification database.
(a) The office of the state fire marshal ("office") shall, in coordination with the division of motor vehicles ("division"), create and maintain a vehicle identification database for electric or hybrid motor vehicles powered in whole or in part by a high-voltage lithium-ion storage battery.
(b) The office shall compile a contact list of all departments and districts that provide fire- fighting services and shall provide the division with the list which would enable the division to transfer the information required to be collected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section directly to the fire department or fire district that provides fire protection services to the address of the vehicle owner. The office shall provide an updated contact list to the division as necessary.
(c) The information to be transferred by the division pursuant to this section shall be limited to:
(1) The vehicle registration information;
(2) A vehicle description including the make, model and year of the vehicle; and
(3) The address of the structure where the vehicle is located.
(d) The division shall forward the information collected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section to the municipal or volunteer fire department or fire district that provides fire protection services where the vehicle is located by January 1, and July 1, of each year.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect six (6) months after passage.
23-28.2-31. Electric and hybrid motor vehicle identification database.
(a) The office of the state fire marshal ("office") shall, in coordination with the division of motor vehicles ("division"), create and maintain a vehicle identification database for electric or hybrid motor vehicles powered in whole or in part by a high-voltage lithium-ion storage battery.
(b) The office shall compile a contact list of all departments and districts that provide fire- fighting services and shall provide the division with the list which would enable the division to transfer the information required to be collected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section directly to the fire department or fire district that provides fire protection services to the address of the vehicle owner. The office shall provide an updated contact list to the division as necessary.
(c) The information to be transferred by the division pursuant to this section shall be limited to:
(1) The vehicle registration information;
(2) A vehicle description including the make, model and year of the vehicle; and
(3) The address of the structure where the vehicle is located.
(d) The division shall forward the information collected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section to the municipal or volunteer fire department or fire district that provides fire protection services where the vehicle is located by January 1, and July 1, of each year.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect six (6) months after passage.