Montgomery County landlords and fire officials presented opposing views on Bill 43-26, a proposed law requiring owners of multi-family rental buildings to provide smoke escape hoods, during a public hearing Oct. 6. The debate centered on whether the hoods should be kept in buildings or carried by firefighters.
The bill, introduced by Councilmember Kate Stewart, would mandate that owners of buildings five stories or higher equip them with smoke escape hoods for at least 5 percent of the building’s occupancy, as TANTV reported. The fire chief could require up to 10 percent, according to a council staff report cited by Bethesda Today. A Public Safety Committee work session is scheduled for Nov. 9, with written materials for consideration due by Nov. 2. The hearing can be watched in the council’s hearing recording.
Fire Officials and the Diaz Family Back the Bill
Dominic Colletti, an assistant chief with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, expressed “full support” for the bill, calling the inclusion of hoods in rental buildings “a vital next step.” He stated the department equipped every frontline engine, ladder truck and heavy rescue squad with a hood in January 2026 following a donation from the Diaz family. Melanie Diaz died in a February 2023 fire. Her brother, Cesar Alejandro Diaz, testified that “first responders are always minutes out when you only have seconds.” Their father, Cesar Augusto Diaz, added, “This is not about money. This is about life.” He also noted that a hood costs about $350 and has a 15-year warranty.
A Renters Alliance outreach coordinator and Lillian Scott of Housing Justice Montgomery also supported the bill. Scott requested that any related fees not be passed on to tenants.
Building Owners Say Firefighters Should Carry Them
Representatives from property management companies voiced concerns about the bill. Charles Nulsen, owner of Washington Property Company, asked the council to oppose the bill “in its entirety,” stating it would “only drive up rents and reduce services.” Chris Bruch, president and CEO of The Donohoe Companies, indicated his concern was “where the bill puts the hoods.” He claimed no U.S. jurisdiction requires building owners to supply them and that hoods work best in the hands of firefighters.
Gabrielle Duvall, president of Southern Management Companies, said hoods kept in buildings could delay evacuations while firefighters locate them. She also pointed out that the bill covers rental apartments but not hotels, hospitals, nursing homes or condominiums. Gunnar Gingery, senior vice president of Commodore Management, said there is “a good idea at the center of this bill,” but that the hoods should be with firefighters. The head of Grady Management, which oversees about 3,000 apartments in the county, stated his concern was storage, testing and compliance, not cost.
What the Hoods Cost
The cost of individual smoke escape hoods ranges between $265 and $450, with most averaging about $335, according to The Banner.
What’s Next
A Public Safety Committee worksession on Bill 43-26 is scheduled for Nov. 9, according to the council’s statement at the hearing. Written testimony from groups including the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington, AARP Maryland and Greater Greater Washington has been posted on the bill’s county page. No vote on the bill has been reported.
