The Advocacy Update: July 9, 2025
Stay informed without the overwhelm. The Advocacy Update delivers clear, curated legislative updates restoration contractors can trust—highlighting the bills, policies, and issues that matter most to your business. Each week, get a quick, actionable overview to keep you prepared and ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.
As state sessions around the country adjourn for the year, and with the Independence Day holiday this past Friday, legislative policymaking has been relatively quiet. With the two bills highlighted this week being from California, here are some fast facts from California’s state code about contractors and restoration contractors. California classifies contractors into three branches: general engineering contracting, “B” contractors, and specialty contractors.
- A general engineering contractor works with fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, such as irrigation, railroads, highways, and airports.
- “B” Contractors refers to general building contractors, who work with the construction of structures, and residential remodeling contractors, who “make improvements” to a structure, such as working with drywall, finish carpentry, flooring, insulation, or painting.
- Specialty contractors work within construction utilizing specialized skills, such as fire extinguishing systems, the laying of carpets, or roadway construction. The state code includes specific definitions for various licensing types, and further divides into limited specialty classifications (C-61), or “D” contractors.
Contractors who specialize in restoration may seek a “B” license, specifically a general building license, if the restoration involves structural repairs, or a “D-64” non-specialized contractor license for water damage restoration, mold remediation, and other related services. For additional licensing, some restoration contractors may pursue an asbestos or hazardous substance removal certification, or an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), although none are necessarily required under California state law.
Disaster Response
In California, SB 499, which has passed the Senate, provides that local agencies may charge fees on residential developments for public improvements or facilities related to local hazard mitigation plans at any time, as opposed to upon the date of the first certificate of occupancy. PolicyNote (our legislative tracking tool) predicts that this bill has a high likelihood of passing the Assembly and would potentially impose additional front-end costs on residential construction projects.
Senator Stern, the bill's author, emphasized the critical functions that parks serve beyond recreation. He highlights that “parks are more than green space; they are life-saving infrastructure in a climate emergency, so we must be financially creative to keep these spaces prepped and ready to go.” The bill has received support throughout the legislative process from the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts.
Restorers Rights
Staying in California, AB 1327 offers more cancellation rights for consumers. This bill requires that notices of cancellation, in addition to being included in home improvement or home solicitation contracts or offers, also be delivered via email, and it mandates providing a phone number for consumers to seek help in locating and filling out cancellation notices. Furthermore, the bill allows consumers to file a complaint with the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) if a notice of cancellation is missing from a home improvement contract. Having passed the Assembly, PolicyNote predicts it will also advance through the Senate. If enacted, this bill would require contractors, including restoration contractors, to be more transparent about contract cancellation options and available resources.
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These weekly updates are part of RIA’s mission to educate, advocate, and elevate the restoration industry—empowering contractors to navigate legislative challenges and shape a stronger future for all.