The Advocacy Update: August 20, 2025
August 20, 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.
Key Takeaways:
- Disaster Response: Two California bills were referred to the suspense file by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Suspense files are a procedure in California through which a closed, vote-only hearing to hear and either report bills to the Senate floor, or continue to hold the bill in committee.
- Restorer's Rights: AB 559, which has already passed the state Assembly and PolicyNote predicts has a 91% chance of passing the Senate, had its recent committee hearing postponed. Notably, the California legislative session is currently set to adjourn on September 12th.
Disaster Response
CA AB 1200 seeks to improve disaster response preparedness through the establishment of biennial mandatory tabletop exercises conducted by the Office of Emergency Services (OES). These exercises will include and engage key entities in disaster response from both the public and private sectors. While the bill does not directly reference contractors or restoration contractors, OES will ultimately decide who represents “key personnel and agencies and have emergency management roles and responsibilities.” OES is additionally required to report on these exercises to the Joint Budget, Assembly Emergency Management, and Senate Governmental Organization Committees by February 1st, 2028, and biennially thereafter.
This bill has passed the Assembly, and PolicyNote predicts this bill has a very high chance of passing the Senate. Most recently, this bill was referred to the suspense file by the Appropriations Committee. This bill would impact RIA by increasing opportunities for the organization and its restoration contractors to cooperate with the state government and contribute to regulatory policymaking.
CA AB 380 would extend the period during which it is considered a misdemeanor to sell goods at prices exceeding 10% of the pre-emergency levels from 30 to 60 days following the declaration of an emergency, directly impacting contractors who are responding to emergency situations.
This bill has passed the Assembly, and PolicyNote predicts that the bill only has a 78% chance of passing the Senate. Like AB 1200, this bill was most recently referred to the suspense file by the Appropriations Committee. This bill impacts RIA by expanding the rules and policing of restoration contractors and other post-emergency workers.
Restorers Rights
CA AB 559 clarifies contracting language by defining “home improvement” as all construction, erection, installation, replacement, or improvement of accessory dwelling units on residentially zoned property. Under current state law, all home improvement cases are prohibited from down payments exceeding the lesser of $1,000 or 10% of the contract value; contractors are further prohibited from requesting or accepting payment that exceeds the value of work performed or material delivered. While failure to comply with these down payment and payment prohibitions is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of between $100-$5,000 or one year of imprisonment, this bill would increase the punishment for violations to revocation of licensure and a civil penalty of at least $10,000, or if the person is unlicensed, a citation and a civil penalty of at least $10,000.
This bill has passed the Assembly, and PolicyNote predicts it has a high chance of passing the Senate. If enacted, this bill would clarify home improvement contract language and increase penalties against violators of state down payment and payment prohibitions. Most recently, the hearing on this bill was postponed by the Appropriations Committee. This bill could impact RIA by increasing the legal burden on its contractors and establishing new rules around home improvement contracting.
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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.