The Advocacy Update: November 6, 2025
November 6, 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:
- There was little legislative movement this week. In Wisconsin, SB 557 had a public hearing, and two cosponsors were added. In Florida, SB 322 was introduced.
Florida
In Florida, SB 322 was introduced on November 3rd. The bill provides changes to continuing education requirements, enabling the state Construction Industry Licensing Board to approve up to four hours of general continuing education credit per renewal cycle for professional association engagement that includes attending at educational meeting or workshops (which includes at least 60 minutes of noncommercial technical content or code content), or documented service as a board of standing-committee member of a Board-approved professional or trade association.
Credit awarded under these changes is general credit only and cannot be used to satisfy the requisite minimum hours or specialised or advanced modules related to workplace safety, workers’ compensation, business practices, wind-mitigation methodologies, or the state’s building code. This bill impacts RIA by enabling restoration contractors to satisfy their general contracting licensing education requirements through participation in trade associations—even RIA, assuming the state Board approves RIA as an approved professional association, or other professional development activities and participation. The passage of this bill may lead to increased involvement by restoration contractors in RIA within Florida.
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, SB 557 would appropriate $10,000,000 to the state Department of Military Affairs for a disaster assistance for individuals grant program, as well as $20,000,000 for a disaster assistance for business grant program for the 2025-2025 fiscal year.
The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, in addition to the National Guard, oversees the state's emergency management and emergency communications divisions. This bill impacts RIA by providing disaster assistance funding for individuals and businesses before an actual disaster, instead of during or after, better enabling the state to provide relief funding to individuals and businesses so that they have the necessary funds to contract with restoration workers.
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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.