California RIA members may eventually need new state-recognized credentials to perform smoke damage work after wildfires. What you need to know
California lawmakers are advancing AB 1795, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act. This bill is important for RIA members in California and worth watching nationwide because it could create a major state framework for wildfire smoke damage testing, restoration, certification, and insurance claim handling.
Although focused on California, the bill may become a model for other states facing wildfire smoke damage and insurance disputes.
What the Bill Does
AB 1795 would require the California Environmental Protection Agency to develop statewide health-based standards for residential properties damaged by smoke from wildland-urban interface fires or urban conflagrations.
These standards would address smoke damage testing, sampling, chemical screening, remediation, and restoration. CalEPA must develop the standards by June 30, 2027.
The bill also requires CalEPA to establish training and certification requirements by January 1, 2028, for people who inspect, evaluate, sample, test, analyze, remediate, or restore smoke-damaged residential properties.
In simple terms, California is moving toward a system where smoke damage restoration may require state-recognized training and certification.
Why This Matters to RIA Members
For California RIA members, this bill could affect how wildfire smoke damage work is performed, documented, billed, and approved.
If enacted, restoration contractors may need to meet new state certification requirements and follow new testing, documentation, and remediation protocols.
This creates new compliance obligations, but also a major opportunity for qualified emergency restoration services contractors. Clear standards could help distinguish trained professionals from unqualified providers.
Payment Provisions Matter
One of the strongest benefits of AB 1795 is its insurance payment language.
The bill requires insurers to inspect smoke-damaged properties within set timelines, pay actual cash value within 30 days after inspection, and pay undisputed replacement cost within 15 days after receiving a valid contractor contract from the insured.
For restoration contractors, this could reduce payment delays, improve cash flow, and create more predictable project timelines.
The bill also makes insurers responsible for required sampling and testing costs, which are often disputed in wildfire smoke damage claims.
Homeowners Keep Contractor Choice
AB 1795 currently states that policyholders have the right to select their emergency restoration services contractor.
This protects homeowner choice and helps ensure qualified independent contractors can continue to serve policyholders directly.
Why Members Nationwide Should Watch
Wildfire smoke damage, testing standards, and insurance payment disputes are not limited to California. If AB 1795 becomes law, other states may look to California as a model.
That means decisions being made in California today could influence smoke damage restoration policy elsewhere.
RIA’s View
RIA supports the intent of AB 1795 while seeking practical amendments that protect emergency restoration services contractors and ensure the final framework works in the real world.
Key issues include:
- Recognition of existing industry training and certifications.
- Practical implementation timelines.
- Rules that do not delay emergency mitigation.
- Reasonable certification fees.
- Contractor input in state standards.
- Protection of homeowner choice.
- Faster and fairer payment timelines.
Where the Bill Stands
AB 1795 has passed the California Assembly and is now in the Senate. PolicyNote, RIAs third-party vendor predicts the bill has a high chance of reaching a floor vote in the Senate.
This does not mean the bill is guaranteed to become law, but it is moving seriously through the process and should be treated as a high-priority issue for RIA members in California.
Bottom Line
AB 1795 could bring major changes to wildfire smoke damage restoration in California. It may create new certification and compliance requirements, but it also includes provisions that could help restoration professionals get paid faster, protect homeowner contractor choice, and bring more consistency to smoke damage claims.
RIA views this as both a compliance issue and a strategic opportunity.