The Legislative Update: May 7, 2026
May 7th, 2026
RIA Legislative Update
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.
General Contracting
Oklahoma HB 3673 provides that journeyman or contractor licences that have expired for more than one year cannot be renewed but can be reinstated through a specified application, including a $200 fee, evidence of continuing education, and an affidavit or other verification to prove that the individual has not been subject to disciplinary action. Further, this bill provides that licensees will be exempt from continuing education requirements for license renewal for three years from the date they passed their current licensing exam.
- This bill has passed both chambers. If enacted, this bill would mandate an alternative path to licensure for contractors whose licences have lapsed for more than a year.
Restoration Insurance
Connecticut HB 5263 provides comprehensive requirements for post-loss homeowners and commercial property insurance assignment agreements effective January 1, 2027. While this bill has many changes including mandatory written agreements, 14-day rescission rights, itemized per-unit cost estimates, prohibitions on cancellation fees and administrative charges, presuit notice and alternative dispute resolution requirements, and annual insurer reporting obligations. Additionally, this bill prohibits home improvement contractors from offering to pay insurance deductibles, restricts contractors from performing public adjuster activities, and establishes specific anti-solicitation rules for roof damage claims.
The RIA advocated for the legislature to include language that allows limited waiver of cancellation rights for emergency restoration services. More information on this will be coming.
- This bill has passed both chambers. If enacted, this bill would extensively reshape contracting and restoration work in Connecticut, providing consumers with several protections against bad practices while also potentially delaying restoration work due to new cancellation periods and work-delaying red tape.