RIA Kentucky Members Update

When disaster strikes, our members are often among the first professionals called upon to help property owners protect their homes and businesses from further damage. Our ability to respond quickly, professionally, and ethically is essential to the communities we serve.

I want to share an important clarification that RIA recently obtained directly from the Kentucky Attorney General's Office regarding emergency contractor registration requirements.

Background: What Changed in Kentucky?

During the 2026 legislative session, Kentucky lawmakers passed Senate Bill 153 (BR 1962), which Governor Andy Beshear signed into law on April 8, 2026. The legislation became Acts Chapter 54 and generally took effect July 15, 2026.

The law strengthens consumer protections and seeks to prevent fraudulent or improper contractor practices, particularly following natural disasters.

Among its provisions, SB 153 authorizes the Kentucky Attorney General to require contractors operating within certain declared emergency areas to register with the state. The law also restricts in-person solicitation in designated areas for 90 days following an emergency declaration, subject to statutory exceptions.

These provisions may directly affect RIA members providing emergency restoration services, including water, fire, and storm damage mitigation and restoration.

RIA Went Directly to Kentucky Officials for Clarification

While reviewing the legislation, I had a practical concern on behalf of our members:

Why should a restoration contractor have to wait until a disaster occurs to begin the registration process when they could prepare in advance?

On November 2, I contacted the Kentucky Attorney General's Office and specifically asked:

Can an RIA member apply for and receive emergency contractor registration before a storm or emergency declaration?

Or must contractors wait until an emergency is declared and the Attorney General issues a registration order?

If advance registration is permitted, how can our members prepare?

On November 3, I received a written response from Stephen B. Humphress, Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Regulatory Relief, confirming that the state's system was specifically designed to allow contractors to pre-register before an emergency registration order is issued.

He also clarified two important requirements:

After an emergency area is designated, a pre-registered contractor must identify the person responsible for operations in that area to receive the required registration certificate, which must be conspicuously posted at all job sites in the designated area.

Contractors can renew their registration annually, and the renewal process is simplified because previously submitted information only needs to be updated when changes have occurred.

This is welcome clarification for our members.

What Does This Mean for Your Restoration Business?

The practical benefit is straightforward: you can take steps now to prepare your business rather than beginning the registration process when your crews are needed most.

Advance registration can help reduce administrative work during a disaster response. However, pre-registration alone does not replace the additional steps required after the Attorney General issues an emergency registration order, including identifying the person in control of operations in the designated area and obtaining the required registration certificate.

What I'd Suggest You Do Now

I encourage Kentucky RIA members, and members of surrounding states to take these proactive steps:

Review the registration process now. Visit the Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Regulatory Relief website and review its emergency contractor registration resources.

Consider pre-registering your company. Prepare the required business information and supporting documentation before the next storm.

Identify your emergency-response leadership. Determine who will be responsible for personnel and operations if your company deploys to a designated Kentucky emergency area.

Review your sales and deployment procedures. Ensure your teams understand the law's restrictions on in-person solicitation and their obligation to comply with applicable registration orders.

Keep your registration current. Establish an internal reminder to review and renew your registration annually.

Kentucky Registration Resources

Office of Regulatory Relief — Kentucky Attorney General

Emergency Contractor Registration — Business Forms

For specific registration questions, you may contact the Kentucky Office of Regulatory Relief at OAGRegRelief@ky.gov.

RIA's Commitment to Our Members

RIA supports reasonable consumer protections that discourage fraudulent practices while recognizing the essential role professional restorers play during emergencies.

My goal in reaching out to Kentucky officials was simple: obtain a clear answer to a practical question so our members could prepare, comply with the law, and remain focused on helping property owners when they need us most.

I appreciate the Kentucky Attorney General's Office, and particularly Stephen Humphress, for the timely and helpful clarification.

We will continue monitoring implementation of SB 153 and engaging policymakers and regulators when additional clarification may benefit our industry.