Restoration Industry Advocacy Updates
Check out the latest news & updates about AGA!
Legislative update emails from RIA keep members informed about proposed laws and regulations that could impact the restoration industry. These timely alerts highlight key issues, advocacy efforts, and opportunities for members to take action or stay engaged.
May 2025 Legislative Updates
In May 2025, RIA is actively monitoring several key bills across multiple states, including legislation related to price gouging, contractor licensing, mold and fire remediation, and right to cancel provisions that may affect restoration professionals.
Right to Cancel Contracts
RIA tracks right to cancel legislation to ensure that restoration contractors can respond quickly to emergencies without being hindered by extended cancellation periods. While we support consumer protections, delays in executing contracts can lead to increased property damage, health risks, and insurance complications. RIA advocates for clear exemptions for emergency mitigation work to balance consumer rights with the need for immediate action.
Contractor Licensing
RIA monitors contractor licensing legislation to ensure that restoration professionals are not unintentionally swept into regulatory frameworks designed for general contractors or builders. Restoration work—especially emergency mitigation—requires a different skill set and response model. We advocate for clear definitions, appropriate exemptions, and fair requirements that recognize the unique role of restoration contractors in disaster recovery and property preservation.
Fire Remediation
RIA follows fire remediation legislation to ensure that new requirements—such as contract disclosures and insurance-related notices—strike the right balance between consumer protection and the operational realities of restoration work. In cases like this bill, which added new contract and notice requirements for fire remediation under insurance claims, RIA actively engaged with lawmakers, submitted early feedback, and successfully secured commitments for major revisions. Our goal is to ensure laws protect consumers without creating unnecessary delays or liabilities for professional restorers.
Mold Remediation
RIA monitors mold remediation legislation to ensure that regulatory frameworks reflect the specialized nature of restoration work and do not impose unnecessary burdens on qualified contractors. Clear, consistent standards help protect consumers while allowing restoration professionals to respond quickly to mold-related health and safety risks—especially in post-disaster environments where delays can lead to greater damage and liability.
Price Gouging
RIA is actively monitoring price gouging legislation to ensure restoration contractors are not unfairly restricted during emergency response efforts. While we support protecting consumers from exploitative pricing, overly rigid laws can prevent restorers from adjusting for real-time increases in labor, material, and logistical costs—ultimately delaying recovery and harming both businesses and property owners.
March 2025 Legislative Updates
The RIA has taken a significant step forward in lobbying in several states for key amendments to legislation, including ensuring emergency restoration services are exempted from right to cancel contracts. The following highlights current lobbying efforts underway to protect the interests of restoration contractors.
Find out how we are helping restorers on the following bills by clicking to read more.
- NJ A551
- CT HB06967
- Georgia SB201
- NJ A1457 and Senate companion bill S4088.
First AGA Canada Position Statement on Prompt Payment
The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) Advocacy and Government Affairs (AGA)
Canada is proud to announce the release of its first Prompt Pay Position Paper, a vital resource designed
to help restoration professionals navigate prompt payment legislation across Canada.
Prompt payment legislation has been enacted at the federal level and in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and
Alberta, with other provinces currently considering or advancing similar legislation. While the
fundamental concepts remain consistent across jurisdictions, variations exist in how the laws are
applied. Understanding these nuances is essential for restorers seeking fair and timely payment for their
services.
Access the AGA Position Statements
Xactware User License Agreement Language Restored After Restoration Industry Association’s Advocacy & Government Affairs (AGA) and Verisk Meeting
New AGA Position Statements
The RIA's AGA is pleased to release a series of new peer-reviewed position statements for RIA members that address issues related to claims handling and Third Party Administrators (TPAs). You must be logged in with your RIA member credentials to access the statements.
Access the AGA Position Statements
The Restoration Industry Association & KnowHow Announce the Pioneering 2024 RIA Cost of Doing Business Report
Pricing Platform Feedback
The RIA's Advocacy & Government Affairs (AGA) Committee and Independent Pricing Task Force recognize the importance of restoration contractors being able to provide actionable feedback to various pricing software platforms. Check out the following resources to show you how to provide actionable pricing feedback for Xactimate and Claims Connect.
How to Provide Xactware Pricing Platform Feedback
How to Provide CoreLogic Mobile Claims Pricing Platform Feedback
RIA President Mark Springer and Restoration Advocate Ed Cross Discuss Implications of the Acquisition of Next Gear by CoreLogic
How to Produce Xactimate Industry Trend Reports
RIA's Advocacy & Government Affairs (AGA) Committee is excited to share this great video from Ben Justesen, President of JRCC and Chair of the AGA Pricing Task Force, on how to access Xactimate Industry Trend Reports.
RIA Releases New Position Statement on Deviation from Standardized Price Lists
The Restoration Industry Association recently released the first pricing position statement for restoration contractors. Titled, “Deviation from Standardized Price Lists,” this peer-reviewed statement examines the issue that many restorers face when insurance carriers and their partners attempt to prohibit deviations from standardized price lists. The position statement will help restorers respond to these challenges when they arise. Read More...
RIA Receives Investment from ATI Restoration, LLC
Mount Laurel, NJ, January 2021 – The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) is pleased to announce a generous $30,000 investment from ATI Restoration LLC, the nation's largest family-owned restoration contractor. These funds will be used to support the association's Advocacy and Government Affairs (AGA) initiatives to advance the voice of contractors in the industry. Read More...
RIA Receives Investment from Restoration Affiliates
Mount Laurel, NJ, September 2020 – The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) is pleased to announce a $25,000 investment from Restoration Affiliates (RA). This significant investment will be used to support the association’s Advocacy and Government Affairs (AGA) initiatives to advance the voice of contractors in the industry. Read More...
2021 Restoration Industry Trends
Phillip Rosebrook discusses AGA's work in this two-part trend series with R&R.
Part 1 | Part 2
Advocating for the Industry R&R Editor-in-Chief Michelle Blevins spent some time catching up with The Restoration Lawyer, Ed Cross. These days, he has another official title, The Restoration Advocate, after being hired by the Restoration Industry Association's Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee to advocate for a more equal and level playing field for restoration contractors. Read More...
AGA Thrives in 2020, Advances the Voice of the Restorer
The year 2020 has been one for the record books, and even though a pandemic has changed how we live, work, and learn, it certainly has not changed the RIA’s mission to educate, advocate, and elevate the restoration industry. Read More...
R&R's 2020 Restoration Industry Year in Review
Industry leaders look at what’s happened in 2020, and predict what’s ahead of the restoration industry. Read More...
Session Shows How to Make Xactimate Work for YOU
Ben Justesen, a Xactimate Affiliate Trainer, held a virtual session during the RIA 2020 Virtual International Restoration Convention + Industry Expo to build upon attendees’ knowledge of Xactimate and how to apply it. The ultimate goal was to improve user’s skills in estimating, creating better job budgets, and work orders. Read More...
Restoration Industry Association (RIA) Announces a Release of Third Party Consultant Position Statements
The Restoration Industry Association has released a comprehensive series of position statements that address some of its members’ most-asked questions. Each of these statements have been written and peer-reviewed by experts in the restoration industry, in order to assure that the information in them is accurate and reliable in every aspect. By creating and distributing these position statements, the RIA hopes that members will be equipped with the knowledge they need to deal with some of their more delicate, on-the-job situations. Read More...
Restoration Industry AGA Town Hall Q&A Webinar
Stream the RIA Town Hall Q&A featuring Mark Springer, CR.
Restoration Industry Advocacy Publications & Reports
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Our Greatest Need Mark outlines his case for a proactive approach to advocacy and how that will strengthen and sustain the restoration industry, including his seven step plan to accompli sh this. |
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Restoration Advocacy Report #1 This advocacy report outlines the AGA mission and the major steps taken by RIA to advocate for the legal and financial interests of restorers |
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Restoration Advocacy Report #2 This advocacy report outlines the AGA mission and the major steps taken by RIA to advocate for the legal and financial interests of restorers. |
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Restoration Advocacy Report #3 This advocacy report outlines updates from the AGA's Pricing Subcommittee, TPA Subcommittee, Investment Subcommittee and TPC (Third Party Consultant) Subcommittee. |
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Restoration Advocacy Report #4 This advocacy report outlines the major strides the AGA Committee as taken to build unity within the industry and move aggressively to level the playing field for restorers, both legally and financially. |
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Restoration Advocacy Report #5 This advocacy report outlines how the AGA committee continues to make strides and move forward. |
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Restoration Advocacy Report #6 This advocacy report features information about how, month after month, the AGA Committee's movement gains momentum in a way that is unprecedented in the property repair industry. |
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Restoration Advocacy Report #7 This advocacy report features information about AGA's positions on key issues that are adversely affecting restorers' bottom lines. |
