Get ready for the 2025 Hill Day!

By Amanda Fields, Roofing Contractors Association of Washington. 

It’s time to lobby for your industry rights in Olympia, Washington. 

Staying competitive and growing sustainably is a challenge for all members of the roofing industry. Often, achieving both goals requires more than just high-quality workmanship and safety practices. In the state of Washington, the Roofing Contractors Association of Washington (RCAW) has seen how policies and regulations are huge influences on professionals in the industry. That’s why it is so important to advocate for yourself and industry at the state capitol. By lobbying about things that directly affect your business, roofers can make their voices heard on a variety of topics, from building codes and business taxes to employment and environmental laws. RCAW is excited to be partnering with Lobby Washington to make a bigger impact in Olympia, starting with “Hill Day” in February 2025! Keep reading to learn how you can make your voice heard! 

Why do you need to get involved? What about regulations and compliance costs? 

The state of Washington is known for our rigorous regulatory environment, and new laws or changes to existing regulations can significantly impact your roofing company. These regulations may involve everything from safety standards and environmental requirements to building codes and contractor licensing. With you engaging in lobbying efforts, we can voice our concerns about proposed regulations that could increase compliance costs, create unnecessary burdens or stifle business growth. For example, we can advocate for fair regulations that balance worker safety with practical implementation, helping to ensure that laws are reasonable and beneficial to both the industry and the community.  

Without representation and advocacy, the roofing industry may face legislation that is costly, restrictive or detrimental to business operations. Lobbying allows roofers to educate lawmakers about the unique challenges they face, helping to prevent the passage of laws that could inadvertently harm the industry. For instance, proposals that raise taxes on small businesses or impose blanket regulations without considering the specific needs of roofers can be challenged with a unified voice. We can advocate for fair treatment, such as proposing amendments to laws that ensure a level playing field for all contractors or seeking exemptions for small businesses that may be disproportionately affected by new regulations.  

Lobbying in Olympia permits roofers to bring attention to industry-specific concerns that may not be well understood by lawmakers. For example, the roofing industry faces unique issues such as the need for specific safety protocols, access to affordable insurance and fair bidding practices for public projects. By joining forces with other roofing professionals and RCAW, we can ensure that these issues are not overlooked in broader legislative discussions. Advocacy efforts can also focus on securing funding for industry-specific training programs, workforce development and resources to improve safety and efficiency on job sites.  

We can use our voice to promote fair contracting practices that protect both contractors and consumers. This includes advocating for legislation that prevents unfair practices like misclassification of workers, ensuring that roofing contractors are properly compensated for their work and addressing issues related to payment delays, contracts and disputes. Lobbying efforts can also focus on promoting transparency and fairness in public contracting. By advocating for clear, fair bidding processes, we, together, can help ensure that local businesses have a fair chance to compete for projects.  

When we all come together to lobby for our rights, we create a stronger, unified voice that lawmakers are more likely to hear.  

The roofing trade in Washington is a significant part of the local economy, providing jobs and services across communities. However, individual businesses may struggle to be heard on their own. By joining forces with RCAW, roofers can amplify their message and have a greater impact on policy decisions. A united front demonstrates to legislators that the industry is organized, informed and actively engaged in shaping its future.  

With your participation, lobbying will provide us with the opportunity to build relationships with state lawmakers and key decision-makers. These relationships are crucial for ensuring that the industry’s perspective is considered when new laws are proposed. Meeting with legislators, attending hearings and participating in advocacy days at the state capitol can help establish roofers as trusted voices in the policymaking process. In fact, RCAW is planning a “Hill Day,” in February 2025, which is a day where everyone in the roofing industry together will go to Olympia, have a briefing with the RCAW Lobbyist, then go to the Capitol building to meet with each of our local decision makers and notify them of the key issues roofers face across the state, have lunch together and head home smiling because we just made an impact! By becoming a reliable source of information and expertise, we can help shape a legislative environment that supports growth, safety and fairness for the industry.  

New and emerging issues, such as climate change legislation or workforce development initiatives, may have unintended consequences for roofers. Engaging in lobbying allows the industry to provide input on these topics to ensure that any new laws or programs reflect the realities of the roofing business. For example, roofers can advocate for incentives for using environmentally friendly materials or for funding to help train the next generation of roofing professionals.  

The roofing industry has much to gain by actively lobbying for our industry rights at the state capitol. By engaging in the legislative process, we can help shape fair regulations, protect against harmful legislation and ensure our voices are heard on issues that matter most to our businesses. Getting involved in advocacy efforts not only strengthens the industry as a whole, but also helps individual roofers secure a better future in a competitive and evolving market.   

RCAW is here to make sure the roofing industry has fair regulations, laws, requirements, protocols, etc. and with your help, together, again, as a unified front, our message is effective, more impactful and establishes we are prepared, knowledgeable and involved in the future of the roofing industry in the state of Washington.   

For more information and/or to become involved in our 2025 Hill Day and/or would like to be included on our Legislative Committee, please contact Amanda Fields, executive director at Director@RCAW.com or call (253) 691-4824.   

Original article source: Roofing Contractors Association of Washington