ORCA Trade Show highlights industry advocacy efforts

By Dani Sheehan. 

Take an inside look at the 2026 ORCA Annual Conference and Trade Show to better understand the conversations shaping Oklahoma roofing. 

The Oklahoma Roofing Contractors Association (ORCA) Annual Conference and Trade Show brought together contractors, industry leaders and policymakers that encouraged networking, advocacy and accountability this year. From legislative updates to a keynote panel featuring candidates for Oklahoma insurance commissioner, one message carried through: ORCA is making sure the roofing industry has a seat at the table. 

ORCA’s mission: Advocacy at the state level 

Executive Director Avery Smith opened the general session by reinforcing why this association exists in the first place, sharing its mission to represent contractors in regulatory and legislative conversations that directly impact their businesses. With ongoing efforts to build credibility at the state level, ORCA continues to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including the Oklahoma Insurance Department and lawmakers at the Capitol. As several speakers throughout the day noted, there is no shortage of activity in Oklahoma’s legislative landscape. 

Ashley Scott from the Oklahoma Insurance Department shared updates on initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s housing stock and improving the insurance environment. A major focus is the expansion of the IBHS FORTIFIED Program, with a statewide rollout gaining momentum and efforts underway to remove the program’s sunset provision. A second wave of the program is expected to launch this spring. 

Additional legislative efforts highlighted were: 

• Omnibus insurance reform efforts aimed at improving response times and strengthening consumer protections 
• Enhancements to how insurance companies handle claims and communicate coverage 
• Continued work to improve transparency across the insurance process 

Legislative momentum and what it means for Oklahoma contractors 

Fred Jordan of Jordan Strategies provided a deeper look into the realities of Oklahoma’s legislative session amidst the four-month marathon shaped by shifting priorities and budget constraints. Despite funding challenges, several key bills are moving forward that could significantly impact contractors: 

• House Bill 1628 (a major ORCA win) is currently being implemented by the Construction Industries Board (CIB). By January 2027, contractors must be properly licensed and endorsed to perform work in the state. 
  • Contractors have until January 2028 to meet continuing education requirements or pass an exam. 
• House Bill 3800 aims to clean up the Roofing Registration Act and extend the implementation timeline of HB 1628. 
• House Bill 2933 proposes a major overhaul of property insurance plans, focusing on: 
  • Increased transparency in claims and coverage 
  • Stronger consumer protections 
  • More accessible mediation processes 
• Additional legislation, including Senate Bill 1590, could streamline endorsement requirements for commercial contractors. 

With insurance rates continuing to rise across Oklahoma, these legislative efforts are directly tied to how contractors operate, compete and serve their customers. To support contractors through these changes, ORCA is also working with Roof Rx University to develop continuing education opportunities, addressing a current gap in residential roofing resources. 

The keynote panel: A spotlight on insurance 

The keynote luncheon featured a panel discussion with the four candidates for Oklahoma insurance commissioners, including Chris Meredith, Marty Quinn, Greta Schuler and Bob Sullivan. 

While each candidate brought a unique perspective, the structure of the discussion and themes that emerged offered contractors valuable insights into how future leadership could shape the insurance landscape in the state. 

The panel focused on real-world challenges affecting contractors and homeowners alike, including: 

• What’s driving stress in Oklahoma’s insurance market? 
• Are coverage gaps leaving homeowners underinsured? 
• How should competing interests be balanced across the industry? 
• How can fraud be addressed consistently? 
• What role should the state play in improving building resilience? 

Across the discussion, candidates acknowledged that Oklahoma’s insurance market is under significant strain, driven by a combination of: 

• Rising premiums 
• Increasing deductibles 
• Narrower coverage 

This has led to what many described as a growing coverage gap, where homeowners are technically insured but can't afford to use their policies. For contractors, this can translate into delayed repairs, compounded damage and more complex projects. 

Trust, transparency and the role of the contractor 

One of the strongest themes to emerge was the need to restore trust in the insurance system. Candidates pointed to confusion around policy coverage, lack of communication when policies change and disputes during the claims process. In that context, contractors were consistently recognized as critical players in helping homeowners navigate the insurance process. There was clear agreement that roofing professionals must be part of the conversation when shaping solutions. 

Another key theme was the recognition that fraud exists across all sides of the industry, from contractors to carriers and everyone in between. Rather than isolating one group, the discussion emphasized the need for consistent enforcement, stronger penalties for bad actors and better resources for investigation and oversight to increase protection for reputable contractors, reinforcing the value of professionalism and compliance. 

Resilience as a strategy 

Looking ahead, candidates agreed that Oklahoma’s challenges are rooted in risk. With severe weather continuing to drive claims, there is growing emphasis on: 

• Stronger building practices 
• Impact-resistant materials 
• Programs like FORTIFIED 

As Oklahoma faces a pivotal political year with key races for insurance commissioner and attorney general, the conversations at ORCA’s trade show made one thing clear: the roofing industry is deeply connected to the decisions being made at the state level. 

Through advocacy, education and collaboration, ORCA is working to ensure contractors are not just affected by those decisions – but actively shaping them.