Author: Chris Czarnecki

Recently, the Department of Labor finalized a rule that enacted the largest changes to the Davis Bacon Act in several decades. The effort focused on ‘modernizing’ the regulations, allowing the department to more easily administer and enforce Davis-Bacon-related standards. Read more about the changes in this members-only blog.

In accordance with the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, which was enacted in 2021 to address environmental concerns, the EPA has issued a final rule mandating a 40% reduction in HFCs starting from 2024. Read more in this members-only blog.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals (the Court) issued an opinion granting ACCA’s petition to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ban on disposable cylinders and proposed QR code tracking system. Read more in this members-only blog.

Alternative refrigerants are being used to replace HFC refrigerants in various applications, including refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumps. Learn more in this members-only blog. 

Last week, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) reintroduced S.1706, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, which would make the Section 199A deduction for small businesses structured as ‘S-corporations’ or ‘pass-through entities’ permanent. Read more on this members-only blog. 

Last month, the House Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development held a hearing on workforce issues, particularly those facing the skilled trades, and potential solutions for small businesses and prospective employees. Read more in this member-only blog post.

The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act would radically rewrite labor laws to restrict employers’ rights. Read more about the PRO Act in this blog.

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) introduced the Airborne Act, which incentivizes non-residential building owners to conduct indoor air quality assessments (IAQ) and upgrade their ventilation and air filtration systems.

The EPA is moving to ban disposable cylinders under the AIM Act. Late last year ACCA partnered with fellow HVACR industry associations Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) and Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) in filing a petition to overturn the EPA’s ban. That litigation is moving forward.

In a recent publication, the Education Commission of the States analyzed the “State of the State” addresses of 44 governors to find out what issues they care about the most. The group found that 34 governors highlighted workforce development and career and technical education (CTE) as top priorities.

Federal law and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) require that all trade association connected political action committees (PACs) obtain written approval from their member companies before talking to that organization’s employees about the importance of the PAC. Continue reading for more FAQs.

ACCA will be hosting a panel discussion and breakfast at ACCA 2022, focusing on how the EPA’s disposable cylinder ban will affect the industry. ACCA, along with HARDI and PHCC have been fighting the EPA’s ban on non-refillable cylinders for HFC refrigerants, which is set to go into effect in 2025 and 2027.

ACCA has urged Congress to extend the 25C and 45L energy efficiency tax credits for homeowners and property developers/new construction respectively. These important incentives, which help drive business for contractors, lapsed at the end of 2021 and Congress is actively negotiating their renewal.