Advocacy News

08.28.24

Observers of American politics often note that policymaking swings like a pendulum. One political party will earn control of government and enact policies they believe will improve the country. Later, the opposing political party will inevitably seize governmental control and undo much of the work of their predecessors. This process then repeats. While there may be examples of this idea proving …

08.28.24

Earlier this month, at the recommendation of the PHCC Government Affairs Committee, the PHCC Board of Directors voted to support two pieces of legislation currently making their way through Congress. The CTE Student Mental Health and Wellness Act sponsored by Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) would allow career and technical education schools access to federal grants to provide mental health and …

08.28.24

On August 15, PHCC of California hosted another successful Legislative Day at the state capitol in Sacramento. The annual event attracts over a dozen contractors and local executives from across the Golden State to participate in a morning issues briefing hosted by the state chapter, followed by an afternoon of meetings with legislative offices in the capitol building. PHCC—National Association …

07.24.24

Since the City of Berkeley passed an ordinance that prohibited natural gas hookups to newly constructed homes in 2019, the future of natural gas as a building fuel source has been a hotly debated topic in our industry. Indeed, Berkeley was followed by dozens of other California communities that adopted similar policies, and Washington State even enacted residential and commercial building codes …

06.14.24

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently revised the regulations governing eligibility for overtime pay, specifically raising the annual pay level for certain exempt employees. The current threshold is $35,568 annually ($684 weekly) but will be raised in steps. The first step set for July 1 of this year would raise the threshold payroll to $43,888 annually ($844 weekly), and the second step …

06.04.24

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a Final Rule for energy conservation standards for residential water heaters. While this topic has understandably caught the attention of many in our industry who are still working on examining and analyzing the document, it in some ways serves as a reminder that DOE has already finalized energy conservation standards for …

07.14.23

The General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a memorandum related to what constitutes a “Captive Audience” Meeting, GC 22-04. (See Memorandum) This memorandum informs regional offices that the long standing practice of allowing employers to require employees to attend mandatory meetings where employers could provide information in opposition to the union is unlawful …

12.15.21

PHCC has joined industry stakeholders Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) and Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) in filing a petition for judicial review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The petition asks the court to overturn the ban on single-use cylinders and …