Here is a summary of recent statewide FRACCA activity during October and November, highlighting key meetings, legislative engagement, and ongoing regulatory efforts impacting the HVACR industry:

Key Meetings & Engagements

October

• 10/2 — Spoke at RACCA Speaking Engagement

• 10/7 — Meeting with Rep. Albert (FRACCA) regarding current bill

• 10/7 — Weekly iGAS USA & Capitol Counsel Calls

• 10/8 — Discussion with Chair Giallombardo (FRACCA) on bill hearing

• 10/8 — Meeting with Tonya Shays & Sen. Bradley (FRACCA) regarding bill

• 10/8 — EPA Call on HFC Rules

• 10/14 — FRACCA Monthly Meeting

• 10/14 — Weekly iGAS USA & Capitol Counsel Calls

• 10/16 — Q4 FRACCA 2025 Virtual Meeting

• 10/18–10/19 — FRACCA Tallahassee Legislative Trip

• 10/19 — Meetings with Senate and House offices, including:
  Rep. Maggard, Rep. Boyles, Sen. McClain, Rep. Gentry, Rep. Smith, Secretary Griffin,
  Rep. Conerly, House Commerce Staff, Rep. Bennaroch, Rep. Booth, Rep. Albert

• 10/20 — EPA Meeting

• 10/21 — Weekly iGAS USA & Capitol Counsel Calls

• 10/28 — Weekly iGAS USA & Capitol Counsel Calls

• 10/30 — Lunch with Erika Booth

• 10/31 — Derek Miller (FRACCA) regarding CEU language

• 10/31 — Jake C. (Sen. Moody) — FRACCA discussion

• 10/31 — Elliott Shin, Congresswoman Cammack (FRACCA)

November

• 11/4 — Weekly iGAS USA & Capitol Counsel Calls

• 11/6 — Elliott Shin, Rep. Cammack (FRACCA)

• 11/11 — FRACCA Monthly Meeting

• 11/12 — Weekly iGAS USA & Capitol Counsel Calls

Items Currently in Progress

• State House & Senate Local EPA Bill

• Priority bill — working to be scheduled in House & Senate

• Scheduling meetings with Congressman Dunn & Rep. Steube’s office on federal bill

• Working with DBPR on CEU language

• Submitted EPA letters from FRACCA Members

• Spoke at TRACCA

Earlier this month, the FRACCA Board traveled to Tallahassee for their November 2025 Quarterly Board Meeting and a full day of legislative outreach at the Capitol. The group met at Lively Technical College—home to the TRACCA Chapter’s apprenticeship program—before heading to the Capitol for a packed schedule of conversations with Senators, Representatives, and staff regarding current legislation, including Bill SB 322 (2026). The Board also had the opportunity to tour the Senate Floor Chambers, making for an informative and memorable experience.

The visit included meetings with various offices, a guided tour of the Florida Senate Chamber, and valuable discussions on issues affecting the HVACR industry statewide. A special thank-you was extended to Edward for coordinating the day and helping make the trip both productive and impactful. Click here to read more.

Home warranty partnerships can offer steady work, introduce you to new customers, and help fill schedule gaps during slow seasons. When handled properly, they can also boost your credibility and lead to long-term repeat business — especially when homeowners eventually leave their warranty plan but continue calling you for service. Warranty companies typically streamline billing and documentation, too, reducing admin headaches and allowing your team to focus on the job itself.

But the relationship only works when contractors stay firmly in control of their terms. Lower profit margins, rigid service requirements, and strict procedures can quickly turn a good opportunity into a drain on your time and resources. Know your operating costs, protect your labor rates, and refuse conditions that don’t serve your business. When the partnership makes sense, it can be mutually beneficial — and when it doesn’t, be ready to walk away. Click here to read more.

Utility incentive programs continue to play a major role in accelerating the transition toward more efficient heating and cooling systems. By offering rebates, tax credits, and other financial support, these programs help reduce the upfront cost of high-efficiency equipment, making upgrades more accessible for homeowners and businesses. As adoption grows, contractors gain access to higher-value projects, and manufacturers are encouraged to push innovation that meets or exceeds evolving efficiency standards. This combination of lower first costs and rising consumer interest is helping move the industry toward cleaner, more advanced technologies such as inverter-driven heat pumps and other energy-saving systems.

Beyond lowering costs, incentives also support broader goals—including reducing overall energy demand, supporting grid stability, and promoting long-term operational savings. Many utility programs go beyond rebates by offering energy assessments, financing options, or tools to help customers identify improvement opportunities. Over time, these efforts raise the efficiency baseline across the market, phase out outdated systems, and strengthen the pathway toward sustainable HVAC solutions. As demand for energy increases and the built environment continues to evolve, strong utility partnerships and well-designed incentive programs will remain essential in supporting progress across the entire industry. Click here to read more.

MACCA is pleased to share that Shawn Baxter has been appointed as the new Building Official for Manatee County. Shawn brings extensive HVAC and trade experience to the role, along with a strong understanding of the technical and practical considerations contractors navigate each day.

His background provides valuable insight that can help support clear communication and thoughtful interpretation of building requirements within the county. MACCA views this transition as a positive opportunity to continue strengthening collaboration between the contracting community and county leadership.

We look forward to sharing more updates as they become available.

The IRS has announced that paper tax refund checks for individual taxpayers will begin to be phased out starting September 30, 2025. Although the transition is already underway, taxpayers should continue filing normally for the remainder of 2025, including those finishing 2024 returns on extension. Going forward, most refunds will be issued electronically, a shift the IRS says will improve security, reduce lost or stolen checks, and deliver refunds significantly faster than traditional mail.

As this change moves closer, individuals who still rely on paper refund checks are encouraged to prepare by confirming banking information or exploring free or low-cost account options. Electronic alternatives will also be available for those without traditional bank accounts. The IRS will release detailed filing guidance for 2025 tax returns before the 2026 filing season and will continue to provide updates as the transition progresses.

You can read the full IRS news release here:
IRS to phase out paper tax refund checks starting with individual taxpayers | Internal Revenue Service

Utility incentive programs are helping drive the adoption of high-efficiency HVAC systems by reducing upfront costs for consumers and encouraging broader market demand. These programs not only make energy-efficient technologies more accessible but also create opportunities for contractors by supporting higher-value projects and promoting long-term savings. By lowering the initial investment, utility incentives accelerate the shift toward more efficient systems and help raise the baseline for industry standards.

In addition to influencing consumer choices, incentives spur innovation among manufacturers and encourage adoption of advanced HVAC technologies. They support decarbonization efforts, increase awareness of efficiency benefits, and provide contractors with tools to grow their business in an evolving energy landscape. As the demand for energy-efficient solutions continues to rise, utility programs play a critical role in shaping the market and helping the industry transition to more sustainable practices. Click here to read more.

Government shutdowns can have major ripple effects across the construction industry, leading to millions in lost wages, halted permits, and project delays. When federal operations pause, key systems like permitting, inspections, and onboarding often stop as well—disrupting hiring, slowing project starts, and creating uncertainty for contractors and workers alike. Even short shutdowns can cause scheduling headaches, wage losses, and significant downtime on active jobs.

Beyond the immediate impact, shutdowns can also weaken confidence in the broader construction market. Delayed permits and funding pauses make it harder for projects to stay on track, while investors and private clients often hold back on new work during periods of political uncertainty. These disruptions underscore the importance of planning ahead, maintaining strong communication with clients, and building flexibility into project timelines.

Click here to read more about how government shutdowns affect the construction industry.

Click Here for a copy of the study

A message from Sarasota County regarding an update on the ongoing Sarasota County Impact Fee Study:

“The study is part of our continued efforts to ensure that our fee structures remain data-driven and aligned with both current conditions and the future needs of our growing community.

The study includes a comprehensive evaluation of the methodologies used to calculate impact fees across various sectors, including Parks, Library, Fire, Emergency Management Services, Law, Justice Facilities and General Government. The goal is to ensure fees are aligned with infrastructure demands generated by new development, while maintaining transparency and consistency in the application of these fees.

As part of this process, we invite you to participate in the following two public workshops, which will provide an opportunity to learn more about the study and offer feedback:

Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

• Sarasota Operations Center, Conference Room BOB 2

Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.

• Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library

Attendance and input are encouraged at these sessions, as your feedback is a valuable part of the process."