On September 9th & 10th, the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (FRACCA) traveled to Capitol Hill to ensure Florida’s HVAC professionals had a strong voice in Washington. Representing contractors from across the state, the delegation met with nearly every member of Florida’s congressional delegation to address growing concerns with the EPA’s HFC Management Rule and Technology Transition Rule.

During these meetings, FRACCA emphasized that while contractors are committed to innovation and environmental responsibility, the current refrigerant rules are unworkable, costly, and introduce new safety risks for homeowners, businesses, and technicians. Florida’s congressional leaders, including Rep. Laurel Lee, Rep. Greg Steube, Rep. Neal Dunn, Rep. Darren Soto, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. Daniel Webster, and others, listened closely to contractor concerns, with many showing strong support for protecting both small businesses and consumers.

FRACCA will continue leading this effort in both Washington and Tallahassee to push for policies that balance environmental goals with practical safety, affordability, and consumer choice. Their advocacy ensures Florida contractors remain heard and represented on the national stage.

The Florida Building Commission has released the actions and outcomes from the September 2025 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings regarding glitch proposals to the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code. These proposals reflect changes from the 2025 Legislative Session (HB 683, HB 551, HB 913, and SB 180).

The Second 45-Day Comment Period is now open and runs September 11 – October 25, 2025 (midnight deadline). Contractors, engineers, and all interested parties are encouraged to review the TAC reports and submit comments before the deadline.

 Review TAC Meeting Minutes & Reports:
Florida Building Code Development Process – TAC Reports

✉️ Submit Comments to:
Mr. Mo Madani
Email: mo.madani@myfloridalicense.com

Questions? Call 850-487-1824

The newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) introduces major tax reforms impacting contractors and construction businesses. Key highlights include permanent 100% bonus depreciation, expanded Section 179 expensing, restoration of R&D deductions, and indefinite extension of the 20% QBI pass-through deduction. Other business-friendly changes allow more generous interest deductions, income deferral for large residential projects, and immediate expensing for U.S. production property. Temporary benefits include an overtime deduction through 2028 and a higher SALT deduction cap through 2029 before it phases back down.

For construction firms, the bill also accelerates the cutoff for certain green energy credits (179D and 45L) and provides enhanced tax-saving opportunities for both individuals and businesses. Most of these benefits are heavily front-loaded through 2028, making it critical to plan ahead with your tax professional. Acting now ensures you can fully leverage these deductions, credits, and incentives before key provisions expire or revert. Click here to read more.

As of August 1, Florida residents can now purchase select hurricane and disaster preparedness supplies tax-free year-round. This permanent exemption, included in the newly approved state budget, replaces the former limited-time tax holidays and aims to help families and businesses stay storm-ready without the pressure of a seasonal deadline.

Items now exempt from sales tax include batteries, portable generators, fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and more. This change provides long-term savings and encourages continuous preparedness. For the full list of eligible supplies and additional disaster planning resources, click here.

(Effective July 1–August 1, 2025)

Florida has passed several new construction trade laws effective July 1 – August 1, 2025. Here’s what you need to know:

• HB 683 – Construction Regulations: Virtual inspections, streamlined permitting, private providers, and automatic approvals.

• HB 551 – Fire Safety Permitting: Fast-track permits for fire alarm and sprinkler systems, simplified documentation, and refund penalties.

• HB 913 – Condominium Safety: Milestone inspections, reserve study reforms, increased transparency, and online posting requirements.

• HB 735 / SB 1142 – Contractor Licensing Reform: Eliminates local licensing, introduces new specialty contractor categories.

• HB 1035 – Residential Permitting: 5-day permit turnaround for small jobs, deemed approvals, and disaster-area fast-tracking.

• SB 180 – Post-Storm Rebuilding: Blocks moratoriums, requires emergency permitting plans, and caps fees.

New Specialty Contractor Categories (SB 1142)

Florida will create licenses for: structural aluminum/screens, marine construction (seawalls, docks, pile driving), masonry/steel/precast concrete, rooftop solar heating, windows/doors (including hurricane protection), and plaster/lath/structural carpentry.

The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers’ Compensation is offering FREE seminars and webinars for Florida employers, contractors, and business representatives.

✅ Review Workers’ Compensation laws & requirements
✅ Learn OSHA safety standards & compliance tips
✅ Understand contractor responsibilities & exemptions

CEUs Available: Contractors licensed by the Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board and Electrical Contractors Licensing Board can earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by completing these sessions.

Upcoming Webinar Dates (2:00 – 3:00 PM ET):

• October 8–9, 2025

• January 14–15, 2026

• April 8–9, 2026

Advance registration required. Email your completed form to BOCSeminars@MyFloridaCFO.com or fax (850) 484-5111.

Click here to view the flyer.
Click here to download the registration form.

AI Will Help with the HVAC Workforce Shortage

By Peter Montana, AC Prosite

Florida HVAC contractors have an opportunity to benefit from an unlikely source when it comes to having a shortage of technicians: Artificial Intelligence (AI). It’s not that AI is recruiting workers into the HVAC trade, AI is reshaping the future of work. College degrees aren’t as valuable as they once were and in response to traditional careers being less secure, young professionals are switching industries and turning to trade work.

Zety’s Gen Z Reroute Report, based on a national survey of 1,000 Gen Z workers and updated on August 14, 2025, found that 65% of them said college degrees won’t protect them from AI-related job loss. The trades are becoming an option: 53% say they’re now considering blue collar jobs or skilled trades. AI has already caused 43% to change their READ MORE

Donald Trump’s election may bring changes to HVAC-related tax credits and incentives established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which allocated significant funds for energy efficiency and climate initiatives. The IRA, passed in 2022, includes up to 30% tax credits for efficient HVAC systems and substantial rebates for low- to moderate-income homeowners installing high-efficiency heat pumps. While Trump has expressed intentions to rescind unspent IRA funds, any reversal may be challenging. Many states have already secured or are in the process of securing funds, making it difficult to retract these obligations.

Though a complete repeal of the IRA would require congressional action—potentially difficult given prior GOP resistance—Trump’s administration could still shift tax policies to favor fossil fuels. This would likely slow but not entirely halt the decarbonization trend, as businesses have made investments based on the current incentives. The new administration may prioritize changes that support fossil fuels and traditional energy sources, leaving the HVAC industry divided on how these shifts impact future growth and electrification initiatives. Click here to read more.

ACCA Standard 310 introduces a protocol for grading HVAC systems, emphasizing energy efficiency to qualify for tax credits. While energy raters conduct the grading, HVAC technicians play a critical role in setting systems up for success by ensuring optimal installation and design. One key metric under this standard is blower fan watt draw, which can be tested using tools like plug-in or clamp-on wattmeters. Technicians may not directly measure watt draw but can influence it through field practices, particularly by minimizing static pressure in ductwork to reduce energy consumption and extend the lifespan of ECMs (electronically commutated motors).

ECMs differ from PSC (permanent split capacitor) motors in efficiency and performance. ECMs are more efficient, despite having a lower power factor, due to their unique electronic control mechanisms, which avoid power "fighting itself" during the electrical cycle. Proper ductwork design is crucial to prevent ECMs from ramping up excessively to maintain airflow, which increases power draw and reduces longevity. For technicians and installers, ensuring low static pressure and correct system setup is vital, not only for meeting energy standards but also for supporting the overall efficiency and durability of HVAC systems. Click here to read more.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation approved a statewide 1% reduction in workers' compensation insurance rates, according to a final order issued this week by state Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky. The decrease was proposed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, earlier this year. Florida businesses have consistently experienced declining workers' compensation rates in recent years, with a 15.1% rate drop in 2024 and an 8.4% decrease in 2023. Earlier this year, lawmakers passed and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bipartisan bill (SB 362) aimed at increasing the number of providers willing to treat workers' compensation patients by boosting reimbursement rates, which regulators said prevents a larger drop in rates this year. Slated to take effect Jan. 1, the new law increases the pay doctors get to 175% of the Medicare rate, with surgeons qualifying for a maximum reimbursement rate of 210%. The measure also boosts reimbursement rates for medical expert witnesses who testify in workers' compensation cases. NCCI said that without the new law, its proposed overall rate decrease would have been 6.4%. "I'm pleased to announce that Florida businesses will see a further reduction in workers' compensation rates for the eighth consecutive year," Yaworsky said. "Following historic legislative reforms in this space, it is abundantly clear that the workers' compensation market in Florida is stable and competitive." The recently-approved 1% statewide reduction will apply to new and renewal policies starting Jan. 1, 2025. OIR Press release / Insurance Journal / Florida Politics / Florida Phoenix / Florida Channel (Video)