Two new bills get HVAC industry support

PHCC, the trade association representing over 3,000 U.S. contractors, recently announced its support for two new bills in Congress. 

Quick rundown: Currently, university students can access federal grants for mental health and substance abuse counseling, but students enrolled in CTE schools cannot. 

• The CTE Mental Health and Wellness Act would expand grant eligibility to CTE students.

• “CTE schools play a critical role in providing the job training and education needed for success, especially as more high school graduates pursue careers in the skilled trades,” PHCC says. 

Next up: A recent report found that federal agencies, like the EPA, often ignore the economic impact of their rulemakings on small businesses, which, as PHCC highlights, is illegal. 

• The Prove It Act would require agencies to provide analyses of their proposed laws’ economic impact, giving contractors more leverage to demand transparency — contractors would be exempt from rules if agencies don’t comply. 

• “Regardless of size, plumbing and HVAC contractors operate in a highly regulated environment where compliance costs often contribute to razor-thin margins and hinder the ability for their businesses to grow,” PHCC notes.

The bottom line: PHCC supports both bills and is ready to work with stakeholders to get them passed.