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MIACCA's Executive Director M.J. D'Smith is scheduled for an introductory meeting with the new LARA Director, Marlon Brown on May 14th, along with the Bureau of Construction Codes Director, Andrew Brisbo to share MIACCA's goals and objectives.

He leads the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating nearly two million individuals and entities covering health professionals and facilities, skilled-trades and other professional occupations, corporations and securities, construction services, cannabis businesses, and fire services.  LARA also supports the work of Michigan's Public Service Commission, Liquor Control Commission, Indigent Defense Commission, Unarmed Combat Commission, Tax Tribunal, and Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules.

Prior to his appointment as director, Marlon served as the department's acting director, chief administrative officer, and director of policy and legislative affairs.  In addition, he has held positions at the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and the State Budget Office.

Marlon earned a bachelor's degree in political science from American University, a master's degree in public administration from the University of Delaware, and a doctorate in public administration from Valdosta State University.  He is a member of the National Council of the American Society for Public Administration, the leading organization dedicated to advancing scholarship and practice within public service.

If you have any topics you would like considered for discussion, please send those to M.J. by May 9th close of business.  Some topic items are workforce development, filling the vacant Energy Ombudsman position along with ways to continue to work successfully together.  We are looking forward to this opportunity to offer MIACCA's resources and expertise to him. 

Executive Director M.J. D'Smith attended the program closing session on April 24th.  The State is planning to have these rebates go through contractors and not the home owners.   There will be regional implementers to work with contractors.   Both programs combined have $211 million in funds.  This will serve roughly 14,,000 homes with 40% of the funds designated to low income.  This is less than 1% of the population.  

They are hoping to have the program guidelines into place by August and to also submit the program application to the DOE.  They are still accepting program comments.  If you have any that you would like MIACCA to consider submitting along with ours, please send them to M.J. D'Smith: mjdsmith@miacca.org by May 31st.  Here is the presentation from the closing session.  You can follow EGLE's updates on the programs HERE.

Effective April 1, 2024, the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) will be utilizing its seven (7) updated construction application forms (building permit, electrical permit, mechanical permit, plumbing permit, plan examination, school project plan examination, and premanufactured unit) which the State Construction Code Commission (SCCC) prescribed. The updated versions of these forms are attached. Starting April 1, these forms will be available at: permits and plan reviews. Please note that BCC will not accept previous versions of these forms if they are received after March 31, 2024.

For other units of government, the SCCC also prescribed plan review application forms and permit application forms that are substantially similar to the updated BCC forms. This may allow county and local (city, township, village) units of government to continue utilizing their forms if they are substantially similar to the updated BCC forms. BCC encourages local units of government to ensure their forms contain language and seek information required under state law, in substantial conformity with the updated BCC forms prescribed by the SCCC. Any units of government that use electronic versions of their forms through an on-line plan review and permitting system should maintain consistency for all their application form formats.

Questions can be directed to BCCPermits@Michigan.gov or 517-241-9313.

• bcc940_app_for_school_building_projects_and_plan_examination (4-1-24).pdf
• lara_bcc_plan_exam_app-(4-1-24).pdf
• lara_bcc_9_mechanical_permit_application (4-1-24).pdf

MIACCA President, Phil Forner and Executive Director, M.J. D'Smith, represented MIACCA at their 2024 Conference in Orlando Florida on March 11-14th.  M.J. attended the all day Monday ACO Leadership Meeting: This all day session allowed her to share MIACCA successes and goals with other state association leaders and the ACCA leadership team. ACCA provided the group with industry experts presenting on topics to help navigate through the Inflation Reduction Act incentives, rebates and tax credits.  ACCA event planners shared insight on successful meeting tips, driving attendance and the states shared what was working and not and were provided with unique ideas.  Florida shared how their apprentice program was gaining momentum and success.  ACCA board members closed the meeting by leading a progressive discussion of how to utilize our resources together to attract more members along with some brainstorming and pilot initiatives to try with willing states.  

Awards Ceremony: Their annual celebration honoring our industry experts was an excellent opportunity to network by connecting with new resources and reconnecting with established partners.  MIACCA member FLAME Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical was honored with the Residential Contractor of the Year award.  We are so proud to have Michigan honored.  Congratulations to the Flame team for their success!

MIACCA's current President, Phil Forner and member John Sedine were honored for their time served on ACCA's board as past chairs.

Tuesday & Wednesday Sessions: M.J. attended many leadership breakout sessions throughout the event.  ACCA's keynote speaker Jake Havron provided powerful insights on leading with excellence when he addressed the whole group.  M.J. then attended his small breakout session afterwards where he held an open mic Q&A session on how to bring out successful professional working relationships.  M.J. had the opportunity to hear firsthand from contractors the struggles they are having in their businesses and Jake left the small group with valuable information on how one on one discussions with team members help utilize their talents where best suited which in turn builds stronger teams and foster professional growth. Other sessions focused on leadership and team building skills, interpersonal employee relations.  She attended a panel expert IRA session with the latest updates.

Trade Show: M.J. got to visit booths of some of our Affiliated partners such as Federated Insurance, Service Nation and FTL Finance.  Service Nation invited M.J. for a brainstorming dinner on how to utilize our membership opportunities.  She was invited to their headquarters in July for another state executive leadership session, all expenses paid and to their annual expo in Reno with complimentary conference registration.  

MIACCA appreciates having a seat at the table and thanks ACCA for them for providing our Executive Director complimentary conference registration along with the further education and networking that benefits our valuable members and helps us to be a better organization for them.  THANK YOU ACCA!!!

The State of Michigan has adopted new mechanical, plumbing, and electrical rules and codes effective March 12, 2024.  

These include:

• Rule Part 9.A – 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code

To learn more about these new codes, click the links above.

Until the electronic and hard copies are available from the International Code Council (ICC), one can use the 2021 International Mechanical Code with the Part 9A Michigan Amendments for the 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code. The bureau will notify the public when the electronic and hard copy versions of each code are available for purchase and update the code books information on our website, which links to ICC for purchase.

Pre-order your 2021 Michigan Mechanical Codes book here.

MIACCA encourages you to note this important change that has been made to the code:

• R 408.30947b provides for the implementation of ASHRAE 15-2022 within the 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code. ASHRAE 15-2022 defines a clear path for and establishes safety standards associated with the utilization of A2L refrigerants, resulting from an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule issued in late 2021. This EPA rule issued under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 (AIM), mandates an 85% reduction in the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants by 2036. Although this drawdown is 12 years away, manufacturers have begun significant production and distribution of equipment utilizing A2L refrigerants. This rule supersedes the ASHRAE 15-2019 standard listed in the Referenced Standards section of the 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code.