From the “light bulb ban” to changes in overtime pay thresholds, learn how ALA tracks and influences the regulatory process. Liz and Raelle sit down with Michael Weems to get an inside look at ALA’s public policy efforts.
 
Show notes
Michael Weems serves as Vice President, Public Policy for the American Lighting Association. He came to ALA with a decade of experience in constituent services and a vast knowledge of various government policy topics. He has dedicated his career to public service and advancing quality lighting. 
Michael joined ALA in 2014 after spending 10 years working for the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. While working on Capitol Hill, he learned the ins and outs of the legislative process and its impact on the implementation of regulations. Before his time in the nation’s capital, Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. 
During his time with ALA, Michael has worked to establish ALA’s presence in vital policy discussions, successfully representing the positions of the residential lighting industry. He is known as a strategic thinker with deep policy knowledge and possesses the skill to forge relationships and alliances. His ability to build consensus with industry experts and key decision-makers helps ensure policy victories for ALA. 
Away from ALA, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife, their daughter and the family Welsh-Terrier. He volunteers at his daughter’s school and serves on his neighborhood advisory council as well as the area school board ambassador program. Michael enjoys being outdoors running, hiking or playing golf. As a travel enthusiast, he is always searching for the next great bottle of wine or a nice glass of bourbon. 
 
Find out more about ALA Committees. 
General Service Lamp Definitions - Including exceptions to the 45 lumen per watt sales ban: 
https://alamembers.com/News/ArtMID/1059/ArticleID/888/General-Service-Lamp-Definitions 
  
Department of Energy General Service Lamp Webpage: 
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/standards.aspx?productid=4 
  
ALA comments to Department of Energy – Ceiling Fan Regulations 
https://alamembers.com/News/ArtMID/1059/ArticleID/885/Energy-Conservation-Standards-for-Ceiling-Fans-Notice-of-Proposed-Rulemaking 
  
Department of Labor Overtime Regulation 
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/09/08/2023-19032/defining-and-delimiting-the-exemptions-for-executive-administrative-professional-outside-sales-and 
  
Sy Gerber was instrumental in the development of critical safety standards for recessed lighting, working with the federal government.  
 
Listen to earlier podcasts for deep dives on: 
LEDs and Quality Lighting 
The Complexities of Color Rendering 
Dark Sky Lighting 
Circadian Rhythm Lighting 
 
Lighting Agora has great lighting speakers, instructors, and consultants. 
  
Register by November 30, 2023 for the 2024 ALA Conference to be entered in the drawing for a suite upgrade and a spa treatment at The Breakers.  
  
Raelle Bell – Host
Liz Ware – Host
Association Briefings - Producer