One of the major initiatives the Accredited Snow Contractors Association has undertaken is to advocate for positive legislative change. While the association have been in existence for a little more than four years, the first years were devoted to establishing our game plan.
When I speak to groups of snow contractors throughout the year, I highlight the four-pillar plan the ASCA is executing to help the professional snow and ice management industry. The plan’s first three pillars focus on snow and ice management companies and the industry and their professional profile to the outside world – primarily property owners and managers, insurance companies, and legislative bodies.
You see, we first needed to establish written Industry Standards and get them accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These standards provide industry professionals a baseline for operating a successful company while ensuring snow contractors protect themselves, their company, their customers and their insurance carrier by mitigating risk and liability.
Second, we developed ASCA-Certified education. This industry-specific curriculum ensures snow contractors and their teams are on the same page when it comes to understanding the Industry Standards and managing risk. This certification informs the outside world that the individuals on your team are professionals, while internally it reflects the team is all talking the same language.
The third pillar is verification. Verification that your company has the processes and procedures in place to deliver the service quality you are contracted for, and that you have implemented the Industry Standards. This third-party verification is ISO 9001 and SN 9001 and is a key piece to the overall program.
Remember, the first three pillars are things contractors and the industry are using to influence the outside world. And when it comes to influencing the outside world we are doing a pretty nice job.
The fourth pillar is ASCA driven and focuses on positive legislative change.
This week, both the Illinois Assembly and the Michigan House of Representatives passed ASCA’s model legislation. This legislation would disallow property owns from passing on their liability to the snow and ice management company.
Illinois passed the bill unanimously. It has already passed the Illinois Senate, so we just need to make sure Governor Bruce Rauner (R) signs this bill. Once he does, it becomes law. We are one step away from the finish line and are very optimistic that this goal will be realized in Illinois.
Michigan passed the Bill 101-8. The bill now heads to state senate for consideration. We are working diligently to maintain the positive momentum behind this legislation and are optimistic our efforts will reach a successful conclusion in Michigan.
We also have bills under consideration by law makers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Massachusetts. As can be expected, these bills – all modeled on the same ASCA legislation -- are moving at different paces, and we are working diligently to get them passed in each state.
We are holding an ASCA Legislative Day in Harrisburg, Pa., on June 14th to push this legislation. If you are in Pennsylvania, we encourage you attend. Contact me directly (kgilbride@gie.net) if you would like to attend or need additional information.
In the end, the first three pillars set up the fourth pillar, and the plan is working beautifully. Association membership fees support these efforts. If you are not involved in the ASCA and what we are doing to advance the industry, I invite to join us.
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