With new laws and regulations often passed at the federal, state, and local levels, the receivables management industry is ever-changing. For organizations like National Credit Adjusters, we spend quite a lot of time supporting RMAI, who is working with local policymakers and stakeholders on approaching fair and safe regulatory change, instead of embracing change for the sake of change.
Unfortunately, many of the recent legislative efforts have failed to consider the broader impact they have on consumers and businesses, and instead lawmakers often adopt broad changes without thinking through the intricacies of how consumers could be negatively impacted.
The RMAI Legislative Fund plays a critical role in mitigating these unintended consequences by fueling advocacy efforts that educate key policymakers.
Understanding the RMAI Legislative Fund
The RMAI Legislative Fund is a critical resource that supports advocacy at all levels of government. Established by the Receivables Management Association International (RMAI), the fund ensures that the industry’s voice is heard when new laws and regulations are being discussed or drafted at the local, state or federal level. Its primary purpose is to engage with legislators, educate them on the intricacies of receivables management and the overall credit ecosystem, helping to prevent the passage of rules and laws that could unintentionally harm businesses and consumers alike.
The money raised by the RMAI Legislative Fund is allocated towards several key advocacy efforts including federal, state, local and working with state attorney generals. This includes direct lobbying on Capitol Hill and state legislatures, where RMAI representatives meet with lawmakers and their staff to discuss pending legislation or build relationships and trust long before difficult discussions are needed. The fund also supports efforts to build relationships with regulatory bodies and key decision-makers, providing them with essential context about the industry becoming a trusted resource when questions arise in the future.
Essentially, the fund enables RMAI to fuel their approach to government advocacy. An approach rooted in education, with a focus on presenting evidence, data, and real-world examples that help lawmakers better understand the implications of their decisions.
Because receivables stakeholders have donated nearly $2.4 million to the RMAI fund since 2011, RMAI’s advocacy work has been proactive as well as reactive. The association monitors the legislative landscape to identify potential threats early on and works to educate policymakers before laws are finalized. By engaging in the legislative process early, RMAI can offer insights on how to craft balanced regulations that protect consumers while supporting the business community. Quite often, you can find the RMAI Certification Program being used as a model by states as they draft new rules or license requirements for debt collectors in their jurisdictions.
The Value for National Credit Adjusters
For organizations like ours, the RMAI Legislative Fund is an essential part of protecting our industry. As a RMAI Certified Business, NCA has often supported RMAI’s certification, funds, and events not only because we believe in the work they are doing but also because we’ve seen the immediate value this trade organization brings to the industry.
By contributing to the RMAI Legislative Fund, National Credit Adjusters plays a part in an industry-wide effort to maintain regulatory balance and fairness. This advocacy allows businesses to continue delivering value to their clients while ensuring that consumers receive equitable treatment under the law. RMAI’s work is pivotal in keeping the receivables management industry strong and sustainable, and for National Credit Adjusters, supporting this cause is essential to long-term success.
To learn more about RMAI advocacy or to contribute to the Legislative Fund, visit: rmaintl.org/advocacy/