How To Stay Updated On Local Legislation
Since Cheyenne opened our doors back in 2002, we’ve always known that building and maintaining strong customer relationships within the tobacco industry was going to be no small feat. Not only were we set out to offer quality products at fair price, we wanted to establish ourselves as a company that our partners felt they could truly rely on to help navigate the challenges associated with the complex nature of our industry. As the regulatory environment within the tobacco industry is constantly evolving and becomes increasingly more convoluted day by day, we knew compliance had to remain at the heart of everything we do.
By honoring a commitment to strict regulatory compliance and continuous government interface efforts, we’ve been able to provide a high level of representation for our business customers. Doing so has fostered relationships built on trust and a huge portion of our success can be accredited to playing a very active role in cooperating with local legislation. Change starts at home, which is why building an effective relationship with your local regulators is critical. Participating in local legislation allows you to solicit input when new rules are drafted and puts you in a better position to ensure your voice is heard regarding regulatory affairs that impact your business. Local legislation and regulation can change overnight – here’s a few ways you can be sure you’re staying informed.
Subscribe to local publications.
The best way to get answers is to go straight to the source. Many local government agencies post policy changes directly on their website and have newsletters that you can subscribe to in order to be notified of any regulatory news and updates. Don’t just count on manual website checks for updated standards, have the information delivered straight to your inbox.
Go to local government open meetings.
Stay informed by frequently attending local government open meetings so you are current on new and upcoming regulatory changes. These meetings are a great way to educate yourself on any proposed laws that may affect your organization and allow you to give feedback on these changes. Participating in the rulemaking process helps local legislation improve their rules.
Become a member of an association.
There are many organizations out there with appropriate reference materials for staying up to date on local legislation. Think small business association, retail association, distributor association and the likes. Legal jargon can be confusing, but thankfully there’s an abundance of online resources that can help you better understand legislative language. Joining a professional organization is great for staying informed and hearing from others within your industry, in order to navigate new requirements.
