SCAP Alert! System Policy
January 27, 2004 Periodically, SCAP requests its membership to take action, provide information or be informed about certain issues that have the potential to affect the industry. SCAP is formally defining the manner in which it conveys the urgency of the issues to member agencies.
The following policy will be used by SCAP committees and staff to rank the urgency of all correspondence with member agencies. If generated by a committee, the committee chair will transmit the item to the SCAP Executive Director with a recommended ranking. The final decision on the ranking will rest with the SCAP Executive Director.
The following ranking levels include a name and color, description of the action required by the agency, and general guidelines that can be used as a guideline for making a ranking determination.
1. INFORMATION (Green): This ranking is declared when no action is required of an agency other than to read the attached information. Situations that may require this ranking include: - Time sensitive information that is important to convey that can't wait for publication in the Monthly Update newsletter;
- Information that is important to convey and is too extensive for inclusion in the Monthly Update newsletter;
- Information that is important to convey and is posted on the SCAP website.
2. COMMENT (Blue): This ranking is declared when there is a need for comment on a specific issue by member agencies prior to a date that is one month or more distant. Situations that require this ranking may include:
- An issue that is at a preliminary point in the regulatory promulgation process;
- May apply to some, but not all, SCAP members;
- Will help a committee or staff formulate a cohesive position.
3. URGENT (Orange): This ranking is declared when there is a significant issue that must be addressed, usually in a short time. Situations that require this ranking may include:
- Imminent (within two weeks) regulatory staff action;
- Imminent (within two weeks) regulatory board action;
- Issue affecting several SCAP members;
- Testimony or comment letters needed from majority of SCAP members.
4. CRITICAL (Red): This ranking is declared when there is a high probability that an imminent and profoundly negative or beneficial regulatory or policy issue is going to be acted upon that will affect all SCAP members. Situations that may require this ranking include:
- Regulatory board actions that may significantly increase the annual operating costs for a majority of SCAP members;
- Actions that may significantly increase capital costs for a majority of SCAP members;
- Litigation due to lack of other administrative remedies;
- Critical issues that, in the opinion of the Executive Director, require this ranking.
|