Across North America, lawmakers are focusing on salt reduction and liability protection in winter maintenance. SIMA is actively providing input to ensure industry voices are heard and practical solutions are considered. Learn how these developments could impact your business—and how you can help shape the conversation.
It’s been an active and interesting spring with entities and legal concepts focused on salt reduction starting to gain attention in state and provincial legislatures. SIMA has been involved in providing our perspective and input on these new developments.
Vermont
Vermont held a committee hearing in April to discuss chloride reduction (salt applicator) legislation. SIMA submitted a position paper as our testimony. The bill is still in committee and plaintiff attorneys have testified at length. Like other states who have pursued this type of legislation, Vermont’s bill models the voluntary New Hampshire Green Snow Pro program, which provides limited liability for Green Snow Pro-certified applicators.
New York
New York is considering legislation drafted by the Adirondack Council that would create a Road Salt Reduction Council, which would include a SIMA representative. We are waiting to see when the legislature will hear the proposed bill. While minimizing salt’s environmental impact is just one of the council’s many responsibilities, New York’s leadership in this area could influence other states to pursue similar measures.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers allocated $5 million for a Winter Maintenance Safety Improvement Grant Program in his 2025-27 budget. It’s currently earmarked for public works departments to purchase equipment and train staff to reduce salt use. Thanks to efforts by WI Salt Wise, there is an effort to expand the allocation and extend the program to private winter maintenance contractors. SIMA will submit comments to expand this program. Ultimate approval will be required by the legislature. In addition, a salt applicator bill is expected to resurface after budget deliberations are completed.
Canada
Our members and partners in Ontario have been making considerable progress in creating Canadian standards that would provide liability protection. There’s also been increasing interest in municipalities and localized water districts interested in lowering chloride levels in fresh water. A joint task force is putting the finishing touches on a site assessment evaluation tool that generates a detailed property report identifying potential hazards that the property owner should maintain or repair. This resource will be available soon.
And now we need your assistance and expertise. If you are willing to get active in state or provincial legislation and regulatory changes that would help the business of snow and ice management, please let SIMA know. Elected and local officials like to hear their constituents’ perspectives. Having a network of SIMA members to provide such perspective and information would broaden our reach. Together, we’ll continue to grow and strengthen our industry.