Federal, State and Local ADR
The AAA is mandated in hundreds of federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and orders to provide dispute prevention and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) programs. The American Arbitration Association®: A Long History of Working with Government illustrates many areas of government in which the AAA has helped.
The AAA utilizes the advantages of ADR—quick response time and customized solutions--to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of government.
For example, in 2010, through legislation subsequently signed by President Obama, Congress directed the AAA to establish a national program for the binding resolution of high-profile and complex disputes in the auto industry, resulting in A Report to Congress: The AAA Auto Industry Arbitration
Government often relies on the AAA for guidance and information as well, due to its status as a not-for-profit, public-service organization with a strong history of neutrality, independence, and integrity.
The AAA collaborates with state governments to develop regulated programs for the efficient resolution of no-fault automobile insurance disputes. The specially trained AAA Roster of No-Fault Arbitrators handles the disputes.
New York Insurance Programs
For over 40 years, the AAA has partnered with the New York State Department of Financial Services to administer the arbitration of disputed claims for no-fault insurance, uninsured motorist (UM) insurance, and supplemental underinsured motorist (SUM) insurance. In 1999, at the Department’s request, the AAA began administering the conciliation phase of no-fault insurance cases.
The AAA New York Insurance ADR Center is a secure, cloud-based platform for filing and managing all AAA-administered New York no-fault cases, allowing users to file, negotiate settlements, run reports, check account balances, and perform all other functions online in real time.
Minnesota No-Fault Arbitration
The Minnesota No-Fault Act provides for mandatory submission to binding arbitration for claims in the amount of $10,000 or less against any insured's reparation obligor for no-fault benefits or comprehensive or collision damage coverage.
Arbitration proceedings are governed by the Minnesota Rules of No-Fault Arbitration promulgated by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
The AAA serves as administrator of the day-to-day operations of the Minnesota No-Fault Arbitration program under the supervision of the Minnesota Supreme Court's No-Fault Standing Committee. To learn more about Minnesota No-Fault Arbitration, click the above Minnesota No-Fault Arbitration link.
Illinois Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Arbitration
The AAA is named under Illinois law to provide drivers with an arbitration option for uninsured and underinsured claims. Disputes are administered under the Illinois Uninsured/Underinsured Rules for Arbitration.
The AAA tailors disaster-recovery programs to state governments in response to large-scale natural disasters.
Currently administering programs for the FCC and the U.S. Department of Justice, the AAA handles disputes involving media, communications, licensing, program access, and retransmission consent, often under government regulatory or oversight authority.
Through a regulation issued by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the AAA provides arbitrators to resolve disputes among pesticide producers. These cases are administered under the specialized FIFRA Arbitration Rules that govern these proceedings.
The AAA Medicare Demonstration Project, established in 2005 under existing federal statutory authority in conjunction with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts (AAA Medicare Demonstration Project Rules: Massachusetts), and New York (AAA Medicare Demonstration Project Rules: New York), resolves certain disputes related to home health services through binding arbitration.
The AAA offers both residential and commercial mortgage foreclosure mediation and designs foreclosure mediation systems for government agencies, courts, and lenders and servicers. In 2009, the AAA was named by a Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order to administer residential mortgage mediation programs in several counties.
The AAA Model Mortgage Mediation Procedures may be adapted by courts or governmental agencies to apply in residential foreclosure actions either before or after the lender files in court to foreclose.
The AAA administers the New York Workers’ Compensation Health Insurers Match Program (HIMP), the mandatory arbitration of eligible disputed requests for reimbursement by health insurers or health benefits plans, provided for by subpart 325-6 of Title XII of the official compilation of codes of rules and regulations of the state of New York.
Athlete Eligibility and National Governing Body (NGB) Status Disputes
The Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) bylaws designate the AAA to administer arbitrations between the USOC and athletes or representative sports organizations. Cases are conducted under the AAA Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Procedures.
Sport Doping Disputes
The AAA is named as the administrator to resolve disputes related to proceedings under the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) Protocol for Olympic Movement Testing. For more information, click on Commencing an Arbitration for Olympic Movement and Sport Doping Disputes. FAQ for Olympic Movement Disputes answers preliminary questions, and The Court of Arbitration for Sport is a website offering a comprehensive view of the subject.
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) also have designated the AAA as administrator of doping disputes with athletes.
For more information, see The AAA Sports Arbitration Practice.