§20113. Oversight, enforcement and dispute resolution - Article 13

1.  Oversight.  The executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce the compact and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of the compact and the rules promulgated under this chapter have standing as statutory law.

All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of the compact that may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the interstate commission. The interstate commission is entitled to receive all service of process in any such proceeding and has standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the interstate commission renders a judgment or order void as to the interstate commission, the compact or promulgated rules.

[PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

2.  Default.  If the interstate commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under the compact or the bylaws or promulgated rules, the interstate commission shall:

A. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default, the means of curing the default and any action taken by the interstate commission. The interstate commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaulting state must cure its default; and   [PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

B. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.   [PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

[PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

3.  Failure to cure.  If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state must be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by the compact must be terminated from the effective date of termination.

[PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

4.  Cure; obligations or liabilities incurred during default.  A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of the default.

[PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

5.  Suspension; termination.  Suspension or termination of membership in the compact may be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate must be given by the interstate commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature and each of the member states.

[PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

6.  Responsibility after suspension; termination.  The member state that has been suspended or terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of suspension or termination including obligations, the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of suspension or termination.

[PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

7.  Responsibility of commission.  The interstate commission does not bear any costs relating to any state that has been found to be in default or that has been suspended or terminated from the compact, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the interstate commission and the defaulting state.

[PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

8.  Appeal.  The defaulting state may appeal the action of the interstate commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party must be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney's fees.

[PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

9.  Dispute resolution; rules.  The interstate commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve disputes that are subject to the compact and that may arise among member states and between member and nonmember states.

The interstate commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

[PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

10.  Enforcement.  The interstate commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact.

The interstate commission may by majority vote of the members initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or, at the discretion of the interstate commission, in the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws, against a member state in default. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party may be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney's fees. The remedies set forth in this subsection are not the exclusive remedies of the interstate commission. The interstate commission may avail itself of any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of a profession.

[PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).