143-502. Article XII. Eligible Parties; Entry into and Withdrawal.

(a) This Agreement shall have as eligible parties the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Territory of the Virgin Islands, hereinafter referred to as party states.

(b) Any eligible state may enter into this Agreement and it shall become binding thereon when it has adopted the same: Provided that in order to enter into initial effect, adoption by at least five states shall be required.

(c) Adoption of the Agreement may be either by enactment thereof or by adherence thereto by the governor; provided that in the absence of enactment, adherence by the governor shall be sufficient to make his state a party only until December 31, 1973. During any period when a state is participating in this Agreement through gubernatorial action, the governor may provide to the Board an equitable share of the financial support of the Board from any source available to him. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require a governor to take action contrary to the constitution or laws of his state.

(d) Except for a withdrawal effective on December 31, 1973, in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Article, any party state may withdraw from this Agreement by enacting a statute repealing the same, but no such withdrawal shall take effect until one year after the governor of the withdrawing state has given notice in writing of the withdrawal to the governors of all other party states. No withdrawal shall affect any liability already incurred by or chargeable to a party state prior to the time of such withdrawal.