Sec. 13. ARTICLE XIII. OVERSIGHT, ENFORCEMENT, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
A. Oversight
1. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes and intent. This compact and the rules adopted under this compact have standing as statutory law.
2. All courts shall take judicial notice of this compact and the rules adopted under this compact in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact that may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the interstate commission.
3. The interstate commission is entitled to receive all service of process in any 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 an order void as to the interstate commission, this compact, or adopted rules.
B. If the interstate commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact, the bylaws, or the adopted rules, the interstate commission shall do the following:
1. 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.
2. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
3. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state shall be withdrawn from this compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by this compact are terminated from the effective date of the defaulting state's withdrawal. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of the default.
4. Suspension or termination of membership in this compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or withdraw shall 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.
5. The member state that has been suspended or withdrawn is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of its suspension or termination, including obligations, the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of suspension or withdrawal.
6. The interstate commission shall not bear any costs relating to any member state that has been found to be in default or that has been suspended or withdrawn from this compact unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the interstate commission and the defaulting member state.
7. The defaulting member 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 shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.
C. Dispute Resolution
1. The interstate commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve disputes that are subject to this compact and that may arise among member states and between member and nonmember states.
2. The interstate commission shall adopt a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.
D. Enforcement
1. The interstate commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact.
2. 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 this compact and its adopted 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 shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.
3. The remedies set forth in this section 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.
As added by P.L.21-2009, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.1-2010, SEC.82.