(a) Withdrawal.
(1) Once effective, the Compact continues in force and remains binding upon each and every compacting state; however, a compacting state may withdraw from the Compact by specifically repealing the statute that enacted the Compact into law.
(2) The effective date of withdrawal is the effective date of the repeal.
(3) The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the Chairperson of the Interstate Commission in writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing this Compact in the withdrawing state. The Interstate Commission shall notify the other compacting states of the withdrawing state's intent to withdraw within sixty days of its receipt of the notice.
(4) The withdrawing state is responsible for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of withdrawal, including any obligations, the performance of which extend beyond the effective date of withdrawal.
(5) Reinstatement following withdrawal of any compacting state occurs upon the withdrawing state's reenacting the Compact or upon such later date as determined by the Interstate Commission.
(b) Technical Assistance, Fines, Suspension, Termination and Default.
(1) If the Interstate Commission determines that any compacting state has at any time defaulted in the performance of any of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact, or the by-laws or duly promulgated rules, the Interstate Commission may impose any or all of the following penalties:
(A) Remedial training and technical assistance as directed by the Interstate Commission;
(B) Alternative Dispute Resolution;
(C) Fines, fees, and costs in such amounts as are considered to be reasonable as fixed by the Interstate Commission; and
(D) Suspension or termination of membership in the Compact, which may be imposed only after all other reasonable means of securing compliance under the by-laws and rules have been exhausted and the Interstate Commission has therefore determined that the offending state is in default.
(i) Immediate notice of suspension must be given by the Interstate Commission to the Governor, the Chief Justice or the Chief Judicial Officer of the state, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, and the State Council.
(ii) The grounds for default include, but are not limited to failure of a compacting state to perform such obligations or responsibilities imposed upon it by this Compact, the by-laws, or duly promulgated rules and any other grounds designated in commission by-laws and rules. The Interstate Commission shall immediately notify the defaulting state in writing of the penalty imposed by the Interstate Commission and of the default pending a cure of the default.
(iii) The Commission shall stipulate the conditions and the time period within which the defaulting state must cure its default. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default within the time period specified by the Commission, the defaulting state must be terminated from the Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the compacting states and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by this Compact are terminated from the effective date of termination.
(2) Within sixty days after the effective date of termination of a defaulting state, the Commission shall notify the Governor, the Chief Justice or Chief Judicial Officer, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, and the State Council of such termination.
(3) The defaulting state is responsible for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination including any obligations, the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of termination.
(4) The Interstate Commission does not bear any costs relating to the defaulting state unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the Interstate Commission and the defaulting state.
(5) Reinstatement following termination of any compacting state requires both a reenactment of the Compact by the defaulting state and the approval of the Interstate Commission pursuant to the rules.
(c) Judicial Enforcement. 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 offices, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact, its duly promulgated rules and by-laws, against any compacting state in default. If judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party must be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorneys' fees.
(d) Dissolution of Compact.
(1) The Compact dissolves effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default of the compacting state, which reduces membership in the Compact to one compacting state.
(2) Upon the dissolution of this Compact, the Compact becomes null; is of no further force, and the business and affairs of the Interstate Commission must be concluded and any surplus funds must be distributed in accordance with the by-laws.