AB943: Bill Text

AB943,25,2 (b) Default, technical assistance, suspension, and termination. If the interstate commission determines that a local education agency in a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact, or the bylaws or promulgated rules, the interstate commission shall do all of the following:

AB943,25,6 1. Provide written notice to the member 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 member state must cure the default of the local education agency.

AB943,25,8 2. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

AB943,25,14 3. If the member state fails to cure the default of the local education agency, the member state shall be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by this compact shall be terminated from the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of the default.

AB943,25,19 4. Suspension or termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the interstate commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the state's legislature, and each of the member states.

AB943,25,23 5. A 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.

AB943,26,2 6. The interstate commission shall not bear any costs relating to any member state in which a local education agency 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 member state.

AB943,26,6 7. The state may appeal the action of the interstate commission by petitioning the U.S. 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.

AB943,26,9 (c) Dispute Resolution. 1. 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.

AB943,26,11 2. The interstate commission shall promulgate a rule providing for mediation for disputes as appropriate.

AB943,26,14 (14) Article XIV — Financing of the interstate commission. (a) The interstate commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

AB943,26,21 (b) The interstate commission may levy on and collect from each member state an annual assessment to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the interstate commission and its staff. The aggregate annual assessment must be sufficient to cover the interstate commission's annual budget as approved each year. Subject to s. 115.28 (58), the aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated among member states based upon a formula to be determined by the interstate commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all member states.

AB943,26,24 (c) The interstate commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same, nor pledge the credit of any of the member states except by and with the authority of the member state.

AB943,27,7 (d) The interstate commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the interstate commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the interstate commission shall by audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the interstate commission.

AB943,27,9 (15) Article XV — Member states, effective date and amendment. (a) Any state is eligible to become a member state.

AB943,27,15 (b) The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than 10 states. Thereafter, it shall become effective and binding as to any other state upon enactment of the compact into law by that state. The governor of a nonmember state or his or her designee shall be invited to participate in the activities of the interstate commission on a nonvoting basis prior to adoption of the compact by all states.

AB943,27,19 (c) The interstate commission may propose amendments to the compact for enactment by the member states. No amendment shall become effective and binding upon the interstate commission and the member states unless and until it is enacted into law by unanimous consent of the member states.

AB943,27,24 (16) Article XVI — Withdrawal and dissolution. (a) Withdrawal. 1. Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each and every member state, provided that a member state may withdraw from the compact by enacting a law repealing the compact or by enacting a law withdrawing from the compact.

AB943,28,5 2. A withdrawing state shall immediately notify the chairperson of the interstate commission in writing upon the enactment of legislation in the withdrawing state that repeals this compact or withdraws from this compact. The interstate commission shall notify the other member states within 60 days of its receipt thereof.

AB943,28,8 3. A withdrawing state is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of withdrawal, including obligations the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of withdrawal.

AB943,28,11 4. Reinstatement following withdrawal of a member state shall occur upon the withdrawing state reenacting the compact or upon such later date as determined by the interstate commission.

AB943,28,14 (b) Dissolution of Compact. 1. This compact shall dissolve effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default of the member state that reduces the membership in the compact to one member state.

AB943,28,17 2. Upon the dissolution of this compact, the compact is null and void and of no further force or effect, and the business and affairs of the interstate commission shall be concluded and surplus funds distributed in accordance with the bylaws.

AB943,28,20 (17) Article XVII — Severability and construction. (a) The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable.

AB943,28,22 (b) The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.

AB943,28,24 (c) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prohibit the applicability of other interstate compacts to which the states are members.

AB943,29,3 (18) Article XVIII — binding effect of compact and other laws. (a) Other Laws. 1. Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with this compact.

AB943,29,5 2. All laws of member states that conflict with this compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.

AB943,29,8 (b) Binding effect of the compact. 1. Subject to sub. (12) (b), all lawful actions of the interstate commission, including all rules and bylaws promulgated by the interstate commission, are binding upon the member states.

AB943,29,10 2. All agreements between the interstate commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms.

AB943,29,13 3. If any provision of this compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any member state, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that member state.

AB943,29,14 (End)