115.997(11)(d)1.1. The interstate commission’s executive director and its employees are immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of or relating to an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, except that the executive director and the employees of the interstate commission shall not be protected under this subdivision from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of that executive director or employee.

115.997(11)(d)2.2. The liability of the interstate commission’s executive director and employees or interstate commission representatives, acting within the scope of such person’s employment or duties for acts, errors, or omissions occurring within such person’s state may not exceed the limits of liability set forth under the constitution and laws of that state for state officials, employees, and agents. The interstate commission is considered to be an instrumentality of the states for the purposes of any such action. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

115.997(11)(d)3.3. The interstate commission shall defend the executive director and its employees and, subject to the approval of the attorney general or other appropriate legal counsel of the member state represented by an interstate commission representative, shall defend such interstate commission representative in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the defendant had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such person.

115.997(11)(d)4.4. To the extent not covered by the state involved, member state, or the interstate commission, the representatives or employees of the interstate commission shall be held harmless in the amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorney’s fees and costs, obtained against such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such persons had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such persons.

115.997(12)(a)(a) Rule-making authority. The interstate commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of this compact. If the interstate commission exercises its rule-making authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of this compact, or the powers granted under this compact, then such an action by the interstate commission shall be invalid and have no force or effect.

115.997(12)(b)(b) Rule-making procedure; effect of rules. Rules shall be promulgated pursuant to a rule-making process that substantially conforms to the Model State Administrative Procedure Act, as amended, as may be appropriate to the operations of the interstate commission. A rule has the force and effect of statutory law in a member state if approved by the legislature of the member state or the state superintendent of education of the member state.

115.997(12)(c)(c) Not later than 30 days after a rule is promulgated, any person may file a petition for judicial review of the rule. The filing of such a petition does not stay or otherwise prevent the rule from becoming effective unless the court finds that the petitioner has a substantial likelihood of success. The court shall give deference to the actions of the interstate commission consistent with applicable law and shall not find the rule to be unlawful if the rule represents a reasonable exercise of the interstate commission’s authority.

115.997(12)(d)(d) If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any member state.

115.997(13)(a)1.1. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact’s purposes and intent.

115.997(13)(a)2.2. 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 this compact that may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the interstate commission.

115.997(13)(a)3.3. The interstate commission is entitled to receive all service of process in any proceeding under subd. 2., 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, this compact, or promulgated rules.

115.997(13)(b)(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:

115.997(13)(b)1.1. 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.

115.997(13)(b)2.2. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

115.997(13)(b)3.3. 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.

115.997(13)(b)4.4. 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.

115.997(13)(b)5.5. 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.

115.997(13)(b)6.6. 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.

115.997(13)(b)7.7. 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.

115.997(13)(c)1.1. 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.

115.997(13)(c)2.2. The interstate commission shall promulgate a rule providing for mediation for disputes as appropriate.

115.997(14)(a)(a) The interstate commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

115.997(14)(b)(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.

115.997(14)(c)(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.