39.75(3)(d)(d) The commission shall elect annually, from among its members, a chairperson, who shall be a governor, a vice chairperson and a treasurer. The commission shall provide for the appointment of an executive director. Such executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the commission, and together with the treasurer and such other personnel as the commission may deem appropriate shall be bonded in such amount as the commission shall determine. The executive director shall be secretary.

39.75(3)(e)(e) Irrespective of the civil service, personnel or other merit system laws of any of the party states, the executive director subject to the approval of the steering committee shall appoint, remove or discharge such personnel as may be necessary for the performance of the functions of the commission, and shall fix the duties and compensation of such personnel. The commission in its bylaws shall provide for the personnel policies and programs of the commission.

39.75(3)(f)(f) The commission may borrow, accept or contract for the services of personnel from any party jurisdiction, the United States, or any subdivision or agency of the aforementioned governments, or from any agency of 2 or more of the party jurisdictions or their subdivisions.

39.75(3)(g)(g) The commission may accept for any of its purposes and functions under this compact any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, conditional or otherwise, from any state, the United States, or any other governmental agency, or from any person, firm, association, foundation or corporation, and may receive, utilize and dispose of the same. Any donation or grant accepted by the commission pursuant to this paragraph or services borrowed pursuant to par. (f) shall be reported in the annual report of the commission. Such report shall include the nature, amount and conditions, if any, of the donation, grant or services borrowed, and the identity of the donor or lender.

39.75(3)(h)(h) The commission may establish and maintain such facilities as may be necessary for the transacting of its business. The commission may acquire, hold and convey real and personal property and any interest therein.

39.75(3)(i)(i) The commission shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business and shall have the power to amend and rescind these bylaws. The commission shall publish its bylaws in convenient form and shall file a copy thereof and a copy of any amendment thereto, with the appropriate agency or officer in each of the party states.

39.75(3)(j)(j) The commission annually shall submit to the governor, to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) and to the legislature of any other party state a report covering the activities of the commission for the preceding year. The commission may submit such additional reports as it deems desirable.

39.75(4)(a)(a) Collect, correlate, analyze and interpret information and data concerning educational needs and resources.

39.75(4)(b)(b) Encourage and foster research in all aspects of education, but with special reference to the desirable scope of instruction, organization, administration and instructional methods and standards employed or suitable for employment in public educational systems.

39.75(4)(c)(c) Develop proposals for adequate financing of education as a whole and at each of its many levels.

39.75(4)(d)(d) Conduct or participate in research of the types referred to in this subsection in any instance where the commission finds that such research is necessary for the advancement of the purposes and policies of this compact, utilizing fully the resources of national associations, regional compact organizations for higher education and other agencies and institutions, both public and private.

39.75(4)(e)(e) Formulate suggested policies and plans for the improvement of public education as a whole, or for any segment thereof, and make recommendations with respect thereto available to the appropriate governmental units, agencies and public officials.

39.75(4)(f)(f) Do such other things as may be necessary or incidental to the administration of any of its authority or functions pursuant to this compact.

39.75(5)(a)(a) If the laws of the United States specifically so provide, or if administrative provision is made therefor within the federal government, the United States may be represented on the commission by not to exceed 10 representatives. Any such representative or representatives of the United States shall be appointed and serve in such manner as may be provided by or pursuant to federal law, and may be drawn from any one or more branches of the federal government, but no such representative shall have a vote on the commission.

39.75(5)(b)(b) The commission may provide information and make recommendations to any executive or legislative agency or officer of the federal government concerning the common educational policies of the states, and may advise with any such agencies or officers concerning any matter of mutual interest.

39.75(6)(a)(a) To assist in the expeditious conduct of its business when the full commission is not meeting, the commission shall elect a steering committee of 32 members which, subject to the provisions of this compact and consistent with the policies of the commission, shall be constituted and function as provided in the bylaws of the commission. One-fourth of the voting membership of the steering committee shall consist of governors, one-fourth shall consist of legislators, and the remainder shall consist of other members of the commission. A federal representative on the commission may serve with the steering committee, but without vote. The voting members of the steering committee shall serve for terms of 2 years, except that members elected to the first steering committee of the commission shall be elected as follows: 15 for one year and 15 for 2 years. The chairperson, vice chairperson, and treasurer of the commission shall be members of the steering committee and, anything in this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, shall serve during their continuance in these offices. Vacancies in the steering committee shall not affect its authority to act, but the commission at its next regularly ensuing meeting following the occurrence of any vacancy shall fill it for the unexpired term. No person shall serve more than 2 terms as a member of the steering committee: provided that service for a partial term of one year or less shall not be counted toward the 2-term limitation.

39.75(6)(b)(b) The commission may establish advisory and technical committees composed of state, local, and federal officials, and private persons to advise it with respect to any one or more of its functions. Any advisory or technical committee may, on request of the states concerned, be established to consider any matter of special concern to 2 or more of the party states.

39.75(6)(c)(c) The commission may establish such additional committees as its bylaws may provide.

39.75(7)(a)(a) The commission shall advise the governor or designated officer or officers of each party state of its budget and estimated expenditures for such period as may be required by the laws of that party state. Each of the commission’s budgets of estimated expenditures shall contain specific recommendations of the amount or amounts to be appropriated by each of the party states.

39.75(7)(b)(b) The total amount of appropriation requests under any budget shall be apportioned among the party states. In making such apportionment, the commission shall devise and employ a formula which takes equitable account of the populations and per capita income levels of the party states.

39.75(7)(c)(c) The commission shall not pledge the credit of any party states. The commission may meet any of its obligations in whole or in part with funds available to it under sub. (3) (g), provided that the commission takes specific action setting aside such funds prior to incurring an obligation to be met in whole or in part in such manner. Except where the commission makes use of funds available to it under sub. (3) (g), the commission shall not incur any obligation prior to the allotment of funds by the party states adequate to meet the same.

39.75(7)(d)(d) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established by its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be audited yearly by a qualified certified public accountant licensed or certified under ch. 442, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual reports of the commission.