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.

39.75(7)(e)(e) The accounts of the commission shall be open at any reasonable time for inspection by duly constituted officers of the party states and by any persons authorized by the commission.

39.75(7)(f)(f) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent commission compliance with laws relating to audit or inspection of accounts by or on behalf of any government contributing to the support of the commission.

39.75(8)(a)(a) This compact shall have as eligible parties all states, territories, and possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In respect of any such jurisdiction not having a governor, the term “governor”, as used in this compact, shall mean the closest equivalent official of such jurisdiction.

39.75(8)(b)(b) Any state or other eligible jurisdiction may enter into this compact and it shall become binding thereon when it has adopted the same: provided that in order to enter into initial effect, adoption by at least 10 eligible party jurisdictions shall be required.

39.75(8)(c)(c) Adoption of the compact may be either by enactment thereof or by adherence thereto by the governor; provided that in the absence of enactment, adherence by the governor shall be sufficient to make the governor’s state a party only until December 31, 1967. During any period when a state is participating in this compact through gubernatorial action, the governor shall appoint those persons who, in addition to the governor, shall serve as the members of the commission from the governor’s state, and shall provide to the commission an equitable share of the financial support of the commission from any source available to the governor.

39.75(8)(d)(d) Except for a withdrawal effective on December 31, 1967, in accordance with par. (c), any party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the same, but no such withdrawal shall take effect until one year after the governor of the withdrawing state has given notice in writing of the withdrawal to the governors of all other party states. No withdrawal shall affect any liability already incurred by or chargeable to a party state prior to the time of such withdrawal.

39.75(9)(9) Article IX — Construction and Severability. This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any state or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any state participating therein, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.

39.76(1)(1) State representation on the education commission of the states. There is created a 7-member delegation to represent the state of Wisconsin on the education commission of the states. The delegation shall consist of the governor, the state superintendent of public instruction, one senator and one representative to the assembly selected as are the members of standing committees in their respective houses, and 3 members appointed by the governor in compliance with s. 39.75 (3) (a) who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The chairperson of the delegation shall be designated by the governor from among its members. Members of the delegation shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties from the appropriation in s. 20.505 (1) (ka). Annual commission membership dues shall be paid from the appropriation in s. 20.505 (1) (ka).

39.76(3)(3) Reports; bylaws. Under s. 39.75 (3) (j), the education commission of the states shall file a copy of its bylaws and any amendments thereto with the secretary of state and the office of the governor on or before January 15 of each odd-numbered year. The delegation or the education commission of the states shall submit to the governor and the chief clerk of each house of the legislature, for distribution to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2), a report of the activities of the delegation and the commission.

39.80(1)(1) Article I — Purpose. The purpose of the midwestern higher education compact shall be to provide greater higher education opportunities and services in the midwestern region, with the aim of furthering regional access to, research in and choice of higher education for the citizens residing in the several states which are parties to this compact.