§ 1362 - Article XII; Withdrawal; default; termination; judicial enforcement - Vermont Statutes

§ 1362. Article XII; Withdrawal; default; termination; judicial enforcement

(a) Withdrawal. Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each and every compacting state, provided that a compacting state may withdraw from the compact (withdrawing state) by enacting a statute specifically repealing the statute which enacted the compact into law. The effective date of withdrawal shall be the effective date of such repeal. A withdrawing state shall immediately notify the chair 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 60 days of its receipt thereof. A withdrawing state shall be responsible for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of withdrawal, including any obligations, the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of withdrawal. Reinstatement following withdrawal by any compacting state shall occur upon the withdrawing state reenacting the compact or upon such later date as determined by the interstate commission.

(b) Default. If the interstate commission determines that any compacting state has at any time defaulted (defaulting state) in the performance of any of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact, the bylaws or any duly promulgated rules, the interstate commission may impose any or all of the following penalties:

(1) fines, fees and costs in such amounts as are deemed to be reasonable as fixed by the interstate commission;

(2) remedial training and technical assistance as directed by the interstate commission;

(3) suspension and termination of membership in the compact.

Suspension shall be imposed only after all other reasonable means of securing compliance under the bylaws and rules have been exhausted. Immediate notice of suspension shall be given by the interstate commission to the governor, the chief justice or chief judicial officer of the state, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, and the state council. The grounds for default shall include failure of a compacting state to perform such obligations or responsibilities imposed upon it by this compact, interstate commission bylaws, or duly promulgated rules. The interstate commission shall immediately notify the defaulting state in writing of the penalty imposed by the interstate commission on the defaulting state pending a cure of the default. The interstate 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 interstate commission, in addition to any other penalties imposed herein, the defaulting state may 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 shall be terminated from the effective date of suspension. Within 60 days of the effective date of termination of a defaulting state, the interstate commission shall notify the governor, the chief justice or chief judicial officer and the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature and the state council of such termination. The defaulting state shall be 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. The interstate commission shall not bear any costs relating to the defaulting state unless otherwise mutually agreed upon between the interstate commission and the defaulting state. Reinstatement following termination of any compacting state shall require both a reenactment of the compact by the defaulting state and the approval of the interstate commission pursuant to the rules of the interstate commission.

(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 bylaws, against any compacting state in default. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney's fees.

(d) Dissolution of the compact. The compact shall dissolve effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default of the compacting state which reduces membership in the compact to one compacting state. Upon the dissolution of this compact, the compact shall become null and void and shall be of no further force or effect, and the business and affairs of the interstate commission shall be terminated and any surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance with the bylaws of the interstate commission. (Added 1999, No. 90 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 27, 2000.)