§ 16-92-14. Oversight, enforcement and dispute resolution.
(a) Oversight.
(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. The provisions of this compact and
the rules promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory law.
(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 which may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the interstate
commission.
(3) The interstate commission shall be entitled to receive all service of process in any
such proceeding, and shall have standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes.
Failure to provide service of process to the interstate commission shall render a
judgment or order void as to the interstate commission, this compact or promulgated
rules.
(b) Default, technical assistance, suspension and termination. If the interstate commission determines that 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:
(1) Provide written notice to the defaulting 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 defaulting
state must cure its default.
(2) Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
(3) If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting 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 offending
state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of the default.
(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 defaulting state's legislature, and each of the member
states.
(5) The state which 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.
(6) The interstate commission shall not bear any costs relating to any state that has
been found to be in default or which has been suspended or terminated from the compact,
unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the interstate commission
and the defaulting state.
(7) The defaulting 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.
(c) Dispute Resolution.
(1) The interstate commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve
disputes which are subject to the compact and which may arise among member states
and between member and non-member states.
(2) The interstate commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and
binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.
(d) Enforcement.
(1) The interstate commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce
the provisions and rules of this compact.
(2) The interstate commission, may by majority vote of the members, initiate legal action
in the United State 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 principal offices, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact,
its promulgated rules and bylaws, against a member state in default. The relief sought
may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement
is necessary the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including
reasonable attorney's fees.
(3) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the interstate commission.
The interstate commission may avail itself of any other remedies available under state
law or the regulation of a profession.