Section 16-44C-10 - Oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement(a) Oversight. (1) The executive and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes and intent. This compact shall have standing as statutory law.(2) Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the commission is located. The commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Nothing herein shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue in any action against a licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct, or any similar matter.(3) All courts and all administrative agencies shall take judicial notice of this compact, the rules of the commission, and any information provided to a member state pursuant thereto in any judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact, or which may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the commission.(4) The commission may receive service of process in any proceeding regarding the enforcement or interpretation of this compact and shall have standing to intervene in any proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide the commission service of process shall render a judgment or order void as to the commission, this compact, or adopted rules.(b) Default, technical assistance, and termination. If the commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the adopted rules, the commission shall do all of the following:(1) Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default, or any other action to be taken by the commission.(2) Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.(c) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners of the member states, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred on that state by this compact may be terminated on 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 default.(d) 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 commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, the state licensing authority and each of the member states.(e) A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.(f) The commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from this compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the commission and the defaulting state.(g) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal office. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of the litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.(h) Dispute resolution.(1) Upon request by a member state, the commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to this compact that arise among member states and between member and non-member states.(2) The commission shall adopt a rule providing for both binding and nonbinding alternative dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.(i) Enforcement. (1) The commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact.(2) By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal office against a member state in default to enforce compliance with this compact and its adopted rules and bylaws. 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 litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the commission. The commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.Ala. Code § 16-44C-10 (1975)
Added by Act 2023-234,§ 10, eff. 8/1/2023.