Desert Pacific Economic Region Compact

Desert Pacific Economic Region Compact
Formation date:	1999
Member jurisdictions:	1
Issue(s):	Planning

The Desert Pacific Economic Region Compact is a proposed interstate compact that has only been adopted by Arizona. Other states in both the United States and Mexico are eligible to join the compact, but none have enacted legislation that would allow them to do so: Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah in the US, and Chihuahua, Sinaloa and Sonora in Mexico.

Text of the compact

The legislature of each member state passes the laws with certain modifications, but the core of the legislation remains the same.

Article I: Policy and purpose A. Participating states in the Desert Pacific Economic Region shall seek to develop and establish policies that: Promote greater regional collaboration among participating states. Enhance the overall competitiveness of the region in international and domestic markets. Increase the economic well-being of all citizens in the region. Improve the quality of life of all citizens in the region. B. Participating states shall recognize there are many public policy areas in which cooperation and joint efforts may be mutually beneficial, including: International trade. Economic development. Human resources. The environment and natural resources. Energy. Education. C. Participating states shall work diligently to establish collaborative activity in the areas in subsection B and other appropriate policy areas where cooperation is considered to be worthwhile and beneficial to the participating states. D. Participating states also agree there are areas in which cooperation may not be feasible. E. The substantive actions of the Desert Pacific Economic Region may take the form of uniform legislation enacted by two or more states or policy initiatives endorsed as appropriate by the participating states. It is not necessary for all states to participate in each initiative. Article II: Eligible states The following states of the United States and Mexico are eligible to become parties to this compact: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Chihuahua, Sinaloa and Sonora. Article III: Effective date, duration and resignation A. This compact establishing the Desert Pacific Economic Region is effective on execution of this compact by two or more of the eligible states in a form considered appropriate by the respective states. B. This compact remains in force and is binding on each participating state until renounced by the participating state. Renunciation of this compact shall be preceded by one year's written notice of intention to withdraw from the compact to the other participating states. Article IV: Organizational structure A. Each participating state shall appoint representatives to the Desert Pacific Economic Region. Two representatives from Arizona shall be the chairman of the intertribal council or the chairman's designee and the President of the navajo nation or the President's designee. The organizational structure of the Desert Pacific Economic Region shall consist of: A Delegate Council of four legislators, appointed by the governor of the participating state, and the governor or the governor's designee from each participating state. An Executive Committee consisting of: one legislator from each participating state who is a member of the Delegate Council. The legislator members of the Executive Committee from each participating state shall be chosen by the legislator members of each participating state. one-half of the participating states' governors or the governors' designees who are members of the Delegate Council. The governor members of the executive council shall be chosen by the governors from the governors on the Delegate Council. If there is a participating Mexican state, at least one member representing the governors on the Executive Committee shall be the governor of a Mexican state. B. The Executive Committee may establish policy committees relating to specific subject matter and to carry out further duties and responsibilities of the Desert Pacific Economic Region. C. Each participating state shall appoint legislators and governors to sit on the policy committees according to its own rules concerning appointments. Article V: Duties and responsibilities A. The Delegate Council shall: Facilitate the involvement of other government officials in developing and implementing specific collaborative initiatives. Work with policymaking committees to develop and implement specific initiatives. Approve general organizational policies developed by the Executive Committee. Provide final approval of the annual budget and staffing structure for the Desert Pacific Economic Region developed by the Executive Committee. Perform other duties and responsibilities established in the rules of the Desert Pacific Economic Region. B. The Executive Committee shall: Elect the President and Vice-President of the Desert Pacific Economic Region. Approve and implement general organizational policies. Develop the annual budget. Devise the annual action plan. Act as a liaison between other public and private sector entities. Review the availability of and if appropriate apply for: (a) Tax exempt status under the laws and regulations of the United States or any state or political subdivision of a state of the United States. (b) Tax exempt status under the laws and regulations of Mexico or any state or political subdivision of a Mexican state. Approve rules, organizational policies and staffing structure for the Desert Pacific Economic Region and take actions on behalf of the Desert Pacific Economic Region that the Executive Committee deems necessary or appropriate to qualify for and maintain tax exempt or similar status under the applicable laws or regulations. Perform other duties and responsibilities established in the rules of the Desert Pacific Economic Region. C. The rules of the Desert Pacific Economic Region shall establish the voting procedure. Article VI: Preservation of legislative power This compact does not limit the powers of any state or amend, repeal or prohibit the enactment of any legislation.

See also

• Interstate compact

External links

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References

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