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In the United States, an interstate compact is a pact or agreement between two or more states, or between states and any foreign government. Prior to 1922, most interstate compacts were either border agreements between states or advisory compacts to conduct joint studies to report back to their respective state legislatures.
Interstate compacts can be created either by Congress or by agreements among the states themselves. Whether created by Congress or through state agreements, interstate compacts generally require approval from each participating state to become legally binding. When states create an interstate compact without congressional involvement, each state involved must individually approve the compact according to its own state laws and procedures. Typically, this involves passage of legislation by the state legislature and approval by the state's governor.
Operating agencies for these agreements are in place in areas such as education, borders and land/water administration, transportation, and health and emergency.
Four higher education interstate compacts facilitate cooperation among member states to address common challenges, leverage resources, and improve educational opportunities for students within their respective regions. The four regional education compacts are nonpartisan, non-profit organizations which represent 47 states and territories and 6 state affiliate partners.
The interstate regional compacts leverage long-standing relationships with their state higher education executive officers, chief state school officers, legislators, and governors. Together, they can collaborate on national initiatives such as:
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