What is The National Center for Interstate Compacts?
Modern compacts are a reinvigoration of our federalist system in which states may only be able to preserve their sovereign authority over interstate problems to the extent that they share their sovereignty and work together cooperatively through interstate compacts.
Today, states are facing issues that are not confined to geographical boundaries or jurisdictional lines. As we become more integrated socially, culturally and economically, the volume of these issues will only increase, making federal pre-emption in certain policy areas an ever more likely response. Interstate compacts may well prove to be an apt mechanism for developing state-based solutions to supra-state problems while preserving the states' authority and freedoms.
The National Center for Interstate Compacts (NCIC) is designed to be an information clearinghouse, a provider of training and technical assistance and a primary facilitator in assisting states review, revise and create new interstate compacts to solve multi-state problems or provide alternatives to federal pre-emption. As such, the NCIC will combine policy research and best practices, and function as a membership association, serving the needs of compact administrators, compact commissions and state agencies where interstate compacts are in effect.
The Council of State Governments is uniquely positioned to offer a full range of services to states that are in need of not only information and expertise, but also guidance and technical assistance in dealing with interstate compacts and other interstate agreements. Throughout its 70-year history, CSG has been at the forefront of promoting multi-state problem solving and advocating the role of the states in determining their respective futures. CSG has played an integral role in the development of numerous interstate compacts, tracking the progress of more than 200 active interstate compacts, researching innovative solutions for the states and bringing the states together to build consensus on national issues.
For more information on the National Center for Interstate Compacts and the services we offer, please contact Crady deGolian at 859-244-8068 or cdegolian@csg.org.