Interstate Relations

Article IV- Relations Among the States The Roots: Conflict among states was a key reason for the adoption of the Constitution in 1789. Efforts were taken within the Constitution to alleviate conflict in the new government

Interstate Compacts A “compact” is an agreement Interstate compacts are contracts between two or more states creating an agreement on a particular policy issue, adopting a certain standard or cooperating on regional or national matters

Interstate Compacts There are over 200 compacts in existence today On average a state belongs to 25 different compacts Advisory Regulatory

Alabama belongs to 30 interstate compacts Conservation of Oil Conservation of Wildlife & Life Prevention of Forest Fires Prevent Stream & Harbor Pollution Provide for tax collection Motor Vehicle Safety Licensing of Drivers Cooperative Use of Public Universities Conservation of Water Alabama belongs to 30 interstate compacts

Full Faith & Credit The Constitution states that: “Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the Public Acts, records and judicial proceeding of every other state.” Article IV, Section 1

Public Acts = Laws of State Records: Birth Certificates “Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the Public Acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other State.”
 Public Acts = Laws of State Records: Birth Certificates Marriage Licenses Deeds of Property Car registrations, etc.

Judicial Proceedings… Outcome of court actions: Damage Awards “Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the Public Acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other State.”
 Judicial Proceedings… Outcome of court actions: Damage Awards Probating of wills

Full Faith & Credit So a civil court case tried in Alabama does not have to be retried in Georgia. Instead, Georgia has to give full faith and credit to the process in Alabama.

Full Faith & Credit- Exceptions Criminal Cases- One State cannot enforce another State’s criminal law. Full faith & credit cannot be given in certain divorces granted by one state with respect to another State i.e. If you were married in Texas, you need to get a divorce based through Texas

Extradition The legal process by which a fugitive from justice in one State is returned to that State The Governor must approve it Sometimes these requests are contested Custody cases, cases with political or racial overtones

Extradition- historical Until the 1980’s governors could, and on occasion did, refuse to return fugitives For more than a century the constitutional wording was read instead of shall to may. In 1987, the Supreme Court held that fugitives had to be extradited.

Privileges & Immunities “The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of Citizens in the several States.” Article IV, section 2, Clause 1

Privileges & Immunities This clause means that no State can draw unreasonable distinctions between its own residents and those who happen live in other states.

Privileges & Immunities Each State must facilitate: Recognize the right to travel Become a resident Use of courts Make contracts Marry

Privileges & Immunities States can still require: The right to vote in a state is based on time lived there Period of residence before its licensed practice of a profession Pay different fees for non-residents

Political Cartoons- 1

Political Cartoons- 2

What is happening as the car is moving from one state to the other? Does the cartoon imply that the states have very little power or a great deal of power over environmental resources? Do you think the cartoonist would like to see more cooperation between the states? Explain. Predicting Consequences- What might happen if States have vastly different policies toward essential resources like air and water? Political Cartoons- 3