0. Interstate Relations

1. 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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

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

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

15. 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

16. Political Cartoons- 1

17. Political Cartoons- 2

18. 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