Can state legislatures make changes to the Compact language?
Because interstate compacts are essentially contracts between States, they must satisfy the customary requirements for valid contracts, including a “meeting of the minds” between the parties. No state may unilaterally alter the terms of a compact without jeopardizing the enforceability of the agreement. However, minor non-substantive changes (numbering or formatting, etc.) are acceptable. History Since 1983, the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) has worked together to protect the Great Lakes. • 1985: Great Lakes Charter is created. • 2001: Great Lakes Annex is updated. • Dec. 13, 2005: The eight Great Lakes governors and the premiers of Quebec and Ontario signed the Great Lakes Water Management Agreement. They pledge to pursue enactment of the Great Lakes Compact in their legislatures. • 2007-2008: All eight Great Lakes state legislatures ratified the compact. Legislative approval was completed by the U.S. Senate on August 1, 2008, and by the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept
