Revised June 2002

**[SOUTHEASTERN STATES FOREST FIRE COMPACT COMMISSION]{.underline}**

**[BYLAWS]{.underline}**

**[Preamble]{.underline}**

The Articles comprising the SOUTHEASTERN INTERSTATE FOREST FIRE
PROTECTION COMPACT shall be the Constitution of the SOUTHEASTERN STATES
FOREST FIRE COMPACT COMMISSION. In conformity to Article III of the
Compact, entered into by and among the states named in the Compact and
assented to by Act of Congress entitled "An Act Granting the Consent and
approval of Congress to the Southeastern Interstate Forest Fire
Protection Compact," Public Law 536, 83^rd^ Congress, approved July 27,
1954 (68 U.S. Stat. 563-66), the SOUTHEASTERN STATES FOREST FIRE COMPACT
COMMISSION hereby adopts the following bylaws for the conduct of its
business.

**[Article I. Name, Membership, and Powers]{.underline}**

[Section 1.]{.underline} The official name of the organization shall be
"SOUTHEASTERN STATES FOREST FIRE COMPACT COMMISSION."

[Section 2.]{.underline} Membership of the Commission shall be composed
of the State Forester, or officer holding the equivalent position,
hereafter referred to as Commissioner, from each state which has
ratified the Compact authorized by Public Law 536, of the 83^rd^
Congress of the United States, and a Compact Coordinator. The
Commissioner shall serve as Compact Administrator for the state.

The Compact Coordinator shall be appointed by the Regional Forester,
Southern Region, U.S. Forest Service, from members of his Fire and
Aviation staff. A Deputy Compact Coordinator to serve in the absence of
the Compact Coordinator shall be appointed in the same manner.

[Section 3.]{.underline} The Commission shall be a fact finding,
coordinating and deliberative body with power to coordinate the
voluntary services of the member states and provide administrative
integration in carrying out the purposes of the Compact; and to
formulate and revise, from time to time, a regional fire plan for the
member states.

[Section 4.]{.underline} Each Commissioner shall establish an Advisory
Committee comprised of a member of the Senate, a member of the House of
Representatives and two members which are citizen representatives, one
of which must be associated with forestry or forest products industries.
They should meet from time to time as issues arise where the
Commissioner needs input.

**[Article II. Meetings]{.underline}**

[Section 1.]{.underline} An annual meeting of the Commission shall be
held each year, with the date and place to be determined by the
Chairperson.

Upon written request by the Commissioners of three or more states, the
Chairperson shall call a special meeting of the Commission.

[Section 2.]{.underline} The Chairperson shall cause the
Secretary-Treasurer to notify the Commissioners of the compacting states
of all meetings at least three weeks prior to the date of the meeting.

**[Article III. Quorum and Voting]{.underline}**

[Section 1.]{.underline} A quorum shall consist of six or more
compacting states represented at any annual or special meeting.

[Section 2.]{.underline} In accordance with Article III, paragraph 3 of
the Compact, action shall be taken by a majority of the compacting
states represented at any annual or special meeting. Each state is
entitled to one vote on all Compact matters, including elections. The
state's administrator or his/her designated representative for the
Compact will cast the state's vote.

The Compact Coordinator and Deputy Compact Coordinator are authorized to
participate in the deliberations and discussions but are not entitled to
cast a vote.

**[Article IV. Officers and Committees]{.underline}**

[Section 1.]{.underline} The officers of the Commission shall be a
Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and a Secretary-Treasurer. The Officers
shall be elected from the membership of the Commission.

[Section 2.]{.underline} The officers shall rotate alphabetically by
state name. The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary-Treasurer
shall serve for a period of one year or until such time as their
successors have been duly selected, qualified and elected. All officers
shall be eligible for re-election.

[Section 3.]{.underline} The Chairperson shall designate the time and
place of regular or special meetings. The Chairperson will serve as
Administrator of the Commission so that its responsibilities as set
forth in Public Law 536 are met; and will prepare an annual report on
the operations of the Compact for the period he served as Chairperson,
which report shall be circulated at least one week prior to the regular
annual meeting of the Commission. The Chairperson's annual report shall
include the annual report of the Compact Coordinator.

[Section 4.]{.underline} The Vice-Chairperson shall act for the
Chairperson if he/she is prevented for any reason from carrying out
his/her duties.

[Section 5.]{.underline} The Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare minutes
of all meetings of the Commission; circulate the Chairperson's annual
report to each Commission member; maintain permanent files of all
Commission business; collect dues if levied and disburse funds on order
of the Chairperson at any regular or special meeting when the
Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are both absent.

[Section 6.]{.underline} The Chairperson shall appoint such committees
as may be necessary for the functioning of the Commission.

[Section 7.]{.underline} The Compact Coordinator shall maintain current
lists of manpower and equipment as prescribed in the Regional Fire Plan;
maintain records of fire situation and weather; handle "Procurement of
Assistance" as set forth in the Regional Fire Plan; initiate and plan
with approval of the Commission training programs and with the
assistance of the various states execute such programs; attend special
and regular meetings of the Commission; prepare and submit an annual
report to the Chairperson; and may attend and participate in Boards of
Review called by a state to review a particular fire.

**[Article V. Finance]{.underline}**

[Section 1.]{.underline} Assessments, as are necessary, may be levied by
the Commission on the majority vote of the members in order to meet
financial obligations pertinent to the conduct of Compact business which
cannot otherwise be properly paid. In an emergency, dues may be levied
as a result of an affirmative mail ballot of the compacting states.

[Section 2.]{.underline} All dues and assessments shall be paid to the
Secretary-Treasurer who shall disburse Compact funds on order of the
Chairperson.

**[Article VI. Order of Business]{.underline}**

[Section 1.]{.underline} The following shall be the order of business
for all meetings:

1\. Call to order

2\. Introduction of members present

3\. Reading of minutes of previous

meeting and approval of same

4\. Reports of sub-committees

5\. Old business

6\. New business

7\. Election of officers

8\. Adjournment

**[Article VII Amendments]{.underline}**

[Section 1.]{.underline} The bylaws may be amended by written ballot at
any regular or special meeting of the Commission provided each member
state shall have received a copy of the proposed revision at least three
weeks in advance of the proposed date of the meeting and if at least
two-thirds of the total compacting states cast affirmative ballots.