194                                LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 128

or in part in such manner, Except where the Commission makes use
of funds available to it pursuant to Article III (g) thereof, the Com-
mission shall not incur any obligation prior to the allotment of funds
by the party States adequate to meet the same.

D.   The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts
and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commis-
sion shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures estab-
lished by its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of
funds handled by the Commission shall be audited yearly by a quali-
fied public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included
in and become part of the annual reports of the Commission.

E.   The accounts of the Commission shall be open at any reason-
able time for inspection by duly constituted officers of the party
States and by any persons authorized by the Commission.

F.   Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent Com-
mission compliance with laws relating to audit or inspection of ac-
counts by or on behalf of any government contributing to the support
of the Commission.

373.                     Article VIII. Eligible Parties;

Entry Into and Withdrawal.

A.   This compact shall have as eligible parties all States, Terri-
tories, and Possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia,
and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In respect of any such juris-
diction not having a Governor, the term "Governor", as used in this
compact, shall mean the closest equivalent official of such jurisdiction.

B.   Any State or other eligible jurisdiction may enter into this
compact and it shall become binding thereon when it has adopted the
same; provided that in order to enter into initial effect, adoption by
at least ten eligible party jurisdictions shall be required.

C.   Adoption of the compact may be either by enactment thereof
or by adherence thereto by the Governor; provided that in the ab-
sence of enactment, adherence by the Governor shall be sufficient to
make his State a party only until December 31, 1967. During any
period when a State is participating in this compact through guber-
natorial action, the Governor shall appoint those persons who, in
addition to himself, shall serve as the members of the Commission
from his State, and shall provide to the Commission an equitable
share of the financial support of the Commission from any source
available to him.

D.   Except for a withdrawal effective on December 81, 1967 in
accordance with paragraph C of this Article, any party State may
withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the
same, but no such withdrawal shall take effect until one year after
the Governor of the withdrawing State has given notice in writing
of the withdrawal to the Governors of all other party States. No
withdrawal shall affect any liability already incurred by or charge-
able to a party State prior to the time of such withdrawal.

374.           Article IX. Construction and Severability.

This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the
purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable