Constitution agreements between states, also known as interstate compacts, are agreements made between two or more states for a specific purpose. These agreements are allowed under the United States Constitution, in Article 1, Section 10, which states that “No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, engage in any Agreement or Compact with another State…”

Interstate compacts can cover a wide range of issues, from environmental protections to emergency management. One of the most well-known interstate compacts is the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages the port and transportation infrastructure in the two states.

The process for creating an interstate compact is straightforward. First, the states involved must agree on the issue and the terms of the compact. Then, each state’s legislature must pass a bill authorizing the compact. Finally, the compact must be approved by Congress.

One of the benefits of interstate compacts is that they allow for states to work together on issues that may not be easily addressed at the federal level. For example, the Great Lakes Compact was created to address issues related to water usage and conservation in the Great Lakes region.

However, interstate compacts are not without their challenges. One issue that can arise is conflicting laws between the states involved. Additionally, the approval process for interstate compacts can be lengthy and complicated.

In conclusion, constitution agreements between states, or interstate compacts, allow for states to work together on issues that may not be easily addressed at the federal level. While there are challenges that come with creating and maintaining these agreements, they can be an effective way for states to collaborate and address important issues.