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Kim Reynolds
GOVERNOR
Office of the GovernorChris Cournoyer
LT governor
June 02, 2026
The Honorable Paul Pate
Secretary of State of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I hereby transmit:
House File 2498, an Act enacting the interstate podiatric medical licensure compact.
The above House File is hereby approved on this date.
Sinc^ely,
j2uvA>.Kim Arnolds
Govemor of Iowa
cc: Secretary of the Senate
Clerk of the House
STATE CAPITOL DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 515.281.5211 WWW.GOVERNOR.IOWA.GOV
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House File 2498
AN ACT
ENACTING THE INTERSTATE PODIATRIC MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1, NEW SECTION. 147M.1 Interstate podiatric medical
licensure compact.
1. Purpose. In order to strengthen access to health care/
and in recognition of the advances in the delivery of health
care/ the member states of the interstate podiatric medical
licensure compact have allied in common purpose to develop a
comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing
and regulatory authority of state podiatric medical boards/
provides a streamlined process that allows podiatric physicians
to become licensed in multiple states, thereby enhancing the
portability of a podiatric medical license and ensuring the
safety of patients. The compact creates another pathway for
licensure and does not otherwise change a state's existing
podiatric medical practice act. The compact also adopts the
prevailing standard for licensure and affirms that the practice
of podiatric medicine occurs where the patient is located
at the time of the podiatric physician-patient encounter,
and therefore, requires the podiatric physician to be under
the jurisdiction of the state podiatric medical board where
the patient is located. State podiatric medical boards that
participate in the compact retain the jurisdiction to impose
an adverse action against a license to practice podiatric
medicine in that state issued to a podiatric physician through
House File 2498, p. 2
the procedures in the compact.
2. Definitions, In this compact:
a. '^Bylaws" means those bylaws established by the interstate
commission pursuant to subsection 11,
b. '^Commissioner'' means the voting representative appointed
by each member board pursuant to subsection 11,
c. "^Conviction" means a finding by a court that
an individual is guilty of a criminal offense through
adjudication, or entry of a plea of guilt or no contest to the
charge by the offender. Evidence of an entry of conviction of
a criminal offense by the court shall be considered final for
purposes of disciplinary action by a member board,
d. "^Criminal background check" means that the member board
is authorized to obtain a federal bureau of investigations
biometric based federal criminal records check information
report from the authorized state agency for the exclusive
purpose of determining eligibility for certification of
qualification that would allow for an expedited license,
e. "'Expedited license" means a full unrestricted podiatric
medical license granted by a member state to an eligible
podiatric physician through the process set forth in the
compact,
f. "'Federal criminal records check information" means any
information obtained by a member board from the federal bureau
of investigation relating to a federal criminal records check
performed by a member board under Pub, L. No. 92-544,
g. ""Interstate commission" means the interstate commission
created pursuant to subsection 11,
h. ""License" means authorization by a member state for a
podiatric physician to engage in the practice of podiatric
medicine, which would be unlawful without authorization,
i. "^Member board" means a state agency in a member state
that acts in the sovereign interest of the state by protecting
the public through licensure, regulation, and education of
podiatric physicians as directed by the state government,
j. ""Member state" means a state which has enacted this
compact.
k. "^Offense" means a felony or gross misdemeanor which
is the result of intentional, willful, reckless misconduct
House File 2498, p. 3
and which occurred less than ten years ago, or a misdemeanor
related to the practice of podiatry.
i, '^Podiatric medical practice act" means laws and
regulations governing the practice of podiatric medicine within
a member state.
m. '^Podiatric physician" means a person who meets all of the
following requirements:
(1) Is a graduate of a podiatric medical school accredited
by the council of podiatric medical education.
(2) Passed parts I, II, and III of the national board of
podiatric medical examiners' or American podiatric medical
licensing examination, or their recognized replacement
examinations•
(3) Successfully complete a podiatric residency program
approved by the council on podiatric medical education.
(4) Holds a specialty certification from a specialty board
recognized by the council on podiatric medical education,
(5) Possesses a full and unrestricted license to engage in
the practice of podiatric medicine issued by a member board.
(6) Has never been convicted, received adjudication,
deferred adjudication, community supervision, or deferred
disposition for any offense by a court of appropriate
jurisdiction.
(7) Has never held a license authorizing the practice
of podiatric medicine subjected to discipline by a licensing
agency in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction,
excluding any action related to the nonpayment of fees related
to a license.
(8) Has never had a controlled substance license or permit
suspended or revoked by a state or the United States drug
enforcement administration or voluntarily surrendered such
license after notification of investigation.
(9) Is not under active investigation by a licensing agency
or law enforcement authority in any state, federal, or foreign
jurisdiction.
n. "^Practice of podiatric medicine" means that clinical
prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of human disease, injury,
or condition requiring a podiatric physician to obtain and
maintain a license in compliance with the podiatric medical
House File 2498, p. 4
practice act of a member state.
o, ^Rule^ means a written statement by the interstate
commission promulgated pursuant to subsection 12 of the compact
that is of general applicability, implements, interprets,
or prescribes a policy or provision of the compact, or an
organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of
the interstate commission, and has the force and effect of
statutory law in a member state, and includes the amendment,
repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.
p. "^"State" means any state, commonwealth, district, or
territory of the United States.
g, '*'State of principal license'' means a member state where
a podiatric physician holds a license to practice podiatric
medicine and which has been designated by such a podiatric
physician for purposes of registration and participation in the
compact.
3. Eligibility.
a, A podiatric physician must meet the eligibility
requirements as defined in subsection 2, paragraph , to
receive an expedited licensure under the terms and provisions
of the compact.
b, A podiatric physician who does not meet the requirements
of subsection 2, paragraph ^m", may obtain a license to practice
podiatric medicine in a member state if the individual complies
with all laws and requirements, other than the compact,
relating to the issuance of a license to practice podiatric
medicine in that state.
4. Designation of state of principal license,
a, A podiatric physician shall designate a member state as
the state of principal license for purposes of registration
for expedited licensure through the compact if the podiatric
physician possesses a full and unrestricted license to practice
podiatric medicine in that state, and the state is any of the
following:
(1) The state of principal residence for the podiatric
physician.
(2) The state where at least twenty-five percent of the
podiatric physician's practice of podiatric medicine occurs.
(3) The location of the podiatric physician's employer.
House File 2498, p. 5
(4) If no state qualifies under subparagraph (1), (2), or
(3), the state designated as state of residence for purpose of
federal income tax.
b. A podiatric physician may redesignate a member state as
state of principal license at any time, so long as the state
meets the requirements of paragraph ,
c. The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules
to facilitate redesignation of another member state as the
state of principal license.
5. Application and issuance of expedited licensure,
a. A podiatric physician seeking licensure through the
compact shall file an application for an expedited license
with the member board of the state selected by the podiatric
physician as the state of principal license.
b. Upon receipt of an application for an expedited license,
the member board within the state selected as the state
of principal license shall evaluate whether the podiatric
physician is eligible for expedited licensure and issue a
letter of qualification, verifying or denying the podiatric
physician's eligibility to, and in the manner established
through rule by, the interstate commission.
(1) Static qualifications, which include verification
of podiatric medical education, podiatric graduate medical
education, results of any podiatric medical licensing
examination, and other qualifications as determined by the
interstate commission through rule, shall not be subject to
additional primary source verification where already primary
source verified by the state of principal license.
(2) The member board within the state selected as the
state of principal license shall, in the course of verifying
eligibility, perform a criminal background check of an
applicant, including the use of results of fingerprint or other
biometric data checks compliant with the requirements of the
federal bureau of investigation with the exception of federal
employees who have a suitability determination in accordance
with 5 C.F.R. §731.202.
(a) Communication between a member board and the interstate
commission and communication between member boards regarding
the verification of eligibility in subsection 3 through the
House File 2498r p. 6
compact shall not include any information received from the
federal bureau of investigation relating to a federal criminal
records check performed by a member board under Pub, L. No.
92-544, including federal criminal records check information.
(b) Federal bureau of investigation information obtained
by a member board shall not be shared with the interstate
commission.
(3) Appeal of the determination of eligibility shall be made
to the member state where the application was filed and shall
be subject to the law of that state.
c. Upon receipt by a member board of verification
as provided in paragraph of a podiatric physician's
eligibility for an expedited license, the podiatric physician
shall complete the registration process established by the
interstate commission to receive a license in a member state
selected pursuant to paragraph , including the payment of any
applicable fees.
d. After receiving verification of eligibility under
paragraph and any fees under paragraph a member board
shall issue an expedited license to the podiatric physician.
This license shall authorize the podiatric physician to
practice podiatric medicine in the issuing state consistent
with the podiatric medical practice act and all applicable laws
and regulations of the issuing member board and member state.
e. An expedited license shall be valid for a period
consistent with the licensure period in the member state and
in the same manner as required for other podiatric physicians
holding a full and unrestricted license within the member
state.
f. An expedited license obtained through the compact
shall be terminated if a podiatric physician fails to
maintain a license in the state of principal licensure for a
nondisciplinary reason, without redesignation of a new state
of principal licensure.
g. The interstate commission is authorized to develop
rules regarding the application process, including payment
of any applicable fees, and the reporting of the issuance
of an expedited license by a member board to the interstate
commission,
House File 2498, p. 7
6. Fees for expedited licensure.
a. A member state issuing an expedited license authorizing
the practice of podiatric medicine in that state may impose a
fee for a license issued or renewed through the compact.
b. The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules
regarding fees for expedited licenses.
7. Renewal and continued participation,
a, A podiatric physician seeking to renew an expedited
license granted in a member state shall complete a renewal
process with the interstate commission if the podiatric
physician meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Maintains a full and unrestricted license in a state of
principal license.
(2) Has not been convicted, received adjudication, deferred
adjudication, community supervision, or deferred disposition
for any offense by a court of appropriate jurisdiction.
(3) Has not had a license authorizing the practice of
podiatric medicine subject to discipline by a licensing agency
in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction, or voluntarily
surrendered such license in lieu of discipline, excluding any
action related to nonpayment of fees related to a license.
(4) Has not had a controlled substance license or permit
suspended or revoked by a state or the United States drug
enforcement administration or voluntarily surrendered such
license or permit after notification of investigation.
b» Podiatric physicians shall comply with all continuing
professional development or continuing medical education
requirements for renewal of a license issued by a member state.
c. The interstate commission shall collect any renewal fees
charged for the renewal of a license and distribute the fees
to the applicable member board.
d. Upon receipt of any renewal fees collected pursuant
to paragraph a member board shall renew the podiatric
physician's license.
e. Podiatric physician information collected by the
interstate commission during the renewal process shall be
distributed to all member boards.
f. The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules
to address renewal of licenses obtained through the compact.
House File 2498, p. 8
8. Coordinated information system,
a. The interstate commission shall establish a database
of all podiatric physicians licensed, or who have applied for
licensure, pursuant to subsection 5*
b. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
contrary, member boards shall report to the interstate
commission any public action or public complaints against a
licensed podiatric physician who has applied or received an
expedited license through the compact.
c. Member boards shall report disciplinary or investigatory
information determined necessary and proper by rule of the
interstate commission.
d. Member boards may report any nonpublic complaint,
disciplinary, or investigatory information not required by
paragraph "'V to the interstate commission.
e. Member boards shall share complaint or disciplinary
information about a podiatric physician upon request of another
member board.
f. All information provided to the interstate commission or
distributed by member boards shall be confidential, filed under
seal, and used only for investigatory or disciplinary matters.
g. The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules
for mandated or discretionary sharing of information by member
boards.
9. Joint investigations.
a. Licensure and disciplinary records of podiatric
physicians are deemed investigative.
b. In addition to the authority granted to a member board
by its respective podiatric medical practice act or other
applicable state law, a member board may participate with other
member boards in joint investigations of podiatric physicians
licensed by the member boards.
c. A subpoena issued by a member state as part of a joint
investigation shall be enforceable in other member states.
d. Member boards may share any investigative, litigation, or
compliance materials in furtherance of any joint or individual
investigation initiated under the compact.
e. Any member state may investigate an actual or alleged
violation of the statutes authorizing the practice of podiatric
House File 2498f p. 9
medicine in any other member state in which a podiatric
physician holds a license to practice podiatric medicine.
10. Disciplinary actions,
a. Any conduct for which any disciplinary action is taken by
any member board against a podiatric physician licensed through
the compact shall be deemed unprofessional conduct which may
be subject to discipline by other member boards, in addition
to any violation of the podiatric medical practice act or
regulations in that state.
b. If a license granted to a podiatric physician by a member
board in the state of principal license is revoked, surrendered
or relinquished in lieu of discipline, or suspended, then all
licenses issued to the podiatric physician by member boards
shall automatically be placed, without further action necessary
by any member board, on the same status. If the member board
in the state of principal license subsequently reinstates
the podiatric physician's license, a license issued to the
podiatric physician by any other member board shall remain
encumbered until that respective member board takes action to
reinstate the license in a manner consistent with the podiatric
medical practice act of that state.
c. If disciplinary action is taken against a podiatric
physician by a member board not in a state of principal
license, any other member board may deem the action conclusive
as to matters of law and fact decided and do any of the
following;
(1) Impose the same or lesser sanction against the podiatric
physician so long as such sanctions are consistent with the
podiatric medical practice act of that state.
(2) Pursue separate disciplinary action against the
podiatric physician under its respective podiatric medical
practice act, regardless of the action taken in other member
states.
d. If a license granted to a podiatric physician by a
member board is revoked, surrendered or relinquished in
lieu of discipline, or suspended, then any license issued
to a podiatric physician by any other member board shall be
suspended, automatically and immediately without further action
necessary by the other member board for ninety days upon
House File 2498, p. 10
entry of the order by the disciplining board, to permit the
member board to investigate the basis for the action under the
podiatric medical practice act of that state.
e, A member board may terminate the automatic suspension
under paragraph or V of a license it issued, in a manner
consistent with the podiatric medical practice act of that
state.
11. Interstate podiatric medical licensure compact
commission,
a. The member states hereby create the interstate podiatric
medical licensure compact commission.
b. The purpose of the interstate commission is the
administration of the interstate podiatric medical licensure
compact, which is a discretionary state function.
c. The interstate commission shall be a body corporate
and joint agency of the member states and shall have all the
responsibilities, powers, and duties set forth in the compact,
and such additional powers as may be conferred upon it by a
subsequent concurrent action of the respective legislatures of
the member states in accordance with the terms of the compact.
d. The interstate commission shall consist of one voting
representative appointed by each member state who shall
serve as a commissioner. A commissioner shall be any of the
following;
(1) A podiatric physician appointed to a member board.
(2) An executive director, executive secretary, or similar
executive of a member board.
(3) A member of the public appointed to a member board.
e. The interstate commission shall meet at least once each
calendar year. A portion of this meeting shall be a business
meeting to address such matters as may properly come before
the commission, including the election of officers. The
chairperson may call additional meetings and shall call for a
meeting upon the request of a majority of the member states.
f. The bylaws may provide for meetings of the interstate
commission to be conducted, in whole or in part, via
teleconference, video conference, or other electronic means by
which all participants can hear each other simultaneously and
participate effectively. Attendance by such electronic means
House File 2498, p. 11
shall constitute presence in person at the meeting,
g. Each commissioner participating at a meeting of the
interstate commission is entitled to one vote, A majority of
commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws
of the interstate commission. A commissioner shall not
delegate a vote to another commissioner. In the absence of its
commissioner, a member state may delegate voting authority for
a specified meeting to another person from that state who shall
meet the requirements of paragraph
h. The interstate commission shall provide public notice
of all meetings and all meetings shall be open to the public.
The interstate commission may close a meeting, in full or
in portion, where it determines by a two-thirds vote of the
commissioners present that any open meeting would be likely to
do any of the following:
(1) Relate solely to the internal personnel practice and
procedures of the interstate commission,
(2) Discuss matters specifically exempted from disclosure
by federal statute.
(3) Discuss a trade secret, commercial, or financial
information that is privileged or confidential.
(4) Involve accusing a person of a crime, or formally
censuring a person.
(5) Discuss information of a personal nature where
disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy.
(6) Discuss investigative records compiled for law
enforcement purposes.
(7) Specifically relate to the participation in a civil
action or other legal proceeding,
i. The interstate commission shall keep minutes which shall
fully describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall
provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, including
record of any roll call votes.
j. The interstate commission shall make its information
and official records, to the extent not otherwise designated
in the compact or by its rules, available to the public for
inspection.
House File 2498, p. 12
k. The interstate commission shall establish an executive
committee, which shall include officers, members, and others as
determined by the bylaws. The executive committee shall have
the power to act on behalf of the interstate commission with
the exception of rulemaking, during periods when the interstate
commission is not in session. When acting on behalf of the
interstate commission, the executive committee shall oversee
the administration of the compact, including enforcement and
compliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws and
rules, and other such duties as necessary.
i. The interstate commission shall establish other
committees for governance and administration of the compact.
12. Powers and duties of the interstate commission. The
interstate commission shall have all of the following powers
and duties:
a. Oversee and maintain the administration of the compact.
b. Promulgate rules which shall be binding to the extent and
in the manner provided for in the compact.
c. Issue, upon the request of a member state or
member board, advisory opinions concerning the meeting or
interpretation of the compact, its bylaws, rules, and actions.
d. Enforce compliance with compact provisions, the rules
promulgated by the interstate commission, and the bylaws, using
all necessary and proper means, including but not limited to
the use of judicial process.
e. Establish and appoint committees including but not
limited to an executive committee as required by subsection 11,
which shall have the power to act on behalf of the interstate
commission in carrying out its powers and duties.
f. Pay, or provide for the payment of the expenses related
to the establishment, organization, and ongoing activities of
the interstate commission.
g. Establish and maintain one or more offices.
h. Borrow, accept, hire, or contract for services of
personnel.
i. Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.
j. Employ an executive director who shall have the power to
employ, select or appoint employees, agents, consultants, and
to determine their qualifications, define their duties, and fix
House File 2498r P* 13
their compensation.
k. Establish personnel policies and programs relating to
conflicts of interest, rates of compensation, and qualification
of personnel.
1, Accept donations and grants of money, equipment,
supplies, materials, and services to receive, utilize, and
dispose of it in a manner consistent with the conflict of
interest policies established by the interstate commission.
m. Lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or
otherwise to own, hold, improve, or use, any property, real,
personal, or mixed.
n. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon,
or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed,
o. Establish a budget and make expenditures,
p. Adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and
operation of the interstate commission.
q. Report annually to the legislatures and governors of
the member states concerning the activities of the interstate
commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall also
include reports of financial audits, and financial statements,
and any recommendations that may have been adopted by the
interstate commission.
r. Coordinate education, training, and public awareness
regarding the compact, its implementation, and its operation.
s. Maintain records in accordance with the bylaws.
t. Seek and obtain trademarks, copyrights, and patents.
Perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate
to achieve the purpose of the compact.
13. Finance powers,
a. The interstate commission may levy on and collect an
annual assessment from each member state to cover the cost of
the operations and activities of the interstate commission and
its staff. The total assessment must be sufficient to cover
the annual budget approved each year for which revenue is not
provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment
amount shall be allocated upon a formula to be determined
by the interstate commission, which shall promulgate a rule
binding upon all member states.
b. The interstate commission shall not incur obligations of
House File 2498, p> 14
any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same.
c. The interstate commission shall not pledge the credit or
any of the member states, except by, and with the authority of,
the member state.
d. The interstate commission shall maintain financial
records in accordance with the bylaws, including profit and
loss statements and balance sheet reports which shall be
included in the annual report of the interstate commission.
14. Organization and operation of the interstate commission»
a. The interstate commission shall, by a majority of
commissioners present and voting, adopt bylaws to govern its
conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the
purposes of the compact within twelve months of the first
interstate commission meeting.
b. The interstate commission shall elect or appoint annually
from among its commissioners a chairperson, a vice chairperson,
and a treasurer, each of whom shall have such authority and
duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson,
or in the chairperson's absence or disability, the vice
chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the interstate
commission•
c. Officers selected pursuant to paragraph shall serve
without remuneration from the interstate commission.
d. The officers and employees of the interstate commission
shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally
or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or
loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability
caused or arising out of, or relating to, an actual or alleged
act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such person
had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the
scope of the interstate commission employment, duties, or
responsibilities; provided that such person shall not be
protected from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury,
or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton
misconduct of such person.
e. The liability of the executive director and employees of
the interstate commission or representatives of the interstate
commission, acting within the scope of such person's employment
or duties for acts, errors, or omissions occurring within such
House File 2498, p. 15
person's state, may not exceed the limits of liability set
forth under the constitution and laws of that state for state
officials, employees, and agents. The interstate commission
is considered to be an instrumentality of the states for the
purpose of such action. Nothing in this paragraph shall be
construed to protect such person from suit or liability for
damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or
willful and wanton misconduct of such person.
f. The interstate commission shall defend the executive
director, its employees, and subject to the approval of
the attorney general or other appropriate legal counsel of
the member state represented by the interstate commission
representative, shall defend such interstate commission
representative in any civil action seeking to impose liability
arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission
that occurred within the scope of interstate commission
employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the defendant
had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the
scope of the interstate commission employment, duties, or
responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act,
error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful
and wanton misconduct on the part of such person.
g. To the extent not covered by the state involved, member
state, or the interstate commission, the representatives or
employees of the interstate commission shall be held harmless
in the amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorney
fees and costs, obtained against such persons arising out of an
actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within
the scope of the interstate commission employment, duties,
or responsibilities, or that such persons had a reasonable
basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate
commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided
that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not
result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the
part of such person.
15. Rulemaking functions of the interstate commission.
a. The interstate commission shall promulgate rules in
order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purpose of
the compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the
House File 2498, p. 16
interstate commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a
manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of the compact,
or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the
interstate commission shall be invalid and have no force or
effect.
b. Rules deemed appropriate for the operations of the
interstate commission shall be made pursuant to the rulemaking
process that substantially conforms to the model state
administrative procedure Act of 2010, and subsequent amendments
thereto.
c. Not later than thirty days after a rule is promulgated,
any person may file a petition for judicial review of the
rule in the United States district court for the District
of Columbia or the federal district where the interstate
commission has its principal office, provided that the filing
of such a petition shall not stay or otherwise prevent the
rule from becoming effective unless the court finds that the
petitioner has a substantial likelihood of success. The
court shall give deference to the actions of the interstate
commission consistent with applicable law and shall not find
the rule to be unlawful if the rule represents a reasonable
exercise of the authority granted to the interstate commission.
16. Oversight of interstate compact,
a. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches
of state government in each member state shall enforce the
compact and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to
effectuate the compact's purposes and intent. The provisions
of the compact and the rules promulgated hereunder shall have
standing as statutory law but shall not override existing state
authority to regulate the practice of podiatric medicine.
b. All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and
the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a
member state pertaining to the subject matter of the compact
which may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of
the interstate commission.
c. The interstate commission shall be entitled to receive
all service of process in any such proceeding, and shall have
standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes.
Failure to provide service of process to the interstate
House File 2498, p. 17
commission shall render judgment or order void as to the
interstate commission, the compact, or promulgated rules.
17. Enforcement of interstate compact.
a. The interstate commission, in the reasonable exercise of
its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of the
compact.
b. The interstate commission may, by majority vote of
the commissioners present and voting, initiate legal action
in the United States district court for the District of
Columbia, or, at the discretion of the interstate commission,
in federal district court where the interstate commission has
its principal office, to enforce compliance with the provisions
of the compact, and its promulgated rules and bylaws, against
a member state in default. The relief sought may include
both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial
enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded
all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney
fees.
c. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies
of the interstate commission. The interstate commission may
avail itself of any other remedies available under state law
or regulation of a profession.
18. Default procedures.
a. The grounds for default include but are not limited
to failure of a member board to perform such obligations or
responsibilities imposed upon it by the compact, or the rules
and bylaws of the interstate commission promulgated under the
compact,
b. If the interstate commission determines that a member
state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations
or responsibilities under the compact, or the bylaws or
promulgated rules, the interstate commission shall do all of
the following:
(1) Provide written notice to the defaulting state and
other member states, of the nature of the default, the means
of curing the default, and any action taken by the interstate
commission. The interstate commission shall specify the
conditions by which the defaulting state must cure its default.
(2) Provide remedial training and specific technical
House File 2498, p. 18
assistance regarding the default.
c. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default,
the defaulting state shall be terminated from the compact
upon an affirmative vote of the majority of the commissioners
present and voting, and all rights, privileges, and benefits
conferred by the compact shall terminate on the effective date
of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the
offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during
the period of default.
d. Termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed
only after all other means of securing compliance have been
exhausted. Notice of intent to terminate shall be given by
the interstate commission to the governor, the majority and
minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, and
each of the member states.
e. The interstate commission shall establish rules and
procedures to address licenses and podiatric physicians that
are materially impacted by the termination of a member state,
or the withdrawal of a member state.
f. The member state which has been terminated is responsible
for all dues, obligations, and liabilities incurred through
the effective date of termination including obligations, the
performance of which extends beyond the effective date of
termination.
g. The interstate commission shall not bear any costs
relating to any state that has been found to be in default or
which has been terminated from the compact, unless otherwise
mutually agreed upon in writing between the interstate
commission and the defaulting state.
h. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the
interstate commission by petitioning the United States district
court for the District of Columbia or the federal district
court where the interstate commission has its principal office.
The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of litigation
including reasonable attorney fees.
19. Dispute resolution,
a. The interstate commission shall attempt, upon the request
of a member state, to resolve disputes which are subject to the
compact and which arise among member states or member boards.
House Pile 2498f p. 19
b» The interstate commission shall promulgate rules
providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution as
appropriate.
20. Member states, effective date, and amendment,
a. Any state is eligible to become a member of the compact.
b» The compact shall become effective and binding upon
legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than
four states. Thereafter, it shall become effective and binding
on a state upon enactment of the compact into law by that
state.
c. The governors of nonmember states, or their designees,
shall be welcome to participate in the activities of the
interstate commission on a nonvoting basis prior to adoption
of the compact by all states.
d. The interstate commission may propose amendments to the
compact for enactment by the member states. No amendment shall
become effective and binding upon the interstate commission and
other member states unless and until it is enacted into law by
unanimous consent of the member states.
21. ffi thdra wal.
a. Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and
remain binding upon each and every member state; provided that
a member state may withdraw from the compact by specifically
repealing the statute which enacted the compact into law.
b. Withdrawal from the compact shall be by the enactment
of a statute repealing the same, but shall not take effect
until one year after the effective date of such statute and
until written notice of the withdrawal has been given by the
withdrawing state to the governor of each member state.
a. The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the
chairperson of the interstate commission in writing upon the
introduction of legislation repealing the compact in the
withdrawing state.
d. The interstate commission shall notify the other member
states of the withdrawing state's intent to withdraw within
sixty days of its receipt of notice provided pursuant to
paragraph .
e. The withdrawing state is responsible for all dues,
obligations, and liabilities incurred throughout the effective
House File 2498, p. 20
date of withdrawal, including obligations, the performance of
which extend beyond the effective date of withdrawal.
Reinstatement following withdrawal of a member state
shall occur upon the withdrawing date reenacting the compact
or upon such later date as determined by the interstate
commission.
g. The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules
to address the impact of the withdrawal of a member state on
licenses granted in other member states to podiatric physicians
who designated the withdrawing member state as the state of
principal license.
22. Dissolution,
a. The compact shall be dissolved effective upon the date of
the withdrawal or default of the member state which reduces the
membership of the compact to one member state.
b. Upon the dissolution of the compact, the compact becomes
null and void and shall be of no further force or effect, and
the business and affairs of the interstate commission shall be
concluded, and surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance
with the bylaws.
23. Severability and construction,
a. The provisions of the compact shall be severable,
and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision is deemed
unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall
be enforceable.
b. The provisions of the compact shall be liberally
construed to effectuate its purposes.
c. Nothing in the compact shall be construed to prohibit the
applicability of other interstate compacts to which the member
states are members.
24. Binding effect of compact and other laws,
a. Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law
of a member state that is not inconsistent with the compact.
b. All laws in a member state in conflict with the compact
are superseded to the extent of the conflict.
c. All lawful actions of the interstate commission,
including all rules and bylaws promulgated by the commission,
are binding upon all member states.
House File 2498, p. 21
d. All agreements between the interstate commission and the
member states are binding in accordance with their terms.
e. In the event of any provision of the compact that exceeds
the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any
member state, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent
of the conflict with the constitutional provision in question
in that member state.
PAT GRASSL]
Speaker 07 the House
AMY SIN^fAIR
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and
is known as House File 2498, Ninety-first General Assembly.
lfy/vin/yA<r\MEC^N NELSON
ChiefiClerk^^the House
Approved , 2026
KIM ^^NOLDS
Governor