Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 63 Part 1.djvu/312

 PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 246-JUNE 25, 1949 officer or employee. The Commission shall adopt rules and regula- tions for the conduct of its business. It may establish and maintain one or more offices for the transaction of its business and may meet at any time or place but must meet at least once a year. A majority of the members of the Commission representing a majority of the signatory states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its general business, but no action of the Commission imposing any obligation on any signatory state shall be binding unless a majority of the members from such signatory state shall have voted in favor thereof. For the purpose of conducting its general business, voting shall be by state units. The representatives of any two or more member states, upon notice to the Chairman as to the time and purpose of the meeting, may meet as a Section for the discussion of problems common to those states. Sections established by groups of member states shall have the same powers with respect to officers, employees and the maintenance of offices as are granted by this article to the Commission. Sections may adopt such rules, regulations and procedures as may be necessary for the conduct of their business. ARTICLE VIII It shall be the duty of each member state to formulate and put in effect a forest fire plan for that state and to take such measures as may be recommended by the Commission to integrate such forest fire plan with the regional forest fire plan. Whenever the state forest fire control agency of a member state requests aid from the state forest fire control agency of any other member state in combatting, controlling or preventing forest fires, it shall be the duty of the state forest fire control agency of that state to render all possible aid to the requesting agency which is consonant with the maintenance of protection at home. Each signatory state agrees to render aid to the Forest Service or other agencies of the government of the United States in combatting, controlling or preventing forest fires in areas under their jurisdiction located within the member state or a contiguous member state. ART(ICLE IX Whenever the forces of any mermber state are rendering outside aid pursuant to the request of another member state under this compact, the employees of such state shall, under the direction of the officers of the state to which they are rendering aid, have the same powers (except the power of arrest), duties, rights, privileges and immunities as comparable employees of the state to which they are rendering aid. No member state or its officers or employees rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact shall be liable on account of any act or omission on the part of such forces while so engaged, or on account of the maintenance or use of any equipment or supplies in connection therewith. All liability that may arise either under the laws of the requesting state or under the laws of the aiding state or under the laws of a third state on account of or in connection with a request for aid, shall be assumed and borne by the requesting state. Any member state rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact shall be reimbursed by the member state receiving such aid for any loss or damage to, or expense incurred in the operation of any equip- ment answering a request for aid, and for the cost of all materials, transportation, wages, salaries, and maintenance of employees and equipment incurred in connection with such request. Provided, that 274 [63 STAT.

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