National Plant Board

Western Plant Board Constitutions and By-laws

We, the plant quarantine officials of the Western States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, the Territory of Hawaii, District of Lower California, the Province of British Columbia here assembled in the First Western Plant Quarantine Conference at Riverside, California, May 26 to 31, 1919, for the purpose of discussing quarantine questions pertaining to promulgating and enforcing our various regulations, believing that uniformity of action is conducive to better results in our work, deem it advisable to form an organization for our mutual cooperation and understanding. For this purpose we hereby adopt the following Constitution and By-laws:

Western Plant Board Constitution

Article I.

Section 1. NAME: This organization shall be known as the Western Plant Board

Section 2. MEMBERS: This Board shall be composed of the Plant Quarantine or Inspection Officers from each of the following states, territories, provinces and districts:

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • Oregon
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming
  • Republic of Mexico
  • Province of British Columbia, Canada

Article II.

Section 1. PURPOSE: It shall be the purpose of this organization to secure a greater mutual understanding, closer cooperation and uniformity of action for the efficient protection of our plant industries against plant pests.

Article III.

Section 1. VOTING: Each State or comparable political subdivision holding membership in this organization shall be entitled to one vote.

Article IV.

Section 1. OFFICERS: The officers of this organization shall consist of a chairman, a vice-chairman and a secretary-treasurer to be elected annually.

Section 2. REPRESENTATIVES: There shall be elected two members each to represent this organization on the National Plant Board Executive Committee and on the National Plant Board Advisory Council. The National Plant Board Executive Committee members shall be elected alternate years and shall serve for a term of two years. The National Plant Board Advisory Council members shall be elected each year and shall serve for a term of one year. In the event a duly elected representative to the National Plant Board Executive Committee cannot attend a National Plant Board Meeting or a duly elected representative to the National Plant Board Advisory Council cannot attend an Advisory Council Meeting, the Western Plant Board Executive Committee shall appoint an alternate.

Section 3. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The executive Committee of the Western Plant Board shall consist of the officers and the two representatives to the National Plant Board Executive Committee and it shall function in all matters for the Board in the interim between the meetings

Article V.

Section 1. AMENDMENTS: The Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a three-fourths vote of the states represented, or at any special meeting, provided that the proposed amendments have been submitted to each member thirty days before the meeting.

  1. Name Changed from Western Plant Quarantine Board to Western Plant Board, 1940.
  2. Alaska added to membership June 10, 1948.
  3. Membership changed from District of Lower California to Republic of Mexico, June 19, 1934.
  4. National Plant Board Executive Committee and National Plant Board Advisory Council relationships to Western Plant Board included, April 30, 1981.

Western Plant Board By-Laws

  1. When convened, this Board shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order.
  2. Officers of this Board shall be elected by ballot.
  3. The duties of the officers of this Board shall be such as are ordinarily performed by such officers in similar organizations.
  4. The regular meeting of this Board shall be held during the period of April 1 to May 15 at such time and place as designated by the Executive Committee. (As amended June 1962).
  5. Special meetings shall be called at the discretion of the Executive Committee or upon petition of four or more of the member states.
  6. The By-laws may be amended at any regular meeting by a three-fourths vote of the states represented, or at any special meeting, provided the amendment or amendments have been submitted to each member thirty days before the meeting.

Last Modified: July 07, 2002