Definition: An advisory opinion  is an  opinion  issued by a court or a commission (like an election commission) that does not have the effect of adjudicating a specific legal  case, but merely advises on the constitutionality or interpretation of a law.

USE: While most cases require consultation or clarification, an advisory may be requested by member states for a formal legal review regarding the compact statute or regulations. Since January 2011, the Commission has issued twenty-three opinions.

PROCESS: Member states may submit a request with the case details and rule(s) in question to the Executive Director (ED) for consideration. If approved, the ED and General Counsel will craft and submit the advisory to the Executive Committee (EXCOM) for approval at their monthly meeting prior to dissemination to the Commission and posting on the MIC3 website.