reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 56-129.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 6 - Transportation Companies Generally|§ 56-129.1. Participation in the Federal Railroad Administration Safety and Inspection Program

The State Corporation Commission shall have the authority to participate in carrying out safety inspection activities in connection with any rule, regulation, order, or standard prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation of the United States under the authority of the Federal Railroad Safety Act (49 U.S.C. § 20101 et seq.) as delegated to the Commonwealth by the Federal Railroad Administration, provided that the Commission shall comply with all the requirements imposed by the United States Code. The Commission shall employ such expert, professional or other assistance as is necessary to carry out the activities authorized by this section. Safety inspectors shall attain the Federal Railroad Administration qualifications necessary to qualify the Commonwealth for federal funds. A maximum of $200,000 paid to the State Corporation Commission under §§ 58.1-2660 through 58.1-2662 shall be allocated to this program.The Commission shall have the authority to adopt such rules in conformance with the Federal Railroad Safety Act that are necessary for the promulgation of railroad safety within the Commonwealth.1981, c. 363; 1987, c. 145; 1996, cc. 114, 157.
VA Code § 56-130 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 6 - Transportation Companies Generally|§ 56-130. Penalty for failure to make necessary repairs, etc.

If any railroad, or other railroad company, when directed by a valid order of the Commission, refuses or fails to comply with any requirement imposed pursuant to § 56-129.1, such company shall, in the discretion of the Commission, be fined in accordance with federal guidelines.Code 1919, § 3932; 1996, cc. 114, 157.
VA Code § 56-131 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 6 - Transportation Companies Generally|§ 56-131. Accident Investigation and Reporting

The Commission shall investigate the cause of any accident on any railroad which, in its judgment, requires investigation. The Commission shall require every common carrier by railroad doing business in this Commonwealth to file all reports required by the Federal Railroad Administration pursuant to the Federal Accidents Reports Act and regulations issued pursuant thereto to the Commission at its office in Richmond, Virginia, provided that neither such report nor any part thereof shall be admitted as evidence in any suit or action for damages growing out of any matter mentioned in such report.Code 1919, § 3737; 1996, cc. 114, 157.
VA Code § 56-140 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 6 - Transportation Companies Generally|§ 56-140. Penalty for violation of chapter, orders, rules or regulations

Any transportation company which violates any of the provisions of this chapter, or refuses to conform to or obey any lawful rule, order, or regulation of the Commission relating to the provisions of this chapter, may, when not otherwise provided in this chapter, be fined by the Commission, in its discretion, in a sum not exceeding $500 for each offense, and each day such company continues to violate any provision of this chapter, or continues to refuse to obey or perform any lawful rule, order, or regulation prescribed by the Commission, shall be a separate offense.Code 1919, § 3925.
VA Code § 56-231.17 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.17. Articles of incorporation

A. The articles of incorporation mentioned in § 56-231.16 shall be entitled and endorsed "Articles of Incorporation of the........ Electric Cooperative" or "Articles of Incorporation of the........ Utility Consumer Services Cooperative" (the blank space being filled in with the distinguishing part of the name of the cooperative) and shall state:1. The name of the cooperative, which name need not contain the word "corporation" or "incorporated" but shall be such as to distinguish it from any other cooperative.2. To the extent it conducts regulated electric distribution operations, a reasonable designation of the territory in which such operations are principally to be conducted.3. The location of its principal office and post office address thereof.4. The maximum number of directors, which shall be not less than five.5. The names and post office addresses of the directors who are to manage the affairs of the cooperative for the first year of its existence, or until their successors are chosen.6. The period, if any, limited for the duration of the cooperative.7. The terms and conditions upon which persons shall be admitted to membership in the cooperative, and in the case of a cooperative incorporating with capital stock, a statement of the maximum and minimum amount of the capital stock of the cooperative and its division into shares.8. In the case of a cooperative incorporating on or after July 1, 1999, the registered office and registered agent of the cooperative.B. The articles of incorporation may also contain any provision not inconsistent with law or the provisions of Chapters 9 (§ 13.1-601 et seq.) and 10 (§ 13.1-801 et seq.) of Title 13.1 which the incorporators may choose to insert for the regulation of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the cooperative; and any provision as to the plan of financial organization, or relating to the internal regulation or government of the cooperative, its directors and members; provided, however, that subsections D through G of § 13.1-620 and subdivision 1 of § 13.1-825 shall not apply to any affiliate or subsidiary of a cooperative.1999, c. 874.
VA Code § 56-231.18 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.18. Name of other corporations not to include term "electric cooperative" or "utility consumer services cooperative."

The words "electric cooperative" or "utility consumer services cooperative" shall not be used in the corporate name of corporations other than (i) those subject to the provisions of this chapter, (ii) nonstock corporations of which cooperatives are members, and (iii) corporations, all of the stock of which is owned by cooperatives.1999, c. 874; 2000, cc. 944, 999.
VA Code § 56-231.19 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.19. Filing articles of incorporation; effect thereof; other provisions of law applicable

The natural persons executing the articles of incorporation shall be residents of the territory in which the principal operations of the cooperative are to be conducted who intend to use utility services to be furnished by the cooperative. The articles of incorporation shall be subscribed by at least five such persons and acknowledged by them before an officer authorized by the law of this Commonwealth to take and certify acknowledgments of deeds and conveyances. When so acknowledged the articles shall be filed in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 (§ 13.1-618 et seq.) of Chapter 9 or Article 3 (§ 13.1-818 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of Title 13.1. When so filed the articles of incorporation, or certified copies thereof, shall be received in all the courts of this Commonwealth and elsewhere as prima facie evidence of the facts contained therein, and of the due incorporation of such cooperative. All of the provisions of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (§ 13.1-601 et seq.), and the Virginia Nonstock Corporation Act (§ 13.1-801 et seq.), insofar as not inconsistent with this article are hereby made applicable to such stock and nonstock cooperatives, respectively; provided, however, that subsections D through G of § 13.1-620 and subdivision 1 of § 13.1-825 shall not apply to any affiliate or subsidiary of a cooperative. When the charter is filed in the office of the State Corporation Commission, the proposed cooperative described therein, under its designated name, shall be and constitute a body corporate, and, with respect to its providing regulated utility services, with all of the applicable powers provided for in § 56-49. A cooperative formed prior to July 1, 1999, need not have a registered office or registered agent. A stock or nonstock cooperative formed thereafter shall comply with § 13.1-634 or § 13.1-833, respectively.1999, c. 874.
VA Code § 56-231.21 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.21. Dissolution and termination of cooperatives

A stock or nonstock cooperative may be dissolved in the manner prescribed by Article 16 (§ 13.1-742 et seq.) of Chapter 9 or Article 13 (§ 13.1-902 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of Title 13.1, respectively.1999, c. 874.
VA Code § 56-231.22 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.22. Charter amendments

A cooperative may amend its articles of incorporation to change its corporate name, to increase or reduce the number of its directors or change any other provision therein; however, no cooperative shall amend its articles of incorporation to embody therein any purpose, power or provision which would not be authorized if original articles including such additional or changed purpose, power or provision were offered for filing at the time articles under this section are offered. Such amendment may be accomplished in the method prescribed in Chapters 9 (§ 13.1-601 et seq.) and 10 (§ 13.1-801 et seq.) of Title 13.1.1999, c. 874.
VA Code § 56-231.23 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.23. General powers granted

Each cooperative formed under this article shall have power to do any and all lawful acts or things including, but not limited to the power:1. To produce, generate, gather, store, transport, transmit, distribute, buy and sell energy and energy-related products.2. To sue and be sued.3. To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure.4. To acquire, hold and dispose of property, real and personal, tangible and intangible, or interests therein and to pay therefor in cash or property or on credit, and to secure and procure payment of all or any part of the purchase price thereof on such terms and conditions as the board shall determine.5. To render service and to acquire, own, operate, maintain and improve a system or systems.6. To accept gifts or grants of money or of property, real or personal, from any person, municipality or federal agency and to accept voluntary or uncompensated services.7. To sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise encumber or dispose of all or any parts of its property, as hereinafter provided.8. To contract debts, borrow money and to issue or assume the payment of bonds, and other obligations.9. To fix, maintain and collect reasonable fees, rents, tolls and other charges for service rendered.10. To exercise, with respect to its providing regulated utility service, all the powers set forth in § 56-49, including the power of eminent domain as prescribed for other public service corporations by general law.11. To assist its members and nonmember customers, by loans or otherwise, in the acquisition by them of such installation and wiring, and the obtaining of such machinery, equipment and appliances, as will enable them to secure the greatest benefit from the use of utility services supplied by the cooperative.12. To issue nonassessable nonvoting common and preferred capital stock or similar securities and pay dividends thereon.13. To become a member or stockholder in one or more other cooperatives or corporations created to engage in any business not prohibited by law, including, but not limited to, other types of public service company business.14. To perform any and all of the foregoing acts and do any and all of the foregoing things under, through or by means of its own officers, agents and employees, or by contracts with any person, federal agency or municipality.1999, c. 874; 2000, cc. 944, 999.
VA Code § 56-231.24 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.24. Power to dispose of property

No cooperative may sell, lease or dispose of all or substantially all of its property (other than property which, in the judgment of the board, is neither necessary nor useful in operating and maintaining the cooperative's system and which in any one year shall not exceed fifty percent in value of the value of all the property of the cooperative, or merchandise), unless authorized to do so by the votes of at least a two-thirds majority of its members; however, a cooperative (i) may mortgage, finance (including, without limitation, pursuant to a sale and leaseback or lease and leaseback transaction), or otherwise encumber its assets by a vote of at least two-thirds of its board of directors; (ii) may sell or transfer its assets to another cooperative upon the vote of a majority of its members at any regular or special meeting if the notice of such meeting contains a copy of the terms of the proposed sale or transfer; (iii) may sell or transfer distribution system facilities to a city or town at any time following the annexation of additional territory pursuant to § 56-265.4:2 by a vote of at least two-thirds of its board of directors; or (iv) may sell, lease or dispose of its property to an affiliate pursuant to a plan approved by the Commission in accordance with subsection B of § 56-590 by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board.1999, c. 874; 2000, cc. 944, 999.
VA Code § 56-231.25 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.25. Power to issue obligations

A cooperative shall have power and is hereby authorized, from time to time, to issue its obligations for any corporate purpose. Such obligations may be authorized by resolution of the board, and may bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear such interest, be payable at such times, be in such denominations, be in such form, either coupon or registered, carry such registration privileges, be executed in such manner, be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, and be subject to such terms of redemption, as such resolution may provide. Such obligations may be sold in such manner and upon such terms as the board may determine. Pending the preparation or execution of definitive bonds, or obligations, interim receipts or certificates of temporary bonds may be delivered to the purchaser of such obligations.1999, c. 874; 2000, cc. 944, 999.
VA Code § 56-231.26 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.26. Covenants in connection with obligations

In connection with the issuance of any obligations a cooperative may make covenants or agreements and do any and all acts or things that a corporation can make or do under the laws of this Commonwealth.1999, c. 874.
VA Code § 56-231.27 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.27. Power to purchase its own obligations

A cooperative may purchase any obligation issued by it.1999, c. 874; 2000, cc. 944, 999.
VA Code § 56-231.28 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.28. Board of directors of cooperatives

Each cooperative shall have a board of directors of five or more members, which board shall constitute the governing body of the cooperative. Only members and the officers, directors or employees of any member shall be eligible for election to the board of directors. The directors, other than those named in the articles of incorporation, shall be elected annually by the members entitled to vote, unless the bylaws provide that, in lieu of electing the whole number of directors annually, the directors shall be divided into two, three or four classes at the first or any subsequent annual meeting. If the bylaws so provide, each class shall be as nearly equal in number as possible, with the term of office of one class to expire every year. If the number of classes changes, then the board of directors shall have authority to determine how directors will be allocated among the new number of classes, provided that no director's term will exceed, without reelection, a number of years equal to the number of classes of directors. The board of directors shall have authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors shall elect annually from their own number a president of the board or a chairman of the board; and one or more vice-presidents of the board, vice-chairmen of the board or both. They may also elect or appoint annually (i) a president of the cooperative, (ii) one or more vice-presidents of the cooperative, (iii) a secretary, (iv) a treasurer, and (v) such other officers as the board deems necessary. No person shall hold any office unless that person is a director or employee of the cooperative. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be held by the same person.1999, c. 874; 2000, cc. 944, 999.
VA Code § 56-231.29 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.29. Powers of board of directors

The board of directors of a cooperative shall have power to do all things necessary or incidental in conducting the business of the cooperative, including, but not limited to the power:1. If authorized by the articles of incorporation, or by resolution of its members having voting power, to adopt and amend bylaws for the management and regulation of the affairs of the cooperative, subject, however, to the right of the members to alter or repeal such bylaws. The bylaws of a cooperative may make provisions, not inconsistent with law or its articles of incorporation, regulating the admission, suspension or expulsion of members; the transfer of membership, the fees and dues of members and the termination of membership on nonpayment of dues or otherwise; the number, times and manner of choosing, qualifications, terms of office, official designations, powers, duties and compensation of its officers and directors; defining a vacancy in the board or in any office and the manner of filling it; the number of members, not less than 2.5 percent of the total number of members, to constitute a quorum at meetings; the date of the annual meeting and the giving of notice thereof and the holding of special meetings and the giving of notice thereof; the terms and conditions upon which the cooperative is to render service to its members; the disposition of the revenues and receipts of the cooperative; and regular and special meetings of the board and the giving of notice thereof.2. To appoint agents and employees and to fix their compensation and the compensation of the officers of the cooperative.3. To execute all instruments.4. To make its own rules and regulations as to its procedure.1999, c. 874.
VA Code § 56-231.30 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.30. Rights and liabilities of members

A. A cooperative may have one or more classes of members. If the cooperative has more than one class of members, the designation of each class and the qualifications and rights of the members of each class shall be set forth in the bylaws of the cooperative.B. A cooperative shall issue to its members certificates of membership and each member shall be entitled to only one vote at the meetings of the members of the cooperative. The liability of each member shall be limited to the unpaid portion of his membership fee or subscription to capital stock, and any unpaid bills for utility services or other services, commodities or merchandise purchased from the cooperative, provided that nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the exposure of any unrefunded patronage capital to the lawful creditors of a cooperative. The equity of members of a nonstock cooperative shall be set by the board in accordance with cooperative principles. A cooperative shall be operated on a not-for-profit basis, with the exception of for-profit affiliates, for the mutual benefit of the members. The bylaws of a cooperative or its contract with the members shall contain such provisions relative to the disposition of margins as may be necessary and appropriate to establish and maintain its nonprofit and cooperative character.1999, c. 874; 2000, cc. 944, 964, 989, 999.
VA Code § 56-231.31 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.31. Payment of certain patronage capital to spouse or next of kin of deceased person

When there is held by any cooperative any patronage capital to the credit of a deceased person, in an amount not exceeding $10,000, upon whose estate there shall have been no qualification, it shall be lawful for such electric cooperative, after 120 days from the death of such person, to pay such balance to his or her spouse, and if none, to his or her next of kin, whose receipt therefor shall be a full discharge and acquittance to such electric cooperative to all persons whomsoever on account of such patronage capital.1999, c. 874.
VA Code § 56-231.31:1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 9.1 - Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives|§ 56-231.31:1. Donation of certain patronage capital to the cooperative

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when there is held by any cooperative any retired patronage capital to the credit of (i) a deceased person who has no spouse or next of kin identified in the records of the cooperative or (ii) a member or former member who has terminated service and who does not have a current address on file with the cooperative, then the bylaws or member agreements of the cooperative may provide that such credits shall be deemed to have been transferred as a gift to the cooperative and shall thereafter be the property of the cooperative; however, after July 1, 1999, such credits may be deemed gifts to the cooperative only if the cooperative publishes notice of such credit in its regular member publication and a publication of general circulation, and such credit is not claimed by such member, former member or next of kin within 120 days of such publication or such longer period as set out in the bylaws or member agreements of the cooperative. If there is no such provision in the cooperative's bylaws or member agreement, or if there is no publication, then any unclaimed credit shall be treated in accordance with the Virginia Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (§ 55.1-2500 et seq.). This section shall apply only to cooperatives organized under or governed by this article for the purpose of providing regulated electric utilities service on a mutual, not-for-profit basis, with a board democratically elected by its member consumers.1999, cc. 939, 940.