{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-231.17.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-231.17.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-231.17.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-231.17.html"}],"law_id":84775,"edition_id":1,"section_id":84775,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.17","catch_line":"Articles of incorporation","history":"1999, c. 874.","full_text":"A\n\nThe articles of incorporation mentioned in \u00a7 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\n\nThe 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\n\nTo the extent it conducts regulated electric distribution operations, a reasonable designation of the territory in which such operations are principally to be conducted.3\n\nThe location of its principal office and post office address thereof.4\n\nThe maximum number of directors, which shall be not less than five.5\n\nThe 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\n\nThe period, if any, limited for the duration of the cooperative.7\n\nThe 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\n\nIn the case of a cooperative incorporating on or after July 1, 1999, the registered office and registered agent of the cooperative.B\n\nThe 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.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":303759,"text":"The articles of incorporation mentioned in \u00a7 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:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":303760,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":303761,"text":"To the extent it conducts regulated electric distribution operations, a reasonable designation of the territory in which such operations are principally to be conducted.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":303762,"text":"The location of its principal office and post office address thereof.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":303763,"text":"The maximum number of directors, which shall be not less than five.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":303764,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":303765,"text":"The period, if any, limited for the duration of the cooperative.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":303766,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":303767,"text":"In the case of a cooperative incorporating on or after July 1, 1999, the registered office and registered agent of the cooperative.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"B"},"9":{"id":303768,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A8"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13548,"edition_id":1,"name":"Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives Act","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13182,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:11","permalink":{"id":251325,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13548,"identifier":"1","token":"56\/9.1\/1","url":"\/56\/9.1\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13182,"edition_id":1,"name":"Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives","identifier":"9.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:24","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:24","permalink":{"id":251323,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13182,"identifier":"9.1","token":"56\/9.1","url":"\/56\/9.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12881,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":248473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12881,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":77567,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.15","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/56-231.15\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.15","metadata":false},{"id":69452,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.16","catch_line":"Organization; purpose","url":"\/56-231.16\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.16","metadata":false},{"id":84775,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.17","catch_line":"Articles of incorporation","url":"\/56-231.17\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.17","metadata":false},{"id":62056,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.18","catch_line":"Name of other corporations not to include term \"electric cooperative\" or \"utility consumer services cooperative.\"","url":"\/56-231.18\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.18","metadata":false},{"id":56649,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.19","catch_line":"Filing articles of incorporation; effect thereof; other provisions of law applicable","url":"\/56-231.19\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.19","metadata":false},{"id":56722,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.20","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-231.20\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.20","metadata":false},{"id":63207,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.21","catch_line":"Dissolution and termination of cooperatives","url":"\/56-231.21\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.21","metadata":false},{"id":83080,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.22","catch_line":"Charter amendments","url":"\/56-231.22\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.22","metadata":false},{"id":72128,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.23","catch_line":"General powers granted","url":"\/56-231.23\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.23","metadata":false},{"id":81307,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.24","catch_line":"Power to dispose of property","url":"\/56-231.24\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.24","metadata":false},{"id":73620,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.25","catch_line":"Power to issue obligations","url":"\/56-231.25\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.25","metadata":false},{"id":82512,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.26","catch_line":"Covenants in connection with obligations","url":"\/56-231.26\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.26","metadata":false},{"id":56541,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.27","catch_line":"Power to purchase its own obligations","url":"\/56-231.27\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.27","metadata":false},{"id":54513,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.28","catch_line":"Board of directors of cooperatives","url":"\/56-231.28\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.28","metadata":false},{"id":55041,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.29","catch_line":"Powers of board of directors","url":"\/56-231.29\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.29","metadata":false},{"id":62265,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.30","catch_line":"Rights and liabilities of members","url":"\/56-231.30\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.30","metadata":false},{"id":63250,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.31","catch_line":"Payment of certain patronage capital to spouse or next of kin of deceased person","url":"\/56-231.31\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.31","metadata":false},{"id":82313,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.31:1","catch_line":"Donation of certain patronage capital to the cooperative","url":"\/56-231.31_1\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.31_1","metadata":false},{"id":59045,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.32","catch_line":"Service to members","url":"\/56-231.32\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.32","metadata":false},{"id":75936,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.33","catch_line":"Adequate service; rates","url":"\/56-231.33\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.33","metadata":false},{"id":66118,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.34","catch_line":"Regulation by Commission","url":"\/56-231.34\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.34","metadata":false},{"id":71119,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.34:1","catch_line":"Separation of regulated and unregulated businesses","url":"\/56-231.34_1\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.34_1","metadata":false},{"id":82749,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.34:2","catch_line":"Right of action; violation of rules or regulations","url":"\/56-231.34_2\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.34_2","metadata":false},{"id":69534,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.35","catch_line":"Charter fees, etc","url":"\/56-231.35\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.35","metadata":false},{"id":58392,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.36","catch_line":"Construction of article; conflicting laws","url":"\/56-231.36\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.36","metadata":false},{"id":85836,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.37","catch_line":"How article cited","url":"\/56-231.37\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.37","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69452,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.16","catch_line":"Organization; purpose","url":"\/56-231.16\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.16","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":62056,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.18","catch_line":"Name of other corporations not to include term \"electric cooperative\" or \"utility consumer services cooperative.\"","url":"\/56-231.18\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.18","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-231.17\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1999. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 874<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":62759,"section_number":"13.1-601","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-601\/"},{"id":63023,"section_number":"13.1-620","catch_line":"Special kinds of business","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-620\/"},{"id":76305,"section_number":"13.1-801","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-801\/"},{"id":79128,"section_number":"13.1-825","catch_line":"Purposes","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-825\/"},{"id":69452,"section_number":"56-231.16","catch_line":"Organization; purpose","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-231.16\/"}],"permalink":{"id":251335,"object_type":"law","relational_id":84775,"identifier":"56-231.17","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.17","url":"\/56-231.17\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-231.17\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.17","dublin_core":{"Title":"Articles of incorporation","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-231.17","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The articles of incorporation mentioned in \u00a7 56-231.16<\/a> shall be entitled and endorsed “Articles of Incorporation of the…….. Electric Cooperative<\/span>” or “Articles of Incorporation of the…….. Utility Consumer Services Cooperative<\/span>” (the blank space being filled in with the distinguishing part of the name of the cooperative<\/span>) and shall state: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The name of the cooperative<\/span>, which name need not contain the word “corporation<\/span>” or “incorporated” but shall be such as to distinguish it from any other cooperative<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To the extent it conducts regulated electric distribution operations, a reasonable designation of the territory in which such operations are principally to be conducted. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The location of its principal office and post office address thereof. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The maximum number of directors, which shall be not less than five. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The names and post office addresses of the directors who are to manage the affairs of the cooperative<\/span> for the first year of its existence, or until their successors are chosen. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The period, if any, limited for the duration of the cooperative<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> The terms and conditions upon which persons<\/span> shall be admitted to membership in the cooperative<\/span>, and in the case of a cooperative<\/span> incorporating with capital stock, a statement of the maximum and minimum amount of the capital stock of the cooperative<\/span> and its division into shares. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> In the case of a cooperative<\/span> incorporating on or after July 1, 1999, the registered office and registered agent of the cooperative<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The articles of incorporation may also contain any provision not inconsistent with law<\/span> or the provisions of Chapters 9 (§ 13.1-601<\/a> et seq.) and 10 (§ 13.1-801<\/a> 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<\/span>; and any provision as to the plan of financial organization, or relating to the internal regulation or government of the cooperative<\/span>, its directors and members<\/span>; provided, however, that subsections D through G of § 13.1-620<\/a> and subdivision 1 of § 13.1-825<\/a> shall not apply to any affiliate<\/span> or subsidiary of a cooperative<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nARTICLES OF INCORPORATION (\u00a7 56-231.17)\n\nA. The articles of incorporation mentioned in \u00a7 56-231.16 shall be entitled and\nendorsed “Articles of Incorporation of the…….. Electric\nCooperative” or “Articles of Incorporation of the……..\nUtility Consumer Services Cooperative” (the blank space being filled in\nwith the distinguishing part of the name of the cooperative) and shall state:\n\n 1. The name of the cooperative, which name need not contain the word\n “corporation” or “incorporated” but shall be such as\n to distinguish it from any other cooperative.\n\n 2. To the extent it conducts regulated electric distribution operations, a\n reasonable designation of the territory in which such operations are\n principally to be conducted.\n\n 3. The location of its principal office and post office address thereof.\n\n 4. The maximum number of directors, which shall be not less than five.\n\n 5. The names and post office addresses of the directors who are to manage the\n affairs of the cooperative for the first year of its existence, or until their\n successors are chosen.\n\n 6. The period, if any, limited for the duration of the cooperative.\n\n 7. The terms and conditions upon which persons shall be admitted to membership\n in the cooperative, and in the case of a cooperative incorporating with\n capital stock, a statement of the maximum and minimum amount of the capital\n stock of the cooperative and its division into shares.\n\n 8. In the case of a cooperative incorporating on or after July 1, 1999, the\n registered office and registered agent of the cooperative.\n\nB. The articles of incorporation may also contain any provision not inconsistent\nwith law or the provisions of Chapters 9 (§ 13.1-601 et seq.) and 10\n(§ 13.1-801 et seq.) of Title 13.1 which the incorporators may choose to\ninsert for the regulation of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the\ncooperative; and any provision as to the plan of financial organization, or\nrelating to the internal regulation or government of the cooperative, its\ndirectors and members; provided, however, that subsections D through G of §\n13.1-620 and subdivision 1 of § 13.1-825 shall not apply to any affiliate\nor subsidiary of a cooperative.\n\nHISTORY: 1999, c. 874.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}