                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

POWERS OF THE AUTHORITY (§ 51.5-56)

The Authority is hereby granted all powers necessary or appropriate to carry out
and effectuate its purposes including, but not limited to, the following powers
to:

1. Have perpetual existence as a public body corporate and as a political
subdivision of the Commonwealth;

2. Adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with
this chapter, to regulate its affairs and to carry into effect the powers and
the purposes of the Authority and for the conduct of its business. All
regulations of the Authority shall be promulgated in accordance with the
Administrative Process Act (&#xA7; 2.2-4000 et seq.);

3. Sue and be sued in its name;

4. Have an official seal and alter it at will;

5. Establish, administer, manage, including the creation of reserves, and make
expenditures from the Fund for the sole purpose of providing loans to
individuals with disabilities for the acquisition of assistive technology, other
equipment, or other authorized purposes;

6. Administer the Fund established by this chapter and contract with the State
Treasurer and other state or community-based entities or groups working with
persons with disabilities for such assistance in administering the loan program
as the Board may require;

7. Maintain an office at such place or places within the Commonwealth as it may
designate;

8. Make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary and convenient
for the performance of its duties and the exercise of its powers under this
chapter upon such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, including
contracts with appropriate state or community-based entities or groups dealing
with disabled persons;

9. Employ office personnel, advisers, consultants, professionals and agents as
may be necessary in its judgment, and to fix their compensation. The Board shall
appoint an executive director who is subordinate to the Board, and the Board
shall ensure that the executive director complies with all Board, regulatory,
and statutory directives. Legal services in civil matters shall be rendered and
performed by the Attorney General in accordance with Chapter 5 (&#xA7; 2.2-500
et seq.) of Title 2.2, and special counsel may only be employed with approval
and appointment by the Attorney General or as may otherwise be authorized by
&#xA7; 2.2-510;

10. Procure insurance against any loss in connection with its property and other
assets, including, but not limited to, loans in such amounts and from such
insurers as it may deem advisable;

11. Receive, hold, accept, and administer from any source gifts, grants, aid or
contributions of money, property, labor or other things of value to be held,
used and applied to carry out the purposes of this chapter (subject, however, to
any conditions upon which grants or contributions are made) including, but not
limited to, gifts, grants, bequests of money or devises from any source,
including the federal government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities for
the purposes of this chapter. Unless otherwise restricted by the terms of the
gift or bequest, the Board is authorized to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose
of such money, securities, or other property given or bequeathed to it in
furtherance of its purposes;

12. Borrow money to carry out the purposes of this chapter and to execute
evidences of such indebtedness and to secure the same and to issue negotiable
revenue bonds payable solely from funds pledged for that purpose and to provide
for the payment of the same and for the rights of the holders thereof, provided
that, any moneys borrowed, whether through the use of bonds or other
indebtedness, may be secured or paid solely from funds received pursuant to
subdivision 11 or funds received from the fees and charges imposed by the
Authority pursuant to subdivision 14;

13. Use any fund or funds of the Authority for any and all expenses to be paid
by the Authority including, by way of example, but not by limitation, any and
all expenses for administrative, legal, and other services;

14. Collect fees and charges, as the Authority determines to be reasonable, in
connection with its loans, insurance, guarantees, commitments and servicing
thereof;

15. Take any action necessary or convenient for the exercise of the powers
granted by this chapter or reasonably implied from them; and

16. Maintain the confidentiality of financial, medical, rehabilitative and other
personal information submitted to or maintained by the Authority concerning
applicants for or recipients of loan funds. Such information shall not be
subject to the mandatory disclosure provisions of &#xA7; 2.2-3704 or the public
meeting requirements of &#xA7; 2.2-3711 of the Virginia Freedom of Information
Act.

HISTORY: 1995, c. 812; 2002, c. 19; 2004, c. 728; 2006, cc. 344, 380.