Telephone Cooperatives Act

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Chapter 16 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Telephone Cooperatives Act.” It is part of Title 56 “Public Service Companies”. It contains 25 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 25 sections.

§ 56-485	Short title
§ 56-486	Who may form cooperative; purpose
§ 56-487	Definitions
§ 56-488	Certificate of incorporation
§ 56-489	Limitation of use of words "telephone cooperative."
§ 56-490	Filing certificate of incorporation
§ 56-491	Board of directors; officers
§ 56-492	Powers of board of directors
§ 56-493	Membership; voting; nonprofit operation
§ 56-494	Service to members; to nonmembers
§ 56-495	Powers granted corporation
§ 56-496	Disposition of property
§ 56-497	Issue of obligations
§ 56-498	Covenants
§ 56-499	Purchase of own obligations
§ 56-500	Consolidation or merger
§ 56-501	Repealed
§ 56-501.1	Payment of certain patronage capital to spouse or next of kin of deceased person
§ 56-502	Regulation by State Corporation Commission
§ 56-503	Dissolution
§ 56-504	Charter amendments
§ 56-505	Charter fees
§ 56-506	Construction of chapter; conflicting laws
§ 56-507	Adoption of provisions by existing corporation
§ 56-508	Extension of service to territory not being served