A. The board of trustees of a cooperative shall have full power and authority, without authorization by the members thereof, to authorize the execution and delivery of a mortgage or mortgages or a deed or deeds of trust of, or the pledging or encumbering of, any or all of the property, assets, rights, privileges, licenses, franchises and permits of the cooperative, whether acquired or to be acquired, and wherever situated, as well as the revenues therefrom, all upon such terms and conditions as the board of trustees shall determine, to secure any indebtedness of the cooperative to United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof or to any corporation or financial institution permitted to assist in the credit and financial needs of rural telephone cooperative corporations.

B. A cooperative may not otherwise sell, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of or encumber all or a substantial portion of its property unless such sale, mortgage, lease or other disposition or encumbrance is authorized by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds (2/3) of all the members of the cooperative; provided, however, that notwithstanding any other provision of Section 438.1 et seq. of this title, or any other provision of law, the board of trustees may, upon the authorization of a majority of those members of the cooperative present at a meeting of the members thereof, the notice of which shall have set forth the proposed action, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial portion of its property to another cooperative pursuant to this act or to the holder or holders of any notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof or to any corporation or financial institution permitted to assist in the credit and financial needs of rural telephone cooperative corporations.

Amended by Laws 1987, c. 57, § 1, emerg. eff. April 30, 1987.