Chap. 285.—An ACT authorizing the board of directors of any public ser-
vice corporation operating a gas, electric or water plant within the lim-
its of -any city or town, or within territory contiguous thereto, to sell or
lease to said city or town the entire plant of said corporation, or any
part thereof, including its franchises and easements, provided said action
of the board of directors be authorized or ratified by an affirmative vote
of a majority in interest of the stock issued and outstanding, unless a
larger interest is provided by the charter or by-laws of said. corpora-
tion. [H B 196]

Approved March 16, 1918S.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
the board of directors of any public service corporation operating
a gas, electric or water plant within the limits of any city or town,
or within territory contiguous thereto, is hereby authorized to sell or
lease to the said city or town the entire plant of said corporation, or
any part thereof, including the franchises and easements of said
corporation; provided the said action of the board of directors be
authorized or ratified by an affirmative vote of a majority in inter-
est of the stock issued and outstanding of the said corporation, un-
less a larger interest is provided by the charter or by-laws of said
corporation. |

9. By reason of the fact that the time within which certain cities
or towns of the Commonwealth have the right to acquire said plants
will expire within less than ninety (90) days, an emergency is de-
clared to exist under section fifty-three of the Constitution, and
this act shall go into effect from its passage.