Governing body — Us Code Code § 21503

Us Code Code § 21503 — Governing body. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 21503. Governing body

(a) General.—(1) The board of governors is the governing body of the corporation.

(2) The board shall have at least 12 governors, divided into 3 classes of equal numbers. One class of governors shall be elected each year for a term of 3 years or until their successors are elected. The corporation shall elect the governors at its annual meeting.

(b) Quorum.—Five governors are a quorum for the transaction of business, except that a majority vote of the board is required for—

(1) the sale or alienation of any real or personal estate of the corporation; or

(2) the leasing of real estate of the corporation for a term of more than one year.


(c) Powers.—The board may—

(1) adopt and amend bylaws, as may be necessary and proper, related to—

(A) elections and meetings;

(B) qualifications and duties of governors and officers;

(C) admission and qualifications of members; and

(D) management and disposition of the property, business, and concerns of the corporation;


(2) conduct all business of the corporation;

(3) fill, until the next annual election, a vacancy on the board; and

(4) appoint attending and resident physicians and surgeons, agents, assistants, and attendants as may be necessary, set their compensation, and discharge them.

(Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1295.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
21503(a) 36:4904 (1st sentence). Jan. 30, 1913, ch. 21, §§4 (1st sentence), 6, 37 Stat. 655; Apr. 12, 1974, Pub. L. 93–266, 88 Stat. 85.
  36:4905. Jan. 30, 1913, ch. 21, §§5, 7, 8, 37 Stat. 655.
  36:4906.  
21503(b) 36:4908.  
21503(c) 36:4907.  

Subsection (a) is substituted for the source provisions for consistency in the revised title and to eliminate unnecessary and obsolete language.

In subsection (c)(1), before clause (A), the words "and not contrary to law" are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (c)(2), the words "and manage" and "and concerns" are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (c)(3), the words "occasioned by death, resignation, or otherwise" are omitted as unnecessary.

About This Section

36 U.S.C. § 21503 is part of Title 36 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 36 U.S.C. § 21503. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

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It addresses "Governing body". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

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