SECTION 21-280. Special remedies of bondholders  

(a) The provisions of this section shall be applicable to a series of bonds of a commission only if the resolution or resolutions authorizing such series of bonds shall provide in substance that the holders of the bonds of such series shall be entitled to all the benefits, and be subject to the provisions of this section.

(b) In the event that the commission shall default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any bonds of such series after the same shall become due, whether at maturity or upon call for redemption, and such default shall continue for a period of thirty days, or in the event that the commission shall fail or refuse to comply with the provisions of this chapter relating to or affecting the payment or security of such bonds or the collection of fees, rents or charges, or other revenues therefor, or shall fail or refuse to carry out and perform the terms of any contract with the holders of any of such bonds, and such failure or refusal shall continue for a period of thirty days after written notice of its existence and nature to the commission the holders of twenty-five per centum in aggregate principal amount of such bonds then outstanding, by instrument or instruments filed with the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia and proved or acknowledged in the same manner as a deed to be recorded, may appoint a trustee to represent the holders of all bonds of such series for the purposes herein provided.

(c) Such trustee may, and upon written request of the holders of twenty-five per centum in principal amount of the bonds of such series then outstanding shall, in his or its name:

(1) By mandamus or other suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity, enforce all rights of the holders of such bonds, including the right to require the commission to collect fees, rents and other charges adequate to carry out any agreement as to, or pledge of, such fees, rents or other charges, or the revenues therefrom, and to require the commission to carry out and perform the terms of any contract with the holders of such bonds or its duties under this chapter;

(2) Bring suit upon all or any part of such bonds;

(3) By action or suit in equity, require the commission to account as if it were the trustee of an express trust for the holders of such bonds;

(4) By action or suit in equity, enjoin any act or thing which may be unlawful or in violation of the rights of the holders of such bonds;

(5) Declare all such bonds due and payable, whether or not in advance of maturity, and, if all defaults shall be made good, then with the consent of the holders of twenty-five per centum of the principal amount of such bonds then outstanding, annul such declaration and its consequences, provided that before declaring such bonds due and payable, the trustee shall first give thirty days' notice in writing to the commission.

(d) If the resolution or resolutions authorizing such series of bonds shall contain the provision authorized by subsection (a) of this section and shall further provide in substance that any trustee appointed pursuant to this section shall have the powers provided by subsection (c) of this section, then such trustee, whether or not all of the bonds of such series shall have been declared due and payable, shall be entitled as of right to the appointment of a receiver, who may enter upon and take possession of any facilities or property operated by the commission any of the revenues from the operation of which are pledged for the security of such bonds, and operate and maintain the same and fix, charge, collect and receive all fees, rents and other charges and other revenues thereafter arising from such operation in the same manner as the commission itself might do, and shall deposit all moneys collected in a separate account and apply the same in accordance with the duties and contracts of the commission in such manner as the court appointing such receiver shall direct.

(e) In any suit, action or proceeding by such trustee, the fees, counsel fees and expenses of such trustee and of the receiver, if any, shall constitute taxable costs and disbursements, and all costs and disbursements, allowed by the court shall be a first charge upon any fees, rents and other charges, and revenues of the commission pledged for the payment or security of such bonds.

(f) Such trustee shall, in addition to the foregoing, have and possess all of the powers necessary or appropriate for the exercise of any functions specifically set forth herein or incident to the general representation of the holders of the bonds of such series in the enforcement and protection of their rights.

1946, p. 358; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii9.