SALE OR CLOSING OF HOSPITAL

(a) The board may sell a hospital, or part of a hospital, owned by the authority or close a hospital, or part of a hospital, owned or operated by the authority. The sale or closure must: (1) be authorized by resolution of the board; (2) be executed on behalf of the authority by the president and secretary of the board; and (3) be made by a document having the seal of the authority impressed on it. (b) A sale or closing may not take effect before the expiration of the period in which a petition may be filed under Subsection (c). (c) The board shall order and conduct an election on the sale or closing of a hospital if, before the 31st day after the date the governing body authorizes the sale or closing, the board receives a petition requesting the election signed by at least 10 percent of the qualified voters of the authority. The number of qualified voters is determined according to the most recent official list of registered voters. (d) If a petition is filed under Subsection (c), the hospital may be sold or closed only if a majority of the qualified voters voting on the question approve the sale or closing.