(1) A municipal unit or other political subdivision of another state or Canadian province owning a system for the generation, transmission, or distribution of electric power and energy for public or private use or proposing to own such a system may become a member or an associate member of, and may withdraw from, a joint agency in the same manner as a municipality under sections 34(6) and 36. However, in addition to complying with the requirements set forth in sections 34(6) and 36, the municipal unit or political subdivision of another state or Canadian province shall provide to the joint agency an opinion acceptable to the joint agency from an individual licensed to practice law in that state or province attesting to the following:

    (a) That the laws applicable to the prospective member or associate member do not preclude the prospective member or associate member from joining the joint agency.

    (b) That the prospective member or associate member has the legal authority under laws applicable to the prospective member or associate member to enter into valid, binding, and enforceable agreements with the joint agency and members and associate members of the joint agency.

    (2) Except as otherwise provided by the board of commissioners of the joint agency, a member or an associate member located in another state or Canadian province has the same rights, privileges, and obligations as other members or associate members of the joint agency.