(a) The corporation shall have any and all powers necessary or convenient to its usefulness in carrying out and effectuating the purposes and provisions of this chapter that are not in conflict with the constitution of the state of Tennessee and that are generally exercised by corporations engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits, including, but not limited to, the following powers:

(1) To sue and be sued as provided in this chapter;

(2) To adopt and alter a seal;

(3) To adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, regulations, and policies and procedures for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business; to elect and prescribe the duties of officers and employees of the corporation; and to perform such other matters as the corporation may determine. In the adoption of bylaws, regulations, policies, and procedures or in the exercise of any regulatory power, the corporation shall be exempt from the requirements of the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in chapter 5 of this title;

(4) To procure or to provide insurance;

(5) To hold copyrights, trademarks, and service marks and enforce its rights with respect to the copyrights and marks;

(6) To initiate, supervise, and administer the operation of the lottery in accordance with this chapter and regulations, policies, and procedures adopted pursuant to this chapter;

(7) To enter into written agreements with one (1) or more other states or sovereigns for the operation, participation in marketing, and promotion of a joint lottery or joint lottery games;

(8) To conduct such market research as is necessary or appropriate, which may include an analysis of the demographic characteristics of the players of each lottery game and an analysis of advertising, promotion, public relations, incentives, and other aspects of communication;

(9) To acquire or lease real property and make improvements to that real property and acquire by lease or by purchase tangible personal property and intangible personal property;

(10) To enter into contracts to incur debt in its own name and enter into financing agreements with the state, agencies or instrumentalities of the state, or with any commercial bank or credit provider; provided, however, that any such debt must be approved by the state funding board;

(11) To be authorized to administer oaths, take depositions, issue subpoenas, and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, documents, and other evidence relative to any investigation or proceeding conducted by the corporation;

(12) To appoint and select officers, agents, and employees, including professional and administrative staff and personnel and hearing officers to conduct hearings required by this chapter, and to fix their compensation, pay their expenses, and provide a benefit program, including, but not limited to, a retirement plan and a group insurance plan; provided, however, that the corporation may become a participating employer in the Tennessee consolidated retirement system pursuant to § 4-51-131 and may be eligible as a quasi-governmental organization for state group health insurance pursuant to § 8-27-207 [repealed and reenacted. See Compiler's Notes];

(13) To select and contract with vendors and retailers;

(14) To enter into contracts or agreements with the Tennessee bureau of investigation, local law enforcement agencies, appropriate federal agencies or private companies for the performance of criminal record checks, background investigations, and security checks;

(15) To enter into contracts of any and all types on such terms and conditions as the corporation may determine;

(16) To establish and maintain banking and other financial relationships, including, but not limited to, establishment of checking and savings accounts and lines of credit;

(17) To advertise and promote the lottery and lottery games in a dignified and responsible manner;

(18) To act as a retailer, to conduct promotions that involve the dispensing of lottery tickets or shares, and to establish and operate sales facilities to sell lottery tickets or shares and any related merchandise;

(19) To establish and maintain regional offices; provided, however, that there shall be at least one (1) such office in each grand division; and

(20) To adopt and amend such regulations, policies, and procedures as necessary to carry out and implement its powers and duties, organize and operate the corporation, regulate the conduct of lottery games in general, and any other matters necessary or desirable for the efficient and effective operation of the lottery or the convenience of the public. The promulgation of any such regulations, policies, and procedures shall be exempt from the requirements of the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in chapter 5 of this title.

(b) Title 67, chapter 4, parts 7, 20, and 21 shall not apply to the activities of the corporation.

(c) The powers enumerated in subsection (a) are cumulative of and in addition to those powers enumerated elsewhere in this chapter, and do not limit or restrict any other powers of the corporation.