Z-1629 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL NO. 6665
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 51st Legislature 1990 Regular Session
By Senators Nelson and Talmadge
Read first time 1/19/90 and referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
AN ACT Relating to corporations; amending RCW 11.36.021, 18.08.420, 18.100.050, 18.100.116, 18.100.130, 18.100.133, 18.100.134, 19.02.100, 23.78.020, 23.78.030, 23.78.050, 23.78.060, 23.78.080, 23.78.100, 23.86.200, 23.86.210, 23.86.220, 23.86.230, 24.03.035, 24.03.070, 24.06.905, 24.36.090, 25.10.020, 25.10.600, 31.24.030, 31.24.150, 33.48.025, 33.48.030, 43.07.120, 43.07.130, 43.07.140, 43.07.190, 50.04.165, 61.24.010, 24.36.050, and 23B.12.010; repealing RCW 23A.32.050; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. Section 6, chapter 30, Laws of 1985 and RCW 11.36.021 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The following may serve as trustees:
(a) Any suitable persons over the age of eighteen years, if not otherwise disqualified;
(b) Any trust company regularly organized under the laws of this state and national banks when authorized to do so;
(c) Any nonprofit corporation, if the articles of incorporation or bylaws of that corporation permit the action and the corporation is in compliance with all applicable provisions of Title 24 RCW;
(d) Any professional service corporations regularly organized under the laws of this state whose shareholder or shareholders are exclusively attorneys; and
(e) Any other entity so authorized under the laws of the state of Washington.
(2) The following are disqualified to serve as trustees:
(a) Minors, persons of unsound mind, or persons who have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; and
(b) A
corporation organized under Title ((23A)) 23B RCW that is not
authorized under the laws of the state of Washington to act as a fiduciary.
Sec. 2. Section 13, chapter 37, Laws of 1985 and RCW 18.08.420 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) An
architect or architects may organize a corporation formed either as a business
corporation under the provisions of Title ((23A)) 23B RCW or as a
professional corporation under the provisions of chapter 18.100 RCW. For an
architect or architects to practice architecture through a corporation or joint
stock association organized by any person under Title ((23A)) 23B
RCW, the corporation or joint stock association shall file with the board:
(a) The application for certificate of authorization upon a form to be prescribed by the board and containing information required to enable the board to determine whether the corporation is qualified under this chapter to practice architecture in this state;
(b) Its notices of incorporation and bylaws and a certified copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the corporation that designates individuals registered under this chapter as responsible for the practice of architecture by the corporation in this state and that provides that full authority to make all final architectural decisions on behalf of the corporation with respect to work performed by the corporation in this state shall be granted and delegated by the board of directors to the individuals designated in the resolution. The filing of the resolution shall not relieve the corporation of any responsibility or liability imposed upon it by law or by contract; and
(c) A designation in writing setting forth the name or names of the person or persons registered under this chapter who are responsible for the architecture of the firm. If there is a change in the person or persons responsible for the architecture of the firm, the changes shall be designated in writing and filed with the board within thirty days after the effective date of the changes.
(2) Upon the filing with the board of the application for certificate of authorization, the certified copy of the resolution, and the information specified in subsection (1) of this section, the board shall authorize the director to issue to the corporation a certificate of authorization to practice architecture in this state upon a determination by the board that:
(a) The bylaws of the corporation contain provisions that all architectural decisions pertaining to any project or architectural activities in this state shall be made by the specified architects responsible for the project or architectural activities, or other responsible architects under the direction or supervision of the architects responsible for the project or architectural activities;
(b) The applicant corporation has the ability to provide, through qualified personnel, professional services or creative work requiring architectural experience, and with respect to the architectural services that the corporation undertakes or offers to undertake, the personnel have the ability to apply special knowledge to the professional services or creative work such as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design, and administration of the construction contract in connection with any public or private structures, buildings, equipment, processes, works, or projects;
(c) The application for certificate of authorization contains the professional records of the designated person or persons who are responsible;
(d) The application for certificate of authorization states the experience of the corporation, if any, in furnishing architectural services during the preceding five-year period;
(e) The applicant corporation meets such other requirements related to professional competence in the furnishing of architectural services as may be established and promulgated by the board in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter; and
(f) The applicant corporation is possessed of the ability and competence to furnish architectural services in the public interest.
(3) Upon recommendation of the board, the director shall refuse to issue or may suspend or revoke a certificate of authorization to a corporation if the board finds that any of the officers, directors, incorporators, or the stockholders holding a majority of stock of the corporation have committed an act prohibited under RCW 18.08.440 or have been found personally responsible for misconduct under subsection (6) or (7) of this section.
(4) In the event a corporation, organized solely by a group of architects each registered under this chapter, applies for a certificate of authorization, the board may, in its discretion, grant a certificate of authorization to that corporation based on a review of the professional records of such incorporators, in lieu of the required qualifications set forth in subsections (1) and (2) of this section. In the event the ownership of such corporation is altered, the corporation shall apply for a revised certificate of authorization, based upon the professional records of the owners if exclusively architects, under the qualifications required by subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
(5) Any corporation authorized to practice architecture under this chapter, together with its directors and officers for their own individual acts, are responsible to the same degree as an individual registered architect and shall conduct their business without misconduct or malpractice in the practice of architecture as defined in this chapter.
(6) Any corporation that has been certified under this chapter and has engaged in the practice of architecture shall have its certificate of authorization either suspended or revoked by the board if, after a proper hearing, the board finds that the corporation has committed misconduct or malpractice under RCW 18.08.440. In such a case, any individual architect registered under this chapter who is involved in such misconduct is also subject to disciplinary measures provided in this chapter.
(7) All plans, specifications, designs, and reports when issued in connection with work performed by a corporation under its certificate of authorization shall be prepared by or under the direction of the designated architects and shall be signed by and stamped with the official seal of the designated architects in the corporation authorized under this chapter.
(8) For each certificate of authorization issued under this section there shall be paid a certification fee and an annual certification renewal fee as prescribed by the director under RCW 43.24.086.
(9) This chapter shall not affect the practice of architecture as a professional service corporation under chapter 18.100 RCW.
Sec. 3. Section 5, chapter 122, Laws of 1969 as last amended by section 1, chapter 261, Laws of 1986 and RCW 18.100.050 are each amended to read as follows:
An
individual or group of individuals duly licensed or otherwise legally
authorized to render the same professional services within this state may
organize and become a shareholder or shareholders of a professional corporation
for pecuniary profit under the provisions of Title ((23A)) 23B
RCW for the purpose of rendering professional service: PROVIDED, That one or
more of such legally authorized individuals shall be the incorporators of such
professional corporation: PROVIDED FURTHER, That notwithstanding any other
provision of this chapter, registered architects and registered engineers may
own stock in and render their individual professional services through one
professional service corporation: PROVIDED FURTHER, That licensed health care
professionals, providing services to enrolled participants either directly or
through arrangements with a health maintenance organization registered under
chapter 48.46 RCW or federally qualified health maintenance organization, may
own stock in and render their individual professional services through one
professional service corporation: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That professionals
may organize a nonprofit nonstock corporation under this chapter and chapter
24.03 RCW to provide professional services, and the provisions of this chapter
relating to stock and referring to Title ((23A)) 23B RCW shall
not apply to any such corporation.
Sec. 4. Section 10, chapter 51, Laws of 1983 and RCW 18.100.116 are each amended to read as follows:
If a shareholder of a professional corporation dies, or if shares of a professional corporation are transferred by operation of law or court decree to an ineligible person, and if the shares held by the deceased shareholder or by such ineligible person are less than all of the outstanding shares of the corporation:
(1) The shares held by the deceased shareholder or by the ineligible person may be transferred to remaining shareholders of the corporation or may be redeemed by the corporation pursuant to terms stated in the articles of incorporation or by laws of the corporation, or in a private agreement. In the absence of any such terms, such shares may be transferred to any individual eligible to be a shareholder of the corporation.
(2) If such
a redemption or transfer of the shares held by a deceased shareholder or an
ineligible person is not completed within twelve months after the death of the
deceased shareholder or the transfer, as the case may be, such shares shall be
deemed to be shares with respect to which the holder has elected to exercise
the right of dissent described in RCW ((23A.24.040)) 23B.13.010
and has made written demand on the corporation for payment of the fair value of
such shares. The corporation shall forthwith cancel the shares on its books
and the deceased shareholder or ineligible person shall have no further
interest in the corporation other than the right to payment for the shares as
is provided in RCW ((23A.24.040)) 23B.13.250. For purposes of
the application of RCW ((23A.24.040)) 23B.13.250, the date of the
corporate action and the date of the shareholder's written demand shall be
deemed to be one day after the date on which the twelve-month period from the
death of the deceased shareholder, or from the transfer, expires.
Sec. 5. Section 13, chapter 122, Laws of 1969 as last amended by section 2, chapter 261, Laws of 1986 and RCW 18.100.130 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) For a
professional service corporation organized for pecuniary profit under this
chapter, the provisions of Title ((23A)) 23B RCW shall be
applicable except to the extent that any of the provisions of this chapter are
interpreted to be in conflict with the provisions thereof, and in such event
the provisions and sections of this chapter shall take precedence with respect
to a corporation organized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(2) For a professional service corporation organized under this chapter and chapter 24.03 RCW as a nonprofit nonstock corporation, the provisions of chapter 24.03 RCW shall be applicable except to the extent that any of the provisions of this chapter are interpreted to be in conflict with the provisions thereof, and in such event the provisions and sections of this chapter shall take precedence with respect to a corporation organized under the provisions of this chapter.
Sec. 6. Section 5, chapter 261, Laws of 1986 and RCW 18.100.133 are each amended to read as follows:
A business
corporation formed under the provisions of Title ((23A)) 23B RCW
may amend its articles of incorporation to change its stated purpose to the
rendering of professional services and to conform to the requirements of this
chapter. Upon the effective date of such amendment, the corporation shall be
subject to the provisions of this chapter and shall continue in existence as a
professional corporation under this chapter.
Sec. 7. Section 9, chapter 51, Laws of 1983 as amended by section 3, chapter 261, Laws of 1986 and RCW 18.100.134 are each amended to read as follows:
A
professional corporation may amend its articles of incorporation to delete from
its stated purposes the rendering of professional services and to conform to
the requirements of Title ((23A)) 23B RCW, or to the requirements
of chapter 24.03 RCW if organized pursuant to RCW 18.100.050 as a nonprofit
nonstock corporation. Upon the effective date of such amendment, the corporation
shall no longer be subject to the provisions of this chapter and shall continue
in existence as a corporation under Title ((23A)) 23B RCW or
chapter 24.03 RCW.
Sec. 8. Section 10, chapter 182, Laws of 1982 and RCW 19.02.100 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The department shall not issue or renew a master license to any person if:
(a) The person does not have a valid tax registration, if required;
(b) The
person is a corporation delinquent in fees or penalties owing to the secretary
of state or is not validly registered under Title ((23A)) 23B
RCW, chapter 18.100 RCW, Title 24 RCW, and any other statute now or hereafter
adopted which gives corporate or business licensing responsibilities to the
secretary of state; or
(c) The person has not submitted the sum of all fees and deposits required for the requested individual license endorsements, any outstanding master license delinquency fee, or other fees and penalties to be collected through the system.
(2) Nothing in this section shall prevent registration by the state of an employer for the purpose of paying an employee of that employer industrial insurance or unemployment insurance benefits.
Sec. 9. Section 3, chapter 457, Laws of 1987 and RCW 23.78.020 are each amended to read as follows:
Any
corporation organized under the laws of this state may elect to be governed as
an employee cooperative under the provisions of this chapter, by so stating in
its articles of incorporation, or articles of amendment filed in accordance
with Title ((23A)) 23B RCW.
A
corporation so electing shall be governed by all provisions of Title ((23A))
23B RCW, except RCW 23B.07.050, 23B.13.020, and chapter ((23A.20))
23B.11 RCW, and except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
Sec. 10. Section 4, chapter 457, Laws of 1987 and RCW 23.78.030 are each amended to read as follows:
An employee
cooperative may revoke its election under this chapter by a vote of two-thirds
of the members and through articles of amendment filed with the secretary of
state in accordance with RCW 23B.01.200 and chapter ((23A.16)) 23B.10
RCW.
Sec. 11. Section 6, chapter 457, Laws of 1987 and RCW 23.78.050 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The articles of incorporation or the bylaws shall establish qualifications and the method of acceptance and termination of members. No person may be accepted as a member unless employed by the employee cooperative on a full-time or part-time basis.
(2) An employee cooperative shall issue a class of voting stock designated as "membership shares." Each member shall own only one membership share, and only members may own these shares.
(3)
Membership shares shall be issued for a fee as determined from time to time by
the directors. RCW ((23A.08.140 and 23A.08.200)) 23B.06.040 and
23B.06.200 do not apply to such membership shares.
Members of
an employee cooperative shall have all the rights and responsibilities of
stockholders of a corporation organized under Title ((23A)) 23B
RCW, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
Sec. 12. Section 7, chapter 457, Laws of 1987 and RCW 23.78.060 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) No capital stock other than membership shares shall be given voting power in an employee cooperative, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, or in the articles of incorporation.
(2) The power to amend or repeal bylaws of an employee cooperative shall be in the members only.
(3) Except
as otherwise permitted by RCW ((23A.16.030)) 23B.10.040, no
capital stock other than membership shares shall be permitted to vote on any
amendment to the articles of incorporation.
Sec. 13. Section 9, chapter 457, Laws of 1987 and RCW 23.78.080 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Any employee cooperative may establish through its articles of incorporation or bylaws a system of internal capital accounts to reflect the book value and to determine the redemption price of membership shares, capital stock, and written notices of allocation.
(2) The
articles of incorporation or bylaws of an employee cooperative may permit the
periodic redemption of written notices of allocation and capital stock, and
must provide for recall and redemption of the membership share upon termination
of membership in the cooperative. No redemption shall be made if redemption
would result in a violation of RCW ((23A.08.020)) 23B.03.020.
(3) The articles of incorporation or bylaws may provide for the employee cooperative to pay or credit interest on the balance in each member's internal capital account.
(4) The articles of incorporation or bylaws may authorize assignment of a portion of retained net earnings and net losses to a collective reserve account. Earnings assigned to the collective reserve account may be used for any and all corporate purposes as determined by the board of directors.
Sec. 14. Section 11, chapter 457, Laws of 1987 and RCW 23.78.100 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) When
any employee cooperative revokes its election in accordance with RCW 23.78.030,
the articles of amendment shall provide for conversion of membership shares and
internal capital accounts or their conversion to securities or other property
in a manner consistent with Title ((23A)) 23B RCW.
(2) An
employee cooperative that has not revoked its election under this chapter may
not consolidate or merge with another corporation other than an employee
cooperative. Two or more employee cooperatives may consolidate or merge in
accordance with RCW 23B.07.050, 23B.13.020, and chapter ((23A.20))
23B.11 RCW.
Sec. 15. Section 1, chapter 221, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. and RCW 23.86.200 are each amended to read as follows:
For the
purposes of RCW 23.86.200 through 23.86.230 a "domestic" cooperative
association or "domestic" corporation is one formed under the laws of
this state, and an "ordinary business" corporation is one formed or
which could be formed under Title ((23A)) 23B RCW.
Sec. 16. Section 2, chapter 221, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. as last amended by section 27, chapter 307, Laws of 1989 and RCW 23.86.210 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A cooperative association may be converted to a domestic ordinary business corporation pursuant to the following procedures:
(a) The board of directors of the association shall, by affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of all such directors, adopt a plan for such conversion setting forth:
(i) The reasons why such conversion is desirable and in the interests of the members of the association;
(ii) The proposed contents of articles of conversion with respect to items (ii) through (ix) of subparagraph (c) below; and
(iii) Such other information and matters as the board of directors may deem to be pertinent to the proposed plan.
(b) After adoption by the board of directors, the plan for conversion shall be submitted for approval or rejection to the members of the association at any regular meetings or at any special meetings called for that purpose, after notice of the proposed conversion has been given to all members entitled to vote thereon, in the manner provided by the bylaws. The notice of the meeting shall be accompanied by a full copy of the proposed plan for conversion or by a summary of its provisions. At the meeting members may vote upon the proposed conversion in person, or by written proxy, or by mailed ballot. The affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members voting thereon shall be required for approval of the plan of conversion. If the total vote upon the proposed conversion shall be less than twenty-five percent of the total membership of the association, the conversion shall not be approved.
(c) Upon approval by the members of the association, the articles of conversion shall be executed in duplicate by the association by one of its officers and shall set forth:
(i) The dates and vote by which the plan for conversion was adopted by the board of directors and members respectively;
(ii) The
corporate name of the converted organization. The name shall comply with
requirements for names of business corporations formed under Title ((23A))
23B RCW, and shall not contain the term "cooperative";
(iii) The purpose or purposes for which the converted corporation is to exist;
(iv) The duration of the converted corporation, which may be perpetual or for a stated term of years;
(v) The capitalization of the converted corporation and the class or classes of shares of stock into which divided, together with the par value, if any, of such shares, in accordance with statutory requirements applicable to ordinary business corporations, and the basis upon which outstanding shares of the association are converted into shares of the converted corporation;
(vi) Any provision limiting or denying to shareholders the preemptive right to acquire additional shares of the converted corporation;
(vii) The address of the converted corporation's initial registered office and its initial registered agent at such address;
(viii) The names and addresses of the persons who are to serve as directors of the converted corporation until the first annual meeting of shareholders of the converted corporation or until their successors are elected and qualify;
(ix) Any
additional provisions, not inconsistent with law, provided for by the plan for
conversion for the regulation of the internal affairs of the converted
corporation, including any provision restricting the transfer of shares or
which under Title ((23A)) 23B RCW is required or permitted to be
set forth in bylaws.
(d) The executed duplicate originals of the articles of conversion shall be delivered to the secretary of state. If the secretary of state finds that the articles of conversion conform to law, the secretary of state shall, when all the fees have been paid as in this section prescribed:
(i) Endorse on each of such originals the word "Filed", and the effective date of such filing;
(ii) File one of such originals; and
(iii) Issue a certificate of conversion to which one of such originals shall be affixed.
(e) The certificate of conversion, together with the original of the articles of conversion affixed thereto by the secretary of state, shall be returned to the converted corporation or its representative. The original affixed to the certificate of conversion shall be retained by the converted corporation.
(f) Upon filing the articles of conversion the converted corporation shall pay, and the secretary of state shall collect, the same filing and license fees as for filing articles of incorporation of a newly formed business corporation similarly capitalized.
(2) Upon
filing by the secretary of state of the articles of conversion, the conversion
of the cooperative association to an ordinary business corporation shall become
effective; the articles of conversion shall thereafter constitute and be
treated in like manner as articles of incorporation; and the converted
corporation shall be subject to all laws applicable to corporations formed
under Title ((23A)) 23B RCW, and shall not thereafter be subject
to laws applying only to cooperative associations. The converted corporation
shall constitute and be deemed to constitute a continuation of the corporate
substance of the cooperative association and the conversion shall in no way
derogate from the rights of creditors of the former association.
Sec. 17. Section 3, chapter 221, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. as last amended by section 28, chapter 307, Laws of 1989 and RCW 23.86.220 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A cooperative association may merge with one or more domestic cooperative associations, or with one or more domestic ordinary business corporations, in accordance with the procedures and subject to the conditions set forth or referred to in this section.
(2) If the merger is into another domestic cooperative association, the board of directors of each of the associations shall approve by vote of not less than two-thirds of all the directors, a plan of merger setting forth:
(a) The names of the associations proposing to merge;
(b) The name of the association which is to be the surviving association in the merger;
(c) The terms and conditions of the proposed merger;
(d) The manner and basis of converting the shares of each merging association into shares or other securities or obligations of the surviving association;
(e) A statement of any changes in the articles of incorporation of the surviving association to be effected by such merger; and
(f) Such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger as are deemed necessary or desirable.
(3) Following approval by the boards of directors, the plan of merger shall be submitted to a vote of the members of each of the associations at any regular meeting or at any special meetings called for that purpose, after notice of the proposed merger has been given to all members entitled to vote thereon, in the manner provided in the bylaws. The notice of the meeting shall be in writing stating the purpose or purposes of the meeting and include or be accompanied by a copy or summary of the plan of merger. At the meeting members may vote upon the proposed merger in person, or by written proxy, or by mailed ballot. The affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members voting thereon, by each association, shall be required for approval of the plan of merger. If the total vote of either association upon the proposed merger shall be less than twenty-five percent of the total membership of such association, the merger shall not be approved.
(4) Upon approval by the members of the associations proposing to merge, articles of merger shall be executed in duplicate by each association by an officer of each association, and shall set forth:
(a) The plan of merger;
(b) As to each association, the number of members and, if there is capital stock, the number of shares outstanding; and
(c) As to each association, the number of members who voted for and against such plan, respectively.
(5) Duplicate originals of the articles of merger shall be delivered to the secretary of state. If the secretary of state finds that such articles conform to law, the secretary of state shall, when all fees have been paid as in this section prescribed:
(a) Endorse on each of such originals the word "Filed", and the effective date of such filing;
(b) File one of such originals; and
(c) Issue a certificate of merger to which one of such originals shall be affixed.
(6) The certificate of merger, together with the duplicate original of the articles of merger affixed thereto by the secretary of state shall be returned to the surviving association or its representative.
(7) For filing articles of merger hereunder the secretary of state shall charge and collect the same fees as apply to filing of articles of merger of ordinary business corporations.
(8) If the
plan of merger is for merger of the cooperative association into a domestic
ordinary business corporation, the association shall follow the same procedures
as hereinabove provided for merger of domestic cooperative associations and the
ordinary business corporation shall follow the applicable procedures set forth
in RCW 23B.07.050, 23B.13.020, and chapter ((23A.20)) 23B.11
RCW.
(9) At any time prior to filing of the articles of merger, the merger may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the plan of merger.
Sec. 18. Section 4, chapter 221, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. as amended by section 29, chapter 307, Laws of 1989 and RCW 23.86.230 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Upon issuance of the certificate of merger by the secretary of state, the merger of the cooperative association into another cooperative association or ordinary business corporation, as the case may be, shall be effected.
(2) When merger has been effected:
(a) The several parties to the plan of merger shall be a single cooperative association or corporation, as the case may be, which shall be that cooperative association or corporation designated in the plan of merger as the survivor.
(b) The separate existence of all parties to the plan of merger, except that of the surviving cooperative association or corporation, shall cease.
(c) If the
surviving entity is a cooperative association, it shall have all the rights,
privileges, immunities and powers and shall be subject to all the duties and
liabilities of a cooperative association organized under chapter 23.86 RCW. If
the surviving entity is an ordinary business corporation, it shall have all the
rights, privileges, immunities and powers and shall be subject to all the
duties and liabilities of a corporation organized or existing under Title ((23A))
23B RCW.
(d) Such surviving cooperative association or corporation, as the case may be, shall thereupon and thereafter possess all the rights, privileges, immunities, and franchises, both public and private of each of the merging organizations, to the extent that such rights, privileges, immunities, and franchises are not inconsistent with the corporate nature of the surviving organization; and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due on whatever account, including subscriptions to shares, and all other choses in action, and all and every other interest of or belonging to or due to each of the organizations so merged shall be taken and deemed to be transferred to and vested in such surviving cooperative association or corporation, as the case may be, without further act or deed; and the title to any real estate, or any interest therein, vested in any such merged cooperative association shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of such merger.
(3) The surviving cooperative association or corporation, as the case may be, shall, after the merger is effected, be responsible and liable for all the liabilities and obligations of each of the organizations so merged; and any claim existing or action or proceeding pending by or against any of such organizations may be prosecuted as if the merger had not taken place and the surviving cooperative association or corporation may be substituted in its place. Neither the right of creditors nor any liens upon the property of any cooperative association or corporation party to the merger shall be impaired by the merger.
(4) The articles of incorporation of the surviving cooperative association or of the surviving ordinary business corporation, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, if any, that changes in such articles are stated in the plan of merger.
Sec. 19. Section 8, chapter 235, Laws of 1967 as amended by section 5, chapter 240, Laws of 1986 and RCW 24.03.035 are each amended to read as follows:
Each corporation shall have power:
(1) To have perpetual succession by its corporate name unless a limited period of duration is stated in its articles of incorporation.
(2) To sue and be sued, complain and defend, in its corporate name.
(3) To have a corporate seal which may be altered at pleasure, and to use the same by causing it, or a facsimile thereof, to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
(4) To purchase, take, receive, lease, take by gift, devise or bequest, or otherwise acquire, own, hold, improve, use and otherwise deal in and with real or personal property, or any interest therein, wherever situated.
(5) To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, transfer and otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property and assets.
(6) To lend money or credit to its employees other than its officers and directors.
(7) To purchase, take, receive, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire, own, hold, vote, use, employ, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, and otherwise use and deal in and with, shares or other interests in, or obligations of, other domestic or foreign corporations, whether for profit or not for profit, associations, partnerships or individuals, or direct or indirect obligations of the United States, or of any other government, state, territory, governmental district or municipality or of any instrumentality thereof.
(8) To make contracts and incur liabilities, borrow money at such rates of interest as the corporation may determine, issue its notes, bonds, and other obligations, and secure any of its obligations by mortgage or pledge of all or any of its property, franchises and income.
(9) To lend money for its corporate purposes, invest and reinvest its funds, and take and hold real and personal property as security for the payment of funds so loaned or invested.
(10) To conduct its affairs, carry on its operations, and have offices and exercise the powers granted by this chapter in any state, territory, district, or possession of the United States, or in any foreign country.
(11) To elect or appoint officers and agents of the corporation, and define their duties and fix their compensation.
(12) To make and alter bylaws, not inconsistent with its articles of incorporation or with the laws of this state, for the administration and regulation of the affairs of the corporation.
(13) Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, to make donations for the public welfare or for charitable, scientific or educational purposes; and in time of war to make donations in aid of war activities.
(14) To
indemnify any director or officer or former director or officer or other person
in the manner and to the extent provided in RCW ((23A.08.025)) 23B.08.500
through 23B.08.600, as now existing or hereafter amended.
(15) To make guarantees respecting the contracts, securities, or obligations of any person (including, but not limited to, any member, any affiliated or unaffiliated individual, domestic or foreign, profit or not for profit, corporation, partnership, association, joint venture or trust) if such guarantee may reasonably be expected to benefit, directly or indirectly, the guarantor corporation. As to the enforceability of the guarantee, the decision of the board of directors that the guarantee may be reasonably expected to benefit, directly or indirectly, the guarantor corporation shall be binding in respect to the issue of benefit to the guarantor corporation.
(16) To pay pensions and establish pension plans, pension trusts, and other benefit plans for any or all of its directors, officers, and employees.
(17) To be a promoter, partner, member, associate or manager of any partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
(18) To be a trustee of a charitable trust, to administer a charitable trust and to act as executor in relation to any charitable bequest or devise to the corporation. This subsection shall not be construed as conferring authority to engage in the general business of trusts nor in the business of trust banking.
(19) To cease its corporate activities and surrender its corporate franchise.
(20) To have and exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effect any or all of the purposes for which the corporation is organized.
Sec. 20. Section 15, chapter 235, Laws of 1967 as amended by section 13, chapter 240, Laws of 1986 and RCW 24.03.070 are each amended to read as follows:
The initial
bylaws of a corporation shall be adopted by its board of directors. The power
to alter, amend or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws shall be vested in the
board of directors unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation
or the bylaws. The bylaws may contain any provisions for the regulation and
management of the affairs of a corporation not inconsistent with law or the
articles of incorporation. The board may adopt emergency bylaws in the manner
provided by RCW ((23A.08.240)) 23B.02.070.
Sec. 21. Section 105, chapter 120, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. and RCW 24.06.905 are each amended to read as follows:
The
enactment of this chapter shall not have the effect of terminating, or in any
way modifying, any liability, civil or criminal, which shall already be in
existence at the date this chapter becomes effective; and any corporation
existing under any prior law which expires on or before the date when this
chapter takes effect shall continue its corporate existence: PROVIDED, That
this chapter shall apply prospectively to all existing corporations which do
not otherwise qualify under the provisions of Titles ((23A)) 23B
and 24 RCW, to the extent permitted by the Constitution of this state and of
the United States.
Sec. 22. Section 9, chapter 312, Laws of 1959 as amended by section 28, chapter 3, Laws of 1983 and RCW 24.36.090 are each amended to read as follows:
Any two or
more associations may be merged into one such constituent association or
consolidated into a new association. Such merger or consolidation shall be
made in the manner prescribed by RCW 23B.07.050, 23B.13.020, and chapter
((23A.20)) 23B.11 RCW for domestic corporations.
Sec. 23. Section 2, chapter 51, Laws of 1981 as amended by section 2, chapter 55, Laws of 1987 and RCW 25.10.020 are each amended to read as follows:
The name of each limited partnership formed pursuant to this chapter as set forth in its certificate of limited partnership:
(1) Shall contain the words "limited partnership" or the abbreviation "L.P.";
(2) May not contain the name of a limited partner unless (a) it is also the name of a general partner, or the corporate name of a corporate general partner, or (b) the business of the limited partnership had been carried on under that name before the admission of that limited partner;
(3) May not
be the same as, or deceptively similar to the name of any domestic corporation
or limited partnership existing under the laws of this state or any foreign
corporation or limited partnership authorized to transact business in this
state, or a name the exclusive right to which is, at the time, reserved in the
manner provided in this title, or under the provisions of RCW ((23A.08.060))
23B.04.020, or the name of a corporation or limited partnership which
has in effect a registration of its corporate or limited partnership name as
provided in this title or under the provisions of Title ((23A)) 23B
RCW, unless:
(a) The written consent of such other domestic or foreign corporation or limited partnership or holder of a reserved or registered name to use the same or deceptively similar name has been filed with the certificate and one or more words or numerals are added or deleted to make the name distinguishable from the other name as determined by the secretary of state; or
(b) A certified copy of a final decree of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the prior right of the limited partnership to use the name in this state is filed with the certificate;
(4) May not contain the following words or phrases: "Bank", "banking", "banker", "trust", "cooperative"; or any combination of the words "industrial" and "loan"; or any combination of any two or more words "building", "savings", "loan", "home", "association"; or any other words or phrases prohibited by any statute of this state.
Sec. 24. Section 60, chapter 51, Laws of 1981 as amended by section 35, chapter 55, Laws of 1987 and RCW 25.10.600 are each amended to read as follows:
The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing fees which shall be charged and collected for:
(1) Filing of a certificate of limited partnership for a domestic or foreign limited partnership;
(2) Filing of a certificate of cancellation or a certificate of dissolution for a domestic or foreign limited partnership;
(3) Filing of a certificate of amendment or restatement for a domestic or foreign limited partnership;
(4) Filing an application to reserve or transfer a limited partnership name;
(5) Filing any other statement or report authorized or permitted to be filed;
(6) Copies, certified copies, certificates, service of process filings, and expedited filings or other special services.
In the establishment
of a fee schedule, the secretary of state shall, insofar as is possible and
reasonable, be guided by the fee schedule provided for corporations registering
pursuant to Title ((23A)) 23B RCW. Fees for copies, certified
copies, certificates of record, and service of process filings shall be as
provided for in RCW ((23A.40.030)) 23B.01.220.
All fees collected by the secretary of state shall be deposited with the state treasurer pursuant to law.
Sec. 25. Section 3, chapter 162, Laws of 1963 as last amended by section 42, chapter 466, Laws of 1985 and RCW 31.24.030 are each amended to read as follows:
In
furtherance of its purposes and in addition to the powers now or hereafter
conferred on business corporations by the provisions of Title ((23A)) 23B
RCW, the corporation shall, subject to the restrictions and limitations herein
contained, have the following powers:
(1) To elect, appoint and employ officers, agents and employees; to make contracts and incur liabilities for any of the purposes of the corporation: PROVIDED, That the corporation shall not incur any secondary liability by way of guaranty or endorsement of the obligations of any person, firm, corporation, joint stock company, association or trust, or in any other manner.
(2) To borrow money from its members and the small business administration and any other similar federal agency, for any of the purposes of the corporation; to issue therefor its bonds, debentures, notes or other evidence of indebtedness, whether secured or unsecured, and to secure the same by mortgage, pledge, deed of trust or other lien on its property, franchises, rights and privileges of every kind and nature or any part thereof or interest therein, without securing stockholder or member approval: PROVIDED, That no loan to the corporation shall be secured in any manner unless all outstanding loans to the corporation shall be secured equally and ratably in proportion to the unpaid balance of such loans and in the same manner.
(3) To make loans to any person, firm, corporation, joint-stock company, association or trust, and to establish and regulate the terms and conditions with respect to any such loans and the charges for interest and service connected therewith: PROVIDED, That the corporation shall not approve any application for a loan unless and until the person applying for said loan shall show that he has applied for the loan through ordinary banking channels and that the loan has been refused by at least one bank or other financial institution.
(4) To purchase, receive, hold, lease, or otherwise acquire, and to sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of real and personal property, together with such rights and privileges as may be incidental and appurtenant thereto and the use thereof, including, but not restricted to, any real or personal property acquired by the corporation from time to time in the satisfaction of debts or enforcement of obligations.
(5) To acquire the good will, business, rights, real and personal property, and other assets, or any part thereof, or interest therein, of any persons, firms, corporations, joint-stock companies, associations or trusts, and to assume, undertake, or pay the obligations, debts and liabilities of any such person, firm, corporation, joint-stock company, association or trust; to acquire improved or unimproved real estate for the purpose of constructing industrial plants or other business establishments thereon or for the purpose of disposing of such real estate to others for the construction of industrial plants or other business establishments; and to acquire, construct or reconstruct, alter, repair, maintain, operate, sell, convey, transfer, lease, or otherwise dispose of industrial plants or business establishments.
(6) To acquire, subscribe for, own, hold, sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of the stock, shares, bonds, debentures, notes or other securities and evidences of interest in, or indebtedness of, any person, firm, corporation, joint-stock company, association or trust, and while the owner or holder thereof to exercise all the rights, powers and privileges of ownership, including the right to vote thereon.
(7) To mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber any property, right or things of value, acquired pursuant to the powers contained in subsections (4), (5), or (6) of this section, as security for the payment of any part of the purchase price thereof.
(8) To cooperate with and avail itself of the facilities of the United States department of commerce, the department of trade and economic development, and any other similar state or federal governmental agencies; and to cooperate with and assist, and otherwise encourage organizations in the various communities of the state in the promotion, assistance and development of the business prosperity and economic welfare of such communities or of this state or of any part thereof.
(9) To do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly granted in this chapter.
Sec. 26. Section 15, chapter 162, Laws of 1963 as amended by section 52, chapter 3, Laws of 1983 and RCW 31.24.150 are each amended to read as follows:
The
corporation may upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes to which the
stockholders shall be entitled and two-thirds of the votes to which the member
shall be entitled dissolve said corporation as provided by Title ((23A))
23B RCW, insofar as Title ((23A)) 23B RCW is not in
conflict with the provisions of this chapter. Upon any dissolution of the
corporation, none of the corporation's assets shall be distributed to the
stockholders until all sums due the members of the corporation as creditors
thereof have been paid in full.
Sec. 27. Section 4, chapter 84, Laws of 1981 as amended by section 91, chapter 3, Laws of 1982 and RCW 33.48.025 are each amended to read as follows:
Except to
the extent provided otherwise in this title, stock associations are subject to
((those provisions in chapter 23A.08 RCW, as now or hereafter amended,
relating to issuance, sale, and repurchase of shares)) the provisions of
chapter 23B.06 RCW.
Sec. 28. Section 4, chapter 122, Laws of 1955 as last amended by section 92, chapter 3, Laws of 1982 and RCW 33.48.030 are each amended to read as follows:
Stock
associations shall have permanent stock which may be issued with or without par
value but with a statement of value of nonpar stock in accordance with Title ((23A))
23B RCW. The minimum amount of such stock shall be twenty-five thousand
dollars in the case of associations outside of incorporated cities, or in
cities of less than twenty-five thousand population. Associations located in
cities of greater population shall have as a minimum, fifty thousand dollars of
such stock. The board of such association is authorized and directed to issue
and maintain the stock in the following percentages: Three percent upon the
first five million dollars; two percent upon the next three million dollars,
and one percent upon all additional withdrawable savings: PROVIDED, That
associations whose savings are insured by the Federal Savings and Loan
Insurance Corporation shall not be required to maintain stock in excess of
three hundred thousand dollars. A stock association may issue preferred or
special classes of shares as provided in chapter ((23A.08)) 23B.06
RCW.
Sec. 29. Section 43.07.120, chapter 8, Laws of 1965 as last amended by section 39, chapter 307, Laws of 1989 and RCW 43.07.120 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The secretary of state shall collect the fees herein prescribed for the secretary of state's official services:
(a) For a copy of any law, resolution, record, or other document or paper on file in the secretary's office for which no other fee is provided, fifty cents per page for the first ten pages and twenty-five cents per page for each additional page;
(b) For any certificate under seal, five dollars;
(c) For filing and recording trademark, fifty dollars;
(d) For each deed or patent of land issued by the governor, if for one hundred and sixty acres of land, or less, one dollar, and for each additional one hundred and sixty acres, or fraction thereof, one dollar;
(e) For recording miscellaneous records, papers, or other documents, five dollars for filing each case.
(2) The
secretary of state may adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW establishing
reasonable fees for the following services rendered under Title ((23A)) 23B
RCW, chapter 18.100, 23.86, 23.90, 24.03, 24.06, 24.12, 24.20, 24.24, 24.28,
24.36, or 25.10 RCW:
(a) Any service rendered in-person at the secretary of state's office;
(b) Any expedited service;
(c) The electronic transmittal of documents;
(d) The providing of information by microfiche or other reduced-format compilation;
(e) The handling of checks or drafts for which sufficient funds are not on deposit;
(f) The resubmission of documents previously submitted to the secretary of state where the documents have been returned to the submittor to make such documents conform to the requirements of the applicable statute;
(g) The handling of telephone requests for information; and
(h) Special search charges.
(3) To facilitate the collection of fees, the secretary of state may establish accounts for deposits by persons who may frequently be assessed such fees to pay the fees as they are assessed. The secretary of state may make whatever arrangements with those persons as may be necessary to carry out this section.
(4) No member of the legislature, state officer, justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, or judge of the superior court shall be charged for any search relative to matters pertaining to the duties of his or her office; nor may such official be charged for a certified copy of any law or resolution passed by the legislature relative to his or her official duties, if such law has not been published as a state law.
Sec. 30. Section 1, chapter 122, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. as last amended by section 40, chapter 307, Laws of 1989 and RCW 43.07.130 are each amended to read as follows:
There is
created within the state treasury a revolving fund, to be known as the
"secretary of state's revolving fund," which shall be used by the
office of the secretary of state to defray the costs of printing, reprinting,
or distributing printed matter authorized by law to be issued by the office of
the secretary of state, and any other cost of carrying out the functions of the
secretary of state under Title ((23A)) 23B RCW, or chapters
18.100, 23.86, 23.90, 24.03, 24.06, 24.12, 24.20, 24.24, 24.28, 24.36, or 25.10
RCW.
The
secretary of state is hereby authorized to charge a fee for such publications
in an amount which will compensate for the costs of printing, reprinting, and
distributing such printed matter. Fees recovered by the secretary of state
under RCW 43.07.120(2), ((23A.36.050, 23A.40.030)) 23B.01.220(1)(e),
(3), and (4), 23B.18.050, 24.03.410, 24.06.455, or 46.64.040, and such
other moneys as are expressly designated for deposit in the secretary of
state's revolving fund shall be placed in the secretary of state's revolving
fund.
Sec. 31. Section 2, chapter 85, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as amended by section 189, chapter 35, Laws of 1982 and RCW 43.07.140 are each amended to read as follows:
The secretary of state is hereby specifically authorized to print, reprint, and distribute the following materials:
(1) Lists of active corporations;
(2) The provisions of Title 23 RCW;
(3) The
provisions of Title ((23A)) 23B RCW;
(4) The provisions of Title 24 RCW;
(5) The provisions of chapter 25.10 RCW;
(6) The provisions of Title 29 RCW;
(7) ((The
provisions of Title 62A RCW;
(8))) The provisions of chapter 18.100 RCW;
(((9)))
(8) The provisions of chapter 19.77 RCW;
(((10)))
(9) The provisions of chapter 43.07 RCW;
(((11)))
(10) The provisions of the Washington state Constitution;
(((12)
The provisions of chapter 42.17 RCW and rules adopted by the public disclosure
commission;
(13))) (11) The provisions of chapters 40.14, 40.16,
and 40.20 RCW, and any statutes, rules, schedules, indexes, guides,
descriptions, or other materials related to the public records of state or
local government or to the state archives; and
(((14)))
(12) Rules and informational publications related to the statutory
provisions set forth above.
Sec. 32. Section 193, chapter 35, Laws of 1982 as amended by section 41, chapter 307, Laws of 1989 and RCW 43.07.190 are each amended to read as follows:
Where the
secretary of state determines that a summary face sheet or cover sheet would
expedite review of any documents made under Title ((23A)) 23B
RCW, or chapter 18.100, 23.86, 23.90, 24.03, 24.06, 24.12, 24.20, 24.24, 24.36,
or 25.10 RCW, the secretary of state may require the use of a summary face
sheet or cover sheet that accurately reflects the contents of the attached
document. The secretary of state may, by rule adopted under chapter 34.05 RCW,
specify the required contents of any summary face sheet and the type of
document or documents in which the summary face sheet will be required, in
addition to any other filing requirements which may be applicable.
Sec. 33. Section 13, chapter 35, Laws of 1981 as last amended by section 1, chapter 110, Laws of 1986 and RCW 50.04.165 are each amended to read as follows:
Services
performed by corporate officers as defined in RCW ((23A.08.470)) 23B.08.400,
other than those covered by chapter 50.44 RCW, shall not be considered services
in employment. However, a corporation may elect to cover not less than all of
its corporate officers under RCW 50.24.160. If an employer does not elect to
cover its corporate officers under RCW 50.24.160, the employer must notify its
corporate officers in writing that they are ineligible for unemployment
benefits. If the employer fails to notify any corporate officer, then that
person shall not be considered to be a corporate officer for the purposes of
this section.
Sec. 34. Section 1, chapter 74, Laws of 1965 as last amended by section 1, chapter 352, Laws of 1987 and RCW 61.24.010 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The terms "record" and "recorded" as used in this chapter, shall include the appropriate registration proceedings, in the instance of registered land.
(2) The trustee of a deed of trust under this chapter shall be:
(a) Any
domestic corporation incorporated under Title ((23A)) 23B, 30,
31, 32, or 33 RCW; or
(b) Any title insurance company authorized to insure title to real property under the laws of this state, or its agents; or
(c) Any attorney who is an active member of the Washington state bar association at the time he is named trustee; or
(d) Any professional corporation incorporated under chapter 18.100 RCW, all of whose shareholders are licensed attorneys; or
(e) Any agency or instrumentality of the United States government; or
(f) Any national bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association chartered under the laws of the United States.
(3) The trustee shall resign at the request of the beneficiary and may resign at its own election. Upon the resignation, incapacity, disability, or death of the trustee, the beneficiary shall nominate in writing a successor trustee. Upon recording in the mortgage records of the county or counties in which the trust deed is recorded, of the appointment of a successor trustee, the successor trustee shall be vested with all powers of the original trustee.
Sec. 35. Section 5, chapter 312, Laws of 1959 and RCW 24.36.050 are each amended to read as follows:
The
provisions of Title ((23)) 23B RCW and all powers and rights
thereunder, apply to associations, except where such provisions are in conflict
with or inconsistent with the express provisions of this chapter.
Sec. 36. Section 138, chapter 165, Laws of 1989 and RCW 23B.12.010 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A corporation may on the terms and conditions and for the consideration determined by the board of directors:
(a) Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of its property in the usual and regular course of business; or
(b) Mortgage, pledge, dedicate to the repayment of indebtedness, whether with or without recourse, or otherwise encumber any or all of its property whether or not in the usual and regular course of business.
(2) Unless the articles of incorporation require it, approval by the shareholders of a transaction described in subsection (1) of this section is not required.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 37. Section 42, chapter 307, Laws of 1989 and RCW 23A.32.050 are each repealed.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 38. This act shall take effect July 1, 1990.