AB 506: Limited liability companies.
- Session Year: 2015-2016
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2015-10-11
Existing law, the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, authorizes one or more persons to form a limited liability company by, among other things, signing and delivering articles of organization to the Secretary of State. The act authorizes a person, as defined, to dissociate as a member of a limited liability company at any time by withdrawing as a member by express will. The act deems a person to be dissociated from a limited liability company upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, an individuals death. The act provides the effects when a person, including an individual, is dissociated from a limited liability company. Existing law limits the application of an operating agreement.
This bill would specify that upon dissociation a persons right to vote as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates. The bill would authorize, if a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a members interest is being administered by an attorney-in-fact under a valid power of attorney, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact, or other legal representative to exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member. The bill would also modify the definition of electronic transmission by the limited liability company and would expand the definition of person under the act. The bill would modify what an operating agreement may provide, as specified. The bill would provide that specified provisions of the Labor Code, relating to consideration for employment and employment contracts, shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, as specified.
Existing law requires that any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement.
This bill would further require that the profits and losses of a limited liability company be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement, and would require that profits and losses be allocated in proportion to the value of the contributions from each member if the operating agreement does not otherwise provide.
Existing law requires the consent of all members of the limited liability company to approve a merger or conversion and to amend the operating agreement.
This bill would eliminate that requirement.
Existing law requires a limited liability company to reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with specified duties.
This bill would require the limited liability company to indemnify the agent of a limited liability company to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, as provided.
Under existing law, the persons who filed the certificate of dissolution are required to sign and file with the Secretary of State a certificate of cancellation of articles of organization upon the completion of the winding up of the affairs of the limited liability company, except as specified. Existing law requires the certificate of cancellation of articles of organization to include, among other things, that upon the filing of the certificate of cancellation, the limited liability company is required to be canceled and its powers, rights, and privileges are required to cease. Under existing law, a limited liability company that is dissolved continues to exist for the purpose of, among other things, winding up its affairs and prosecuting and defending actions by or against it in order to collect and discharge obligations.
This bill would instead provide that a limited liability company that has filed a certificate of cancellation continues to exist for those purposes, as specified.
This bill would limit the applicability of the act to acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or after January 1, 2014.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code made by this bill and AB 1471 to take effect if both bills are chaptered and this bill is chaptered last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code made by this bill and AB 1517 to take effect if both bills are chaptered and this bill is chaptered last.
Existing law, the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, authorizes one or more persons to form a limited liability company by, among other things, signing and delivering articles of organization to the Secretary of State. The act authorizes a person, as defined, to dissociate as a member of a limited liability company at any time by withdrawing as a member by express will. The act deems a person to be dissociated from a limited liability company upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, an individuals death. The act provides the effects when a person, including an individual, is dissociated from a limited liability company. Existing law limits the application of an operating agreement.
This bill would specify that upon dissociation a persons right to vote as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates. The bill would authorize, if a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a members interest is being administered by an attorney-in-fact under a valid power of attorney, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact, or other legal representative to exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member. The bill would also modify the definition of electronic transmission by the limited liability company and would expand the definition of person under the act. The bill would modify what an operating agreement may provide, as specified. The bill would provide that specified provisions of the Labor Code, relating to consideration for employment and employment contracts, shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, as specified.
Existing law requires that any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement.
This bill would further require that the profits and losses of a limited liability company be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement, and would require that profits and losses be allocated in proportion to the value of the contributions from each member if the operating agreement does not otherwise provide.
Existing law requires the consent of all members of the limited liability company to approve a merger or conversion and to amend the operating agreement.
This bill would eliminate that requirement.
Existing law requires a limited liability company to reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with specified duties.
This bill would require the limited liability company to indemnify the agent of a limited liability company to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, as provided.
Under existing law, the persons who filed the certificate of dissolution are required to sign and file with the Secretary of State a certificate of cancellation of articles of organization upon the completion of the winding up of the affairs of the limited liability company, except as specified. Existing law requires the certificate of cancellation of articles of organization to include, among other things, that upon the filing of the certificate of cancellation, the limited liability company is required to be canceled and its powers, rights, and privileges are required to cease. Under existing law, a limited liability company that is dissolved continues to exist for the purpose of, among other things, winding up its affairs and prosecuting and defending actions by or against it in order to collect and discharge obligations.
This bill would instead provide that a limited liability company that has filed a certificate of cancellation continues to exist for those purposes, as specified.
This bill would limit the applicability of the act to acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or after January 1, 2014.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code made by this bill and AB 1471 to take effect if both bills are chaptered and this bill is chaptered last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code made by this bill and AB 1517 to take effect if both bills are chaptered and this bill is chaptered last.
Existing law, the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, authorizes one or more persons to form a limited liability company by, among other things, signing and delivering articles of organization with the Secretary of State. The act authorizes a person, as defined, to dissociate as a member of a limited liability company at any time by withdrawing as a member by express will. The act deems a person to be dissociated from a limited liability company upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, an individuals death. The act provides the effects when a person, including an individual, is dissociated from a limited liability company. Existing law limits the application of an operating agreement.
This bill would specify that upon dissociation a persons right to vote as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates. The bill would authorize, if a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a members interest is being administered by an attorney-in-fact under a valid power of attorney, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact, or other legal representative to exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member. The bill would also modify the definition of electronic transmission by the limited liability company and would expand the definition of person under the act. The bill would modify what an operating agreement may provide, as specified. The bill would provide that specified provisions of the Labor Code, relating to consideration for employment and employment contracts, shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, as specified.
Existing law requires that any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement.
This bill would further require that the profits and losses of a limited liability company be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement, and would require that profits and losses be allocated in proportion to the value of the contributions from each member if the operating agreement does not otherwise provide.
Existing law requires the consent of all members of the limited liability company to approve a merger or conversion and to amend the operating agreement.
This bill would eliminate that requirement.
Existing law requires a limited liability company to reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with specified duties.
This bill would require the limited liability company to indemnify the agent of a limited liability company to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, as provided.
Under existing law, the persons who filed the certificate of dissolution are required to sign and file with the Secretary of State a certificate of cancellation of articles of organization upon the completion of the winding up of the affairs of the limited liability company, except as specified. Existing law requires the certificate of cancellation of articles of organization to include, among other things, that upon the filing of the certificate of cancellation, the limited liability company is required to be canceled and its powers, rights, and privileges are required to cease. Under existing law, a limited liability company that is dissolved continues to exist for the purpose of, among other things, winding up its affairs and prosecuting and defending actions by or against it in order to collect and discharge obligations.
This bill would instead provide that a limited liability company that has filed a certificate of cancellation continues to exist for those purposes, as specified.
This bill would limit the applicability of the act to acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or after January 1, 2014.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code made by this bill and AB 1471 to take effect if both bills are chaptered and this bill is chaptered last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code made by this bill and AB 1517 to take effect if both bills are chaptered and this bill is chaptered last.
Existing law, the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, authorizes one or more persons to form a limited liability company by, among other things, signing and delivering articles of organization with the Secretary of State. The act authorizes a person, as defined, to dissociate as a member of a limited liability company at any time by withdrawing as a member by express will. The act deems a person to be dissociated from a limited liability company upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, an individuals death. The act provides the effects when a person, including an individual, is dissociated from a limited liability company. Existing law limits the application of an operating agreement.
This bill would specify that upon dissociation a persons right to vote as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates. The bill would authorize, if a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a members interest is being administered by an attorney-in-fact under a valid power of attorney, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact, or other legal representative to exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member. The bill would also modify the definition of electronic transmission by the limited liability company and would expand the definition of person under the act. The bill would modify what an operating agreement may provide, as specified. The bill would provide that specified provisions of the Labor Code, relating to consideration for employment and employment contracts, shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, as specified.
Existing law requires that any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement.
This bill would further require that the profits and losses of a limited liability company be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement, and would require that profits and losses be allocated in proportion to the value of the contributions from each member if the operating agreement does not otherwise provide.
Existing law requires the consent of all members of the limited liability company to approve a merger or conversion and to amend the operating agreement.
This bill would eliminate that requirement.
Existing law requires a limited liability company to reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with specified duties.
This bill would require the limited liability company to indemnify the agent of a limited liability company to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, as provided.
Under existing law, the persons who filed the certificate of dissolution are required to sign and file with the Secretary of State a certificate of cancellation of articles of organization upon the completion of the winding up of the affairs of the limited liability company, except as specified. Existing law requires the certificate of cancellation of articles of organization to include, among other things, that upon the filing of the certificate of cancellation, the limited liability company is required to be canceled and its powers, rights, and privileges are required to cease. Under existing law, a limited liability company that is dissolved continues to exist for the purpose of, among other things, winding up its affairs and prosecuting and defending actions by or against it in order to collect and discharge obligations.
This bill would instead provide that a limited liability company that has filed a certificate of cancellation continues to exist for those purposes, as specified.
This bill would limit the applicability of the act to acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or after January 1, 2014.
Existing law, the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, authorizes one or more persons to form a limited liability company by, among other things, signing and delivering articles of organization with the Secretary of State. The act authorizes a person, as defined, to dissociate as a member of a limited liability company at any time by withdrawing as a member by express will. The act deems a person to be dissociated from a limited liability company upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, an individuals death. The act provides the effects when a person, including an individual, is dissociated from a limited liability company. Existing law limits the application of an operating agreement.
This bill would specify that upon dissociation a persons right to vote as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates. The bill would authorize, if a member dies dies, or a guardian or general conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a members interest is being administered by an attorney-in-fact under a valid power of attorney, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact, or other legal representative to exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member. The bill would also modify the definition of electronic transmission by the limited liability company and would expand the definition of person under the act. The bill would modify what an operating agreement may provide, as specified. The bill would provide that specified provisions of the Labor Code, relating to consideration for employment and employment contracts, shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, as specified.
Existing law requires that any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement.
This bill would further require that the profits and losses of a limited liability company be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement, and would require that profits and losses be allocated in proportion to the value of the contributions from each member if the operating agreement does not otherwise provide.
Existing law requires the consent of all members of the limited liability company to approve a merger or conversion and to amend the operating agreement.
This bill would eliminate that requirement.
Existing law requires a limited liability company to reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with specified duties.
This bill would require the limited liability company to indemnify the agent of a limited liability company to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, as provided.
Under existing law, the persons who filed the certificate of dissolution are required to sign and file with the Secretary of State a certificate of cancellation of articles of organization upon the completion of the winding up of the affairs of the limited liability company, except as specified. Existing law requires the certificate of cancellation of articles of organization to include, among other things, that upon the filing of the certificate of cancellation, the limited liability company is required to be canceled and its powers, rights, and privileges are required to cease. Under existing law, a limited liability company that is dissolved continues to exist for the purpose of, among other things, winding up its affairs and prosecuting and defending actions by or against it in order to collect and discharge obligations.
This bill would instead provide that a limited liability company that has filed a certificate of cancellation continues to exist for those purposes, as specified.
This bill would limit the applicability of the act to acts or transactions existing on or before January 1, 2014, by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability companies existing company occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or before that date, as provided. after January 1, 2014.
Existing law, the Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 2008, provides that a limited partnership is formed when the Secretary of State files the certificate of limited partnership.
This bill would provide that a limited partnership is formed when the Secretary of State files the certificate of limited partnership and when the partners enter into a partnership agreement.
Existing law, the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, authorizes one or more persons to form a limited liability company by, among other things, signing and delivering articles of organization with the Secretary of State. The act authorizes a person, as defined, to dissociate as a member of a limited liability company at any time by withdrawing as a member by express will. The act deems a person to be dissociated from a limited liability company upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, an individuals death. The act provides the effects when a person, including an individual, is dissociated from a limited liability company. Existing law limits the application of an operating agreement.
This bill would specify that upon dissociation a persons right to vote as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates. The bill would authorize, if a member dies or a guardian or general conservator is appointed for the member, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative to exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member. This The bill would also modify the definition of electronic transmission by the limited liability company and would expand the definition of person under the act. This The bill would modify what an operating agreement may provide, as specified. This The bill would provide that specified provisions of the Labor Code, relating to consideration for employment and employment contracts, shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, as specified.
Existing law requires that any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement.
This bill would further require that the profits and losses of a limited liability company be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement, and would require that profits and losses be allocated in proportion to the value of the contributions from each member if the operating agreement does not otherwise provide.
Existing law requires the consent of all members of the limited liability company to approve a merger or conversion and to amend the operating agreement.
This bill would eliminate that requirement.
Existing law requires a limited liability company to reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with specified duties.
This bill would require the limited liability company to indemnify the agent of a limited liability company to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, as provided.
This bill would limit the applicability of the act to acts or transactions existing on or after before January 1, 2014, or by members or managers of limited liability companies existing on or before that date, as provided.
Existing law, the Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 2008, provides that a limited partnership is formed when the Secretary of State files the certificate of limited partnership.
This bill would provide that a limited partnership is formed when the Secretary of State files the certificate of limited partnership and when the partners enter into a partnership agreement.
Existing law, the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, authorizes one or more persons to form a limited liability company by, among other things, signing and delivering articles of organization with the Secretary of State. The act authorizes a person, as defined, to dissociate as a member of a limited liability company at any time by withdrawing as a member by express will. The act deems a person to be dissociated from a limited liability company upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, an individuals death. The act provides the effects when a person, including an individual, is dissociated from a limited liability company. Existing law limits the application of an operating agreement.
This bill would specify that upon dissociation a persons right to vote as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates. The bill would authorize, if a member dies or a guardian or general conservator is appointed for the member, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative to exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member. This bill would also modify the definition of electronic transmission by the limited liability company and would expand the definition of person under the act. This bill would modify what an operating agreement may provide, as specified. This bill would provide that specified provisions of the Labor Code, relating to consideration for employment and employment contracts, shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, as specified.
Existing law requires that any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement.
This bill would further require that the profits and losses of a limited liability company be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement, and would require that profits and losses be allocated in proportion to the value of the contributions from each member if the operating agreement does not otherwise provide.
Existing law requires the consent of all members of the limited liability company to approve a merger or conversion and to amend the operating agreement.
This bill would eliminate that requirement.
Existing law requires a limited liability company to reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with specified duties.
This bill would require the limited liability company to indemnify the agent of a limited liability company to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, as provided.
This bill would limit the applicability of the act to acts or transactions existing on or after January 1, 2014, or by members or managers of limited liability companies existing on or before that date, as provided.
Existing law provides that a limited partnership is formed when the Secretary of State files the certificate of limited partnership.
This bill would provide that a limited partnership is formed when the Secretary of State files the certificate of limited partnership and when the partners enter into a partnership agreement.
Existing law, the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, authorizes one or more persons to form a limited liability company by, among other things, signing and delivering articles of organization with the Secretary of State. The act authorizes a person, as defined, to dissociate as a member of a limited liability company at any time by withdrawing as a member by express will. The act deems a person to be dissociated from a limited liability company upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, an individuals death. The act provides the effects when a person, including an individual, is dissociated from a limited liability company.
This bill would specify that upon dissociation a persons right to vote as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates. The bill would authorize, if a member dies or a guardian or general conservator is appointed for the member, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative to exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
In this title:
(a)Acknowledged means that an instrument is either of the following:
(1)Formally acknowledged as provided in Article 3 (commencing with Section 1180) of Chapter 4 of Title 4 of Part 4 of Division 2 of the Civil Code.
(2)Executed to include substantially the following wording preceding the signature:
It is hereby declared that I am the person who executed this instrument which execution is my act and deed.
Any certificate of acknowledgment taken without this state before a notary public or a judge or clerk of a court of record having an official seal need not be further authenticated.
(b)Articles of organization means the articles required by Section 17702.01. The term includes the articles of organization as amended or restated.
(c)Contribution means any benefit provided by a person to a limited liability company:
(1)In order to become a member upon formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between or among the persons that have agreed to become the initial members of the limited liability company.
(2)In order to become a member after formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between the person and the limited liability company.
(3)In the persons capacity as a member and in accordance with the operating agreement or an agreement between the member and the limited liability company.
(d)Debtor in bankruptcy means a person that is the subject of either of the following:
(1)An order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code or a successor statute of general application.
(2)A comparable order under federal, state, or foreign law governing bankruptcy or insolvency, an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or an order appointing a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of the person or of all or substantially all of the persons property.
(e)Designated office means either of the following:
(1)The office that a limited liability company is required to designate and maintain under Section 17701.13.
(2)The principal office of a foreign limited liability company.
(f)Distribution, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17704.05, means a transfer of money or other property from a limited liability company to another person on account of a transferable interest.
(g)Domestic means organized under the laws of this state when used in relation to any limited liability company, other business entity, or person other than a natural person.
(h)Effective, with respect to a record required or permitted to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing under this title, means effective under subdivision (c) of Section 17702.05.
(i)(1)Electronic transmission by the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, for that recipient on record with the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, together with a separate notice to the recipient of the posting, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the later of the posting or delivery of the separate notice thereof.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The communication is delivered to a recipient who has provided an unrevoked consent to the use of those means of transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(2)Electronic transmission to the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, that the limited liability company has provided from time to time to members or managers for sending communications to the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the posting.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The limited liability company has placed in effect reasonable measures to verify that the sender is the member or manager, in person or by proxy, purporting to send the transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(j)Foreign limited liability company means an unincorporated entity formed under the law of a jurisdiction other than this state and denominated by that law as a limited liability company.
(k)Limited liability company, except in the phrase foreign limited liability company, means a domestic entity formed under this title or an entity that becomes subject to this title pursuant to Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(l)Majority of the managers unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the managers of the limited liability company.
(m)Majority of the members unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the membership interests of members in current profits of the limited liability company.
(n)Manager means a person that under the operating agreement of a manager-managed limited liability company is responsible, alone or in concert with others, for performing the management functions stated in subdivision (c) of Section 17704.07.
(o)Manager-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that qualifies under subdivision (a) of Section 17704.07.
(p)Member means a person that has become a member of a limited liability company under Section 17704.01 and has not dissociated under Section 17706.02.
(q)Member-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that is not a manager-managed limited liability company.
(r)Membership interest means a members rights in the limited liability company, including the members transferable interest, any right to vote or participate in management, and any right to information concerning the business and affairs of the limited liability company provided by this title.
(s)Operating agreement means the agreement, whether or not referred to as an operating agreement and whether oral, in a record, implied, or in any combination thereof, of all the members of a limited liability company, including a sole member, concerning the matters described in subdivision (a) of Section 17701.10. The term operating agreement may include, without more, an agreement of all members to organize a limited liability company pursuant to this title. An operating agreement of a limited liability company having only one member shall not be unenforceable by reason of there being only one person who is a party to the operating agreement. The term includes the agreement as amended or restated.
(t)Organization means, whether domestic or foreign, a partnership whether general or limited, limited liability company, association, corporation, professional corporation, professional association, nonprofit corporation, business trust, or statutory business trust having a governing statute.
(u)Organizer means a person that acts under Section 17702.01 to form a limited liability company.
(v)Person means an individual, partnership, limited partnership, trust, a trustee of a trust, including, but not limited to, a trust described under Division 9 (commencing with Section 15000) of the Probate Code, estate, association, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, whether domestic or foreign. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to confer any rights under the California Constitution or the United States Constitution.
(w)Principal office means the principal executive office of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, whether or not the office is located in this state.
(x)Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(y)State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(z)Transfer includes an assignment, conveyance, deed, bill of sale, lease, mortgage, security interest, encumbrance, gift, and transfer by operation of law.
(aa)Transferable interest means the right, as originally associated with a persons capacity as a member, to receive distributions from a limited liability company in accordance with the operating agreement, whether or not the person remains a member or continues to own any part of the right.
(ab)Transferee means a person to which all or part of a transferable interest has been transferred, whether or not the transferor is a member.
(ac)Vote includes authorization by written consent or consent given by electronic transmission to the limited liability company.
SEC. 2.Section 17701.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.10.(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section, the operating agreement governs all of the following:
(1)Relations among the members as members and between the members and the limited liability company.
(2)The rights and duties under this title of a person in the capacity of manager.
(3)The activities of the limited liability company and the conduct of those activities.
(4)The means and conditions for amending the operating agreement.
(b)To the extent the operating agreement does not otherwise provide for a matter described in subdivision (a), this title governs the matter.
(c)In addition to the matters specified in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d), an operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary a limited liability companys capacity under Section 17701.05 to sue and be sued in its own name.
(2)Vary the law applicable under Section 17701.06.
(3)Vary the power of the court under Section 17702.04.
(4)Subject to paragraphs (14) and (15) of this subdivision and subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, or any other fiduciary duty.
(5)Subject to subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under subdivision (d) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable as determined at the time the standards are prescribed.
(6)Vary the requirements of Section 17701.13 to 17701.16, inclusive, or any provision under Article 8 (commencing with Section 17708.01).
(7)Vary the power of a court to decree dissolution in the circumstances specified in subdivision (a) of Section 17707.03 or the provisions for avoidance of dissolution in subdivision (c) of Section 17707.03.
(8)Except as provided therein, vary the requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 17702.01) or Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01).
(9)Unreasonably restrict the right of a member to maintain an action under Article 9 (commencing with Section 17709.01).
(10)Restrict the right of a member that will have personal liability with respect to a surviving or converted organization to approve a merger or conversion under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(11)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17701.12, restrict the rights under this title of a person other than a member or manager.
(12)Except as provided therein, vary any provision under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(13)Vary any provision under Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), Article 12 (commencing with Section 17712.01), or Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(14)Eliminate the duty of loyalty under subdivision (b) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may do any of the following:
(A)Identify specific types or categories of activities that do not violate the duty of loyalty, if not manifestly unreasonable.
(B)Specify the number or percentage of members that may authorize or ratify, after full disclosure to all members of all material facts, a specific act or transaction that otherwise would violate the duty of loyalty.
(15)Unreasonably reduce the duty of care under subdivision (c) of Section 17704.09.
(d)Except as provided in subdivision (c) and subdivisions (e) to (g), inclusive, the effects of the provisions of this title may be varied as among the members or as between the members and the limited liability company by the operating agreement; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 17701.13, 17703.01, and 17704.08 and subdivisions (f) to (r), inclusive, and (u) to (w), inclusive, of Section 17704.07 shall only be varied by a written operating agreement. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this subdivision and in addition to the matters specified in subdivision (c), the operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary the definitions of Section 17701.02, except as specifically provided therein.
(2)Vary a members rights under Section 17704.10.
(3)Vary any of the provisions of this section or Section 17701.12, except as provided therein.
(4)Vary any of the provisions of subdivisions (s) and (t) of Section 17704.07.
(e)The fiduciary duties of a manager to a manager-managed limited liability company and to the members of the limited liability company and of a member to a member-managed limited liability company and to the members of such limited liability company shall only be modified in a written operating agreement with the informed consent of the members. Assenting to the operating agreement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17701.11 shall not constitute informed consent.
(f)To the extent the operating agreement of a member-managed limited liability company expressly relieves a member of a responsibility that the member would otherwise have under this title and imposes the responsibility on one or more other members, the operating agreement may, to the benefit of the member that the operating agreement relieves of the responsibility, also eliminate or limit any fiduciary duty that would have pertained to the responsibility.
(g)The operating agreement may alter or eliminate the indemnification for a member or manager provided by subdivision (a) of Section 17704.08 and may eliminate or limit a member or managers liability to the limited liability company and members for money damages, except for the following:
(1)Breach of the duty of loyalty.
(2)A financial benefit received by the member or manager to which the member or manager is not entitled.
(3)A members liability for excess distributions under Section 17704.06.
(4)Intentional infliction of harm on the limited liability company or a member.
(5)An intentional violation of criminal law.
SEC. 3.Section 17701.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.12.(a)An operating agreement may specify that its amendment requires the approval of a person that is not a party to the operating agreement or the satisfaction of a condition. An amendment is ineffective if its adoption does not include the required approval or satisfy the specified condition.
(b)The obligations of a limited liability company and its members to a person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member are governed by the operating agreement. Subject only to any court order issued under paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 17705.03 to effectuate a charging order, an amendment to the operating agreement made after a person becomes a transferee or dissociated member is effective with regard to any debt, obligation, or other liability of the limited liability company or its members to the person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member.
(c)If a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title contains a provision that would be ineffective under Section 17701.10 if contained in the operating agreement, the provision is likewise ineffective in the record.
(d)Subject to subdivision (c), if a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title conflicts with a provision of the operating agreement both of the following apply:
(1)The operating agreement prevails as to members, dissociated members, transferees, and managers.
(2)The record prevails as to other persons to the extent they reasonably rely on the record.
SEC. 4.Section 17701.13 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.13.(a)A limited liability company shall designate and continuously maintain in this state both of the following:
(1)An office, which need not be a place of its activity in this state.
(2)An agent for service of process.
(b)A foreign limited liability company that has a certificate of registration under Section 17708.02 shall designate and continuously maintain in this state an agent for service of process.
(c)An agent for service of process of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company shall be an individual who is a resident of this state or a corporation that has complied with Section 1505 and whose capacity to act as an agent has not terminated. If a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company designates a corporation as its agent for service of process in an instrument filed with the Secretary of State, no address for that agent for service of process shall be set forth in that instrument.
(d)Each limited liability company shall maintain in writing or in any other form capable of being converted into clearly legible tangible form at the office referred to in subdivision (a) all of the following:
(1)A current list of the full name and last known business or residence address of each member and of each transferee set forth in alphabetical order, together with the contribution and the share in profits and losses of each member and transferee.
(2)If the limited liability company is a manager-managed limited liability company, a current list of the full name and business or residence address of each manager.
(3)A copy of the articles of organization and all amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which the articles of organization or any amendments thereto were executed.
(4)Copies of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns and reports, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(5)A copy of the limited liability companys operating agreement, if in writing, and any amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which any written operating agreement or any amendments thereto were executed.
(6)Copies of the financial statement of the limited liability company, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(7)The books and records of the limited liability company as they relate to the internal affairs of the limited liability company for at least the current and past four fiscal years.
(e)Upon request of an assessor, a domestic or foreign limited liability company owning, claiming, possessing, or controlling property in this state subject to local assessment shall make available at the limited liability companys principal office in this state or at the office required to be kept pursuant to subdivision (a) or at a place mutually acceptable to the assessor and the limited liability company a true copy of the business records relevant to the amount, cost, and value of all property that the limited liability company owns, claims, possesses, or controls within the county.
SEC. 5.Section 17704.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.01.(a)If a limited liability company is to have only one member upon formation, the person becomes a member as agreed by that person and the organizer of the limited liability company. That person and the organizer may be, but need not be, different persons. If different, the organizer acts on behalf of the initial member.
(b)If a limited liability company is to have more than one member upon formation, those persons become members as agreed by the persons before the formation of the limited liability company. The organizer acts on behalf of the persons in forming the limited liability company and may be, but need not be, one of the persons.
(c)After formation of a limited liability company, a person becomes a member as follows:
(1)As provided in the operating agreement.
(2)As the result of a transaction effective under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(3)With the consent of all the members.
(4)If, within 90 consecutive days after the limited liability company ceases to have any members, the last person to have been a member, or the legal representative of that person, designates a person to become a member, and the designated person consents to become a member.
(d)A person may become a member without acquiring a transferable interest and without making or being obligated to make a contribution to the limited liability company.
(e)Sections 406 and 407 of the Labor Code shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company to the following persons:
(1)Any employee of the limited liability company or foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either, pursuant to a membership interest purchase plan or agreement, or a membership interest option plan or agreement.
(2)In any transaction in connection with securing employment, a person who is or is about to become an officer or a manager of the limited liability company or the foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either.
SEC. 6.Section 17704.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.04.(a)Any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up shall be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, distributions shall be on the basis of the value, as stated in the required records when the limited liability company decides to make the distribution, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member, except to the extent necessary to comply with any transfer effective under Section 17705.02 and any charging order in effect under Section 17705.03.
(b)A person has a right to a distribution before the dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company only if the limited liability company decides to make an interim distribution. Unless the articles of organization or written operating agreement provides otherwise, a persons dissociation does not entitle the person to a distribution, and, beginning on the date of dissociation, the dissociated person shall have only the right of a transferee of a transferable interest with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company, and then only with respect to distributions, if any, to which a transferee is entitled under the operating agreement. If the dissociation is in violation of the operating agreement, the limited liability company shall have the right to offset any damages for the breach of the operating agreement from the amounts, if any, otherwise distributable to the dissociated person with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company.
(c)A person does not have a right to demand or receive a distribution from a limited liability company in any form other than money. A limited liability company may distribute an asset in kind if each part of the asset is fungible with each other part and each person receives a percentage of the asset equal in value to the persons share of distributions.
(d)If a member or transferee becomes entitled to receive a distribution, the member or transferee has the status of, and is entitled to all remedies available to, a creditor of the limited liability company with respect to the distribution.
(e)The profits and losses of a limited liability company shall be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, profits and losses shall be allocated in proportion to the value, as stated in the required records, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member.
SEC. 7.Section 17704.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.07.(a)A limited liability company is a member-managed limited liability company unless the articles of organization contain the statement required by paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 17702.01.
(b)In a member-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)The management and conduct of the limited liability company are vested in the members.
(2)Except as provided in subdivision (r), each member has equal rights in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities including equal voting rights.
(3)A difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company shall be decided by a majority of the members.
(4)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), an act outside the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be undertaken only with the consent of all members.
(5)The operating agreement may be amended only with the consent of all members.
(c)In a manager-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)Except as otherwise expressly provided in this title, any matter relating to the activities of the limited liability company is decided exclusively by the managers.
(2)Each manager has equal rights in the management and conduct of the activities of the limited liability company.
(3)A difference arising among managers as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be decided by a majority of the managers of the limited liability company.
(4)The consent of all members of the limited liability company is required to do any of the following:
(A)Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the limited liability companys property, with or without the goodwill, outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any other act outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(5)A manager may be chosen at any time by the consent of a majority of the members and remains a manager until a successor has been chosen, unless the manager at an earlier time resigns, is removed, or dies, or, in the case of a manager that is not an individual, terminates. A manager may be removed at any time by the consent of a majority of the members without cause, subject to the rights, if any, of the manager under any service contract with the limited liability company.
(6)A person need not be a member to be a manager, but the dissociation of a member that is also a manager removes the person as a manager. If a person that is both a manager and a member ceases to be a manager, that cessation does not by itself dissociate the person as a member.
(7)A persons ceasing to be a manager does not discharge any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or members which the person incurred while a manager.
(d)Except for such orders as may be made by a court of competent jurisdiction over a dissolution under Section 17707.03, the dissolution of a limited liability company does not affect the applicability of this section. However, a person that wrongfully causes dissolution of the limited liability company loses the right to participate in management as a member and a manager.
(e)This title does not entitle a member to remuneration for services performed for a member-managed limited liability company, except for reasonable compensation for services rendered in winding up the activities of a limited liability company.
(f)Meetings of members may be held at any place, by electronic video screen communication or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02, either within or without this state, selected by the person or persons calling the meeting or as may be stated in or fixed in accordance with the articles of organization or a written operating agreement. If no other place is stated or so fixed, all meetings shall be held at the principal office of the limited liability company. Unless prohibited by the articles of organization of the limited liability company, if authorized by the operating agreement, members not physically present in person or by proxy at a meeting of members may, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02 or by electronic video screen communication, participate in a meeting of members, be deemed present in person or by proxy, and vote at a meeting of members whether that meeting is to be held at a designated place or in whole or in part by means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication, in accordance with subdivision (l).
(g)A meeting of the members may be called by any manager or by any member or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests in current profits of members for the purpose of addressing any matters on which the members may vote.
(h)(1)Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each member entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state the place, date, and hour of the meeting, the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, and the general nature of the business to be transacted. No other business may be transacted at that meeting.
(2)Any report or any notice of a members meeting shall be given personally, by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, or by mail or other means of written communication, addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company or given by the member to the limited liability company for the purpose of notice, or, if no address appears or is given, at the place where the principal office of the limited liability company is located or by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal office is located. The notice or report shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally, delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, deposited in the mail, or sent by other means of written communication. An affidavit of mailing or delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company of any notice or report in accordance with this article, executed by a manager, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice or report.
(3)If any notice or report addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company is returned to the limited liability company by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice or report to the member at the address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if they are available for the member at the principal office of the limited liability company for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice or report to all other members.
(4)Notice given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision shall be valid only if it complies with paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02.
Notwithstanding this condition, notice shall not be given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision after either of the following has occurred:
(A)The limited liability company is unable to deliver two consecutive notices to the member by that means.
(B)The inability to so deliver the notices to the member becomes known to the secretary, any assistant secretary, the transfer agent, or any other person responsible for the giving of the notice.
(5)Upon written request to a manager by any person entitled to call a meeting of members, the manager shall immediately cause notice to be given to the members entitled to vote that a meeting will be held at a time requested by the person calling the meeting, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within 20 days after receipt of the request, the person entitled to call the meeting may give the notice or, upon the application of that person, the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the limited liability company is located, or if the principal office is not in this state, the county in which the limited liability companys address in this state is located, shall summarily order the giving of the notice, after notice to the limited liability company affording it an opportunity to be heard. The procedure provided in subdivision (c) of Section 305 shall apply to the application. The court may issue any order as may be appropriate, including, without limitation, an order designating the time and place of the meeting, the record date for determination of members entitled to vote, and the form of notice.
(i)When a members meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless the articles of organization or a written operating agreement otherwise require and except as provided in this subdivision, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof or the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the limited liability company may transact any business that may have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each member of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
(j)The actions taken at any meeting of members, however called and noticed, and wherever held, have the same validity as if taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the members entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, provides a waiver of notice or consents to the holding of the meeting or approves the minutes of the meeting in writing. All waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the limited liability company records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting after conversion to the form in which those records or minutes are kept. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by this title to be included in the notice but not so included, if the objection is expressly made at the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted nor the purpose of any meeting of members need be specified in any written waiver of notice, unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, except as provided in subdivision (l).
(k)Members may participate in a meeting of the limited liability company through the use of conference telephones or electronic video screen communication, as long as all members participating in the meeting can hear one another, or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision constitutes presence in person at that meeting.
(l)Any action approved at a meeting, other than by unanimous approval of those entitled to vote, shall be valid only if the general nature of the proposal so approved was stated in the notice of meeting or in any written waiver of notice.
(m)(1)A majority of the members represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members.
(2)The members present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the loss of a quorum, if any action taken after loss of a quorum, other than adjournment, is approved by the requisite percentage of interests of members specified in this title or in the articles of organization or a written operating agreement.
(3)In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of members may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the interests represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in paragraph (2).
(n)(1)Any action that may be taken at any meeting of the members may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed and delivered to the limited liability company within 60 days of the record date for that action by members having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all members entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
(2)Unless the consents of all members entitled to vote have been solicited in writing, (A) notice of any member approval of an amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement, a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17707.01, or a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.10, without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given at least 10 days before the consummation of the action authorized by the approval, and (B) prompt notice shall be given of the taking of any other action approved by members without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent, to those members entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.
(3)Any member giving a written consent, or the members proxyholder, may revoke the consent personally or by proxy by a writing received by the limited liability company prior to the time that written consents of members having the minimum number of votes that would be required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the limited liability company, but may not do so thereafter. This revocation is effective upon its receipt at the office of the limited liability company required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(o)The use of proxies in connection with this section shall be governed in the same manner as in the case of corporations formed under the General Corporation Law, Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) of Title 1.
(p)In order that the limited liability company may determine the members of record entitled to notices of any meeting or to vote, or entitled to receive any distribution or to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action, a manager, or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests of members, may fix, in advance, a record date, that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting and not more than 60 days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed the following shall apply:
(1)The record date for determining members entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(2)The record date for determining members entitled to give consent to limited liability company action in writing without a meeting shall be the day on which the first written consent is given.
(3)The record date for determining members for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the managers adopt the resolution relating thereto, or the 60th day prior to the date of the other action, whichever is later.
(4)The determination of members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless a manager or the members who called the meeting fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the manager or the members who called the meeting shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than 45 days from the date set for the original meeting.
(q)A meeting of the members may be conducted, in whole or in part, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication if both of the following requirements are met:
(1)The limited liability company implements reasonable measures to provide members, in person or by proxy, a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the members, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with those proceedings.
(2)When any member votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of electronic transmission to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, a record of that vote or action shall be maintained by the limited liability company.
(r)The articles of organization or a written operating agreement may provide to all or certain identified members of a specified class or group of members the right to vote separately or with all or any class or group of members on any matter. Voting by members may be on a per capita, number, financial interest, class, group, or any other basis. If no voting provision is contained in the articles of organization or written operating agreement, each of the following shall apply:
(1)The members of a limited liability company shall vote in proportion to their interests in current profits of the limited liability company or, in the case of a member who has assigned the members entire transferable interest in the limited liability company to a person who has not been admitted as a member, in proportion to the interest in current profits that the assigning member would have, had the assignment not been made.
(2)Any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement shall require the unanimous vote of all members.
(3)In all other matters in which a vote is required, except as otherwise provided in this section, a vote of a majority of the members shall be sufficient.
(s)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, in no event shall the articles of organization be amended by a vote of less than a majority of the members.
(t)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, members shall have the right to vote on a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01, on a conversion to another business entity as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17710.03, and on a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.12.
(u)A written operating agreement may provide for the appointment of officers, including, but not limited to, a chairperson or a president, or both a chairperson and a president, a secretary, a chief financial officer, and any other officers with the titles, powers, and duties as shall be specified in the articles of organization or operating agreement or as determined by the managers or members. An officer may, but does not need to, be a member or manager of the limited liability company, and any number of offices may be held by the same person.
(v)Officers, if any, shall be appointed in accordance with the written operating agreement or, if no such provision is made in the operating agreement, any officers shall be appointed by the managers and shall serve at the pleasure of the managers, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the limited liability company without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the limited liability under any contract to which the officer is a party.
(w)Subject to the provisions of the articles of organization, any note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness, contract, certificate, statement, conveyance, or other instrument in writing, and any assignment or endorsement thereof, executed or entered into between any limited liability company and any other person, when signed by the chairperson of the board, the president, or any vice president and any secretary, any assistant secretary, the chief financial officer, or any assistant treasurer of the limited liability company, is not invalidated as to the limited liability company by any lack of authority of the signing officers in the absence of actual knowledge on the part of the other person that the signing officers had no authority to execute the same.
SEC. 8.Section 17704.08 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.08.(a)A limited liability company shall reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with the duties stated in Section 17704.09.
(b)Except as provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, a limited liability company may reimburse for any payment made and may indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a person not identified in subdivision (a), including, without limitation, any officer, employee, or agent of the limited liability company, in the course of that persons activities on behalf of the limited liability company.
(c)A limited liability company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person against liability asserted against or incurred by that person even if, under subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, the operating agreement could not eliminate or limit the persons liability to the limited liability company for the conduct giving rise to the liability.
(d)(1)Without limiting subdivision (a), to the extent that an agent of a limited liability company has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter in any proceeding in which the agent was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the person is or was an agent of the limited liability company, if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent in connection therewith.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:
(A)Agent means any person who is or was a member of a member-managed limited liability company, manager of a manager-managed limited liability company, officer, employee, or other agent of the limited liability company, or is or was serving at the request of the limited liability company as a manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, or was a manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of a foreign or domestic limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise that was a predecessor of the limited liability company or of another enterprise at the request of the predecessor entity or other enterprise.
(B)Expenses include, without limitation, the attorneys fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this subdivision.
(C)Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative.
SEC. 9.Section 17704.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.09.(a)The fiduciary duties that a member owes to a member-managed limited liability company and the other members of the limited liability company are the duties of loyalty and care under subdivisions (b) and (c).
(b)A members duty of loyalty to the limited liability company and the other members is limited to the following:
(1)To account to the limited liability company and hold as trustee for it any property, profit, or benefit derived by the member in the conduct and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company or derived from a use by the member of a limited liability company property, including the appropriation of a limited liability company opportunity.
(2)To refrain from dealing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company as or on behalf of a person having an interest adverse to the limited liability company.
(3)To refrain from competing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company.
(c)A members duty of care to a limited liability company and the other members in the conduct and winding up of the activities of the limited liability company is limited to refraining from engaging in grossly negligent or reckless conduct, intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law.
(d)A member shall discharge the duties to a limited liability company and the other members under this title or under the operating agreement and exercise any rights consistent with the obligation of good faith and fair dealing.
(e)A member does not violate a duty or obligation under this article or under the operating agreement merely because the members conduct furthers the members own interest.
(f)In a manager-managed limited liability company, all of the following rules apply:
(1)Subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (e) apply to the manager or managers and not the members.
(2)Subdivision (d) applies to the members and managers.
(3)Except as otherwise provided, a member does not have any fiduciary duty to the limited liability company or to any other member solely by reason of being a member.
SEC. 10.Section 17704.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.10.(a)Upon the request of a member or transferee, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member or a transferee, a manager or, if the limited liability company is member-managed, a member in possession of the requested information, shall promptly deliver, in writing, to the member or transferee, at the expense of the limited liability company, a copy of the information required to be maintained by paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 17701.13, and any written operating agreement of the limited liability company.
(b)Each member, manager, and transferee has the right, upon reasonable request, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member, manager, or transferee, to each of the following:
(1)To inspect and copy during normal business hours any of the records required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(2)To obtain in writing from the limited liability company, promptly after becoming available, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax returns for each year.
(c)In the case of a limited liability company with more than 35 members, each of the following shall apply:
(1)A manager shall cause an annual report to be sent to each of the members not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year. The report, which may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company (paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02) shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement and a statement of cashflows for the fiscal year.
(2)Members representing at least 5 percent of the voting interests of members, or three or more members, may make a written request to a manager for an income statement of the limited liability company for the initial three-month, six-month, or nine-month period of the current fiscal year ending more than 30 days prior to the date of the request, and a balance sheet of the limited liability company as of the end of that period. The statement shall be delivered or mailed to the members within 30 days thereafter.
(3)The financial statements referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report thereon, if any, of the independent accountants engaged by the limited liability company or, if there is no report, the certificate of the manager of the limited liability company that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the limited liability company.
(d)A manager shall promptly furnish to a member a copy of any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement executed by a manager pursuant to a power of attorney from the member. The articles of organization or operating agreement may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company.
(e)The limited liability company shall send or cause information to be sent in writing to each member or holder of a transferable interest within 90 days after the end of each taxable year the information necessary to complete federal and state income tax or information returns and, in the case of a limited liability company with 35 or fewer members, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns for the year.
(f)In addition to the remedies provided in Sections 17713.06 and 17713.07 and any other remedies, a court of competent jurisdiction may enforce the duty of making and mailing or delivering the information and financial statements required by this section and, for good cause shown, extend the time therefor.
(g)In any action under this section or under Section 17713.07, if the court finds the failure of the limited liability company to comply with the requirements of this section is without justification, the court may award an amount sufficient to reimburse the person bringing the action for the reasonable expenses incurred by that person, including attorneys fees, in connection with the action or proceeding.
(h)Any waiver of the rights provided in this section shall be unenforceable.
(i)Any request, inspection, or copying by a member or holder of a transferable interest may be made by that person or by that persons agent or attorney.
(j)Upon complaint that a limited liability company is failing to comply with the provisions of this section, or to afford to the members rights given to them in the articles of organization or operating agreement, the Attorney General may, in the name of the people of the State of California, send to the office required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13, notice of the complaint.
(k)If the answer of the limited liability company is not received within 30 days of the date the notice was transmitted, or if the answer is not satisfactory, and if the enforcement of the rights of the aggrieved persons by private civil action, by class action, or otherwise, would be so burdensome or expensive as to be impracticable, the Attorney General may institute, maintain, or intervene in any court of competent jurisdiction or before any administrative agency for relief by way of injunction, the dissolution of entities, the appointment of receivers, or any other temporary, preliminary, provisional, or final remedies as may be appropriate to protect the rights of members or to restore the position of the members for the failure to comply with the requirements of Section 17701.13 or the articles of organization or the operating agreement. In any action, suit, or proceeding, there may be joined as parties all persons and entities responsible for or affected by the activity.
SEC. 11.Section 17705.02 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17705.02.(a)With respect to a transfer, in whole or in part, of a transferable interest, all of the following apply:
(1)A transfer is permissible.
(2)A transfer does not by itself cause a members dissociation or a dissolution and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04, a transfer does not entitle the transferee to do any of the following:
(A)Vote or otherwise participate in the management or conduct of the activities of a limited liability company.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c) and Section 17704.10, have access to records or other information concerning the activities of a limited liability company.
(b)A transferee has the right to receive, in accordance with the transfer, distributions to which the transferor would otherwise be entitled; provided, however, that the pledge or granting of a security interest, lien, or other encumbrance in or against any or all of the transferable interest of a transferor shall not cause the transferor to cease to be a member or grant to the transferee or to anyone else the power to exercise any rights or powers of a member, including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions to which the member is entitled.
(c)In a dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company, a transferee is entitled to an account of the limited liability companys transactions only from the date of dissolution.
(d)A transferable interest may be evidenced by a certificate of the interest issued by the limited liability company in a record, and, subject to this article, the interest represented by the certificate may be transferred by a transfer of the certificate.
(e)A limited liability company need not give effect to a transferees rights under this section until the limited liability company has notice of the transfer.
(f)A transfer of a transferable interest in violation of a restriction on transfer contained in the operating agreement is ineffective as to a person having notice of the restriction at the time of transfer.
(g)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of this section and paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 17706.02, when a member transfers a transferable interest, the transferor retains the rights of a member, other than the interest in distributions transferred, and retains all duties and obligations of a member.
(h)When a member transfers a transferable interest to a person that becomes a member with respect to the transferred interest, the transferee is liable for the members obligations under Section 17704.03 and subdivision (c) of Section 17704.06 known to the transferee when the transferee becomes a member.
SEC. 12.Section 17706.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17706.03.(a)When a person is dissociated as a member of a limited liability company all of the following apply:
(1)The persons right to vote or participate as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates.
(2)If the limited liability company is member-managed, the person s fiduciary duties as a member end with regard to matters arising and events occurring after the persons dissociation.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04 and Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any transferable interest owned by the person immediately before dissociation in the persons capacity as a member is owned by the person solely as a transferee.
(b)A persons dissociation as a member of a limited liability company does not of itself discharge the person from any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or the other members that the person incurred while a member.
(c)If a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a members interest is being administered by an attorney-in-fact under a valid power of attorney, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact, or other legal representative may exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
SEC. 13.Section 17707.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.01.A limited liability company is dissolved, and its activities shall be wound up, upon the happening of the first to occur of the following:
(a)On the happening of an event set forth in a written operating agreement or the articles of organization.
(b)By the vote of a majority of the members of the limited liability company or a greater percentage of the voting interests of members as may be specified in the articles of organization, or a written operating agreement.
(c)The passage of 90 consecutive days during which the limited liability company has no members, except that, on the death of a natural person who is the sole member of a limited liability company, the status of the member, including a membership interest, may pass to one or more heirs, successors, and assigns of the member by will or applicable law. An heir, successor, or assign of the members interest becomes a substituted member pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 17704.01, subject to administration as provided by applicable law, without the permission or consent of the heirs, successors, or assigns or those administering the estate of the deceased member.
(d)Entry of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to Section 17707.03.
SEC. 14.Section 17707.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.03.(a)Pursuant to an action filed by any manager or by any member or members of a limited liability company, a court of competent jurisdiction may decree the dissolution of a limited liability company whenever any of the events specified in subdivision (b) occurs.
(b)(1)It is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in conformity with the articles of organization or operating agreement.
(2)Dissolution is reasonably necessary for the protection of the rights or interests of the complaining members.
(3)The business of the limited liability company has been abandoned.
(4)The management of the limited liability company is deadlocked or subject to internal dissension.
(5)Those in control of the limited liability company have been guilty of, or have knowingly countenanced, persistent and pervasive fraud, mismanagement, or abuse of authority.
(c)(1)In any suit for judicial dissolution, the other members may avoid the dissolution of the limited liability company by purchasing for cash the membership interests owned by the members so initiating the proceeding, the moving parties, at their fair market value. In fixing the value, the amount of any damages resulting if the initiation of the dissolution is a breach by any moving party or parties of an agreement with the purchasing party or parties, including, without limitation, the operating agreement, may be deducted from the amount payable to the moving party or parties; provided, that no member who sues for dissolution on the grounds set forth in paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (b) shall be liable for damages for breach of contract in bringing that action.
(2)If the purchasing parties elect to purchase the membership interests owned by the moving parties, are unable to agree with the moving parties upon the fair market value of the membership interests, and give bond with sufficient security to pay the estimated reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties if the expenses are recoverable under paragraph (3), the court, upon application of the purchasing parties, either in the pending action or in a proceeding initiated in the superior court of the proper county by the purchasing parties, shall stay the winding up and dissolution proceeding and shall proceed to ascertain and fix the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties.
(3)The court shall appoint three disinterested appraisers to appraise the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties, and shall make an order referring the matter to the appraisers so appointed for the purpose of ascertaining that value. The order shall prescribe the time and manner of producing evidence, if evidence is required. The award of the appraisers or a majority of them, when confirmed by the court, shall be final and conclusive upon all parties. The court shall enter a decree that shall provide in the alternative for winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, unless payment is made for the membership interests within the time specified by the decree. If the purchasing parties do not make payment for the membership interests within the time specified, judgment shall be entered against them and the surety or sureties on the bond for the amount of the expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties. Any member aggrieved by the action of the court may appeal therefrom.
(4)If the purchasing parties desire to prevent the winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, they shall pay to the moving parties the value of their membership interests ascertained and decreed within the time specified pursuant to this section, or, in the case of an appeal, as fixed on appeal. On receiving that payment or the tender of payment, the moving parties shall transfer their membership interests to the purchasing parties.
(5)For the purposes of this section, the valuation date shall be the date upon which the action for judicial dissolution was commenced. However, the court may, upon the hearing of a motion by any party, and for good cause shown, designate some other date as the valuation date.
(6)A dismissal of any suit for judicial dissolution by a manager, member, or members shall not affect the other members rights to avoid dissolution pursuant to this section.
(d)Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the remedies otherwise available to a court of competent jurisdiction over the dissolution.
SEC. 15.Section 17707.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.06.(a)A limited liability company that has filed a certificate of cancellation nevertheless continues to exist for the purpose of winding up its affairs, prosecuting and defending actions by or against it in order to collect and discharge obligations, disposing of and conveying its property, and collecting and dividing its assets. A limited liability company shall not continue business except so far as necessary for its winding up.
(b)No action or proceeding to which a limited liability company is a party abates by the filing of a certificate of cancellation for the limited liability company or by reason of proceedings for its winding up and dissolution.
(c)Any assets inadvertently or otherwise omitted from the winding up continue in the canceled limited liability company for the benefit of the persons entitled to those assets upon cancellation and on realization shall be distributed accordingly.
(d)After cancellation of the limited liability company, the limited liability company is bound by both of the following:
(1)The act of a person authorized to wind up the affairs of the limited liability company, if the act is appropriate for winding up the activities of the limited liability company.
(2)The act of a person authorized to act on behalf of the limited liability company, if the act would have bound the limited liability company before cancellation, if the other party to the transaction did not have notice of the cancellation.
SEC. 16.Section 17707.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.09.(a)Notwithstanding the filing of a certificate of dissolution, a majority of the members may cause to be filed, in the office of, and on a form prescribed by, the Secretary of State, a certificate of continuation, in any of the following circumstances:
(1)The business of the limited liability company is to be continued pursuant to a unanimous vote of the remaining members.
(2)The dissolution of the limited liability company was by vote of the members pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01 and each member who consented to the dissolution has agreed in writing to revoke his or her vote in favor of or consent to the dissolution.
(3)The limited liability company was not, in fact, dissolved.
(b)The certificate of continuation shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number.
(2)The grounds provided by subdivision (a) that are the basis for filing the certificate of continuation.
(c)Upon the filing of a certificate of continuation, the certificate of dissolution shall be of no effect from the time of the filing of the certificate of dissolution.
SEC. 17.Section 17708.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17708.07.(a)A foreign limited liability company transacting intrastate business in this state shall not maintain an action or proceeding in this state unless it has a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state.
(b)The failure of a foreign limited liability company to have a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state does not prevent the foreign limited liability company from defending an action or proceeding in this state.
(c)A member or manager of a foreign limited liability company is not liable for the debts, obligations, or other liabilities of the foreign limited liability company solely because the foreign limited liability company transacted intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration.
(d)If a foreign limited liability company transacts intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration or cancels its certificate of registration, it shall be deemed to have appointed the Secretary of State as its agent for service of process for rights of action arising out of the transaction of intrastate business in this state.
SEC. 18.Section 17710.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.03.(a)A limited liability company that desires to convert to an other business entity or a foreign other business entity or a foreign limited liability company shall approve a plan of conversion.
The plan of conversion shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the conversion.
(2)The place of the organization of the converted entity and of the converting limited liability company and the name of the converted entity after conversion.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the members into shares of, securities of, or interests in, the converted entity.
(4)The provisions of the governing documents for the converted entity, including the limited liability company articles of organization and operating agreement, or articles or certificate of incorporation if the converted entity is a corporation, to which the holders of interests in the converted entity are to be bound.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which the converted entity is organized, or that are desired by the parties.
(b)(1)The plan of conversion shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interest or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of each class of membership of the converting limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the converting limited liability company.
(2)However, if the members of the limited liability company would become personally liable for any obligations of the converted entity as a result of the conversion, the plan of conversion shall be approved by all of the members of the converting limited liability company, unless the plan of conversion provides that all members will have dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(c)Upon the effectiveness of the conversion, all members of the converting limited liability company, except those that exercise dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), shall be deemed parties to any governing documents for the converted entity adopted as part of the plan of conversion, regardless of whether or not the member has executed the plan of conversion or the governing documents for the converted entity. Any adoption of governing documents made pursuant to the conversion shall be effective at the effective time or date of the conversion.
(d)Notwithstanding its prior approval, a plan of conversion may be amended before the conversion takes effect if the amendment is approved by all managers and a majority of the members or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of the converting limited liability company and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the plan of conversion, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of the converting limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original plan of conversion.
(e)The managers by unanimous approval and the members of a converting limited liability company may, by majority approval at any time before the conversion is effective, in their discretion, abandon a conversion, without further approval by the managers or members, subject to the contractual rights of third parties other than managers or members.
(f)The converted entity shall keep the plan of conversion at the principal place of business of the converted entity if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company or foreign other business entity, at the principal office of, or registrar or transfer agent of, the converted entity, if the converted entity is a domestic corporation, or at the office where records are to be kept pursuant to Section 17701.13 if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company. Upon the request of a member of a converting limited liability company, the authorized person on behalf of the converted entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the converted entity, a copy of the plan of conversion. A waiver by a member of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 19.Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.06.(a)Upon conversion of a limited liability company, one of the following applies:
(1)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic limited partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on a certificate of limited partnership for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(2)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the statement of partnership authority for the converted entity. If no statement of partnership authority is filed, a certificate of conversion shall be filed separately with the Secretary of State.
(3)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic corporation, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the articles of incorporation for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(4)If the limited liability company is converting to a foreign limited liability company or foreign other business entity, a certificate of conversion shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(b)Any certificate or statement of conversion shall be executed and acknowledged by all members of a member-managed limited liability company or all managers of a manager-managed limited liability company, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, and shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the converting limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number of the converting limited liability company.
(2)A statement that the principal terms of the plan of conversion were approved by a vote of the members, that equaled or exceeded the vote required under Section 17710.03, specifying each class entitled to vote and the percentage vote required of each class.
(c)A certificate of conversion shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name, form, and jurisdiction of organization of the converted entity.
(2)The name, street, and mailing address of the converted entitys agent for service of process.
(3)The street address of the converted entitys chief executive office.
(d)The filing with the Secretary of State of a certificate of conversion, a certificate of limited partnership, a statement of partnership authority, or articles of incorporation containing a statement of conversion as set forth in subdivision (a) shall have the effect of the filing of a certificate of cancellation by the converting limited liability company, and no converting limited liability company that has made the filing is required to take any action under Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01) as a result of that conversion.
(e)For the purposes of this title, the certificate of conversion shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 19.5.Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.06.(a)Upon conversion of a limited liability company, one of the following applies:
(1)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic limited partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on a certificate of limited partnership for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(2)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the statement of partnership authority for the converted entity. If no statement of partnership authority is filed, a certificate of conversion shall be filed separately with the Secretary of State.
(3)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic corporation, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the articles of incorporation for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(4)If the limited liability company is converting to a foreign limited liability company or foreign other business entity, a certificate of conversion shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(b)Any certificate or statement of conversion shall be executed and acknowledged by all members of a member-managed limited liability company or all managers of a manager-managed limited liability company, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, and shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the converting limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number of the converting limited liability company.
(2)A statement that the principal terms of the plan of conversion were approved by a vote of the members, that equaled or exceeded the vote required under Section 17710.03, specifying each class entitled to vote and the percentage vote required of each class.
(c)A certificate of conversion shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name, form, and jurisdiction of organization of the converted entity.
(2)The name, street address, and mailing address of the converted entitys agent for service of process. If a corporation qualified under Section 1505 is designated as the agent, no address for it shall be set forth.
(3)The street address of the converted entitys chief executive office.
(d)The filing with the Secretary of State of a certificate of conversion, a certificate of limited partnership, a statement of partnership authority, or articles of incorporation containing a statement of conversion as set forth in subdivision (a) shall have the effect of the filing of a certificate of cancellation by the converting limited liability company, and no converting limited liability company that has made the filing is required to take any action under Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01) as a result of that conversion.
(e)For the purposes of this title, the certificate of conversion shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 20.Section 17710.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.12.(a)Each limited liability company and other business entity that desires to merge shall approve an agreement of merger.
The agreement of merger shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interests of each constituent limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the members of any constituent limited liability company become personally liable for any obligations of a constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity as a result of the merger, the principal terms of the agreement of merger shall be approved by all of the members of the constituent limited liability company, unless the agreement of merger provides that all members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01). The agreement of merger shall be approved on behalf of each constituent other business entity by those persons required to approve the merger by the laws under which it is organized. Other persons, including a parent of a constituent limited liability company, may be parties to the agreement of merger. The agreement of merger shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the merger.
(2)The name and place of the organization of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and of each disappearing limited liability company and disappearing other business entity, and the agreement of merger may change the name of the surviving limited liability company, the new name may be the same as or similar to the name of a disappearing domestic or foreign limited liability company, subject to Section 17701.08.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the constituent limited liability companies into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and if limited liability company interests of any of the constituent limited liability companies are not to be converted solely into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that the holders of the limited liability company interests are to receive in exchange for the membership interests, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that may be in addition to or in lieu of interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, or that the limited liability company interests are canceled without consideration.
(4)The amendments to the articles of organization of the surviving limited liability company, if applicable, to be effected by the merger, if any.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which any constituent other business entity is organized, including, if a domestic corporation is a party to the merger, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 1113.
(6)Any other details or provisions that are desired, including, without limitation, a provision for the treatment of fractional membership interests.
(b)(1)Each membership interest of the same class of any constituent limited liability company, other than a membership interest in another constituent limited liability company that is being canceled and that is held by a constituent limited liability company or its parent or a limited liability company of which the constituent limited liability company is a parent shall, unless all members of the class consent, be treated equally with respect to any distribution of cash, property, rights, interests, or securities.
(2)Notwithstanding paragraph (1), except in a merger of a limited liability company with a limited liability company that controls at least 90 percent of the membership interests entitled to vote with respect to the merger, the unredeemable membership interests of a constituent limited liability company may be converted only into unredeemable interests or securities of the surviving limited liability company or other business entity, or a parent if a constituent limited liability company or a constituent other business entity or its parent owns, directly or indirectly, prior to the merger, membership interests of another constituent limited liability company or interests or securities of a constituent other business entity representing more than 50 percent of the interests or securities entitled to vote with respect to the merger of the other constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity or more than 50 percent of the voting power, as defined in Section 194.5, of a constituent other business entity that is a domestic corporation, unless all of the members of the class consent.
(3)The provisions of this subdivision do not apply to any transaction if the commissioner has approved the terms and conditions of the transaction and the fairness of those terms pursuant to Section 25142.
(c)Notwithstanding its prior approval, an agreement of merger may be amended prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or the agreement of merger, as provided in Section 17710.14, if the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner as required for approval of the original agreement of merger and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the agreement of merger, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original agreement of merger, and by each of the constituent other business entities.
(d)The managers and members of a constituent limited liability company may, in their discretion, abandon a merger, subject to the contractual rights, if any, of third parties, including other constituent limited liability companies and constituent other business entities, without further approval by the membership interests, at any time before the merger is effective.
(e)An agreement of merger approved in accordance with subdivision (a) may do the following:
(1)Effect any amendment to the operating agreement of any constituent limited liability company.
(2)Effect the adoption of a new operating agreement for a constituent limited liability company if it is the surviving limited liability company in the merger. Any amendment to an operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement made pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger. Notwithstanding the above provisions of this subdivision, if a greater number of members is required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of a constituent limited liability company than is required to approve the agreement of merger pursuant to subdivision (a), and the number of members that approve the agreement of merger is less than the number of members required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company, any amendment to the operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement of that constituent limited liability company made pursuant to the first sentence of this subdivision shall be effective only if the agreement of merger provides that all of the members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(f)The surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity shall keep the agreement of merger at its designated office or at the business address specified in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 17710.14, as applicable, and, upon the request of a member of a constituent limited liability company or a holder of shares, interests, or other securities of a constituent other business entity, the managers or members of the surviving limited liability company or the authorized person of the surviving other business entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, a copy of the agreement of merger. A waiver by a member or holder of shares, interests, or other securities of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 21.Section 17713.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.04.(a)Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this title shall apply to all domestic limited liability companies existing on or after January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State prior to January 1, 2014, whose registrations have not been canceled as of January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2014, and to all actions taken by the managers or members of a limited liability company on or after that date.
(b)Except as otherwise specified in this title, this title applies only to the acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or after January 1, 2014. The prior law governs all acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, and any operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, prior to January 1, 2014.
(c)Any vote or consent by the managers or members of a limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, shall be governed by prior law. If a certificate or document is required to be filed in a public office of this state relating to a vote or consent by the managers or members of the limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, it may be filed after that date pursuant to the filing requirements of this title, even though the vote or consent is governed by prior law.
(d)This title does not cancel or otherwise affect the status of, or create a new filing requirement with the Secretary of State or any other agency, board, commission, or department for, any domestic limited liability company in existence on December 31, 2013, or any foreign limited liability company registered to transact intrastate business in this state prior to January 1, 2014.
(e)For the purposes of this section, prior law means Title 2.5 (commencing with Section 17000) as it read on December 31, 2013.
SEC. 22.Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.12.(a)A limited liability company is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) if the limited liability company does both of the following:
(1)Has actual knowledge that a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company does any of the following:
(A)Makes, publishes, or posts, or has made, published, or posted, either generally or privately to the members or other persons, either of the following:
(i)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, exhibit, notice, or statement of its affairs or pecuniary condition that contains a material statement or omission that is false and intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(ii)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, prospectus, account, or statement of operations, values, business, profits, or expenditures that includes a material false statement or omission intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(B)Refuses or has refused to make any book entry or post any notice required by law in the manner required by law.
(C)Misstates or conceals or has misstated or concealed from a regulatory body a material fact in order to deceive a regulatory body to avoid a statutory or regulatory duty, or to avoid a statutory or regulatory limit or prohibition.
(2)Within 30 days after actual knowledge is acquired of the actions described in paragraph (1), the limited liability company knowingly fails to do both of the following:
(A)Notify the Attorney General or appropriate government agency in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the Attorney General or appropriate government agency has been notified.
(B)Notify its members and investors in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the members and investors have been notified.
(b)The requirement for notification under this section is not applicable if the action taken or about to be taken by the limited liability company, or by a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), is abated within the time prescribed for reporting, unless the appropriate government agency requires disclosure by regulation.
(c)If the action reported to the Attorney General pursuant to this section implicates the government authority of an agency other than the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall promptly forward the written notice to that agency.
(d)If the Attorney General was not notified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but the limited liability company reasonably and in good faith believed that it had complied with the notification requirements of this section by notifying a government agency listed in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e), no penalties shall apply.
(e)For purposes of this section:
(1)Manager means a person defined by subdivision (m) of Section 17701.01 having both of the following:
(A)Management authority over the limited liability company.
(B)Significant responsibility for an aspect of the limited liability company that includes actual authority for the financial operations or financial transactions of the limited liability company.
(2)Agent means a person or entity authorized by the limited liability company to make representations to the public about the limited liability companys financial condition and who is acting within the scope of the agency when the representations are made.
(3)Member means a person as defined by subdivision (o) of Section 17701.01 that is a member of the limited liability company at the time the disclosure is required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(4)Notify its members means to give sufficient description of an action taken or about to be taken that would constitute acts or omissions as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). A notice or report filed by a limited liability company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that relates to the facts and circumstances giving rise to an obligation under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall satisfy all notice requirements arising under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) but shall not be the exclusive means of satisfying the notice requirements, provided that the Attorney General or appropriate agency is informed in writing that the filing has been made together with a copy of the filing or an electronic link where it is available online without charge.
(5)Appropriate government agency means an agency on the following list that has regulatory authority with respect to the financial operations of a limited liability company:
(A)Department of Corporations.
(B)Department of Insurance.
(C)Department of Financial Institutions.
(D)Department of Managed Health Care.
(E)United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6)Actual knowledge of the limited liability company means the knowledge a member, officer, or manager of a limited liability company actually possesses or does not consciously avoid possessing, based on an evaluation of information provided pursuant to the limited liability companys disclosure controls and procedures.
(7)Refuse to make a book entry means the intentional decision not to record an accounting transaction when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(A)The independent auditors required recordation of an accounting transaction during the course of an audit.
(B)The audit committee of the limited liability company has not approved the independent auditors recommendation.
(C)The decision is made for the primary purpose of rendering the financial statements materially false or misleading.
(8)Refuse to post any notice required by law means an intentional decision not to post a notice required by law when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to post the notice has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(9)Misstate or conceal material facts from a regulatory body means an intentional decision not to disclose material facts when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to disclose material facts has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(10)Material false statement or omission means an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made under the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.
(11)Officer means a person appointed pursuant to Section 17703.02, except an officer of a specified subsidiary limited liability company who is not also an officer of the parent limited liability company.
(f)This section only applies to limited liability companies that are issuers, as defined in Section 2 of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7201 et seq.).
(g)An action to enforce this section may only be brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney or city attorney in the name of the people of the State of California.
SEC. 22.5.Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.12.(a)A limited liability company is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) if the limited liability company does both of the following:
(1)Has actual knowledge that a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company does any of the following:
(A)Makes, publishes, or posts, or has made, published, or posted, either generally or privately to the members or other persons, either of the following:
(i)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, exhibit, notice, or statement of its affairs or pecuniary condition that contains a material statement or omission that is false and intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(ii)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, prospectus, account, or statement of operations, values, business, profits, or expenditures that includes a material false statement or omission intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(B)Refuses or has refused to make any book entry or post any notice required by law in the manner required by law.
(C)Misstates or conceals or has misstated or concealed from a regulatory body a material fact in order to deceive a regulatory body to avoid a statutory or regulatory duty, or to avoid a statutory or regulatory limit or prohibition.
(2)Within 30 days after actual knowledge is acquired of the actions described in paragraph (1), the limited liability company knowingly fails to do both of the following:
(A)Notify the Attorney General or appropriate government agency in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the Attorney General or appropriate government agency has been notified.
(B)Notify its members and investors in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the members and investors have been notified.
(b)The requirement for notification under this section is not applicable if the action taken or about to be taken by the limited liability company, or by a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), is abated within the time prescribed for reporting, unless the appropriate government agency requires disclosure by regulation.
(c)If the action reported to the Attorney General pursuant to this section implicates the government authority of an agency other than the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall promptly forward the written notice to that agency.
(d)If the Attorney General was not notified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but the limited liability company reasonably and in good faith believed that it had complied with the notification requirements of this section by notifying a government agency listed in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e), no penalties shall apply.
(e)For purposes of this section:
(1)Manager means a person defined by subdivision (m) of Section 17701.01 having both of the following:
(A)Management authority over the limited liability company.
(B)Significant responsibility for an aspect of the limited liability company that includes actual authority for the financial operations or financial transactions of the limited liability company.
(2)Agent means a person or entity authorized by the limited liability company to make representations to the public about the limited liability companys financial condition and who is acting within the scope of the agency when the representations are made.
(3)Member means a person as defined by subdivision (o) of Section 17701.01 that is a member of the limited liability company at the time the disclosure is required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(4)Notify its members means to give sufficient description of an action taken or about to be taken that would constitute acts or omissions as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). A notice or report filed by a limited liability company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that relates to the facts and circumstances giving rise to an obligation under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall satisfy all notice requirements arising under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) but shall not be the exclusive means of satisfying the notice requirements, provided that the Attorney General or appropriate agency is informed in writing that the filing has been made together with a copy of the filing or an electronic link where it is available online without charge.
(5)Appropriate government agency means an agency on the following list that has regulatory authority with respect to the financial operations of a limited liability company:
(A)Department of Business Oversight.
(B)Department of Insurance.
(C)Department of Managed Health Care.
(D)United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6)Actual knowledge of the limited liability company means the knowledge a member, officer, or manager of a limited liability company actually possesses or does not consciously avoid possessing, based on an evaluation of information provided pursuant to the limited liability companys disclosure controls and procedures.
(7)Refuse to make a book entry means the intentional decision not to record an accounting transaction when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(A)The independent auditors required recordation of an accounting transaction during the course of an audit.
(B)The audit committee of the limited liability company has not approved the independent auditors recommendation.
(C)The decision is made for the primary purpose of rendering the financial statements materially false or misleading.
(8)Refuse to post any notice required by law means an intentional decision not to post a notice required by law when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to post the notice has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(9)Misstate or conceal material facts from a regulatory body means an intentional decision not to disclose material facts when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to disclose material facts has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(10)Material false statement or omission means an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made under the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.
(11)Officer means a person appointed pursuant to Section 17703.02, except an officer of a specified subsidiary limited liability company who is not also an officer of the parent limited liability company.
(f)This section only applies to limited liability companies that are issuers, as defined in Section 2 of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7201 et seq.).
(g)An action to enforce this section may only be brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney or city attorney in the name of the people of the State of California.
SEC. 23.Section 19.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1471. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1471, in which case Section 19 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 24.Section 22.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1517. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1517, in which case Section 22 of this bill shall not become operative.
In this title:
(a)Acknowledged means that an instrument is either of the following:
(1)Formally acknowledged as provided in Article 3 (commencing with Section 1180) of Chapter 4 of Title 4 of Part 4 of Division 2 of the Civil Code.
(2)Executed to include substantially the following wording preceding the signature:
It is hereby declared that I am the person who executed this instrument which execution is my act and deed.
Any certificate of acknowledgment taken without this state before a notary public or a judge or clerk of a court of record having an official seal need not be further authenticated.
(b)Articles of organization means the articles required by Section 17702.01. The term includes the articles of organization as amended or restated.
(c)Contribution means any benefit provided by a person to a limited liability company:
(1)In order to become a member upon formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between or among the persons that have agreed to become the initial members of the limited liability company.
(2)In order to become a member after formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between the person and the limited liability company.
(3)In the persons capacity as a member and in accordance with the operating agreement or an agreement between the member and the limited liability company.
(d)Debtor in bankruptcy means a person that is the subject of either of the following:
(1)An order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code or a successor statute of general application.
(2)A comparable order under federal, state, or foreign law governing bankruptcy or insolvency, an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or an order appointing a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of the person or of all or substantially all of the persons property.
(e)Designated office means either of the following:
(1)The office that a limited liability company is required to designate and maintain under Section 17701.13.
(2)The principal office of a foreign limited liability company.
(f)Distribution, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17704.05, means a transfer of money or other property from a limited liability company to another person on account of a transferable interest.
(g)Domestic means organized under the laws of this state when used in relation to any limited liability company, other business entity, or person other than a natural person.
(h)Effective, with respect to a record required or permitted to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing under this title, means effective under subdivision (c) of Section 17702.05.
(i)(1)Electronic transmission by the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, for that recipient on record with the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, together with a separate notice to the recipient of the posting, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the later of the posting or delivery of the separate notice thereof.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The communication is delivered to a recipient who has provided an unrevoked consent to the use of those means of transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(2)Electronic transmission to the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, that the limited liability company has provided from time to time to members or managers for sending communications to the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the posting.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The limited liability company has placed in effect reasonable measures to verify that the sender is the member or manager, in person or by proxy, purporting to send the transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(j)Foreign limited liability company means an unincorporated entity formed under the law of a jurisdiction other than this state and denominated by that law as a limited liability company.
(k)Limited liability company, except in the phrase foreign limited liability company, means a domestic entity formed under this title or an entity that becomes subject to this title pursuant to Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(l)Majority of the managers unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the managers of the limited liability company.
(m)Majority of the members unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the membership interests of members in current profits of the limited liability company.
(n)Manager means a person that under the operating agreement of a manager-managed limited liability company is responsible, alone or in concert with others, for performing the management functions stated in subdivision (c) of Section 17704.07.
(o)Manager-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that qualifies under subdivision (a) of Section 17704.07.
(p)Member means a person that has become a member of a limited liability company under Section 17704.01 and has not dissociated under Section 17706.02.
(q)Member-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that is not a manager-managed limited liability company.
(r)Membership interest means a members rights in the limited liability company, including the members transferable interest, any right to vote or participate in management, and any right to information concerning the business and affairs of the limited liability company provided by this title.
(s)Operating agreement means the agreement, whether or not referred to as an operating agreement and whether oral, in a record, implied, or in any combination thereof, of all the members of a limited liability company, including a sole member, concerning the matters described in subdivision (a) of Section 17701.10. The term operating agreement may include, without more, an agreement of all members to organize a limited liability company pursuant to this title. An operating agreement of a limited liability company having only one member shall not be unenforceable by reason of there being only one person who is a party to the operating agreement. The term includes the agreement as amended or restated.
(t)Organization means, whether domestic or foreign, a partnership whether general or limited, limited liability company, association, corporation, professional corporation, professional association, nonprofit corporation, business trust, or statutory business trust having a governing statute.
(u)Organizer means a person that acts under Section 17702.01 to form a limited liability company.
(v)Person means an individual, partnership, limited partnership, trust, a trustee of a trust, including, but not limited to, a trust described under Division 9 (commencing with Section 15000) of the Probate Code, estate, association, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, whether domestic or foreign. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to confer any rights under the California Constitution or the United States Constitution.
(w)Principal office means the principal executive office of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, whether or not the office is located in this state.
(x)Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(y)State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(z)Transfer includes an assignment, conveyance, deed, bill of sale, lease, mortgage, security interest, encumbrance, gift, and transfer by operation of law.
(aa)Transferable interest means the right, as originally associated with a persons capacity as a member, to receive distributions from a limited liability company in accordance with the operating agreement, whether or not the person remains a member or continues to own any part of the right.
(ab)Transferee means a person to which all or part of a transferable interest has been transferred, whether or not the transferor is a member.
(ac)Vote includes authorization by written consent or consent given by electronic transmission to the limited liability company.
SEC. 2.Section 17701.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.10.(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section, the operating agreement governs all of the following:
(1)Relations among the members as members and between the members and the limited liability company.
(2)The rights and duties under this title of a person in the capacity of manager.
(3)The activities of the limited liability company and the conduct of those activities.
(4)The means and conditions for amending the operating agreement.
(b)To the extent the operating agreement does not otherwise provide for a matter described in subdivision (a), this title governs the matter.
(c)In addition to the matters specified in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d), an operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary a limited liability companys capacity under Section 17701.05 to sue and be sued in its own name.
(2)Vary the law applicable under Section 17701.06.
(3)Vary the power of the court under Section 17702.04.
(4)Subject to paragraphs (14) and (15) of this subdivision and subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, or any other fiduciary duty.
(5)Subject to subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under subdivision (d) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable as determined at the time the standards are prescribed.
(6)Vary the requirements of Section 17701.13 to 17701.16, inclusive, or any provision under Article 8 (commencing with Section 17708.01).
(7)Vary the power of a court to decree dissolution in the circumstances specified in subdivision (a) of Section 17707.03 or the provisions for avoidance of dissolution in subdivision (c) of Section 17707.03.
(8)Except as provided therein, vary the requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 17702.01) or Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01).
(9)Unreasonably restrict the right of a member to maintain an action under Article 9 (commencing with Section 17709.01).
(10)Restrict the right of a member that will have personal liability with respect to a surviving or converted organization to approve a merger or conversion under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(11)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17701.12, restrict the rights under this title of a person other than a member or manager.
(12)Except as provided therein, vary any provision under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(13)Vary any provision under Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), Article 12 (commencing with Section 17712.01), or Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(14)Eliminate the duty of loyalty under subdivision (b) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may do any of the following:
(A)Identify specific types or categories of activities that do not violate the duty of loyalty, if not manifestly unreasonable.
(B)Specify the number or percentage of members that may authorize or ratify, after full disclosure to all members of all material facts, a specific act or transaction that otherwise would violate the duty of loyalty.
(15)Unreasonably reduce the duty of care under subdivision (c) of Section 17704.09.
(d)Except as provided in subdivision (c) and subdivisions (e) to (g), inclusive, the effects of the provisions of this title may be varied as among the members or as between the members and the limited liability company by the operating agreement; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 17701.13, 17703.01, and 17704.08 and subdivisions (f) to (r), inclusive, and (u) to (w), inclusive, of Section 17704.07 shall only be varied by a written operating agreement. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this subdivision and in addition to the matters specified in subdivision (c), the operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary the definitions of Section 17701.02, except as specifically provided therein.
(2)Vary a members rights under Section 17704.10.
(3)Vary any of the provisions of this section or Section 17701.12, except as provided therein.
(4)Vary any of the provisions of subdivisions (s) and (t) of Section 17704.07.
(e)The fiduciary duties of a manager to a manager-managed limited liability company and to the members of the limited liability company and of a member to a member-managed limited liability company and to the members of such limited liability company shall only be modified in a written operating agreement with the informed consent of the members. Assenting to the operating agreement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17701.11 shall not constitute informed consent.
(f)To the extent the operating agreement of a member-managed limited liability company expressly relieves a member of a responsibility that the member would otherwise have under this title and imposes the responsibility on one or more other members, the operating agreement may, to the benefit of the member that the operating agreement relieves of the responsibility, also eliminate or limit any fiduciary duty that would have pertained to the responsibility.
(g)The operating agreement may alter or eliminate the indemnification for a member or manager provided by subdivision (a) of Section 17704.08 and may eliminate or limit a member or managers liability to the limited liability company and members for money damages, except for the following:
(1)Breach of the duty of loyalty.
(2)A financial benefit received by the member or manager to which the member or manager is not entitled.
(3)A members liability for excess distributions under Section 17704.06.
(4)Intentional infliction of harm on the limited liability company or a member.
(5)An intentional violation of criminal law.
SEC. 3.Section 17701.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.12.(a)An operating agreement may specify that its amendment requires the approval of a person that is not a party to the operating agreement or the satisfaction of a condition. An amendment is ineffective if its adoption does not include the required approval or satisfy the specified condition.
(b)The obligations of a limited liability company and its members to a person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member are governed by the operating agreement. Subject only to any court order issued under paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 17705.03 to effectuate a charging order, an amendment to the operating agreement made after a person becomes a transferee or dissociated member is effective with regard to any debt, obligation, or other liability of the limited liability company or its members to the person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member.
(c)If a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title contains a provision that would be ineffective under Section 17701.10 if contained in the operating agreement, the provision is likewise ineffective in the record.
(d)Subject to subdivision (c), if a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title conflicts with a provision of the operating agreement both of the following apply:
(1)The operating agreement prevails as to members, dissociated members, transferees, and managers.
(2)The record prevails as to other persons to the extent they reasonably rely on the record.
SEC. 4.Section 17701.13 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.13.(a)A limited liability company shall designate and continuously maintain in this state both of the following:
(1)An office, which need not be a place of its activity in this state.
(2)An agent for service of process.
(b)A foreign limited liability company that has a certificate of registration under Section 17708.02 shall designate and continuously maintain in this state an agent for service of process.
(c)An agent for service of process of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company shall be an individual who is a resident of this state or a corporation that has complied with Section 1505 and whose capacity to act as an agent has not terminated. If a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company designates a corporation as its agent for service of process in an instrument filed with the Secretary of State, no address for that agent for service of process shall be set forth in that instrument.
(d)Each limited liability company shall maintain in writing or in any other form capable of being converted into clearly legible tangible form at the office referred to in subdivision (a) all of the following:
(1)A current list of the full name and last known business or residence address of each member and of each transferee set forth in alphabetical order, together with the contribution and the share in profits and losses of each member and transferee.
(2)If the limited liability company is a manager-managed limited liability company, a current list of the full name and business or residence address of each manager.
(3)A copy of the articles of organization and all amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which the articles of organization or any amendments thereto were executed.
(4)Copies of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns and reports, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(5)A copy of the limited liability companys operating agreement, if in writing, and any amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which any written operating agreement or any amendments thereto were executed.
(6)Copies of the financial statement of the limited liability company, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(7)The books and records of the limited liability company as they relate to the internal affairs of the limited liability company for at least the current and past four fiscal years.
(e)Upon request of an assessor, a domestic or foreign limited liability company owning, claiming, possessing, or controlling property in this state subject to local assessment shall make available at the limited liability companys principal office in this state or at the office required to be kept pursuant to subdivision (a) or at a place mutually acceptable to the assessor and the limited liability company a true copy of the business records relevant to the amount, cost, and value of all property that the limited liability company owns, claims, possesses, or controls within the county.
SEC. 5.Section 17704.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.01.(a)If a limited liability company is to have only one member upon formation, the person becomes a member as agreed by that person and the organizer of the limited liability company. That person and the organizer may be, but need not be, different persons. If different, the organizer acts on behalf of the initial member.
(b)If a limited liability company is to have more than one member upon formation, those persons become members as agreed by the persons before the formation of the limited liability company. The organizer acts on behalf of the persons in forming the limited liability company and may be, but need not be, one of the persons.
(c)After formation of a limited liability company, a person becomes a member as follows:
(1)As provided in the operating agreement.
(2)As the result of a transaction effective under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(3)With the consent of all the members.
(4)If, within 90 consecutive days after the limited liability company ceases to have any members, the last person to have been a member, or the legal representative of that person, designates a person to become a member, and the designated person consents to become a member.
(d)A person may become a member without acquiring a transferable interest and without making or being obligated to make a contribution to the limited liability company.
(e)Sections 406 and 407 of the Labor Code shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company to the following persons:
(1)Any employee of the limited liability company or foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either, pursuant to a membership interest purchase plan or agreement, or a membership interest option plan or agreement.
(2)In any transaction in connection with securing employment, a person who is or is about to become an officer or a manager of the limited liability company or the foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either.
SEC. 6.Section 17704.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.04.(a)Any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up shall be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, distributions shall be on the basis of the value, as stated in the required records when the limited liability company decides to make the distribution, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member, except to the extent necessary to comply with any transfer effective under Section 17705.02 and any charging order in effect under Section 17705.03.
(b)A person has a right to a distribution before the dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company only if the limited liability company decides to make an interim distribution. Unless the articles of organization or written operating agreement provides otherwise, a persons dissociation does not entitle the person to a distribution, and, beginning on the date of dissociation, the dissociated person shall have only the right of a transferee of a transferable interest with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company, and then only with respect to distributions, if any, to which a transferee is entitled under the operating agreement. If the dissociation is in violation of the operating agreement, the limited liability company shall have the right to offset any damages for the breach of the operating agreement from the amounts, if any, otherwise distributable to the dissociated person with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company.
(c)A person does not have a right to demand or receive a distribution from a limited liability company in any form other than money. A limited liability company may distribute an asset in kind if each part of the asset is fungible with each other part and each person receives a percentage of the asset equal in value to the persons share of distributions.
(d)If a member or transferee becomes entitled to receive a distribution, the member or transferee has the status of, and is entitled to all remedies available to, a creditor of the limited liability company with respect to the distribution.
(e)The profits and losses of a limited liability company shall be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, profits and losses shall be allocated in proportion to the value, as stated in the required records, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member.
SEC. 7.Section 17704.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.07.(a)A limited liability company is a member-managed limited liability company unless the articles of organization contain the statement required by paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 17702.01.
(b)In a member-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)The management and conduct of the limited liability company are vested in the members.
(2)Except as provided in subdivision (r), each member has equal rights in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities including equal voting rights.
(3)A difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company shall be decided by a majority of the members.
(4)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), an act outside the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be undertaken only with the consent of all members.
(5)The operating agreement may be amended only with the consent of all members.
(c)In a manager-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)Except as otherwise expressly provided in this title, any matter relating to the activities of the limited liability company is decided exclusively by the managers.
(2)Each manager has equal rights in the management and conduct of the activities of the limited liability company.
(3)A difference arising among managers as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be decided by a majority of the managers of the limited liability company.
(4)The consent of all members of the limited liability company is required to do any of the following:
(A)Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the limited liability companys property, with or without the goodwill, outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any other act outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(5)A manager may be chosen at any time by the consent of a majority of the members and remains a manager until a successor has been chosen, unless the manager at an earlier time resigns, is removed, or dies, or, in the case of a manager that is not an individual, terminates. A manager may be removed at any time by the consent of a majority of the members without cause, subject to the rights, if any, of the manager under any service contract with the limited liability company.
(6)A person need not be a member to be a manager, but the dissociation of a member that is also a manager removes the person as a manager. If a person that is both a manager and a member ceases to be a manager, that cessation does not by itself dissociate the person as a member.
(7)A persons ceasing to be a manager does not discharge any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or members which the person incurred while a manager.
(d)Except for such orders as may be made by a court of competent jurisdiction over a dissolution under Section 17707.03, the dissolution of a limited liability company does not affect the applicability of this section. However, a person that wrongfully causes dissolution of the limited liability company loses the right to participate in management as a member and a manager.
(e)This title does not entitle a member to remuneration for services performed for a member-managed limited liability company, except for reasonable compensation for services rendered in winding up the activities of a limited liability company.
(f)Meetings of members may be held at any place, by electronic video screen communication or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02, either within or without this state, selected by the person or persons calling the meeting or as may be stated in or fixed in accordance with the articles of organization or a written operating agreement. If no other place is stated or so fixed, all meetings shall be held at the principal office of the limited liability company. Unless prohibited by the articles of organization of the limited liability company, if authorized by the operating agreement, members not physically present in person or by proxy at a meeting of members may, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02 or by electronic video screen communication, participate in a meeting of members, be deemed present in person or by proxy, and vote at a meeting of members whether that meeting is to be held at a designated place or in whole or in part by means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication, in accordance with subdivision (l).
(g)A meeting of the members may be called by any manager or by any member or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests in current profits of members for the purpose of addressing any matters on which the members may vote.
(h)(1)Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each member entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state the place, date, and hour of the meeting, the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, and the general nature of the business to be transacted. No other business may be transacted at that meeting.
(2)Any report or any notice of a members meeting shall be given personally, by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, or by mail or other means of written communication, addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company or given by the member to the limited liability company for the purpose of notice, or, if no address appears or is given, at the place where the principal office of the limited liability company is located or by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal office is located. The notice or report shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally, delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, deposited in the mail, or sent by other means of written communication. An affidavit of mailing or delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company of any notice or report in accordance with this article, executed by a manager, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice or report.
(3)If any notice or report addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company is returned to the limited liability company by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice or report to the member at the address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if they are available for the member at the principal office of the limited liability company for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice or report to all other members.
(4)Notice given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision shall be valid only if it complies with paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02.
Notwithstanding this condition, notice shall not be given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision after either of the following has occurred:
(A)The limited liability company is unable to deliver two consecutive notices to the member by that means.
(B)The inability to so deliver the notices to the member becomes known to the secretary, any assistant secretary, the transfer agent, or any other person responsible for the giving of the notice.
(5)Upon written request to a manager by any person entitled to call a meeting of members, the manager shall immediately cause notice to be given to the members entitled to vote that a meeting will be held at a time requested by the person calling the meeting, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within 20 days after receipt of the request, the person entitled to call the meeting may give the notice or, upon the application of that person, the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the limited liability company is located, or if the principal office is not in this state, the county in which the limited liability companys address in this state is located, shall summarily order the giving of the notice, after notice to the limited liability company affording it an opportunity to be heard. The procedure provided in subdivision (c) of Section 305 shall apply to the application. The court may issue any order as may be appropriate, including, without limitation, an order designating the time and place of the meeting, the record date for determination of members entitled to vote, and the form of notice.
(i)When a members meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless the articles of organization or a written operating agreement otherwise require and except as provided in this subdivision, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof or the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the limited liability company may transact any business that may have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each member of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
(j)The actions taken at any meeting of members, however called and noticed, and wherever held, have the same validity as if taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the members entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, provides a waiver of notice or consents to the holding of the meeting or approves the minutes of the meeting in writing. All waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the limited liability company records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting after conversion to the form in which those records or minutes are kept. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by this title to be included in the notice but not so included, if the objection is expressly made at the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted nor the purpose of any meeting of members need be specified in any written waiver of notice, unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, except as provided in subdivision (l).
(k)Members may participate in a meeting of the limited liability company through the use of conference telephones or electronic video screen communication, as long as all members participating in the meeting can hear one another, or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision constitutes presence in person at that meeting.
(l)Any action approved at a meeting, other than by unanimous approval of those entitled to vote, shall be valid only if the general nature of the proposal so approved was stated in the notice of meeting or in any written waiver of notice.
(m)(1)A majority of the members represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members.
(2)The members present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the loss of a quorum, if any action taken after loss of a quorum, other than adjournment, is approved by the requisite percentage of interests of members specified in this title or in the articles of organization or a written operating agreement.
(3)In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of members may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the interests represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in paragraph (2).
(n)(1)Any action that may be taken at any meeting of the members may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed and delivered to the limited liability company within 60 days of the record date for that action by members having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all members entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
(2)Unless the consents of all members entitled to vote have been solicited in writing, (A) notice of any member approval of an amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement, a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17707.01, or a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.10, without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given at least 10 days before the consummation of the action authorized by the approval, and (B) prompt notice shall be given of the taking of any other action approved by members without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent, to those members entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.
(3)Any member giving a written consent, or the members proxyholder, may revoke the consent personally or by proxy by a writing received by the limited liability company prior to the time that written consents of members having the minimum number of votes that would be required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the limited liability company, but may not do so thereafter. This revocation is effective upon its receipt at the office of the limited liability company required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(o)The use of proxies in connection with this section shall be governed in the same manner as in the case of corporations formed under the General Corporation Law, Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) of Title 1.
(p)In order that the limited liability company may determine the members of record entitled to notices of any meeting or to vote, or entitled to receive any distribution or to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action, a manager, or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests of members, may fix, in advance, a record date, that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting and not more than 60 days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed the following shall apply:
(1)The record date for determining members entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(2)The record date for determining members entitled to give consent to limited liability company action in writing without a meeting shall be the day on which the first written consent is given.
(3)The record date for determining members for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the managers adopt the resolution relating thereto, or the 60th day prior to the date of the other action, whichever is later.
(4)The determination of members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless a manager or the members who called the meeting fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the manager or the members who called the meeting shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than 45 days from the date set for the original meeting.
(q)A meeting of the members may be conducted, in whole or in part, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication if both of the following requirements are met:
(1)The limited liability company implements reasonable measures to provide members, in person or by proxy, a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the members, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with those proceedings.
(2)When any member votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of electronic transmission to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, a record of that vote or action shall be maintained by the limited liability company.
(r)The articles of organization or a written operating agreement may provide to all or certain identified members of a specified class or group of members the right to vote separately or with all or any class or group of members on any matter. Voting by members may be on a per capita, number, financial interest, class, group, or any other basis. If no voting provision is contained in the articles of organization or written operating agreement, each of the following shall apply:
(1)The members of a limited liability company shall vote in proportion to their interests in current profits of the limited liability company or, in the case of a member who has assigned the members entire transferable interest in the limited liability company to a person who has not been admitted as a member, in proportion to the interest in current profits that the assigning member would have, had the assignment not been made.
(2)Any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement shall require the unanimous vote of all members.
(3)In all other matters in which a vote is required, except as otherwise provided in this section, a vote of a majority of the members shall be sufficient.
(s)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, in no event shall the articles of organization be amended by a vote of less than a majority of the members.
(t)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, members shall have the right to vote on a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01, on a conversion to another business entity as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17710.03, and on a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.12.
(u)A written operating agreement may provide for the appointment of officers, including, but not limited to, a chairperson or a president, or both a chairperson and a president, a secretary, a chief financial officer, and any other officers with the titles, powers, and duties as shall be specified in the articles of organization or operating agreement or as determined by the managers or members. An officer may, but does not need to, be a member or manager of the limited liability company, and any number of offices may be held by the same person.
(v)Officers, if any, shall be appointed in accordance with the written operating agreement or, if no such provision is made in the operating agreement, any officers shall be appointed by the managers and shall serve at the pleasure of the managers, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the limited liability company without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the limited liability under any contract to which the officer is a party.
(w)Subject to the provisions of the articles of organization, any note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness, contract, certificate, statement, conveyance, or other instrument in writing, and any assignment or endorsement thereof, executed or entered into between any limited liability company and any other person, when signed by the chairperson of the board, the president, or any vice president and any secretary, any assistant secretary, the chief financial officer, or any assistant treasurer of the limited liability company, is not invalidated as to the limited liability company by any lack of authority of the signing officers in the absence of actual knowledge on the part of the other person that the signing officers had no authority to execute the same.
SEC. 8.Section 17704.08 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.08.(a)A limited liability company shall reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with the duties stated in Section 17704.09.
(b)Except as provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, a limited liability company may reimburse for any payment made and may indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a person not identified in subdivision (a), including, without limitation, any officer, employee, or agent of the limited liability company, in the course of that persons activities on behalf of the limited liability company.
(c)A limited liability company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person against liability asserted against or incurred by that person even if, under subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, the operating agreement could not eliminate or limit the persons liability to the limited liability company for the conduct giving rise to the liability.
(d)(1)Without limiting subdivision (a), to the extent that an agent of a limited liability company has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter in any proceeding in which the agent was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the person is or was an agent of the limited liability company, if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent in connection therewith.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:
(A)Agent means any person who is or was a member of a member-managed limited liability company, manager of a manager-managed limited liability company, officer, employee, or other agent of the limited liability company, or is or was serving at the request of the limited liability company as a manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, or was a manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of a foreign or domestic limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise that was a predecessor of the limited liability company or of another enterprise at the request of the predecessor entity or other enterprise.
(B)Expenses include, without limitation, the attorneys fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this subdivision.
(C)Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative.
SEC. 9.Section 17704.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.09.(a)The fiduciary duties that a member owes to a member-managed limited liability company and the other members of the limited liability company are the duties of loyalty and care under subdivisions (b) and (c).
(b)A members duty of loyalty to the limited liability company and the other members is limited to the following:
(1)To account to the limited liability company and hold as trustee for it any property, profit, or benefit derived by the member in the conduct and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company or derived from a use by the member of a limited liability company property, including the appropriation of a limited liability company opportunity.
(2)To refrain from dealing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company as or on behalf of a person having an interest adverse to the limited liability company.
(3)To refrain from competing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company.
(c)A members duty of care to a limited liability company and the other members in the conduct and winding up of the activities of the limited liability company is limited to refraining from engaging in grossly negligent or reckless conduct, intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law.
(d)A member shall discharge the duties to a limited liability company and the other members under this title or under the operating agreement and exercise any rights consistent with the obligation of good faith and fair dealing.
(e)A member does not violate a duty or obligation under this article or under the operating agreement merely because the members conduct furthers the members own interest.
(f)In a manager-managed limited liability company, all of the following rules apply:
(1)Subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (e) apply to the manager or managers and not the members.
(2)Subdivision (d) applies to the members and managers.
(3)Except as otherwise provided, a member does not have any fiduciary duty to the limited liability company or to any other member solely by reason of being a member.
SEC. 10.Section 17704.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.10.(a)Upon the request of a member or transferee, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member or a transferee, a manager or, if the limited liability company is member-managed, a member in possession of the requested information, shall promptly deliver, in writing, to the member or transferee, at the expense of the limited liability company, a copy of the information required to be maintained by paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 17701.13, and any written operating agreement of the limited liability company.
(b)Each member, manager, and transferee has the right, upon reasonable request, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member, manager, or transferee, to each of the following:
(1)To inspect and copy during normal business hours any of the records required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(2)To obtain in writing from the limited liability company, promptly after becoming available, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax returns for each year.
(c)In the case of a limited liability company with more than 35 members, each of the following shall apply:
(1)A manager shall cause an annual report to be sent to each of the members not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year. The report, which may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company (paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02) shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement and a statement of cashflows for the fiscal year.
(2)Members representing at least 5 percent of the voting interests of members, or three or more members, may make a written request to a manager for an income statement of the limited liability company for the initial three-month, six-month, or nine-month period of the current fiscal year ending more than 30 days prior to the date of the request, and a balance sheet of the limited liability company as of the end of that period. The statement shall be delivered or mailed to the members within 30 days thereafter.
(3)The financial statements referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report thereon, if any, of the independent accountants engaged by the limited liability company or, if there is no report, the certificate of the manager of the limited liability company that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the limited liability company.
(d)A manager shall promptly furnish to a member a copy of any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement executed by a manager pursuant to a power of attorney from the member. The articles of organization or operating agreement may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company.
(e)The limited liability company shall send or cause information to be sent in writing to each member or holder of a transferable interest within 90 days after the end of each taxable year the information necessary to complete federal and state income tax or information returns and, in the case of a limited liability company with 35 or fewer members, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns for the year.
(f)In addition to the remedies provided in Sections 17713.06 and 17713.07 and any other remedies, a court of competent jurisdiction may enforce the duty of making and mailing or delivering the information and financial statements required by this section and, for good cause shown, extend the time therefor.
(g)In any action under this section or under Section 17713.07, if the court finds the failure of the limited liability company to comply with the requirements of this section is without justification, the court may award an amount sufficient to reimburse the person bringing the action for the reasonable expenses incurred by that person, including attorneys fees, in connection with the action or proceeding.
(h)Any waiver of the rights provided in this section shall be unenforceable.
(i)Any request, inspection, or copying by a member or holder of a transferable interest may be made by that person or by that persons agent or attorney.
(j)Upon complaint that a limited liability company is failing to comply with the provisions of this section, or to afford to the members rights given to them in the articles of organization or operating agreement, the Attorney General may, in the name of the people of the State of California, send to the office required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13, notice of the complaint.
(k)If the answer of the limited liability company is not received within 30 days of the date the notice was transmitted, or if the answer is not satisfactory, and if the enforcement of the rights of the aggrieved persons by private civil action, by class action, or otherwise, would be so burdensome or expensive as to be impracticable, the Attorney General may institute, maintain, or intervene in any court of competent jurisdiction or before any administrative agency for relief by way of injunction, the dissolution of entities, the appointment of receivers, or any other temporary, preliminary, provisional, or final remedies as may be appropriate to protect the rights of members or to restore the position of the members for the failure to comply with the requirements of Section 17701.13 or the articles of organization or the operating agreement. In any action, suit, or proceeding, there may be joined as parties all persons and entities responsible for or affected by the activity.
SEC. 11.Section 17705.02 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17705.02.(a)With respect to a transfer, in whole or in part, of a transferable interest, all of the following apply:
(1)A transfer is permissible.
(2)A transfer does not by itself cause a members dissociation or a dissolution and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04, a transfer does not entitle the transferee to do any of the following:
(A)Vote or otherwise participate in the management or conduct of the activities of a limited liability company.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c) and Section 17704.10, have access to records or other information concerning the activities of a limited liability company.
(b)A transferee has the right to receive, in accordance with the transfer, distributions to which the transferor would otherwise be entitled; provided, however, that the pledge or granting of a security interest, lien, or other encumbrance in or against any or all of the transferable interest of a transferor shall not cause the transferor to cease to be a member or grant to the transferee or to anyone else the power to exercise any rights or powers of a member, including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions to which the member is entitled.
(c)In a dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company, a transferee is entitled to an account of the limited liability companys transactions only from the date of dissolution.
(d)A transferable interest may be evidenced by a certificate of the interest issued by the limited liability company in a record, and, subject to this article, the interest represented by the certificate may be transferred by a transfer of the certificate.
(e)A limited liability company need not give effect to a transferees rights under this section until the limited liability company has notice of the transfer.
(f)A transfer of a transferable interest in violation of a restriction on transfer contained in the operating agreement is ineffective as to a person having notice of the restriction at the time of transfer.
(g)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of this section and paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 17706.02, when a member transfers a transferable interest, the transferor retains the rights of a member, other than the interest in distributions transferred, and retains all duties and obligations of a member.
(h)When a member transfers a transferable interest to a person that becomes a member with respect to the transferred interest, the transferee is liable for the members obligations under Section 17704.03 and subdivision (c) of Section 17704.06 known to the transferee when the transferee becomes a member.
SEC. 12.Section 17706.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17706.03.(a)When a person is dissociated as a member of a limited liability company all of the following apply:
(1)The persons right to vote or participate as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates.
(2)If the limited liability company is member-managed, the person s fiduciary duties as a member end with regard to matters arising and events occurring after the persons dissociation.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04 and Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any transferable interest owned by the person immediately before dissociation in the persons capacity as a member is owned by the person solely as a transferee.
(b)A persons dissociation as a member of a limited liability company does not of itself discharge the person from any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or the other members that the person incurred while a member.
(c)If a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a members interest is being administered by an attorney-in-fact under a valid power of attorney, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact, or other legal representative may exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
SEC. 13.Section 17707.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.01.A limited liability company is dissolved, and its activities shall be wound up, upon the happening of the first to occur of the following:
(a)On the happening of an event set forth in a written operating agreement or the articles of organization.
(b)By the vote of a majority of the members of the limited liability company or a greater percentage of the voting interests of members as may be specified in the articles of organization, or a written operating agreement.
(c)The passage of 90 consecutive days during which the limited liability company has no members, except that, on the death of a natural person who is the sole member of a limited liability company, the status of the member, including a membership interest, may pass to one or more heirs, successors, and assigns of the member by will or applicable law. An heir, successor, or assign of the members interest becomes a substituted member pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 17704.01, subject to administration as provided by applicable law, without the permission or consent of the heirs, successors, or assigns or those administering the estate of the deceased member.
(d)Entry of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to Section 17707.03.
SEC. 14.Section 17707.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.03.(a)Pursuant to an action filed by any manager or by any member or members of a limited liability company, a court of competent jurisdiction may decree the dissolution of a limited liability company whenever any of the events specified in subdivision (b) occurs.
(b)(1)It is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in conformity with the articles of organization or operating agreement.
(2)Dissolution is reasonably necessary for the protection of the rights or interests of the complaining members.
(3)The business of the limited liability company has been abandoned.
(4)The management of the limited liability company is deadlocked or subject to internal dissension.
(5)Those in control of the limited liability company have been guilty of, or have knowingly countenanced, persistent and pervasive fraud, mismanagement, or abuse of authority.
(c)(1)In any suit for judicial dissolution, the other members may avoid the dissolution of the limited liability company by purchasing for cash the membership interests owned by the members so initiating the proceeding, the moving parties, at their fair market value. In fixing the value, the amount of any damages resulting if the initiation of the dissolution is a breach by any moving party or parties of an agreement with the purchasing party or parties, including, without limitation, the operating agreement, may be deducted from the amount payable to the moving party or parties; provided, that no member who sues for dissolution on the grounds set forth in paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (b) shall be liable for damages for breach of contract in bringing that action.
(2)If the purchasing parties elect to purchase the membership interests owned by the moving parties, are unable to agree with the moving parties upon the fair market value of the membership interests, and give bond with sufficient security to pay the estimated reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties if the expenses are recoverable under paragraph (3), the court, upon application of the purchasing parties, either in the pending action or in a proceeding initiated in the superior court of the proper county by the purchasing parties, shall stay the winding up and dissolution proceeding and shall proceed to ascertain and fix the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties.
(3)The court shall appoint three disinterested appraisers to appraise the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties, and shall make an order referring the matter to the appraisers so appointed for the purpose of ascertaining that value. The order shall prescribe the time and manner of producing evidence, if evidence is required. The award of the appraisers or a majority of them, when confirmed by the court, shall be final and conclusive upon all parties. The court shall enter a decree that shall provide in the alternative for winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, unless payment is made for the membership interests within the time specified by the decree. If the purchasing parties do not make payment for the membership interests within the time specified, judgment shall be entered against them and the surety or sureties on the bond for the amount of the expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties. Any member aggrieved by the action of the court may appeal therefrom.
(4)If the purchasing parties desire to prevent the winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, they shall pay to the moving parties the value of their membership interests ascertained and decreed within the time specified pursuant to this section, or, in the case of an appeal, as fixed on appeal. On receiving that payment or the tender of payment, the moving parties shall transfer their membership interests to the purchasing parties.
(5)For the purposes of this section, the valuation date shall be the date upon which the action for judicial dissolution was commenced. However, the court may, upon the hearing of a motion by any party, and for good cause shown, designate some other date as the valuation date.
(6)A dismissal of any suit for judicial dissolution by a manager, member, or members shall not affect the other members rights to avoid dissolution pursuant to this section.
(d)Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the remedies otherwise available to a court of competent jurisdiction over the dissolution.
SEC. 15.Section 17707.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.06.(a)A limited liability company that has filed a certificate of cancellation nevertheless continues to exist for the purpose of winding up its affairs, prosecuting and defending actions by or against it in order to collect and discharge obligations, disposing of and conveying its property, and collecting and dividing its assets. A limited liability company shall not continue business except so far as necessary for its winding up.
(b)No action or proceeding to which a limited liability company is a party abates by the filing of a certificate of cancellation for the limited liability company or by reason of proceedings for its winding up and dissolution.
(c)Any assets inadvertently or otherwise omitted from the winding up continue in the canceled limited liability company for the benefit of the persons entitled to those assets upon cancellation and on realization shall be distributed accordingly.
(d)After cancellation of the limited liability company, the limited liability company is bound by both of the following:
(1)The act of a person authorized to wind up the affairs of the limited liability company, if the act is appropriate for winding up the activities of the limited liability company.
(2)The act of a person authorized to act on behalf of the limited liability company, if the act would have bound the limited liability company before cancellation, if the other party to the transaction did not have notice of the cancellation.
SEC. 16.Section 17707.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.09.(a)Notwithstanding the filing of a certificate of dissolution, a majority of the members may cause to be filed, in the office of, and on a form prescribed by, the Secretary of State, a certificate of continuation, in any of the following circumstances:
(1)The business of the limited liability company is to be continued pursuant to a unanimous vote of the remaining members.
(2)The dissolution of the limited liability company was by vote of the members pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01 and each member who consented to the dissolution has agreed in writing to revoke his or her vote in favor of or consent to the dissolution.
(3)The limited liability company was not, in fact, dissolved.
(b)The certificate of continuation shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number.
(2)The grounds provided by subdivision (a) that are the basis for filing the certificate of continuation.
(c)Upon the filing of a certificate of continuation, the certificate of dissolution shall be of no effect from the time of the filing of the certificate of dissolution.
SEC. 17.Section 17708.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17708.07.(a)A foreign limited liability company transacting intrastate business in this state shall not maintain an action or proceeding in this state unless it has a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state.
(b)The failure of a foreign limited liability company to have a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state does not prevent the foreign limited liability company from defending an action or proceeding in this state.
(c)A member or manager of a foreign limited liability company is not liable for the debts, obligations, or other liabilities of the foreign limited liability company solely because the foreign limited liability company transacted intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration.
(d)If a foreign limited liability company transacts intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration or cancels its certificate of registration, it shall be deemed to have appointed the Secretary of State as its agent for service of process for rights of action arising out of the transaction of intrastate business in this state.
SEC. 18.Section 17710.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.03.(a)A limited liability company that desires to convert to an other business entity or a foreign other business entity or a foreign limited liability company shall approve a plan of conversion.
The plan of conversion shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the conversion.
(2)The place of the organization of the converted entity and of the converting limited liability company and the name of the converted entity after conversion.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the members into shares of, securities of, or interests in, the converted entity.
(4)The provisions of the governing documents for the converted entity, including the limited liability company articles of organization and operating agreement, or articles or certificate of incorporation if the converted entity is a corporation, to which the holders of interests in the converted entity are to be bound.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which the converted entity is organized, or that are desired by the parties.
(b)(1)The plan of conversion shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interest or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of each class of membership of the converting limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the converting limited liability company.
(2)However, if the members of the limited liability company would become personally liable for any obligations of the converted entity as a result of the conversion, the plan of conversion shall be approved by all of the members of the converting limited liability company, unless the plan of conversion provides that all members will have dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(c)Upon the effectiveness of the conversion, all members of the converting limited liability company, except those that exercise dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), shall be deemed parties to any governing documents for the converted entity adopted as part of the plan of conversion, regardless of whether or not the member has executed the plan of conversion or the governing documents for the converted entity. Any adoption of governing documents made pursuant to the conversion shall be effective at the effective time or date of the conversion.
(d)Notwithstanding its prior approval, a plan of conversion may be amended before the conversion takes effect if the amendment is approved by all managers and a majority of the members or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of the converting limited liability company and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the plan of conversion, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of the converting limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original plan of conversion.
(e)The managers by unanimous approval and the members of a converting limited liability company may, by majority approval at any time before the conversion is effective, in their discretion, abandon a conversion, without further approval by the managers or members, subject to the contractual rights of third parties other than managers or members.
(f)The converted entity shall keep the plan of conversion at the principal place of business of the converted entity if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company or foreign other business entity, at the principal office of, or registrar or transfer agent of, the converted entity, if the converted entity is a domestic corporation, or at the office where records are to be kept pursuant to Section 17701.13 if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company. Upon the request of a member of a converting limited liability company, the authorized person on behalf of the converted entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the converted entity, a copy of the plan of conversion. A waiver by a member of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 19.Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.06.(a)Upon conversion of a limited liability company, one of the following applies:
(1)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic limited partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on a certificate of limited partnership for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(2)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the statement of partnership authority for the converted entity. If no statement of partnership authority is filed, a certificate of conversion shall be filed separately with the Secretary of State.
(3)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic corporation, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the articles of incorporation for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(4)If the limited liability company is converting to a foreign limited liability company or foreign other business entity, a certificate of conversion shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(b)Any certificate or statement of conversion shall be executed and acknowledged by all members of a member-managed limited liability company or all managers of a manager-managed limited liability company, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, and shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the converting limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number of the converting limited liability company.
(2)A statement that the principal terms of the plan of conversion were approved by a vote of the members, that equaled or exceeded the vote required under Section 17710.03, specifying each class entitled to vote and the percentage vote required of each class.
(c)A certificate of conversion shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name, form, and jurisdiction of organization of the converted entity.
(2)The name, street, and mailing address of the converted entitys agent for service of process.
(3)The street address of the converted entitys chief executive office.
(d)The filing with the Secretary of State of a certificate of conversion, a certificate of limited partnership, a statement of partnership authority, or articles of incorporation containing a statement of conversion as set forth in subdivision (a) shall have the effect of the filing of a certificate of cancellation by the converting limited liability company, and no converting limited liability company that has made the filing is required to take any action under Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01) as a result of that conversion.
(e)For the purposes of this title, the certificate of conversion shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 19.5.Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.06.(a)Upon conversion of a limited liability company, one of the following applies:
(1)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic limited partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on a certificate of limited partnership for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(2)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the statement of partnership authority for the converted entity. If no statement of partnership authority is filed, a certificate of conversion shall be filed separately with the Secretary of State.
(3)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic corporation, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the articles of incorporation for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(4)If the limited liability company is converting to a foreign limited liability company or foreign other business entity, a certificate of conversion shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(b)Any certificate or statement of conversion shall be executed and acknowledged by all members of a member-managed limited liability company or all managers of a manager-managed limited liability company, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, and shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the converting limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number of the converting limited liability company.
(2)A statement that the principal terms of the plan of conversion were approved by a vote of the members, that equaled or exceeded the vote required under Section 17710.03, specifying each class entitled to vote and the percentage vote required of each class.
(c)A certificate of conversion shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name, form, and jurisdiction of organization of the converted entity.
(2)The name, street address, and mailing address of the converted entitys agent for service of process. If a corporation qualified under Section 1505 is designated as the agent, no address for it shall be set forth.
(3)The street address of the converted entitys chief executive office.
(d)The filing with the Secretary of State of a certificate of conversion, a certificate of limited partnership, a statement of partnership authority, or articles of incorporation containing a statement of conversion as set forth in subdivision (a) shall have the effect of the filing of a certificate of cancellation by the converting limited liability company, and no converting limited liability company that has made the filing is required to take any action under Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01) as a result of that conversion.
(e)For the purposes of this title, the certificate of conversion shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 20.Section 17710.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.12.(a)Each limited liability company and other business entity that desires to merge shall approve an agreement of merger.
The agreement of merger shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interests of each constituent limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the members of any constituent limited liability company become personally liable for any obligations of a constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity as a result of the merger, the principal terms of the agreement of merger shall be approved by all of the members of the constituent limited liability company, unless the agreement of merger provides that all members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01). The agreement of merger shall be approved on behalf of each constituent other business entity by those persons required to approve the merger by the laws under which it is organized. Other persons, including a parent of a constituent limited liability company, may be parties to the agreement of merger. The agreement of merger shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the merger.
(2)The name and place of the organization of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and of each disappearing limited liability company and disappearing other business entity, and the agreement of merger may change the name of the surviving limited liability company, the new name may be the same as or similar to the name of a disappearing domestic or foreign limited liability company, subject to Section 17701.08.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the constituent limited liability companies into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and if limited liability company interests of any of the constituent limited liability companies are not to be converted solely into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that the holders of the limited liability company interests are to receive in exchange for the membership interests, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that may be in addition to or in lieu of interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, or that the limited liability company interests are canceled without consideration.
(4)The amendments to the articles of organization of the surviving limited liability company, if applicable, to be effected by the merger, if any.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which any constituent other business entity is organized, including, if a domestic corporation is a party to the merger, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 1113.
(6)Any other details or provisions that are desired, including, without limitation, a provision for the treatment of fractional membership interests.
(b)(1)Each membership interest of the same class of any constituent limited liability company, other than a membership interest in another constituent limited liability company that is being canceled and that is held by a constituent limited liability company or its parent or a limited liability company of which the constituent limited liability company is a parent shall, unless all members of the class consent, be treated equally with respect to any distribution of cash, property, rights, interests, or securities.
(2)Notwithstanding paragraph (1), except in a merger of a limited liability company with a limited liability company that controls at least 90 percent of the membership interests entitled to vote with respect to the merger, the unredeemable membership interests of a constituent limited liability company may be converted only into unredeemable interests or securities of the surviving limited liability company or other business entity, or a parent if a constituent limited liability company or a constituent other business entity or its parent owns, directly or indirectly, prior to the merger, membership interests of another constituent limited liability company or interests or securities of a constituent other business entity representing more than 50 percent of the interests or securities entitled to vote with respect to the merger of the other constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity or more than 50 percent of the voting power, as defined in Section 194.5, of a constituent other business entity that is a domestic corporation, unless all of the members of the class consent.
(3)The provisions of this subdivision do not apply to any transaction if the commissioner has approved the terms and conditions of the transaction and the fairness of those terms pursuant to Section 25142.
(c)Notwithstanding its prior approval, an agreement of merger may be amended prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or the agreement of merger, as provided in Section 17710.14, if the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner as required for approval of the original agreement of merger and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the agreement of merger, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original agreement of merger, and by each of the constituent other business entities.
(d)The managers and members of a constituent limited liability company may, in their discretion, abandon a merger, subject to the contractual rights, if any, of third parties, including other constituent limited liability companies and constituent other business entities, without further approval by the membership interests, at any time before the merger is effective.
(e)An agreement of merger approved in accordance with subdivision (a) may do the following:
(1)Effect any amendment to the operating agreement of any constituent limited liability company.
(2)Effect the adoption of a new operating agreement for a constituent limited liability company if it is the surviving limited liability company in the merger. Any amendment to an operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement made pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger. Notwithstanding the above provisions of this subdivision, if a greater number of members is required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of a constituent limited liability company than is required to approve the agreement of merger pursuant to subdivision (a), and the number of members that approve the agreement of merger is less than the number of members required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company, any amendment to the operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement of that constituent limited liability company made pursuant to the first sentence of this subdivision shall be effective only if the agreement of merger provides that all of the members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(f)The surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity shall keep the agreement of merger at its designated office or at the business address specified in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 17710.14, as applicable, and, upon the request of a member of a constituent limited liability company or a holder of shares, interests, or other securities of a constituent other business entity, the managers or members of the surviving limited liability company or the authorized person of the surviving other business entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, a copy of the agreement of merger. A waiver by a member or holder of shares, interests, or other securities of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 21.Section 17713.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.04.(a)Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this title shall apply to all domestic limited liability companies existing on or after January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State prior to January 1, 2014, whose registrations have not been canceled as of January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2014, and to all actions taken by the managers or members of a limited liability company on or after that date.
(b)Except as otherwise specified in this title, this title applies only to the acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or after January 1, 2014. The prior law governs all acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, and any operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, prior to January 1, 2014.
(c)Any vote or consent by the managers or members of a limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, shall be governed by prior law. If a certificate or document is required to be filed in a public office of this state relating to a vote or consent by the managers or members of the limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, it may be filed after that date pursuant to the filing requirements of this title, even though the vote or consent is governed by prior law.
(d)This title does not cancel or otherwise affect the status of, or create a new filing requirement with the Secretary of State or any other agency, board, commission, or department for, any domestic limited liability company in existence on December 31, 2013, or any foreign limited liability company registered to transact intrastate business in this state prior to January 1, 2014.
(e)For the purposes of this section, prior law means Title 2.5 (commencing with Section 17000) as it read on December 31, 2013.
SEC. 22.Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.12.(a)A limited liability company is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) if the limited liability company does both of the following:
(1)Has actual knowledge that a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company does any of the following:
(A)Makes, publishes, or posts, or has made, published, or posted, either generally or privately to the members or other persons, either of the following:
(i)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, exhibit, notice, or statement of its affairs or pecuniary condition that contains a material statement or omission that is false and intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(ii)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, prospectus, account, or statement of operations, values, business, profits, or expenditures that includes a material false statement or omission intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(B)Refuses or has refused to make any book entry or post any notice required by law in the manner required by law.
(C)Misstates or conceals or has misstated or concealed from a regulatory body a material fact in order to deceive a regulatory body to avoid a statutory or regulatory duty, or to avoid a statutory or regulatory limit or prohibition.
(2)Within 30 days after actual knowledge is acquired of the actions described in paragraph (1), the limited liability company knowingly fails to do both of the following:
(A)Notify the Attorney General or appropriate government agency in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the Attorney General or appropriate government agency has been notified.
(B)Notify its members and investors in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the members and investors have been notified.
(b)The requirement for notification under this section is not applicable if the action taken or about to be taken by the limited liability company, or by a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), is abated within the time prescribed for reporting, unless the appropriate government agency requires disclosure by regulation.
(c)If the action reported to the Attorney General pursuant to this section implicates the government authority of an agency other than the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall promptly forward the written notice to that agency.
(d)If the Attorney General was not notified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but the limited liability company reasonably and in good faith believed that it had complied with the notification requirements of this section by notifying a government agency listed in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e), no penalties shall apply.
(e)For purposes of this section:
(1)Manager means a person defined by subdivision (m) of Section 17701.01 having both of the following:
(A)Management authority over the limited liability company.
(B)Significant responsibility for an aspect of the limited liability company that includes actual authority for the financial operations or financial transactions of the limited liability company.
(2)Agent means a person or entity authorized by the limited liability company to make representations to the public about the limited liability companys financial condition and who is acting within the scope of the agency when the representations are made.
(3)Member means a person as defined by subdivision (o) of Section 17701.01 that is a member of the limited liability company at the time the disclosure is required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(4)Notify its members means to give sufficient description of an action taken or about to be taken that would constitute acts or omissions as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). A notice or report filed by a limited liability company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that relates to the facts and circumstances giving rise to an obligation under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall satisfy all notice requirements arising under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) but shall not be the exclusive means of satisfying the notice requirements, provided that the Attorney General or appropriate agency is informed in writing that the filing has been made together with a copy of the filing or an electronic link where it is available online without charge.
(5)Appropriate government agency means an agency on the following list that has regulatory authority with respect to the financial operations of a limited liability company:
(A)Department of Corporations.
(B)Department of Insurance.
(C)Department of Financial Institutions.
(D)Department of Managed Health Care.
(E)United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6)Actual knowledge of the limited liability company means the knowledge a member, officer, or manager of a limited liability company actually possesses or does not consciously avoid possessing, based on an evaluation of information provided pursuant to the limited liability companys disclosure controls and procedures.
(7)Refuse to make a book entry means the intentional decision not to record an accounting transaction when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(A)The independent auditors required recordation of an accounting transaction during the course of an audit.
(B)The audit committee of the limited liability company has not approved the independent auditors recommendation.
(C)The decision is made for the primary purpose of rendering the financial statements materially false or misleading.
(8)Refuse to post any notice required by law means an intentional decision not to post a notice required by law when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to post the notice has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(9)Misstate or conceal material facts from a regulatory body means an intentional decision not to disclose material facts when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to disclose material facts has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(10)Material false statement or omission means an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made under the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.
(11)Officer means a person appointed pursuant to Section 17703.02, except an officer of a specified subsidiary limited liability company who is not also an officer of the parent limited liability company.
(f)This section only applies to limited liability companies that are issuers, as defined in Section 2 of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7201 et seq.).
(g)An action to enforce this section may only be brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney or city attorney in the name of the people of the State of California.
SEC. 22.5.Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.12.(a)A limited liability company is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) if the limited liability company does both of the following:
(1)Has actual knowledge that a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company does any of the following:
(A)Makes, publishes, or posts, or has made, published, or posted, either generally or privately to the members or other persons, either of the following:
(i)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, exhibit, notice, or statement of its affairs or pecuniary condition that contains a material statement or omission that is false and intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(ii)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, prospectus, account, or statement of operations, values, business, profits, or expenditures that includes a material false statement or omission intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(B)Refuses or has refused to make any book entry or post any notice required by law in the manner required by law.
(C)Misstates or conceals or has misstated or concealed from a regulatory body a material fact in order to deceive a regulatory body to avoid a statutory or regulatory duty, or to avoid a statutory or regulatory limit or prohibition.
(2)Within 30 days after actual knowledge is acquired of the actions described in paragraph (1), the limited liability company knowingly fails to do both of the following:
(A)Notify the Attorney General or appropriate government agency in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the Attorney General or appropriate government agency has been notified.
(B)Notify its members and investors in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the members and investors have been notified.
(b)The requirement for notification under this section is not applicable if the action taken or about to be taken by the limited liability company, or by a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), is abated within the time prescribed for reporting, unless the appropriate government agency requires disclosure by regulation.
(c)If the action reported to the Attorney General pursuant to this section implicates the government authority of an agency other than the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall promptly forward the written notice to that agency.
(d)If the Attorney General was not notified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but the limited liability company reasonably and in good faith believed that it had complied with the notification requirements of this section by notifying a government agency listed in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e), no penalties shall apply.
(e)For purposes of this section:
(1)Manager means a person defined by subdivision (m) of Section 17701.01 having both of the following:
(A)Management authority over the limited liability company.
(B)Significant responsibility for an aspect of the limited liability company that includes actual authority for the financial operations or financial transactions of the limited liability company.
(2)Agent means a person or entity authorized by the limited liability company to make representations to the public about the limited liability companys financial condition and who is acting within the scope of the agency when the representations are made.
(3)Member means a person as defined by subdivision (o) of Section 17701.01 that is a member of the limited liability company at the time the disclosure is required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(4)Notify its members means to give sufficient description of an action taken or about to be taken that would constitute acts or omissions as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). A notice or report filed by a limited liability company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that relates to the facts and circumstances giving rise to an obligation under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall satisfy all notice requirements arising under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) but shall not be the exclusive means of satisfying the notice requirements, provided that the Attorney General or appropriate agency is informed in writing that the filing has been made together with a copy of the filing or an electronic link where it is available online without charge.
(5)Appropriate government agency means an agency on the following list that has regulatory authority with respect to the financial operations of a limited liability company:
(A)Department of Business Oversight.
(B)Department of Insurance.
(C)Department of Managed Health Care.
(D)United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6)Actual knowledge of the limited liability company means the knowledge a member, officer, or manager of a limited liability company actually possesses or does not consciously avoid possessing, based on an evaluation of information provided pursuant to the limited liability companys disclosure controls and procedures.
(7)Refuse to make a book entry means the intentional decision not to record an accounting transaction when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(A)The independent auditors required recordation of an accounting transaction during the course of an audit.
(B)The audit committee of the limited liability company has not approved the independent auditors recommendation.
(C)The decision is made for the primary purpose of rendering the financial statements materially false or misleading.
(8)Refuse to post any notice required by law means an intentional decision not to post a notice required by law when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to post the notice has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(9)Misstate or conceal material facts from a regulatory body means an intentional decision not to disclose material facts when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to disclose material facts has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(10)Material false statement or omission means an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made under the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.
(11)Officer means a person appointed pursuant to Section 17703.02, except an officer of a specified subsidiary limited liability company who is not also an officer of the parent limited liability company.
(f)This section only applies to limited liability companies that are issuers, as defined in Section 2 of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7201 et seq.).
(g)An action to enforce this section may only be brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney or city attorney in the name of the people of the State of California.
SEC. 23.Section 19.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1471. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1471, in which case Section 19 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 24.Section 22.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1517. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1517, in which case Section 22 of this bill shall not become operative.
In this title:
(a)Acknowledged means that an instrument is either of the following:
(1)Formally acknowledged as provided in Article 3 (commencing with Section 1180) of Chapter 4 of Title 4 of Part 4 of Division 2 of the Civil Code.
(2)Executed to include substantially the following wording preceding the signature:
It is hereby declared that I am the person who executed this instrument which execution is my act and deed.
Any certificate of acknowledgment taken without this state before a notary public or a judge or clerk of a court of record having an official seal need not be further authenticated.
(b)Articles of organization means the articles required by Section 17702.01. The term includes the articles of organization as amended or restated.
(c)Contribution means any benefit provided by a person to a limited liability company:
(1)In order to become a member upon formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between or among the persons that have agreed to become the initial members of the limited liability company.
(2)In order to become a member after formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between the person and the limited liability company.
(3)In the persons capacity as a member and in accordance with the operating agreement or an agreement between the member and the limited liability company.
(d)Debtor in bankruptcy means a person that is the subject of either of the following:
(1)An order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code or a successor statute of general application.
(2)A comparable order under federal, state, or foreign law governing bankruptcy or insolvency, an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or an order appointing a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of the person or of all or substantially all of the persons property.
(e)Designated office means either of the following:
(1)The office that a limited liability company is required to designate and maintain under Section 17701.13.
(2)The principal office of a foreign limited liability company.
(f)Distribution, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17704.05, means a transfer of money or other property from a limited liability company to another person on account of a transferable interest.
(g)Domestic means organized under the laws of this state when used in relation to any limited liability company, other business entity, or person other than a natural person.
(h)Effective, with respect to a record required or permitted to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing under this title, means effective under subdivision (c) of Section 17702.05.
(i)(1)Electronic transmission by the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, for that recipient on record with the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, together with a separate notice to the recipient of the posting, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the later of the posting or delivery of the separate notice thereof.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The communication is delivered to a recipient who has provided an unrevoked consent to the use of those means of transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(2)Electronic transmission to the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, that the limited liability company has provided from time to time to members or managers for sending communications to the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the posting.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The limited liability company has placed in effect reasonable measures to verify that the sender is the member or manager, in person or by proxy, purporting to send the transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(j)Foreign limited liability company means an unincorporated entity formed under the law of a jurisdiction other than this state and denominated by that law as a limited liability company.
(k)Limited liability company, except in the phrase foreign limited liability company, means a domestic entity formed under this title or an entity that becomes subject to this title pursuant to Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(l)Majority of the managers unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the managers of the limited liability company.
(m)Majority of the members unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the membership interests of members in current profits of the limited liability company.
(n)Manager means a person that under the operating agreement of a manager-managed limited liability company is responsible, alone or in concert with others, for performing the management functions stated in subdivision (c) of Section 17704.07.
(o)Manager-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that qualifies under subdivision (a) of Section 17704.07.
(p)Member means a person that has become a member of a limited liability company under Section 17704.01 and has not dissociated under Section 17706.02.
(q)Member-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that is not a manager-managed limited liability company.
(r)Membership interest means a members rights in the limited liability company, including the members transferable interest, any right to vote or participate in management, and any right to information concerning the business and affairs of the limited liability company provided by this title.
(s)Operating agreement means the agreement, whether or not referred to as an operating agreement and whether oral, in a record, implied, or in any combination thereof, of all the members of a limited liability company, including a sole member, concerning the matters described in subdivision (a) of Section 17701.10. The term operating agreement may include, without more, an agreement of all members to organize a limited liability company pursuant to this title. An operating agreement of a limited liability company having only one member shall not be unenforceable by reason of there being only one person who is a party to the operating agreement. The term includes the agreement as amended or restated.
(t)Organization means, whether domestic or foreign, a partnership whether general or limited, limited liability company, association, corporation, professional corporation, professional association, nonprofit corporation, business trust, or statutory business trust having a governing statute.
(u)Organizer means a person that acts under Section 17702.01 to form a limited liability company.
(v)Person means an individual, partnership, limited partnership, trust, a trustee of a trust, including, but not limited to, a trust described under Division 9 (commencing with Section 15000) of the Probate Code, estate, association, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, whether domestic or foreign. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to confer any rights under the California Constitution or the United States Constitution.
(w)Principal office means the principal executive office of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, whether or not the office is located in this state.
(x)Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(y)State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(z)Transfer includes an assignment, conveyance, deed, bill of sale, lease, mortgage, security interest, encumbrance, gift, and transfer by operation of law.
(aa)Transferable interest means the right, as originally associated with a persons capacity as a member, to receive distributions from a limited liability company in accordance with the operating agreement, whether or not the person remains a member or continues to own any part of the right.
(ab)Transferee means a person to which all or part of a transferable interest has been transferred, whether or not the transferor is a member.
(ac)Vote includes authorization by written consent or consent given by electronic transmission to the limited liability company.
SEC. 2.Section 17701.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.10.(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section, the operating agreement governs all of the following:
(1)Relations among the members as members and between the members and the limited liability company.
(2)The rights and duties under this title of a person in the capacity of manager.
(3)The activities of the limited liability company and the conduct of those activities.
(4)The means and conditions for amending the operating agreement.
(b)To the extent the operating agreement does not otherwise provide for a matter described in subdivision (a), this title governs the matter.
(c)In addition to the matters specified in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d), an operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary a limited liability companys capacity under Section 17701.05 to sue and be sued in its own name.
(2)Vary the law applicable under Section 17701.06.
(3)Vary the power of the court under Section 17702.04.
(4)Subject to paragraphs (14) and (15) of this subdivision and subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, or any other fiduciary duty.
(5)Subject to subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under subdivision (d) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable as determined at the time the standards are prescribed.
(6)Vary the requirements of Section 17701.13 to 17701.16, inclusive, or any provision under Article 8 (commencing with Section 17708.01).
(7)Vary the power of a court to decree dissolution in the circumstances specified in subdivision (a) of Section 17707.03 or the provisions for avoidance of dissolution in subdivision (c) of Section 17707.03.
(8)Except as provided therein, vary the requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 17702.01) or Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01).
(9)Unreasonably restrict the right of a member to maintain an action under Article 9 (commencing with Section 17709.01).
(10)Restrict the right of a member that will have personal liability with respect to a surviving or converted organization to approve a merger or conversion under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(11)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17701.12, restrict the rights under this title of a person other than a member or manager.
(12)Except as provided therein, vary any provision under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(13)Vary any provision under Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), Article 12 (commencing with Section 17712.01), or Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(14)Eliminate the duty of loyalty under subdivision (b) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may do any of the following:
(A)Identify specific types or categories of activities that do not violate the duty of loyalty, if not manifestly unreasonable.
(B)Specify the number or percentage of members that may authorize or ratify, after full disclosure to all members of all material facts, a specific act or transaction that otherwise would violate the duty of loyalty.
(15)Unreasonably reduce the duty of care under subdivision (c) of Section 17704.09.
(d)Except as provided in subdivision (c) and subdivisions (e) to (g), inclusive, the effects of the provisions of this title may be varied as among the members or as between the members and the limited liability company by the operating agreement; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 17701.13, 17703.01, and 17704.08 and subdivisions (f) to (r), inclusive, and (u) to (w), inclusive, of Section 17704.07 shall only be varied by a written operating agreement. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this subdivision and in addition to the matters specified in subdivision (c), the operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary the definitions of Section 17701.02, except as specifically provided therein.
(2)Vary a members rights under Section 17704.10.
(3)Vary any of the provisions of this section or Section 17701.12, except as provided therein.
(4)Vary any of the provisions of subdivisions (s) and (t) of Section 17704.07.
(e)The fiduciary duties of a manager to a manager-managed limited liability company and to the members of the limited liability company and of a member to a member-managed limited liability company and to the members of such limited liability company shall only be modified in a written operating agreement with the informed consent of the members. Assenting to the operating agreement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17701.11 shall not constitute informed consent.
(f)To the extent the operating agreement of a member-managed limited liability company expressly relieves a member of a responsibility that the member would otherwise have under this title and imposes the responsibility on one or more other members, the operating agreement may, to the benefit of the member that the operating agreement relieves of the responsibility, also eliminate or limit any fiduciary duty that would have pertained to the responsibility.
(g)The operating agreement may alter or eliminate the indemnification for a member or manager provided by subdivision (a) of Section 17704.08 and may eliminate or limit a member or managers liability to the limited liability company and members for money damages, except for the following:
(1)Breach of the duty of loyalty.
(2)A financial benefit received by the member or manager to which the member or manager is not entitled.
(3)A members liability for excess distributions under Section 17704.06.
(4)Intentional infliction of harm on the limited liability company or a member.
(5)An intentional violation of criminal law.
SEC. 3.Section 17701.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.12.(a)An operating agreement may specify that its amendment requires the approval of a person that is not a party to the operating agreement or the satisfaction of a condition. An amendment is ineffective if its adoption does not include the required approval or satisfy the specified condition.
(b)The obligations of a limited liability company and its members to a person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member are governed by the operating agreement. Subject only to any court order issued under paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 17705.03 to effectuate a charging order, an amendment to the operating agreement made after a person becomes a transferee or dissociated member is effective with regard to any debt, obligation, or other liability of the limited liability company or its members to the person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member.
(c)If a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title contains a provision that would be ineffective under Section 17701.10 if contained in the operating agreement, the provision is likewise ineffective in the record.
(d)Subject to subdivision (c), if a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title conflicts with a provision of the operating agreement both of the following apply:
(1)The operating agreement prevails as to members, dissociated members, transferees, and managers.
(2)The record prevails as to other persons to the extent they reasonably rely on the record.
SEC. 4.Section 17701.13 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.13.(a)A limited liability company shall designate and continuously maintain in this state both of the following:
(1)An office, which need not be a place of its activity in this state.
(2)An agent for service of process.
(b)A foreign limited liability company that has a certificate of registration under Section 17708.02 shall designate and continuously maintain in this state an agent for service of process.
(c)An agent for service of process of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company shall be an individual who is a resident of this state or a corporation that has complied with Section 1505 and whose capacity to act as an agent has not terminated. If a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company designates a corporation as its agent for service of process in an instrument filed with the Secretary of State, no address for that agent for service of process shall be set forth in that instrument.
(d)Each limited liability company shall maintain in writing or in any other form capable of being converted into clearly legible tangible form at the office referred to in subdivision (a) all of the following:
(1)A current list of the full name and last known business or residence address of each member and of each transferee set forth in alphabetical order, together with the contribution and the share in profits and losses of each member and transferee.
(2)If the limited liability company is a manager-managed limited liability company, a current list of the full name and business or residence address of each manager.
(3)A copy of the articles of organization and all amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which the articles of organization or any amendments thereto were executed.
(4)Copies of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns and reports, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(5)A copy of the limited liability companys operating agreement, if in writing, and any amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which any written operating agreement or any amendments thereto were executed.
(6)Copies of the financial statement of the limited liability company, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(7)The books and records of the limited liability company as they relate to the internal affairs of the limited liability company for at least the current and past four fiscal years.
(e)Upon request of an assessor, a domestic or foreign limited liability company owning, claiming, possessing, or controlling property in this state subject to local assessment shall make available at the limited liability companys principal office in this state or at the office required to be kept pursuant to subdivision (a) or at a place mutually acceptable to the assessor and the limited liability company a true copy of the business records relevant to the amount, cost, and value of all property that the limited liability company owns, claims, possesses, or controls within the county.
SEC. 5.Section 17704.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.01.(a)If a limited liability company is to have only one member upon formation, the person becomes a member as agreed by that person and the organizer of the limited liability company. That person and the organizer may be, but need not be, different persons. If different, the organizer acts on behalf of the initial member.
(b)If a limited liability company is to have more than one member upon formation, those persons become members as agreed by the persons before the formation of the limited liability company. The organizer acts on behalf of the persons in forming the limited liability company and may be, but need not be, one of the persons.
(c)After formation of a limited liability company, a person becomes a member as follows:
(1)As provided in the operating agreement.
(2)As the result of a transaction effective under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(3)With the consent of all the members.
(4)If, within 90 consecutive days after the limited liability company ceases to have any members, the last person to have been a member, or the legal representative of that person, designates a person to become a member, and the designated person consents to become a member.
(d)A person may become a member without acquiring a transferable interest and without making or being obligated to make a contribution to the limited liability company.
(e)Sections 406 and 407 of the Labor Code shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company to the following persons:
(1)Any employee of the limited liability company or foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either, pursuant to a membership interest purchase plan or agreement, or a membership interest option plan or agreement.
(2)In any transaction in connection with securing employment, a person who is or is about to become an officer or a manager of the limited liability company or the foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either.
SEC. 6.Section 17704.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.04.(a)Any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up shall be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, distributions shall be on the basis of the value, as stated in the required records when the limited liability company decides to make the distribution, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member, except to the extent necessary to comply with any transfer effective under Section 17705.02 and any charging order in effect under Section 17705.03.
(b)A person has a right to a distribution before the dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company only if the limited liability company decides to make an interim distribution. Unless the articles of organization or written operating agreement provides otherwise, a persons dissociation does not entitle the person to a distribution, and, beginning on the date of dissociation, the dissociated person shall have only the right of a transferee of a transferable interest with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company, and then only with respect to distributions, if any, to which a transferee is entitled under the operating agreement. If the dissociation is in violation of the operating agreement, the limited liability company shall have the right to offset any damages for the breach of the operating agreement from the amounts, if any, otherwise distributable to the dissociated person with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company.
(c)A person does not have a right to demand or receive a distribution from a limited liability company in any form other than money. A limited liability company may distribute an asset in kind if each part of the asset is fungible with each other part and each person receives a percentage of the asset equal in value to the persons share of distributions.
(d)If a member or transferee becomes entitled to receive a distribution, the member or transferee has the status of, and is entitled to all remedies available to, a creditor of the limited liability company with respect to the distribution.
(e)The profits and losses of a limited liability company shall be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, profits and losses shall be allocated in proportion to the value, as stated in the required records, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member.
SEC. 7.Section 17704.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.07.(a)A limited liability company is a member-managed limited liability company unless the articles of organization contain the statement required by paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 17702.01.
(b)In a member-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)The management and conduct of the limited liability company are vested in the members.
(2)Except as provided in subdivision (r), each member has equal rights in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities including equal voting rights.
(3)A difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company shall be decided by a majority of the members.
(4)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), an act outside the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be undertaken only with the consent of all members.
(5)The operating agreement may be amended only with the consent of all members.
(c)In a manager-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)Except as otherwise expressly provided in this title, any matter relating to the activities of the limited liability company is decided exclusively by the managers.
(2)Each manager has equal rights in the management and conduct of the activities of the limited liability company.
(3)A difference arising among managers as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be decided by a majority of the managers of the limited liability company.
(4)The consent of all members of the limited liability company is required to do any of the following:
(A)Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the limited liability companys property, with or without the goodwill, outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any other act outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(5)A manager may be chosen at any time by the consent of a majority of the members and remains a manager until a successor has been chosen, unless the manager at an earlier time resigns, is removed, or dies, or, in the case of a manager that is not an individual, terminates. A manager may be removed at any time by the consent of a majority of the members without cause, subject to the rights, if any, of the manager under any service contract with the limited liability company.
(6)A person need not be a member to be a manager, but the dissociation of a member that is also a manager removes the person as a manager. If a person that is both a manager and a member ceases to be a manager, that cessation does not by itself dissociate the person as a member.
(7)A persons ceasing to be a manager does not discharge any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or members which the person incurred while a manager.
(d)Except for such orders as may be made by a court of competent jurisdiction over a dissolution under Section 17707.03, the dissolution of a limited liability company does not affect the applicability of this section. However, a person that wrongfully causes dissolution of the limited liability company loses the right to participate in management as a member and a manager.
(e)This title does not entitle a member to remuneration for services performed for a member-managed limited liability company, except for reasonable compensation for services rendered in winding up the activities of a limited liability company.
(f)Meetings of members may be held at any place, by electronic video screen communication or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02, either within or without this state, selected by the person or persons calling the meeting or as may be stated in or fixed in accordance with the articles of organization or a written operating agreement. If no other place is stated or so fixed, all meetings shall be held at the principal office of the limited liability company. Unless prohibited by the articles of organization of the limited liability company, if authorized by the operating agreement, members not physically present in person or by proxy at a meeting of members may, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02 or by electronic video screen communication, participate in a meeting of members, be deemed present in person or by proxy, and vote at a meeting of members whether that meeting is to be held at a designated place or in whole or in part by means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication, in accordance with subdivision (l).
(g)A meeting of the members may be called by any manager or by any member or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests in current profits of members for the purpose of addressing any matters on which the members may vote.
(h)(1)Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each member entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state the place, date, and hour of the meeting, the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, and the general nature of the business to be transacted. No other business may be transacted at that meeting.
(2)Any report or any notice of a members meeting shall be given personally, by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, or by mail or other means of written communication, addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company or given by the member to the limited liability company for the purpose of notice, or, if no address appears or is given, at the place where the principal office of the limited liability company is located or by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal office is located. The notice or report shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally, delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, deposited in the mail, or sent by other means of written communication. An affidavit of mailing or delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company of any notice or report in accordance with this article, executed by a manager, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice or report.
(3)If any notice or report addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company is returned to the limited liability company by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice or report to the member at the address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if they are available for the member at the principal office of the limited liability company for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice or report to all other members.
(4)Notice given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision shall be valid only if it complies with paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02.
Notwithstanding this condition, notice shall not be given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision after either of the following has occurred:
(A)The limited liability company is unable to deliver two consecutive notices to the member by that means.
(B)The inability to so deliver the notices to the member becomes known to the secretary, any assistant secretary, the transfer agent, or any other person responsible for the giving of the notice.
(5)Upon written request to a manager by any person entitled to call a meeting of members, the manager shall immediately cause notice to be given to the members entitled to vote that a meeting will be held at a time requested by the person calling the meeting, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within 20 days after receipt of the request, the person entitled to call the meeting may give the notice or, upon the application of that person, the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the limited liability company is located, or if the principal office is not in this state, the county in which the limited liability companys address in this state is located, shall summarily order the giving of the notice, after notice to the limited liability company affording it an opportunity to be heard. The procedure provided in subdivision (c) of Section 305 shall apply to the application. The court may issue any order as may be appropriate, including, without limitation, an order designating the time and place of the meeting, the record date for determination of members entitled to vote, and the form of notice.
(i)When a members meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless the articles of organization or a written operating agreement otherwise require and except as provided in this subdivision, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof or the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the limited liability company may transact any business that may have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each member of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
(j)The actions taken at any meeting of members, however called and noticed, and wherever held, have the same validity as if taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the members entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, provides a waiver of notice or consents to the holding of the meeting or approves the minutes of the meeting in writing. All waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the limited liability company records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting after conversion to the form in which those records or minutes are kept. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by this title to be included in the notice but not so included, if the objection is expressly made at the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted nor the purpose of any meeting of members need be specified in any written waiver of notice, unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, except as provided in subdivision (l).
(k)Members may participate in a meeting of the limited liability company through the use of conference telephones or electronic video screen communication, as long as all members participating in the meeting can hear one another, or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision constitutes presence in person at that meeting.
(l)Any action approved at a meeting, other than by unanimous approval of those entitled to vote, shall be valid only if the general nature of the proposal so approved was stated in the notice of meeting or in any written waiver of notice.
(m)(1)A majority of the members represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members.
(2)The members present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the loss of a quorum, if any action taken after loss of a quorum, other than adjournment, is approved by the requisite percentage of interests of members specified in this title or in the articles of organization or a written operating agreement.
(3)In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of members may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the interests represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in paragraph (2).
(n)(1)Any action that may be taken at any meeting of the members may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed and delivered to the limited liability company within 60 days of the record date for that action by members having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all members entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
(2)Unless the consents of all members entitled to vote have been solicited in writing, (A) notice of any member approval of an amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement, a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17707.01, or a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.10, without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given at least 10 days before the consummation of the action authorized by the approval, and (B) prompt notice shall be given of the taking of any other action approved by members without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent, to those members entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.
(3)Any member giving a written consent, or the members proxyholder, may revoke the consent personally or by proxy by a writing received by the limited liability company prior to the time that written consents of members having the minimum number of votes that would be required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the limited liability company, but may not do so thereafter. This revocation is effective upon its receipt at the office of the limited liability company required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(o)The use of proxies in connection with this section shall be governed in the same manner as in the case of corporations formed under the General Corporation Law, Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) of Title 1.
(p)In order that the limited liability company may determine the members of record entitled to notices of any meeting or to vote, or entitled to receive any distribution or to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action, a manager, or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests of members, may fix, in advance, a record date, that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting and not more than 60 days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed the following shall apply:
(1)The record date for determining members entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(2)The record date for determining members entitled to give consent to limited liability company action in writing without a meeting shall be the day on which the first written consent is given.
(3)The record date for determining members for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the managers adopt the resolution relating thereto, or the 60th day prior to the date of the other action, whichever is later.
(4)The determination of members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless a manager or the members who called the meeting fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the manager or the members who called the meeting shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than 45 days from the date set for the original meeting.
(q)A meeting of the members may be conducted, in whole or in part, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication if both of the following requirements are met:
(1)The limited liability company implements reasonable measures to provide members, in person or by proxy, a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the members, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with those proceedings.
(2)When any member votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of electronic transmission to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, a record of that vote or action shall be maintained by the limited liability company.
(r)The articles of organization or a written operating agreement may provide to all or certain identified members of a specified class or group of members the right to vote separately or with all or any class or group of members on any matter. Voting by members may be on a per capita, number, financial interest, class, group, or any other basis. If no voting provision is contained in the articles of organization or written operating agreement, each of the following shall apply:
(1)The members of a limited liability company shall vote in proportion to their interests in current profits of the limited liability company or, in the case of a member who has assigned the members entire transferable interest in the limited liability company to a person who has not been admitted as a member, in proportion to the interest in current profits that the assigning member would have, had the assignment not been made.
(2)Any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement shall require the unanimous vote of all members.
(3)In all other matters in which a vote is required, except as otherwise provided in this section, a vote of a majority of the members shall be sufficient.
(s)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, in no event shall the articles of organization be amended by a vote of less than a majority of the members.
(t)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, members shall have the right to vote on a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01, on a conversion to another business entity as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17710.03, and on a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.12.
(u)A written operating agreement may provide for the appointment of officers, including, but not limited to, a chairperson or a president, or both a chairperson and a president, a secretary, a chief financial officer, and any other officers with the titles, powers, and duties as shall be specified in the articles of organization or operating agreement or as determined by the managers or members. An officer may, but does not need to, be a member or manager of the limited liability company, and any number of offices may be held by the same person.
(v)Officers, if any, shall be appointed in accordance with the written operating agreement or, if no such provision is made in the operating agreement, any officers shall be appointed by the managers and shall serve at the pleasure of the managers, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the limited liability company without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the limited liability under any contract to which the officer is a party.
(w)Subject to the provisions of the articles of organization, any note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness, contract, certificate, statement, conveyance, or other instrument in writing, and any assignment or endorsement thereof, executed or entered into between any limited liability company and any other person, when signed by the chairperson of the board, the president, or any vice president and any secretary, any assistant secretary, the chief financial officer, or any assistant treasurer of the limited liability company, is not invalidated as to the limited liability company by any lack of authority of the signing officers in the absence of actual knowledge on the part of the other person that the signing officers had no authority to execute the same.
SEC. 8.Section 17704.08 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.08.(a)A limited liability company shall reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with the duties stated in Section 17704.09.
(b)Except as provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, a limited liability company may reimburse for any payment made and may indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a person not identified in subdivision (a), including, without limitation, any officer, employee, or agent of the limited liability company, in the course of that persons activities on behalf of the limited liability company.
(c)A limited liability company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person against liability asserted against or incurred by that person even if, under subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, the operating agreement could not eliminate or limit the persons liability to the limited liability company for the conduct giving rise to the liability.
(d)(1)Without limiting subdivision (a), to the extent that an agent of a limited liability company has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter in any proceeding in which the agent was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the person is or was an agent of the limited liability company, if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent in connection therewith.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:
(A)Agent means any person who is or was a member of a member-managed limited liability company, manager of a manager-managed limited liability company, officer, employee, or other agent of the limited liability company, or is or was serving at the request of the limited liability company as a manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, or was a manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of a foreign or domestic limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise that was a predecessor of the limited liability company or of another enterprise at the request of the predecessor entity or other enterprise.
(B)Expenses include, without limitation, the attorneys fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this subdivision.
(C)Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative.
SEC. 9.Section 17704.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.09.(a)The fiduciary duties that a member owes to a member-managed limited liability company and the other members of the limited liability company are the duties of loyalty and care under subdivisions (b) and (c).
(b)A members duty of loyalty to the limited liability company and the other members is limited to the following:
(1)To account to the limited liability company and hold as trustee for it any property, profit, or benefit derived by the member in the conduct and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company or derived from a use by the member of a limited liability company property, including the appropriation of a limited liability company opportunity.
(2)To refrain from dealing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company as or on behalf of a person having an interest adverse to the limited liability company.
(3)To refrain from competing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company.
(c)A members duty of care to a limited liability company and the other members in the conduct and winding up of the activities of the limited liability company is limited to refraining from engaging in grossly negligent or reckless conduct, intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law.
(d)A member shall discharge the duties to a limited liability company and the other members under this title or under the operating agreement and exercise any rights consistent with the obligation of good faith and fair dealing.
(e)A member does not violate a duty or obligation under this article or under the operating agreement merely because the members conduct furthers the members own interest.
(f)In a manager-managed limited liability company, all of the following rules apply:
(1)Subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (e) apply to the manager or managers and not the members.
(2)Subdivision (d) applies to the members and managers.
(3)Except as otherwise provided, a member does not have any fiduciary duty to the limited liability company or to any other member solely by reason of being a member.
SEC. 10.Section 17704.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.10.(a)Upon the request of a member or transferee, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member or a transferee, a manager or, if the limited liability company is member-managed, a member in possession of the requested information, shall promptly deliver, in writing, to the member or transferee, at the expense of the limited liability company, a copy of the information required to be maintained by paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 17701.13, and any written operating agreement of the limited liability company.
(b)Each member, manager, and transferee has the right, upon reasonable request, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member, manager, or transferee, to each of the following:
(1)To inspect and copy during normal business hours any of the records required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(2)To obtain in writing from the limited liability company, promptly after becoming available, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax returns for each year.
(c)In the case of a limited liability company with more than 35 members, each of the following shall apply:
(1)A manager shall cause an annual report to be sent to each of the members not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year. The report, which may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company (paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02) shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement and a statement of cashflows for the fiscal year.
(2)Members representing at least 5 percent of the voting interests of members, or three or more members, may make a written request to a manager for an income statement of the limited liability company for the initial three-month, six-month, or nine-month period of the current fiscal year ending more than 30 days prior to the date of the request, and a balance sheet of the limited liability company as of the end of that period. The statement shall be delivered or mailed to the members within 30 days thereafter.
(3)The financial statements referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report thereon, if any, of the independent accountants engaged by the limited liability company or, if there is no report, the certificate of the manager of the limited liability company that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the limited liability company.
(d)A manager shall promptly furnish to a member a copy of any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement executed by a manager pursuant to a power of attorney from the member. The articles of organization or operating agreement may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company.
(e)The limited liability company shall send or cause information to be sent in writing to each member or holder of a transferable interest within 90 days after the end of each taxable year the information necessary to complete federal and state income tax or information returns and, in the case of a limited liability company with 35 or fewer members, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns for the year.
(f)In addition to the remedies provided in Sections 17713.06 and 17713.07 and any other remedies, a court of competent jurisdiction may enforce the duty of making and mailing or delivering the information and financial statements required by this section and, for good cause shown, extend the time therefor.
(g)In any action under this section or under Section 17713.07, if the court finds the failure of the limited liability company to comply with the requirements of this section is without justification, the court may award an amount sufficient to reimburse the person bringing the action for the reasonable expenses incurred by that person, including attorneys fees, in connection with the action or proceeding.
(h)Any waiver of the rights provided in this section shall be unenforceable.
(i)Any request, inspection, or copying by a member or holder of a transferable interest may be made by that person or by that persons agent or attorney.
(j)Upon complaint that a limited liability company is failing to comply with the provisions of this section, or to afford to the members rights given to them in the articles of organization or operating agreement, the Attorney General may, in the name of the people of the State of California, send to the office required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13, notice of the complaint.
(k)If the answer of the limited liability company is not received within 30 days of the date the notice was transmitted, or if the answer is not satisfactory, and if the enforcement of the rights of the aggrieved persons by private civil action, by class action, or otherwise, would be so burdensome or expensive as to be impracticable, the Attorney General may institute, maintain, or intervene in any court of competent jurisdiction or before any administrative agency for relief by way of injunction, the dissolution of entities, the appointment of receivers, or any other temporary, preliminary, provisional, or final remedies as may be appropriate to protect the rights of members or to restore the position of the members for the failure to comply with the requirements of Section 17701.13 or the articles of organization or the operating agreement. In any action, suit, or proceeding, there may be joined as parties all persons and entities responsible for or affected by the activity.
SEC. 11.Section 17705.02 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17705.02.(a)With respect to a transfer, in whole or in part, of a transferable interest, all of the following apply:
(1)A transfer is permissible.
(2)A transfer does not by itself cause a members dissociation or a dissolution and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04, a transfer does not entitle the transferee to do any of the following:
(A)Vote or otherwise participate in the management or conduct of the activities of a limited liability company.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c) and Section 17704.10, have access to records or other information concerning the activities of a limited liability company.
(b)A transferee has the right to receive, in accordance with the transfer, distributions to which the transferor would otherwise be entitled; provided, however, that the pledge or granting of a security interest, lien, or other encumbrance in or against any or all of the transferable interest of a transferor shall not cause the transferor to cease to be a member or grant to the transferee or to anyone else the power to exercise any rights or powers of a member, including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions to which the member is entitled.
(c)In a dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company, a transferee is entitled to an account of the limited liability companys transactions only from the date of dissolution.
(d)A transferable interest may be evidenced by a certificate of the interest issued by the limited liability company in a record, and, subject to this article, the interest represented by the certificate may be transferred by a transfer of the certificate.
(e)A limited liability company need not give effect to a transferees rights under this section until the limited liability company has notice of the transfer.
(f)A transfer of a transferable interest in violation of a restriction on transfer contained in the operating agreement is ineffective as to a person having notice of the restriction at the time of transfer.
(g)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of this section and paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 17706.02, when a member transfers a transferable interest, the transferor retains the rights of a member, other than the interest in distributions transferred, and retains all duties and obligations of a member.
(h)When a member transfers a transferable interest to a person that becomes a member with respect to the transferred interest, the transferee is liable for the members obligations under Section 17704.03 and subdivision (c) of Section 17704.06 known to the transferee when the transferee becomes a member.
SEC. 12.Section 17706.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17706.03.(a)When a person is dissociated as a member of a limited liability company all of the following apply:
(1)The persons right to vote or participate as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates.
(2)If the limited liability company is member-managed, the person s fiduciary duties as a member end with regard to matters arising and events occurring after the persons dissociation.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04 and Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any transferable interest owned by the person immediately before dissociation in the persons capacity as a member is owned by the person solely as a transferee.
(b)A persons dissociation as a member of a limited liability company does not of itself discharge the person from any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or the other members that the person incurred while a member.
(c)If a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a members interest is being administered by an attorney-in-fact under a valid power of attorney, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact, or other legal representative may exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
SEC. 13.Section 17707.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.01.A limited liability company is dissolved, and its activities shall be wound up, upon the happening of the first to occur of the following:
(a)On the happening of an event set forth in a written operating agreement or the articles of organization.
(b)By the vote of a majority of the members of the limited liability company or a greater percentage of the voting interests of members as may be specified in the articles of organization, or a written operating agreement.
(c)The passage of 90 consecutive days during which the limited liability company has no members, except that, on the death of a natural person who is the sole member of a limited liability company, the status of the member, including a membership interest, may pass to one or more heirs, successors, and assigns of the member by will or applicable law. An heir, successor, or assign of the members interest becomes a substituted member pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 17704.01, subject to administration as provided by applicable law, without the permission or consent of the heirs, successors, or assigns or those administering the estate of the deceased member.
(d)Entry of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to Section 17707.03.
SEC. 14.Section 17707.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.03.(a)Pursuant to an action filed by any manager or by any member or members of a limited liability company, a court of competent jurisdiction may decree the dissolution of a limited liability company whenever any of the events specified in subdivision (b) occurs.
(b)(1)It is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in conformity with the articles of organization or operating agreement.
(2)Dissolution is reasonably necessary for the protection of the rights or interests of the complaining members.
(3)The business of the limited liability company has been abandoned.
(4)The management of the limited liability company is deadlocked or subject to internal dissention. dissension.
(5)Those in control of the limited liability company have been guilty of, or have knowingly countenanced, persistent and pervasive fraud, mismanagement, or abuse of authority.
(c)(1)In any suit for judicial dissolution, the other members may avoid the dissolution of the limited liability company by purchasing for cash the membership interests owned by the members so initiating the proceeding, the moving parties, at their fair market value. In fixing the value, the amount of any damages resulting if the initiation of the dissolution is a breach by any moving party or parties of an agreement with the purchasing party or parties, including, without limitation, the operating agreement, may be deducted from the amount payable to the moving party or parties; provided, that no member who sues for dissolution on the grounds set forth in paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (b) shall be liable for damages for breach of contract in bringing that action.
(2)If the purchasing parties elect to purchase the membership interests owned by the moving parties, are unable to agree with the moving parties upon the fair market value of the membership interests, and give bond with sufficient security to pay the estimated reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties if the expenses are recoverable under paragraph (3), the court, upon application of the purchasing parties, either in the pending action or in a proceeding initiated in the superior court of the proper county by the purchasing parties, shall stay the winding up and dissolution proceeding and shall proceed to ascertain and fix the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties.
(3)The court shall appoint three disinterested appraisers to appraise the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties, and shall make an order referring the matter to the appraisers so appointed for the purpose of ascertaining that value. The order shall prescribe the time and manner of producing evidence, if evidence is required. The award of the appraisers or a majority of them, when confirmed by the court, shall be final and conclusive upon all parties. The court shall enter a decree that shall provide in the alternative for winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, unless payment is made for the membership interests within the time specified by the decree. If the purchasing parties do not make payment for the membership interests within the time specified, judgment shall be entered against them and the surety or sureties on the bond for the amount of the expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties. Any member aggrieved by the action of the court may appeal therefrom.
(4)If the purchasing parties desire to prevent the winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, they shall pay to the moving parties the value of their membership interests ascertained and decreed within the time specified pursuant to this section, or, in the case of an appeal, as fixed on appeal. On receiving that payment or the tender of payment, the moving parties shall transfer their membership interests to the purchasing parties.
(5)For the purposes of this section, the valuation date shall be the date upon which the action for judicial dissolution was commenced. However, the court may, upon the hearing of a motion by any party, and for good cause shown, designate some other date as the valuation date.
(6)A dismissal of any suit for judicial dissolution by a manager, member, or members shall not affect the other members rights to avoid dissolution pursuant to this section.
(d)Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the remedies otherwise available to a court of competent jurisdiction over the dissolution.
SEC. 15.Section 17707.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.06.(a)A limited liability company that has filed a certificate of cancellation nevertheless continues to exist for the purpose of winding up its affairs, prosecuting and defending actions by or against it in order to collect and discharge obligations, disposing of and conveying its property, and collecting and dividing its assets. A limited liability company shall not continue business except so far as necessary for its winding up.
(b)No action or proceeding to which a limited liability company is a party abates by the filing of a certificate of cancellation for the limited liability company or by reason of proceedings for its winding up and dissolution.
(c)Any assets inadvertently or otherwise omitted from the winding up continue in the canceled limited liability company for the benefit of the persons entitled to those assets upon cancellation and on realization shall be distributed accordingly.
(d)After cancellation of the limited liability company, the limited liability company is bound by both of the following:
(1)The act of a person authorized to wind up the affairs of the limited liability company, if the act is appropriate for winding up the activities of the limited liability company.
(2)The act of a person authorized to act on behalf of the limited liability company, if the act would have bound the limited liability company before cancellation, if the other party to the transaction did not have notice of the cancellation.
SEC. 16.Section 17707.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.09.(a)Notwithstanding the filing of a certificate of dissolution, a majority of the members may cause to be filed, in the office of, and on a form prescribed by, the Secretary of State, a certificate of continuation, in any of the following circumstances:
(1)The business of the limited liability company is to be continued pursuant to a unanimous vote of the remaining members.
(2)The dissolution of the limited liability company was by vote of the members pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01 and each member who consented to the dissolution has agreed in writing to revoke his or her vote in favor of or consent to the dissolution.
(3)The limited liability company was not, in fact, dissolved.
(b)The certificate of continuation shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number.
(2)The grounds provided by subdivision (a) that are the basis for filing the certificate of continuation.
(c)Upon the filing of a certificate of continuation, the certificate of dissolution shall be of no effect from the time of the filing of the certificate of dissolution.
SEC. 17.Section 17708.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17708.07.(a)A foreign limited liability company transacting intrastate business in this state shall not maintain an action or proceeding in this state unless it has a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state.
(b)The failure of a foreign limited liability company to have a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state does not prevent the foreign limited liability company from defending an action or proceeding in this state.
(c)A member or manager of a foreign limited liability company is not liable for the debts, obligations, or other liabilities of the foreign limited liability company solely because the foreign limited liability company transacted intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration.
(d)If a foreign limited liability company transacts intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration or cancels its certificate of registration, it shall be deemed to have appointed the Secretary of State as its agent for service of process for rights of action arising out of the transaction of intrastate business in this state.
SEC. 18.Section 17710.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.03.(a)A limited liability company that desires to convert to an other business entity or a foreign other business entity or a foreign limited liability company shall approve a plan of conversion.
The plan of conversion shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the conversion.
(2)The place of the organization of the converted entity and of the converting limited liability company and the name of the converted entity after conversion.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the members into shares of, securities of, or interests in, the converted entity.
(4)The provisions of the governing documents for the converted entity, including the limited liability company articles of organization and operating agreement, or articles or certificate of incorporation if the converted entity is a corporation, to which the holders of interests in the converted entity are to be bound.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which the converted entity is organized, or that are desired by the parties.
(b)(1)The plan of conversion shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interest or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of each class of membership of the converting limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the converting limited liability company.
(2)However, if the members of the limited liability company would become personally liable for any obligations of the converted entity as a result of the conversion, the plan of conversion shall be approved by all of the members of the converting limited liability company, unless the plan of conversion provides that all members will have dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(c)Upon the effectiveness of the conversion, all members of the converting limited liability company, except those that exercise dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), shall be deemed parties to any governing documents for the converted entity adopted as part of the plan of conversion, regardless of whether or not the member has executed the plan of conversion or the governing documents for the converted entity. Any adoption of governing documents made pursuant to the conversion shall be effective at the effective time or date of the conversion.
(d)Notwithstanding its prior approval, a plan of conversion may be amended before the conversion takes effect if the amendment is approved by all managers and a majority of the members or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of the converting limited liability company and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the plan of conversion, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of the converting limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original plan of conversion.
(e)The managers by unanimous approval and the members of a converting limited liability company may, by majority approval at any time before the conversion is effective, in their discretion, abandon a conversion, without further approval by the managers or members, subject to the contractual rights of third parties other than managers or members.
(f)The converted entity shall keep the plan of conversion at the principal place of business of the converted entity if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company or foreign other business entity, at the principal office of, or registrar or transfer agent of, the converted entity, if the converted entity is a domestic corporation, or at the office where records are to be kept pursuant to Section 17701.13 if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company. Upon the request of a member of a converting limited liability company, the authorized person on behalf of the converted entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the converted entity, a copy of the plan of conversion. A waiver by a member of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 19.Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.06.(a)Upon conversion of a limited liability company, one of the following applies:
(1)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic limited partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on a certificate of limited partnership for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(2)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the statement of partnership authority for the converted entity. If no statement of partnership authority is filed, a certificate of conversion shall be filed separately with the Secretary of State.
(3)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic corporation, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the articles of incorporation for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(4)If the limited liability company is converting to a foreign limited liability company or foreign other business entity, a certificate of conversion shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(b)Any certificate or statement of conversion shall be executed and acknowledged by all members of a member-managed limited liability company or all managers of a manager-managed limited liability company, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, and shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the converting limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number of the converting limited liability company.
(2)A statement that the principal terms of the plan of conversion were approved by a vote of the members, that equaled or exceeded the vote required under Section 17710.03, specifying each class entitled to vote and the percentage vote required of each class.
(c)A certificate of conversion shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name, form, and jurisdiction of organization of the converted entity.
(2)The name, street, and mailing address of the converted entitys agent for service of process.
(3)The street address of the converted entitys chief executive office.
(d)The filing with the Secretary of State of a certificate of conversion, a certificate of limited partnership, a statement of partnership authority, or articles of incorporation containing a statement of conversion as set forth in subdivision (a) shall have the effect of the filing of a certificate of cancellation by the converting limited liability company, and no converting limited liability company that has made the filing is required to take any action under Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01) as a result of that conversion.
(e)For the purposes of this title, the certificate of conversion shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 19.5.Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.06.(a)Upon conversion of a limited liability company, one of the following applies:
(1)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic limited partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on a certificate of limited partnership for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(2)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the statement of partnership authority for the converted entity. If no statement of partnership authority is filed, a certificate of conversion shall be filed separately with the Secretary of State.
(3)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic corporation, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the articles of incorporation for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(4)If the limited liability company is converting to a foreign limited liability company or foreign other business entity, a certificate of conversion shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(b)Any certificate or statement of conversion shall be executed and acknowledged by all members, members of a member-managed limited liability company or all managers of a manager-managed limited liability company, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, and shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the converting limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number of the converting limited liability company.
(2)A statement that the principal terms of the plan of conversion were approved by a vote of the members, that equaled or exceeded the vote required under Section 17710.03, specifying each class entitled to vote and the percentage vote required of each class.
(c)A certificate of conversion shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name, form, and jurisdiction of organization of the converted entity.
(2)The name, street, street address, and mailing address of the converted entitys agent for service of process. If a corporation qualified under Section 1505 is designated as the agent, no address for it shall be set forth.
(3)The street address of the converted entitys chief executive office.
(d)The filing with the Secretary of State of a certificate of conversion, a certificate of limited partnership, a statement of partnership authority, or articles of incorporation containing a statement of conversion as set forth in subdivision (a) shall have the effect of the filing of a certificate of cancellation by the converting limited liability company, and no converting limited liability company that has made the filing is required to take any action under Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01) as a result of that conversion.
(e)For the purposes of this title, the certificate of conversion shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 20.Section 17710.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.12.(a)Each limited liability company and other business entity that desires to merge shall approve an agreement of merger.
The agreement of merger shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interests of each constituent limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the members of any constituent limited liability company become personally liable for any obligations of a constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity as a result of the merger, the principal terms of the agreement of merger shall be approved by all of the members of the constituent limited liability company, unless the agreement of merger provides that all members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01). The agreement of merger shall be approved on behalf of each constituent other business entity by those persons required to approve the merger by the laws under which it is organized. Other persons, including a parent of a constituent limited liability company, may be parties to the agreement of merger. The agreement of merger shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the merger.
(2)The name and place of the organization of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and of each disappearing limited liability company and disappearing other business entity, and the agreement of merger may change the name of the surviving limited liability company, the new name may be the same as or similar to the name of a disappearing domestic or foreign limited liability company, subject to Section 17701.08.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the constituent limited liability companies into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and if limited liability company interests of any of the constituent limited liability companies are not to be converted solely into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that the holders of the limited liability company interests are to receive in exchange for the membership interests, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that may be in addition to or in lieu of interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, or that the limited liability company interests are canceled without consideration.
(4)The amendments to the articles of organization of the surviving limited liability company, if applicable, to be effected by the merger, if any.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which any constituent other business entity is organized, including, if a domestic corporation is a party to the merger, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 1113.
(6)Any other details or provisions that are desired, including, without limitation, a provision for the treatment of fractional membership interests.
(b)(1)Each membership interest of the same class of any constituent limited liability company, other than a membership interest in another constituent limited liability company that is being canceled and that is held by a constituent limited liability company or its parent or a limited liability company of which the constituent limited liability company is a parent shall, unless all members of the class consent, be treated equally with respect to any distribution of cash, property, rights, interests, or securities.
(2)Notwithstanding paragraph (1), except in a merger of a limited liability company with a limited liability company that controls at least 90 percent of the membership interests entitled to vote with respect to the merger, the unredeemable membership interests of a constituent limited liability company may be converted only into unredeemable interests or securities of the surviving limited liability company or other business entity, or a parent if a constituent limited liability company or a constituent other business entity or its parent owns, directly or indirectly, prior to the merger, membership interests of another constituent limited liability company or interests or securities of a constituent other business entity representing more than 50 percent of the interests or securities entitled to vote with respect to the merger of the other constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity or more than 50 percent of the voting power, as defined in Section 194.5, of a constituent other business entity that is a domestic corporation, unless all of the members of the class consent.
(3)The provisions of this subdivision do not apply to any transaction if the commissioner has approved the terms and conditions of the transaction and the fairness of those terms pursuant to Section 25142.
(c)Notwithstanding its prior approval, an agreement of merger may be amended prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or the agreement of merger, as provided in Section 17710.14, if the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner as required for approval of the original agreement of merger and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the agreement of merger, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original agreement of merger, and by each of the constituent other business entities.
(d)The managers and members of a constituent limited liability company may, in their discretion, abandon a merger, subject to the contractual rights, if any, of third parties, including other constituent limited liability companies and constituent other business entities, without further approval by the membership interests, at any time before the merger is effective.
(e)An agreement of merger approved in accordance with subdivision (a) may do the following:
(1)Effect any amendment to the operating agreement of any constituent limited liability company.
(2)Effect the adoption of a new operating agreement for a constituent limited liability company if it is the surviving limited liability company in the merger. Any amendment to an operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement made pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger. Notwithstanding the above provisions of this subdivision, if a greater number of members is required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of a constituent limited liability company than is required to approve the agreement of merger pursuant to subdivision (a), and the number of members that approve the agreement of merger is less than the number of members required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company, any amendment to the operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement of that constituent limited liability company made pursuant to the first sentence of this subdivision shall be effective only if the agreement of merger provides that all of the members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(f)The surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity shall keep the agreement of merger at its designated office or at the business address specified in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 17710.14, as applicable, and, upon the request of a member of a constituent limited liability company or a holder of shares, interests, or other securities of a constituent other business entity, the managers or members of the surviving limited liability company or the authorized person of the surviving other business entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, a copy of the agreement of merger. A waiver by a member or holder of shares, interests, or other securities of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 21.Section 17713.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.04.(a)Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this title shall apply to all domestic limited liability companies existing on or after January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State prior to January 1, 2014, whose registrations have not been canceled as of January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2014, and to all actions taken by the managers or members of a limited liability company on or after that date.
(b)Except as otherwise specified in this title, this title applies only to the acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or after January 1, 2014. The prior law governs all acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, and any operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, prior to January 1, 2014.
(c)Any vote or consent by the managers or members of a limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, shall be governed by prior law. If a certificate or document is required to be filed in a public office of this state relating to a vote or consent by the managers or members of the limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, it may be filed after that date pursuant to the filing requirements of this title, even though the vote or consent is governed by prior law.
(d)This title does not cancel or otherwise affect the status of, or create a new filing requirement with the Secretary of State or any other agency, board, commission, or department for, any domestic limited liability company in existence on December 31, 2013, or any foreign limited liability company registered to transact intrastate business in this state prior to January 1, 2014.
(e)For the purposes of this section, prior law means Title 2.5 (commencing with Section 17000) as it read on December 31, 2013.
SEC. 22.Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.12.(a)A limited liability company is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) if the limited liability company does both of the following:
(1)Has actual knowledge that a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company does any of the following:
(A)Makes, publishes, or posts, or has made, published, or posted, either generally or privately to the members or other persons, either of the following:
(i)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, exhibit, notice, or statement of its affairs or pecuniary condition that contains a material statement or omission that is false and intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(ii)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, prospectus, account, or statement of operations, values, business, profits, or expenditures that includes a material false statement or omission intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(B)Refuses or has refused to make any book entry or post any notice required by law in the manner required by law.
(C)Misstates or conceals or has misstated or concealed from a regulatory body a material fact in order to deceive a regulatory body to avoid a statutory or regulatory duty, or to avoid a statutory or regulatory limit or prohibition.
(2)Within 30 days after actual knowledge is acquired of the actions described in paragraph (1), the limited liability company knowingly fails to do both of the following:
(A)Notify the Attorney General or appropriate government agency in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the Attorney General or appropriate government agency has been notified.
(B)Notify its members and investors in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the members and investors have been notified.
(b)The requirement for notification under this section is not applicable if the action taken or about to be taken by the limited liability company, or by a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), is abated within the time prescribed for reporting, unless the appropriate government agency requires disclosure by regulation.
(c)If the action reported to the Attorney General pursuant to this section implicates the government authority of an agency other than the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall promptly forward the written notice to that agency.
(d)If the Attorney General was not notified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but the limited liability company reasonably and in good faith believed that it had complied with the notification requirements of this section by notifying a government agency listed in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e), no penalties shall apply.
(e)For purposes of this section:
(1)Manager means a person defined by subdivision (m) of Section 17701.01 having both of the following:
(A)Management authority over the limited liability company.
(B)Significant responsibility for an aspect of the limited liability company that includes actual authority for the financial operations or financial transactions of the limited liability company.
(2)Agent means a person or entity authorized by the limited liability company to make representations to the public about the limited liability companys financial condition and who is acting within the scope of the agency when the representations are made.
(3)Member means a person as defined by subdivision (o) of Section 17701.01 that is a member of the limited liability company at the time the disclosure is required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(4)Notify its members means to give sufficient description of an action taken or about to be taken that would constitute acts or omissions as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). A notice or report filed by a limited liability company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that relates to the facts and circumstances giving rise to an obligation under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall satisfy all notice requirements arising under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) but shall not be the exclusive means of satisfying the notice requirements, provided that the Attorney General or appropriate agency is informed in writing that the filing has been made together with a copy of the filing or an electronic link where it is available online without charge.
(5)Appropriate government agency means an agency on the following list that has regulatory authority with respect to the financial operations of a limited liability company:
(A)Department of Corporations.
(B)Department of Insurance.
(C)Department of Financial Institutions.
(D)Department of Managed Health Care.
(E)United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6)Actual knowledge of the limited liability company means the knowledge a member, officer, or manager of a limited liability company actually possesses or does not consciously avoid possessing, based on an evaluation of information provided pursuant to the limited liability companys disclosure controls and procedures.
(7)Refuse to make a book entry means the intentional decision not to record an accounting transaction when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(A)The independent auditors required recordation of an accounting transaction during the course of an audit.
(B)The audit committee of the limited liability company has not approved the independent auditors recommendation.
(C)The decision is made for the primary purpose of rendering the financial statements materially false or misleading.
(8)Refuse to post any notice required by law means an intentional decision not to post a notice required by law when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to post the notice has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(9)Misstate or conceal material facts from a regulatory body means an intentional decision not to disclose material facts when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to disclose material facts has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(10)Material false statement or omission means an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made under the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.
(11)Officer means a person appointed pursuant to Section 17703.02, except an officer of a specified subsidiary limited liability company who is not also an officer of the parent limited liability company.
(f)This section only applies to limited liability companies that are issuers, as defined in Section 2 of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7201 et seq.).
(g)An action to enforce this section may only be brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney or city attorney in the name of the people of the State of California.
SEC. 22.5.Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.12.(a)A limited liability company is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) if the limited liability company does both of the following:
(1)Has actual knowledge that a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company does any of the following:
(A)Makes, publishes, or posts, or has made, published, or posted, either generally or privately to the shareholders members or other persons, either of the following:
(i)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, exhibit, notice, or statement of its affairs or pecuniary condition that contains a material statement or omission that is false and intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(ii)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, prospectus, account, or statement of operations, values, business, profits, or expenditures that includes a material false statement or omission intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(B)Refuses or has refused to make any book entry or post any notice required by law in the manner required by law.
(C)Misstates or conceals or has misstated or concealed from a regulatory body a material fact in order to deceive a regulatory body to avoid a statutory or regulatory duty, or to avoid a statutory or regulatory limit or prohibition.
(2)Within 30 days after actual knowledge is acquired of the actions described in paragraph (1), the limited liability company knowingly fails to do both of the following:
(A)Notify the Attorney General or appropriate government agency in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the Attorney General or appropriate government agency has been notified.
(B)Notify its members and investors in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the members and investors have been notified.
(b)The requirement for notification under this section is not applicable if the action taken or about to be taken by the limited liability company, or by a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), is abated within the time prescribed for reporting, unless the appropriate government agency requires disclosure by regulation.
(c)If the action reported to the Attorney General pursuant to this section implicates the government authority of an agency other than the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall promptly forward the written notice to that agency.
(d)If the Attorney General was not notified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but the limited liability company reasonably and in good faith believed that it had complied with the notification requirements of this section by notifying a government agency listed in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e), no penalties shall apply.
(e)For purposes of this section:
(1)Manager means a person defined by subdivision (m) of Section 17701.01 having both of the following:
(A)Management authority over the limited liability company.
(B)Significant responsibility for an aspect of the limited liability company that includes actual authority for the financial operations or financial transactions of the limited liability company.
(2)Agent means a person or entity authorized by the limited liability company to make representations to the public about the limited liability companys financial condition and who is acting within the scope of the agency when the representations are made.
(3)Member means a person as defined by subdivision (o) of Section 17701.01 that is a member of the limited liability company at the time the disclosure is required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(4)Notify its members means to give sufficient description of an action taken or about to be taken that would constitute acts or omissions as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). A notice or report filed by a limited liability company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that relates to the facts and circumstances giving rise to an obligation under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall satisfy all notice requirements arising under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) but shall not be the exclusive means of satisfying the notice requirements, provided that the Attorney General or appropriate agency is informed in writing that the filing has been made together with a copy of the filing or an electronic link where it is available online without charge.
(5)Appropriate government agency means an agency on the following list that has regulatory authority with respect to the financial operations of a limited liability company:
(A)Department of Corporations. Business Oversight.
(B)Department of Insurance.
(C)Department of Financial Institutions. Managed Health Care.
(D)Department of Managed Health Care.
(E)
(D)United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6)Actual knowledge of the limited liability company means the knowledge a member, officer, or manager of a limited liability company actually possesses or does not consciously avoid possessing, based on an evaluation of information provided pursuant to the limited liability companys disclosure controls and procedures.
(7)Refuse to make a book entry means the intentional decision not to record an accounting transaction when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(A)The independent auditors required recordation of an accounting transaction during the course of an audit.
(B)The audit committee of the limited liability company has not approved the independent auditors recommendation.
(C)The decision is made for the primary purpose of rendering the financial statements materially false or misleading.
(8)Refuse to post any notice required by law means an intentional decision not to post a notice required by law when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to post the notice has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(9)Misstate or conceal material facts from a regulatory body means an intentional decision not to disclose material facts when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to disclose material facts has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(10)Material false statement or omission means an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made under the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.
(11)Officer means a person appointed pursuant to Section 17703.02, except an officer of a specified subsidiary limited liability company who is not also an officer of the parent limited liability company.
(f)This section only applies to limited liability companies that are issuers, as defined in Section 2 of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7201 et seq.).
(g)An action to enforce this section may only be brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney or city attorney in the name of the people of the State of California.
SEC. 23.Section 19.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1471. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1471, in which case Section 19 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 24.Section 22.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 1517. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2016, (2) each bill amends Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 1517, in which case Section 22 of this bill shall not become operative.
In this title:
(a)Acknowledged means that an instrument is either of the following:
(1)Formally acknowledged as provided in Article 3 (commencing with Section 1180) of Chapter 4 of Title 4 of Part 4 of Division 2 of the Civil Code.
(2)Executed to include substantially the following wording preceding the signature:
It is hereby declared that I am the person who executed this instrument which execution is my act and deed.
Any certificate of acknowledgment taken without this state before a notary public or a judge or clerk of a court of record having an official seal need not be further authenticated.
(b)Articles of organization means the articles required by Section 17702.01. The term includes the articles of organization as amended or restated.
(c)Contribution means any benefit provided by a person to a limited liability company:
(1)In order to become a member upon formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between or among the persons that have agreed to become the initial members of the limited liability company.
(2)In order to become a member after formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between the person and the limited liability company.
(3)In the persons capacity as a member and in accordance with the operating agreement or an agreement between the member and the limited liability company.
(d)Debtor in bankruptcy means a person that is the subject of either of the following:
(1)An order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code or a successor statute of general application.
(2)A comparable order under federal, state, or foreign law governing bankruptcy or insolvency, an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or an order appointing a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of the person or of all or substantially all of the persons property.
(e)Designated office means either of the following:
(1)The office that a limited liability company is required to designate and maintain under Section 17701.13.
(2)The principal office of a foreign limited liability company.
(f)Distribution, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17704.05, means a transfer of money or other property from a limited liability company to another person on account of a transferable interest.
(g)Domestic means organized under the laws of this state when used in relation to any limited liability company, other business entity, or person other than a natural person.
(h)Effective, with respect to a record required or permitted to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing under this title, means effective under subdivision (c) of Section 17702.05.
(i)(1)Electronic transmission by the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, for that recipient on record with the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, together with a separate notice to the recipient of the posting, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the later of the posting or delivery of the separate notice thereof.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The communication is delivered to a recipient who has provided an unrevoked consent to the use of those means of transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(2)Electronic transmission to the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, that the limited liability company has provided from time to time to members or managers for sending communications to the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the posting.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The limited liability company has placed in effect reasonable measures to verify that the sender is the member or manager, in person or by proxy, purporting to send the transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(j)Foreign limited liability company means an unincorporated entity formed under the law of a jurisdiction other than this state and denominated by that law as a limited liability company.
(k)Limited liability company, except in the phrase foreign limited liability company, means a domestic entity formed under this title or an entity that becomes subject to this title pursuant to Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(l)Majority of the managers unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the managers of the limited liability company.
(m)Majority of the members unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the membership interests of members in current profits of the limited liability company.
(n)Manager means a person that under the operating agreement of a manager-managed limited liability company is responsible, alone or in concert with others, for performing the management functions stated in subdivision (c) of Section 17704.07.
(o)Manager-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that qualifies under subdivision (a) of Section 17704.07.
(p)Member means a person that has become a member of a limited liability company under Section 17704.01 and has not dissociated under Section 17706.02.
(q)Member-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that is not a manager-managed limited liability company.
(r)Membership interest means a members rights in the limited liability company, including the members transferable interest, any right to vote or participate in management, and any right to information concerning the business and affairs of the limited liability company provided by this title.
(s)Operating agreement means the agreement, whether or not referred to as an operating agreement and whether oral, in a record, implied, or in any combination thereof, of all the members of a limited liability company, including a sole member, concerning the matters described in subdivision (a) of Section 17701.10. The term operating agreement may include, without more, an agreement of all members to organize a limited liability company pursuant to this title. An operating agreement of a limited liability company having only one member shall not be unenforceable by reason of there being only one person who is a party to the operating agreement. The term includes the agreement as amended or restated.
(t)Organization means, whether domestic or foreign, a partnership whether general or limited, limited liability company, association, corporation, professional corporation, professional association, nonprofit corporation, business trust, or statutory business trust having a governing statute.
(u)Organizer means a person that acts under Section 17702.01 to form a limited liability company.
(v)Person means an individual, partnership, limited partnership, trust, a trustee of a trust, including, but not limited to, a trust described under Division 9 (commencing with Section 15000) of the Probate Code, estate, association, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, whether domestic or foreign. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to confer any rights under the California Constitution or the United States Constitution.
(w)Principal office means the principal executive office of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, whether or not the office is located in this state.
(x)Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(y)State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(z)Transfer includes an assignment, conveyance, deed, bill of sale, lease, mortgage, security interest, encumbrance, gift, and transfer by operation of law.
(aa)Transferable interest means the right, as originally associated with a persons capacity as a member, to receive distributions from a limited liability company in accordance with the operating agreement, whether or not the person remains a member or continues to own any part of the right.
(ab)Transferee means a person to which all or part of a transferable interest has been transferred, whether or not the transferor is a member.
(ac)Vote includes authorization by written consent or consent given by electronic transmission to the limited liability company.
SEC. 2.Section 17701.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.10.(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section, the operating agreement governs all of the following:
(1)Relations among the members as members and between the members and the limited liability company.
(2)The rights and duties under this title of a person in the capacity of manager.
(3)The activities of the limited liability company and the conduct of those activities.
(4)The means and conditions for amending the operating agreement.
(b)To the extent the operating agreement does not otherwise provide for a matter described in subdivision (a), this title governs the matter.
(c)In addition to the matters specified in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d), an operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary a limited liability companys capacity under Section 17701.05 to sue and be sued in its own name.
(2)Vary the law applicable under Section 17701.06.
(3)Vary the power of the court under Section 17702.04.
(4)Subject to paragraphs (14) and (15) of this subdivision and subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, or any other fiduciary duty.
(5)Subject to subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under subdivision (d) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable as determined at the time the standards are prescribed.
(6)Vary the requirements of Section 17701.13 to 17701.16, inclusive, or any provision under Article 8 (commencing with Section 17708.01).
(7)Vary the power of a court to decree dissolution in the circumstances specified in subdivision (a) of Section 17707.03 or the provisions for avoidance of dissolution in subdivision (c) of Section 17707.03.
(8)Except as provided therein, vary the requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 17702.01) or Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01).
(9)Unreasonably restrict the right of a member to maintain an action under Article 9 (commencing with Section 17709.01).
(10)Restrict the right of a member that will have personal liability with respect to a surviving or converted organization to approve a merger or conversion under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(11)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17701.12, restrict the rights under this title of a person other than a member or manager.
(12)Except as provided therein, vary any provision under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(13)Vary any provision under Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), Article 12 (commencing with Section 17712.01), or Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(14)Eliminate the duty of loyalty under subdivision (b) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may do any of the following:
(A)Identify specific types or categories of activities that do not violate the duty of loyalty, if not manifestly unreasonable.
(B)Specify the number or percentage of members that may authorize or ratify, after full disclosure to all members of all material facts, a specific act or transaction that otherwise would violate the duty of loyalty.
(15)Unreasonably reduce the duty of care under subdivision (c) of Section 17704.09.
(d)Except as provided in subdivision (c) and subdivisions (e) to (g), inclusive, the effects of the provisions of this title may be varied as among the members or as between the members and the limited liability company by the operating agreement; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 17701.13, 17703.01, and 17704.08 and subdivisions (f) to (r), inclusive, and (u) to (w), inclusive, of Section 17704.07 shall only be varied by a written operating agreement. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this subdivision and in addition to the matters specified in subdivision (c), the operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary the definitions of Section 17701.02, except as specifically provided therein.
(2)Vary a members rights under Section 17704.10.
(3)Vary any of the provisions of this section or Section 17701.12, except as provided therein.
(4)Vary any of the provisions of subdivisions (s) and (t) of Section 17704.07.
(e)The fiduciary duties of a manager to a manager-managed limited liability company and to the members of the limited liability company and of a member to a member-managed limited liability company and to the members of such limited liability company shall only be modified in a written operating agreement with the informed consent of the members. Assenting to the operating agreement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17701.11 shall not constitute informed consent.
(f)To the extent the operating agreement of a member-managed limited liability company expressly relieves a member of a responsibility that the member would otherwise have under this title and imposes the responsibility on one or more other members, the operating agreement may, to the benefit of the member that the operating agreement relieves of the responsibility, also eliminate or limit any fiduciary duty that would have pertained to the responsibility.
(g)The operating agreement may alter or eliminate the indemnification for a member or manager provided by subdivision (a) of Section 17704.08 and may eliminate or limit a member or managers liability to the limited liability company and members for money damages, except for the following:
(1)Breach of the duty of loyalty.
(2)A financial benefit received by the member or manager to which the member or manager is not entitled.
(3)A members liability for excess distributions under Section 17704.06.
(4)Intentional infliction of harm on the limited liability company or a member.
(5)An intentional violation of criminal law.
SEC. 3.Section 17701.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.12.(a)An operating agreement may specify that its amendment requires the approval of a person that is not a party to the operating agreement or the satisfaction of a condition. An amendment is ineffective if its adoption does not include the required approval or satisfy the specified condition.
(b)The obligations of a limited liability company and its members to a person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member are governed by the operating agreement. Subject only to any court order issued under paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 17705.03 to effectuate a charging order, an amendment to the operating agreement made after a person becomes a transferee or dissociated member is effective with regard to any debt, obligation, or other liability of the limited liability company or its members to the person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member.
(c)If a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title contains a provision that would be ineffective under Section 17701.10 if contained in the operating agreement, the provision is likewise ineffective in the record.
(d)Subject to subdivision (c), if a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title conflicts with a provision of the operating agreement both of the following apply:
(1)The operating agreement prevails as to members, dissociated members, transferees, and managers.
(2)The record prevails as to other persons to the extent they reasonably rely on the record.
SEC. 4.Section 17701.13 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.13.(a)A limited liability company shall designate and continuously maintain in this state both of the following:
(1)An office, which need not be a place of its activity in this state.
(2)An agent for service of process.
(b)A foreign limited liability company that has a certificate of registration under Section 17708.02 shall designate and continuously maintain in this state an agent for service of process.
(c)An agent for service of process of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company shall be an individual who is a resident of this state or a corporation that has complied with Section 1505 and whose capacity to act as an agent has not terminated. If a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company designates a corporation as its agent for service of process in an instrument filed with the Secretary of State, no address for that agent for service of process shall be set forth in that instrument.
(d)Each limited liability company shall maintain in writing or in any other form capable of being converted into clearly legible tangible form at the office referred to in subdivision (a) all of the following:
(1)A current list of the full name and last known business or residence address of each member and of each transferee set forth in alphabetical order, together with the contribution and the share in profits and losses of each member and transferee.
(2)If the limited liability company is a manager-managed limited liability company, a current list of the full name and business or residence address of each manager.
(3)A copy of the articles of organization and all amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which the articles of organization or any amendments thereto were executed.
(4)Copies of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns and reports, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(5)A copy of the limited liability companys operating agreement, if in writing, and any amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which any written operating agreement or any amendments thereto were executed.
(6)Copies of the financial statement of the limited liability company, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(7)The books and records of the limited liability company as they relate to the internal affairs of the limited liability company for at least the current and past four fiscal years.
(e)Upon request of an assessor, a domestic or foreign limited liability company owning, claiming, possessing, or controlling property in this state subject to local assessment shall make available at the limited liability companys principal office in this state or at the office required to be kept pursuant to subdivision (a) or at a place mutually acceptable to the assessor and the limited liability company a true copy of the business records relevant to the amount, cost, and value of all property that the limited liability company owns, claims, possesses, or controls within the county.
SEC. 5.Section 17704.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.01.(a)If a limited liability company is to have only one member upon formation, the person becomes a member as agreed by that person and the organizer of the limited liability company. That person and the organizer may be, but need not be, different persons. If different, the organizer acts on behalf of the initial member.
(b)If a limited liability company is to have more than one member upon formation, those persons become members as agreed by the persons before the formation of the limited liability company. The organizer acts on behalf of the persons in forming the limited liability company and may be, but need not be, one of the persons.
(c)After formation of a limited liability company, a person becomes a member as follows:
(1)As provided in the operating agreement.
(2)As the result of a transaction effective under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(3)With the consent of all the members.
(4)If, within 90 consecutive days after the limited liability company ceases to have any members, the last person to have been a member, or the legal representative of that person, designates a person to become a member, and the designated person consents to become a member.
(d)A person may become a member without acquiring a transferable interest and without making or being obligated to make a contribution to the limited liability company.
(e)Sections 406 and 407 of the Labor Code shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company to the following persons:
(1)Any employee of the limited liability company or foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either, pursuant to a membership interest purchase plan or agreement, or a membership interest option plan or agreement.
(2)In any transaction in connection with securing employment, a person who is or is about to become an officer or a manager of the limited liability company or the foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either.
SEC. 6.Section 17704.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.04.(a)Any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up shall be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, distributions shall be on the basis of the value, as stated in the required records when the limited liability company decides to make the distribution, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member, except to the extent necessary to comply with any transfer effective under Section 17705.02 and any charging order in effect under Section 17705.03.
(b)A person has a right to a distribution before the dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company only if the limited liability company decides to make an interim distribution. Unless the articles of organization or written operating agreement provides otherwise, a persons dissociation does not entitle the person to a distribution, and, beginning on the date of dissociation, the dissociated person shall have only the right of a transferee of a transferable interest with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company, and then only with respect to distributions, if any, to which a transferee is entitled under the operating agreement. If the dissociation is in violation of the operating agreement, the limited liability company shall have the right to offset any damages for the breach of the operating agreement from the amounts, if any, otherwise distributable to the dissociated person with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company.
(c)A person does not have a right to demand or receive a distribution from a limited liability company in any form other than money. A limited liability company may distribute an asset in kind if each part of the asset is fungible with each other part and each person receives a percentage of the asset equal in value to the persons share of distributions.
(d)If a member or transferee becomes entitled to receive a distribution, the member or transferee has the status of, and is entitled to all remedies available to, a creditor of the limited liability company with respect to the distribution.
(e)The profits and losses of a limited liability company shall be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, profits and losses shall be allocated in proportion to the value, as stated in the required records, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member.
SEC. 7.Section 17704.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.07.(a)A limited liability company is a member-managed limited liability company unless the articles of organization contain the statement required by paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 17702.01.
(b)In a member-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)The management and conduct of the limited liability company are vested in the members.
(2)Except as provided in subdivision (r), each member has equal rights in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities including equal voting rights.
(3)A difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company shall be decided by a majority of the members.
(4)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), an act outside the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be undertaken only with the consent of all members.
(5)The operating agreement may be amended only with the consent of all members.
(c)In a manager-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)Except as otherwise expressly provided in this title, any matter relating to the activities of the limited liability company is decided exclusively by the managers.
(2)Each manager has equal rights in the management and conduct of the activities of the limited liability company.
(3)A difference arising among managers as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be decided by a majority of the managers of the limited liability company.
(4)The consent of all members of the limited liability company is required to do any of the following:
(A)Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the limited liability companys property, with or without the goodwill, outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any other act outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(5)A manager may be chosen at any time by the consent of a majority of the members and remains a manager until a successor has been chosen, unless the manager at an earlier time resigns, is removed, or dies, or, in the case of a manager that is not an individual, terminates. A manager may be removed at any time by the consent of a majority of the members without cause, subject to the rights, if any, of the manager under any service contract with the limited liability company.
(6)A person need not be a member to be a manager, but the dissociation of a member that is also a manager removes the person as a manager. If a person that is both a manager and a member ceases to be a manager, that cessation does not by itself dissociate the person as a member.
(7)A persons ceasing to be a manager does not discharge any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or members which the person incurred while a manager.
(d)Except for such orders as may be made by a court of competent jurisdiction over a dissolution under Section 17707.03, the dissolution of a limited liability company does not affect the applicability of this section. However, a person that wrongfully causes dissolution of the limited liability company loses the right to participate in management as a member and a manager.
(e)This title does not entitle a member to remuneration for services performed for a member-managed limited liability company, except for reasonable compensation for services rendered in winding up the activities of a limited liability company.
(f)Meetings of members may be held at any place, by electronic video screen communication or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02, either within or without this state, selected by the person or persons calling the meeting or as may be stated in or fixed in accordance with the articles of organization or a written operating agreement. If no other place is stated or so fixed, all meetings shall be held at the principal office of the limited liability company. Unless prohibited by the articles of organization of the limited liability company, if authorized by the operating agreement, members not physically present in person or by proxy at a meeting of members may, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02 or by electronic video screen communication, participate in a meeting of members, be deemed present in person or by proxy, and vote at a meeting of members whether that meeting is to be held at a designated place or in whole or in part by means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication, in accordance with subdivision (l).
(g)A meeting of the members may be called by any manager or by any member or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests in current profits of members for the purpose of addressing any matters on which the members may vote.
(h)(1)Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each member entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state the place, date, and hour of the meeting, the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, and the general nature of the business to be transacted. No other business may be transacted at that meeting.
(2)Any report or any notice of a members meeting shall be given personally, by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, or by mail or other means of written communication, addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company or given by the member to the limited liability company for the purpose of notice, or, if no address appears or is given, at the place where the principal office of the limited liability company is located or by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal office is located. The notice or report shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally, delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, deposited in the mail, or sent by other means of written communication. An affidavit of mailing or delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company of any notice or report in accordance with this article, executed by a manager, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice or report.
(3)If any notice or report addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company is returned to the limited liability company by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice or report to the member at the address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if they are available for the member at the principal office of the limited liability company for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice or report to all other members.
(4)Notice given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision shall be valid only if it complies with paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02.
Notwithstanding this condition, notice shall not be given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision after either of the following has occurred:
(A)The limited liability company is unable to deliver two consecutive notices to the member by that means.
(B)The inability to so deliver the notices to the member becomes known to the secretary, any assistant secretary, the transfer agent, or any other person responsible for the giving of the notice.
(5)Upon written request to a manager by any person entitled to call a meeting of members, the manager shall immediately cause notice to be given to the members entitled to vote that a meeting will be held at a time requested by the person calling the meeting, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within 20 days after receipt of the request, the person entitled to call the meeting may give the notice or, upon the application of that person, the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the limited liability company is located, or if the principal office is not in this state, the county in which the limited liability companys address in this state is located, shall summarily order the giving of the notice, after notice to the limited liability company affording it an opportunity to be heard. The procedure provided in subdivision (c) of Section 305 shall apply to the application. The court may issue any order as may be appropriate, including, without limitation, an order designating the time and place of the meeting, the record date for determination of members entitled to vote, and the form of notice.
(i)When a members meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless the articles of organization or a written operating agreement otherwise require and except as provided in this subdivision, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof or the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the limited liability company may transact any business that may have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each member of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
(j)The actions taken at any meeting of members, however called and noticed, and wherever held, have the same validity as if taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the members entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, provides a waiver of notice or consents to the holding of the meeting or approves the minutes of the meeting in writing. All waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the limited liability company records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting after conversion to the form in which those records or minutes are kept. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by this title to be included in the notice but not so included, if the objection is expressly made at the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted nor the purpose of any meeting of members need be specified in any written waiver of notice, unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, except as provided in subdivision (l).
(k)Members may participate in a meeting of the limited liability company through the use of conference telephones or electronic video screen communication, as long as all members participating in the meeting can hear one another, or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision constitutes presence in person at that meeting.
(l)Any action approved at a meeting, other than by unanimous approval of those entitled to vote, shall be valid only if the general nature of the proposal so approved was stated in the notice of meeting or in any written waiver of notice.
(m)(1)A majority of the members represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members.
(2)The members present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the loss of a quorum, if any action taken after loss of a quorum, other than adjournment, is approved by the requisite percentage of interests of members specified in this title or in the articles of organization or a written operating agreement.
(3)In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of members may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the interests represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in paragraph (2).
(n)(1)Any action that may be taken at any meeting of the members may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed and delivered to the limited liability company within 60 days of the record date for that action by members having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all members entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
(2)Unless the consents of all members entitled to vote have been solicited in writing, (A) notice of any member approval of an amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement, a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17707.01, or a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.10, without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given at least 10 days before the consummation of the action authorized by the approval, and (B) prompt notice shall be given of the taking of any other action approved by members without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent, to those members entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.
(3)Any member giving a written consent, or the members proxyholder, may revoke the consent personally or by proxy by a writing received by the limited liability company prior to the time that written consents of members having the minimum number of votes that would be required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the limited liability company, but may not do so thereafter. This revocation is effective upon its receipt at the office of the limited liability company required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(o)The use of proxies in connection with this section shall be governed in the same manner as in the case of corporations formed under the General Corporation Law, Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) of Title 1.
(p)In order that the limited liability company may determine the members of record entitled to notices of any meeting or to vote, or entitled to receive any distribution or to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action, a manager, or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests of members, may fix, in advance, a record date, that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting and not more than 60 days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed the following shall apply:
(1)The record date for determining members entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(2)The record date for determining members entitled to give consent to limited liability company action in writing without a meeting shall be the day on which the first written consent is given.
(3)The record date for determining members for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the managers adopt the resolution relating thereto, or the 60th day prior to the date of the other action, whichever is later.
(4)The determination of members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless a manager or the members who called the meeting fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the manager or the members who called the meeting shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than 45 days from the date set for the original meeting.
(q)A meeting of the members may be conducted, in whole or in part, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication if both of the following requirements are met:
(1)The limited liability company implements reasonable measures to provide members, in person or by proxy, a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the members, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with those proceedings.
(2)When any member votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of electronic transmission to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, a record of that vote or action shall be maintained by the limited liability company.
(r)The articles of organization or a written operating agreement may provide to all or certain identified members of a specified class or group of members the right to vote separately or with all or any class or group of members on any matter. Voting by members may be on a per capita, number, financial interest, class, group, or any other basis. If no voting provision is contained in the articles of organization or written operating agreement, each of the following shall apply:
(1)The members of a limited liability company shall vote in proportion to their interests in current profits of the limited liability company or, in the case of a member who has assigned the members entire transferable interest in the limited liability company to a person who has not been admitted as a member, in proportion to the interest in current profits that the assigning member would have, had the assignment not been made.
(2)Any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement shall require the unanimous vote of all members.
(3)In all other matters in which a vote is required, except as otherwise provided in this section, a vote of a majority of the members shall be sufficient.
(s)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, in no event shall the articles of organization be amended by a vote of less than a majority of the members.
(t)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, members shall have the right to vote on a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01, on a conversion to another business entity as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17710.03, and on a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.12.
(u)A written operating agreement may provide for the appointment of officers, including, but not limited to, a chairperson or a president, or both a chairperson and a president, a secretary, a chief financial officer, and any other officers with the titles, powers, and duties as shall be specified in the articles of organization or operating agreement or as determined by the managers or members. An officer may, but does not need to, be a member or manager of the limited liability company, and any number of offices may be held by the same person.
(v)Officers, if any, shall be appointed in accordance with the written operating agreement or, if no such provision is made in the operating agreement, any officers shall be appointed by the managers and shall serve at the pleasure of the managers, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the limited liability company without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the limited liability under any contract to which the officer is a party.
(w)Subject to the provisions of the articles of organization, any note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness, contract, certificate, statement, conveyance, or other instrument in writing, and any assignment or endorsement thereof, executed or entered into between any limited liability company and any other person, when signed by the chairperson of the board, the president, or any vice president and any secretary, any assistant secretary, the chief financial officer, or any assistant treasurer of the limited liability company, is not invalidated as to the limited liability company by any lack of authority of the signing officers in the absence of actual knowledge on the part of the other person that the signing officers had no authority to execute the same.
SEC. 8.Section 17704.08 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.08.(a)A limited liability company shall reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with the duties stated in Section 17704.09.
(b)Except as provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, a limited liability company may reimburse for any payment made and may indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a person not identified in subdivision (a), including, without limitation, any officer, employee, or agent of the limited liability company, in the course of that persons activities on behalf of the limited liability company.
(c)A limited liability company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person against liability asserted against or incurred by that person even if, under subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, the operating agreement could not eliminate or limit the persons liability to the limited liability company for the conduct giving rise to the liability.
(d)(1)Without limiting subdivision (a), to the extent that an agent of a limited liability company has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter in any proceeding in which the agent was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the person is or was an agent of the limited liability company, if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent in connection therewith.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:
(A)Agent means any person who is or was a member of a member-managed limited liability company, manager of a manager-managed limited liability company, officer, employee, or other agent of the limited liability company, or is or was serving at the request of the limited liability company as a manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, or was a manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of a foreign or domestic limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise that was a predecessor of the limited liability company or of another enterprise at the request of the predecessor entity or other enterprise.
(B)Expenses include, without limitation, the attorneys fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this subdivision.
(C)Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative.
SEC. 9.Section 17704.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.09.(a)The fiduciary duties that a member owes to a member-managed limited liability company and the other members of the limited liability company are the duties of loyalty and care under subdivisions (b) and (c).
(b)A members duty of loyalty to the limited liability company and the other members is limited to the following:
(1)To account to the limited liability company and hold as trustee for it any property, profit, or benefit derived by the member in the conduct and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company or derived from a use by the member of a limited liability company property, including the appropriation of a limited liability company opportunity.
(2)To refrain from dealing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company as or on behalf of a person having an interest adverse to the limited liability company.
(3)To refrain from competing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company.
(c)A members duty of care to a limited liability company and the other members in the conduct and winding up of the activities of the limited liability company is limited to refraining from engaging in grossly negligent or reckless conduct, intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law.
(d)A member shall discharge the duties to a limited liability company and the other members under this title or under the operating agreement and exercise any rights consistent with the obligation of good faith and fair dealing.
(e)A member does not violate a duty or obligation under this article or under the operating agreement merely because the members conduct furthers the members own interest.
(f)In a manager-managed limited liability company, all of the following rules apply:
(1)Subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (e) apply to the manager or managers and not the members.
(2)Subdivision (d) applies to the members and managers.
(3)Except as otherwise provided, a member does not have any fiduciary duty to the limited liability company or to any other member solely by reason of being a member.
SEC. 10.Section 17704.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.10.(a)Upon the request of a member or transferee, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member or a transferee, a manager or, if the limited liability company is member-managed, a member in possession of the requested information, shall promptly deliver, in writing, to the member or transferee, at the expense of the limited liability company, a copy of the information required to be maintained by paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 17701.13, and any written operating agreement of the limited liability company.
(b)Each member, manager, and transferee has the right, upon reasonable request, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member, manager, or transferee, to each of the following:
(1)To inspect and copy during normal business hours any of the records required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(2)To obtain in writing from the limited liability company, promptly after becoming available, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax returns for each year.
(c)In the case of a limited liability company with more than 35 members, each of the following shall apply:
(1)A manager shall cause an annual report to be sent to each of the members not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year. The report, which may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company (paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02) shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement and a statement of cashflows for the fiscal year.
(2)Members representing at least 5 percent of the voting interests of members, or three or more members, may make a written request to a manager for an income statement of the limited liability company for the initial three-month, six-month, or nine-month period of the current fiscal year ending more than 30 days prior to the date of the request, and a balance sheet of the limited liability company as of the end of that period. The statement shall be delivered or mailed to the members within 30 days thereafter.
(3)The financial statements referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report thereon, if any, of the independent accountants engaged by the limited liability company or, if there is no report, the certificate of the manager of the limited liability company that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the limited liability company.
(d)A manager shall promptly furnish to a member a copy of any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement executed by a manager pursuant to a power of attorney from the member. The articles of organization or operating agreement may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company.
(e)The limited liability company shall send or cause information to be sent in writing to each member or holder of a transferable interest within 90 days after the end of each taxable year the information necessary to complete federal and state income tax or information returns and, in the case of a limited liability company with 35 or fewer members, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns for the year.
(f)In addition to the remedies provided in Sections 17713.06 and 17713.07 and any other remedies, a court of competent jurisdiction may enforce the duty of making and mailing or delivering the information and financial statements required by this section and, for good cause shown, extend the time therefor.
(g)In any action under this section or under Section 17713.07, if the court finds the failure of the limited liability company to comply with the requirements of this section is without justification, the court may award an amount sufficient to reimburse the person bringing the action for the reasonable expenses incurred by that person, including attorneys fees, in connection with the action or proceeding.
(h)Any waiver of the rights provided in this section shall be unenforceable.
(i)Any request, inspection, or copying by a member or holder of a transferable interest may be made by that person or by that persons agent or attorney.
(j)Upon complaint that a limited liability company is failing to comply with the provisions of this section, or to afford to the members rights given to them in the articles of organization or operating agreement, the Attorney General may, in the name of the people of the State of California, send to the office required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13, notice of the complaint.
(k)If the answer of the limited liability company is not received within 30 days of the date the notice was transmitted, or if the answer is not satisfactory, and if the enforcement of the rights of the aggrieved persons by private civil action, by class action, or otherwise, would be so burdensome or expensive as to be impracticable, the Attorney General may institute, maintain, or intervene in any court of competent jurisdiction or before any administrative agency for relief by way of injunction, the dissolution of entities, the appointment of receivers, or any other temporary, preliminary, provisional, or final remedies as may be appropriate to protect the rights of members or to restore the position of the members for the failure to comply with the requirements of Section 17701.13 or the articles of organization or the operating agreement. In any action, suit, or proceeding, there may be joined as parties all persons and entities responsible for or affected by the activity.
SEC. 11.Section 17705.02 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17705.02.(a)With respect to a transfer, in whole or in part, of a transferable interest, all of the following apply:
(1)A transfer is permissible.
(2)A transfer does not by itself cause a members dissociation or a dissolution and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04, a transfer does not entitle the transferee to do any of the following:
(A)Vote or otherwise participate in the management or conduct of the activities of a limited liability company.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c) and Section 17704.10, have access to records or other information concerning the activities of a limited liability company.
(b)A transferee has the right to receive, in accordance with the transfer, distributions to which the transferor would otherwise be entitled; provided, however, that the pledge or granting of a security interest, lien, or other encumbrance in or against any or all of the transferable interest of a transferor shall not cause the transferor to cease to be a member or grant to the transferee or to anyone else the power to exercise any rights or powers of a member, including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions to which the member is entitled.
(c)In a dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company, a transferee is entitled to an account of the limited liability companys transactions only from the date of dissolution.
(d)A transferable interest may be evidenced by a certificate of the interest issued by the limited liability company in a record, and, subject to this article, the interest represented by the certificate may be transferred by a transfer of the certificate.
(e)A limited liability company need not give effect to a transferees rights under this section until the limited liability company has notice of the transfer.
(f)A transfer of a transferable interest in violation of a restriction on transfer contained in the operating agreement is ineffective as to a person having notice of the restriction at the time of transfer.
(g)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of this section and paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 17706.02, when a member transfers a transferable interest, the transferor retains the rights of a member, other than the interest in distributions transferred, and retains all duties and obligations of a member.
(h)When a member transfers a transferable interest to a person that becomes a member with respect to the transferred interest, the transferee is liable for the members obligations under Section 17704.03 and subdivision (c) of Section 17704.06 known to the transferee when the transferee becomes a member.
SEC. 12.Section 17706.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17706.03.(a)When a person is dissociated as a member of a limited liability company all of the following apply:
(1)The persons right to vote or participate as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates.
(2)If the limited liability company is member-managed, the person s fiduciary duties as a member end with regard to matters arising and events occurring after the persons dissociation.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04 and Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any transferable interest owned by the person immediately before dissociation in the persons capacity as a member is owned by the person solely as a transferee.
(b)A persons dissociation as a member of a limited liability company does not of itself discharge the person from any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or the other members that the person incurred while a member.
(c)If a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a members interest is being administered by an attorney-in-fact under a valid power of attorney, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact, or other legal representative may exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
SEC. 13.Section 17707.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.01.A limited liability company is dissolved, and its activities shall be wound up, upon the happening of the first to occur of the following:
(a)On the happening of an event set forth in a written operating agreement or the articles of organization.
(b)By the vote of a majority of the members of the limited liability company or a greater percentage of the voting interests of members as may be specified in the articles of organization, or a written operating agreement.
(c)The passage of 90 consecutive days during which the limited liability company has no members, except that, on the death of a natural person who is the sole member of a limited liability company, the status of the member, including a membership interest, may pass to one or more heirs, successors, and assigns of the member by will or applicable law. An heir, successor, or assign of the members interest becomes a substituted member pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 17704.01, subject to administration as provided by applicable law, without the permission or consent of the heirs, successors, or assigns or those administering the estate of the deceased member.
(d)Entry of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to Section 17707.03.
SEC. 14.Section 17707.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.03.(a)Pursuant to an action filed by any manager or by any member or members of a limited liability company, a court of competent jurisdiction may decree the dissolution of a limited liability company whenever any of the events specified in subdivision (b) occurs.
(b)(1)It is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in conformity with the articles of organization or operating agreement.
(2)Dissolution is reasonably necessary for the protection of the rights or interests of the complaining members.
(3)The business of the limited liability company has been abandoned.
(4)The management of the limited liability company is deadlocked or subject to internal dissention.
(5)Those in control of the limited liability company have been guilty of, or have knowingly countenanced countenanced, persistent and pervasive fraud, mismanagement, or abuse of authority.
(c)(1)In any suit for judicial dissolution, the other members may avoid the dissolution of the limited liability company by purchasing for cash the membership interests owned by the members so initiating the proceeding, the moving parties, at their fair market value. In fixing the value, the amount of any damages resulting if the initiation of the dissolution is a breach by any moving party or parties of an agreement with the purchasing party or parties, including, without limitation, the operating agreement, may be deducted from the amount payable to the moving party or parties; provided, that no member who sues for dissolution on the grounds set forth in paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (b) shall be liable for damages for breach of contract in bringing that action.
(2)If the purchasing parties elect to purchase the membership interests owned by the moving parties, are unable to agree with the moving parties upon the fair market value of the membership interests, and give bond with sufficient security to pay the estimated reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties if the expenses are recoverable under paragraph (3), the court, upon application of the purchasing parties, either in the pending action or in a proceeding initiated in the superior court of the proper county by the purchasing parties, shall stay the winding up and dissolution proceeding and shall proceed to ascertain and fix the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties.
(3)The court shall appoint three disinterested appraisers to appraise the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties, and shall make an order referring the matter to the appraisers so appointed for the purpose of ascertaining that value. The order shall prescribe the time and manner of producing evidence, if evidence is required. The award of the appraisers or a majority of them, when confirmed by the court, shall be final and conclusive upon all parties. The court shall enter a decree that shall provide in the alternative for winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, unless payment is made for the membership interests within the time specified by the decree. If the purchasing parties do not make payment for the membership interests within the time specified, judgment shall be entered against them and the surety or sureties on the bond for the amount of the expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties. Any member aggrieved by the action of the court may appeal therefrom.
(4)If the purchasing parties desire to prevent the winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, they shall pay to the moving parties the value of their membership interests ascertained and decreed within the time specified pursuant to this section, or, in the case of an appeal, as fixed on appeal. On receiving that payment or the tender of payment, the moving parties shall transfer their membership interests to the purchasing parties.
(5)For the purposes of this section, the valuation date shall be the date upon which the action for judicial dissolution was commenced. However, the court may, upon the hearing of a motion by any party, and for good cause shown, designate some other date as the valuation date.
(6)A dismissal of any suit for judicial dissolution by a manager, member, or members shall not affect the other members rights to avoid dissolution pursuant to this section.
(d)Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the remedies otherwise available to a court of competent jurisdiction over the dissolution.
SEC. 15.Section 17707.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.06.(a)A limited liability company that has filed a certificate of cancellation nevertheless continues to exist for the purpose of winding up its affairs, prosecuting and defending actions by or against it in order to collect and discharge obligations, disposing of and conveying its property, and collecting and dividing its assets. A limited liability company shall not continue business except so far as necessary for its winding up.
(b)No action or proceeding to which a limited liability company is a party abates by the filing of a certificate of cancellation for the limited liability company or by reason of proceedings for its winding up and dissolution.
(c)Any assets inadvertently or otherwise omitted from the winding up continue in the canceled limited liability company for the benefit of the persons entitled to those assets upon cancellation and on realization shall be distributed accordingly.
(d)After cancellation of the limited liability company, the limited liability company is bound by both of the following:
(1)The act of a person authorized to wind up the affairs of the limited liability company, if the act is appropriate for winding up the activities of the limited liability company.
(2)The act of a person authorized to act on behalf of the limited liability company, if the act would have bound the limited liability company before cancellation, if the other party to the transaction did not have notice of the cancellation.
SEC. 16.Section 17707.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.09.(a)Notwithstanding the filing of a certificate of dissolution, a majority of the members may cause to be filed, in the office of, and on a form prescribed by, the Secretary of State, a certificate of continuation, in any of the following circumstances:
(1)The business of the limited liability company is to be continued pursuant to a unanimous vote of the remaining members.
(2)The dissolution of the limited liability company was by vote of the members pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01 and each member who consented to the dissolution has agreed in writing to revoke his or her vote in favor of or consent to the dissolution.
(3)The limited liability company was not, in fact, dissolved.
(b)The certificate of continuation shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number.
(2)The grounds provided by subdivision (a) that are the basis for filing the certificate of continuation.
(c)Upon the filing of a certificate of continuation, the certificate of dissolution shall be of no effect from the time of the filing of the certificate of dissolution.
SEC. 17.Section 17708.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17708.07.(a)A foreign limited liability company transacting intrastate business in this state shall not maintain an action or proceeding in this state unless it has a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state.
(b)The failure of a foreign limited liability company to have a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state does not prevent the foreign limited liability company from defending an action or proceeding in this state.
(c)A member or manager of a foreign limited liability company is not liable for the debts, obligations, or other liabilities of the foreign limited liability company solely because the foreign limited liability company transacted intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration.
(d)If a foreign limited liability company transacts intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration or cancels its certificate of registration, it shall be deemed to have appointed the Secretary of State as its agent for service of process for rights of action arising out of the transaction of intrastate business in this state.
SEC. 18.Section 17710.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.03.(a)A limited liability company that desires to convert to an other business entity or a foreign other business entity or a foreign limited liability company shall approve a plan of conversion.
The plan of conversion shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the conversion.
(2)The place of the organization of the converted entity and of the converting limited liability company and the name of the converted entity after conversion.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the members into shares of, securities of, or interests in, the converted entity.
(4)The provisions of the governing documents for the converted entity, including the limited liability company articles of organization and operating agreement, or articles or certificate of incorporation if the converted entity is a corporation, to which the holders of interests in the converted entity are to be bound.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which the converted entity is organized, or that are desired by the parties.
(b)(1)The plan of conversion shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interest or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of each class of membership of the converting limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the converting limited liability company.
(2)However, if the members of the limited liability company would become personally liable for any obligations of the converted entity as a result of the conversion, the plan of conversion shall be approved by all of the members of the converting limited liability company, unless the plan of conversion provides that all members will have dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(c)Upon the effectiveness of the conversion, all members of the converting limited liability company, except those that exercise dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), shall be deemed parties to any governing documents for the converted entity adopted as part of the plan of conversion, regardless of whether or not the member has executed the plan of conversion or the governing documents for the converted entity. Any adoption of governing documents made pursuant to the conversion shall be effective at the effective time or date of the conversion.
(d)Notwithstanding its prior approval, a plan of conversion may be amended before the conversion takes effect if the amendment is approved by all managers and a majority of the members or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of the converting limited liability company and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the plan of conversion, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of the converting limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original plan of conversion.
(e)The managers by unanimous approval and the members of a converting limited liability company may, by majority approval at any time before the conversion is effective, in their discretion, abandon a conversion, without further approval by the managers or members, subject to the contractual rights of third parties other than managers or members.
(f)The converted entity shall keep the plan of conversion at the principal place of business of the converted entity if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company or foreign other business entity, at the principal office of, or registrar or transfer agent of, the converted entity, if the converted entity is a domestic corporation, or at the office where records are to be kept pursuant to Section 17701.13 if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company. Upon the request of a member of a converting limited liability company, the authorized person on behalf of the converted entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the converted entity, a copy of the plan of conversion. A waiver by a member of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 19.Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.06.(a)Upon conversion of a limited liability company, one of the following applies:
(1)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic limited partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on a certificate of limited partnership for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(2)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the statement of partnership authority for the converted entity. If no statement of partnership authority is filed, a certificate of conversion shall be filed separately with the Secretary of State.
(3)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic corporation, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the articles of incorporation for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(4)If the limited liability company is converting to a foreign limited liability company or foreign other business entity, a certificate of conversion shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(b)Any certificate or statement of conversion shall be executed and acknowledged by all members of a member-managed limited liability company or all managers of a manager-managed limited liability company, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, and shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the converting limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number of the converting limited liability company.
(2)A statement that the principal terms of the plan of conversion were approved by a vote of the members, that equaled or exceeded the vote required under Section 17710.03, specifying each class entitled to vote and the percentage vote required of each class.
(c)A certificate of conversion shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name, form, and jurisdiction of organization of the converted entity.
(2)The name, street, and mailing address of the converted entitys agent for service of process.
(3)The street address of the converted entitys chief executive office.
(d)The filing with the Secretary of State of a certificate of conversion, a certificate of limited partnership, a statement of partnership authority, or articles of incorporation containing a statement of conversion as set forth in subdivision (a) shall have the effect of the filing of a certificate of cancellation by the converting limited liability company, and no converting limited liability company that has made the filing is required to take any action under Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01) as a result of that conversion.
(e)For the purposes of this title, the certificate of conversion shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 20.Section 17710.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.12.(a)Each limited liability company and other business entity that desires to merge shall approve an agreement of merger.
The agreement of merger shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interests of each constituent limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the members of any constituent limited liability company become personally liable for any obligations of a constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity as a result of the merger, the principal terms of the agreement of merger shall be approved by all of the members of the constituent limited liability company, unless the agreement of merger provides that all members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01). The agreement of merger shall be approved on behalf of each constituent other business entity by those persons required to approve the merger by the laws under which it is organized. Other persons, including a parent of a constituent limited liability company, may be parties to the agreement of merger. The agreement of merger shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the merger.
(2)The name and place of the organization of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and of each disappearing limited liability company and disappearing other business entity, and the agreement of merger may change the name of the surviving limited liability company, the new name may be the same as or similar to the name of a disappearing domestic or foreign limited liability company, subject to Section 17701.08.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the constituent limited liability companies into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and if limited liability company interests of any of the constituent limited liability companies are not to be converted solely into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that the holders of the limited liability company interests are to receive in exchange for the membership interests, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that may be in addition to or in lieu of interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, or that the limited liability company interests are canceled without consideration.
(4)The amendments to the articles of organization of the surviving limited liability company, if applicable, to be effected by the merger, if any.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which any constituent other business entity is organized, including, if a domestic corporation is a party to the merger, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 1113.
(6)Any other details or provisions that are desired, including, without limitation, a provision for the treatment of fractional membership interests.
(b)(1)Each membership interest of the same class of any constituent limited liability company, other than a membership interest in another constituent limited liability company that is being canceled and that is held by a constituent limited liability company or its parent or a limited liability company of which the constituent limited liability company is a parent shall, unless all members of the class consent, be treated equally with respect to any distribution of cash, property, rights, interests, or securities.
(2)Unless otherwise provided in a written operating agreement, notwithstanding
(2)Notwithstanding paragraph (1), except in a merger of a limited liability company with a limited liability company that controls at least 90 percent of the membership interests entitled to vote with respect to the merger, the unredeemable membership interests of a constituent limited liability company may be converted only into unredeemable interests or securities of the surviving limited liability company or other business entity, or a parent if a constituent limited liability company or a constituent other business entity or its parent owns, directly or indirectly, prior to the merger, membership interests of another constituent limited liability company or interests or securities of a constituent other business entity representing more than 50 percent of the interests or securities entitled to vote with respect to the merger of the other constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity or more than 50 percent of the voting power, as defined in Section 194.5, of a constituent other business entity that is a domestic corporation, unless all of the members of the class consent.
(3)The provisions of this subdivision do not apply to any transaction if the commissioner has approved the terms and conditions of the transaction and the fairness of those terms pursuant to Section 25142.
(c)Notwithstanding its prior approval, an agreement of merger may be amended prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or the agreement of merger, as provided in Section 17710.14, if the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner as required for approval of the original agreement of merger and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the agreement of merger, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original agreement of merger, and by each of the constituent other business entities.
(d)The managers and members of a constituent limited liability company may, in their discretion, abandon a merger, subject to the contractual rights, if any, of third parties, including other constituent limited liability companies and constituent other business entities, without further approval by the membership interests, at any time before the merger is effective.
(e)An agreement of merger approved in accordance with subdivision (a) may do the following:
(1)Effect any amendment to the operating agreement of any constituent limited liability company.
(2)Effect the adoption of a new operating agreement for a constituent limited liability company if it is the surviving limited liability company in the merger. Any amendment to an operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement made pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger. Notwithstanding the above provisions of this subdivision, if a greater number of members is required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of a constituent limited liability company than is required to approve the agreement of merger pursuant to subdivision (a), and the number of members that approve the agreement of merger is less than the number of members required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company, any amendment to the operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement of that constituent limited liability company made pursuant to the first sentence of this subdivision shall be effective only if the agreement of merger provides that all of the members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(f)The surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity shall keep the agreement of merger at its designated office or at the business address specified in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 17710.14, as applicable, and, upon the request of a member of a constituent limited liability company or a holder of shares, interests, or other securities of a constituent other business entity, the managers or members of the surviving limited liability company or the authorized person of the surviving other business entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, a copy of the agreement of merger. A waiver by a member or holder of shares, interests, or other securities of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 21.Section 17713.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.04.(a)Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this title shall apply to all domestic limited liability companies existing on or after January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State prior to January 1, 2014, whose registrations have not been canceled as of January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2014, and to all actions taken by the managers or members of a limited liability company on or after that date.
(b)Except as otherwise specified in this title, this title applies only to the acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or after January 1, 2014. The prior law governs all acts or transactions by a limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, and any operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, prior to January 1, 2014.
(c)Any vote or consent by the managers or members of a limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, shall be governed by prior law. If a certificate or document is required to be filed in a public office of this state relating to a vote or consent by the managers or members of the limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, it may be filed after that date pursuant to the filing requirements of this title, even though the vote or consent is governed by prior law.
(d)This title does not cancel or otherwise affect the status of, or create a new filing requirement with the Secretary of State or any other agency, board, commission, or department for, any domestic limited liability company in existence on December 31, 2013, or any foreign limited liability company registered to transact intrastate business in this state prior to January 1, 2014.
(e)For the purposes of this section, prior law means Title 2.5 (commencing with Section 17000) as it read on December 31, 2013.
SEC. 22.Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.12.(a)A limited liability company is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) if the limited liability company does both of the following:
(1)Has actual knowledge that a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company does any of the following:
(A)Makes, publishes, or posts, or has made, published, or posted, either generally or privately to the members or other persons, either of the following:
(i)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, exhibit, notice, or statement of its affairs or pecuniary condition that contains a material statement or omission that is false and intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(ii)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, prospectus, account, or statement of operations, values, business, profits, or expenditures that includes a material false statement or omission intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(B)Refuses or has refused to make any book entry or post any notice required by law in the manner required by law.
(C)Misstates or conceals or has misstated or concealed from a regulatory body a material fact in order to deceive a regulatory body to avoid a statutory or regulatory duty, or to avoid a statutory or regulatory limit or prohibition.
(2)Within 30 days after actual knowledge is acquired of the actions described in paragraph (1), the limited liability company knowingly fails to do both of the following:
(A)Notify the Attorney General or appropriate government agency in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the Attorney General or appropriate government agency has been notified.
(B)Notify its members and investors in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the members and investors have been notified.
(b)The requirement for notification under this section is not applicable if the action taken or about to be taken by the limited liability company, or by a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), is abated within the time prescribed for reporting, unless the appropriate government agency requires disclosure by regulation.
(c)If the action reported to the Attorney General pursuant to this section implicates the government authority of an agency other than the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall promptly forward the written notice to that agency.
(d)If the Attorney General was not notified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but the limited liability company reasonably and in good faith believed that it had complied with the notification requirements of this section by notifying a government agency listed in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e), no penalties shall apply.
(e)For purposes of this section:
(1)Manager means a person defined by subdivision (m) of Section 17701.01 having both of the following:
(A)Management authority over the limited liability company.
(B)Significant responsibility for an aspect of the limited liability company that includes actual authority for the financial operations or financial transactions of the limited liability company.
(2)Agent means a person or entity authorized by the limited liability company to make representations to the public about the limited liability companys financial condition and who is acting within the scope of the agency when the representations are made.
(3)Member means a person as defined by subdivision (o) of Section 17701.01 that is a member of the limited liability company at the time the disclosure is required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(4)Notify its members means to give sufficient description of an action taken or about to be taken that would constitute acts or omissions as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). A notice or report filed by a limited liability company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that relates to the facts and circumstances giving rise to an obligation under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall satisfy all notice requirements arising under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) but shall not be the exclusive means of satisfying the notice requirements, provided that the Attorney General or appropriate agency is informed in writing that the filing has been made together with a copy of the filing or an electronic link where it is available online without charge.
(5)Appropriate government agency means an agency on the following list that has regulatory authority with respect to the financial operations of a limited liability company:
(A)Department of Corporations.
(B)Department of Insurance.
(C)Department of Financial Institutions.
(D)Department of Managed Health Care.
(E)United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6)Actual knowledge of the limited liability company means the knowledge a member, officer, or manager of a limited liability company actually possesses or does not consciously avoid possessing, based on an evaluation of information provided pursuant to the limited liability companys disclosure controls and procedures.
(7)Refuse to make a book entry means the intentional decision not to record an accounting transaction when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(A)The independent auditors required recordation of an accounting transaction during the course of an audit.
(B)The audit committee of the limited liability company has not approved the independent auditors recommendation.
(C)The decision is made for the primary purpose of rendering the financial statements materially false or misleading.
(8)Refuse to post any notice required by law means an intentional decision not to post a notice required by law when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to post the notice has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(9)Misstate or conceal material facts from a regulatory body means an intentional decision not to disclose material facts when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to disclose material facts has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(10)Material false statement or omission means an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made under the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.
(11)Officer means a person appointed pursuant to Section 17703.02, except an officer of a specified subsidiary limited liability company who is not also an officer of the parent limited liability company.
(f)This section only applies to limited liability companies that are issuers, as defined in Section 2 of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7201 et seq.).
(g)An action to enforce this section may only be brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney or city attorney in the name of the people of the State of California.
(a)In order for a limited partnership to be formed, a certificate of limited partnership must be filed with and on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State and, either before or after the filing of a certificate of limited partnership, the partners shall have entered into a partnership agreement. The certificate must state:
(1)the name of the limited partnership, which shall comply with Section 15901.08;
(2)the street address of the initial designated office;
(3)the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process in accordance with paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 15901.16;
(4)the name and the address of each general partner; and
(5)the mailing address of the limited partnership, if different from the address of the initial designated office.
(b)A certificate of limited partnership may also contain any other matters but may not vary or otherwise affect the provisions specified in subdivision (b) of Section 15901.10 in a manner inconsistent with that section.
(c)Subject to subdivision (c) of Section 15902.06, a limited partnership is formed when the Secretary of State files the certificate of limited partnership and the partners enter into a partnership agreement before or after the filing of a certificate of limited partnership.
(d)Subject to subdivision (b), if any provision of a partnership agreement is inconsistent with the filed certificate of limited partnership or with a filed certificate of dissociation, cancellation, or amendment or filed certificate of conversion or merger:
(1)the partnership agreement prevails as to partners and transferees; and
(2)the filed certificate of limited partnership, certificate of dissociation, cancellation, or amendment or filed certificate of conversion or merger prevails as to persons, other than partners and transferees, that reasonably rely on the filed record to their detriment.
(e)A limited partnership may record in the office of the county recorder of any county in this state a certified copy of the certificate of limited partnership, or any amendment thereto, which has been filed by the Secretary of State. A foreign limited partnership may record in the office of the county recorder of any county in the state a certified copy of the application for registration to transact business, together with the certificate of registration, referred to in Section 15909.02, or any amendment thereto, which has been filed by the Secretary of State. The recording shall create a conclusive presumption in favor of any bona fide purchaser or encumbrancer for value of the partnership real property located in the county in which the certified copy has been recorded, that the persons named as general partners therein are the general partners of the partnership named and that they are all of the general partners of the partnership.
(f)The Secretary of State may cancel the filing of certificates of limited partnership if a check or other remittance accepted in payment of the filing fee is not paid upon presentation. For partners and transferees, the partnership agreement is paramount. Upon receiving written notification that the item presented for payment has not been honored for payment, the Secretary of State shall give a first written notice of the applicability of this section to the agent for service of process or to the person submitting the instrument. Thereafter, if the amount has not been paid by cashiers check or equivalent, the Secretary of State shall give a second written notice of cancellation and the cancellation shall thereupon be effective. The second notice shall be given 20 days or more after the first notice and 90 days or less after the original filing.
(g)The Secretary of State shall include with instructional materials, provided in conjunction with the form for filing a certificate of limited partnership under subdivision (a), a notice that the filing of the certificate of limited partnership will obligate the limited partnership to pay an annual tax for that taxable year to the Franchise Tax Board pursuant to Section 17935 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. That notice shall be updated annually to specify the dollar amount of the annual tax.
SEC. 2.SECTION 1.Section 17701.02 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.02.In this title:
(a)Acknowledged means that an instrument is either of the following:
(1)Formally acknowledged as provided in Article 3 (commencing with Section 1180) of Chapter 4 of Title 4 of Part 4 of Division 2 of the Civil Code.
(2)Executed to include substantially the following wording preceding the signature:
It is hereby declared that I am the person who executed this instrument which execution is my act and deed.
Any certificate of acknowledgment taken without this state before a notary public or a judge or clerk of a court of record having an official seal need not be further authenticated.
(b)Articles of organization means the articles required by Section 17702.01. The term includes the articles of organization as amended or restated.
(c)Contribution means any benefit provided by a person to a limited liability company:
(1)In order to become a member upon formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between or among the persons that have agreed to become the initial members of the limited liability company.
(2)In order to become a member after formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between the person and the limited liability company.
(3)In the persons capacity as a member and in accordance with the operating agreement or an agreement between the member and the limited liability company.
(d)Debtor in bankruptcy means a person that is the subject of either of the following:
(1)An order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code or a successor statute of general application.
(2)A comparable order under federal, state, or foreign law governing bankruptcy or insolvency, an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or an order appointing a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of the person or of all or substantially all of the persons property.
(e)Designated office means either of the following:
(1)The office that a limited liability company is required to designate and maintain under Section 17701.13.
(2)The principal office of a foreign limited liability company.
(f)Distribution, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17704.05, means a transfer of money or other property from a limited liability company to another person on account of a transferable interest.
(g)Domestic means organized under the laws of this state when used in relation to any limited liability company, other business entity, or person other than a natural person.
(h)Effective, with respect to a record required or permitted to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing under this title, means effective under subdivision (c) of Section 17702.05.
(i)(1)Electronic transmission by the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, for that recipient on record with the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, together with a separate notice to the recipient of the posting, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the later of the posting or delivery of the separate notice thereof.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The communication is delivered to a recipient who has provided an unrevoked consent to the use of those means of transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(2)Electronic transmission to the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, that the limited liability company has provided from time to time to members or managers for sending communications to the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the posting.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The limited liability company has placed in effect reasonable measures to verify that the sender is the member or manager, in person or by proxy, purporting to send the transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(j)Foreign limited liability company means an unincorporated entity formed under the law of a jurisdiction other than this state and denominated by that law as a limited liability company.
(k)Limited liability company, except in the phrase foreign limited liability company, means a domestic entity formed under this title or an entity that becomes subject to this title pursuant to Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(l)Majority of the managers unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the managers of the limited liability company.
(m)Majority of the members unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the membership interests of members in current profits of the limited liability company.
(n)Manager means a person that under the operating agreement of a manager-managed limited liability company is responsible, alone or in concert with others, for performing the management functions stated in subdivision (c) of Section 17704.07.
(o)Manager-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that qualifies under subdivision (a) of Section 17704.07.
(p)Member means a person that has become a member of a limited liability company under Section 17704.01 and has not dissociated under Section 17706.02.
(q)Member-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that is not a manager-managed limited liability company.
(r)Membership interest means a members rights in the limited liability company, including the members transferable interest, any right to vote or participate in management, and any right to information concerning the business and affairs of the limited liability company provided by this title.
(s)Operating agreement means the agreement, whether or not referred to as an operating agreement and whether oral, in a record, implied, or in any combination thereof, of all the members of a limited liability company, including a sole member, concerning the matters described in subdivision (a) of Section 17701.10. The term operating agreement may include, without more, an agreement of all members to organize a limited liability company pursuant to this title. An operating agreement of a limited liability company having only one member shall not be unenforceable by reason of there being only one person who is a party to the operating agreement. The term includes the agreement as amended or restated.
(t)Organization means, whether domestic or foreign, a partnership whether general or limited, limited liability company, association, corporation, professional corporation, professional association, nonprofit corporation, business trust, or statutory business trust having a governing statute.
(u)Organizer means a person that acts under Section 17702.01 to form a limited liability company.
(v)Person means an individual, partnership, limited partnership, trust, a trustee of a trust, including, but not limited to, a trust described under Division 9 (commencing with Section 15000) of the Probate Code, estate, association, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, whether domestic or foreign. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to confer any rights under the California Constitution or the United States Constitution.
(w)Principal office means the principal executive office of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, whether or not the office is located in this state.
(x)Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(y)State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(z)Transfer includes an assignment, conveyance, deed, bill of sale, lease, mortgage, security interest, encumbrance, gift, and transfer by operation of law.
(aa)Transferable interest means the right, as originally associated with a persons capacity as a member, to receive distributions from a limited liability company in accordance with the operating agreement, whether or not the person remains a member or continues to own any part of the right.
(ab)Transferee means a person to which all or part of a transferable interest has been transferred, whether or not the transferor is a member.
(ac)Vote includes authorization by written consent or consent given by electronic transmission to the limited liability company.
SEC. 3.SEC. 2.Section 17701.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.10.(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section, the operating agreement governs all of the following:
(1)Relations among the members as members and between the members and the limited liability company.
(2)The rights and duties under this title of a person in the capacity of manager.
(3)The activities of the limited liability company and the conduct of those activities.
(4)The means and conditions for amending the operating agreement.
(b)To the extent the operating agreement does not otherwise provide for a matter described in subdivision (a), this title governs the matter.
(c)In addition to the matters specified in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d), an operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary a limited liability companys capacity under Section 17701.05 to sue and be sued in its own name.
(2)Vary the law applicable under Section 17701.06.
(3)Vary the power of the court under Section 17702.04.
(4)Subject to paragraphs (14) and (15) of this subdivision and subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, or any other fiduciary duty.
(5)Subject to subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under subdivision (d) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable as determined at the time the standards are prescribed.
(6)Vary the requirements of Section 17701.13 to 17701.16, inclusive, or any provision under Article 8 (commencing with Section 17708.01).
(7)Vary the power of a court to decree dissolution in the circumstances specified in subdivision (a) of Section 17707.03 or the provisions for avoidance of dissolution in subdivision (c) of Section 17707.03.
(8)Except as provided therein, vary the requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 17702.01) or Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01).
(9)Unreasonably restrict the right of a member to maintain an action under Article 9 (commencing with Section 17709.01).
(10)Restrict the right of a member that will have personal liability with respect to a surviving or converted organization to approve a merger or conversion under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(11)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17701.12, restrict the rights under this title of a person other than a member or manager.
(12)Except as provided therein, vary any provision under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(13)Vary any provision under Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), Article 12 (commencing with Section 17712.01), or Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(14)Eliminate the duty of loyalty under subdivision (b) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may do any of the following:
(A)Identify specific types or categories of activities that do not violate the duty of loyalty, if not manifestly unreasonable.
(B)Specify the number or percentage of members that may authorize or ratify, after full disclosure to all members of all material facts, a specific act or transaction that otherwise would violate the duty of loyalty.
(15)Unreasonably reduce the duty of care under subdivision (c) of Section 17704.09.
(d)Except as provided in subdivision (c) and subdivisions (e) to (g), inclusive, the effects of the provisions of this title may be varied as among the members or as between the members and the limited liability company by the operating agreement; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 17701.13, 17703.01, and 17704.08 and subdivisions (f) to (r), inclusive, and (u) to (w), inclusive, of Section 17704.07 shall only be varied by a written operating agreement. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this subdivision and in addition to the matters specified in subdivision (c), the operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary the definitions of Section 17701.02, except as specifically provided therein.
(2)Vary a members rights under Section 17704.10.
(3)Vary any of the provisions of this section or Section 17701.12, except as provided therein.
(4)Vary any of the provisions of subdivisions (s) and (t) of Section 17704.07.
(e)The fiduciary duties of a manager to a manager-managed limited liability company and to the members of the limited liability company and of a member to a member-managed limited liability company and to the members of such limited liability company shall only be modified in a written operating agreement with the informed consent of the members. Assenting to the operating agreement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17701.11 shall not constitute informed consent.
(f)To the extent the operating agreement of a member-managed limited liability company expressly relieves a member of a responsibility that the member would otherwise have under this title and imposes the responsibility on one or more other members, the operating agreement may, to the benefit of the member that the operating agreement relieves of the responsibility, also eliminate or limit any fiduciary duty that would have pertained to the responsibility.
(g)The operating agreement may alter or eliminate the indemnification for a member or manager provided by subdivision (a) of Section 17704.08 and may eliminate or limit a member or managers liability to the limited liability company and members for money damages, except for the following:
(1)Breach of the duty of loyalty.
(2)A financial benefit received by the member or manager to which the member or manager is not entitled.
(3)A members liability for excess distributions under Section 17704.06.
(4)Intentional infliction of harm on the limited liability company or a member.
(5)An intentional violation of criminal law.
SEC. 4.SEC. 3.Section 17701.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.12.(a)An operating agreement may specify that its amendment requires the approval of a person that is not a party to the operating agreement or the satisfaction of a condition. An amendment is ineffective if its adoption does not include the required approval or satisfy the specified condition.
(b)The obligations of a limited liability company and its members to a person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member are governed by the operating agreement. Subject only to any court order issued under paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 17705.03 to effectuate a charging order, an amendment to the operating agreement made after a person becomes a transferee or dissociated member is effective with regard to any debt, obligation, or other liability of the limited liability company or its members to the person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member.
(c)If a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title contains a provision that would be ineffective under Section 17701.10 if contained in the operating agreement, the provision is likewise ineffective in the record.
(d)Subject to subdivision (c), if a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title conflicts with a provision of the operating agreement both of the following apply:
(1)The operating agreement prevails as to members, dissociated members, transferees, and managers.
(2)The record prevails as to other persons to the extent they reasonably rely on the record.
SEC. 5.SEC. 4.Section 17701.13 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.13.(a)A limited liability company shall designate and continuously maintain in this state both of the following:
(1)An office, which need not be a place of its activity in this state.
(2)An agent for service of process.
(b)A foreign limited liability company that has a certificate of registration under Section 17708.02 shall designate and continuously maintain in this state an agent for service of process.
(c)An agent for service of process of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company shall be an individual who is a resident of this state or a corporation that has complied with Section 1505 and whose capacity to act as an agent has not terminated. If a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company designates a corporation as its agent for service of process in an instrument filed with the Secretary of State, no address for that agent for service of process shall be set forth in that instrument.
(d)Each limited liability company shall maintain in writing or in any other form capable of being converted into clearly legible tangible form at the office referred to in subdivision (a) all of the following:
(1)A current list of the full name and last known business or residence address of each member and of each transferee set forth in alphabetical order, together with the contribution and the share in profits and losses of each member and transferee.
(2)If the limited liability company is a manager-managed limited liability company, a current list of the full name and business or residence address of each manager.
(3)A copy of the articles of organization and all amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which the articles of organization or any amendments thereto were executed.
(4)Copies of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns and reports, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(5)A copy of the limited liability companys operating agreement, if in writing, and any amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which any written operating agreement or any amendments thereto were executed.
(6)Copies of the financial statement of the limited liability company, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(7)The books and records of the limited liability company as they relate to the internal affairs of the limited liability company for at least the current and past four fiscal years.
(e)Upon request of an assessor, a domestic or foreign limited liability company owning, claiming, possessing, or controlling property in this state subject to local assessment shall make available at the limited liability companys principal office in this state or at the office required to be kept pursuant to subdivision (a) or at a place mutually acceptable to the assessor and the limited liability company a true copy of the business records relevant to the amount, cost, and value of all property that the limited liability company owns, claims, possesses, or controls within the county.
SEC. 6.SEC. 5.Section 17704.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.01.(a)If a limited liability company is to have only one member upon formation, the person becomes a member as agreed by that person and the organizer of the limited liability company. That person and the organizer may be, but need not be, different persons. If different, the organizer acts on behalf of the initial member.
(b)If a limited liability company is to have more than one member upon formation, those persons become members as agreed by the persons before the formation of the limited liability company. The organizer acts on behalf of the persons in forming the limited liability company and may be, but need not be, one of the persons.
(c)After formation of a limited liability company, a person becomes a member as follows:
(1)As provided in the operating agreement.
(2)As the result of a transaction effective under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(3)With the consent of all the members.
(4)If, within 90 consecutive days after the limited liability company ceases to have any members, the last person to have been a member, or the legal representative of that person, designates a person to become a member, and the designated person consents to become a member.
(d)A person may become a member without acquiring a transferable interest and without making or being obligated to make a contribution to the limited liability company.
(e)Sections 406 and 407 of the Labor Code shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company to the following persons:
(1)Any employee of the limited liability company or foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either, pursuant to a membership interest purchase plan or agreement, or a membership interest option plan or agreement.
(2)In any transaction in connection with securing employment, a person who is or is about to become an officer or a manager (as appointed or elected by the members) of the limited liability company or the foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either.
SEC. 7.SEC. 6.Section 17704.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.04.(a)Any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up shall be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, distributions shall be on the basis of the value, as stated in the required records when the limited liability company decides to make the distribution, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member, except to the extent necessary to comply with any transfer effective under Section 17705.02 and any charging order in effect under Section 17705.03.
(b)A person has a right to a distribution before the dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company only if the limited liability company decides to make an interim distribution. Unless the articles of organization or written operating agreement provides otherwise, a persons dissociation does not entitle the person to a distribution, and, beginning on the date of dissociation, the dissociated person shall have only the right of a transferee of a transferable interest with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company, and then only with respect to distributions, if any, to which a transferee is entitled under the operating agreement. If the dissociation is in violation of the operating agreement, the limited liability company shall have the right to offset any damages for the breach of the operating agreement from the amounts, if any, otherwise distributable to the dissociated person with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company.
(c)A person does not have a right to demand or receive a distribution from a limited liability company in any form other than money. A limited liability company may distribute an asset in kind if each part of the asset is fungible with each other part and each person receives a percentage of the asset equal in value to the persons share of distributions.
(d)If a member or transferee becomes entitled to receive a distribution, the member or transferee has the status of, and is entitled to all remedies available to, a creditor of the limited liability company with respect to the distribution.
(e)The profits and losses of a limited liability company shall be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, profits and losses shall be allocated in proportion to the value, as stated in the required records, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member.
SEC. 8.SEC. 7.Section 17704.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.07.(a)A limited liability company is a member-managed limited liability company unless the articles of organization contain the statement required by paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 17702.01.
(b)In a member-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)The management and conduct of the limited liability company are vested in the members.
(2)Except as provided in subdivision (r), each member has equal rights in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities including equal voting rights.
(3)A difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company shall be decided by a majority of the members.
(4)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), an act outside the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be undertaken only with the consent of all members.
(5)The operating agreement may be amended only with the consent of all members.
(c)In a manager-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)Except as otherwise expressly provided in this title, any matter relating to the activities of the limited liability company is decided exclusively by the managers.
(2)Each manager has equal rights in the management and conduct of the activities of the limited liability company.
(3)A difference arising among managers as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be decided by a majority of the managers of the limited liability company.
(4)The consent of all members of the limited liability company is required to do any of the following:
(A)Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the limited liability companys property, with or without the goodwill, outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any other act outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(5)A manager may be chosen at any time by the consent of a majority of the members and remains a manager until a successor has been chosen, unless the manager at an earlier time resigns, is removed, or dies, or, in the case of a manager that is not an individual, terminates. A manager may be removed at any time by the consent of a majority of the members without cause, subject to the rights, if any, of the manager under any service contract with the limited liability company.
(6)A person need not be a member to be a manager, but the dissociation of a member that is also a manager removes the person as a manager. If a person that is both a manager and a member ceases to be a manager, that cessation does not by itself dissociate the person as a member.
(7)A persons ceasing to be a manager does not discharge any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or members which the person incurred while a manager.
(d)Except for such orders as may be made by a court of competent jurisdiction over a dissolution under Section 17707.03, the dissolution of a limited liability company does not affect the applicability of this section. However, a person that wrongfully causes dissolution of the limited liability company loses the right to participate in management as a member and a manager.
(e)This title does not entitle a member to remuneration for services performed for a member-managed limited liability company, except for reasonable compensation for services rendered in winding up the activities of a limited liability company.
(f)Meetings of members may be held at any place, by electronic video screen communication or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02, either within or without this state, selected by the person or persons calling the meeting or as may be stated in or fixed in accordance with the articles of organization or a written operating agreement. If no other place is stated or so fixed, all meetings shall be held at the principal office of the limited liability company. Unless prohibited by the articles of organization of the limited liability company, if authorized by the operating agreement, members not physically present in person or by proxy at a meeting of members may, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02 or by electronic video screen communication, participate in a meeting of members, be deemed present in person or by proxy, and vote at a meeting of members whether that meeting is to be held at a designated place or in whole or in part by means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication, in accordance with subdivision (l).
(g)A meeting of the members may be called by any manager or by any member or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests in current profits of members for the purpose of addressing any matters on which the members may vote.
(h)(1)Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each member entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state the place, date, and hour of the meeting, the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, and the general nature of the business to be transacted. No other business may be transacted at that meeting.
(2)Any report or any notice of a members meeting shall be given personally, by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, or by mail or other means of written communication, addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company or given by the member to the limited liability company for the purpose of notice, or, if no address appears or is given, at the place where the principal office of the limited liability company is located or by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal office is located. The notice or report shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally, delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, deposited in the mail, or sent by other means of written communication. An affidavit of mailing or delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company of any notice or report in accordance with this article, executed by a manager, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice or report.
(3)If any notice or report addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company is returned to the limited liability company by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice or report to the member at the address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if they are available for the member at the principal office of the limited liability company for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice or report to all other members.
(4)Notice given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision shall be valid only if it complies with paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02.
Notwithstanding this condition, notice shall not be given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision after either of the following has occurred:
(A)The limited liability company is unable to deliver two consecutive notices to the member by that means.
(B)The inability to so deliver the notices to the member becomes known to the secretary, any assistant secretary, the transfer agent, or any other person responsible for the giving of the notice.
(5)Upon written request to a manager by any person entitled to call a meeting of members, the manager shall immediately cause notice to be given to the members entitled to vote that a meeting will be held at a time requested by the person calling the meeting, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within 20 days after receipt of the request, the person entitled to call the meeting may give the notice or, upon the application of that person, the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the limited liability company is located, or if the principal office is not in this state, the county in which the limited liability companys address in this state is located, shall summarily order the giving of the notice, after notice to the limited liability company affording it an opportunity to be heard. The procedure provided in subdivision (c) of Section 305 shall apply to the application. The court may issue any order as may be appropriate, including, without limitation, an order designating the time and place of the meeting, the record date for determination of members entitled to vote, and the form of notice.
(i)When a members meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless the articles of organization or a written operating agreement otherwise require and except as provided in this subdivision, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof or the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the limited liability company may transact any business that may have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each member of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
(j)The actions taken at any meeting of members, however called and noticed, and wherever held, have the same validity as if taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the members entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, provides a waiver of notice or consents to the holding of the meeting or approves the minutes of the meeting in writing. All waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the limited liability company records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting after conversion to the form in which those records or minutes are kept. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by this title to be included in the notice but not so included, if the objection is expressly made at the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted nor the purpose of any meeting of members need be specified in any written waiver of notice, unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, except as provided in subdivision (l).
(k)Members may participate in a meeting of the limited liability company through the use of conference telephones or electronic video screen communication, as long as all members participating in the meeting can hear one another, or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision constitutes presence in person at that meeting.
(l)Any action approved at a meeting, other than by unanimous approval of those entitled to vote, shall be valid only if the general nature of the proposal so approved was stated in the notice of meeting or in any written waiver of notice.
(m)(1)A majority of the members represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members.
(2)The members present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the loss of a quorum, if any action taken after loss of a quorum, other than adjournment, is approved by the requisite percentage of interests of members specified in this title or in the articles of organization or a written operating agreement.
(3)In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of members may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the interests represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in paragraph (2).
(n)(1)Any action that may be taken at any meeting of the members may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed and delivered to the limited liability company within 60 days of the record date for that action by members having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all members entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
(2)Unless the consents of all members entitled to vote have been solicited in writing, (A) notice of any member approval of an amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement, a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17707.01, or a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.10, without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given at least 10 days before the consummation of the action authorized by the approval, and (B) prompt notice shall be given of the taking of any other action approved by members without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent, to those members entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.
(3)Any member giving a written consent, or the members proxyholder, may revoke the consent personally or by proxy by a writing received by the limited liability company prior to the time that written consents of members having the minimum number of votes that would be required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the limited liability company, but may not do so thereafter. This revocation is effective upon its receipt at the office of the limited liability company required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(o)The use of proxies in connection with this section shall be governed in the same manner as in the case of corporations formed under the General Corporation Law, Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) of Title 1.
(p)In order that the limited liability company may determine the members of record entitled to notices of any meeting or to vote, or entitled to receive any distribution or to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action, a manager, or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests of members, may fix, in advance, a record date, that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting and not more than 60 days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed the following shall apply:
(1)The record date for determining members entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(2)The record date for determining members entitled to give consent to limited liability company action in writing without a meeting shall be the day on which the first written consent is given.
(3)The record date for determining members for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the managers adopt the resolution relating thereto, or the 60th day prior to the date of the other action, whichever is later.
(4)The determination of members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless a manager or the members who called the meeting fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the manager or the members who called the meeting shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than 45 days from the date set for the original meeting.
(q)A meeting of the members may be conducted, in whole or in part, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication if both of the following requirements are met:
(1)The limited liability company implements reasonable measures to provide members, in person or by proxy, a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the members, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with those proceedings.
(2)When any member votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of electronic transmission to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, a record of that vote or action shall be maintained by the limited liability company.
(r)The articles of organization or a written operating agreement may provide to all or certain identified members of a specified class or group of members the right to vote separately or with all or any class or group of members on any matter. Voting by members may be on a per capita, number, financial interest, class, group, or any other basis. If no voting provision is contained in the articles of organization or written operating agreement, each of the following shall apply:
(1)The members of a limited liability company shall vote in proportion to their interests in current profits of the limited liability company or, in the case of a member who has assigned the members entire transferable interest in the limited liability company to a person who has not been admitted as a member, in proportion to the interest in current profits that the assigning member would have, had the assignment not been made.
(2)Any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement shall require the unanimous vote of all members.
(3)In all other matters in which a vote is required, except as otherwise provided in this section, a vote of a majority of the members shall be sufficient.
(s)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, in no event shall the articles of organization be amended by a vote of less than a majority of the members.
(t)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, members shall have the right to vote on a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01, on a conversion to another business entity as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17710.03, and on a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.12.
(u)A written operating agreement may provide for the appointment of officers, including, but not limited to, a chairperson or a president, or both a chairperson and a president, a secretary, a chief financial officer, and any other officers with the titles, powers, and duties as shall be specified in the articles of organization or operating agreement or as determined by the managers or members. An officer may, but does not need to, be a member or manager of the limited liability company, and any number of offices may be held by the same person.
(v)Officers, if any, shall be appointed in accordance with the written operating agreement or, if no such provision is made in the operating agreement, any officers shall be appointed by the managers and shall serve at the pleasure of the managers, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the limited liability company without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the limited liability under any contract to which the officer is a party.
(w)Subject to the provisions of the articles of organization, any note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness, contract, certificate, statement, conveyance, or other instrument in writing, and any assignment or endorsement thereof, executed or entered into between any limited liability company and any other person, when signed by the chairperson of the board, the president, or any vice president and any secretary, any assistant secretary, the chief financial officer, or any assistant treasurer of the limited liability company, is not invalidated as to the limited liability company by any lack of authority of the signing officers in the absence of actual knowledge on the part of the other person that the signing officers had no authority to execute the same.
SEC. 9.SEC. 8.Section 17704.08 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.08.(a)A limited liability company shall reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with the duties stated in Section 17704.09.
(b)Except as provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, a limited liability company may reimburse for any payment made and may indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a person not identified in subdivision (a), including, without limitation, any officer, employee, or agent of the limited liability company, in the course of that persons activities on behalf of the limited liability company.
(c)A limited liability company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person against liability asserted against or incurred by that person even if, under subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, the operating agreement could not eliminate or limit the persons liability to the limited liability company for the conduct giving rise to the liability.
(d)(1)Without limiting subdivision (a), to the extent that an agent of a limited liability company has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter in any proceeding in which the agent was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the person is or was an agent of the limited liability company, if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent in connection therewith.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:
(A)Agent means any person who is or was a member of a member-managed limited liability company, manager of a manager-managed limited liability company, officer, employee, or other agent of the limited liability company, or is or was serving at the request of the limited liability company as a manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, or was a manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of a foreign or domestic limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise that was a predecessor of the limited liability company or of another enterprise at the request of the predecessor entity corporation or other enterprise.
(B)Expenses include, without limitation, the attorneys fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this subdivision.
(C)Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative.
SEC. 10.SEC. 9.Section 17704.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.09.(a)The fiduciary duties that a member owes to a member-managed limited liability company and the other members of the limited liability company are the duties of loyalty and care under subdivisions (b) and (c).
(b)A members duty of loyalty to the limited liability company and the other members is limited to the following:
(1)To account to the limited liability company and hold as trustee for it any property, profit, or benefit derived by the member in the conduct and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company or derived from a use by the member of a limited liability company property, including the appropriation of a limited liability company opportunity.
(2)To refrain from dealing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company as or on behalf of a person having an interest adverse to the limited liability company.
(3)To refrain from competing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company.
(c)A members duty of care to a limited liability company and the other members in the conduct and winding up of the activities of the limited liability company is limited to refraining from engaging in grossly negligent or reckless conduct, intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law.
(d)A member shall discharge the duties to a limited liability company and the other members under this title or under the operating agreement and exercise any rights consistent with the obligation of good faith and fair dealing.
(e)A member does not violate a duty or obligation under this article or under the operating agreement merely because the members conduct furthers the members own interest.
(f)In a manager-managed limited liability company, all of the following rules apply:
(1)Subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (e) apply to the manager or managers and not the members.
(2)Subdivision (d) applies to the members and managers.
(3)Except as otherwise provided, a member does not have any fiduciary duty to the limited liability company or to any other member solely by reason of being a member.
SEC. 11.SEC. 10.Section 17704.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.10.(a)Upon the request of a member or transferee, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member or a transferee, a manager or, if the limited liability company is member-managed, a member in possession of the requested information, shall promptly deliver, in writing, to the member or transferee, at the expense of the limited liability company, a copy of the information required to be maintained by paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 17701.13, and any written operating agreement of the limited liability company.
(b)Each member, manager, and transferee has the right, upon reasonable request, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member, manager, or transferee, to each of the following:
(1)To inspect and copy during normal business hours any of the records required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(2)To obtain in writing from the limited liability company, promptly after becoming available, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax returns for each year.
(c)In the case of a limited liability company with more than 35 members, each of the following shall apply:
(1)A manager shall cause an annual report to be sent to each of the members not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year. The report, which may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company (paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02) shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement and a statement of cashflows for the fiscal year.
(2)Members representing at least 5 percent of the voting interests of members, or three or more members, may make a written request to a manager for an income statement of the limited liability company for the initial three-month, six-month, or nine-month period of the current fiscal year ending more than 30 days prior to the date of the request, and a balance sheet of the limited liability company as of the end of that period. The statement shall be delivered or mailed to the members within 30 days thereafter.
(3)The financial statements referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report thereon, if any, of the independent accountants engaged by the limited liability company or, if there is no report, the certificate of the manager of the limited liability company that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the limited liability company.
(d)A manager shall promptly furnish to a member a copy of any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement executed by a manager pursuant to a power of attorney from the member. The articles of organization or operating agreement may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company.
(e)The limited liability company shall send or cause information to be sent in writing to each member or holder of a transferable interest within 90 days after the end of each taxable year the information necessary to complete federal and state income tax or information returns and, in the case of a limited liability company with 35 or fewer members, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns for the year.
(f)In addition to the remedies provided in Sections 17713.06 and 17713.07 and any other remedies, a court of competent jurisdiction may enforce the duty of making and mailing or delivering the information and financial statements required by this section and, for good cause shown, extend the time therefor.
(g)In any action under this section or under Section 17713.07, if the court finds the failure of the limited liability company to comply with the requirements of this section is without justification, the court may award an amount sufficient to reimburse the person bringing the action for the reasonable expenses incurred by that person, including attorneys fees, in connection with the action or proceeding.
(h)Any waiver of the rights provided in this section shall be unenforceable.
(i)Any request, inspection, or copying by a member or holder of a transferable interest may be made by that person or by that persons agent or attorney.
(j)Upon complaint that a limited liability company is failing to comply with the provisions of this section, or to afford to the members rights given to them in the articles of organization or operating agreement, the Attorney General may, in the name of the people of the State of California, send to the office required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13, notice of the complaint.
(k)If the answer of the limited liability company is not received within 30 days of the date the notice was transmitted, or if the answer is not satisfactory, and if the enforcement of the rights of the aggrieved persons by private civil action, by class action, or otherwise, would be so burdensome or expensive as to be impracticable, the Attorney General may institute, maintain, or intervene in any court of competent jurisdiction or before any administrative agency for relief by way of injunction, the dissolution of entities, the appointment of receivers, or any other temporary, preliminary, provisional, or final remedies as may be appropriate to protect the rights of members or to restore the position of the members for the failure to comply with the requirements of Section 17701.13 or the articles of organization or the operating agreement. In any action, suit, or proceeding, there may be joined as parties all persons and entities responsible for or affected by the activity.
SEC. 12.SEC. 11.Section 17705.02 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17705.02.(a)With respect to a transfer, in whole or in part, of a transferable interest, all of the following apply:
(1)A transfer is permissible.
(2)A transfer does not by itself cause a members dissociation or a dissolution and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04, a transfer does not entitle the transferee to do any of the following:
(A)Vote or otherwise participate in the management or conduct of the activities of a limited liability company.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c) and Section 17704.10, have access to records or other information concerning the activities of a limited liability company.
(b)A transferee has the right to receive, in accordance with the transfer, distributions to which the transferor would otherwise be entitled; provided, however, that the pledge or granting of a security interest, lien, or other encumbrance in or against any or all of the transferable interest of a transferor shall not cause the transferor to cease to be a member or grant to the transferee or to anyone else the power to exercise any rights or powers of a member, including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions to which the member is entitled.
(c)In a dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company, a transferee is entitled to an account of the limited liability companys transactions only from the date of dissolution.
(d)A transferable interest may be evidenced by a certificate of the interest issued by the limited liability company in a record, and, subject to this article, the interest represented by the certificate may be transferred by a transfer of the certificate.
(e)A limited liability company need not give effect to a transferees rights under this section until the limited liability company has notice of the transfer.
(f)A transfer of a transferable interest in violation of a restriction on transfer contained in the operating agreement is ineffective as to a person having notice of the restriction at the time of transfer.
(g)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of this section and paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 17706.02, when a member transfers a transferable interest, the transferor retains the rights of a member, other than the interest in distributions transferred, and retains all duties and obligations of a member.
(h)When a member transfers a transferable interest to a person that becomes a member with respect to the transferred interest, the transferee is liable for the members obligations under Section 17704.03 and subdivision (c) of Section 17704.06 known to the transferee when the transferee becomes a member.
SEC. 13.SEC. 12.Section 17706.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17706.03.(a)When a person is dissociated as a member of a limited liability company all of the following apply:
(1)The persons right to vote or participate as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates.
(2)If the limited liability company is member-managed, the person s fiduciary duties as a member end with regard to matters arising and events occurring after the persons dissociation.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04 and Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any transferable interest owned by the person immediately before dissociation in the persons capacity as a member is owned by the person solely as a transferee.
(b)A persons dissociation as a member of a limited liability company does not of itself discharge the person from any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or the other members that the person incurred while a member.
(c)If a member dies dies, or a guardian or general conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a members interest is being administered by an attorney-in-fact under a valid power of attorney, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact, or other legal representative may exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
SEC. 14.SEC. 13.Section 17707.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.01.A limited liability company is dissolved, and its activities shall be wound up, upon the happening of the first to occur of the following:
(a)On the happening of an event set forth in a written operating agreement or the articles of organization.
(b)By the vote of a majority of the members of the limited liability company or a greater percentage of the voting interests of members as may be specified in the articles of organization, or a written operating agreement.
(c)The passage of 90 consecutive days during which the limited liability company has no members, except that, on the death of a natural person who is the sole member of a limited liability company, the status of the member, including a membership interest, may pass to one or more heirs, successors, and assigns of the member by will or applicable law. An heir, successor, or assign of the members interest becomes a substituted member pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 17704.01, subject to administration as provided by applicable law, without the permission or consent of the heirs, successors, or assigns or those administering the estate of the deceased member.
(d)Entry of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to Section 17707.03.
SEC. 15.SEC. 14.Section 17707.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.03.(a)Pursuant to an action filed by any manager or by any member or members of a limited liability company, a court of competent jurisdiction may decree the dissolution of a limited liability company whenever any of the events specified in subdivision (b) occurs.
(b)(1)It is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in conformity with the articles of organization or operating agreement.
(2)Dissolution is reasonably necessary for the protection of the rights or interests of the complaining members.
(3)The business of the limited liability company has been abandoned.
(4)The management of the limited liability company is deadlocked or subject to internal dissention.
(5)Those in control of the limited liability company have been guilty of, or have knowingly countenanced persistent and pervasive fraud, mismanagement, or abuse of authority.
(c)(1)In any suit for judicial dissolution, the other members may avoid the dissolution of the limited liability company by purchasing for cash the membership interests owned by the members so initiating the proceeding, the moving parties, at their fair market value. In fixing the value, the amount of any damages resulting if the initiation of the dissolution is a breach by any moving party or parties of an agreement with the purchasing party or parties, including, without limitation, the operating agreement, may be deducted from the amount payable to the moving party or parties; provided, that no member who sues for dissolution on the grounds set forth in paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (b) shall be liable for damages for breach of contract in bringing that action.
(2)If the purchasing parties elect to purchase the membership interests owned by the moving parties, are unable to agree with the moving parties upon the fair market value of the membership interests, and give bond with sufficient security to pay the estimated reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties if the expenses are recoverable under paragraph (3), the court, upon application of the purchasing parties, either in the pending action or in a proceeding initiated in the superior court of the proper county by the purchasing parties, shall stay the winding up and dissolution proceeding and shall proceed to ascertain and fix the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties.
(3)The court shall appoint three disinterested appraisers to appraise the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties, and shall make an order referring the matter to the appraisers so appointed for the purpose of ascertaining that value. The order shall prescribe the time and manner of producing evidence, if evidence is required. The award of the appraisers or a majority of them, when confirmed by the court, shall be final and conclusive upon all parties. The court shall enter a decree that shall provide in the alternative for winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, unless payment is made for the membership interests within the time specified by the decree. If the purchasing parties do not make payment for the membership interests within the time specified, judgment shall be entered against them and the surety or sureties on the bond for the amount of the expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties. Any member aggrieved by the action of the court may appeal therefrom.
(4)If the purchasing parties desire to prevent the winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, they shall pay to the moving parties the value of their membership interests ascertained and decreed within the time specified pursuant to this section, or, in the case of an appeal, as fixed on appeal. On receiving that payment or the tender of payment, the moving parties shall transfer their membership interests to the purchasing parties.
(5)For the purposes of this section, the valuation date shall be the date upon which the action for judicial dissolution was commenced. However, the court may, upon the hearing of a motion by any party, and for good cause shown, designate some other date as the valuation date.
(6)A dismissal of any suit for judicial dissolution by a manager, member, or members shall not affect the other members rights to avoid dissolution pursuant to this section.
(d)Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the remedies otherwise available to a court of competent jurisdiction over the dissolution.
SEC. 15.Section 17707.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.06.(a)A limited liability company that is dissolved has filed a certificate of cancellation nevertheless continues to exist for the purpose of winding up its affairs, prosecuting and defending actions by or against it in order to collect and discharge obligations, disposing of and conveying its property, and collecting and dividing its assets. A limited liability company shall not continue business except so far as necessary for its winding up.
(b)No action or proceeding to which a limited liability company is a party abates by the dissolution of filing of a certificate of cancellation for the limited liability company or by reason of proceedings for its winding up and dissolution.
(c)Any assets inadvertently or otherwise omitted from the winding up continue in the dissolved canceled limited liability company for the benefit of the persons entitled to those assets upon dissolution cancellation and on realization shall be distributed accordingly.
(d)After dissolution cancellation of the limited liability company, the limited liability company is bound by both of the following:
(1)The act of a person authorized to wind up the affairs of the limited liability company, if the act is appropriate for winding up the activities of the limited liability company.
(2)The act of a person authorized to act on behalf of the limited liability company, if the act would have bound the limited liability company before dissolution, cancellation, if the other party to the transaction did not have notice of the dissolution. cancellation.
SEC. 16.Section 17707.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.09.(a)Notwithstanding the filing of a certificate of dissolution, a majority of the members may cause to be filed, in the office of, and on a form prescribed by, the Secretary of State, a certificate of continuation, in any of the following circumstances:
(1)The business of the limited liability company is to be continued pursuant to a unanimous vote of the remaining members.
(2)The dissolution of the limited liability company was by vote of the members pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01 and each member who consented to the dissolution has agreed in writing to revoke his or her vote in favor of or consent to the dissolution.
(3)The limited liability company was not, in fact, dissolved.
(b)The certificate of continuation shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number.
(2)The grounds provided by subdivision (a) that are the basis for filing the certificate of continuation.
(c)Upon the filing of a certificate of continuation, the certificate of dissolution shall be of no effect from the time of the filing of the certificate of dissolution.
SEC. 17.Section 17708.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17708.07.(a)A foreign limited liability company transacting intrastate business in this state shall not maintain an action or proceeding in this state unless it has a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state.
(b)The failure of a foreign limited liability company to have a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state does not prevent the foreign limited liability company from defending an action or proceeding in this state.
(c)A member or manager of a foreign limited liability company is not liable for the debts, obligations, or other liabilities of the foreign limited liability company solely because the foreign limited liability company transacted intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration.
(d)If a foreign limited liability company transacts intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration or cancels its certificate of registration, it shall be deemed to have appointed the Secretary of State as its agent for service of process for rights of action arising out of the transaction of intrastate business in this state.
SEC. 18.Section 17710.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.03.(a)A limited liability company that desires to convert to an other business entity or a foreign other business entity or a foreign limited liability company shall approve a plan of conversion.
The plan of conversion shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the conversion.
(2)The place of the organization of the converted entity and of the converting limited liability company and the name of the converted entity after conversion.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the members into shares of, securities of, or interests in, the converted entity.
(4)The provisions of the governing documents for the converted entity, including the limited liability company articles of organization and operating agreement, or articles or certificate of incorporation if the converted entity is a corporation, to which the holders of interests in the converted entity are to be bound.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which the converted entity is organized, or that are desired by the parties.
(b)(1)The plan of conversion shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interest or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of each class of membership of the converting limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the converting limited liability company.
(2)However, if the members of the limited liability company would become personally liable for any obligations of the converted entity as a result of the conversion, the plan of conversion shall be approved by all of the members of the converting limited liability company, unless the plan of conversion provides that all members will have dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(c)Upon the effectiveness of the conversion, all members of the converting limited liability company, except those that exercise dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), shall be deemed parties to any governing documents for the converted entity adopted as part of the plan of conversion, regardless of whether or not the member has executed the plan of conversion or the governing documents for the converted entity. Any adoption of governing documents made pursuant to the conversion shall be effective at the effective time or date of the conversion.
(d)Notwithstanding its prior approval, a plan of conversion may be amended before the conversion takes effect if the amendment is approved by all managers and a majority of the members or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of the converting limited liability company and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the plan of conversion, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of the converting limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original plan of conversion.
(e)The managers by unanimous approval and the members of a converting limited liability company may, by majority approval at any time before the conversion is effective, in their discretion, abandon a conversion, without further approval by the managers or members, subject to the contractual rights of third parties other than managers or members.
(f)The converted entity shall keep the plan of conversion at the principal place of business of the converted entity if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company or foreign other business entity, at the principal office of, or registrar or transfer agent of, the converted entity, if the converted entity is a domestic corporation, or at the office where records are to be kept pursuant to Section 17701.13 if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company. Upon the request of a member of a converting limited liability company, the authorized person on behalf of the converted entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the converted entity, a copy of the plan of conversion. A waiver by a member of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 19.Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.06.(a)Upon conversion of a limited liability company, one of the following applies:
(1)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic limited partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on a certificate of limited partnership for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(2)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the statement of partnership authority for the converted entity. If no statement of partnership authority is filed, a certificate of conversion shall be filed separately with the Secretary of State.
(3)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic corporation, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the articles of incorporation for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(4)If the limited liability company is converting to a foreign limited liability company or foreign other business entity, a certificate of conversion shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(b)Any certificate or statement of conversion shall be executed and acknowledged by all members of a member-managed limited liability company or all managers of a manger-managed manager-managed limited liability company, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, and shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the converting limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number of the converting limited liability company.
(2)A statement that the principal terms of the plan of conversion were approved by a vote of the members, that equaled or exceeded the vote required under Section 17710.03, specifying each class entitled to vote and the percentage vote required of each class.
(c)A certificate of conversion shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name, form, and jurisdiction of organization of the converted entity.
(2)The name, street, and mailing address of the converted entitys agent for service of process.
(3)The street address of the converted entitys chief executive office.
(d)The filing with the Secretary of State of a certificate of conversion, a certificate of limited partnership, a statement of partnership authority, or articles of incorporation containing a statement of conversion as set forth in subdivision (a) shall have the effect of the filing of a certificate of cancellation by the converting limited liability company, and no converting limited liability company that has made the filing is required to take any action under Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01) as a result of that conversion.
(e)For the purposes of this title, the certificate of conversion shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 20.Section 17710.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.12.(a)Each limited liability company and other business entity that desires to merge shall approve an agreement of merger.
The agreement of merger shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interests of each constituent limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the members of any constituent limited liability company become personally liable for any obligations of a constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity as a result of the merger, the principal terms of the agreement of merger shall be approved by all of the members of the constituent limited liability company, unless the agreement of merger provides that all members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01). The agreement of merger shall be approved on behalf of each constituent other business entity by those persons required to approve the merger by the laws under which it is organized. Other persons, including a parent of a constituent limited liability company, may be parties to the agreement of merger. The agreement of merger shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the merger.
(2)The name and place of the organization of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and of each disappearing limited liability company and disappearing other business entity, and the agreement of merger may change the name of the surviving limited liability company, the new name may be the same as or similar to the name of a disappearing domestic or foreign limited liability company, subject to Section 17701.08.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the constituent limited liability companies into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and if limited liability company interests of any of the constituent limited liability companies are not to be converted solely into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that the holders of the limited liability company interests are to receive in exchange for the membership interests, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that may be in addition to or in lieu of interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, or that the limited liability company interests are canceled without consideration.
(4)The amendments to the articles of organization of the surviving limited liability company, if applicable, to be effected by the merger, if any.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which any constituent other business entity is organized, including, if a domestic corporation is a party to the merger, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 1113.
(6)Any other details or provisions that are desired, including, without limitation, a provision for the treatment of fractional membership interests.
(b)(1)Each membership interest of the same class of any constituent limited liability company, other than a membership interest in another constituent limited liability company that is being canceled and that is held by a constituent limited liability company or its parent or a limited liability company of which the constituent limited liability company is a parent shall, unless all members of the class consent, be treated equally with respect to any distribution of cash, property, rights, interests, or securities.
(2)Unless otherwise provided in a written operating agreement, notwithstanding paragraph (1), except in a merger of a limited liability company with a limited liability company that controls at least 90 percent of the membership interests entitled to vote with respect to the merger, the unredeemable membership interests of a constituent limited liability company may be converted only into unredeemable interests or securities of the surviving limited liability company or other business entity, or a parent if a constituent limited liability company or a constituent other business entity or its parent owns, directly or indirectly, prior to the merger, membership interests of another constituent limited liability company or interests or securities of a constituent other business entity representing more than 50 percent of the interests or securities entitled to vote with respect to the merger of the other constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity or more than 50 percent of the voting power, as defined in Section 194.5, of a constituent other business entity that is a domestic corporation, unless all of the members of the class consent.
(3)The provisions of this subdivision do not apply to any transaction if the commissioner has approved the terms and conditions of the transaction and the fairness of those terms pursuant to Section 25142.
(c)Notwithstanding its prior approval, an agreement of merger may be amended prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or the agreement of merger, as provided in Section 17710.14, if the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner as required for approval of the original agreement of merger and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the agreement of merger, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original agreement of merger, and by each of the constituent other business entities.
(d)The managers and members of a constituent limited liability company may, in their discretion, abandon a merger, subject to the contractual rights, if any, of third parties, including other constituent limited liability companies and constituent other business entities, without further approval by the membership interests, at any time before the merger is effective.
(e)An agreement of merger approved in accordance with subdivision (a) may do the following:
(1)Effect any amendment to the operating agreement of any constituent limited liability company.
(2)Effect the adoption of a new operating agreement for a constituent limited liability company if it is the surviving limited liability company in the merger. Any amendment to an operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement made pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger. Notwithstanding the above provisions of this subdivision, if a greater number of members is required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of a constituent limited liability company than is required to approve the agreement of merger pursuant to subdivision (a), and the number of members that approve the agreement of merger is less than the number of members required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company, any amendment to the operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement of that constituent limited liability company made pursuant to the first sentence of this subdivision shall be effective only if the agreement of merger provides that all of the members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(f)The surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity shall keep the agreement of merger at its designated office or at the business address specified in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 17710.14, as applicable, and, upon the request of a member of a constituent limited liability company or a holder of shares, interests, or other securities of a constituent other business entity, the managers or members of the surviving limited liability company or the authorized person of the surviving other business entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, a copy of the agreement of merger. A waiver by a member or holder of shares, interests, or other securities of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 21.Section 17713.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.04.(a)Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this title shall apply to all domestic limited liability companies existing on or after January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State prior to January 1, 2014, whose registrations have not been canceled as of January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2014, and to all actions taken by the managers or members of a limited liability company on or after that date.
(b)Except as otherwise specified in this title, this title applies only to the acts or transactions by a limited liability company existing on or before January 1, 2014, or by the members or managers of the limited liability company existing on or before January 1, 2014, occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or after January 1, 2014. An amendment, including the acts necessary and in respect to the negotiation, adoption, ratification, or approval, to an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by a limited liability company existing before January 1, 2014, or by the members or managers of a limited liability company existing before January 1, 2014, shall be governed by prior law unless expressly provided in such amendment or other contract. The prior law governs all acts or transactions by a limited liability company existing on or before January 1, 2014, or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, and any operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, prior to January 1, 2014.
(c)Any vote or consent by the managers or members of a limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, shall be governed by prior law. If a certificate or document is required to be filed in a public office of this state relating to a vote or consent by the managers or members of the limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, it may be filed after that date pursuant to the filing requirements of this title, even though the vote or consent is governed by prior law.
(d)This title does not cancel or otherwise affect the status of, or create a new filing requirement with the Secretary of State or any other agency, board, commission, or department for, any domestic limited liability company in existence on December 31, 2013, or any foreign limited liability company registered to transact intrastate business in this state prior to January 1, 2014.
(e)For the purposes of this section, prior law means Title 2.5 (commencing with Section 17000) as it read on December 31, 2013.
SEC. 22.Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.12.(a)A limited liability company is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) if the limited liability company does both of the following:
(1)Has actual knowledge that a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company does any of the following:
(A)Makes, publishes, or posts, or has made, published, or posted, either generally or privately to the members or other persons, either of the following:
(i)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, exhibit, notice, or statement of its affairs or pecuniary condition that contains a material statement or omission that is false and intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(ii)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, prospectus, account, or statement of operations, values, business, profits, or expenditures that includes a material false statement or omission intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(B)Refuses or has refused to make any book entry or post any notice required by law in the manner required by law.
(C)Misstates or conceals or has misstated or concealed from a regulatory body a material fact in order to deceive a regulatory body to avoid a statutory or regulatory duty, or to avoid a statutory or regulatory limit or prohibition.
(2)Within 30 days after actual knowledge is acquired of the actions described in paragraph (1), the limited liability company knowingly fails to do both of the following:
(A)Notify the Attorney General or appropriate government agency in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the Attorney General or appropriate government agency has been notified.
(B)Notify its members and investors in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the members and investors have been notified.
(b)The requirement for notification under this section is not applicable if the action taken or about to be taken by the limited liability company, or by a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), is abated within the time prescribed for reporting, unless the appropriate government agency requires disclosure by regulation.
(c)If the action reported to the Attorney General pursuant to this section implicates the government authority of an agency other than the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall promptly forward the written notice to that agency.
(d)If the Attorney General was not notified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but the limited liability company reasonably and in good faith believed that it had complied with the notification requirements of this section by notifying a government agency listed in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e), no penalties shall apply.
(e)For purposes of this section:
(1)Manager means a person defined by subdivision (m) of Section 17701.01 having both of the following:
(A)Management authority over the limited liability company.
(B)Significant responsibility for an aspect of the limited liability company that includes actual authority for the financial operations or financial transactions of the limited liability company.
(2)Agent means a person or entity authorized by the limited liability company to make representations to the public about the limited liability companys financial condition and who is acting within the scope of the agency when the representations are made.
(3)Member means a person as defined by subdivision (o) of Section 17701.01 that is a member of the limited liability company at the time the disclosure is required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(4)Notify its members means to give sufficient description of an action taken or about to be taken that would constitute acts or omissions as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). A notice or report filed by a limited liability company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that relates to the facts and circumstances giving rise to an obligation under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall satisfy all notice requirements arising under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) but shall not be the exclusive means of satisfying the notice requirements, provided that the Attorney General or appropriate agency is informed in writing that the filing has been made together with a copy of the filing or an electronic link where it is available online without charge.
(5)Appropriate government agency means an agency on the following list that has regulatory authority with respect to the financial operations of a limited liability company:
(A)Department of Corporations.
(B)Department of Insurance.
(C)Department of Financial Institutions.
(D)Department of Managed Health Care.
(E)United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6)Actual knowledge of the limited liability company means the knowledge a member, officer, or manager of a limited liability company actually possesses or does not consciously avoid possessing, based on an evaluation of information provided pursuant to the limited liability companys disclosure controls and procedures.
(7)Refuse to make a book entry means the intentional decision not to record an accounting transaction when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(A)The independent auditors required recordation of an accounting transaction during the course of an audit.
(B)The audit committee of the limited liability company has not approved the independent auditors recommendation.
(C)The decision is made for the primary purpose of rendering the financial statements materially false or misleading.
(8)Refuse to post any notice required by law means an intentional decision not to post a notice required by law when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to post the notice has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(9)Misstate or conceal material facts from a regulatory body means an intentional decision not to disclose material facts when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to disclose material facts has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(10)Material false statement or omission means an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made under the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.
(11)Officer means a person appointed pursuant to Section 17703.02, except an officer of a specified subsidiary limited liability company who is not also an officer of the parent limited liability company.
(f)This section only applies to limited liability companies that are issuers, as defined in Section 2 of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7201 et seq.).
(g)An action to enforce this section may only be brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney or city attorney in the name of the people of the State of California.
(a)In order for a limited partnership to be formed, a certificate of limited partnership must be filed with and on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State and, either before or after the filing of a certificate of limited partnership, the partners shall have entered into a partnership agreement. The certificate must state:
(1)the name of the limited partnership, which shall comply with Section 15901.08;
(2)the street address of the initial designated office;
(3)the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process in accordance with paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 15901.16;
(4)the name and the address of each general partner; and
(5)the mailing address of the limited partnership, if different from the address of the initial designated office.
(b)A certificate of limited partnership may also contain any other matters but may not vary or otherwise affect the provisions specified in subdivision (b) of Section 15901.10 in a manner inconsistent with that section.
(c)Subject to subdivision (c) of Section 15902.06, a limited partnership is formed when the Secretary of State files the certificate of limited partnership and the partners enter into a partnership agreement before or after the filing of a certificate of limited partnership.
(d)Subject to subdivision (b), if any provision of a partnership agreement is inconsistent with the filed certificate of limited partnership or with a filed certificate of dissociation, cancellation, or amendment or filed certificate of conversion or merger:
(1)the partnership agreement prevails as to partners and transferees; and
(2)the filed certificate of limited partnership, certificate of dissociation, cancellation, or amendment or filed certificate of conversion or merger prevails as to persons, other than partners and transferees, that reasonably rely on the filed record to their detriment.
(e)A limited partnership may record in the office of the county recorder of any county in this state a certified copy of the certificate of limited partnership, or any amendment thereto, which has been filed by the Secretary of State. A foreign limited partnership may record in the office of the county recorder of any county in the state a certified copy of the application for registration to transact business, together with the certificate of registration, referred to in Section 15909.02, or any amendment thereto, which has been filed by the Secretary of State. The recording shall create a conclusive presumption in favor of any bona fide purchaser or encumbrancer for value of the partnership real property located in the county in which the certified copy has been recorded, that the persons named as general partners therein are the general partners of the partnership named and that they are all of the general partners of the partnership.
(f)The Secretary of State may cancel the filing of certificates of limited partnership if a check or other remittance accepted in payment of the filing fee is not paid upon presentation. For partners and transferees, the partnership agreement is paramount. Upon receiving written notification that the item presented for payment has not been honored for payment, the Secretary of State shall give a first written notice of the applicability of this section to the agent for service of process or to the person submitting the instrument. Thereafter, if the amount has not been paid by cashiers check or equivalent, the Secretary of State shall give a second written notice of cancellation and the cancellation shall thereupon be effective. The second notice shall be given 20 days or more after the first notice and 90 days or less after the original filing.
(g)The Secretary of State shall include with instructional materials, provided in conjunction with the form for filing a certificate of limited partnership under subdivision (a), a notice that the filing of the certificate of limited partnership will obligate the limited partnership to pay an annual tax for that taxable year to the Franchise Tax Board pursuant to Section 17935 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. That notice shall be updated annually to specify the dollar amount of the annual tax.
SEC. 2.Section 17701.02 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.02.In this title:
(a)Acknowledged means that an instrument is either of the following:
(1)Formally acknowledged as provided in Article 3 (commencing with Section 1180) of Chapter 4 of Title 4 of Part 4 of Division 2 of the Civil Code.
(2)Executed to include substantially the following wording preceding the signature:
It is hereby declared that I am the person who executed this instrument which execution is my act and deed.
Any certificate of acknowledgment taken without this state before a notary public or a judge or clerk of a court of record having an official seal need not be further authenticated.
(b)Articles of organization means the articles required by Section 17702.01. The term includes the articles of organization as amended or restated.
(c)Contribution means any benefit provided by a person to a limited liability company:
(1)In order to become a member upon formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between or among the persons that have agreed to become the initial members of the limited liability company.
(2)In order to become a member after formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between the person and the limited liability company.
(3)In the persons capacity as a member and in accordance with the operating agreement or an agreement between the member and the limited liability company.
(d)Debtor in bankruptcy means a person that is the subject of either of the following:
(1)An order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code or a successor statute of general application.
(2)A comparable order under federal, state, or foreign law governing bankruptcy or insolvency, an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or an order appointing a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of the person or of all or substantially all of the persons property.
(e)Designated office means either of the following:
(1)The office that a limited liability company is required to designate and maintain under Section 17701.13.
(2)The principal office of a foreign limited liability company.
(f)Distribution, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17704.05, means a transfer of money or other property from a limited liability company to another person on account of a transferable interest.
(g)Domestic means organized under the laws of this state when used in relation to any limited liability company, other business entity, or person other than a natural person.
(h)Effective, with respect to a record required or permitted to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing under this title, means effective under subdivision (c) of Section 17702.05.
(i)(1)Electronic transmission by the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, for that recipient on record with the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, together with a separate notice to the recipient of the posting, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the later of the posting or delivery of the separate notice thereof.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The communication is delivered to a recipient who has provided an unrevoked consent to the use of those means of transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(2)Electronic transmission to the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, that the limited liability company has provided from time to time to members or managers for sending communications to the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the posting.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The limited liability company has placed in effect reasonable measures to verify that the sender is the member or manager, in person or by proxy, purporting to send the transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(j)Foreign limited liability company means an unincorporated entity formed under the law of a jurisdiction other than this state and denominated by that law as a limited liability company.
(k)Limited liability company, except in the phrase foreign limited liability company, means a domestic entity formed under this title or an entity that becomes subject to this title pursuant to Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(l)Majority of the managers unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the managers of the limited liability company.
(m)Majority of the members unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the membership interests of members in current profits of the limited liability company.
(n)Manager means a person that under the operating agreement of a manager-managed limited liability company is responsible, alone or in concert with others, for performing the management functions stated in subdivision (c) of Section 17704.07.
(o)Manager-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that qualifies under subdivision (a) of Section 17704.07.
(p)Member means a person that has become a member of a limited liability company under Section 17704.01 and has not dissociated under Section 17706.02.
(q)Member-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that is not a manager-managed limited liability company.
(r)Membership interest means a members rights in the limited liability company, including the members transferable interest, any right to vote or participate in management, and any right to information concerning the business and affairs of the limited liability company provided by this title.
(s)Operating agreement means the agreement, whether or not referred to as an operating agreement and whether oral, in a record, implied, or in any combination thereof, of all the members of a limited liability company, including a sole member, concerning the matters described in subdivision (a) of Section 17701.10. The term operating agreement may include, without more, an agreement of all members to organize a limited liability company pursuant to this title. An operating agreement of a limited liability company having only one member shall not be unenforceable by reason of there being only one person who is a party to the operating agreement. The term includes the agreement as amended or restated.
(t)Organization means, whether domestic or foreign, a partnership whether general or limited, limited liability company, association, corporation, professional corporation, professional association, nonprofit corporation, business trust, or statutory business trust having a governing statute.
(u)Organizer means a person that acts under Section 17702.01 to form a limited liability company.
(v)Person means an individual, partnership, limited partnership, trust, a trustee of a trust, including, but not limited to, a trust described under Division 9 (commencing with Section 15000) of the Probate Code, estate, association, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, whether domestic or foreign. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to confer any rights under the California Constitution or the United States Constitution.
(w)Principal office means the principal executive office of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, whether or not the office is located in this state.
(x)Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(y)State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(z)Transfer includes an assignment, conveyance, deed, bill of sale, lease, mortgage, security interest, encumbrance, gift, and transfer by operation of law.
(aa)Transferable interest means the right, as originally associated with a persons capacity as a member, to receive distributions from a limited liability company in accordance with the operating agreement, whether or not the person remains a member or continues to own any part of the right.
(ab)Transferee means a person to which all or part of a transferable interest has been transferred, whether or not the transferor is a member.
(ac)Vote includes authorization by written consent or consent given by electronic transmission to the limited liability company.
SEC. 3.Section 17701.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.10.(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section, the operating agreement governs all of the following:
(1)Relations among the members as members and between the members and the limited liability company.
(2)The rights and duties under this title of a person in the capacity of manager.
(3)The activities of the limited liability company and the conduct of those activities.
(4)The means and conditions for amending the operating agreement.
(b)To the extent the operating agreement does not otherwise provide for a matter described in subdivision (a), this title governs the matter.
(c)In addition to the matters specified in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d), an operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary a limited liability companys capacity under Section 17701.05 to sue and be sued in its own name.
(2)Vary the law applicable under Section 17701.06.
(3)Vary the power of the court under Section 17702.04.
(4)Subject to paragraphs (14) and (15) of this subdivision and subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, or any other fiduciary duty.
(5)Subject to subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under subdivision (d) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable as determined at the time the standards are prescribed.
(6)Vary the requirements of Section 17701.13 to 17701.16, inclusive, or any provision under Article 8 (commencing with Section 17708.01).
(7)Vary the power of a court to decree dissolution in the circumstances specified in subdivision (a) of Section 17707.03 or the provisions for avoidance of dissolution in subdivision (c) of Section 17707.03.
(8)Except as provided therein, vary the requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 17702.01) or Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01).
(9)Unreasonably restrict the right of a member to maintain an action under Article 9 (commencing with Section 17709.01).
(10)Restrict the right of a member that will have personal liability with respect to a surviving or converted organization to approve a merger or conversion under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(11)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17701.12, restrict the rights under this title of a person other than a member or manager.
(12)Except as provided therein, vary any provision under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(13)Vary any provision under Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), Article 12 (commencing with Section 17712.01), or Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(14)Eliminate the duty of loyalty under subdivision (b) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may do any of the following:
(A)Identify specific types or categories of activities that do not violate the duty of loyalty, if not manifestly unreasonable.
(B)Specify the number or percentage of members that may authorize or ratify, after full disclosure to all members of all material facts, a specific act or transaction that otherwise would violate the duty of loyalty.
(15)Unreasonably reduce the duty of care under subdivision (c) of Section 17704.09.
(d)Except as provided in subdivision (c) and subdivisions (e) to (g), inclusive, the effects of the provisions of this title may be varied as among the members or as between the members and the limited liability company by the operating agreement; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 17701.13, 17703.01, and 17704.08 and subdivisions (f) to (r), inclusive, and (u) to (w), inclusive, of Section 17704.07 shall only be varied by a written operating agreement. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this subdivision and in addition to the matters specified in subdivision (c), the operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary the definitions of Section 17701.02, except as specifically provided therein.
(2)Vary a members rights under Section 17704.10.
(3)Vary any of the provisions of this section or Section 17701.12, except as provided therein.
(4)Vary any of the provisions of subdivisions (s) and (t) of Section 17704.07.
(e)The fiduciary duties of a manager to a manager-managed limited liability company and to the members of the limited liability company and of a member to a member-managed limited liability company and to the members of such limited liability company shall only be modified in a written operating agreement with the informed consent of the members. Assenting to the operating agreement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17701.11 shall not constitute informed consent.
(f)To the extent the operating agreement of a member-managed limited liability company expressly relieves a member of a responsibility that the member would otherwise have under this title and imposes the responsibility on one or more other members, the operating agreement may, to the benefit of the member that the operating agreement relieves of the responsibility, also eliminate or limit any fiduciary duty that would have pertained to the responsibility.
(g)The operating agreement may alter or eliminate the indemnification for a member or manager provided by subdivision (a) of Section 17704.08 and may eliminate or limit a member or managers liability to the limited liability company and members for money damages, except for the following:
(1)Breach of the duty of loyalty.
(2)A financial benefit received by the member or manager to which the member or manager is not entitled.
(3)A members liability for excess distributions under Section 17704.06.
(4)Intentional infliction of harm on the limited liability company or a member.
(5)An intentional violation of criminal law.
SEC. 4.Section 17701.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.12.(a)An operating agreement may specify that its amendment requires the approval of a person that is not a party to the operating agreement or the satisfaction of a condition. An amendment is ineffective if its adoption does not include the required approval or satisfy the specified condition.
(b)The obligations of a limited liability company and its members to a person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member are governed by the operating agreement. Subject only to any court order issued under paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 17705.03 to effectuate a charging order, an amendment to the operating agreement made after a person becomes a transferee or dissociated member is effective with regard to any debt, obligation, or other liability of the limited liability company or its members to the person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member.
(c)If a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title contains a provision that would be ineffective under Section 17701.10 if contained in the operating agreement, the provision is likewise ineffective in the record.
(d)Subject to subdivision (c), if a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title conflicts with a provision of the operating agreement both of the following apply:
(1)The operating agreement prevails as to members, dissociated members, transferees, and managers.
(2)The record prevails as to other persons to the extent they reasonably rely on the record.
SEC. 5.Section 17701.13 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.13.(a)A limited liability company shall designate and continuously maintain in this state both of the following:
(1)An office, which need not be a place of its activity in this state.
(2)An agent for service of process.
(b)A foreign limited liability company that has a certificate of registration under Section 17708.02 shall designate and continuously maintain in this state an agent for service of process.
(c)An agent for service of process of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company shall be an individual who is a resident of this state or a corporation that has complied with Section 1505 and whose capacity to act as an agent has not terminated. If a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company designates a corporation as its agent for service of process in an instrument filed with the Secretary of State, no address for that agent for service of process shall be set forth in that instrument.
(d)Each limited liability company shall maintain in writing or in any other form capable of being converted into clearly legible tangible form at the office referred to in subdivision (a) all of the following:
(1)A current list of the full name and last known business or residence address of each member and of each transferee set forth in alphabetical order, together with the contribution and the share in profits and losses of each member and transferee.
(2)If the limited liability company is a manager-managed limited liability company, a current list of the full name and business or residence address of each manager.
(3)A copy of the articles of organization and all amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which the articles of organization or any amendments thereto were executed.
(4)Copies of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns and reports, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(5)A copy of the limited liability companys operating agreement, if in writing, and any amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which any written operating agreement or any amendments thereto were executed.
(6)Copies of the financial statement of the limited liability company, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(7)The books and records of the limited liability company as they relate to the internal affairs of the limited liability company for at least the current and past four fiscal years.
(e)Upon request of an assessor, a domestic or foreign limited liability company owning, claiming, possessing, or controlling property in this state subject to local assessment shall make available at the limited liability companys principal office in this state or at the office required to be kept pursuant to subdivision (a) or at a place mutually acceptable to the assessor and the limited liability company a true copy of the business records relevant to the amount, cost, and value of all property that the limited liability company owns, claims, possesses, or controls within the county.
SEC. 6.Section 17704.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.01.(a)If a limited liability company is to have only one member upon formation, the person becomes a member as agreed by that person and the organizer of the limited liability company. That person and the organizer may be, but need not be, different persons. If different, the organizer acts on behalf of the initial member.
(b)If a limited liability company is to have more than one member upon formation, those persons become members as agreed by the persons before the formation of the limited liability company. The organizer acts on behalf of the persons in forming the limited liability company and may be, but need not be, one of the persons.
(c)After formation of a limited liability company, a person becomes a member as follows:
(1)As provided in the operating agreement.
(2)As the result of a transaction effective under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(3)With the consent of all the members.
(4)If, within 90 consecutive days after the limited liability company ceases to have any members, the last person to have been a member, or the legal representative of that person, designates a person to become a member, and the designated person consents to become a member.
(d)A person may become a member without acquiring a transferable interest and without making or being obligated to make a contribution to the limited liability company.
(e)Sections 406 and 407 of the Labor Code shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company to the following persons:
(1)Any employee of the limited liability company or foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either, pursuant to a membership interest purchase plan or agreement, or a membership interest option plan or agreement.
(2)In any transaction in connection with securing employment, a person who is or is about to become an officer or a manager (as appointed or elected by the members) of the limited liability company or the foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either.
SEC. 7.Section 17704.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.04.(a)Any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up shall be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, distributions shall be on the basis of the value, as stated in the required records when the limited liability company decides to make the distribution, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member, except to the extent necessary to comply with any transfer effective under Section 17705.02 and any charging order in effect under Section 17705.03.
(b)A person has a right to a distribution before the dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company only if the limited liability company decides to make an interim distribution. Unless the articles of organization or written operating agreement provides otherwise, a persons dissociation does not entitle the person to a distribution, and, beginning on the date of dissociation, the dissociated person shall have only the right of a transferee of a transferable interest with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company, and then only with respect to distributions, if any, to which a transferee is entitled under the operating agreement. If the dissociation is in violation of the operating agreement, the limited liability company shall have the right to offset any damages for the breach of the operating agreement from the amounts, if any, otherwise distributable to the dissociated person with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company.
(c)A person does not have a right to demand or receive a distribution from a limited liability company in any form other than money. A limited liability company may distribute an asset in kind if each part of the asset is fungible with each other part and each person receives a percentage of the asset equal in value to the persons share of distributions.
(d)If a member or transferee becomes entitled to receive a distribution, the member or transferee has the status of, and is entitled to all remedies available to, a creditor of the limited liability company with respect to the distribution.
(e)The profits and losses of a limited liability company shall be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, profits and losses shall be allocated in proportion to the value, as stated in the required records, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member.
SEC. 8.Section 17704.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.07.(a)A limited liability company is a member-managed limited liability company unless the articles of organization contain the statement required by paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 17702.01.
(b)In a member-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)The management and conduct of the limited liability company are vested in the members.
(2)Except as provided in subdivision (r), each member has equal rights in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities including equal voting rights.
(3)A difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company shall be decided by a majority of the members.
(4)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), an act outside the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be undertaken only with the consent of all members.
(5)The operating agreement may be amended only with the consent of all members.
(c)In a manager-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)Except as otherwise expressly provided in this title, any matter relating to the activities of the limited liability company is decided exclusively by the managers.
(2)Each manager has equal rights in the management and conduct of the activities of the limited liability company.
(3)A difference arising among managers as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be decided by a majority of the managers of the limited liability company.
(4)The consent of all members of the limited liability company is required to do any of the following:
(A)Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the limited liability companys property, with or without the goodwill, outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any other act outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(5)A manager may be chosen at any time by the consent of a majority of the members and remains a manager until a successor has been chosen, unless the manager at an earlier time resigns, is removed, or dies, or, in the case of a manager that is not an individual, terminates. A manager may be removed at any time by the consent of a majority of the members without cause, subject to the rights, if any, of the manager under any service contract with the limited liability company.
(6)A person need not be a member to be a manager, but the dissociation of a member that is also a manager removes the person as a manager. If a person that is both a manager and a member ceases to be a manager, that cessation does not by itself dissociate the person as a member.
(7)A persons ceasing to be a manager does not discharge any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or members which the person incurred while a manager.
(d)The Except for such orders as may be made by a court of competent jurisdiction over a dissolution under Section 17707.03, the dissolution of a limited liability company does not affect the applicability of this section. However, a person that wrongfully causes dissolution of the limited liability company loses the right to participate in management as a member and a manager.
(e)This title does not entitle a member to remuneration for services performed for a member-managed limited liability company, except for reasonable compensation for services rendered in winding up the activities of a limited liability company.
(f)Meetings of members may be held at any place, by electronic video screen communication or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02, either within or without this state, selected by the person or persons calling the meeting or as may be stated in or fixed in accordance with the articles of organization or a written operating agreement. If no other place is stated or so fixed, all meetings shall be held at the principal office of the limited liability company. Unless prohibited by the articles of organization of the limited liability company, if authorized by the operating agreement, members not physically present in person or by proxy at a meeting of members may, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02 or by electronic video screen communication, participate in a meeting of members, be deemed present in person or by proxy, and vote at a meeting of members whether that meeting is to be held at a designated place or in whole or in part by means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication, in accordance with subdivision (l).
(g)A meeting of the members may be called by any manager or by any member or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests in current profits of members for the purpose of addressing any matters on which the members may vote.
(h)(1)Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each member entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state the place, date, and hour of the meeting, the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, and the general nature of the business to be transacted. No other business may be transacted at that meeting.
(2)Any report or any notice of a members meeting shall be given personally, by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, or by mail or other means of written communication, addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company or given by the member to the limited liability company for the purpose of notice, or, if no address appears or is given, at the place where the principal office of the limited liability company is located or by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal office is located. The notice or report shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally, delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, deposited in the mail, or sent by other means of written communication. An affidavit of mailing or delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company of any notice or report in accordance with this article, executed by a manager, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice or report.
(3)If any notice or report addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company is returned to the limited liability company by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice or report to the member at the address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if they are available for the member at the principal office of the limited liability company for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice or report to all other members.
(4)Notice given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision shall be valid only if it complies with paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02.
Notwithstanding this condition, notice shall not be given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision after either of the following has occurred:
(A)The limited liability company is unable to deliver two consecutive notices to the member by that means.
(B)The inability to so deliver the notices to the member becomes known to the secretary, any assistant secretary, the transfer agent, or any other person responsible for the giving of the notice.
(5)Upon written request to a manager by any person entitled to call a meeting of members, the manager shall immediately cause notice to be given to the members entitled to vote that a meeting will be held at a time requested by the person calling the meeting, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within 20 days after receipt of the request, the person entitled to call the meeting may give the notice or, upon the application of that person, the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the limited liability company is located, or if the principal office is not in this state, the county in which the limited liability companys address in this state is located, shall summarily order the giving of the notice, after notice to the limited liability company affording it an opportunity to be heard. The procedure provided in subdivision (c) of Section 305 shall apply to the application. The court may issue any order as may be appropriate, including, without limitation, an order designating the time and place of the meeting, the record date for determination of members entitled to vote, and the form of notice.
(i)When a members meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless the articles of organization or a written operating agreement otherwise require and except as provided in this subdivision, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof or the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the limited liability company may transact any business that may have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each member of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
(j)The actions taken at any meeting of members, however called and noticed, and wherever held, have the same validity as if taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the members entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, provides a waiver of notice or consents to the holding of the meeting or approves the minutes of the meeting in writing. All waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the limited liability company records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting after conversion to the form in which those records or minutes are kept. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by this title to be included in the notice but not so included, if the objection is expressly made at the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted nor the purpose of any meeting of members need be specified in any written waiver of notice, unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, except as provided in subdivision (l).
(k)Members may participate in a meeting of the limited liability company through the use of conference telephones or electronic video screen communication, as long as all members participating in the meeting can hear one another, or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision constitutes presence in person at that meeting.
(l)Any action approved at a meeting, other than by unanimous approval of those entitled to vote, shall be valid only if the general nature of the proposal so approved was stated in the notice of meeting or in any written waiver of notice.
(m)(1)A majority of the members represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members.
(2)The members present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the loss of a quorum, if any action taken after loss of a quorum, other than adjournment, is approved by the requisite percentage of interests of members specified in this title or in the articles of organization or a written operating agreement.
(3)In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of members may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the interests represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in paragraph (2).
(n)(1)Any action that may be taken at any meeting of the members may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed and delivered to the limited liability company within 60 days of the record date for that action by members having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all members entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
(2)Unless the consents of all members entitled to vote have been solicited in writing, (A) notice of any member approval of an amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement, a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17707.01, or a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.10, without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given at least 10 days before the consummation of the action authorized by the approval, and (B) prompt notice shall be given of the taking of any other action approved by members without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent, to those members entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.
(3)Any member giving a written consent, or the members proxyholder, may revoke the consent personally or by proxy by a writing received by the limited liability company prior to the time that written consents of members having the minimum number of votes that would be required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the limited liability company, but may not do so thereafter. This revocation is effective upon its receipt at the office of the limited liability company required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(o)The use of proxies in connection with this section shall be governed in the same manner as in the case of corporations formed under the General Corporation Law, Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) of Title 1.
(p)In order that the limited liability company may determine the members of record entitled to notices of any meeting or to vote, or entitled to receive any distribution or to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action, a manager, or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests of members, may fix, in advance, a record date, that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting and not more than 60 days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed the following shall apply:
(1)The record date for determining members entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(2)The record date for determining members entitled to give consent to limited liability company action in writing without a meeting shall be the day on which the first written consent is given.
(3)The record date for determining members for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the managers adopt the resolution relating thereto, or the 60th day prior to the date of the other action, whichever is later.
(4)The determination of members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless a manager or the members who called the meeting fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the manager or the members who called the meeting shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than 45 days from the date set for the original meeting.
(q)A meeting of the members may be conducted, in whole or in part, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication if both of the following requirements are met:
(1)The limited liability company implements reasonable measures to provide members, in person or by proxy, a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the members, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with those proceedings.
(2)When any member votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of electronic transmission to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, a record of that vote or action shall be maintained by the limited liability company.
(r)The articles of organization or a written operating agreement may provide to all or certain identified members of a specified class or group of members the right to vote separately or with all or any class or group of members on any matter. Voting by members may be on a per capita, number, financial interest, class, group, or any other basis. If no voting provision is contained in the articles of organization or written operating agreement, each of the following shall apply:
(1)The members of a limited liability company shall vote in proportion to their interests in current profits of the limited liability company or, in the case of a member who has assigned the members entire transferable interest in the limited liability company to a person who has not been admitted as a member, in proportion to the interest in current profits that the assigning member would have, had the assignment not been made.
(2)Any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement shall require the unanimous vote of all members.
(3)In all other matters in which a vote is required, except as otherwise provided in this section, a vote of a majority of the members shall be sufficient.
(s)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, in no event shall the articles of organization be amended by a vote of less than a majority of the members.
(t)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, members shall have the right to vote on a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01, on a conversion to another business entity as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17710.03, and on a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.12.
(u)A written operating agreement may provide for the appointment of officers, including, but not limited to, a chairperson or a president, or both a chairperson and a president, a secretary, a chief financial officer, and any other officers with the titles, powers, and duties as shall be specified in the articles of organization or operating agreement or as determined by the managers or members. An officer may, but does not need to, be a member or manager of the limited liability company, and any number of offices may be held by the same person.
(v)Officers, if any, shall be appointed in accordance with the written operating agreement or, if no such provision is made in the operating agreement, any officers shall be appointed by the managers and shall serve at the pleasure of the managers, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the limited liability company without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the limited liability under any contract to which the officer is a party.
(w)Subject to the provisions of the articles of organization, any note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness, contract, certificate, statement, conveyance, or other instrument in writing, and any assignment or endorsement thereof, executed or entered into between any limited liability company and any other person, when signed by the chairperson of the board, the president, or any vice president and any secretary, any assistant secretary, the chief financial officer, or any assistant treasurer of the limited liability company, is not invalidated as to the limited liability company by any lack of authority of the signing officers in the absence of actual knowledge on the part of the other person that the signing officers had no authority to execute the same.
SEC. 9.Section 17704.08 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.08.(a)A limited liability company shall reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with the duties stated in Section 17704.09.
(b)Except as provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, a limited liability company may reimburse for any payment made and may indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a person not identified in subdivision (a), including including, without limitation, any officer, employee, or agent of the limited liability company, in the course of that persons activities on behalf of the limited liability company.
(c)A limited liability company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person against liability asserted against or incurred by that person even if, under subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, the operating agreement could not eliminate or limit the persons liability to the limited liability company for the conduct giving rise to the liability.
(d)(1)Without limiting subdivision (a), to the extent that an agent of a limited liability company has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter in any proceeding in which the agent was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the person is or was an agent of the limited liability company, if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent in connection therewith.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:
(A)Agent means any person who is or was a member of a member-managed limited liability company, manager of a manager-managed limited liability company, employee, or other agent of the limited liability company, or is or was serving at the request of the limited liability company as a manager, director, officer, employee employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust trust, or other enterprise, or was a manager, director, officer, employee employee, or agent of a foreign or domestic limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise that was a predecessor of the limited liability company or of another enterprise at the request of the predecessor entity corporation or other enterprise.
(B)Expenses include, without limitation, the attorneys fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this subdivision.
(C)Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative.
SEC. 10.Section 17704.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.09.(a)The fiduciary duties that a member owes to a member-managed limited liability company and the other members of the limited liability company are the duties of loyalty and care under subdivisions (b) and (c).
(b)A members duty of loyalty to the limited liability company and the other members is limited to the following:
(1)To account to the limited liability company and hold as trustee for it any property, profit, or benefit derived by the member in the conduct and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company or derived from a use by the member of a limited liability company property, including the appropriation of a limited liability company opportunity.
(2)To refrain from dealing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company as or on behalf of a person having an interest adverse to the limited liability company.
(3)To refrain from competing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company.
(c)A members duty of care to a limited liability company and the other members in the conduct and winding up of the activities of the limited liability company is limited to refraining from engaging in grossly negligent or reckless conduct, intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law.
(d)A member shall discharge the duties to a limited liability company and the other members under this title or under the operating agreement and exercise any rights consistent with the obligation of good faith and fair dealing.
(e)A member does not violate a duty or obligation under this article or under the operating agreement merely because the members conduct furthers the members own interest.
(f)In a manager-managed limited liability company, all of the following rules apply:
(1)Subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (e) apply to the manager or managers and not the members.
(2)Subdivision (d) applies to the members and managers.
(3)Except as otherwise provided, a member does not have any fiduciary duty to the limited liability company or to any other member solely by reason of being a member.
SEC. 11.Section 17704.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.10.(a)Upon the request of a member or transferee, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member or a transferee, a manager or, if the limited liability company is member-managed, a member in possession of the requested information, shall promptly deliver, in writing, to the member or transferee, at the expense of the limited liability company, a copy of the information required to be maintained by paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 17701.13, and any written operating agreement of the limited liability company.
(b)Each member, manager, and transferee has the right, upon reasonable request, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member, manager, or transferee, to each of the following:
(1)To inspect and copy during normal business hours any of the records required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(2)To obtain in writing from the limited liability company, promptly after becoming available, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax returns for each year.
(c)In the case of a limited liability company with more than 35 members, each of the following shall apply:
(1)A manager shall cause an annual report to be sent to each of the members not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year. The report, which may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company (paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02) shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement and a statement of cashflows for the fiscal year.
(2)Members representing at least 5 percent of the voting interests of members, or three or more members, may make a written request to a manager for an income statement of the limited liability company for the initial three-month, six-month, or nine-month period of the current fiscal year ending more than 30 days prior to the date of the request, and a balance sheet of the limited liability company as of the end of that period. The statement shall be delivered or mailed to the members within 30 days thereafter.
(3)The financial statements referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report thereon, if any, of the independent accountants engaged by the limited liability company or, if there is no report, the certificate of the manager of the limited liability company that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the limited liability company.
(d)A manager shall promptly furnish to a member a copy of any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement executed by a manager pursuant to a power of attorney from the member. The articles of organization or operating agreement may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company.
(e)The limited liability company shall send or cause information to be sent in writing to each member or holder of a transferable interest within 90 days after the end of each taxable year the information necessary to complete federal and state income tax or information returns and, in the case of a limited liability company with 35 or fewer members, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns for the year.
(f)In addition to the remedies provided in Sections 17713.06 and 17713.07 and any other remedies, a court of competent jurisdiction may enforce the duty of making and mailing or delivering the information and financial statements required by this section and, for good cause shown, extend the time therefor.
(g)In any action under this section or under Section 17713.07, if the court finds the failure of the limited liability company to comply with the requirements of this section is without justification, the court may award an amount sufficient to reimburse the person bringing the action for the reasonable expenses incurred by that person, including attorneys fees, in connection with the action or proceeding.
(h)Any waiver of the rights provided in this section shall be unenforceable.
(i)Any request, inspection, or copying by a member or holder of a transferable interest may be made by that person or by that persons agent or attorney.
(j)Upon complaint that a limited liability company is failing to comply with the provisions of this section, or to afford to the members rights given to them in the articles of organization or operating agreement, the Attorney General may, in the name of the people of the State of California, send to the office required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13, notice of the complaint.
(k)If the answer of the limited liability company is not received within 30 days of the date the notice was transmitted, or if the answer is not satisfactory, and if the enforcement of the rights of the aggrieved persons by private civil action, by class action, or otherwise, would be so burdensome or expensive as to be impracticable, the Attorney General may institute, maintain, or intervene in any court of competent jurisdiction or before any administrative agency for relief by way of injunction, the dissolution of entities, the appointment of receivers, or any other temporary, preliminary, provisional, or final remedies as may be appropriate to protect the rights of members or to restore the position of the members for the failure to comply with the requirements of Section 17701.13 or the articles of organization or the operating agreement. In any action, suit, or proceeding, there may be joined as parties all persons and entities responsible for or affected by the activity.
SEC. 12.Section 17705.02 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17705.02.(a)With respect to a transfer, in whole or in part, of a transferable interest, all of the following apply:
(1)A transfer is permissible.
(2)A transfer does not by itself cause a members dissociation or a dissolution and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04, a transfer does not entitle the transferee to do any of the following:
(A)Vote or otherwise participate in the management or conduct of the activities of a limited liability company.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c) and Section 17704.10, have access to records or other information concerning the activities of a limited liability company.
(b)A transferee has the right to receive, in accordance with the transfer, distributions to which the transferor would otherwise be entitled; provided, however, that the pledge or granting of a security interest, lien, or other encumbrance in or against any or all of the transferable interest of a transferor shall not cause the transferor to cease to be a member or grant to the transferee or to anyone else the power to exercise any rights or powers of a member, including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions to which the member is entitled.
(c)In a dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company, a transferee is entitled to an account of the limited liability companys transactions only from the date of dissolution.
(d)A transferable interest may be evidenced by a certificate of the interest issued by the limited liability company in a record, and, subject to this article, the interest represented by the certificate may be transferred by a transfer of the certificate.
(e)A limited liability company need not give effect to a transferees rights under this section until the limited liability company has notice of the transfer.
(f)A transfer of a transferable interest in violation of a restriction on transfer contained in the operating agreement is ineffective as to a person having notice of the restriction at the time of transfer.
(g)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of this section and paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 17706.02, when a member transfers a transferable interest, the transferor retains the rights of a member, other than the interest in distributions transferred, and retains all duties and obligations of a member.
(h)When a member transfers a transferable interest to a person that becomes a member with respect to the transferred interest, the transferee is liable for the members obligations under Section 17704.03 and subdivision (c) of Section 17704.06 known to the transferee when the transferee becomes a member.
SEC. 13.Section 17706.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17706.03.(a)When a person is dissociated as a member of a limited liability company all of the following apply:
(1)The persons right to vote or participate as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates.
(2)If the limited liability company is member-managed, the person s fiduciary duties as a member end with regard to matters arising and events occurring after the persons dissociation.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04 and Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any transferable interest owned by the person immediately before dissociation in the persons capacity as a member is owned by the person solely as a transferee.
(b)A persons dissociation as a member of a limited liability company does not of itself discharge the person from any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or the other members that the person incurred while a member.
(c)If a member dies or a guardian or general conservator is appointed for the member, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative may exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
SEC. 14.Section 17707.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.01.A limited liability company is dissolved, and its activities shall be wound up, upon the happening of the first to occur of the following:
(a)On the happening of an event set forth in a written operating agreement or the articles of organization.
(b)By the vote of a majority of the members of the limited liability company or a greater percentage of the voting interests of members as may be specified in the articles of organization, or a written operating agreement.
(c)The passage of 90 consecutive days during which the limited liability company has no members, except that, on the death of a natural person who is the sole member of a limited liability company, the status of the member, including a membership interest, may pass to one or more heirs, successors, and assigns of the member by will or applicable law. An heir, successor, or assign of the members interest becomes a substituted member pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of Section 17704.01, subject to administration as provided by applicable law, without the permission or consent of the heirs, successors, or assigns or, or those administering the estate of the deceased member.
(d)Entry of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to Section 17707.03.
SEC. 15.Section 17707.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.03.(a)Pursuant to an action filed by any manager or by any member or members of a limited liability company, a court of competent jurisdiction may decree the dissolution of a limited liability company whenever any of the events specified in subdivision (b) occurs.
(b)(1)It is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in conformity with the articles of organization or operating agreement.
(2)Dissolution is reasonably necessary for the protection of the rights or interests of the complaining members.
(3)The business of the limited liability company has been abandoned.
(4)The management of the limited liability company is deadlocked or subject to internal dissention.
(5)Those in control of the limited liability company have been guilty of, or have knowingly countenanced persistent and pervasive fraud, mismanagement, or abuse of authority.
(c)(1)In any suit for judicial dissolution, the other members may avoid the dissolution of the limited liability company by purchasing for cash the membership interests owned by the members so initiating the proceeding, the moving parties, at their fair market value. In fixing the value, the amount of any damages resulting if the initiation of the dissolution is a breach by any moving party or parties of an agreement with the purchasing party or parties, including, without limitation, the operating agreement, may be deducted from the amount payable to the moving party or parties; provided, that no member who sues for dissolution on the grounds set forth in paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (b) shall be liable for damages for breach of contract in bringing that action.
(2)If the purchasing parties elect to purchase the membership interests owned by the moving parties, are unable to agree with the moving parties upon the fair market value of the membership interests, and give bond with sufficient security to pay the estimated reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties if the expenses are recoverable under paragraph (3), the court, upon application of the purchasing parties, either in the pending action or in a proceeding initiated in the superior court of the proper county by the purchasing parties, shall stay the winding up and dissolution proceeding and shall proceed to ascertain and fix the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties.
(3)The court shall appoint three disinterested appraisers to appraise the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties, and shall make an order referring the matter to the appraisers so appointed for the purpose of ascertaining that value. The order shall prescribe the time and manner of producing evidence, if evidence is required. The award of the appraisers or a majority of them, when confirmed by the court, shall be final and conclusive upon all parties. The court shall enter a decree that shall provide in the alternative for winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, unless payment is made for the membership interests within the time specified by the decree. If the purchasing parties do not make payment for the membership interests within the time specified, judgment shall be entered against them and the surety or sureties on the bond for the amount of the expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties. Any member aggrieved by the action of the court may appeal therefrom.
(4)If the purchasing parties desire to prevent the winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, they shall pay to the moving parties the value of their membership interests ascertained and decreed within the time specified pursuant to this section, or, in the case of an appeal, as fixed on appeal. On receiving that payment or the tender of payment, the moving parties shall transfer their membership interests to the purchasing parties.
(5)For the purposes of this section, the valuation date shall be the date upon which the action for judicial dissolution was commenced. However, the court may, upon the hearing of a motion by any party, and for good cause shown, designate some other date as the valuation date.
(6)A dismissal of any suit for judicial dissolution by a manager, member, or members shall not affect the other members rights to avoid dissolution pursuant to this section.
(d)Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the remedies otherwise available to a court of competent jurisdiction over the dissolution.
SEC. 16.Section 17707.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.09.(a)Notwithstanding the filing of a certificate of dissolution, a majority of the members may cause to be filed, in the office of, and on a form prescribed by, the Secretary of State, a certificate of continuation, in any of the following circumstances:
(1)The business of the limited liability company is to be continued pursuant to a unanimous vote of the remaining members.
(2)The dissolution of the limited liability company was by vote of the members pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01 and each member who consented to the dissolution has agreed in writing to revoke his or her vote in favor of or consent to the dissolution.
(3)The limited liability company was not, in fact, dissolved.
(b)The certificate of continuation shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number.
(2)The grounds provided by subdivision (a) that are the basis for filing the certificate of continuation.
(c)Upon the filing of a certificate of continuation, the certificate of dissolution shall be of no effect from the time of the filing of the certificate of dissolution.
SEC. 17.Section 17708.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17708.07.(a)A foreign limited liability company transacting intrastate business in this state shall not maintain an action or proceeding in this state unless it has a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state.
(b)The failure of a foreign limited liability company to have a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state does not prevent the foreign limited liability company from defending an action or proceeding in this state.
(c)A member or manager of a foreign limited liability company is not liable for the debts, obligations, or other liabilities of the foreign limited liability company solely because the foreign limited liability company transacted intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration.
(d)If a foreign limited liability company transacts intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration or cancels its certificate of registration, it shall be deemed to have appointed the Secretary of State as its agent for service of process for rights of action arising out of the transaction of intrastate business in this state.
SEC. 18.Section 17710.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.03.(a)A limited liability company that desires to convert to an other business entity or a foreign other business entity or a foreign limited liability company shall approve a plan of conversion.
The plan of conversion shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the conversion.
(2)The place of the organization of the converted entity and of the converting limited liability company and the name of the converted entity after conversion.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the members into shares of, securities of, or interests in, the converted entity.
(4)The provisions of the governing documents for the converted entity, including the limited liability company articles of organization and operating agreement, or articles or certificate of incorporation if the converted entity is a corporation, to which the holders of interests in the converted entity are to be bound.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which the converted entity is organized, or that are desired by the parties.
(b)(1)The plan of conversion shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interest or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of each class of membership of the converting limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the converting limited liability company.
(2)However, if the members of the limited liability company would become personally liable for any obligations of the converted entity as a result of the conversion, the plan of conversion shall be approved by all of the members of the converting limited liability company, unless the plan of conversion provides that all members will have dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(c)Upon the effectiveness of the conversion, all members of the converting limited liability company, except those that exercise dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), shall be deemed parties to any governing documents for the converted entity adopted as part of the plan of conversion, regardless of whether or not the member has executed the plan of conversion or the governing documents for the converted entity. Any adoption of governing documents made pursuant to the conversion shall be effective at the effective time or date of the conversion.
(d)Notwithstanding its prior approval, a plan of conversion may be amended before the conversion takes effect if the amendment is approved by all managers and a majority of the members or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of the converting limited liability company and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the plan of conversion, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of the converting limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original plan of conversion.
(e)The managers by unanimous approval and the members of a converting limited liability company may, by majority approval at any time before the conversion is effective, in their discretion, abandon a conversion, without further approval by the managers or members, subject to the contractual rights of third parties other than managers or members.
(f)The converted entity shall keep the plan of conversion at the principal place of business of the converted entity if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company or foreign other business entity, at the principal office of, or registrar or transfer agent of, the converted entity, if the converted entity is a domestic corporation, or at the office where records are to be kept pursuant to Section 17701.13 if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company. Upon the request of a member of a converting limited liability company, the authorized person on behalf of the converted entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the converted entity, a copy of the plan of conversion. A waiver by a member of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 19.Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.06.(a)Upon conversion of a limited liability company, one of the following applies:
(1)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic limited partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on a certificate of limited partnership for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(2)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the statement of partnership authority for the converted entity. If no statement of partnership authority is filed, a certificate of conversion shall be filed separately with the Secretary of State.
(3)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic corporation, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the articles of incorporation for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(4)If the limited liability company is converting to a foreign limited liability company or foreign other business entity, a certificate of conversion shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(b)Any certificate or statement of conversion shall be executed and acknowledged by all members of a member-managed limited liability company or all managers of a manger-managed limited liability company, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, and shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the converting limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number of the converting limited liability company.
(2)A statement that the principal terms of the plan of conversion were approved by a vote of the members, that equaled or exceeded the vote required under Section 17710.03, specifying each class entitled to vote and the percentage vote required of each class.
(c)A certificate of conversion shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name, form, and jurisdiction of organization of the converted entity.
(2)The name, street, and mailing address of the converted entitys agent for service of process.
(3)The street address of the converted entitys chief executive office.
(d)The filing with the Secretary of State of a certificate of conversion, a certificate of limited partnership, a statement of partnership authority, or articles of incorporation containing a statement of conversion as set forth in subdivision (a) shall have the effect of the filing of a certificate of cancellation by the converting limited liability company, and no converting limited liability company that has made the filing is required to take any action under Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01) as a result of that conversion.
(e)For the purposes of this title, the certificate of conversion shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 20.Section 17710.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.12.(a)Each limited liability company and other business entity that desires to merge shall approve an agreement of merger.
The agreement of merger shall be approved by all managers and a majority of the members of each class of membership interests of each constituent limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the members of any constituent limited liability company become personally liable for any obligations of a constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity as a result of the merger, the principal terms of the agreement of merger shall be approved by all of the members of the constituent limited liability company, unless the agreement of merger provides that all members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01). The agreement of merger shall be approved on behalf of each constituent other business entity by those persons required to approve the merger by the laws under which it is organized. Other persons, including a parent of a constituent limited liability company, may be parties to the agreement of merger. The agreement of merger shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the merger.
(2)The name and place of the organization of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and of each disappearing limited liability company and disappearing other business entity, and the agreement of merger may change the name of the surviving limited liability company, the new name may be the same as or similar to the name of a disappearing domestic or foreign limited liability company, subject to Section 17701.08.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the constituent limited liability companies into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and if limited liability company interests of any of the constituent limited liability companies are not to be converted solely into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that the holders of the limited liability company interests are to receive in exchange for the membership interests, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that may be in addition to or in lieu of interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, or that the limited liability company interests are canceled without consideration.
(4)The amendments to the articles of organization of the surviving limited liability company, if applicable, to be effected by the merger, if any.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which any constituent other business entity is organized, including, if a domestic corporation is a party to the merger, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 1113.
(6)Any other details or provisions that are desired, including, without limitation, a provision for the treatment of fractional membership interests.
(b)(1)Each membership interest of the same class of any constituent limited liability company, other than a membership interest in another constituent limited liability company that is being canceled and that is held by a constituent limited liability company or its parent or a limited liability company of which the constituent limited liability company is a parent shall, unless all members of the class consent, be treated equally with respect to any distribution of cash, property, rights, interests, or securities.
(2)Unless otherwise provided in a written operating agreement, notwithstanding paragraph (1), except in a merger of a limited liability company with a limited liability company that controls at least 90 percent of the membership interests entitled to vote with respect to the merger, the unredeemable membership interests of a constituent limited liability company may be converted only into unredeemable interests or securities of the surviving limited liability company or other business entity, or a parent if a constituent limited liability company or a constituent other business entity or its parent owns, directly or indirectly, prior to the merger, membership interests of another constituent limited liability company or interests or securities of a constituent other business entity representing more than 50 percent of the interests or securities entitled to vote with respect to the merger of the other constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity or more than 50 percent of the voting power, as defined in Section 194.5, of a constituent other business entity that is a domestic corporation, unless all of the members of the class consent.
(3)The provisions of this subdivision do not apply to any transaction if the commissioner has approved the terms and conditions of the transaction and the fairness of those terms pursuant to Section 25142.
(c)Notwithstanding its prior approval, an agreement of merger may be amended prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or the agreement of merger, as provided in Section 17710.14, if the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner as required for approval of the original agreement of merger and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the agreement of merger, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original agreement of merger, and by each of the constituent other business entities.
(d)The managers and members of a constituent limited liability company may, in their discretion, abandon a merger, subject to the contractual rights, if any, of third parties, including other constituent limited liability companies and constituent other business entities, without further approval by the membership interests, at any time before the merger is effective.
(e)An agreement of merger approved in accordance with subdivision (a) may do the following:
(1)Effect any amendment to the operating agreement of any constituent limited liability company.
(2)Effect the adoption of a new operating agreement for a constituent limited liability company if it is the surviving limited liability company in the merger. Any amendment to an operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement made pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger. Notwithstanding the above provisions of this subdivision, if a greater number of members is required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of a constituent limited liability company than is required to approve the agreement of merger pursuant to subdivision (a), and the number of members that approve the agreement of merger is less than the number of members required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company, any amendment to the operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement of that constituent limited liability company made pursuant to the first sentence of this subdivision shall be effective only if the agreement of merger provides that all of the members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(f)The surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity shall keep the agreement of merger at its designated office or at the business address specified in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 17710.14, as applicable, and, upon the request of a member of a constituent limited liability company or a holder of shares, interests, or other securities of a constituent other business entity, the managers or members of the surviving limited liability company or the authorized person of the surviving other business entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, a copy of the agreement of merger. A waiver by a member or holder of shares, interests, or other securities of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 21.Section 17713.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.04.(a)Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this title shall apply to all domestic limited liability companies existing on or after January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State prior to January 1, 2014, whose registrations have not been canceled as of January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2014, and to all actions taken by the managers or members of a limited liability company on or after that date.
(b)Except as otherwise specified in this title, this title applies only to the acts or transactions by a limited liability company existing on or before January 1, 2014, or by the members or managers of the limited liability company existing on or before January 1, 2014, occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or after January 1, 2014. An amendment, including the acts necessary and in respect to the negotiation, adoption, ratification, or approval, to an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by a limited liability company existing before January 1, 2014, or by the members or managers of a limited liability company existing before January 1, 2014, shall be governed by prior law unless expressly provided in such amendment or other contract. The prior law governs all acts or transactions by a limited liability company existing on or before January 1, 2014, or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, and any operating agreement or other or contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, prior to January 1, 2014.
(c)Any vote or consent by the managers or members of a limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, shall be governed by prior law. If a certificate or document is required to be filed in a public office of this state relating to a vote or consent by the managers or members of the limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, it may be filed after that date pursuant to the filing requirements of this title, even though the vote or consent is governed by prior law.
(d)This title does not cancel or otherwise affect the status of, or create a new filing requirement with the Secretary of State or any other agency, board, commission, or department for, any domestic limited liability company in existence on December 31, 2013, or any foreign limited liability company registered to transact intrastate business in this state prior to January 1, 2014.
(e)For the purposes of this section, prior law means Title 2.5 (commencing with Section 17000) as it read on December 31, 2013.
SEC. 22.Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.12.(a)A limited liability company is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) if the limited liability company does both of the following:
(1)Has actual knowledge that a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company does any of the following:
(A)Makes, publishes, or posts, or has made, published, or posted, either generally or privately to the members or other persons, either of the following:
(i)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, exhibit, notice, or statement of its affairs or pecuniary condition that contains a material statement or omission that is false and intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(ii)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, prospectus, account, or statement of operations, values, business, profits, or expenditures that includes a material false statement or omission intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(B)Refuses or has refused to make any book entry or post any notice required by law in the manner required by law.
(C)Misstates or conceals or has misstated or concealed from a regulatory body a material fact in order to deceive a regulatory body to avoid a statutory or regulatory duty, or to avoid a statutory or regulatory limit or prohibition.
(2)Within 30 days after actual knowledge is acquired of the actions described in paragraph (1), the limited liability company knowingly fails to do both of the following:
(A)Notify the Attorney General or appropriate government agency in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the Attorney General or appropriate government agency has been notified.
(B)Notify its members and investors in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the members and investors have been notified.
(b)The requirement for notification under this section is not applicable if the action taken or about to be taken by the limited liability company, or by a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), is abated within the time prescribed for reporting, unless the appropriate government agency requires disclosure by regulation.
(c)If the action reported to the Attorney General pursuant to this section implicates the government authority of an agency other than the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall promptly forward the written notice to that agency.
(d)If the Attorney General was not notified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but the limited liability company reasonably and in good faith believed that it had complied with the notification requirements of this section by notifying a government agency listed in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e), no penalties shall apply.
(e)For purposes of this section:
(1)Manager means a person defined by subdivision (m) of Section 17701.01 having both of the following:
(A)Management authority over the limited liability company.
(B)Significant responsibility for an aspect of the limited liability company that includes actual authority for the financial operations or financial transactions of the limited liability company.
(2)Agent means a person or entity authorized by the limited liability company to make representations to the public about the limited liability companys financial condition and who is acting within the scope of the agency when the representations are made.
(3)Member means a person as defined by subdivision (o) of Section 17701.01 that is a member of the limited liability company at the time the disclosure is required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(4)Notify its members means to give sufficient description of an action taken or about to be taken that would constitute acts or omissions as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). A notice or report filed by a limited liability company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that relates to the facts and circumstances giving rise to an obligation under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall satisfy all notice requirements arising under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) but shall not be the exclusive means of satisfying the notice requirements, provided that the Attorney General or appropriate agency is informed in writing that the filing has been made together with a copy of the filing or an electronic link where it is available online without charge.
(5)Appropriate government agency means an agency on the following list that has regulatory authority with respect to the financial operations of a limited liability company:
(A)Department of Corporations.
(B)Department of Insurance.
(C)Department of Financial Institutions.
(D)Department of Managed Health Care.
(E)United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6)Actual knowledge of the limited liability company means the knowledge a member, officer, or manager of a limited liability company actually possesses or does not consciously avoid possessing, based on an evaluation of information provided pursuant to the limited liability companys disclosure controls and procedures.
(7)Refuse to make a book entry means the intentional decision not to record an accounting transaction when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(A)The independent auditors required recordation of an accounting transaction during the course of an audit.
(B)The audit committee of the limited liability company has not approved the independent auditors recommendation.
(C)The decision is made for the primary purpose of rendering the financial statements materially false or misleading.
(8)Refuse to post any notice required by law means an intentional decision not to post a notice required by law when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to post the notice has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(9)Misstate or conceal material facts from a regulatory body means an intentional decision not to disclose material facts when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to disclose material facts has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(10)Material false statement or omission means an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made under the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.
(11)Officer means a person appointed pursuant to Section 17703.02, except an officer of a specified subsidiary limited liability company who is not also an officer of the parent limited liability company.
(f)This section only applies to limited liability companies that are issuers, as defined in Section 2 of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7201 et seq.).
(g)An action to enforce this section may only be brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney or city attorney in the name of the people of the State of California.
(a)In order for a limited partnership to be formed, a certificate of limited partnership must be filed with and on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State and, either before or after the filing of a certificate of limited partnership, the partners shall have entered into a partnership agreement. The certificate must state:
(1)the name of the limited partnership, which shall comply with Section 15901.08;
(2)the street address of the initial designated office;
(3)the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process in accordance with paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 15901.16;
(4)the name and the address of each general partner; and
(5)the mailing address of the limited partnership, if different from the address of the initial designated office.
(b)A certificate of limited partnership may also contain any other matters but may not vary or otherwise affect the provisions specified in subdivision (b) of Section 15901.10 in a manner inconsistent with that section.
(c)A Subject to subdivision (c) of Section 15902.06, a limited partnership is formed when the Secretary of State files the certificate of limited partnership and the partners enter into a partnership agreement before or after the filing of a certificate of limited partnership.
(d)Subject to subdivision (b), if any provision of a partnership agreement is inconsistent with the filed certificate of limited partnership or with a filed certificate of dissociation, cancellation, or amendment or filed certificate of conversion or merger:
(1)the partnership agreement prevails as to partners and transferees; and
(2)the filed certificate of limited partnership, certificate of dissociation, cancellation, or amendment or filed certificate of conversion or merger prevails as to persons, other than partners and transferees, that reasonably rely on the filed record to their detriment.
(e)A limited partnership may record in the office of the county recorder of any county in this state a certified copy of the certificate of limited partnership, or any amendment thereto, which has been filed by the Secretary of State. A foreign limited partnership may record in the office of the county recorder of any county in the state a certified copy of the application for registration to transact business, together with the certificate of registration, referred to in Section 15909.02, or any amendment thereto, which has been filed by the Secretary of State. The recording shall create a conclusive presumption in favor of any bona fide purchaser or encumbrancer for value of the partnership real property located in the county in which the certified copy has been recorded, that the persons named as general partners therein are the general partners of the partnership named and that they are all of the general partners of the partnership.
(f)The Secretary of State may cancel the filing of certificates of limited partnership if a check or other remittance accepted in payment of the filing fee is not paid upon presentation. For partners and transferees, the partnership agreement is paramount. Upon receiving written notification that the item presented for payment has not been honored for payment, the Secretary of State shall give a first written notice of the applicability of this section to the agent for service of process or to the person submitting the instrument. Thereafter, if the amount has not been paid by cashiers check or equivalent, the Secretary of State shall give a second written notice of cancellation and the cancellation shall thereupon be effective. The second notice shall be given 20 days or more after the first notice and 90 days or less after the original filing.
(g)The Secretary of State shall include with instructional materials, provided in conjunction with the form for filing a certificate of limited partnership under subdivision (a), a notice that the filing of the certificate of limited partnership will obligate the limited partnership to pay an annual tax for that taxable year to the Franchise Tax Board pursuant to Section 17935 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. That notice shall be updated annually to specify the dollar amount of the annual tax.
SEC. 2.Section 17701.02 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.02.In this title:
(a)Acknowledged means that an instrument is either of the following:
(1)Formally acknowledged as provided in Article 3 (commencing with Section 1180) of Chapter 4 of Title 4 of Part 4 of Division 2 of the Civil Code.
(2)Executed to include substantially the following wording preceding the signature:
It is hereby declared that I am the person who executed this instrument which execution is my act and deed.
Any certificate of acknowledgment taken without this state before a notary public or a judge or clerk of a court of record having an official seal need not be further authenticated.
(b)Articles of organization means the articles required by Section 17702.01. The term includes the articles of organization as amended or restated.
(c)Contribution means any benefit provided by a person to a limited liability company:
(1)In order to become a member upon formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between or among the persons that have agreed to become the initial members of the limited liability company.
(2)In order to become a member after formation of the limited liability company and in accordance with an agreement between the person and the limited liability company.
(3)In the persons capacity as a member and in accordance with the operating agreement or an agreement between the member and the limited liability company.
(d)Debtor in bankruptcy means a person that is the subject of either of the following:
(1)An order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code or a successor statute of general application.
(2)A comparable order under federal, state, or foreign law governing bankruptcy or insolvency, an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or an order appointing a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of the person or of all or substantially all of the persons property.
(e)Designated office means either of the following:
(1)The office that a limited liability company is required to designate and maintain under Section 17701.13.
(2)The principal office of a foreign limited liability company.
(f)Distribution, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17704.05, means a transfer of money or other property from a limited liability company to another person on account of a transferable interest.
(g)Domestic means organized under the laws of this state when used in relation to any limited liability company, other business entity, or person other than a natural person.
(h)Effective, with respect to a record required or permitted to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing under this title, means effective under subdivision (c) of Section 17702.05.
(i)(1)Electronic transmission by the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, for that recipient on record with the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, together with a separate notice to the recipient of the posting, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the later of the posting or delivery of the separate notice thereof.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The communication is delivered to a recipient who has provided an unrevoked consent to the use of those means of transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form. However, an electronic transmission by a limited liability company to an individual member is not authorized unless, in addition to satisfying the requirements of this section, the transmission satisfies the requirements applicable to consumer consent to electronic records as set forth in the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001(c)(1)).
(2)Electronic transmission to the limited liability company means a communication delivered by any of the following means:
(A)Facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, that the limited liability company has provided from time to time to members or managers for sending communications to the limited liability company.
(B)Posting on an electronic message board or network that the limited liability company has designated for those communications, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the posting.
(C)Other means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
(i)The limited liability company has placed in effect reasonable measures to verify that the sender is the member or manager, in person or by proxy, purporting to send the transmission.
(ii)The communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
(j)Foreign limited liability company means an unincorporated entity formed under the law of a jurisdiction other than this state and denominated by that law as a limited liability company.
(k)Limited liability company, except in the phrase foreign limited liability company, means an a domestic entity formed under this title or an entity that becomes subject to this title pursuant to Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(l)Majority of the managers unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the managers of the limited liability company.
(m)Majority of the members unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, means more than 50 percent of the membership interests of members in current profits of the limited liability company.
(n)Manager means a person that under the operating agreement of a manager-managed limited liability company is responsible, alone or in concert with others, for performing the management functions stated in subdivision (c) of Section 17704.07.
(o)Manager-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that qualifies under subdivision (a) of Section 17704.07.
(p)Member means a person that has become a member of a limited liability company under Section 17704.01 and has not dissociated under Section 17706.02.
(q)Member-managed limited liability company means a limited liability company that is not a manager-managed limited liability company.
(r)Membership interest means a members rights in the limited liability company, including the members transferable interest, any right to vote or participate in management, and any right to information concerning the business and affairs of the limited liability company provided by this title.
(s)Operating agreement means the agreement, whether or not referred to as an operating agreement and whether oral, in a record, implied, or in any combination thereof, of all the members of a limited liability company, including a sole member, concerning the matters described in subdivision (a) of Section 17701.10. The term operating agreement may include, without more, an agreement of all members to organize a limited liability company pursuant to this title. An operating agreement of a limited liability company having only one member shall not be unenforceable by reason of there being only one person who is a party to the operating agreement. The term includes the agreement as amended or restated.
(t)Organization means, whether domestic or foreign, a partnership whether general or limited, limited liability company, association, corporation, professional corporation, professional association, nonprofit corporation, business trust, or statutory business trust having a governing statute.
(u)Organizer means a person that acts under Section 17702.01 to form a limited liability company.
(v)Person means an individual, partnership, limited partnership, trust, a trustee of a trust, including, but not limited to, a trust described under Division 9 (commencing with Section 15000) of the Probate Code, estate, association, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, whether domestic or foreign. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to confer any rights under the California Constitution or the United States Constitution.
(w)Principal office means the principal executive office of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, whether or not the office is located in this state.
(x)Record means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(y)State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(z)Transfer includes an assignment, conveyance, deed, bill of sale, lease, mortgage, security interest, encumbrance, gift, and transfer by operation of law.
(aa)Transferable interest means the right, as originally associated with a persons capacity as a member, to receive distributions from a limited liability company in accordance with the operating agreement, whether or not the person remains a member or continues to own any part of the right.
(ab)Transferee means a person to which all or part of a transferable interest has been transferred, whether or not the transferor is a member.
(ac)Vote includes authorization by written consent or consent given by electronic transmission to the limited liability company.
SEC. 3.Section 17701.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.10.(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section, the operating agreement governs all of the following:
(1)Relations among the members as members and between the members and the limited liability company.
(2)The rights and duties under this title of a person in the capacity of manager.
(3)The activities of the limited liability company and the conduct of those activities.
(4)The means and conditions for amending the operating agreement.
(b)To the extent the operating agreement does not otherwise provide for a matter described in subdivision (a), this title governs the matter.
(c)An In addition to the matters specified in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d), an operating agreement shall not do any of the following:
(1)Vary a limited liability companys capacity under Section 17701.05 to sue and be sued in its own name.
(2)Vary the law applicable under Section 17701.06.
(3)Vary the power of the court under Section 17702.04.
(4)Subject to paragraphs (14) and (15) of this subdivision and subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, or any other fiduciary duty.
(5)Subject to subdivisions (d) to (g), inclusive, eliminate the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under subdivision (d) of Section 17704.09. 17704.09, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable as determined at the time the standards are prescribed.
(6)Unreasonably restrict the duties and rights stated in Section 17704.10.
(6)Vary the requirements of Section 17701.13 to 17701.16, inclusive, or any provision under Article 8 (commencing with Section 17708.01).
(7)Vary the power of a court to decree dissolution in the circumstances specified in subdivision (a) of Section 17707.03 or the provisions for avoidance of dissolution in subdivision (c) of Section 17707.03.
(8)Except as stated herein, provided therein, vary the requirements of Sections 17707.04 to 17707.08, inclusive. Article 2 (commencing with Section 17702.01) or Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01).
(9)Unreasonably restrict the right of a member to maintain an action under Article 9 (commencing with Section 17709.01).
(10)Restrict the right to approve a merger, conversion, or domestication under Section 17710.14 to a member that will have personal liability with respect to a surviving, converted, or domesticated organization. of a member that will have personal liability with respect to a surviving or converted organization to approve a merger or conversion under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(11)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17701.12, restrict the rights under this title of a person other than a member or manager.
(12)Vary Except as provided therein, vary any provision under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(13)Vary any provision under Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), Article 12 (commencing with Section 17712.01). 17712.01), or Article 13 (commencing with Section 17713.01).
(14)Eliminate the duty of loyalty under subdivision (b) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may do any of the following:
(A)Identify specific types or categories of activities that do not violate the duty of loyalty, if not manifestly unreasonable.
(B)Specify the number or percentage of members that may authorize or ratify, after full disclosure to all members of all material facts, a specific act or transaction that otherwise would violate the duty of loyalty.
(15)Unreasonably reduce the duty of care under subdivision (c) of Section 17704.09.
(16)Eliminate the obligation of good faith and fair dealing under subdivision (d) of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable.
(d)Except as provided in subdivision (c) and subdivisions (e) to (g), inclusive, the effects of the provisions of this title may be varied as among the members or as between the members and the limited liability company by the operating agreement; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 17701.13, 17703.01, 17704.07, and 17704.08 and subdivisions (f) to (r), inclusive, and (u) to (w), inclusive, of Section 17704.07 shall only be varied by a written operating agreement. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this subdivision and in addition to the matters specified in subdivision (c), the operating agreement shall not do either any of the following:
(1)Vary the definitions of Section 17701.02, except as specifically provided therein.
(2)Vary a members rights under Sections 17703.01 and Section 17704.10.
(3)Vary any of the provisions of this section or Section 17701.12, except as provided therein.
(4)Vary any of the provisions of subdivisions (s) and (t) of Section 17704.07.
(e)The fiduciary duties of a manager to the a manager-managed limited liability company and to the members of the limited liability company and of a member to a member-managed limited liability company and to the members of such limited liability company shall only be modified in a written operating agreement with the informed consent of the members. Assenting to the operating agreement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17701.11 shall not constitute informed consent.
(f)To the extent the operating agreement of a member-managed limited liability company expressly relieves a member of a responsibility that the member would otherwise have under this title and imposes the responsibility on one or more other members, the operating agreement may, to the benefit of the member that the operating agreement relieves of the responsibility, also eliminate or limit any fiduciary duty that would have pertained to the responsibility.
(g)The operating agreement may alter or eliminate the indemnification for a member or manager provided by subdivision (a) of Section 17704.08 and may eliminate or limit a member or managers liability to the limited liability company and members for money damages, except for the following:
(1)Breach of the duty of loyalty.
(2)A financial benefit received by the member or manager to which the member or manager is not entitled.
(3)A members liability for excess distributions under Section 17704.06.
(4)Intentional infliction of harm on the limited liability company or a member.
(5)An intentional violation of criminal law.
SEC. 4.Section 17701.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.12.(a)An operating agreement may specify that its amendment requires the approval of a person that is not a party to the operating agreement or the satisfaction of a condition. An amendment is ineffective if its adoption does not include the required approval or satisfy the specified condition.
(b)The obligations of a limited liability company and its members to a person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member are governed by the operating agreement. Subject only to any court order issued under paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 17705.03 to effectuate a charging order, an amendment to the operating agreement made after a person becomes a transferee or dissociated member is effective with regard to any debt, obligation, or other liability of the limited liability company or its members to the person in the persons capacity as a transferee or dissociated member.
(c)If a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title contains a provision that would be ineffective under subdivision (c) of Section 17701.10 if contained in the operating agreement, the provision is likewise ineffective in the record.
(d)Subject to subdivision (c), if a record that has been delivered by a limited liability company to the Secretary of State for filing and has become effective under this title conflicts with a provision of the operating agreement both of the following apply:
(1)The operating agreement prevails as to members, dissociated members, transferees, and managers.
(2)The record prevails as to other persons to the extent they reasonably rely on the record.
SEC. 5.Section 17701.13 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17701.13.(a)A limited liability company shall designate and continuously maintain in this state both of the following:
(1)An office, which need not be a place of its activity in this state.
(2)An agent for service of process.
(b)A foreign limited liability company that has a certificate of registration under Section 17708.02 shall designate and continuously maintain in this state an agent for service of process.
(c)An agent for service of process of a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company shall be an individual who is a resident of this state or a corporation that has complied with Section 1505 and whose capacity to act as an agent has not terminated. If a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company designates a corporation as its agent for service of process in an instrument filed with the Secretary of State, no address for that agent for service of process shall be set forth in that instrument.
(d)Each limited liability company shall maintain in writing or in any other form capable of being converted into clearly legible tangible form at the office referred to in subdivision (a) all of the following:
(1)A current list of the full name and last known business or residence address of each member and of each holder of a transferable interest in the limited liability company transferee set forth in alphabetical order, together with the contribution and the share in profits and losses of each member and holder of a transferable interest. transferee.
(2)If the limited liability company is a manager-managed limited liability company, a current list of the full name and business or residence address of each manager.
(3)A copy of the articles of organization and all amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which the articles of organization or any amendments thereto were executed.
(4)Copies of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns and reports, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(5)A copy of the limited liability companys operating agreement, if in writing, and any amendments thereto, together with any powers of attorney pursuant to which any written operating agreement or any amendments thereto were executed.
(6)Copies of the financial statement of the limited liability company, if any, for the six most recent fiscal years.
(7)The books and records of the limited liability company as they relate to the internal affairs of the limited liability company for at least the current and past four fiscal years.
(e)Upon request of an assessor, a domestic or foreign limited liability company owning, claiming, possessing, or controlling property in this state subject to local assessment shall make available at the limited liability companys principal office in this state or at the office required to be kept pursuant to subdivision (a) or at a place mutually acceptable to the assessor and the limited liability company a true copy of the business records relevant to the amount, cost, and value of all property that the limited liability company owns, claims, possesses, or controls within the county.
SEC. 6.Section 17704.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.01.(a)If a limited liability company is to have only one member upon formation, the person becomes a member as agreed by that person and the organizer of the limited liability company. That person and the organizer may be, but need not be, different persons. If different, the organizer acts on behalf of the initial member.
(b)If a limited liability company is to have more than one member upon formation, those persons become members as agreed by the persons before the formation of the limited liability company. The organizer acts on behalf of the persons in forming the limited liability company and may be, but need not be, one of the persons.
(c)After formation of a limited liability company, a person becomes a member as follows:
(1)As provided in the operating agreement.
(2)As the result of a transaction effective under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(3)With the consent of all the members.
(4)If, within 90 consecutive days after the limited liability company ceases to have any members, the last person to have been a member, or the legal representative of that person, designates a person to become a member, and the designated person consents to become a member.
(d)A person may become a member without acquiring a transferable interest and without making or being obligated to make a contribution to the limited liability company.
(e)Sections 406 and 407 of the Labor Code shall not apply to membership interests issued by any limited liability company or foreign limited liability company to the following persons:
(1)Any employee of the limited liability company or foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either, pursuant to a membership interest purchase plan or agreement, or a membership interest option plan or agreement.
(2)In any transaction in connection with securing employment, a person who is or is about to become an officer or a manager (as appointed or elected by the members) of the limited liability company or the foreign limited liability company or of any parent or subsidiary of either.
SEC. 7.Section 17704.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.04.(a)Any distributions made by a limited liability company before its dissolution and winding up shall be among the members in accordance with the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, distributions shall be on the basis of the value, as stated in the required records when the limited liability company decides to make the distribution, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member, except to the extent necessary to comply with any transfer effective under Section 17705.02 and any charging order in effect under Section 17705.03.
(b)A person has a right to a distribution before the dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company only if the limited liability company decides to make an interim distribution. Unless the articles of organization or written operating agreement provides otherwise, a persons dissociation does not entitle the person to a distribution, and, beginning on the date of dissociation, the dissociated person shall have only the right of a transferee of a transferable interest with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company, and then only with respect to distributions, if any, to which a transferee is entitled under the operating agreement. If the dissociation is in violation of the operating agreement, the limited liability company shall have the right to offset any damages for the breach of the operating agreement from the amounts, if any, otherwise distributable to the dissociated person with respect to that persons interest in the limited liability company.
(c)A person does not have a right to demand or receive a distribution from a limited liability company in any form other than money. A limited liability company may distribute an asset in kind if each part of the asset is fungible with each other part and each person receives a percentage of the asset equal in value to the persons share of distributions.
(d)If a member or transferee becomes entitled to receive a distribution, the member or transferee has the status of, and is entitled to all remedies available to, a creditor of the limited liability company with respect to the distribution.
(e)The profits and losses of a limited liability company shall be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, profits and losses shall be allocated in proportion to the value, as stated in the required records, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member.
SEC. 8.Section 17704.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.07.(a)A limited liability company is a member-managed limited liability company unless the articles of organization and the operating agreement do either of the following: contain the statement required by paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 17702.01.
(1)Expressly provide that:
(A)The limited liability company is or will be manager-managed.
(B)The limited liability company is or will be managed by managers.
(C)Management of the limited liability company is or will be vested in managers.
(2)Include words of similar import.
(b)In a member-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)The management and conduct of the limited liability company are vested in the members.
(2)Except as provided in subdivision (r), each member has equal rights in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities including equal voting rights.
(3)A difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company shall be decided by a majority of the members of the limited liability company which the difference among the members has arisen. members.
(4)An Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), an act outside the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be undertaken only with the consent of all members.
(5)The operating agreement may be amended only with the consent of all members.
(c)In a manager-managed limited liability company, the following rules apply:
(1)Except as otherwise expressly provided in this title, any matter relating to the activities of the limited liability company is decided exclusively by the managers.
(2)Each manager has equal rights in the management and conduct of the activities of the limited liability company.
(3)A difference arising among managers as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the limited liability company may be decided by a majority of the managers of the limited liability company.
(4)The consent of all members of the limited liability company is required to do any of the following:
(A)Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the limited liability companys property, with or without the goodwill, outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(B)Approve a merger or conversion under Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01).
(C)Undertake any other act outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(D)Amend the operating agreement.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any other act outside the ordinary course of the limited liability companys activities.
(5)A manager may be chosen at any time by the consent of a majority of the members and remains a manager until a successor has been chosen, unless the manager at an earlier time resigns, is removed, or dies, or, in the case of a manager that is not an individual, terminates. A manager may be removed at any time by the consent of a majority of the members without notice or cause. cause, subject to the rights, if any, of the manager under any service contract with the limited liability company.
(6)A person need not be a member to be a manager, but the dissociation of a member that is also a manager removes the person as a manager. If a person that is both a manager and a member ceases to be a manager, that cessation does not by itself dissociate the person as a member.
(7)A persons ceasing to be a manager does not discharge any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or members which the person incurred while a manager.
(d)The dissolution of a limited liability company does not affect the applicability of this section. However, a person that wrongfully causes dissolution of the limited liability company loses the right to participate in management as a member and a manager.
(e)This title does not entitle a member to remuneration for services performed for a member-managed limited liability company, except for reasonable compensation for services rendered in winding up the activities of a limited liability company.
(f)Meetings of members may be held at any place, by electronic video screen communication or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02, either within or without this state, selected by the person or persons calling the meeting or as may be stated in or fixed in accordance with the articles of organization or a written operating agreement. If no other place is stated or so fixed, all meetings shall be held at the principal office of the limited liability company. Unless prohibited by the articles of organization of the limited liability company, if authorized by the operating agreement, members not physically present in person or by proxy at a meeting of members may, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02 or by electronic video screen communication, participate in a meeting of members, be deemed present in person or by proxy, and vote at a meeting of members whether that meeting is to be held at a designated place or in whole or in part by means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication, in accordance with subdivision (l).
(g)A meeting of the members may be called by any manager or by any member or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests in current profits of members for the purpose of addressing any matters on which the members may vote.
(h)(1)Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each member entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state the place, date, and hour of the meeting, the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, and the general nature of the business to be transacted. No other business may be transacted at that meeting.
(2)Any report or any notice of a members meeting shall be given personally, by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, or by mail or other means of written communication, addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company or given by the member to the limited liability company for the purpose of notice, or, if no address appears or is given, at the place where the principal office of the limited liability company is located or by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal office is located. The notice or report shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally, delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company, deposited in the mail, or sent by other means of written communication. An affidavit of mailing or delivered by electronic transmission by the limited liability company of any notice or report in accordance with this article, executed by a manager, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice or report.
(3)If any notice or report addressed to the member at the address of the member appearing on the books of the limited liability company is returned to the limited liability company by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice or report to the member at the address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if they are available for the member at the principal office of the limited liability company for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice or report to all other members.
(4)Notice given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision shall be valid only if it complies with paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02.
Notwithstanding this condition, notice shall not be given by electronic transmission by the limited liability company under this subdivision after either of the following has occurred:
(A)The limited liability company is unable to deliver two consecutive notices to the member by that means.
(B)The inability to so deliver the notices to the member becomes known to the secretary, any assistant secretary, the transfer agent, or any other person responsible for the giving of the notice.
(5)Upon written request to a manager by any person entitled to call a meeting of members, the manager shall immediately cause notice to be given to the members entitled to vote that a meeting will be held at a time requested by the person calling the meeting, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within 20 days after receipt of the request, the person entitled to call the meeting may give the notice or, upon the application of that person, the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the limited liability company is located, or if the principal office is not in this state, the county in which the limited liability companys address in this state is located, shall summarily order the giving of the notice, after notice to the limited liability company affording it an opportunity to be heard. The procedure provided in subdivision (c) of Section 305 shall apply to the application. The court may issue any order as may be appropriate, including, without limitation, an order designating the time and place of the meeting, the record date for determination of members entitled to vote, and the form of notice.
(i)When a members meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless the articles of organization or a written operating agreement otherwise require and except as provided in this subdivision, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof or the means of electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, if any, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the limited liability company may transact any business that may have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each member of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
(j)The actions taken at any meeting of members, however called and noticed, and wherever held, have the same validity as if taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the members entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, provides a waiver of notice or consents to the holding of the meeting or approves the minutes of the meeting in writing. All waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the limited liability company records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting after conversion to the form in which those records or minutes are kept. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by this title to be included in the notice but not so included, if the objection is expressly made at the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted nor the purpose of any meeting of members need be specified in any written waiver of notice, unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, except as provided in subdivision (l).
(k)Members may participate in a meeting of the limited liability company through the use of conference telephones or electronic video screen communication, as long as all members participating in the meeting can hear one another, or by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision constitutes presence in person at that meeting.
(l)Any action approved at a meeting, other than by unanimous approval of those entitled to vote, shall be valid only if the general nature of the proposal so approved was stated in the notice of meeting or in any written waiver of notice.
(m)(1)A majority of the members represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members.
(2)The members present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the loss of a quorum, if any action taken after loss of a quorum, other than adjournment, is approved by the requisite percentage of interests of members specified in this title or in the articles of organization or a written operating agreement.
(3)In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of members may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the interests represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in paragraph (2).
(n)(1)Any action that may be taken at any meeting of the members may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed and delivered to the limited liability company within 60 days of the record date for that action by members having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all members entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
(2)Unless the consents of all members entitled to vote have been solicited in writing, (A) notice of any member approval of an amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement, a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17707.01, or a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.10, without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given at least 10 days before the consummation of the action authorized by the approval, and (B) prompt notice shall be given of the taking of any other action approved by members without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent, to those members entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.
(3)Any member giving a written consent, or the members proxyholder, may revoke the consent personally or by proxy by a writing received by the limited liability company prior to the time that written consents of members having the minimum number of votes that would be required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the limited liability company, but may not do so thereafter. This revocation is effective upon its receipt at the office of the limited liability company required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(o)The use of proxies in connection with this section shall be governed in the same manner as in the case of corporations formed under the General Corporation Law, Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) of Title 1.
(p)In order that the limited liability company may determine the members of record entitled to notices of any meeting or to vote, or entitled to receive any distribution or to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action, a manager, or members representing more than 10 percent of the interests of members, may fix, in advance, a record date, that is not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting and not more than 60 days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed the following shall apply:
(1)The record date for determining members entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(2)The record date for determining members entitled to give consent to limited liability company action in writing without a meeting shall be the day on which the first written consent is given.
(3)The record date for determining members for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the managers adopt the resolution relating thereto, or the 60th day prior to the date of the other action, whichever is later.
(4)The determination of members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless a manager or the members who called the meeting fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the manager or the members who called the meeting shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than 45 days from the date set for the original meeting.
(q)A meeting of the members may be conducted, in whole or in part, by electronic transmission by and to the limited liability company or by electronic video screen communication if both of the following requirements are met:
(1)The limited liability company implements reasonable measures to provide members, in person or by proxy, a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the members, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with those proceedings.
(2)When any member votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of electronic transmission to the limited liability company or electronic video screen communication, a record of that vote or action shall be maintained by the limited liability company.
(r)The articles of organization or a written operating agreement may provide to all or certain identified members of a specified class or group of members the right to vote separately or with all or any class or group of members on any matter. Voting by members may be on a per capita, number, financial interest, class, group, or any other basis. If no voting provision is contained in the articles of organization or written operating agreement, each of the following shall apply:
(1)The members of a limited liability company shall vote in proportion to their interests in current profits of the limited liability company or, in the case of a member who has assigned the members entire transferable interest in the limited liability company to a person who has not been admitted as a member, in proportion to the interest in current profits that the assigning member would have, had the assignment not been made.
(2)Any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement shall require the unanimous vote of all members.
(3)In all other matters in which a vote is required, except as otherwise provided in this section, a vote of a majority of the members shall be sufficient.
(s)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, in no event shall the articles of organization be amended by a vote of less than a majority of the members.
(t)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of organization or operating agreement, members shall have the right to vote on a dissolution of the limited liability company as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17707.0 17707.01, on a conversion to another business entity as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17710.03, and on a merger of the limited liability company as provided in Section 17710.12.
(u)A written operating agreement may provide for the appointment of officers, including, but not limited to, a chairperson or a president, or both a chairperson and a president, a secretary, a chief financial officer, and any other officers with the titles, powers, and duties as shall be specified in the articles of organization or operating agreement or as determined by the managers or members. An officer may, but does not need to, be a member or manager of the limited liability company, and any number of offices may be held by the same person.
(v)Officers, if any, shall be appointed in accordance with the written operating agreement or, if no such provision is made in the operating agreement, any officers shall be appointed by the managers and shall serve at the pleasure of the managers, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the limited liability company without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the limited liability under any contract to which the officer is a party.
(w)Subject to the provisions of the articles of organization, any note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness, contract, certificate, statement, conveyance, or other instrument in writing, and any assignment or endorsement thereof, executed or entered into between any limited liability company and any other person, when signed by the chairperson of the board, the president, or any vice president and any secretary, any assistant secretary, the chief financial officer, or any assistant treasurer of the limited liability company, is not invalidated as to the limited liability company by any lack of authority of the signing officers in the absence of actual knowledge on the part of the other person that the signing officers had no authority to execute the same.
SEC. 9.Section 17704.08 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.08.(a)A limited liability company shall reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed limited liability company or the manager of a manager-managed limited liability company in the course of the members or managers activities on behalf of the limited liability company, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with the duties stated in Section 17704.09.
(b)Except as provided in subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, a limited liability company may reimburse for any payment made and may indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a person not identified in subdivision (a), including without limitation, any officer, employee, or agent of the limited liability company, in the course of that persons activities on behalf of the limited liability company.
(b)
(c)A limited liability company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a member or manager of the limited liability company any person against liability asserted against or incurred by the member or manager in that capacity or arising from that status that person even if, under subdivision (g) of Section 17701.10, the operating agreement could not eliminate or limit the persons liability to the limited liability company for the conduct giving rise to the liability.
(d)(1)Without limiting subdivision (a), to the extent that an agent of a limited liability company has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter in any proceeding in which the agent was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the person is or was an agent of the limited liability company, if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the limited liability company and its members, the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent in connection therewith.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:
(A)Agent means any person who is or was a member of a member-managed limited liability company, manager of a manager-managed limited liability company, employee, or other agent of the limited liability company, or is or was serving at the request of the limited liability company as a manager, director, officer, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, limited liability company or foreign limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or was a manager, director, officer, employee or agent of a foreign or domestic limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise that was a predecessor of the limited liability company or of another enterprise at the request of the predecessor entity corporation or other enterprise.
(B)Expenses include, without limitation, the attorneys fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this subdivision.
(C)Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative.
SEC. 10.Section 17704.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.09.(a)The fiduciary duties that a member owes to a member-managed limited liability company and the other members of the limited liability company are the duties of loyalty and care under subdivisions (b) and (c).
(b)A members duty of loyalty to a the limited liability company and the other members is limited to the following:
(1)To account to a the limited liability company and hold as trustee for it any property, profit, or benefit derived by the member in the conduct and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company or derived from a use by the member of a limited liability company property, including the appropriation of a limited liability company opportunity.
(2)To refrain from dealing with a the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of a the limited liability company as or on behalf of a party person having an interest adverse to a the limited liability company.
(3)To refrain from competing with a the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up of the activities of the limited liability company.
(c)A members duty of care to a limited liability company and the other members in the conduct and winding up of the activities of the limited liability company is limited to refraining from engaging in grossly negligent or reckless conduct, intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law.
(d)A member shall discharge the duties to a limited liability company and the other members under this title or under the operating agreement and exercise any rights consistent with the obligation of good faith and fair dealing.
(e)A member does not violate a duty or obligation under this article or under the operating agreement merely because the members conduct furthers the members own interest.
(f)In a manager-managed limited liability company, all of the following rules apply:
(1)Subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (e) apply to the manager or managers and not the members.
(2)Subdivision (d) applies to the members and managers.
(3)Except as otherwise provided, a member does not have any fiduciary duty to the limited liability company or to any other member solely by reason of being a member.
SEC. 11.Section 17704.10 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17704.10.(a)Upon the request of a member or holder of a transferable interest, transferee, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member or a holder of a transferable interest, transferee, a manager or, if the limited liability company is member-managed, a member in possession of the requested information, shall promptly deliver, in writing, to the member or holder of a transferable interest, transferee, at the expense of the limited liability company, a copy of the information required to be maintained by paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 17701.13, and any written operating agreement of the limited liability company.
(b)Each member, manager, and holder of a transferable interest transferee has the right, upon reasonable request, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that person as a member, manager, or holder of a transferable interest, transferee, to each of the following:
(1)To inspect and copy during normal business hours any of the records required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13.
(2)To obtain in writing from the limited liability company, promptly after becoming available, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax returns for each year.
(c)In the case of a limited liability company with more than 35 members, each of the following shall apply:
(1)A manager shall cause an annual report to be sent to each of the members not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year. The report, which may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company (paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 17701.02) shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement and a statement of cashflows for the fiscal year.
(2)Members representing at least 5 percent of the voting interests of members, or three or more members, may make a written request to a manager for an income statement of the limited liability company for the initial three-month, six-month, or nine-month period of the current fiscal year ending more than 30 days prior to the date of the request, and a balance sheet of the limited liability company as of the end of that period. The statement shall be delivered or mailed to the members within 30 days thereafter.
(3)The financial statements referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report thereon, if any, of the independent accountants engaged by the limited liability company or, if there is no report, the certificate of the manager of the limited liability company that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the limited liability company.
(d)A manager shall promptly furnish to a member a copy of any amendment to the articles of organization or operating agreement executed by a manager pursuant to a power of attorney from the member. The articles of organization or operating agreement may be sent by electronic transmission by the limited liability company.
(e)The limited liability company shall send or cause information to be sent in writing to each member or holder of a transferable interest within 90 days after the end of each taxable year the information necessary to complete federal and state income tax or information returns and, in the case of a limited liability company with 35 or fewer members, a copy of the limited liability companys federal, state, and local income tax or information returns for the year.
(f)In addition to the remedies provided in Sections 17713.06 and 17713.07 and any other remedies, a court of competent jurisdiction may enforce the duty of making and mailing or delivering the information and financial statements required by this section and, for good cause shown, extend the time therefor.
(g)In any action under this section or under Section 17713.07, if the court finds the failure of the limited liability company to comply with the requirements of this section is without justification, the court may award an amount sufficient to reimburse the person bringing the action for the reasonable expenses incurred by that person, including attorneys fees, in connection with the action or proceeding.
(h)Any waiver of the rights provided in this section shall be unenforceable.
(i)Any request, inspection, or copying by a member or holder of a transferable interest may be made by that person or by that persons agent or attorney.
(j)Upon complaint that a limited liability company is failing to comply with the provisions of this section, or to afford to the members rights given to them in the articles of organization or operating agreement, the Attorney General may, in the name of the people of the State of California, send to the office required to be maintained pursuant to Section 17701.13, notice of the complaint.
(k)If the answer of the limited liability company is not received within 30 days of the date the notice was transmitted, or if the answer is not satisfactory, and if the enforcement of the rights of the aggrieved persons by private civil action, by class action, or otherwise, would be so burdensome or expensive as to be impracticable, the Attorney General may institute, maintain, or intervene in any court of competent jurisdiction or before any administrative agency for relief by way of injunction, the dissolution of entities, the appointment of receivers, or any other temporary, preliminary, provisional, or final remedies as may be appropriate to protect the rights of members or to restore the position of the members for the failure to comply with the requirements of Section 17701.13 or the articles of organization or the operating agreement. In any action, suit, or proceeding, there may be joined as parties all persons and entities responsible for or affected by the activity.
SEC. 12.Section 17705.02 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17705.02.(a)With respect to a transfer, in whole or in part, of a transferable interest, all of the following apply:
(1)A transfer is permissible.
(2)A transfer does not by itself cause a members dissociation or a dissolution and winding up of the activities of a limited liability company.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04, a transfer does not entitle the transferee to do any of the following:
(A)Participate Vote or otherwise participate in the management or conduct of the activities of a limited liability company.
(B)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), (c) and Section 17704.10, have access to records or other information concerning the activities of a limited liability company.
(b)A transferee has the right to receive, in accordance with the transfer, distributions to which the transferor would otherwise be entitled; provided, however, that the pledge or granting of a security interest, lien, or other encumbrance in or against any or all of the transferable interest of a transferor shall not cause the transferor to cease to be a member or grant to the transferee or to anyone else the power to exercise any rights or powers of a member, including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions to which the member is entitled.
(c)In a dissolution and winding up of a limited liability company, a transferee is entitled to an account of the limited liability companys transactions only from the date of dissolution.
(d)A transferable interest may be evidenced by a certificate of the interest issued by the limited liability company in a record, and, subject to this article, the interest represented by the certificate may be transferred by a transfer of the certificate.
(e)A limited liability company need not give effect to a transferees rights under this section until the limited liability company has notice of the transfer.
(f)A transfer of a transferable interest in violation of a restriction on transfer contained in the operating agreement is ineffective as to a person having notice of the restriction at the time of transfer.
(g)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of this section and paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 17706.02, when a member transfers a transferable interest, the transferor retains the rights of a member, other than the interest in distributions transferred, and retains all duties and obligations of a member.
(h)When a member transfers a transferable interest to a person that becomes a member with respect to the transferred interest, the transferee is liable for the members obligations under Section 17704.03 and subdivision (c) of Section 17704.06 known to the transferee when the transferee becomes a member.
SECTION 1.SEC. 13.Section 17706.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17706.03.(a)When a person is dissociated as a member of a limited liability company all of the following apply:
(1)The persons right to vote or participate as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates.
(2)If the limited liability company is member-managed, the person s fiduciary duties as a member end with regard to matters arising and events occurring after the persons dissociation.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04 and Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any transferable interest owned by the person immediately before dissociation in the persons capacity as a member is owned by the person solely as a transferee.
(b)A persons dissociation as a member of a limited liability company does not of itself discharge the person from any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or the other members that the person incurred while a member.
(c)If a member dies or a guardian or general conservator is appointed for the member, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative may exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
SEC. 14.Section 17707.01 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.01.A limited liability company is dissolved, and its activities shall be wound up, upon the happening of the first to occur of the following:
(a)On the happening of an event set forth in a written operating agreement or the articles of organization.
(b)By the vote of a majority of the members of the limited liability company or a greater percentage of the voting interests of members as may be specified in the articles of organization, or a written operating agreement.
(c)The passage of 90 consecutive days during which the limited liability company has no members, except that, on the death of a natural person who is the sole member of a limited liability company, the status of the member, including a membership interest, may pass to the one or more heirs, successors, and assigns of the member by will or applicable law. The An heir, successor, or assign of the members interest becomes a substituted member pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) (c) of Section 17704.01, subject to administration as provided by applicable law, without the permission or consent of the heirs, successors, or assigns or, those administering the estate of the deceased member.
(d)Entry of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to Section 17707.03.
SEC. 15.Section 17707.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.03.(a)Pursuant to an action filed by any manager or by any member or members of a limited liability company, a court of competent jurisdiction may decree the dissolution of a limited liability company whenever any of the events specified in subdivision (b) occurs.
(b)(1)It is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in conformity with the articles of organization or operating agreement.
(2)Dissolution is reasonably necessary for the protection of the rights or interests of the complaining members.
(3)The business of the limited liability company has been abandoned.
(4)The management of the limited liability company is deadlocked or subject to internal dissention.
(5)Those in control of the limited liability company have been guilty of, or have knowingly countenanced persistent and pervasive fraud, mismanagement, or abuse of authority.
(c)(1)In any suit for judicial dissolution, the other members may avoid the dissolution of the limited liability company by purchasing for cash the membership interests owned by the members so initiating the proceeding, the moving parties, at their fair market value. In fixing the value, the amount of any damages resulting if the initiation of the dissolution is a breach by any moving party or parties of an agreement with the purchasing party or parties, including, without limitation, the operating agreement, may be deducted from the amount payable to the moving party or parties; provided, that no member who sues for dissolution on the grounds set forth in paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a) (b) shall be liable for damages for breach of contract in bringing that action.
(2)If the purchasing parties elect to purchase the membership interests owned by the moving parties, are unable to agree with the moving parties upon the fair market value of the membership interests, and give bond with sufficient security to pay the estimated reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties if the expenses are recoverable under paragraph (3), the court, upon application of the purchasing parties, either in the pending action or in a proceeding initiated in the superior court of the proper county by the purchasing parties, shall stay the winding up and dissolution proceeding and shall proceed to ascertain and fix the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties.
(3)The court shall appoint three disinterested appraisers to appraise the fair market value of the membership interests owned by the moving parties, and shall make an order referring the matter to the appraisers so appointed for the purpose of ascertaining that value. The order shall prescribe the time and manner of producing evidence, if evidence is required. The award of the appraisers or a majority of them, when confirmed by the court, shall be final and conclusive upon all parties. The court shall enter a decree that shall provide in the alternative for winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, unless payment is made for the membership interests within the time specified by the decree. If the purchasing parties do not make payment for the membership interests within the time specified, judgment shall be entered against them and the surety or sureties on the bond for the amount of the expenses, including attorneys fees, of the moving parties. Any member aggrieved by the action of the court may appeal therefrom.
(4)If the purchasing parties desire to prevent the winding up and dissolution of the limited liability company, they shall pay to the moving parties the value of their membership interests ascertained and decreed within the time specified pursuant to this section, or, in the case of an appeal, as fixed on appeal. On receiving that payment or the tender of payment, the moving parties shall transfer their membership interests to the purchasing parties.
(5)For the purposes of this section, the valuation date shall be the date upon which the action for judicial dissolution was commenced. However, the court may, upon the hearing of a motion by any party, and for good cause shown, designate some other date as the valuation date.
(6)A dismissal of any suit for judicial dissolution by a manager, member, or members shall not affect the other members rights to avoid dissolution pursuant to this section.
SEC. 16.Section 17707.09 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17707.09.(a)Notwithstanding the filing of a certificate of dissolution, a majority in interest of the members may cause to be filed, in the office of, and on a form prescribed by, the Secretary of State, a certificate of continuation, in any of the following circumstances:
(1)The business of the limited liability company is to be continued pursuant to a unanimous vote of the remaining members.
(2)The dissolution of the limited liability company was by vote of the members pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17707.01 and each member who consented to the dissolution has agreed in writing to revoke his or her vote in favor of or consent to the dissolution.
(3)The limited liability company was not, in fact, dissolved.
(b)The certificate of continuation shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number.
(2)The grounds provided by subdivision (a) that are the basis for filing the certificate of continuation.
(c)Upon the filing of a certificate of continuation, the certificate of dissolution shall be of no effect from the time of the filing of the certificate of dissolution.
SEC. 17.Section 17708.07 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17708.07.(a)A foreign limited liability company transacting intrastate business in this state shall not maintain an action or proceeding in this state unless it has a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state.
(b)The failure of a foreign limited liability company to have a certificate of registration to transact intrastate business in this state does not impair the validity of a contract or act of the foreign limited liability company or prevent the foreign limited liability company from defending an action or proceeding in this state.
(c)A member or manager of a foreign limited liability company is not liable for the debts, obligations, or other liabilities of the foreign limited liability company solely because the foreign limited liability company transacted intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration.
(d)If a foreign limited liability company transacts intrastate business in this state without a certificate of registration or cancels its certificate of registration, it shall be deemed to have appointed the Secretary of State as its agent for service of process for rights of action arising out of the transaction of intrastate business in this state.
SEC. 18.Section 17710.03 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.03.(a)A limited liability company that desires to convert to an other business entity or a foreign other business entity or a foreign limited liability company shall approve a plan of conversion.
The plan of conversion shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the conversion.
(2)The place of the organization of the converted entity and of the converting limited liability company and the name of the converted entity after conversion.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the members into shares of, securities of, or interests in, the converted entity.
(4)The provisions of the governing documents for the converted entity, including the limited liability company articles of organization and operating agreement, or articles or certificate of incorporation if the converted entity is a corporation, to which the holders of interests in the converted entity are to be bound.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which the converted entity is organized, or that are desired by the parties.
(b)(1)The plan of conversion shall be approved by all managers and a majority in interest of the members of each class of membership interest or if there are no managers, a majority in interest of the members of each class of membership of the converting limited liability company, unless a greater or lesser approval is required by the operating agreement of the converting limited liability company.
(2)However, if the members of the limited liability company would become personally liable for any obligations of the converted entity as a result of the conversion, the plan of conversion shall be approved by all of the limited members of the converting limited liability company, unless the plan of conversion provides that all members will have dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(c)Upon the effectiveness of the conversion, all members of the converting limited liability company, except those that exercise dissenters rights as provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01), shall be deemed parties to any governing documents for the converted entity adopted as part of the plan of conversion, regardless of whether or not the member has executed the plan of conversion or the governing documents for the converted entity. Any adoption of governing documents made pursuant to the conversion shall be effective at the effective time or date of the conversion.
(d)Notwithstanding its prior approval, a plan of conversion may be amended before the conversion takes effect if the amendment is approved by all managers and a majority of the members or if there are no managers, a majority of the members of the converting limited liability company and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the plan of conversion, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of the converting limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original plan of conversion.
(e)The managers by unanimous approval and the members of a converting limited liability company may, by majority approval at any time before the conversion is effective, in their discretion, abandon a conversion, without further approval by the managers or members, subject to the contractual rights of third parties other than managers or members.
(f)The converted entity shall keep the plan of conversion at the principal place of business of the converted entity if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company or foreign other business entity, at the principal office of, or registrar or transfer agent of, the converted entity, if the converted entity is a domestic corporation, or at the office where records are to be kept pursuant to Section 17701.13 if the converted entity is a domestic limited liability company. Upon the request of a member of a converting limited liability company, the authorized person on behalf of the converted entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the converted entity, a copy of the plan of conversion. A waiver by a member of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 19.Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.06.(a)Upon conversion of a limited liability company, one of the following applies:
(1)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic limited partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on a certificate of limited partnership for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(2)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic partnership, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the statement of partnership authority for the converted entity. If no statement of partnership authority is filed, a certificate of conversion shall be filed separately with the Secretary of State.
(3)If the limited liability company is converting into a domestic corporation, a statement of conversion shall be completed on the articles of incorporation for the converted entity and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(4)If the limited liability company is converting to a foreign limited liability company or foreign other business entity, a certificate of conversion shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(b)Any certificate or statement of conversion shall be executed and acknowledged by all members, members of a member-managed limited liability company or all managers of a manger-managed limited liability company, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, and shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name of the converting limited liability company and the Secretary of States file number of the converting limited liability company.
(2)A statement that the principal terms of the plan of conversion were approved by a vote of the members, that equaled or exceeded the vote required under Section 17710.03, specifying each class entitled to vote and the percentage vote required of each class.
(c)A certificate of conversion shall set forth all of the following:
(1)The name, form, and jurisdiction of organization of the converted entity.
(2)The name, street, and mailing address of the converted entitys agent for service of process.
(3)The street address of the converted entitys chief executive office.
(d)The filing with the Secretary of State of a certificate of conversion, a certificate of limited partnership, a statement of partnership authority, or articles of incorporation containing a statement of conversion as set forth in subdivision (a) shall have the effect of the filing of a certificate of cancellation by the converting limited liability company, and no converting limited liability company that has made the filing is required to take any action under Article 7 (commencing with Section 17707.01) as a result of that conversion.
(e)For the purposes of this title, the certificate of conversion shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 20.Section 17710.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17710.12.(a)Each limited liability company and other business entity that desires to merge shall approve an agreement of merger.
The agreement of merger shall be approved by all managers and a majority in interest of the members of each class of membership interests of each constituent limited liability company, unless a greater approval is required by the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the members of any constituent limited liability company become personally liable for any obligations of a constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity as a result of the merger, the principal terms of the agreement of merger shall be approved by all of the members of the constituent limited liability company, unless the agreement of merger provides that all members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01). The agreement of merger shall be approved on behalf of each constituent other business entity by those persons required to approve the merger by the laws under which it is organized. Other persons, including a parent of a constituent limited liability company, may be parties to the agreement of merger. The agreement of merger shall state all of the following:
(1)The terms and conditions of the merger.
(2)The name and place of the organization of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and of each disappearing limited liability company and disappearing other business entity, and the agreement of merger may change the name of the surviving limited liability company, the new name may be the same as or similar to the name of a disappearing domestic or foreign limited liability company, subject to Section 17701.08.
(3)The manner of converting the membership interests of each of the constituent limited liability companies into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, and if limited liability company interests of any of the constituent limited liability companies are not to be converted solely into interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that the holders of the limited liability company interests are to receive in exchange for the membership interests, the cash, property, rights, interests, or securities that may be in addition to or in lieu of interests, shares, or other securities of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, or that the limited liability company interests are canceled without consideration.
(4)The amendments to the articles of organization of the surviving limited liability company, if applicable, to be effected by the merger, if any.
(5)Any other details or provisions that are required by the laws under which any constituent other business entity is organized, including, if a domestic corporation is a party to the merger, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 1113.
(6)Any other details or provisions that are desired, including, without limitation, a provision for the treatment of fractional membership interests.
(b)(1)Each membership interest of the same class of any constituent limited liability company, other than a membership interest in another constituent limited liability company that is being canceled and that is held by a constituent limited liability company or its parent or a limited liability company of which the constituent limited liability company is a parent shall, unless all members of the class consent, be treated equally with respect to any distribution of cash, property, rights, interests, or securities.
(2)Notwithstanding Unless otherwise provided in a written operating agreement, notwithstanding paragraph (1), except in a merger of a limited liability company with a limited liability company that controls at least 90 percent of the membership interests entitled to vote with respect to the merger, the unredeemable membership interests of a constituent limited liability company may be converted only into unredeemable interests or securities of the surviving limited liability company or other business entity, or a parent if a constituent limited liability company or a constituent other business entity or its parent owns, directly or indirectly, prior to the merger, membership interests of another constituent limited liability company or interests or securities of a constituent other business entity representing more than 50 percent of the interests or securities entitled to vote with respect to the merger of the other constituent limited liability company or constituent other business entity or more than 50 percent of the voting power, as defined in Section 194.5, of a constituent other business entity that is a domestic corporation, unless all of the members of the class consent.
(3)The provisions of this subdivision do not apply to any transaction if the commissioner has approved the terms and conditions of the transaction and the fairness of those terms pursuant to Section 25142.
(c)Notwithstanding its prior approval, an agreement of merger may be amended prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or the agreement of merger, as provided in Section 17710.14, if the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner as required for approval of the original agreement of merger and, if the amendment changes any of the principal terms of the agreement of merger, the amendment is approved by the managers and members of each constituent limited liability company in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the approval of the original agreement of merger, and by each of the constituent other business entities.
(d)The managers and members of a constituent limited liability company may, in their discretion, abandon a merger, subject to the contractual rights, if any, of third parties, including other constituent limited liability companies and constituent other business entities, without further approval by the membership interests, at any time before the merger is effective.
(e)An agreement of merger approved in accordance with subdivision (a) may do the following:
(1)Effect any amendment to the operating agreement of any constituent limited liability company.
(2)Effect the adoption of a new operating agreement for a constituent limited liability company if it is the surviving limited liability company in the merger. Any amendment to an operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement made pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger. Notwithstanding the above provisions of this subdivision, if a greater number of members is required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of a constituent limited liability company than is required to approve the agreement of merger pursuant to subdivision (a), and the number of members that approve the agreement of merger is less than the number of members required to approve an amendment to the operating agreement of the constituent limited liability company, any amendment to the operating agreement or adoption of a new operating agreement of that constituent limited liability company made pursuant to the first sentence of this subdivision shall be effective only if the agreement of merger provides that all of the members shall have the dissenters rights provided in Article 11 (commencing with Section 17711.01).
(f)The surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity shall keep the agreement of merger at its designated office or at the business address specified in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 17710.14, as applicable, and, upon the request of a member of a constituent limited liability company or a holder of shares, interests, or other securities of a constituent other business entity, the managers or members of the surviving limited liability company or the authorized person of the surviving other business entity shall promptly deliver to the member or the holder of shares, interests, or other securities, at the expense of the surviving limited liability company or surviving other business entity, a copy of the agreement of merger. A waiver by a member or holder of shares, interests, or other securities of the rights provided in this subdivision shall be unenforceable.
SEC. 21.Section 17713.04 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.04.(a)Except as otherwise specified in this title, provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this title shall apply to all domestic limited liability companies existing on or after January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State prior to January 1, 2014, whose registrations have not been canceled as of January 1, 2014, to all foreign limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2014, and to all actions taken by the managers or members of a limited liability company on or after that date.
(b)Except as otherwise specified in this title, this title applies only to the acts or transactions by a limited liability company existing on or before January 1, 2014, or by the members or managers of the limited liability company existing on or before January 1, 2014, occurring, or an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, on or after January 1, 2014. An amendment, including the acts necessary and in respect to the negotiation, adoption, ratification, or approval, to an operating agreement or other contracts entered into by a limited liability company existing before January 1, 2014, or by the members or managers of a limited liability company existing before January 1, 2014, shall be governed by prior law unless expressly provided in such amendment or other contract. The prior law governs all acts or transactions by a limited liability company existing on or before January 1, 2014, or by the members or managers of the limited liability company occurring, and any operating agreement or other or contracts entered into by the limited liability company or by the members or managers of the limited liability company, prior to that date. January 1, 2014.
(c)Except as otherwise specified in this title, any Any vote or consent by the managers or members of a limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, shall be governed by prior law. If a certificate or document is required to be filed in a public office of this state relating to a vote or consent by the managers or members of the limited liability company prior to January 1, 2014, it may be filed after that date pursuant to the filing requirements of this title, even though the vote or consent is governed by prior law.
(d)This title does not cancel or otherwise affect the status of, or create a new filing requirement with the Secretary of State or any other agency, board, commission, or department for, any domestic limited liability company in existence on December 31, 2013, or any foreign limited liability company registered to transact intrastate business in this state prior to January 1, 2014.
(e)For the purposes of this section, prior law means Title 2.5 (commencing with Section 17000) as it read on December 31, 2013.
SEC. 22.Section 17713.12 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:17713.12.(a)A limited liability company is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) if the limited liability company does both of the following:
(1)Has actual knowledge that a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company does any of the following:
(A)Makes, publishes, or posts, or has made, published, or posted, either generally or privately to the shareholders members or other persons, either of the following:
(i)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, exhibit, notice, or statement of its affairs or pecuniary condition that contains a material statement or omission that is false and intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(ii)An oral, written, or electronically transmitted report, prospectus, account, or statement of operations, values, business, profits, or expenditures that includes a material false statement or omission intended to give membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(B)Refuses or has refused to make any book entry or post any notice required by law in the manner required by law.
(C)Misstates or conceals or has misstated or concealed from a regulatory body a material fact in order to deceive a regulatory body to avoid a statutory or regulatory duty, or to avoid a statutory or regulatory limit or prohibition.
(2)Within 30 days after actual knowledge is acquired of the actions described in paragraph (1), the limited liability company knowingly fails to do both of the following:
(A)Notify the Attorney General or appropriate government agency in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the Attorney General or appropriate government agency has been notified.
(B)Notify its members and investors in writing, unless the limited liability company has actual knowledge that the members and investors have been notified.
(b)The requirement for notification under this section is not applicable if the action taken or about to be taken by the limited liability company, or by a member, officer, manager, or agent of the limited liability company under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), is abated within the time prescribed for reporting, unless the appropriate government agency requires disclosure by regulation.
(c)If the action reported to the Attorney General pursuant to this section implicates the government authority of an agency other than the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall promptly forward the written notice to that agency.
(d)If the Attorney General was not notified pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but the limited liability company reasonably and in good faith believed that it had complied with the notification requirements of this section by notifying a government agency listed in paragraph (5) of subdivision (e), no penalties shall apply.
(e)For purposes of this section:
(1)Manager means a person defined by subdivision (m) of Section 17701.01 having both of the following:
(A)Management authority over the limited liability company.
(B)Significant responsibility for an aspect of the limited liability company that includes actual authority for the financial operations or financial transactions of the limited liability company.
(2)Agent means a person or entity authorized by the limited liability company to make representations to the public about the limited liability companys financial condition and who is acting within the scope of the agency when the representations are made.
(3)Member means a person as defined by subdivision (o) of Section 17701.01 that is a member of the limited liability company at the time the disclosure is required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(4)Notify its members means to give sufficient description of an action taken or about to be taken that would constitute acts or omissions as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). A notice or report filed by a limited liability company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that relates to the facts and circumstances giving rise to an obligation under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall satisfy all notice requirements arising under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) but shall not be the exclusive means of satisfying the notice requirements, provided that the Attorney General or appropriate agency is informed in writing that the filing has been made together with a copy of the filing or an electronic link where it is available online without charge.
(5)Appropriate government agency means an agency on the following list that has regulatory authority with respect to the financial operations of a limited liability company:
(A)Department of Corporations.
(B)Department of Insurance.
(C)Department of Financial Institutions.
(D)Department of Managed Health Care.
(E)United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6)Actual knowledge of the limited liability company means the knowledge a member, officer, or manager of a limited liability company actually possesses or does not consciously avoid possessing, based on an evaluation of information provided pursuant to the limited liability companys disclosure controls and procedures.
(7)Refuse to make a book entry means the intentional decision not to record an accounting transaction when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(A)The independent auditors required recordation of an accounting transaction during the course of an audit.
(B)The audit committee of the limited liability company has not approved the independent auditors recommendation.
(C)The decision is made for the primary purpose of rendering the financial statements materially false or misleading.
(8)Refuse to post any notice required by law means an intentional decision not to post a notice required by law when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to post the notice has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(9)Misstate or conceal material facts from a regulatory body means an intentional decision not to disclose material facts when all of the following conditions exist:
(A)The decision not to disclose material facts has not been approved by the limited liability companys audit committee.
(B)The decision is intended to give the membership shares in the limited liability company a materially greater or a materially less apparent market value than they really possess.
(10)Material false statement or omission means an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made under the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.
(11)Officer means a person appointed pursuant to Section 17703.02, except an officer of a specified subsidiary limited liability company who is not also an officer of the parent limited liability company.
(f)This section only applies to limited liability companies that are issuers, as defined in Section 2 of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7201 et seq.).
(g)An action to enforce this section may only be brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney or city attorney in the name of the people of the State of California.
(a)When a person is dissociated as a member of a limited liability company all of the following apply:
(1)The persons right to vote or participate as a member in the management and conduct of the limited liability companys activities terminates.
(2)If the limited liability company is member-managed, the person s fiduciary duties as a member end with regard to matters arising and events occurring after the persons dissociation.
(3)Subject to Section 17705.04 and Article 10 (commencing with Section 17710.01), any transferable interest owned by the person immediately before dissociation in the persons capacity as a member is owned by the person solely as a transferee.
(b)A persons dissociation as a member of a limited liability company does not of itself discharge the person from any debt, obligation, or other liability to the limited liability company or the other members that the person incurred while a member.
(c)If a member dies or a guardian or general conservator is appointed for the member, the members executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative may exercise all of the members rights for the purpose of settling the members estate or administering the members property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Jul 14, 2015 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 7). |
| Oct 11, 2015 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 775, Statutes of 2015. |
| Oct 11, 2015 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep 9, 2015 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Aug 31, 2015 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0.). |
| Aug 31, 2015 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 2673.). |
| Aug 27, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2201.). |
| Aug 27, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Aug 27, 2015 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after August 30 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77. |
| Aug 18, 2015 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 17, 2015 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Jul 16, 2015 | Ordered to third reading. |
| Jul 16, 2015 | From Consent Calendar. |
| Jul 15, 2015 | Read second time and amended. Ordered to consent calendar. |
| Feb 23, 2015 | Read first time. To print. |
| Jun 29, 2015 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD. |
| Jun 17, 2015 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. |
| Jun 10, 2015 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD. |
| May 21, 2015 | Referred to Com. on JUD. |
| May 7, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 1340.) |
| May 7, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. |
| May 7, 2015 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 6, 2015 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 5, 2015 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (May 4). |
| Apr 27, 2015 | Re-referred to Com. on B. & F. |
| Apr 23, 2015 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & F. Read second time and amended. |
| Mar 5, 2015 | Referred to Com. on B. & F. |
| Feb 24, 2015 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 26. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2015 | AB 506 MAIENSCHEIN Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 27, 2015 | Assembly 3rd Reading AB506 Maienschein By Hill | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jul 7, 2015 | Do pass as amended, and be ordered to the Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary |
Passed |
|
| May 7, 2015 | AB 506 MAIENSCHEIN Assembly Third Reading | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 4, 2015 | Do pass. | Assembly 1st Extraordinary Session on Finance |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| Conference of California Bar Associations | ** Support | Aug 27, 2015 |
| The State Bar Of California | ** Support | May 7, 2015 |
AB 506
Page 3
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 506
(Maienschein)
As Amended August 17, 2015
Majority vote
ASSEMBLY: |
76-0 |
(May 7, 2015) |
SENATE: |
40-0 |
(August 27, 2015) |
Original Committee Reference: B. & F.
SUMMARY: Makes changes to the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA). Specifically, this bill:
Specifies that a limited partnership is formed when the partners enter into a partnership agreement before or after the filing of a certificate of a limited partnership.
Expands the definition of "person" to include a trustee of a trust including, but not limited to, a trust described under Probate Code Division 9.
Amends the definition of "electronic transmission by the limited liability company."
Requires a limited liability company (LLC) to indemnify the agent of a LLC to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the LLC and its members.
Limits the RULLCA to acts or transactions existing on or after January 1, 2014, or by members or managers of the LLCs existing on or before that date.
Eliminates the requirement requiring the consent of all members of the LLC to approve a merger or conversion, as well as, to amend the operating agreement.
Requires profits and losses of a LLC be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement and would require that profits and losses be allocated in the proportion to the value of the contributions from each member if the operating agreement does not otherwise provide.
Modifies what an operating agreement may provide.
Specifies that upon dissociation, a person's right to vote as a member in the management and conduct of the LLCs activities terminates.
Authorizes, if a member dies or a guardian or general conservator is appointed for the member, the member's executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative to exercise all of the member's rights for the purpose of settling the member's estate or administering the member's property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
Provides that specified provisions of the Labor Code, relating to consideration for employment and employment contracts, shall not apply to membership interests issued by any LLC or foreign LLC.
Changes LLC "certificate of dissolution" to "certificate of cancellation."
Makes other technical and clarifying changes.
The Senate amendments delete changes to the Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 2008. Change reference from "certificate of dissolution" to "certificate of cancellation." Make several technical changes and include chaptering out and double joining language.
EXISTING LAW:
Establishes the California RULLCA which governs all California LLCs. (Corporations Code Sections 17701.01 to 17713.13).
Establishes the RULPA, modeled after the national Uniform Limited Partnership Act which governs California business partnerships. (Corporations Code Sections 15900 to 15912.07)
FISCAL EFFECT: None
COMMENTS: An LLC is a hybrid between a corporation and a partnership. An LLC generally has the beneficial characteristics of a partnership for operational and taxation purposes, but its members enjoy the immunity provided by a corporation to its shareholders for contract debts or tort liability. The interest of a member in an LLC is an economic interest, in the same manner that a partnership interest or a corporate share is an economic interest, that may be transferred under terms and conditions provided by the LLC agreement, the partnership agreement, or the corporate structure.
Background:
On January 1, 2014, the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act (BKLLCA) (the law in California governing LLCs prior to January 1, 2014) was repealed and replaced by the RULLCA. Existing LLCs and those formed after January 1, 2014, are subject to the RULLCA. The RULLCA imposes significant changes in the way California LLCs are to be governed and inserts default provisions in LLC operating agreements if certain matters are not specifically addressed. The RULLCA applies to all LLCs, foreign and based in California that register with the Secretary of State (SOS). The RULLCA is based on the RULLCA adopted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL), with modifications to include certain aspects of existing California law.
The purpose of the RULLCA is to clarify the issues that existed under the BKLLCA. The RULLCA provides a wider breadth of default rules that applies to all LLCs in situations where an operating agreement is silent as to a particular issue. The intended benefit of enacting the RULLCA was to coordinate California's LLC laws with the LLC laws of other states, thereby making it easier for businesses to operate across state lines.
This bill amends the California RULLCA and the California RULPA. RULLCA was enacted in in 2012 through SB 323 (Vargas), Chapter 419, Statutes of 2012. SB 323 did not replicate word-for-word the RULLCA as promulgated by the NCCUSL. RULLCA as enacted in California incorporates numerous provisions from the BKLLCA (Corporations Code Sections 17000 to 17656) which were carried over to RULLCA for the purpose of improving the NCCUSL version. The carried-over provisions include: important topics (e.g., meetings, officers, voting rights, and mergers and conversions) that were not covered in the NCCUSL version; particular requirements of the Business Programs Division of the SOS (e.g., the requirement for filing biennial statements of information); certain investor protections (e.g., member information rights and certain restrictions on operating agreement amendments); and other provisions (e.g., for limited liability company (LLC) dissolutions)
Since the enactment of SB 323, a number of inconsistencies and conflicts have been found through the Corporations Code. SB 323 faced challenges in carrying over provisions from BKLLCA because the statutory numbering convention was different, the organizational structure was different, and various defined terms in BKLLCA differed from the corresponding terms in the NCCUSL version of RULLCA which this bill is addressing.
Previous Legislation:
SB 323 enacted the RULLC which recasts and reorganizes the existing BKLLCA.
Analysis Prepared by: Mark Farouk / B. & F. / (916) 319-3081 FN: 0001607
AB 506
Page 9
|
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 506
Amended: 8/17/15 in Senate
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: 6-0, 7/7/15
AYES: Jackson, Moorlach, Hertzberg, Leno, Monning, Wieckowski
NO VOTE RECORDED: Anderson
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 5/7/15 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Limited liability companies
SOURCE: Partnership and Limited Liability Companies Committee of the Business Law Section of the California State Bar
DIGEST: This bill seeks to make various changes throughout the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act.
Senate Floor Amendments on 8/17/15 add double-jointing language to avoid chaptering out issues in the event that both this bill and AB 1471 (Perea), also amending Section 17710.06 of the Corporations Code, are enacted. The amendments also add double-jointing language to avoid chaptering out issues in the event that both this bill and AB 1517 (Committee on Banking and Finance), also amending 17713.12 of the Corporations Code are enacted.
Existing law:
Governs all California limited liability companies (LLCs) under the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA) and defines various terms for purposes of RULLCA.
Prohibits an LLC operating agreement from doing certain things, including:
Eliminating the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, or any other fiduciary duty, subject to other specified provisions;
Eliminating the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under specified provisions of Corporations Code (CORP) Section 17704.09, subject to other provisions allowing for the operating agreement to modify the fiduciary duties of a member or manager, as specified;
Unreasonably restricting the duties and rights stated under CORP Section 17704.10, which provides for the right to inspect various LLC documents, the right to a specified annual report for members in an LLC of more than 35 members, among other things, and, the right to a copy of the articles of incorporation or operating agreement, as specified;
Varying the requirements of CORP Sections 17707.04 to 17707.08, inclusive, relating to the dissolution of an LLC, except as specified;
Restricting the right to approve a merger, conversion, or domestication under CORP Section 17710.14 to a member that will have personal liability with respect to a surviving, converted, or domesticated organization;
Varying any Article 10 provision, relating to mergers and conversions, or any Article 12 provision, relating to class provisions; or
Eliminating the obligation of good faith and fair dealing under specified provisions of CORP Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable.
Provides that, except as provided in the provisions above and other specified laws, the RULLCA provisions may be varied as among the members or as between the members and the LLC by the operating agreement, provided, however, that certain provisions can only be varied by a written operating agreement, including CORP Sections 17701.13 (relating to the designation of an agent for service of process and required records that an LLC must maintain), 17703.01 (providing that every member is an agent of an LLC unless the articles of organization state that the LLC is manager-managed, at which point only the manager has agency power), 17704.07 (providing specified rules governing an LLC depending on whether it is member- or manager-managed), and 17704.08 (requiring reimbursement of any payments and indemnification of any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member or manager in the course of his or her activities on behalf of the LLC, and authorizing the purchase of insurance for indemnification purposes).
Specifies that, notwithstanding prior statements, and in addition to the matters specified in the provisions above, the operating agreement must not:
Vary the RULLCA definitions, as specified, except as specified therein; or
Vary a member’s rights under specified law that provides that every member is an agent of an LLC unless the articles of organization state that the LLC is manager-managed at which point only the manager has agency power; or other specified law, which provides for the right to inspect various LLC documents; the right to a specified annual report for members in an LLC of more than 35 members, among other things; the right to a copy of the articles of incorporation or operating agreement, as specified.
Governs distributions made by an LLC before its dissolution and winding up.
Provides that an LLC is a member-managed LLC unless the articles of organization and the operating agreement do either of the following:
Expressly provide that the LLC is or will be “manager-managed” or “managed by managers” or that management of the LLC is or will be “vested in managers;” or
Include words of similar import.
Specifies that in a member-managed LLC, certain rules apply, including that a difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the LLC shall be decided by a majority of the members of the LLC which the difference among the members has arisen.
Specifies that in a manager-managed LLC, certain rules apply, including that the consent of all members of the LLC is required to:
Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the LLC’s property, as specified;
Approve a merger or conversion under the corresponding RULLCA article;
Undertake any other act outside of the ordinary course of the LLC’s activities; or
Amend the operating agreement.
Specifies that in a manager-managed LLC, a manager may be chosen at any time by the consent of a majority of the members and remains a manager until a successor has been chosen, unless the manager at an earlier time resigns, is removed, or dies, or, in the case of manager that is not an individual, terminates. A manager may be removed at any time by the consent of the majority of the members without notice or cause.
Provides, generally, that members have the right to vote on a dissolution of the LLC and on a merger of the LLC as provided under specified law.
Requires an LLC to reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed LLC or the manager of a manager-managed LLC in the course of the his or her activities on behalf of the LLC, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with specified statutory fiduciary duties, duties of loyalty, and duties of care.
Authorizes an LLC to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a member or manager of the LLC against liability asserted against or incurred by the member or manager from that status, even if the operating agreement could not eliminate or limit the person’s liability to the LLC for the conduct giving rise to the liability, under specified law.
Provides various rules for when a person dissociates as a member of the LLC.
Includes various provisions governing suits for judicial dissolution.
Requires that any certificate or statement of conversion be executed and acknowledged by all members, except as specified.
This bill:
Replaces references to a “holder of a transferable interest in the limited liability company” with “transferee,” to reflect correct RULLCA terminology, and also corrects references to “majority in interest,” which is not defined by RULLCA.
Revises and corrects cross-references throughout various RULLCA provisions and adds missing cross-references to conform potentially conflicting sections.
Modifies specified references to participation in the management or conduct of activities of the LLC to clarify that “participate” includes the right to vote.
Revises the definition of “electronic transmission by the limited liability company” by removing the requirement that the electronic transmission also satisfy requirements set forth under specified federal law.
Expands the definition of “person” to include a trustee of a trust, including, but not limited to, a trust described under the Probate Code, as specified.
Modifies the provisions limiting what an operating agreement can do by:
Adding or otherwise revising various cross references;
Consolidating potentially duplicative language prohibiting the elimination of the obligation of good faith and fair dealing by, instead, providing that, subject to specified law, the operating agreement shall not eliminate the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under existing law, as specified, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable as determined at the time the standards are prescribed;
Repealing the language prohibiting an operating agreement from unreasonably restricting the duties and rights under specified law, which provides for the right to inspect various LLC documents; the right to a specified annual report for members in an LLC of more than 35 members, among other things; the right to a copy of the articles of incorporation or operating agreement, as specified;
Expanding the general prohibition against varying the requirements of CORP Sections 17707.04 to 17707.08, inclusive, relating to the dissolution of an LLC, to apply more generally to the RULLCA article on dissolution and winding up, as well as the RULLCA article on LLC formation; and
Prohibiting the varying of specified provisions relating to the application of RULLCA.
Adds a provision to an existing statute on the dissolution and winding up of an LLC to specify that the profits and losses of an LLC shall be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, profits and losses must be allocated in proportion to the value, as stated in the required records, of the contributions the LLC has received from each member.
Modifies existing law, above, to provide, instead, that an LLC is a member-managed LLC unless the articles of organization contain a statement to the effect that the LLC is to be manager-managed, as required under specified law.
Modifies an existing rule for member-managed LLCs, above, to instead provide that a difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the LLC shall be decided by a majority of members.
Modifies the existing rule for member approvals required for certain activities by a manager-managed LLC, above, to remove the requirement that an LLC obtain all members’ consent to amend the operating agreement and to approve a merger or conversion under the RULLCA article on mergers and conversions and would, instead, provide that consent of all the LLC members is required to:
Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the LLC’s property, as specified; or
Except as otherwise provided in the article on mergers or conversions, any other act outside of the ordinary course of the LLC’s activities.
Modifies the existing rule for the removal of a manager of a manager-managed LLC, above, to repeal language authorizing the LLC to remove a manager at any time, upon consent of a majority of the members, without notice. This bill provides, instead, that the manager can be removed at any time by the consent of a majority of members without cause, subject to the rights, if any, of the manager under any service contract with the LLC.
Adds that members also have the right to vote on any conversion of the LLC to another business entity, under specified law.
Adds that, except as provided under specified law (allowing for an operating agreement to alter or eliminate the indemnification for a member or manager, and to eliminate or limit a member or manager’s liability to the LLC and members for money damages, except as specified), an LLC may reimburse any payment made and indemnify any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by other persons, including, without limitation, any officer, employee, or agent of the LLC, in the course of that person’s activities on behalf of the LLC.
Expands the existing authorization for an LLC to purchase and maintain liability insurance for “members” and “managers,” above, to instead authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance for any person.
Requires, without limiting the requirement to reimburse any payment and indemnify any debt, obligation or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed LLC or manager of a manager-managed LLC, as specified, that an LLC indemnify an agent of the LLC to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter in any proceeding in which the agent was or is a party or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her status as an agent of the LLC, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent, if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the LLC and its members. This bill also defines the terms “agent,” “expenses,” and “proceeding,” for these purposes.
Adds a provision specifying that if a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a member’s interest is being administered by an attorney in fact under a valid power of attorney, the member’s executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative may exercise all of the member’s rights for the purpose of settling the member’s estate or administering the member’s property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
Specifies that nothing in the existing provisions governing suits for judicial dissolution shall be construed to limit the remedies otherwise available to a court of competent jurisdiction over the dissolution.
Modifies existing law to instead require that the certificate or statement of conversion be executed and acknowledged by all members of a member-managed LLC or all managers of a manager-managed LLC, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement and meets specified requirements.
Makes other technical, or clarifying changes.
Background
A California LLC is a hybrid between a partnership and corporation in that it generally has the characteristics of a partnership for operational and taxation purposes, but its members enjoy the immunity provided by a corporation to its shareholders for contract debts or tort liability. The interest of a member in an LLC is an economic interest, in the same manner that a partnership interest or a corporate share is an economic interest, which may be transferred under terms and conditions provided by the LLC agreement, the partnership agreement, or the corporate structure.
California first recognized LLCs in 1994 with the enactment of the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act (Beverly-Killea), which provided comprehensive provisions for the organization, management, and dissolution of LLCs. That same year, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) approved the use of a Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. In 2006, after reviewing the development of LLC laws in the United States, NCCUSL adopted RULLCA. In 2012, SB 323 (Vargas, Chapter 419, Statutes of 2012) was enacted to repeal Beverly-Killea and, taking into account California’s particular LLC protections, replace it with a modified version of RULLCA. This bill makes various changes to those RULLCA provisions.
Comments
As stated by the author:
This bill would amend the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (“RULLCA”) which took effect January 1, 2014. It will fix certain cross referencing and typographical errors and inconsistencies in RULLCA that make it difficult to understand and less attractive to business owners and investors. It eliminates an inconsistency on what vote is needed to accomplish a merger or conversion and creates indemnification rights for agents similar to those afforded agents of California corporations. It also clarifies RULLCA’s transition rules to avoid potential disputes as to whether RULLCA or prior law, the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act (“Beverly-Killea”), governs the limited liability company (“LLC”).
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
Partnership and Limited Liability Companies Committee of the Business Law Section of the California State Bar (source)
Conference of California Bar Associations
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/17/15)
None received
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins
NO VOTE RECORDED: Campos, Gray, Roger Hernández, Steinorth
Prepared by: Ronak Daylami / JUD. / (916) 651-4113
8/18/15 17:18:11
AB 506
Page 9
|
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 |
CONSENT
Bill No: AB 506
Amended: 7/15/15 in Senate
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: 6-0, 7/7/15
AYES: Jackson, Moorlach, Hertzberg, Leno, Monning, Wieckowski
NO VOTE RECORDED: Anderson
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 5/7/15 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Limited liability companies
SOURCE: Partnership and Limited Liability Companies Committee of the Business Law Section of the California State Bar
DIGEST: This bill seeks to make various changes to the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act.
Existing law:
Governs all California limited liability companies (LLCs) under the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA) and defines various terms for purposes of RULLCA.
Prohibits an LLC operating agreement from doing certain things, including:
Eliminating the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, or any other fiduciary duty, subject to other specified provisions;
Eliminating the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under specified provisions of Corporations Code (CORP) Section 17704.09, subject to other provisions allowing for the operating agreement to modify the fiduciary duties of a member or manager, as specified;
Unreasonably restricting the duties and rights stated under CORP Section 17704.10, which provides for the right to inspect various LLC documents; the right to a specified annual report for members in an LLC of more than 35 members, among other things; the right to a copy of the articles of incorporation or operating agreement, as specified;
Varying the requirements of CORP Sections 17707.04 to 17707.08, inclusive, relating to the dissolution of an LLC, except as specified;
Restricting the right to approve a merger, conversion, or domestication under CORP Section 17710.14 to a member that will have personal liability with respect to a surviving, converted, or domesticated organization;
Varying any provision under Article 10, relating to mergers and conversions;
Varying any provision under Article 12, relating to class provisions; or
Eliminating the obligation of good faith and fair dealing under specified provisions of CORP Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable.
Provides that, except as provided in the provisions above, and other specified laws, the provisions of RULLCA may be varied as among the members or as between the members and the LLC by the operating agreement, provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 17701.13 (relating to the designation of an agent for service of process and required records that must be maintained by the LLC), CORP Section 17703.01 (providing that every member is an agent of an LLC unless the articles of organization state that the LLC is manager-managed at which point only the manager has agency power), CORP Section 17704.07 (providing specified rules governing an LLC depending upon whether the LLC is member- or manager-managed), and CORP Section 17704.08 (requiring reimbursement of any payments and indemnification of any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member or manager in the course of the member’s or manager’s activities on behalf of the LLC, and authorizing the purchase of insurance for indemnification purposes) can only be varied by a written operating agreement.
Specifies that, notwithstanding prior statements, and in addition to the matters specified in the provisions above, the operating agreement must not:
Vary the definitions of RULLCA, as specified, except as specified therein; or
Vary a member’s rights under specified law that provides that every member is an agent of an LLC unless the articles of organization state that the LLC is manager-managed at which point only the manager has agency power; or other specified law, which provides for the right to inspect various LLC documents; the right to a specified annual report for members in an LLC of more than 35 members, among other things; the right to a copy of the articles of incorporation or operating agreement, as specified.
Governs distributions made by an LLC before its dissolution and winding up.
Provides that an LLC is a member-managed LLC unless the articles of organization and the operating agreement do either of the following:
Expressly provide that the LLC is or will be “manager-managed” or “managed by managers” or that management of the LLC is or will be “vested in managers;” or
Include words of similar import.
Specifies that in a member-managed LLC, certain rules apply, including that a difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the LLC shall be decided by a majority of the members of the LLC which the difference among the members has arisen.
Specifies that in a manager-managed LLC, certain rules apply, including that the consent of all members of the LLC is required to do any of the following:
Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the LLC’s property, as specified;
Approve a merger or conversion under the RULLCA article governing mergers and conversions;
Undertake any other act outside of the ordinary course of the LLC’s activities; or
Amend the operating agreement.
Specifies that in a manager-managed LLC, a manager may be chosen at any time by the consent of a majority of the members and remains a manager until a successor has been chosen, unless the manager at an earlier time resigns, is removed, or dies, or, in the case of manager that is not an individual, terminates. A manager may be removed at any time by the consent of the majority of the members without notice or cause.
Provides, generally, that members have the right to vote on a dissolution of the LLC and on a merger of the LLC as provided under specified law.
Requires that an LLC reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed LLC or the manager of a manager-managed LLC in the course of the member’s or manager’s activities on behalf of the LLC, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with specified statutory fiduciary duties, duties of loyalty, and duties of care.
Authorizes an LLC to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a member or manager of the LLC against liability asserted against or incurred by the member or manager from that status, even if the operating agreement could not eliminate or limit the person’s liability to the LLC for the conduct giving rise to the liability, under specified law.
Provides various rules for when a person dissociates as a member of the LLC.
Includes various provisions governing suits for judicial dissolution.
Requires that any certificate or statement of conversion be executed and acknowledged by all members, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement and meets specified requirements.
This bill:
Replaces references to a “holder of a transferable interest in the limited liability company” with “transferee,” to reflect the correct terminology in RULLCA. This bill also corrects references to the term “majority in interest” which is not defined under RULLCA.
Revises and corrects cross-references throughout various provisions of RULLCA and would otherwise add missing cross-references to conform potentially conflicting provisions.
Modifies specified references to participation in the management or conduct of activities of the LLC to clarify that “participate” includes the right to vote.
Revises the definition of “electronic transmission by the limited liability company” by removing the requirement that the electronic transmission by an LLC to an individual member also satisfy requirements set forth under the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
Expands the definition of “person” to include a trustee of a trust, including, but not limited to, a trust described under the Probate Code, as specified.
Modifies the provisions limiting what an operating agreement can do. These modifications include:
Adding or otherwise revising various cross references;
Consolidating potentially duplicative language prohibiting the elimination of the obligation of good faith and fair dealing by instead providing that, subject to specified law, the operating agreement shall not eliminate the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under existing law, as specified, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable as determined at the time the standards are prescribed;
Repealing the language prohibiting an operating agreement from unreasonably restricting the duties and rights under specified law, which provides for the right to inspect various LLC documents; the right to a specified annual report for members in an LLC of more than 35 members, among other things; the right to a copy of the articles of incorporation or operating agreement, as specified;
Expanding the general prohibition against varying the requirements of CORP Sections 17707.04 to 17707.08, inclusive, relating to the dissolution of an LLC, to apply more generally to the RULLCA article on dissolution and winding up, as well as the RULLCA article on formation of an LLC; and
Prohibiting the variation of specified provisions relating the application of RULLCA.
Adds a provision to an existing statute on the dissolution and winding up of an LLC to specify that the profits and losses of a LLC shall be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, profits and losses must be allocated in proportion to the value, as stated in the required records, of the contributions the LLC has received from each member.
Modifies existing law, above, to provide, instead, that an LLC is a member-managed LLC unless the articles of organization contain a statement to the effect that the LLC is to be manager-managed, as required under specified law.
Modifies an existing rule for member-managed LLCs, above, to instead provide that a difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the LLC shall be decided by a majority of the members.
Modifies the existing rule for member approvals required for certain activities by a manager-managed LLC, above, to remove the requirement that an LLC obtain all members’ consent to amend the operating agreement and to approve a merger or conversion under the RULLCA article on mergers and conversions and would, instead, provide that consent of all the LLC members is required to do the following:
Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the LLC’s property, as specified; or
Except as otherwise provided in the article on mergers or conversions, any other act outside of the ordinary course of the LLC’s activities.
Modifies the existing rule for the removal of a manager of a manager-managed LLC, above, to repeal language authorizing the LLC to remove a manager at any time, upon consent of a majority of the members, without notice. This bill provides, instead, that the manager can be removed at any time by the consent of a majority of members without cause, subject to the rights, if any, of the manager under any service contract with the LLC.
Adds that members also have the right to vote on any conversion of the LLC to another business entity, under specified law.
Adds that, except as provided under specified law (allowing for an operating agreement to alter or eliminate the indemnification for a member or manager provided in the provision above, and to eliminate or limit a member or manager’s liability to the LLC and members for money damages, except as specified), an LLC may reimburse any payment made and indemnify any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by other persons, including, without limitation, any officer, employee, or agent of the LLC, in the course of that person’s activities on behalf of the LLC.
Expands the existing authorization for an LLC to purchase and maintain liability insurance for “members” and “managers,” above, to instead authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance for any person.
Requires, without limiting the above requirement to reimburse any payment and indemnify any debt, obligation or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed LLC or manager of a manager-managed LLC, as specified, that an LLC indemnify an agent of the LLC to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter in any proceeding in which the agent was or is a party or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her status as an agent of the LLC, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent, if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the LLC and its members. This bill also defines the terms “agent,” “expenses,” and “proceeding,” for these purposes.
Adds a provision specifying that if a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a member’s interest is being administered by an attorney in fact under a valid power of attorney, the member’s executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative may exercise all of the member’s rights for the purpose of settling the member’s estate or administering the member’s property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
Specifies that nothing in the existing provisions governing suits for judicial dissolution shall be construed to limit the remedies otherwise available to a court of competent jurisdiction over the dissolution.
Modifies existing law above, to instead require that the certificate or statement of conversion be executed and acknowledged by all members of a member-managed LLC or all managers of a manager-managed LLC, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement and meets specified requirements.
Makes other technical, or clarifying changes.
Background
A California LLC is a hybrid between a corporation and a partnership. An LLC generally has the characteristics of a partnership for operational and taxation purposes, but its members enjoy the immunity provided by a corporation to its shareholders for contract debts or tort liability. The interest of a member in an LLC is an economic interest, in the same manner that a partnership interest or a corporate share is an economic interest, that may be transferred under terms and conditions provided by the LLC agreement, the partnership agreement, or the corporate structure.
California first recognized LLCs in 1994 with the enactment of the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act (Beverly-Killea), which provided comprehensive provisions for the organization, management, and dissolution of LLCs. (SB 469 Beverly, Chapter 1200, Statutes of 1994.) That same year, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) approved the use of a Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. In 2006, after reviewing the development of LLC laws in the United States, NCCUSL adopted RULLCA, which has been enacted in five states (Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and Wyoming) and the District of Colombia. In 2012, SB 323 (Vargas, Chapter 419, Statutes of 2012) was enacted to repeal Beverly-Killea and, taking into account California’s particular LLC protections, replace it with a modified version of RULLCA.
This bill makes various changes to the RULLCA provisions.
Comments
As stated by the author:
This bill would amend the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (“RULLCA”) which took effect January 1, 2014. It will fix certain cross referencing and typographical errors and inconsistencies in RULLCA that make it difficult to understand and less attractive to business owners and investors. It eliminates an inconsistency on what vote is needed to accomplish a merger or conversion and creates indemnification rights for agents similar to those afforded agents of California corporations. It also clarifies RULLCA’s transition rules to avoid potential disputes as to whether RULLCA or prior law, the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act (“Beverly-Killea”), governs the limited liability company (“LLC”).
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
Partnership and Limited Liability Companies Committee of the Business Law Section of the California State Bar (source)
Conference of California Bar Associations
OPPOSITION: (Verified 7/15/15)
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 5/7/15
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins
NO VOTE RECORDED: Campos, Gray, Roger Hernández, Steinorth
Prepared by: Ronak Daylami / JUD. / (916) 651-4113
7/15/15 15:44:21
AB 506 (Maienschein)
Page 14 of 14
Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Chair
2015-2016 Regular Session
AB 506 (Maienschein)
Version: June 29, 2015
Hearing Date: July 7, 2015
Fiscal: No
Urgency: No
RD
SUBJECT
Limited liability companies: limited partnerships
DESCRIPTION
This bill seeks to make various changes to the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA).
BACKGROUND
A California limited liability company (LLC) is a hybrid between a corporation and a partnership. An LLC generally has the characteristics of a partnership for operational and taxation purposes, but its members enjoy the immunity provided by a corporation to its shareholders for contract debts or tort liability. The interest of a member in an LLC is an economic interest, in the same manner that a partnership interest or a corporate share is an economic interest, that may be transferred under terms and conditions provided by the LLC agreement, the partnership agreement, or the corporate structure.
California first recognized LLCs in 1994 with the enactment of the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act (Beverly-Killea), which provided comprehensive provisions for the organization, management, and dissolution of LLCs. (SB 469 (Beverly, Ch. 1200, Stats. 1994).) That same year, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) approved the use of a Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. In 2006, after reviewing the development of LLC laws in the United States, NCCUSL adopted the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA), which has been enacted in five states (Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and Wyoming) and the District of Colombia.
In 2012, SB 323 (Vargas, Ch. 419, Stats. 2012), sponsored by the Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies Committee of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of California, was enacted to repeal Beverly-Killea and, taking into account California’s particular LLC protections, replace it with a modified version of RULLCA.
This bill, also sponsored by the Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies Committees of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of California, would make various changes to the RULLCA provisions.
CHANGES TO EXISTING LAW
Existing law, the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA), governs all California limited liability companies (LLCs). (Corp. Code Sec. 17701.01 et seq.)
This bill would specify that any operating agreements of LLCs entered into prior to January 1, 2014 (when RULLCA took effect, replacing the Beverly Killea LLC Act), remain governed by the Beverly Killea LLC Act.
This bill would provide that specified provisions of the Labor Code, relating to consideration for employment and employment contracts, shall not apply to membership interests issued by any LLC or foreign LLC to the following persons:
any employee of the LLC or foreign LLC or of any parent or subsidiary of either, pursuant to a membership interest purchase plan or agreement, or a membership interest option plan or agreement; and
a person who is or is about to become an officer or manager (as appointed or elected by the members) of the LLC or foreign LLC or of any parent or subsidiary of either, in any transaction in connection with securing employment.
This bill would replace references to a “holder of a transferable interest in the limited liability company” with “transferee,” to reflect the correct terminology in RULLCA. This bill would also correct references to the term “majority in interest” which is not defined under RULLCA.
This bill would revise and correct cross-references throughout various provisions of RULLCA and would otherwise add missing cross-references to conform potentially conflicting provisions.
This bill would modify specified references to participation in the management or conduct of activities of the LLC to clarify that “participate” includes the right to vote.
This bill would make other technical, or clarifying changes.
Existing law defines various terms for purposes of RULLCA. (Corp. Code Sec. 17701.02.)
Existing law defines “electronic transmission by the limited liability company” to mean a communication delivered by specified means, including means of electronic communication to which both of the following apply:
the communication is delivered to a recipient who has provided an unrevoked consent to the use of those means of transmission; and
the communication creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form. However, an electronic transmission by a limited liability company to an individual member is not authorized unless, in addition to satisfying the requirements of this section, the transmission satisfies the requirements applicable to consumer consent to electronic records as set forth in the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act. (Corp. Code Sec. 17701.02(i)(1)(A)-(C).)
Existing law, in relevant part, defines “person” to mean an individual, partnership, limited partnership, trust, estate, association, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, whether domestic or foreign. (Corp. Code Sec. 17701.02(v).)
This bill would revise the definition of “electronic transmission by the limited liability company” by removing the requirement that the electronic transmission by an LLC to an individual member also satisfy requirements set forth under the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
This bill would expand to the definition of “person” to include a trustee of a trust, including, but not limited to, a trust described under the Probate Code’s Trust Law, as specified.
Existing law prohibits an LLC operating agreement from doing certain things, including, in relevant part:
eliminating the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, or any other fiduciary duty, subject to other specified provisions;
eliminating the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under specified provisions of Section 17704.09, subject to other provisions allowing for the operating agreement to modify the fiduciary duties of a member or manager, as specified;
unreasonably restricting the duties and rights stated under Section 17704.10, which provides for the right to inspect various LLC documents; the right to a specified annual report for members in an LLC of more than 35 members, among other things; the right to a copy of the articles of incorporation or operating agreement, as specified;
varying the requirements of Sections 17707.04 to 17707.08, inclusive, relating to the dissolution of an LLC, except as specified;
restricting the right to approve a merger, conversion, or domestication under Section 17710.14 to a member that will have personal liability with respect to a surviving, converted, or domesticated organization;
varying any provision under Article 10, relating to mergers and conversions;
varying any provision under Article 12, relating to class provisions; or
eliminating the obligation of good faith and fair dealing under specified provisions of Section 17704.09, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable. (Corp. Code Sec. 17701.10(c).)
Existing law provides that, except as provided in the provisions above, and other specified laws, the provisions of RULLCA may be varied as among the members or as between the members and the LLC by the operating agreement, provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 17701.13 (relating to the designation of an agent for service of process and required records that must be maintained by the LLC), 17703.01 (providing that every member is an agent of an LLC unless the articles of organization state that the LLC is manager-managed at which point only the manager has agency power), 17704.07 (providing specified rules governing an LLC depending upon whether the LLC is member- or manager-managed), and 17704.08 (requiring reimbursement of any payments and indemnification of any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member or manager in the course of the member’s or manager’s activities on behalf of the LLC, and authorizing the purchase of insurance for indemnification purposes) can only be varied by a written operating agreement. (Corp. Code Sec. 17701.10(d).)
Existing law specifies that, notwithstanding prior statements, and in addition to the matters specified in the provisions above, the operating agreement must not:
vary the definitions of RULLCA, as specified, except as specified therein; or
vary a member’s rights under specified law that provides that every member is an agent of an LLC unless the articles of organization state that the LLC is manager-managed at which point only the manager has agency power; or other specified law, which provides for the right to inspect various LLC documents; the right to a specified annual report for members in an LLC of more than 35 members, among other things; the right to a copy of the articles of incorporation or operating agreement, as specified. (Corp. Code Sec. 17701.10(d).)
This bill would modify the provisions limiting what an operating agreement can do. These modifications include:
adding or otherwise revising various cross references;
consolidating potentially duplicative language prohibiting the elimination of the obligation of good faith and fair dealing by instead providing that, subject to specified law, the operating agreement shall not eliminate the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under existing law, as specified, but the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable as determined at the time the standards are prescribed;
repealing the language prohibiting an operating agreement from unreasonably restricting the duties and rights under specified law, which provides for the right to inspect various LLC documents; the right to a specified annual report for members in an LLC of more than 35 members, among other things; the right to a copy of the articles of incorporation or operating agreement, as specified;
expanding the general prohibition against varying the requirements of Sections 17707.04 to 17707.08, inclusive, relating to the dissolution of an LLC, to apply more generally to the RULLCA article on dissolution and winding up, as well as the RULLCA article on formation of an LLC; and
prohibiting the variation of specified provisions relating the application of RULLCA.
Existing law governs distributions made by an LLC before its dissolution and winding up.
This bill would add a provision specifying that the profits and losses of a limited liability company shall be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement. If the operating agreement does not otherwise provide, profits and losses must be allocated in proportion to the value, as stated in the required records, of the contributions the limited liability company has received from each member.
Existing law provides that an LLC is a member-managed LLC unless the articles of organization and the operating agreement do either of the following:
expressly provide that the LLC is or will be “manager-managed” or “managed by managers” or that management of the LLC is or will be “vested in managers;” or
include words of similar import. (Corp. Code Sec. 17704.07(a).)
Existing law specifies that in a member-managed LLC, certain rules apply, including that a difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the LLC shall be decided by a majority of the members of the LLC which the difference among the members has arisen. (Corp. Code Sec. 17704.07(b).)
Existing law specifies that in a manager-managed LLC, certain rules apply, including that the consent of all members of the LLC is required to do any of the following:
sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the LLC’s property, as specified;
approve a merger or conversion under the RULLCA article governing mergers and conversions;
undertake any other act outside of the ordinary course of the LLC’s activities; or
amend the operating agreement. (Corp. Code Sec. 17704.07(c)(4).)
Existing law further specifies that in a manager-managed LLC, a manager may be chosen at any time by the consent of a majority of the members and remains a manager until a successor has been chosen, unless the manager at an earlier time resigns, is removed, or dies, or, in the case of manager that is not an individual, terminates. A manager may be removed at any time by the consent of the majority of the members without notice or cause. (Corp. Code Sec. 17704.07(c)(5).)
Existing law generally provides that members have the right to vote on a dissolution of the LLC and on a merger of the LLC as provided under specified law.
This bill would modify the above to provide, instead, that an LLC is a member-managed LLC unless the articles of organization contain a statement to the effect that the LLC is to be manager-managed, as required under other specified law.
This bill would modify the above rule for member-managed LLCs to instead provide that a difference arising among members as to a matter in the ordinary course of the activities of the LLC shall be decided by a majority of the members.
This bill would modify the above rule for member approvals required for certain activities by a manager-managed LLC to delete the requirement that an LLC obtain all members’ consent to amend the operating agreement and to approve a merger or conversion under the RULLCA article on mergers and conversions and would, instead, provide that consent of all the LLC members is required to do the following:
sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of the LLC’s property, as specified; or
except as otherwise provided in the RULLCA article on mergers or conversions, any other act outside of the ordinary course of the LLC’s activities.
This bill would modify the above rule for the removal of a manager of a manager-managed LLC to repeal language giving the LLC authority to remove a manager at any time, upon consent of a majority of the members, without notice. The bill would provide, instead, that the manager can be removed at any time by the consent of a majority of members without cause, subject to the rights, if any, of the manager under any service contract with the LLC.
This bill would add that members also have the right to vote on any conversion of the LLC to another business entity, under specified law.
Existing law requires that an LLC reimburse for any payment made and indemnify for any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed LLC or the manager of a manager-managed LLC in the course of the member’s or manager’s activities on behalf of the LLC, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with specified statutory fiduciary duties, duties of loyalty, and duties of care. (Corp. Code Sec. 17704.08(a).)
Existing law authorizes and LLC to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a member or manager of the LLC against liability asserted against or incurred by the member or manager from that status, even if the operating agreement could not eliminate or limit the person’s liability to the LLC for the conduct giving rise to the liability, under specified law. (Corp. Code Sec. 17704.08(b).)
This bill would add that, except as provided under specified law (allowing for an operating agreement to alter or eliminate the indemnification for a member or manager provided in the provision above, and to eliminate or limit a member or manager’s liability to the LLC and members for money damages, except as specified), an LLC may reimburse any payment made and indemnify any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by other persons, including, without limitation, any officer, employee, or agent of the LLC, in the course of that person’s activities on behalf of the LLC.
This bill would expand the above authorization for an LLC to purchase and maintain liability insurance for “members” and “managers” to instead authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance for any person.
This bill would require, without limiting the above requirement to reimburse any payment and indemnify any debt, obligation or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed LLC or manager of a manager-managed LLC, as specified, that an LLC indemnify an agent of the LLC to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter in any proceeding in which the agent was or is a party or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her status as an agent of the LLC, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent, if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the LLC and its members.
This bill would define the terms “agent,” “expenses,” and “proceeding,” for these purposes.
Existing law provides various rules for when a person dissociates as a member of the LLC. (Corp. Code Sec. 17706.03.)
This bill would add a provision specifying that if a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a member’s interest is being administered by an attorney in fact under a valid power of attorney, the member’s executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative may exercise all of the member’s rights for the purpose of settling the member’s estate or administering the member’s property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
Existing law includes various provisions governing suits for judicial dissolution. (Corp. Code Sec. 17707.03.)
This bill would specify that nothing in those provisions shall be construed to limit the remedies otherwise available to a court of competent jurisdiction over the dissolution.
Existing law requires that any certificate or statement of conversion be executed and acknowledged by all members, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement and meets specified requirements. (Corp. Code Sec. 17710.06(b).)
This bill would instead require that the certificate or statement of conversion be executed and acknowledged by all members of a member-managed LLC or all managers of a manager-managed LLC, unless a lesser number is provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement and meets specified requirements.
Existing law provides that each membership interest of the same class of any constituent LLC, other than a membership interest in another constituent LLC that is being canceled and that is held by a constituent LLC or its parent or an LLC of which the constituent LLC is a parent must, unless all members of the class consent, be treated equally with respect to any distribution of cash, property, rights, interests, or securities.
Existing law, commonly referred to as the 50/90 rule, provides that notwithstanding the above, except in a merger of an LLC with an LLC that controls at least 90 percent of the membership interests entitled to vote with respect to the merger, the unredeemable membership interests of a constituent LLC may be converted only into unredeemable interests or securities of the surviving LLC or other business entity, or a parent if a constituent LLC or a constituent other business entity or its parent owns, directly or indirectly, prior to the merger, membership interests of another constituent LLC or interests or securities of a constituent other business entity representing more than 50 percent of the interests or securities entitled to vote with respect to the merger of the other constituent LLC or constituent other business entity or more than 50 percent of the voting power, as defined under existing law, of a constituent other business entity that is a domestic corporation, unless all of the members of the class consent.
This bill would allow for an LLC to modify the unanimous approval standard above in its written operating agreement.
COMMENT
1. Stated need for the bill
According to the author:
This bill would amend the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (“RULLCA”) which took effect January 1, 2014. It will fix certain cross referencing and typographical errors and inconsistencies in RULLCA that make it difficult to understand and less attractive to business owners and investors. It eliminates an inconsistency on what vote is needed to accomplish a merger or conversion and creates indemnification rights for agents similar to those afforded agents of California corporations. It also clarifies RULLCA’s transition rules to avoid potential disputes as to whether RULLCA or prior law, the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act (“Beverly-Killea”), governs the limited liability company (“LLC”).
2. Bill seeks to not only correct ambiguities and inconsistencies in the recently enacted RULLCA, but also substantively improve various provisions of the act
As stated by the sponsor of this bill, the Partnership and Limited Liability Companies Committee of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of California (PLLC committee), this bill is intended to address ambiguities and inconsistencies in the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA), and to make further improvements. The sponsor explains that these inconsistencies largely exist because when SB 323 (Vargas, Ch. 419, Stats. 2012) was enacted in 2012 to implement RULLCA in this state, it did not replicate the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws’ (NCCUSL) model law, word-for-word. Instead, the Legislature specifically sought to incorporate numerous provisions from the state’s preceding act, the Beverly Killea Limited Liability Company Act (Cal. Corp Code [Secs.] 17000-17656), in order to improve upon the NCCUSL version. As described by the PLLC committee:
The carried-over provisions include[d:] (i) important topics (e.g., meetings, officers, voting rights, and mergers and conversions) that were not covered in the NCCUSL version; (ii) particular requirements of the Business Programs Division of the California Secretary of State (e.g., member information rights and certain restrictions on operating agreement amendments; (iii) certain investor protections (e.g., the requirement for filing biennial statements of information); and (iv) other provisions (e.g., for limited liability company (“LLC”) dissolutions that the Committee believed were more comprehensive and substantially better than what was included in the NCCUSL version of the same topic. In general, the Committee believes that NCCUSL’s version was overly slanted in favor of LLC management, but that RULLCA as enacted in California is a more balanced law that more effectively protects the interests of LLC members.
Challenges were involved, however, in carrying over provisions from Beverly Killea into SB 323 because the statutory numbering convention was different, the organizational structure was different, and various defined terms in Beverly Killea differed from the corresponding terms in the NCCUSL version of RULLCA. [ . . . ] In addition, since SB 323’s enactment, the Committee has engaged in robust discussions with, and has received comments from, many experienced LLC law practitioners in California. As a result of those discussions, the Committee collected some further suggestions for clarification and improvement of RULLCA. This bill would correct the ambiguities and inconsistencies, and make some further improvements for the benefit of California attorneys and judges who must work with and interpret RULLCA in the future, as well as for the benefit of all California business enterprises that wish to conduct their business in the LLC form.
The PLLC committee draws particular attention to one provision of the bill that would amend RULLCA’s transition rule in Section 17713.04 of the Corporations Code, which currently provides that RULLCA generally applies only to the acts or transactions by an LLC or by the members or managers of the LLC, or “contracts” entered into by the LLC or by the members or managers of the LLC, on or after January 1, 2014, and that the prior law (the Beverly Killea LLC Act) governs all acts or transactions by an LLC or by the members or managers of the LLC company occurring, or contracts entered into by the LLC or by the members or managers of the LLC, prior to that date. This bill, the sponsor writes, seeks to clarify that the term “contracts” includes “LLC operating agreements, such that “the operating agreements of LLCs existing prior to January 1, 2014 are governed by Beverly Killea and should not necessarily need to be amended after that date. RULLCA applies to all LLCs and operating agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2014. Whether the operating agreement of an existing LLC should be amended after January 1, 2014, e.g., to take advantage of RULLCA provisions, is an issue for practitioners to decide in consultation with their clients on a case-by-case basis.”
Other notable changes proposed to the current RULLCA, include:
The addition of a provision not previously carried over by SB 323 from the Beverly Killea LLC Act (former Corp. Code Sec. 17110(d)), which provides that certain provisions of the Labor Code relating to property pledged by an employee in connection with an employment offer (Labor Code Sec. 406) and prohibiting the conditioning of an employment offer or an investment in the business by the prospective employee (Labor Code Sec. 407), do not apply to specified membership interests issued by the LLC or foreign LLC.
The incorporation of a provision specifying a default rule for how to allocate losses and profits among members, that is substantially similar to the default rule provided under the Beverly Killea LLC Act (former Corp. Code Sec. 17202) and the default rule for partnerships under the California Revised Uniform Partnership Act (Corp. Code Sec. 15905.035). Specifically, the bill would provide that the allocation of profits and losses among LLC members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement. In the event that the operating agreement is silent, profits and losses would be allocated in proportion to the value, as stated in the required records, of the contributions the LLC has received from each member.
The removal of authorization for a manager-managed LLC to remove a manager at any time upon consent of a majority of the members, without any notice. The bill would instead provide that the manager can be removed at any time by the consent of a majority of members without cause, subject to the rights, if any, of the manager under any service contract with the LLC.
The addition of language confirming that members of an LLC have, in addition to the right to vote on a dissolution or merger of the LLC under specified law, the right to vote on any conversion of the LLC to another business entity, under specified law.
To carry over a provision specifying what happens if a member dies, or a guardian or conservator of the estate is appointed for the member, or a member’s interest is being administered by an attorney in fact under a valid power of attorney—namely, the member’s executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative would be authorized to exercise all of the member’s rights for the purpose of settling the member’s estate or administering the member’s property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
3. Indemnification provisions
Existing law requires that an LLC reimburse any payment made and indemnify any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by a member of a member-managed LLC or the manager of a manager-managed LLC in the course of the member’s or manager’s activities on behalf of the LLC, if, in making the payment or incurring the debt, obligation, or other liability, the member or manager complied with specified statutory fiduciary duties, duties of loyalty, and duties of care.
This section further authorizes an LLC to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a member or manager of the LLC against liability asserted against or incurred by the member or manager from that status, even if the operating agreement could not eliminate or limit the person’s liability to the LLC for the conduct giving rise to the liability, under specified law.
This bill would now add that an LLC may reimburse any payment made and indemnify any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by other persons, including, without limitation, any officer, employee, or agent of the LLC, in the course of that person’s activities on behalf of the LLC, except as specified. The bill would also expand the existing authorization for an LLC to purchase and maintain liability insurance for “members” and “managers” so as to authorize the purchase and maintenance of liability insurance for any person.
Furthermore, the bill would require that an LLC indemnify an agent of the LLC to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter in any proceeding in which the agent was or is a party or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her status as an agent of the LLC, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent, if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the LLC and its members. The bill also, however, expressly states that this new requirement does not limit the LLC’s broader indemnification obligation for members and managers.
According to materials provided by the sponsor, the new additions effectively provide for indemnification of agents that is similar to the existing law indemnification for corporate agents under Section 317 of the Corporations Code.
4. Bill would allow for LLCs to opt out of the 50/90 rule by way of written operating agreements
Under existing law, in a merger of one LLC into another, unless the LLC is merging with an LLC that controls at least 90 percent of the membership interests entitled to vote for or against the merger, the unredeemable membership interests of a constitute LLC can be converted only into unredeemable interests or securities of the surviving LLC or other business entity, or a parent (i.e. the interests cannot be “cashed out”), if, prior to the merger, the constituent LLC or its parent owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the membership interests of other constituent entitled to vote with respect to the merger of the other constituent LLC, unless all members of the class consent. (See Corp. Code Sec. 17710.12(b)(2).)
In other words, in order to protect minority members from being forced to cash out in a merger, existing law requires that unanimous member approval be given for the merger to occur if the acquiring party in a merger owns more than 50 percent but less than 90 percent of all of the interests of the target LLC that are entitled to vote, prior to the merger. Otherwise, any unredeemable membership interests can only be converted into unredeemable membership interests in the surviving LLC or surviving business entity. This bill would now add language authorizing the LLC to require something other than unanimous approval in their written operating agreement.
In order to address concerns, the author has agreed to remove this language, as follows:
Author’s amendment:
On page 43, strike out line 3, in its entirety
On page 43, line 4, strike “notwithstanding” and insert “(2) Notwithstanding”
Support: Conference of California Bar Associations
Opposition: None Known
HISTORY
Source: Partnership and Limited Liability Companies Committee of the Business Law Section of the California State Bar
Related Pending Legislation: None Known
Prior Legislation:
SB 323 (Vargas, Ch. 419, Stats. 2012), recast and reorganized the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act into the current California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA).
SB 1186 (Torres, 2014) would have, among other things, amended the 50/90 rule for corporations to only require majority approval instead of unanimous approval to force minority shareholders to cash out in a merger covered by the 50/90 rule. That bill was held in this Committee and ultimately died without a hearing.
Prior Vote:
Assembly Floor (Ayes 76, Noes 0)
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee (Ayes 12, Noes 0)
**************
AB 506
Page 3
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 506
(Maienschein)
As Amended April 23, 2015
Majority vote
Committee |
Votes |
Ayes |
Noes |
Banking |
12-0 |
Dababneh, Travis Allen, Achadjian, Brown, Chau, Gatto, Hadley, Kim, Low, Perea, Ridley-Thomas, Mark Stone |
|
SUMMARY: Makes changes to the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA) and the California Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 2008 (RULPA). Specifically, this bill:
Specifies that a limited partnership is formed when the partners enter into a partnership agreement before or after the filing of a certificate of a limited partnership.
Expands the definition of "person" to include a trustee of a trust including, but not limited to, a trust described under Probate Code Division 9.
Amends the definition of "electronic transmission by the limited liability company."
Requires a limited liability company (LLC) to indemnify the agent of a LLC to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the LLC and its members.
Limits the RULLCA to acts or transactions existing on or after January 1, 2014, or by members or managers of the LLCs existing on or before that date.
Eliminates the requirement requiring the consent of all members of the LLC to approve a merger or conversion, as well as, to amend the operating agreement.
Requires profits and losses of a LLC be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement and would require that profits and losses be allocated in the proportion to the value of the contributions from each member if the operating agreement does not otherwise provide.
Modifies what an operating agreement may provide.
Specifies that upon dissociation, a person's right to vote as a member in the management and conduct of the LLCs activities terminates.
Authorizes, if a member dies or a guardian or general conservator is appointed for the member, the member's executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative to exercise all of the member's rights for the purpose of settling the member's estate or administering the member's property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
Provides that specified provisions of the Labor Code, relating to consideration for employment and employment contracts, shall not apply to membership interests issued by any LLC or foreign LLC.
Makes other technical and clarifying changes.
EXISTING LAW:
Establishes the California RULLCA which governs all California LLCs. (Corporations Code Sections 17701.01 to 17713.13).
Establishes the RULPA, modeled after the national Uniform Limited Partnership Act which governs California business partnerships. (Corporations Code Sections 15900 to 15912.07)
FISCAL EFFECT: None.
COMMENTS:
An LLC is a hybrid between a corporation and a partnership. An LLC generally has the beneficial characteristics of a partnership for operational and taxation purposes, but its members enjoy the immunity provided by a corporation to its shareholders for contract debts or tort liability. The interest of a member in an LLC is an economic interest, in the same manner that a partnership interest or a corporate share is an economic interest, that may be transferred under terms and conditions provided by the LLC agreement, the partnership agreement, or the corporate structure.
Background:
On January 1, 2014, the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act (BKLLCA) (the law in California governing LLCs prior to January 1, 2014) was repealed and replaced by the RULLCA. Existing LLCs and those formed after January 1, 2014, are subject to the RULLCA. The RULLCA imposes significant changes in the way California LLCs are to be governed and inserts default provisions in LLC operating agreements if certain matters are not specifically addressed. The RULLCA applies to all LLCs, foreign and based in California that register with the Secretary of State (SOS). The RULLCA is based on the RULLCA adopted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL), with modifications to include certain aspects of existing California law.
The purpose of the RULLCA is to clarify the issues that existed under the BKLLCA. The RULLCA provides a wider breadth of default rules that applies to all LLCs in situations where an operating agreement is silent as to a particular issue. The intended benefit of enacting the RULLCA was to coordinate California's LLC laws with the LLC laws of other states, thereby making it easier for businesses to operate across state lines.
This bill amends the California RULLCA and the California RULPA. RULLCA was enacted in in 2012 through SB 323 (Vargas), Chapter 419, Statutes of 2012. SB 323 did not replicate word-for-word the RULLCA as promulgated by the NCCUSL. RULLCA as enacted in California incorporates numerous provisions from the BKLLCA (Corporations Code Sections 17000 to 17656) which were carried over to RULLCA for the purpose of improving the NCCUSL version. The carried-over provisions include: important topics (e.g., meetings, officers, voting rights, and mergers and conversions) that were not covered in the NCCUSL version; particular requirements of the Business Programs Division of the SOS (e.g., the requirement for filing biennial statements of information); certain investor protections (e.g., member information rights and certain restrictions on operating agreement amendments); and other provisions (e.g., for limited liability company (LLC) dissolutions)
Since the enactment of SB 323, a number of inconsistencies and conflicts have been found through the Corporations Code. SB 323 faced challenges in carrying over provisions from BKLLCA because the statutory numbering convention was different, the organizational structure was different, and various defined terms in BKLLCA differed from the corresponding terms in the NCCUSL version of RULLCA which this bill is addressing.
Specifically, this bill amends the RULLCA transition rule in Corporations Code Section 17713.04 to clarify that the term "contracts" includes LLC operating agreements. Thus, the operating agreements of LLCs existing prior to January 1, 2014, are governed by BKLLCA and should not necessarily need to be amended after that date. RULLCA applies to all LLCs and operating agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2014. Whether the operating agreement of an existing LLC should be amended after January 1, 2014, e.g., to take advantage of RULLCA provisions is an issue for practitioners to decide in consultation with their clients on a case-by-case basis.
In addition, this bill would resolve an ambiguity in RULPA that provides that a limited partnership is formed when a Certificate of Limited Partnership is filed and the parties have entered into a partnership agreement. Existing law provides that a partnership is formed when the SOS files the Certificate of Limited Partnership, but makes no mention of a partnership agreement. This bill would clarify that an agreement is paramount to forming a partnership and a critical part of the formation process.
Previous Legislation:
SB 323 enacted the RULLC which recasts and reorganizes the existing BKLLCA.
Analysis Prepared by: Kathleen O'Malley / B. & F. / (916) 319-3081 FN: 0000272
AB 506
Page 3
Date of Hearing: May 4, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BANKING AND FINANCE
Matthew Dababneh, Chair
AB 506
(Maienschein) – As Amended April 23, 2015
SUBJECT: Limited liability companies
SUMMARY: Makes changes to the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA) and the California Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 2008 (RULPA). Specifically, this bill:
Specifies that a limited partnership is formed when the partners enter into a partnership agreement before or after the filing of a certificate of a limited partnership.
Expands the definition of "person" to include a trustee of a trust including, but not limited to, a trust described under Division 9 of the Probate Code.
Amends the definition of "electronic transmission by the limited liability company."
Requires a limited liability company (LLC) to indemnify the agent of a LLC to the extent that the agent has been successful on the merits in defense or settlement of any claim, issue, or matter if the agent acted in good faith and in a manner that the agent reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the LLC and its members.
Limits the RULLCA to acts or transactions existing on or after January 1, 2014, or by members or managers of the LLCs existing on or before that date.
Eliminates the requirement requiring the consent of all members of the LLC to approve a merger or conversion, as well as, to amend the operating agreement.
Requires profits and losses of a LLC be allocated among the members, and among classes of members, in the manner provided in the operating agreement and would require that profits and losses be allocated in the proportion to the value of the contributions from each member if the operating agreement does not otherwise provide.
Modifies what an operating agreement may provide.
Specifies that upon dissociation, a person's right to vote as a member in the management and conduct of the LLCs activities terminates.
Authorizes, if a member dies or a guardian or general conservator is appointed for the member, the member's executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative to exercise all of the member's rights for the purpose of settling the member's estate or administering the member's property, including any power the member had under the articles of organization or an operating agreement to give a transferee the right to become a member.
Provides that specified provisions of the Labor Code, relating to consideration for employment and employment contracts, shall not apply to membership interests issued by any LLC or foreign LLC.
Makes other technical and clarifying changes.
EXISTING LAW:
Establishes the California RULLCA which governs all California LLCs. (Corporations Code, Sections 17701.01-17713.13).
Establishes the RULPA, modeled after the national Uniform Limited Partnership Act which governs California business partnerships. (Corporations Code, Sections 15900-15912.07)
FISCAL EFFECT: None.
COMMENTS:
An LLC is a hybrid between a corporation and a partnership. An LLC generally has the beneficial characteristics of a partnership for operational and taxation purposes, but its members enjoy the immunity provided by a corporation to its shareholders for contract debts or tort liability. The interest of a member in an LLC is an economic interest, in the same manner that a partnership interest or a corporate share is an economic interest, that may be transferred under terms and conditions provided by the LLC agreement, the partnership agreement, or the corporate structure.
Background:
On January 1, 2014, the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act (BKLLCA) (the law in California governing LLCs prior to January 1, 2014) was repealed and replaced by the RULLCA. Existing LLCs and those formed after January 1, 2014 are subject to the RULLCA. The RULLCA imposes significant changes in the way California LLCs are to be governed and inserts default provisions in LLC operating agreements if certain matters are not specifically addressed. The RULLCA applies to all LLCs, foreign and based in California that register with the Secretary of State (SOS). The RULLCA is based on the RULLCA adopted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL), with modifications to include certain aspects of existing California law.
The purpose of the RULLCA is to clarify the issues that existed under the BKLLCA. The RULLCA provides a wider breadth of default rules that applies to all LLCs in situations where an operating agreement is silent as to a particular issue. The intended benefit of enacting the RULLCA was to coordinate California’s LLC laws with the LLC laws of other states, thereby making it easier for businesses to operate across state lines.
AB 506 amends the California RULLCA and the California RULPA. RULLCA was enacted in in 2012 through SB 323 (Chapter 419). SB 323 did not replicate word-for-word the RULLCA as promulgated by the NCCUSL. RULLCA as enacted in California incorporates numerous provisions from the BKLLCA (Corporations Code, Sections 17000–17656) which were carried over to RULLCA for the purpose of improving the NCCUSL version. The carried-over provisions include: important topics (e.g., meetings, officers, voting rights, and mergers and conversions) that were not covered in the NCCUSL version; particular requirements of the Business Programs Division of the SOS (e.g., the requirement for filing biennial statements of information); certain investor protections (e.g., member information rights and certain restrictions on operating agreement amendments); and other provisions (e.g., for limited liability company (LLC) dissolutions)
Since the enactment of SB 323, a number of inconsistencies and conflicts have been found through the Corporations Code. SB 323 faced challenges in carrying over provisions from BKLLCA because the statutory numbering convention was different, the organizational structure was different, and various defined terms in BKLLCA differed from the corresponding terms in the NCCUSL version of RULLCA which AB 506 is addressing.
Specifically, AB 506 amends the RULLCA transition rule in Corporations Code, section 17713.04 to clarify that the term “contracts” includes LLC operating agreements. Thus, the operating agreements of LLCs existing prior to January 1, 2014 are governed by BKLLCA and should not necessarily need to be amended after that date. RULLCA applies to all LLCs and operating agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2014. Whether the operating agreement of an existing LLC should be amended after January 1, 2014, e.g., to take advantage of RULLCA provisions is an issue for practitioners to decide in consultation with their clients on a case-by-case basis.
In addition, AB 506 would resolve an ambiguity in RULPA that provides that a limited partnership is formed when a Certificate of Limited Partnership is filed and the parties have entered into a partnership agreement. Existing law provides that a partnership is formed when the SOS files the Certificate of Limited Partnership, but makes no mention of a partnership agreement. The bill would clarify that an agreement is paramount to forming a partnership and a critical part of the formation process.
Need for the bill:
According to the sponsor, The Partnership and Limited Liability Companies Committee of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of California,
"Since SB 323’s enactment, the Committee has engaged in robust discussions with, and has received comments from, many experienced LLC law practitioners in California. As a result of those discussions, the Committee collected some further suggestions for clarification and improvement of RULLCA. This bill would correct the ambiguities and inconsistencies, and make some further improvements for the benefit of California attorneys and judges who must work with and interpret RULLCA in the future, as well as for the benefit of all California business enterprises that wish to conduct their business in the LLC form."
Previous Legislation:
SB 323 (Vargas, Statutes of 2012, Chapter 419) enacted the RULLC which recasts and reorganizes the existing BKLLCA.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
State Bar of California (Sponsor)
Conference of California Bar Association (CCBA)
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Kathleen O'Malley / B. & F. / (916) 319-3081
Discussed in Hearing
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