(MBCA 8.03) (a) A board of directors must consist of one or more individuals, with the number specified in or fixed in accordance with the articles of incorporation or bylaws.
(b) The number of directors may be increased or decreased from time to time by amendment to, or in the manner provided in, the articles of incorporation or the bylaws.
(c) Directors are elected at the first annual shareholders' meeting and at each annual meeting thereafter unless their terms are staggered under section 21-289.
(d) If a corporation is registered as an investment company under the federal Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq., and, pursuant to section 21-220, has included in its articles of incorporation a provision limiting or eliminating the requirement to hold an annual meeting of the shareholders, the initial directors shall be elected at the first meeting of the shareholders after such provision limiting or eliminating such meeting is included in the articles of incorporation, and thereafter the election of directors by shareholders is not required unless required by such federal act or the rules and regulations under such act or otherwise required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act.
(MBCA 8.04) If the articles of incorporation authorize dividing the shares into classes, the articles may also authorize the election of all or a specified number of directors by the holders of one or more authorized classes of shares. A class, or classes, of shares entitled to elect one or more directors is a separate voting group for purposes of the election of directors.
(MBCA 8.05) (a) The terms of the initial directors of a corporation expire at the first shareholders' meeting at which directors are elected.
(b) The terms of all other directors expire at the next or, if their terms are staggered in accordance with section 21-289, at the applicable second or third annual shareholders' meeting following their election, except to the extent a shorter term is specified in the articles of incorporation in the event of a director nominee failing to receive a specified vote for election.
(c) A decrease in the number of directors does not shorten an incumbent director's term.
(d) The term of a director elected to fill a vacancy expires at the next shareholders' meeting at which directors are elected.
(e) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, despite the expiration of a director's term, the director continues to serve until the director's successor is elected and qualifies or there is a decrease in the number of directors.
(MBCA 8.06) The articles of incorporation may provide for staggering the terms of directors by dividing the total number of directors into two or three groups, with each group containing one-half or one-third of the total, as near as may be practicable. In that event, the terms of directors in the first group expire at the first annual shareholders' meeting after their election, the terms of the second group expire at the second annual shareholders' meeting after their election, and the terms of the third group, if any, expire at the third annual shareholders' meeting after their election. At each annual shareholders' meeting held thereafter, directors shall be chosen for a term of two years or three years, as the case may be, to succeed those whose terms expire.
(MBCA 8.07) (a) A director may resign at any time by delivering a written resignation to the board of directors or its chairperson or to the secretary of the corporation.
(b) A resignation is effective when the resignation is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. A resignation that is conditioned upon failing to receive a specified vote for election as a director may provide that it is irrevocable.
(MBCA 8.08) (a) The shareholders may remove one or more directors with or without cause unless the articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed only for cause.
(b) If a director is elected by a voting group of shareholders, only the shareholders of that voting group may participate in the vote to remove that director.
(c) A director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against removal.
(d) A director may be removed by the shareholders only at a meeting called for the purpose of removing the director and the meeting notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is removal of the director.
(MBCA 8.09) (a) The district court of the county where a corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state, its registered office, is located may remove a director of the corporation from office in a proceeding commenced by or in the right of the corporation if the court finds that (1) the director engaged in fraudulent conduct with respect to the corporation or its shareholders, grossly abused the position of director, or intentionally inflicted harm on the corporation and (2) considering the director's course of conduct and the inadequacy of other available remedies, removal would be in the best interest of the corporation.
(b) A shareholder proceeding on behalf of the corporation under subsection (a) of this section shall comply with all of the requirements of sections 21-275 to 21-282, except subdivision (1) of section 21-276.
(c) The court, in addition to removing the director, may bar the director from reelection for a period prescribed by the court.
(d) Nothing in this section limits the equitable powers of the court to order other relief.
(MBCA 8.10) (a) Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, if a vacancy occurs on a board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors:
(1) The shareholders may fill the vacancy;
(2) The board of directors may fill the vacancy; or
(3) If the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board, they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office.
(b) If the vacant office was held by a director elected by a voting group of shareholders, only the holders of shares of that voting group are entitled to vote to fill the vacancy if it is filled by the shareholders, and only the directors elected by that voting group are entitled to fill the vacancy if it is filled by the directors.
(c) A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date, by reason of a resignation effective at a later date under subsection (b) of section 21-290 or otherwise, may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
(MBCA 8.11) Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, the board of directors may fix the compensation of directors.
(MBCA 8.20) (a) The board of directors may hold regular or special meetings in or out of this state.
(b) Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, the board of directors may permit any or all directors to participate in a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. A director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting.
(MBCA 8.21) (a) Except to the extent that the articles of incorporation or bylaws require that action by the board of directors be taken at a meeting, action required or permitted by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act to be taken by the board of directors may be taken without a meeting if each director signs a consent describing the action to be taken and delivers it to the corporation.
(b) Action taken under this section is the act of the board of directors when one or more consents signed by all the directors are delivered to the corporation. The consent may specify the time at which the action taken thereunder is to be effective. A director's consent may be withdrawn by a revocation signed by the director and delivered to the corporation prior to delivery to the corporation of unrevoked written consents signed by all the directors.
(c) A consent signed under this section has the effect of action taken at a meeting of the board of directors and may be described as such in any document.
(MBCA 8.22) (a) Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice of the date, time, place, or purpose of the meeting.
(b) Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws provide for a longer or shorter period, special meetings of the board of directors must be preceded by at least two days' notice of the date, time, and place of the meeting. The notice need not describe the purpose of the special meeting unless required by the articles of incorporation or bylaws.
(MBCA 8.23) (a) A director may waive any notice required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, the articles of incorporation, or bylaws before or after the date and time stated in the notice. Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, the waiver must be in writing, signed by the director entitled to the notice, and filed with the minutes or corporate records.
(b) A director's attendance at or participation in a meeting waives any required notice to the director of the meeting unless the director at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon arrival, objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to action taken at the meeting.
(MBCA 8.24) (a) Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws require a greater number or unless otherwise specifically provided in the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, a quorum of a board of directors consists of:
(1) A majority of the fixed number of directors if the corporation has a fixed board size; or
(2) A majority of the number of directors prescribed, or if no number is prescribed the number in office immediately before the meeting begins, if the corporation has a variable-range size board.
(b) The articles of incorporation or bylaws may authorize a quorum of a board of directors to consist of no fewer than one-third of the fixed or prescribed number of directors determined under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) If a quorum is present when a vote is taken, the affirmative vote of a majority of directors present is the act of the board of directors unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws require the vote of a greater number of directors.
(d) A director who is present at a meeting of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors when corporate action is taken is deemed to have assented to the action taken unless: (1) The director objects at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon arrival, to holding it or transacting business at the meeting; (2) the dissent or abstention from the action taken is entered in the minutes of the meeting; or (3) the director delivers written notice of the director's dissent or abstention to the presiding officer of the meeting before its adjournment or to the corporation immediately after adjournment of the meeting. The right of dissent or abstention is not available to a director who votes in favor of the action taken.
(MBCA 8.25) (a) Unless the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act or the articles of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, a board of directors may create one or more committees and appoint one or more members of the board of directors to serve on any such committee.
(b) Unless the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act otherwise provides, the creation of a committee and appointment of members to it must be approved by the greater of (1) a majority of all the directors in office when the action is taken or (2) the number of directors required by the articles of incorporation or bylaws to take action under section 21-299.
(c) Sections 21-295 to 21-299 apply both to committees of the board and to their members.
(d) To the extent specified by the board of directors or in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, each committee may exercise the powers of the board of directors under section 21-284.
(e) A committee may not, however:
(1) Authorize or approve distributions, except according to a formula or method, or within limits, prescribed by the board of directors;
(2) Approve or propose to shareholders action that the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act requires be approved by shareholders;
(3) Fill vacancies on the board of directors or, subject to subsection (g) of this section, on any of its committees; or
(4) Adopt, amend, or repeal bylaws.
(f) The creation of, delegation of authority to, or action by a committee does not alone constitute compliance by a director with the standards of conduct described in section 21-2,102.
(g) The board of directors may appoint one or more directors as alternate members of any committee to replace any absent or disqualified member during the member's absence or disqualification. Unless the articles of incorporation or the bylaws or the resolution creating the committee provide otherwise, in the event of the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, unanimously, may appoint another director to act in place of the absent or disqualified member.
(MBCA 8.26) A corporation may agree to submit a matter to a vote of its shareholders even if, after approving the matter, the board of directors determines it no longer recommends the matter.
(MBCA 8.30) (a)(1) Each member of the board of directors, when discharging the duties of a director, shall act (i) in good faith and (ii) in a manner the director reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation.
(2) A director may, but need not, in considering the best interests of the corporation, consider, among other things, the effects of any action on employees, suppliers, creditors, and customers of the corporation and communities in which offices or other facilities of the corporation are located.
(b) The members of the board of directors or a committee of the board, when becoming informed in connection with their decisionmaking function or devoting attention to their oversight function, shall discharge their duties with the care that a person in a like position would reasonably believe appropriate under similar circumstances.
(c) In discharging board or committee duties, a director shall disclose, or cause to be disclosed, to the other board or committee members information not already known by them but known by the director to be material to the discharge of their decisionmaking or oversight functions, except that disclosure is not required to the extent that the director reasonably believes that doing so would violate a duty imposed under law, a legally enforceable obligation of confidentiality, or a professional ethics rule.
(d) In discharging board or committee duties, a director who does not have knowledge that makes reliance unwarranted is entitled to rely on the performance by any of the persons specified in subdivision (f)(1) or (f)(3) of this section to whom the board may have delegated, formally or informally by course of conduct, the authority or duty to perform one or more of the board's functions that are delegable under applicable law.
(e) In discharging board or committee duties a director who does not have knowledge that makes reliance unwarranted is entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports, or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, prepared or presented by any of the persons specified in subsection (f) of this section.
(f) A director is entitled to rely, in accordance with subsection (d) or (e) of this section, on:
(1) One or more officers or employees of the corporation whom the director reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the functions performed or the information, opinions, reports, or statements provided;
(2) Legal counsel, public accountants, or other persons retained by the corporation as to matters involving skills or expertise the director reasonably believes are matters (i) within the particular person's professional or expert competence or (ii) as to which the particular person merits confidence; or
(3) A committee of the board of directors of which the director is not a member if the director reasonably believes the committee merits confidence.
(MBCA 8.31) (a) A director shall not be liable to the corporation or its shareholders for any decision to take or not to take action, or any failure to take any action, as a director unless the party asserting liability in a proceeding establishes that:
(1) No defense interposed by the director based on (i) any provision in the articles of incorporation authorized by subdivision (b)(4) or (6) of section 21-220, (ii) the protection afforded by section 21-2,121 for action taken in compliance with section 21-2,122 or 21-2,123, or (iii) the protection afforded by section 21-2,124, precludes liability; and
(2) The challenged conduct consisted or was the result of:
(i) Action not in good faith;
(ii) A decision:
(A) Which the director did not reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the corporation; or
(B) As to which the director was not informed to an extent the director reasonably believed appropriate in the circumstances;
(iii) A lack of objectivity due to the director's familial, financial, or business relationship with, or a lack of independence due to the director's domination or control by, another person having a material interest in the challenged conduct:
(A) Which relationship or which domination or control could reasonably be expected to have affected the director's judgment respecting the challenged conduct in a manner adverse to the corporation; and
(B) After a reasonable expectation to such effect has been established, the director shall not have established that the challenged conduct was reasonably believed by the director to be in the best interests of the corporation;
(iv) A sustained failure of the director to devote attention to ongoing oversight of the business and affairs of the corporation or a failure to devote timely attention by making, or causing to be made, appropriate inquiry when particular facts and circumstances of significant concern materialize that would alert a reasonably attentive director to the need therefor; or
(v) Receipt of a financial benefit to which the director was not entitled or any other breach of the director's duties to deal fairly with the corporation and its shareholders that is actionable under applicable law.
(b) The party seeking to hold the director liable:
(1) For money damages shall also have the burden of establishing that:
(i) Harm to the corporation or its shareholders has been suffered; and
(ii) The harm suffered was proximately caused by the director's challenged conduct;
(2) For other money payment under a legal remedy, such as compensation for the unauthorized use of corporate assets, shall also have whatever persuasion burden may be called for to establish that the payment sought is appropriate in the circumstances; or
(3) For other money payment under an equitable remedy, such as profit recovery by or disgorgement to the corporation, shall also have whatever persuasion burden may be called for to establish that the equitable remedy sought is appropriate in the circumstances.
(c) Nothing contained in this section shall (1) in any instance where fairness is at issue, such as consideration of the fairness of a transaction to the corporation under subdivision (b)(3) of section 21-2,121, alter the burden of proving the fact or lack of fairness otherwise applicable, (2) alter the fact or lack of liability of a director under another section of the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, such as the provisions governing the consequences of an unlawful distribution under section 21-2,104 or a transactional interest under section 21-2,121, or (3) affect any rights to which the corporation or a shareholder may be entitled under another statute of this state or the United States.
(MBCA 8.33) (a) A director who votes for or assents to a distribution in excess of what may be authorized and made pursuant to subsection (a) of section 21-252 or subsection (a) of section 21-2,192 is personally liable to the corporation for the amount of the distribution that exceeds what could have been distributed without violating subsection (a) of section 21-252 or subsection (a) of section 21-2,192 if the party asserting liability establishes that when taking the action the director did not comply with section 21-2,102.
(b) A director held liable under subsection (a) of this section for an unlawful distribution is entitled to:
(1) Contribution from every other director who could be held liable under subsection (a) of this section for the unlawful distribution; and
(2) Recoupment from each shareholder of the pro rata portion of the amount of the unlawful distribution the shareholder accepted, knowing the distribution was made in violation of subsection (a) of section 21-252 or subsection (a) of section 21-2,192.
(c) A proceeding to enforce:
(1) The liability of a director under subsection (a) of this section is barred unless it is commenced within two years after the date (i) on which the effect of the distribution was measured under subsection (e) or (g) of section 21-252, (ii) as of which the violation of subsection (a) of section 21-252 occurred as the consequence of disregard of a restriction in the articles of incorporation, or (iii) on which the distribution of assets to shareholders under subsection (a) of section 21-2,192 was made; or
(2) Contribution or recoupment under subsection (b) of this section is barred unless it is commenced within one year after the liability of the claimant has been finally adjudicated under subsection (a) of this section.
(MBCA 8.40) (a) A corporation has the officers described in its bylaws or appointed by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
(b) The board of directors may elect individuals to fill one or more offices of the corporation. An officer may appoint one or more officers if authorized by the bylaws or the board of directors.
(c) The bylaws or the board of directors shall assign to one of the officers responsibility for preparing the minutes of the directors' and shareholders' meetings and for maintaining and authenticating the records of the corporation required to be kept under subsections (a) and (e) of section 21-2,221.
(d) The same individual may simultaneously hold more than one office in a corporation.
(MBCA 8.41) Each officer has the authority and shall perform the functions set forth in the bylaws or, to the extent consistent with the bylaws, the functions prescribed by the board of directors or by direction of an officer authorized by the board of directors to prescribe the functions of other officers.
(MBCA 8.42) (a) An officer, when performing in such capacity, has the duty to act:
(1) In good faith;
(2) With the care that a person in a like position would reasonably exercise under similar circumstances; and
(3) In a manner the officer reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation.
(b) The duty of an officer includes the obligation:
(1) To inform the superior officer to whom, or the board of directors or the committee thereof to which, the officer reports of information about the affairs of the corporation known to the officer, within the scope of the officer's functions, and known to the officer to be material to such superior officer, board, or committee; and
(2) To inform his or her superior officer, or another appropriate person within the corporation, or the board of directors, or a committee thereof, of any actual or probable material violation of law involving the corporation or material breach of duty to the corporation by an officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, that the officer believes has occurred or is likely to occur.
(c) In discharging his or her duties, an officer who does not have knowledge that makes reliance unwarranted is entitled to rely on:
(1) The performance of properly delegated responsibilities by one or more employees of the corporation whom the officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in performing the responsibilities delegated; or
(2) Information, opinions, reports, or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, prepared or presented by one or more employees of the corporation whom the officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented or by legal counsel, public accountants, or other persons retained by the corporation as to matters involving skills or expertise the officer reasonably believes are matters (i) within the particular person's professional or expert competence or (ii) as to which the particular person merits confidence.
(d) An officer shall not be liable to the corporation or its shareholders for any decision to take or not to take action or any failure to take any action as an officer if the duties of the office are performed in compliance with this section. Whether an officer who does not comply with this section shall have liability will depend in such instance on applicable law, including those principles of section 21-2,103 that have relevance.
(MBCA 8.43) (a) An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the corporation. A resignation is effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective time. If a resignation is made effective at a later time and the board or the appointing officer accepts the future effective time, the board or the appointing officer may fill the pending vacancy before the effective time if the board or the appointing officer provides that the successor does not take office until the effective time.
(b) An officer may be removed at any time with or without cause by (1) the board of directors, (2) the officer who appointed such officer, unless the bylaws or the board of directors provide otherwise, or (3) any other officer if authorized by the bylaws or the board of directors.
(c) In this section, appointing officer means the officer, including any successor to that officer, who appointed the officer resigning or being removed.
(MBCA 8.44) (a) The appointment of an officer does not itself create contract rights.
(b) An officer's removal does not affect the officer's contract rights, if any, with the corporation. An officer's resignation does not affect the corporation's contract rights, if any, with the officer.
(MBCA 8.50) In sections 21-2,110 to 21-2,119:
(1) Corporation includes any domestic or foreign predecessor entity of a corporation in a merger.
(2) Director or officer means an individual who is or was a director or officer, respectively, of a corporation or who, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the corporation's request as a director, officer, manager, member of a limited liability company, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another entity or employee benefit plan. A director or officer is considered to be serving an employee benefit plan at the corporation's request if the individual's duties to the corporation also impose duties on, or otherwise involve services by, the individual to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan. Director or officer includes, unless the context requires otherwise, the estate or personal representative of a director or officer.
(3) Liability means the obligation to pay a judgment, settlement, penalty, fine, including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, or reasonable expenses incurred with respect to a proceeding.
(4) Official capacity means (i) when used with respect to a director, the office of director in a corporation and (ii) when used with respect to an officer, as contemplated in section 21-2,116, the office in a corporation held by the officer. Official capacity does not include service for any other domestic or foreign corporation or any limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity.
(5) Party means an individual who was, is, or is threatened to be made, a defendant or respondent in a proceeding.
(6) Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal.
(MBCA 8.51) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a corporation may indemnify an individual who is a party to a proceeding because the individual is a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if:
(1)(i) The director conducted himself or herself in good faith; and
(ii) Reasonably believed:
(A) In the case of conduct in an official capacity, that his or her conduct was in the best interests of the corporation; and
(B) In all other cases, that the director's conduct was at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and
(iii) In the case of any criminal proceeding, the director had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; or
(2) The director engaged in conduct for which broader indemnification has been made permissible or obligatory under a provision of the articles of incorporation, as authorized by subdivision (b)(5) of section 21-220.
(b) A director's conduct with respect to an employee benefit plan for a purpose the director reasonably believed to be in the interests of the participants in, and the beneficiaries of, the plan is conduct that satisfies the requirement of subdivision (a)(1)(ii)(B) of this section.
(c) The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, is not, of itself, determinative that the director did not meet the relevant standard of conduct described in this section.
(d) Unless ordered by a court under subdivision (a)(3) of section 21-2,114, a corporation may not indemnify a director:
(1) In connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, except for expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant standard of conduct under subsection (a) of this section; or
(2) In connection with any proceeding with respect to conduct for which the director was adjudged liable on the basis of receiving a financial benefit to which he or she was not entitled, whether or not involving action in the director's official capacity.
(MBCA 8.52) A corporation shall indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the director was a party because he or she was a director of the corporation against expenses incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding.
(MBCA 8.53) (a) A corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding by an individual who is a party to the proceeding because that individual is a member of the board of directors if the director delivers to the corporation a signed written undertaking of the director to repay any funds advanced (1) if the director is not entitled to mandatory indemnification under section 21-2,112 and (2) it is ultimately determined under section 21-2,114 or 21-2,115 that the director is not entitled to indemnification.
(b) The undertaking required by subdivision (a) of this section must be an unlimited general obligation of the director but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to the financial ability of the director to make repayment.
(c) Authorizations under this section shall be made:
(1) By the board of directors:
(i) If there are two or more qualified directors, by a majority vote of all the qualified directors, a majority of whom shall for such purpose constitute a quorum, or by a majority of the members of a committee consisting solely of two or more qualified directors appointed by such a vote; or
(ii) If there are fewer than two qualified directors, by the vote necessary for action by the board in accordance with subsection (c) of section 21-299, in which authorization directors who are not qualified directors may participate; or
(2) By the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted under the control of a director who at the time is not a qualified director may not be voted on the authorization.
(MBCA 8.54) (a) A director who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is a director may apply for indemnification or an advance for expenses to the court conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. After receipt of an application and after giving any notice it considers necessary, the court shall:
(1) Order indemnification if the court determines that the director is entitled to mandatory indemnification under section 21-2,112;
(2) Order indemnification or advance for expenses if the court determines that the director is entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses pursuant to a provision authorized by subsection (a) of section 21-2,118; or
(3) Order indemnification or advance for expenses if the court determines, in view of all the relevant circumstances, that it is fair and reasonable:
(i) To indemnify the director; or
(ii) To advance expenses to the director, even if, in the case of subdivision (a)(3)(i) or (ii) of this section he or she has not met the relevant standard of conduct set forth in subsection (a) of section 21-2,111, failed to comply with section 21-2,113, or was adjudged liable in a proceeding referred to in subdivision (d)(1) or (2) of section 21-2,111, but if the director was adjudged so liable indemnification shall be limited to expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.
(b) If the court determines that the director is entitled to indemnification under subdivision (a)(1) of this section or to indemnification or advance for expenses under subdivision (a)(2) of this section, it shall also order the corporation to pay the director's expenses incurred in connection with obtaining court-ordered indemnification or advance for expenses. If the court determines that the director is entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses under subdivision (a)(3) of this section, it may also order the corporation to pay the director's expenses to obtain court-ordered indemnification or advance for expenses.
(MBCA 8.55) (a) A corporation may not indemnify a director under section 21-2,111 unless authorized for a specific proceeding after a determination has been made that indemnification is permissible because the director has met the relevant standard of conduct set forth in section 21-2,111.
(b) The determination shall be made:
(1) If there are two or more qualified directors, by the board of directors by a majority vote of all the qualified directors, a majority of whom shall for such purpose constitute a quorum, or by a majority of the members of a committee of two or more qualified directors appointed by such a vote;
(2) By special legal counsel:
(i) Selected in the manner prescribed in subdivision (1) of this subsection; or
(ii) If there are fewer than two qualified directors, selected by the board of directors, in which selection directors who are not qualified directors may participate; or
(3) By the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted under the control of a director who at the time is not a qualified director may not be voted on the determination.
(c) Authorization of indemnification shall be made in the same manner as the determination that indemnification is permissible, except that if there are fewer than two qualified directors, or if the determination is made by special legal counsel, authorization of indemnification shall be made by those entitled to select special legal counsel under subdivision (b)(2)(ii) of this section.
(MBCA 8.56) (a) A corporation may indemnify and advance expenses under sections 21-2,110 to 21-2,119 to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is an officer of the corporation:
(1) To the same extent as a director; and
(2) If he or she is an officer but not a director, to such further extent as may be provided by the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors, or contract except for:
(i) Liability in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation other than for expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding; or
(ii) Liability arising out of conduct that constitutes:
(A) Receipt by the officer of a financial benefit to which he or she is not entitled;
(B) An intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders; or
(C) An intentional violation of criminal law.
(b) The provisions of subdivision (a)(2) of this section shall apply to an officer who is also a director if the basis on which he or she is made a party to the proceeding is an act or omission solely as an officer.
(c) An officer of a corporation who is not a director is entitled to mandatory indemnification under section 21-2,112 and may apply to a court under section 21-2,114 for indemnification or an advance for expenses, in each case to the same extent to which a director may be entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses under such provisions.
(MBCA 8.57) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an individual who is a director or officer of the corporation, or who, while a director or officer of the corporation, serves at the corporation's request as a director, officer, member, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity, against liability asserted against or incurred by the individual in that capacity or arising from his or her status as a director or officer, whether or not the corporation would have power to indemnify or advance expenses to the individual against the same liability under sections 21-2,110 to 21-2,119.
(MBCA 8.58) (a) A corporation may, by a provision in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or in a resolution adopted or a contract approved by its board of directors or shareholders, obligate itself in advance of the act or omission giving rise to a proceeding to provide indemnification in accordance with section 21-2,111 or advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses in accordance with section 21-2,113. Any such obligatory provision shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements for authorization referred to in subsection (c) of section 21-2,113 and in subsection (c) of section 21-2,115. Any such provision that obligates the corporation to provide indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law shall be deemed to obligate the corporation to advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses in accordance with section 21-2,113 to the fullest extent permitted by law, unless the provision specifically provides otherwise.
(b) A right of indemnification or to advances for expenses created by sections 21-2,110 to 21-2,119 or under subsection (a) of this section and in effect at the time of an act or omission shall not be eliminated or impaired with respect to such act or omission by an amendment of the articles of incorporation or bylaws or a resolution of the directors or shareholders, adopted after the occurrence of such act or omission, unless, in the case of a right created under subsection (a) of this section, the provision creating such right and in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such act or omission has occurred.
(c) Any provision pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall not obligate the corporation to indemnify or advance expenses to a director of a predecessor of the corporation, pertaining to conduct with respect to the predecessor, unless otherwise specifically provided. Any provision for indemnification or advance for expenses in the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors or shareholders of a predecessor of the corporation in a merger or in a contract to which the predecessor is a party existing at the time the merger takes effect shall be governed by subdivision (a)(4) of section 21-2,167.
(d) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a corporation may, by a provision in its articles of incorporation, limit any of the rights to indemnification or advance for expenses created by or pursuant to sections 21-2,110 to 21-2,119.
(e) Sections 21-2,110 to 21-2,119 do not limit a corporation's power to pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a director or an officer in connection with appearing as a witness in a proceeding at a time when he or she is not a party.
(f) Sections 21-2,110 to 21-2,119 do not limit a corporation's power to indemnify, advance expenses to, or provide or maintain insurance on behalf of an employee or agent.
(MBCA 8.59) A corporation may provide indemnification or advance expenses to a director or an officer only as permitted by sections 21-2,110 to 21-2,119.
(MBCA 8.60) In sections 21-2,120 to 21-2,123:
(1) Director's conflicting interest transaction means a transaction effected or proposed to be effected by the corporation or by an entity controlled by the corporation:
(i) To which, at the relevant time, the director is a party;
(ii) Respecting which, at the relevant time, the director had knowledge and a material financial interest known to the director; or
(iii) Respecting which, at the relevant time, the director knew that a related person was a party or had a material financial interest.
(2) Control, including the term controlled by, means (i) having the power, directly or indirectly, to elect or remove a majority of the members of the board of directors or other governing body of an entity, whether through the ownership of voting shares or interests, by contract, or otherwise, or (ii) being subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the entity's activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns.
(3) Relevant time means (i) the time at which directors' action respecting the transaction is taken in compliance with section 21-2,122, or (ii) if the transaction is not brought before the board of directors of the corporation, or its committee, for action under section 21-2,122, at the time the corporation, or an entity controlled by the corporation, becomes legally obligated to consummate the transaction.
(4) Material financial interest means a financial interest in a transaction that would reasonably be expected to impair the objectivity of the director's judgment when participating in action on the authorization of the transaction.
(5) Related person means:
(i) The individual's spouse;
(ii) A child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, sibling, stepsibling, half-sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew, or spouse of any thereof, of the individual or of the individual's spouse;
(iii) A natural person living in the same home as the individual;
(iv) An entity, other than the corporation or an entity controlled by the corporation, controlled by the individual or any person specified in subdivisions (5)(i) through (iii) of this section;
(v) A domestic or foreign (A) business or nonprofit corporation, other than the corporation or an entity controlled by the corporation, of which the individual is a director, (B) unincorporated entity of which the individual is a general partner or a member of the governing body, or (C) individual, trust, or estate for whom or of which the individual is a trustee, guardian, personal representative, or like fiduciary; or
(vi) A person that is, or an entity that is controlled by, an employer of the individual.
(6) Fair to the corporation means, for purposes of subdivision (b)(3) of section 21-2,121, that the transaction as a whole was beneficial to the corporation, taking into appropriate account whether it was (i) fair in terms of the director's dealings with the corporation and (ii) comparable to what might have been obtainable in an arm's length transaction, given the consideration paid or received by the corporation.
(7) Required disclosure means disclosure of (i) the existence and nature of the director's conflicting interest and (ii) all facts known to the director respecting the subject matter of the transaction that a director free of such conflicting interest would reasonably believe to be material in deciding whether to proceed with the transaction.
(MBCA 8.61) (a) A transaction effected or proposed to be effected by the corporation, or by an entity controlled by the corporation, may not be the subject of equitable relief, or give rise to an award of damages or other sanctions against a director of the corporation, in a proceeding by a shareholder or by or in the right of the corporation on the ground that the director has an interest respecting the transaction if it is not a director's conflicting interest transaction.
(b) A director's conflicting interest transaction may not be the subject of equitable relief, or give rise to an award of damages or other sanctions against a director of the corporation, in a proceeding by a shareholder or by or in the right of the corporation on the ground that the director has an interest respecting the transaction if:
(1) Directors' action respecting the transaction was taken in compliance with section 21-2,122 at any time;
(2) Shareholders' action respecting the transaction was taken in compliance with section 21-2,123 at any time; or
(3) The transaction, judged according to the circumstances at the relevant time, is established to have been fair to the corporation.
(MBCA 8.62) (a) Directors' action respecting a director's conflicting interest transaction is effective for purposes of subdivision (b)(1) of section 21-2,121 if the transaction has been authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority, but no fewer than two, of the qualified directors who voted on the transaction after required disclosure by the conflicted director of information not already known by such qualified directors or after modified disclosure in compliance with subsection (b) of this section if:
(1) The qualified directors have deliberated and voted outside the presence of and without the participation by any other director; and
(2) When the action has been taken by a committee, all members of the committee were qualified directors and either (i) the committee was composed of all the qualified directors on the board of directors or (ii) the members of the committee were appointed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified directors on the board.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, when a transaction is a director's conflicting interest transaction only because a related person described in subdivision (5)(v) or (vi) of section 21-2,120 is a party to or has a material financial interest in the transaction, the conflicted director is not obligated to make required disclosure to the extent that the director reasonably believes that doing so would violate a duty imposed under law, a legally enforceable obligation of confidentiality, or a professional ethics rule if the conflicted director discloses to the qualified directors voting on the transaction:
(1) All information required to be disclosed that is not so violative;
(2) The existence and nature of the director's conflicting interest; and
(3) The nature of the conflicted director's duty not to disclose the confidential information.
(c) A majority, but no fewer than two, of all the qualified directors on the board of directors, or on the committee, constitutes a quorum for purposes of action that complies with this section.
(d) Where directors' action under this section does not satisfy a quorum or voting requirement applicable to the authorization of the transaction by reason of the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, or a provision of law, independent action to satisfy those authorization requirements must be taken by the board of directors or a committee in which action directors who are not qualified directors may participate.
(MBCA 8.63) (a) Shareholders' action respecting a director's conflicting interest transaction is effective for purposes of subdivision (b)(2) of section 21-2,121 if a majority of the votes cast by the holders of all qualified shares are in favor of the transaction after (1) notice to shareholders describing the action to be taken respecting the transaction, (2) provision to the corporation of the information referred to in subsection (b) of this section, and (3) communication to the shareholders entitled to vote on the transaction of the information that is the subject of required disclosure to the extent the information is not known by them. In the case of shareholders' action at a meeting, the shareholders entitled to vote shall be determined as of the record date for notice of the meeting.
(b) A director who has a conflicting interest respecting the transaction shall, before the shareholders' vote, inform the secretary or other officer or agent of the corporation authorized to count votes, in writing, of the number of shares that the director knows are not qualified shares under subsection (c) of this section and the identity of the holders of those shares.
(c) For purposes of this section: (1) Holder means and held by refers to shares held by a record shareholder, a beneficial shareholder, and an unrestricted voting trust beneficial owner; and (2) qualified shares means all shares entitled to be voted with respect to the transaction except for shares that the secretary or other officer or agent of the corporation authorized to count votes either knows, or under subsection (b) of this section is notified, are held by (i) a director who has a conflicting interest respecting the transaction or (ii) a related person of the director, excluding a person described in subdivision (5)(vi) of section 21-2,120.
(d) A majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all qualified shares constitutes a quorum for purposes of compliance with this section. Subject to subsection (e) of this section, shareholders' action that otherwise complies with this section is not affected by the presence of holders, or by the voting, of shares that are not qualified shares.
(e) If a shareholders' vote does not comply with subsection (a) of this section solely because of a director's failure to comply with subsection (b) of this section and if the director establishes that the failure was not intended to influence and did not in fact determine the outcome of the vote, the court may take such action respecting the transaction and the director and may give such effect, if any, to the shareholders' vote as the court considers appropriate in the circumstances.
(f) When shareholders' action under this section does not satisfy a quorum or voting requirement applicable to the authorization of the transaction by reason of the articles of incorporation or the bylaws or a provision of law, independent action to satisfy those authorization requirements must be taken by the shareholders in which action shares that are not qualified shares may participate.
(MBCA 8.70) (a) If a director or officer pursues or takes advantage of a business opportunity, directly, or indirectly through or on behalf of another person, that action may not be the subject of equitable relief or give rise to an award of damages or other sanctions against the director, officer, or other person in a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation on the ground that the opportunity should have first been offered to the corporation if:
(1) Before the director, officer, or other person becomes legally obligated respecting the opportunity, the director or officer brings it to the attention of the corporation and either:
(i) Action by qualified directors disclaiming the corporation's interest in the opportunity is taken in compliance with the procedures set forth in section 21-2,122; or
(ii) Shareholders' action disclaiming the corporation's interest in the opportunity is taken in compliance with the procedures set forth in section 21-2,123; in either case as if the decision being made concerned a director's conflicting interest transaction, except that, rather than making required disclosure as defined in section 21-2,120, the director or officer shall have made prior disclosure to those acting on behalf of the corporation of all material facts concerning the business opportunity known to the director or officer; or
(2) The duty to offer the corporation the business opportunity has been limited or eliminated pursuant to a provision of the articles of incorporation adopted, and where required, made effective by action of qualified directors, in accordance with subdivision (b)(6) of section 21-220.
(b) In any proceeding seeking equitable relief or other remedies based upon an alleged improper pursuit or taking advantage of a business opportunity by a director or officer, directly, or indirectly through or on behalf of another person, the fact that the director or officer did not employ the procedure described in subdivision (a)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section before pursuing or taking advantage of the opportunity shall not create an implication that the opportunity should have been first presented to the corporation or alter the burden of proof otherwise applicable to establish that the director or officer breached a duty to the corporation in the circumstances.
(MBCA 9.01) Sections 21-2,125 to 21-2,149 may not be used to effect a transaction that converts an insurance company organized on the mutual principle to one organized on a stock-share basis.
(MBCA 9.02) (a) If a domestic or foreign business corporation or eligible entity may not be a party to a merger without the approval of the Attorney General, the Department of Banking and Finance, the Department of Insurance, or the Public Service Commission, the corporation or eligible entity shall not be a party to a transaction under sections 21-2,125 to 21-2,149 without the prior approval of that agency.
(b) Property held in trust or for charitable purposes under the laws of this state by a domestic or foreign eligible entity shall not, by any transaction under sections 21-2,125 to 21-2,149, be diverted from the objects for which it was donated, granted, or devised unless and until the eligible entity obtains an order of the court specifying the disposition of the property to the extent required by and pursuant to cy pres or other nondiversion law of this state.
(MBCA 9.20) (a) A foreign business corporation may become a domestic business corporation only if the domestication is permitted by the organic law of the foreign corporation.
(b) A domestic business corporation may become a foreign business corporation if the domestication is permitted by the laws of the foreign jurisdiction. Regardless of whether the laws of the foreign jurisdiction require the adoption of a plan of domestication, the domestication shall be approved by the adoption by the corporation of a plan of domestication in the manner provided in sections 21-2,127 to 21-2,132.
(c) The plan of domestication must include:
(1) A statement of the jurisdiction in which the corporation is to be domesticated;
(2) The terms and conditions of the domestication;
(3) The manner and basis of reclassifying the shares of the corporation following its domestication into shares or other securities, obligations, rights to acquire shares or other securities, cash, other property, or any combination of the foregoing; and
(4) Any desired amendments to the articles of incorporation of the corporation following its domestication.
(d) The plan of domestication may also include a provision that the plan may be amended prior to filing the document required by the laws of this state or the other jurisdiction to consummate the domestication, except that subsequent to approval of the plan by the shareholders the plan may not be amended to change:
(1) The amount or kind of shares or other securities, obligations, rights to acquire shares or other securities, cash, or other property to be received by the shareholders under the plan;
(2) The articles of incorporation as they will be in effect immediately following the domestication, except for changes permitted by section 21-2,154 or by comparable provisions of the laws of the other jurisdiction; or
(3) Any of the other terms or conditions of the plan if the change would adversely affect any of the shareholders in any material respect.
(e) Terms of a plan of domestication may be made dependent upon facts objectively ascertainable outside the plan in accordance with subsection (k) of section 21-203.
(f) If any debt security, note, or similar evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed, whether secured or unsecured, or a contract of any kind, issued, incurred, or signed by a domestic business corporation before January 1, 2017, contains a provision applying to a merger of the corporation and the document does not refer to a domestication of the corporation, the provision shall be deemed to apply to a domestication of the corporation until such time as the provision is amended subsequent to that date.
(MBCA 9.21) In the case of a domestication of a domestic business corporation in a foreign jurisdiction:
(1) The plan of domestication must be adopted by the board of directors.
(2) After adopting the plan of domestication, the board of directors must submit the plan to the shareholders for their approval. The board of directors must also transmit to the shareholders a recommendation that the shareholders approve the plan unless (i) the board of directors makes a determination that because of conflicts of interest or other special circumstances it should not make such a recommendation or (ii) section 21-2,101 applies. If subdivision (2)(i) or (ii) of this section applies, the board must transmit to the shareholders the basis for so proceeding.
(3) The board of directors may condition its submission of the plan of domestication to the shareholders on any basis.
(4) If the approval of the shareholders is to be given at a meeting, the corporation must notify each shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, of the meeting of shareholders at which the plan of domestication is to be submitted for approval. The notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the plan and must contain or be accompanied by a copy or summary of the plan. The notice shall include or be accompanied by a copy of the articles of incorporation as they will be in effect immediately after the domestication.
(5) Unless the articles of incorporation, or the board of directors acting pursuant to subdivision (3) of this section, requires a greater vote or a greater number of votes to be present, approval of the plan of domestication requires the approval of the shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the plan exists, and if any class or series of shares is entitled to vote as a separate group on the plan, the approval of each such separate voting group at a meeting at which a quorum of the voting group consisting of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the domestication by that voting group exists.
(6) Subject to subdivision (7) of this section, separate voting by voting groups is required by each class or series of shares that:
(i) Are to be reclassified under the plan of domestication into other securities, obligations, rights to acquire shares or other securities, cash, other property, or any combination of the foregoing;
(ii) Are entitled to vote as a separate group on a provision of the plan that constitutes a proposed amendment to articles of incorporation of the corporation following its domestication that requires action by separate voting groups under section 21-2,153; or
(iii) Is entitled under the articles of incorporation to vote as a voting group to approve an amendment of the articles.
(7) The articles of incorporation may expressly limit or eliminate the separate voting rights provided in subdivision (6)(i) of this section.
(8) If any provision of the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or an agreement to which any of the directors or shareholders are parties, adopted or entered into before January 1, 2017, applies to a merger of the corporation and that document does not refer to a domestication of the corporation, the provision shall be deemed to apply to a domestication of the corporation until such time as the provision is amended subsequent to that date.
(MBCA 9.22) (a) After the domestication of a foreign business corporation has been authorized as required by the laws of the foreign jurisdiction, articles of domestication shall be signed by any officer or other duly authorized representative. The articles shall set forth:
(1) The name of the corporation immediately before the filing of the articles of domestication and, if that name is unavailable for use in this state or the corporation desires to change its name in connection with the domestication, a name that satisfies the requirements of section 21-230;
(2) The jurisdiction of incorporation of the corporation immediately before the filing of the articles of domestication and the date the corporation was incorporated in that jurisdiction; and
(3) A statement that the domestication of the corporation in this state was duly authorized as required by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the corporation was incorporated immediately before its domestication in this state.
(b) The articles of domestication shall either contain all of the provisions that subsection (a) of section 21-220 requires to be set forth in articles of incorporation and any other desired provisions that subsection (b) of section 21-220 permits to be included in articles of incorporation or shall have attached articles of incorporation. In either case, provisions that would not be required to be included in restated articles of incorporation may be omitted.
(c) The articles of domestication shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing, and shall take effect at the effective time provided in section 21-206. Within ten business days after the articles of domestication take effect, a foreign business corporation becoming a domestic business corporation shall send written notice of domestication to the last-known address of any holder of a security interest in collateral of such foreign business corporation.
(d) If the foreign corporation is authorized to transact business in this state under sections 21-2,203 to 21-2,220, its certificate of authority shall be canceled automatically on the effective date of its domestication.
(MBCA 9.23) (a) Whenever a domestic business corporation has adopted and approved, in the manner required by sections 21-2,127 to 21-2,132, a plan of domestication providing for the corporation to be domesticated in a foreign jurisdiction, articles of charter surrender shall be signed on behalf of the corporation by any officer or other duly authorized representative. The articles of charter surrender shall set forth:
(1) The name of the corporation;
(2) A statement that the articles of charter surrender are being filed in connection with the domestication of the corporation in a foreign jurisdiction;
(3) A statement that the domestication was duly approved by the shareholders and, if voting by any separate voting group was required, by each such separate voting group, in the manner required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act and the articles of incorporation; and
(4) The corporation's new jurisdiction of incorporation.
(b) The articles of charter surrender shall be delivered by the corporation to the Secretary of State for filing. The articles of charter surrender shall take effect at the effective time provided in section 21-206. Within ten business days after the articles of charter surrender take effect, a domestic business corporation becoming domesticated in a foreign jurisdiction shall send written notice of charter surrender to the last-known address of any holder of a security interest in collateral of such domestic business corporation.
(MBCA 9.24) (a) When a domestication becomes effective:
(1) The title to all real and personal property, both tangible and intangible, of the corporation remains in the corporation without reversion or impairment;
(2) The liabilities of the corporation remain the liabilities of the corporation;
(3) An action or proceeding pending against the corporation continues against the corporation as if the domestication had not occurred;
(4) The articles of domestication, or the articles of incorporation attached to the articles of domestication, constitute the articles of incorporation of a foreign corporation domesticating in this state;
(5) The shares of the corporation are reclassified into shares, other securities, obligations, rights to acquire shares or other securities, or into cash or other property in accordance with the terms of the domestication, and the shareholders are entitled only to the rights provided by those terms and to any appraisal rights they may have under the organic law of the domesticating corporation; and
(6) The corporation is deemed to:
(i) Be incorporated under and subject to the organic law of the domesticated corporation for all purposes;
(ii) Be the same corporation without interruption as the domesticating corporation; and
(iii) Have been incorporated on the date the domesticating corporation was originally incorporated.
(b) When a domestication of a domestic business corporation in a foreign jurisdiction becomes effective, the foreign business corporation is deemed to agree that it will promptly pay the amount, if any, to which such shareholders are entitled under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(c) The owner liability of a shareholder in a foreign corporation that is domesticated in this state shall be as follows:
(1) The domestication does not discharge any owner liability under the laws of the foreign jurisdiction to the extent any such owner liability arose before the effective time of the articles of domestication;
(2) The shareholder shall not have owner liability under the laws of the foreign jurisdiction for any debt, obligation, or liability of the corporation that arises after the effective time of the articles of domestication;
(3) The provisions of the laws of the foreign jurisdiction shall continue to apply to the collection or discharge of any owner liability preserved by subdivision (1) of this subsection, as if the domestication had not occurred; and
(4) The shareholder shall have whatever rights of contribution from other shareholders are provided by the laws of the foreign jurisdiction with respect to any owner liability preserved by subdivision (1) of this subsection, if the domestication had not occurred.
(d) A shareholder who becomes subject to owner liability for some or all of the debts, obligations, or liabilities of the corporation as a result of its domestication in this state shall have owner liability only for those debts, obligations, or liabilities of the corporation that arise after the effective time of the articles of domestication.
(MBCA 9.25) (a) Unless otherwise provided in a plan of domestication of a domestic business corporation, after the plan has been adopted and approved as required by sections 21-2,127 to 21-2,132, and at any time before the domestication has become effective, it may be abandoned by the board of directors without action by the shareholders.
(b) If a domestication is abandoned under subsection (a) of this section after articles of charter surrender have been filed with the Secretary of State but before the domestication has become effective, a statement that the domestication has been abandoned in accordance with this section, signed by an officer or other duly authorized representative, shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing prior to the effective date of the domestication. The statement shall take effect upon filing and the domestication shall be deemed abandoned and shall not become effective.
(c) If the domestication of a foreign business corporation in this state is abandoned in accordance with the laws of the foreign jurisdiction after articles of domestication have been filed with the Secretary of State, a statement that the domestication has been abandoned, signed by an officer or other duly authorized representative, shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing. The statement shall take effect upon filing and the domestication shall be deemed abandoned and shall not become effective.
(MBCA 9.30) (a) A domestic business corporation may become a domestic nonprofit corporation pursuant to a plan of nonprofit conversion.
(b) A domestic business corporation may become a foreign nonprofit corporation if the nonprofit conversion is permitted by the laws of the foreign jurisdiction. Regardless of whether the laws of the foreign jurisdiction require the adoption of a plan of nonprofit conversion, the foreign nonprofit conversion shall be approved by the adoption by the domestic business corporation of a plan of nonprofit conversion in the manner provided in sections 21-2,133 to 21-2,138.
(c) The plan of nonprofit conversion must include:
(1) The terms and conditions of the conversion;
(2) The manner and basis of reclassifying the shares of the corporation following its conversion into memberships, if any, or securities, obligations, rights to acquire memberships or securities, cash, other property, or any combination of the foregoing;
(3) Any desired amendments to the articles of incorporation of the corporation following its conversion; and
(4) If the domestic business corporation is to be converted to a foreign nonprofit corporation, a statement of the jurisdiction in which the corporation will be incorporated after the conversion.
(d) The plan of nonprofit conversion may also include a provision that the plan may be amended prior to filing articles of nonprofit conversion, except that subsequent to approval of the plan by the shareholders the plan may not be amended to change:
(1) The amount or kind of memberships or securities, obligations, rights to acquire memberships or securities, cash, or other property to be received by the shareholders under the plan;
(2) The articles of incorporation as they will be in effect immediately following the conversion, except for changes permitted by section 21-2,154; or
(3) Any of the other terms or conditions of the plan if the change would adversely affect any of the shareholders in any material respect.
(e) Terms of a plan of nonprofit conversion may be made dependent upon facts objectively ascertainable outside the plan in accordance with subsection (k) of section 21-203.
(f) If any debt security, note, or similar evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed, whether secured or unsecured, or a contract of any kind, issued, incurred, or signed by a domestic business corporation before January 1, 2017, contains a provision applying to a merger of the corporation and the document does not refer to a nonprofit conversion of the corporation, the provision shall be deemed to apply to a nonprofit conversion of the corporation until such time as the provision is amended subsequent to that date.
(MBCA 9.31) In the case of a conversion of a domestic business corporation to a domestic or foreign nonprofit corporation:
(1) The plan of nonprofit conversion must be adopted by the board of directors.
(2) After adopting the plan of nonprofit conversion, the board of directors must submit the plan to the shareholders for their approval. The board of directors must also transmit to the shareholders a recommendation that the shareholders approve the plan, unless (i) the board of directors makes a determination that because of conflicts of interest or other special circumstances it should not make such a recommendation or (ii) section 21-2,101 applies. If subdivision (2)(i) or (ii) of this section applies, the board must transmit to the shareholders the basis for so proceeding.
(3) The board of directors may condition its submission of the plan of nonprofit conversion to the shareholders on any basis.
(4) If the approval of the shareholders is to be given at a meeting, the corporation must notify each shareholder of the meeting of shareholders at which the plan of nonprofit conversion is to be submitted for approval. The notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the plan and must contain or be accompanied by a copy or summary of the plan. The notice shall include or be accompanied by a copy of the articles of incorporation as they will be in effect immediately after the nonprofit conversion.
(5) Unless the articles of incorporation, or the board of directors acting pursuant to subdivision (3) of this section, requires a greater vote or a greater number of votes to be present, approval of the plan of nonprofit conversion requires the approval of each class or series of shares of the corporation voting as a separate voting group at a meeting at which a quorum of the voting group consisting of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the nonprofit conversion by that voting group exists.
(6) If any provision of the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or an agreement to which any of the directors or shareholders are parties, adopted or entered into before January 1, 2017, applies to a merger, other than a provision that eliminates or limits voting or appraisal rights, and the document does not refer to a nonprofit conversion of the corporation, the provision shall be deemed to apply to a nonprofit conversion of the corporation until such time as the provision is amended subsequent to that date.
(MBCA 9.32) (a) After a plan of nonprofit conversion providing for the conversion of a domestic business corporation to a domestic nonprofit corporation has been adopted and approved as required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, articles of nonprofit conversion shall be signed on behalf of the corporation by any officer or other duly authorized representative. The articles shall set forth:
(1) The name of the corporation immediately before the filing of the articles of nonprofit conversion and if that name does not satisfy the requirements of the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act, or the corporation desires to change its name in connection with the conversion, a name that satisfies the requirements of the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act; and
(2) A statement that the plan of nonprofit conversion was duly approved by the shareholders in the manner required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act and the articles of incorporation.
(b) The articles of nonprofit conversion shall either contain all of the provisions that the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act requires to be set forth in articles of incorporation of a domestic nonprofit corporation and any other desired provisions permitted by the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act or shall have attached articles of incorporation that satisfy the requirements of the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. In either case, provisions that would not be required to be included in restated articles of incorporation of a domestic nonprofit corporation may be omitted.
(c) The articles of nonprofit conversion shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing and shall take effect at the effective time provided in section 21-206. Within ten business days after the articles of nonprofit conversion take effect, a domestic business corporation converting into a domestic nonprofit corporation shall send written notice of conversion to the last-known address of any holder of a security interest in collateral of such domestic business corporation.
(MBCA 9.33) (a) Whenever a domestic business corporation has adopted and approved, in the manner required by sections 21-2,133 to 21-2,138, a plan of nonprofit conversion providing for the corporation to be converted to a foreign nonprofit corporation, articles of charter surrender shall be signed on behalf of the corporation by any officer or other duly authorized representative. The articles of charter surrender shall set forth:
(1) The name of the corporation;
(2) A statement that the articles of charter surrender are being filed in connection with the conversion of the corporation to a foreign nonprofit corporation;
(3) A statement that the foreign nonprofit conversion was duly approved by the shareholders in the manner required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act and the articles of incorporation; and
(4) The corporation's new jurisdiction of incorporation.
(b) The articles of charter surrender shall be delivered by the corporation to the Secretary of State for filing. The articles of charter surrender shall take effect on the effective time provided in section 21-206.
(MBCA 9.34) (a) When a conversion of a domestic business corporation to a domestic nonprofit corporation becomes effective:
(1) The title to all real and personal property, both tangible and intangible, of the corporation remains in the corporation without reversion or impairment;
(2) The liabilities of the corporation remain the liabilities of the corporation;
(3) An action or proceeding pending against the corporation continues against the corporation as if the conversion had not occurred;
(4) The articles of incorporation of the domestic or foreign nonprofit corporation become effective;
(5) The shares of the corporation are reclassified into memberships, securities, obligations, rights to acquire memberships or securities, or into cash or other property in accordance with the plan of conversion, and the shareholders are entitled only to the rights provided in the plan of nonprofit conversion or to any rights they may have under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183; and
(6) The corporation is deemed to:
(i) Be a domestic nonprofit corporation for all purposes;
(ii) Be the same corporation without interruption as the corporation that existed prior to the conversion; and
(iii) Have been incorporated on the date that it was originally incorporated as a domestic business corporation.
(b) When a conversion of a domestic business corporation to a foreign nonprofit corporation becomes effective, the foreign nonprofit corporation is deemed to agree that it will promptly pay the amount, if any, to which such shareholders are entitled under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(c) The owner liability of a shareholder in a domestic business corporation that converts to a domestic nonprofit corporation shall be as follows:
(1) The conversion does not discharge any owner liability of the shareholder as a shareholder of the business corporation to the extent any such owner liability arose before the effective time of the articles of nonprofit conversion;
(2) The shareholder shall not have owner liability for any debt, obligation, or liability of the nonprofit corporation that arises after the effective time of the articles of nonprofit conversion;
(3) The laws of this state shall continue to apply to the collection or discharge of any owner liability preserved by subdivision (1) of this subsection as if the conversion had not occurred and the nonprofit corporation was still a business corporation; and
(4) The shareholder shall have whatever rights of contribution from other shareholders that are provided by the laws of this state with respect to any owner liability preserved by subdivision (1) of this subsection as if the conversion had not occurred and the nonprofit corporation were still a business corporation.
(d) A shareholder who becomes subject to owner liability for some or all of the debts, obligations, or liabilities of the nonprofit corporation shall have owner liability only for those debts, obligations, or liabilities of the nonprofit corporation that arise after the effective time of the articles of nonprofit conversion.
(MBCA 9.35) (a) Unless otherwise provided in a plan of nonprofit conversion of a domestic business corporation, after the plan has been adopted and approved as required by sections 21-2,133 to 21-2,138, and at any time before the nonprofit conversion has become effective, it may be abandoned by the board of directors without action by the shareholders.
(b) If a nonprofit conversion is abandoned under subsection (a) of this section after articles of nonprofit conversion or articles of charter surrender have been filed with the Secretary of State but before the nonprofit conversion has become effective, a statement that the nonprofit conversion has been abandoned in accordance with this section, signed by an officer or other duly authorized representative, shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing prior to the effective date of the nonprofit conversion. The statement shall take effect upon filing and the nonprofit conversion shall be deemed abandoned and shall not become effective.
(MBCA 9.40) A foreign nonprofit corporation may become a domestic business corporation if the domestication and conversion is permitted by the organic law of the foreign nonprofit corporation.
(MBCA 9.41) (a) After the conversion of a foreign nonprofit corporation to a domestic business corporation has been authorized as required by the laws of the foreign jurisdiction, articles of domestication and conversion shall be signed by any officer or other duly authorized representative. The articles shall set forth:
(1) The name of the corporation immediately before the filing of the articles of domestication and conversion and, if that name is unavailable for use in this state or the corporation desires to change its name in connection with the domestication and conversion, a name that satisfies the requirements of section 21-230;
(2) The jurisdiction of incorporation of the corporation immediately before the filing of the articles of domestication and conversion and the date the corporation was incorporated in that jurisdiction; and
(3) A statement that the domestication and conversion of the corporation in this state was duly authorized as required by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the corporation was incorporated immediately before its domestication and conversion in this state.
(b) The articles of domestication and conversion shall either contain all of the provisions that subsection (a) of section 21-220 requires to be set forth in articles of incorporation and any other desired provisions that subsection (b) of section 21-220 permits to be included in articles of incorporation or shall have attached articles of incorporation. In either case, provisions that would not be required to be included in restated articles of incorporation may be omitted.
(c) The articles of domestication and conversion shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing and shall take effect at the effective time provided in section 21-206. Within ten business days after the articles of domestication and conversion take effect, a foreign nonprofit corporation converting into a domestic business corporation shall send written notice of domestication and conversion to the last-known address of any holder of a security interest in collateral of such foreign nonprofit corporation.
(d) If the foreign nonprofit corporation is authorized to transact business in this state under the foreign qualification provision of the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act, its certificate of authority shall be canceled automatically on the effective date of its domestication and conversion.
(MBCA 9.42) (a) When a domestication and conversion of a foreign nonprofit corporation to a domestic business corporation becomes effective:
(1) The title to all real and personal property, both tangible and intangible, of the corporation remains in the corporation without reversion or impairment;
(2) The liabilities of the corporation remain the liabilities of the corporation;
(3) An action or proceeding pending against the corporation continues against the corporation as if the domestication and conversion had not occurred;
(4) The articles of domestication and conversion, or the articles of incorporation attached to the articles of domestication and conversion, constitute the articles of incorporation of the corporation;
(5) Shares, other securities, obligations, rights to acquire shares or other securities of the corporation, or cash or other property shall be issued or paid as provided pursuant to the laws of the foreign jurisdiction so long as at least one share is outstanding immediately after the effective time; and
(6) The corporation is deemed to:
(i) Be a domestic corporation for all purposes;
(ii) Be the same corporation without interruption as the foreign nonprofit corporation; and
(iii) Have been incorporated on the date the foreign nonprofit corporation was originally incorporated.
(b) The owner liability of a member of a foreign nonprofit corporation that domesticates and converts to a domestic business corporation shall be as follows:
(1) The domestication and conversion does not discharge any owner liability under the laws of the foreign jurisdiction to the extent any such owner liability arose before the effective time of the articles of domestication and conversion;
(2) The member shall not have owner liability under the laws of the foreign jurisdiction for any debt, obligation, or liability of the corporation that arises after the effective time of the articles of domestication and conversion;
(3) The provisions of the laws of the foreign jurisdiction shall continue to apply to the collection or discharge of any owner liability preserved by subdivision (1) of this subsection as if the domestication and conversion had not occurred; and
(4) The member shall have whatever rights of contribution from other members are provided by the laws of the foreign jurisdiction with respect to any owner liability preserved by subdivision (1) of this subsection as if the domestication and conversion had not occurred.
(c) A member of a foreign nonprofit corporation who becomes subject to owner liability for some or all of the debts, obligations, or liabilities of the corporation as a result of its domestication and conversion in this state shall have owner liability only for those debts, obligations, or liabilities of the corporation that arise after the effective time of the articles of domestication and conversion.
(MBCA 9.43) If the domestication and conversion of a foreign nonprofit corporation to a domestic business corporation is abandoned in accordance with the laws of the foreign jurisdiction after articles of domestication and conversion have been filed with the Secretary of State, a statement that the domestication and conversion has been abandoned, signed by an officer or other duly authorized representative, shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing. The statement shall take effect upon filing and the domestication and conversion shall be deemed abandoned and shall not become effective.
(MBCA 9.50) (a) A domestic business corporation may become a domestic unincorporated entity pursuant to a plan of entity conversion.
(b) A domestic business corporation may become a foreign unincorporated entity if the entity conversion is permitted by the laws of the foreign jurisdiction.
(c) A domestic unincorporated entity may become a domestic business corporation. If the organic law of a domestic unincorporated entity does not provide procedures for the approval of an entity conversion, the conversion shall be adopted and approved, and the entity conversion effectuated, in the same manner as a merger of the unincorporated entity. If the organic law of a domestic unincorporated entity does not provide procedures for the approval of either an entity conversion or a merger, a plan of entity conversion shall be adopted and approved, the entity conversion effectuated, and appraisal rights exercised in accordance with the procedures in sections 21-2,143 to 21-2,149 and sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183. Without limiting the provisions of this subsection, a domestic unincorporated entity whose organic law does not provide procedures for the approval of an entity conversion shall be subject to subsection (e) of this section and subdivision (7) of section 21-2,145. For purposes of applying sections 21-2,143 to 21-2,149 and 21-2,171 to 21-2,183:
(1) The unincorporated entity, its interest holders, interests, and organic documents taken together, shall be deemed to be a domestic business corporation, shareholders, shares, and articles of incorporation, respectively and vice versa, as the context may require; and
(2) If the business and affairs of the unincorporated entity are managed by a group of persons that is not identical to the interest holders, that group shall be deemed to be the board of directors.
(d) A foreign unincorporated entity may become a domestic business corporation if the organic law of the foreign unincorporated entity authorizes it to become a corporation in another jurisdiction.
(e) If any debt security, note, or similar evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed, whether secured or unsecured, or a contract of any kind, issued, incurred, or signed by a domestic business corporation before January 1, 2017, applies to a merger of the corporation and the document does not refer to an entity conversion of the corporation, the provision shall be deemed to apply to an entity conversion of the corporation until such time as the provision is amended subsequent to that date.
(f) As used in sections 21-2,143 to 21-2,149:
(1) Converting entity means the domestic business corporation or domestic unincorporated entity that adopts a plan of entity conversion or the foreign unincorporated entity converting to a domestic business corporation; and
(2) Surviving entity means the corporation or unincorporated entity that is in existence immediately after consummation of an entity conversion pursuant to sections 21-2,143 to 21-2,149.
(MBCA 9.51) (a) A plan of entity conversion must include:
(1) A statement of the type of other entity the surviving entity will be and, if it will be a foreign other entity, its jurisdiction of organization;
(2) The terms and conditions of the conversion;
(3) The manner and basis of converting the shares of the domestic business corporation following its conversion into interests or other securities, obligations, rights to acquire interests or other securities, cash, other property, or any combination of the foregoing; and
(4) The full text, as they will be in effect immediately after consummation of the conversion, of the organic documents of the surviving entity.
(b) The plan of entity conversion may also include a provision that the plan may be amended prior to filing articles of entity conversion, except that subsequent to approval of the plan by the shareholders the plan may not be amended to change:
(1) The amount or kind of shares or other securities, interests, obligations, rights to acquire shares, other securities, or interests, cash, or other property to be received under the plan by the shareholders;
(2) The organic documents that will be in effect immediately following the conversion, except for changes permitted by a provision of the organic law of the surviving entity comparable to section 21-2,154; or
(3) Any of the other terms or conditions of the plan if the change would adversely affect any of the shareholders in any material respect.
(c) Terms of a plan of entity conversion may be made dependent upon facts objectively ascertainable outside the plan in accordance with subsection (k) of section 21-203.
(MBCA 9.52) In the case of an entity conversion of a domestic business corporation to a domestic or foreign unincorporated entity:
(1) The plan of entity conversion must be adopted by the board of directors.
(2) After adopting the plan of entity conversion, the board of directors must submit the plan to the shareholders for their approval. The board of directors must also transmit to the shareholders a recommendation that the shareholders approve the plan unless (i) the board of directors makes a determination that because of conflicts of interest or other special circumstances it should not make such a recommendation or (ii) section 21-2,101 applies. If subdivision (2)(i) or (ii) of this section applies, the board must transmit to the shareholders the basis for so proceeding.
(3) The board of directors may condition its submission of the plan of entity conversion to the shareholders on any basis.
(4) If the approval of the shareholders is to be given at a meeting, the corporation must notify each shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, of the meeting of shareholders at which the plan of entity conversion is to be submitted for approval. The notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the plan and must contain or be accompanied by a copy or summary of the plan. The notice shall include or be accompanied by a copy of the organic documents as they will be in effect immediately after the entity conversion.
(5) Unless the articles of incorporation, or the board of directors acting pursuant to subdivision (3) of this section, requires a greater vote or a greater number of votes to be present, approval of the plan of entity conversion requires the approval of each class or series of shares of the corporation voting as a separate voting group at a meeting at which a quorum of the voting group consisting of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the conversion by that voting group exists.
(6) If any provision of the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or an agreement to which any of the directors or shareholders are parties, adopted or entered into before January 1, 2017, applies to a merger of the corporation, other than a provision that limits or eliminates voting or appraisal rights, and the document does not refer to an entity conversion of the corporation, the provision shall be deemed to apply to an entity conversion of the corporation until such time as the provision is subsequently amended.
(7) If as a result of the conversion one or more shareholders of the corporation would become subject to owner liability for the debts, obligations, or liabilities of any other person or entity, approval of the plan of conversion shall require the signing, by each such shareholder, of a separate written consent to become subject to such owner liability.
(MBCA 9.53) (a) After the conversion of a domestic business corporation to a domestic unincorporated entity has been adopted and approved as required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, articles of entity conversion shall be signed on behalf of the corporation by any officer or other duly authorized representative. The articles shall:
(1) Set forth the name of the corporation immediately before the filing of the articles of entity conversion and the name to which the name of the corporation is to be changed, which shall be a name that satisfies the organic law of the surviving entity;
(2) State the type of unincorporated entity that the surviving entity will be;
(3) Set forth a statement that the plan of entity conversion was duly approved by the shareholders in the manner required by the act and the articles of incorporation; and
(4) If the surviving entity is a filing entity, either contain all of the provisions required to be set forth in its public organic document and any other desired provisions that are permitted or have attached a public organic document; except that, in either case, provisions that would not be required to be included in a restated public organic document may be omitted.
(b) After the conversion of a domestic unincorporated entity to a domestic business corporation has been adopted and approved as required by the organic law of the unincorporated entity, articles of entity conversion shall be signed on behalf of the unincorporated entity by any officer or other duly authorized representative. The articles shall:
(1) Set forth the name of the unincorporated entity immediately before the filing of the articles of entity conversion and the name to which the name of the unincorporated entity is to be changed which shall be a name that satisfies the requirements of section 21-230;
(2) Set forth a statement that the plan of entity conversion was duly approved in accordance with the organic law of the unincorporated entity; and
(3) Either contain all of the provisions that subsection (a) of section 21-220 requires to be set forth in articles of incorporation and any other desired provisions that subsection (b) of section 21-220 permits to be included in articles of incorporation or have attached articles of incorporation; except that, in either case, provisions that would not be required to be included in restated articles of incorporation of a domestic business corporation may be omitted.
(c) After the conversion of a foreign unincorporated entity to a domestic business corporation has been authorized as required by the laws of the foreign jurisdiction, articles of entity conversion shall be signed on behalf of the foreign unincorporated entity by any officer or other duly authorized representative. The articles shall:
(1) Set forth the name of the unincorporated entity immediately before the filing of the articles of entity conversion and the name to which the name of the unincorporated entity is to be changed which shall be a name that satisfies the requirements of section 21-230;
(2) Set forth the jurisdiction under the laws of which the unincorporated entity was organized immediately before the filing of the articles of entity conversion and the date on which the unincorporated entity was organized in that jurisdiction;
(3) Set forth a statement that the conversion of the unincorporated entity was duly approved in the manner required by its organic law; and
(4) Either contain all of the provisions that subsection (a) of section 21-220 requires to be set forth in articles of incorporation and any other desired provisions that subsection (b) of section 21-220 permits to be included in articles of incorporation or have attached articles of incorporation; except that, in either case, provisions that would not be required to be included in restated articles of incorporation of a domestic business corporation may be omitted.
(d) The articles of entity conversion shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing and shall take effect at the effective time provided in section 21-206. Within ten business days after the articles of entity conversion take effect, the converting entity shall send written notice of conversion to the last-known address of any holder of a security interest in collateral of the converting entity. Articles of entity conversion under subsection (a) or (b) of this section may be combined with any required conversion filing under the organic law of the domestic unincorporated entity if the combined filing satisfies the requirements of both this section and the other organic law.
(e) If the converting entity is a foreign unincorporated entity that is authorized to transact business in this state under a provision of law similar to sections 21-2,203 to 21-2,220, its certificate of authority or other type of foreign qualification shall be canceled automatically on the effective date of its conversion.
(MBCA 9.54) (a) Whenever a domestic business corporation has adopted and approved, in the manner required by sections 21-2,143 to 21-2,149, a plan of entity conversion providing for the corporation to be converted to a foreign unincorporated entity, articles of charter surrender shall be signed on behalf of the corporation by any officer or other duly authorized representative. The articles of charter surrender shall set forth:
(1) The name of the corporation;
(2) A statement that the articles of charter surrender are being filed in connection with the conversion of the corporation to a foreign unincorporated entity;
(3) A statement that the conversion was duly approved by the shareholders in the manner required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act and the articles of incorporation;
(4) The jurisdiction under the laws of which the surviving entity will be organized; and
(5) If the surviving entity will be a nonfiling entity, the address of its executive office immediately after the conversion.
(b) The articles of charter surrender shall be delivered by the corporation to the Secretary of State for filing. The articles of charter surrender shall take effect on the effective time provided in section 21-206.
(MBCA 9.55) (a) When a conversion under sections 21-2,143 to 21-2,149 becomes effective:
(1) The title to all real and personal property, both tangible and intangible, of the converting entity remains in the surviving entity without reversion or impairment;
(2) The liabilities of the converting entity remain the liabilities of the surviving entity;
(3) An action or proceeding pending against the converting entity continues against the surviving entity as if the conversion had not occurred;
(4) In the case of a surviving entity that is a filing entity, its articles of incorporation or public organic document and its private organic document become effective;
(5) In the case of a surviving entity that is a nonfiling entity, its private organic document becomes effective;
(6) The shares or interests of the converting entity are reclassified into shares, interests, other securities, obligations, rights to acquire shares, interests, or other securities, or into cash or other property in accordance with the plan of conversion, and the shareholders or interest holders of the converting entity are entitled only to the rights provided to them under the terms of the conversion and to any appraisal rights they may have under the organic law of the converting entity; and
(7) The surviving entity is deemed to:
(i) Be incorporated or organized under and subject to the organic law of the converting entity for all purposes;
(ii) Be the same corporation or unincorporated entity without interruption as the converting entity; and
(iii) Have been incorporated or otherwise organized on the date that the converting entity was originally incorporated or organized.
(b) When a conversion of a domestic business corporation to a foreign other entity becomes effective, the surviving entity is deemed to agree that it will promptly pay the amount, if any, to which such shareholders are entitled under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(c) A shareholder who becomes subject to owner liability for some or all of the debts, obligations, or liabilities of the surviving entity shall be personally liable only for those debts, obligations, or liabilities of the surviving entity that arise after the effective time of the articles of entity conversion.
(d) The owner liability of an interest holder in an unincorporated entity that converts to a domestic business corporation shall be as follows:
(1) The conversion does not discharge any owner liability under the organic law of the unincorporated entity to the extent any such owner liability arose before the effective time of the articles of entity conversion;
(2) The interest holder shall not have owner liability under the organic law of the unincorporated entity for any debt, obligation, or liability of the corporation that arises after the effective time of the articles of entity conversion;
(3) The provisions of the organic law of the unincorporated entity shall continue to apply to the collection or discharge of any owner liability preserved by subdivision (1) of this subsection as if the conversion had not occurred; and
(4) The interest holder shall have whatever rights of contribution from other interest holders that are provided by the organic law of the unincorporated entity with respect to any owner liability preserved by subdivision (1) of this subsection as if the conversion had not occurred.
(MBCA 9.56) (a) Unless otherwise provided in a plan of entity conversion of a domestic business corporation, after the plan has been adopted and approved as required by sections 21-2,143 to 21-2,149 and at any time before the entity conversion has become effective, it may be abandoned by the board of directors without action by the shareholders.
(b) If an entity conversion is abandoned after articles of entity conversion or articles of charter surrender have been filed with the Secretary of State but before the entity conversion has become effective, a statement that the entity conversion has been abandoned in accordance with this section, signed by an officer or other duly authorized representative, shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing prior to the effective date of the entity conversion. Upon filing, the statement shall take effect and the entity conversion shall be deemed abandoned and shall not become effective.
(MBCA 10.01) (a) A corporation may amend its articles of incorporation at any time to add or change a provision that is required or permitted in the articles of incorporation as of the effective date of the amendment or to delete a provision that is not required to be contained in the articles of incorporation.
(b) A shareholder of the corporation does not have a vested property right resulting from any provision in the articles of incorporation, including provisions relating to management, control, capital structure, dividend entitlement, or purpose or duration of the corporation.
(MBCA 10.02) If a corporation has not yet issued shares, its board of directors or its incorporators if it has no board of directors may adopt one or more amendments to the corporation's articles of incorporation.
(MBCA 10.03) If a corporation has issued shares, an amendment to the articles of incorporation shall be adopted in the following manner:
(1) The proposed amendment must be adopted by the board of directors.
(2) Except as provided in sections 21-2,154, 21-2,156, and 21-2,157, after adopting the proposed amendment the board of directors must submit the amendment to the shareholders for their approval. The board of directors must also transmit to the shareholders a recommendation that the shareholders approve the amendment unless (i) the board of directors makes a determination that because of conflicts of interest or other special circumstances it should not make such a recommendation or (ii) section 21-2,101 applies. If subdivision (2)(i) or (ii) of this section applies, the board must transmit to the shareholders the basis for so proceeding.
(3) The board of directors may condition its submission of the amendment to the shareholders on any basis.
(4) If the amendment is required to be approved by the shareholders and the approval is to be given at a meeting, the corporation must notify each shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, of the meeting of shareholders at which the amendment is to be submitted for approval. The notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the amendment and must contain or be accompanied by a copy of the amendment.
(5) Unless the articles of incorporation, or the board of directors acting pursuant to subdivision (3) of this section, requires a greater vote or a greater number of shares to be present, approval of the amendment requires the approval of the shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment exists, and, if any class or series of shares is entitled to vote as a separate group on the amendment, except as provided in subsection (c) of section 21-2,153, the approval of each such separate voting group at a meeting at which a quorum of the voting group consisting of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment by that voting group exists.
(MBCA 10.04) (a) If a corporation has more than one class of shares outstanding, the holders of the outstanding shares of a class are entitled to vote as a separate voting group, if shareholder voting is otherwise required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, on a proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation if the amendment would:
(1) Effect an exchange or reclassification of all or part of the shares of the class into shares of another class;
(2) Effect an exchange or reclassification or create the right of exchange of all or part of the shares of another class into shares of the class;
(3) Change the rights, preferences, or limitations of all or part of the shares of the class;
(4) Change the shares of all or part of the class into a different number of shares of the same class;
(5) Create a new class of shares having rights or preferences with respect to distributions that are prior or superior to the shares of the class;
(6) Increase the rights, preferences, or number of authorized shares of any class that, after giving effect to the amendment, have rights or preferences with respect to distributions that are prior or superior to the shares of the class;
(7) Limit or deny an existing preemptive right of all or part of the shares of the class; or
(8) Cancel or otherwise affect rights to distributions that have accumulated but not yet been authorized on all or part of the shares of the class.
(b) If a proposed amendment would affect a series of a class of shares in one or more of the ways described in subsection (a) of this section, the holders of shares of that series are entitled to vote as a separate voting group on the proposed amendment.
(c) If a proposed amendment that entitles the holders of two or more classes or series of shares to vote as separate voting groups under this section would affect those two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, the holders of shares of all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or required by the board of directors.
(d) A class or series of shares is entitled to the voting rights granted by this section although the articles of incorporation provide that the shares are nonvoting shares.
(MBCA 10.05) Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, a corporation's board of directors may adopt amendments to the corporation's articles of incorporation without shareholder approval:
(1) To extend the duration of the corporation if it was incorporated at a time when limited duration was required by law;
(2) To delete the names and addresses of the initial directors;
(3) To delete the name and address of the initial registered agent or registered office, if a statement of change is on file with the Secretary of State;
(4) If the corporation has only one class of shares outstanding:
(i) To change each issued and unissued authorized share of the class into a greater number of whole shares of that class; or
(ii) To increase the number of authorized shares of the class to the extent necessary to permit the issuance of shares as a share dividend;
(5) To change the corporate name by substituting the word corporation, incorporated, company, limited, or the abbreviation corp., inc., co., or ltd., for a similar word or abbreviation in the name or by adding, deleting, or changing a geographical attribution for the name;
(6) To reflect a reduction in authorized shares, as a result of the operation of subsection (b) of section 21-251, when the corporation has acquired its own shares and the articles of incorporation prohibit the reissue of the acquired shares;
(7) To delete a class of shares from the articles of incorporation, as a result of the operation of subsection (b) of section 21-251, when there are no remaining shares of the class because the corporation has acquired all shares of the class and the articles of incorporation prohibit the reissue of the acquired shares; or
(8) To make any change expressly permitted by subsection (a) or (b) of section 21-238 to be made without shareholder approval.
(MBCA 10.06) After an amendment to the articles of incorporation has been adopted and approved in the manner required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act and by the articles of incorporation, the corporation shall deliver to the Secretary of State, for filing, articles of amendment, which shall set forth:
(1) The name of the corporation;
(2) The text of each amendment adopted, or the information required by subdivision (k)(5) of section 21-203;
(3) If an amendment provides for an exchange, reclassification, or cancellation of issued shares, provisions for implementing the amendment if not contained in the amendment itself, which may be made dependent upon facts objectively ascertainable outside the articles of amendment in accordance with subdivision (k)(5) of section 21-203;
(4) The date of each amendment's adoption; and
(5) If an amendment:
(i) Was adopted by the incorporators or board of directors without shareholder approval, a statement that the amendment was duly approved by the incorporators or by the board of directors, as the case may be, and that shareholder approval was not required;
(ii) Required approval by the shareholders, a statement that the amendment was duly approved by the shareholders in the manner required by the act and by the articles of incorporation; or
(iii) Is being filed pursuant to subdivision (k)(5) of section 21-203, a statement to that effect.
(MBCA 10.07) (a) A corporation's board of directors may restate its articles of incorporation at any time, with or without shareholder approval, to consolidate all amendments into a single document.
(b) If the restated articles include one or more new amendments that require shareholder approval, the amendments must be adopted and approved as provided in section 21-2,152.
(c) A corporation that restates its articles of incorporation shall deliver to the Secretary of State for filing articles of restatement setting forth the name of the corporation and the text of the restated articles of incorporation together with a certificate which states that the restated articles consolidate all amendments into a single document and, if a new amendment is included in the restated articles, also includes the statements required under section 21-2,155.
(d) Duly adopted restated articles of incorporation supersede the original articles of incorporation and all amendments thereto.
(e) The Secretary of State may certify restated articles of incorporation as the articles of incorporation currently in effect without including the certificate information required by subsection (c) of this section.
(MBCA 10.08) (a) A corporation's articles of incorporation may be amended without action by the board of directors or shareholders to carry out a plan of reorganization ordered or decreed by a court of competent jurisdiction under the authority of a law of the United States.
(b) The individual or individuals designated by the court shall deliver to the Secretary of State for filing articles of amendment setting forth:
(1) The name of the corporation;
(2) The text of each amendment approved by the court;
(3) The date of the court's order or decree approving the articles of amendment;
(4) The title of the reorganization proceeding in which the order or decree was entered; and
(5) A statement that the court had jurisdiction of the proceeding under federal statute.
(c) This section does not apply after entry of a final decree in the reorganization proceeding even though the court retains jurisdiction of the proceeding for limited purposes unrelated to consummation of the reorganization plan.
(MBCA 10.09) An amendment to the articles of incorporation does not affect a cause of action existing against or in favor of the corporation, a proceeding to which the corporation is a party, or the existing rights of persons other than shareholders of the corporation. An amendment changing a corporation's name does not abate a proceeding brought by or against the corporation in its former name.
(MBCA 10.20) (a) A corporation's shareholders may amend or repeal the corporation's bylaws.
(b) A corporation's board of directors may amend or repeal the corporation's bylaws, unless:
(1) The articles of incorporation or section 21-2,160 reserves that power exclusively to the shareholders in whole or part; or
(2) Except as provided in subsection (d) of section 21-224, the shareholders in amending, repealing, or adopting a bylaw expressly provide that the board of directors may not amend, repeal, or reinstate that bylaw.
(MBCA 10.21) (a) A bylaw that increases a quorum or voting requirement for the board of directors may be amended or repealed:
(1) If originally adopted by the shareholders, only by the shareholders unless the bylaw otherwise provides; or
(2) If adopted by the board of directors, either by the shareholders or by the board of directors.
(b) A bylaw adopted or amended by the shareholders that increases a quorum or voting requirement for the board of directors may provide that it can be amended or repealed only by a specified vote of either the shareholders or the board of directors.
(c) Action by the board of directors under subsection (a) of this section to amend or repeal a bylaw that changes the quorum or voting requirement for the board of directors must meet the same quorum requirement and be adopted by the same vote required to take action under the quorum and voting requirement then in effect or proposed to be adopted, whichever is greater.
(MBCA 11.01) As used in sections 21-2,161 to 21-2,168:
(1) Merger means a business combination pursuant to section 21-2,162.
(2) Party to a merger or party to a share exchange means any domestic or foreign corporation or eligible entity that will:
(i) Merge under a plan of merger;
(ii) Acquire shares or eligible interests of another corporation or an eligible entity in a share exchange; or
(iii) Have all of its shares or eligible interests or all of one or more classes or series of its shares or eligible interests acquired in a share exchange.
(3) Share exchange means a business combination pursuant to section 21-2,163.
(4) Survivor in a merger means the corporation or eligible entity into which one or more other corporations or eligible entities are merged. A survivor of a merger may preexist the merger or be created by the merger.
(MBCA 11.02) (a) One or more domestic business corporations may merge with one or more domestic or foreign business corporations or eligible entities pursuant to a plan of merger or two or more foreign business corporations or domestic or foreign eligible entities may merge into a new domestic business corporation to be created in the merger in the manner provided in sections 21-2,161 to 21-2,168.
(b) A foreign business corporation, or a foreign eligible entity, may be a party to a merger with a domestic business corporation or may be created by the terms of the plan of merger only if the merger is permitted by the organic law of the foreign business corporation or eligible entity.
(c) If the organic law of a domestic eligible entity does not provide procedures for the approval of a merger, a plan of merger may be adopted and approved, the merger effectuated, and appraisal rights exercised in accordance with the procedures in sections 21-2,161 to 21-2,168 and 21-2,171 to 21-2,183. For the purposes of applying sections 21-2,161 to 21-2,168 and 21-2,171 to 21-2,183:
(1) The eligible entity, its members or interest holders, eligible interests, and organic documents taken together shall be deemed to be a domestic business corporation, shareholders, shares, and articles of incorporation, respectively and vice versa as the context may require; and
(2) If the business and affairs of the eligible entity are managed by a group of persons that is not identical to the members or interest holders, that group shall be deemed to be the board of directors.
(d) The plan of merger must include:
(1) The name of each domestic or foreign business corporation or eligible entity that will merge and the name of the domestic or foreign business corporation or eligible entity that will be the survivor of the merger;
(2) The terms and conditions of the merger;
(3) The manner and basis of converting the shares of each merging domestic or foreign business corporation and eligible interests of each merging domestic or foreign eligible entity into shares or other securities, eligible interests, obligations, rights to acquire shares, other securities, or eligible interests, cash, other property, or any combination of the foregoing;
(4) The articles of incorporation of any domestic or foreign business or nonprofit corporation or the organic documents of any domestic or foreign unincorporated entity to be created by the merger or, if a new domestic or foreign business or nonprofit corporation or unincorporated entity is not to be created by the merger, any amendments to the survivor's articles of incorporation or organic documents; and
(5) Any other provisions required by the laws under which any party to the merger is organized or by which it is governed or by the articles of incorporation or organic document of any such party.
(e) Terms of a plan of merger may be made dependent on facts objectively ascertainable outside the plan in accordance with subsection (k) of section 21-203.
(f) The plan of merger may also include a provision that the plan may be amended prior to filing articles of merger, but if the shareholders of a domestic corporation that is a party to the merger are required or permitted to vote on the plan, the plan must provide that subsequent to approval of the plan by such shareholders the plan may not be amended to change:
(1) The amount or kind of shares or other securities, eligible interests, obligations, rights to acquire shares, other securities, or eligible interests, cash, or other property to be received under the plan by the shareholders of or owners of eligible interests in any party to the merger;
(2) The articles of incorporation of any corporation or the organic documents of any unincorporated entity that will survive or be created as a result of the merger, except for changes permitted by section 21-2,154 or by comparable provisions of the organic laws of any such foreign corporation or domestic or foreign unincorporated entity; or
(3) Any of the other terms or conditions of the plan if the change would adversely affect such shareholders in any material respect.
(g) Property held in trust or for charitable purposes under the laws of this state by a domestic or foreign eligible entity shall not be diverted by a merger from the objects for which it was donated, granted, or devised unless and until the eligible entity obtains an order of the court specifying the disposition of the property to the extent required by and pursuant to cy pres or other nondiversion law of this state.
(MBCA 11.03) (a) Through a share exchange:
(1) A domestic corporation may acquire all of the shares of one or more classes or series of shares of another domestic or foreign corporation, or all of the interests of one or more classes or series of interests of a domestic or foreign other entity, in exchange for shares or other securities, interests, obligations, rights to acquire shares or other securities, cash, other property, or any combination of the foregoing pursuant to a plan of share exchange; or
(2) All of the shares of one or more classes or series of shares of a domestic corporation may be acquired by another domestic or foreign corporation or other entity in exchange for shares or other securities, interests, obligations, rights to acquire shares or other securities, cash, other property, or any combination of the foregoing pursuant to a plan of share exchange.
(b) A foreign corporation or eligible entity may be a party to a share exchange only if the share exchange is permitted by the organic law of the corporation or other entity.
(c) If the organic law of a domestic other entity does not provide procedures for the approval of a share exchange, a plan of share exchange may be adopted and approved and the share exchange effectuated in accordance with the procedures, if any, for a merger. If the organic law of a domestic other entity does not provide procedures for the approval of either a share exchange or a merger, a plan of share exchange may be adopted and approved, the share exchange effectuated, and appraisal rights exercised, in accordance with the procedures in sections 21-2,161 to 21-2,168 and 21-2,171 to 21-2,183. For the purposes of applying sections 21-2,161 to 21-2,168 and 21-2,171 to 21-2,183:
(1) The other entity, its interest holders, interests, and organic documents taken together shall be deemed to be a domestic business corporation, shareholders, shares, and articles of incorporation, respectively and vice versa as the context may require; and
(2) If the business and affairs of the other entity are managed by a group of persons that is not identical to the interest holders, that group shall be deemed to be the board of directors.
(d) The plan of share exchange must include:
(1) The name of each corporation or other entity whose shares or interests will be acquired and the name of the corporation or other entity that will acquire those shares or interests;
(2) The terms and conditions of the share exchange;
(3) The manner and basis of exchanging shares of a corporation or interests in an other entity whose shares or interests will be acquired under the share exchange into shares or other securities, interests, obligations, rights to acquire shares, other securities, or interests, cash, other property, or any combination of the foregoing; and
(4) Any other provisions required by the laws under which any party to the share exchange is organized or by the articles of incorporation or organic document of any such party.
(e) Terms of a plan of share exchange may be made dependent on facts objectively ascertainable outside the plan in accordance with subsection (k) of section 21-203.
(f) The plan of share exchange may also include a provision that the plan may be amended prior to filing articles of share exchange, but if the shareholders of a domestic corporation that is a party to the share exchange are required or permitted to vote on the plan, the plan must provide that subsequent to approval of the plan by such shareholders the plan may not be amended to change:
(1) The amount or kind of shares or other securities, interests, obligations, rights to acquire shares, other securities, or interests, cash, or other property to be issued by the corporation or to be received under the plan by the shareholders of or owners of interests in any party to the share exchange; or
(2) Any of the other terms or conditions of the plan if the change would adversely affect such shareholders in any material respect.
(g) This section does not limit the power of a domestic corporation to acquire shares of another corporation or interests in another entity in a transaction other than a share exchange.
(MBCA 11.04) In the case of a domestic corporation that is a party to a merger or share exchange:
(1) The plan of merger or share exchange must be adopted by the board of directors.
(2) Except as provided in subdivision (8) of this section and in section 21-2,165, after adopting the plan of merger or share exchange the board of directors must submit the plan to the shareholders for their approval. The board of directors must also transmit to the shareholders a recommendation that the shareholders approve the plan unless (i) the board of directors makes a determination that because of conflicts of interest or other special circumstances it should not make such a recommendation or (ii) section 21-2,101 applies. If either subdivision (2)(i) or (ii) of this section applies, the board must transmit to the shareholders the basis for so proceeding.
(3) The board of directors may condition its submission of the plan of merger or share exchange to the shareholders on any basis.
(4) If the plan of merger or share exchange is required to be approved by the shareholders and if the approval is to be given at a meeting, the corporation must notify each shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, of the meeting of shareholders at which the plan is to be submitted for approval. The notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the plan and must contain or be accompanied by a copy or summary of the plan. If the corporation is to be merged into an existing corporation or other entity, the notice shall also include or be accompanied by a copy or summary of the articles of incorporation or organizational documents of that corporation or other entity. If the corporation is to be merged into a corporation or other entity that is to be created pursuant to the merger, the notice shall include or be accompanied by a copy or a summary of the articles of incorporation or organizational documents of the new corporation or other entity.
(5) Unless the articles of incorporation or the board of directors acting pursuant to subdivision (3) of this section requires a greater vote or a greater number of votes to be present, approval of the plan of merger or share exchange requires the approval of the shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the plan exists, and if any class or series of shares is entitled to vote as a separate group on the plan of merger or share exchange, the approval of each such separate voting group at a meeting at which a quorum of the voting group consisting of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the merger or share exchange by that voting group is present.
(6) Subject to subdivision (7) of this section, separate voting by voting groups is required:
(i) On a plan of merger, by each class or series of shares that:
(A) Are to be converted under the plan of merger into other securities, interests, obligations, rights to acquire shares, other securities, or interests, cash, other property, or any combination of the foregoing; or
(B) Are entitled to vote as a separate group on a provision in the plan that constitutes a proposed amendment to articles of incorporation of a surviving corporation, that requires action by separate voting groups under section 21-2,153;
(ii) On a plan of share exchange, by each class or series of shares included in the exchange with each class or series constituting a separate voting group; and
(iii) On a plan of merger or share exchange, if the voting group is entitled under the articles of incorporation to vote as a voting group to approve a plan of merger or share exchange.
(7) The articles of incorporation may expressly limit or eliminate the separate voting rights provided in subdivisions (6)(i)(A) and (6)(ii) of this section as to any class or series of shares, except for a transaction that (i) includes what is or would be, if the corporation were the surviving corporation, an amendment subject to subdivision (6)(i)(B) of this section and (ii) will effect no significant change in the assets of the resulting entity, including all parents and subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
(8) Unless the articles of incorporation otherwise provide, approval by the corporation's shareholders of a plan of merger or share exchange is not required if:
(i) The corporation will survive the merger or is the acquiring corporation in a share exchange;
(ii) Except for amendments permitted by section 21-2,154, its articles of incorporation will not be changed;
(iii) Each shareholder of the corporation whose shares were outstanding immediately before the effective date of the merger or share exchange will hold the same number of shares, with identical preferences, limitations, and relative rights, immediately after the effective date of change; and
(iv) The issuance in the merger or share exchange of shares or other securities convertible into or rights exercisable for shares does not require a vote under subsection (f) of section 21-242.
(9) If as a result of a merger or share exchange one or more shareholders of a domestic corporation would become subject to owner liability for the debts, obligations, or liabilities of any other person or entity, approval of the plan of merger or share exchange shall require the execution by each such shareholder of a separate written consent to become subject to such owner liability.
(MBCA 11.05) (a) A domestic parent corporation that owns shares of a domestic or foreign subsidiary corporation that carry at least ninety percent of the voting power of each class and series of the outstanding shares of the subsidiary that have voting power may merge the subsidiary into itself or into another such subsidiary, or merge itself into the subsidiary, without the approval of the board of directors or shareholders of the subsidiary unless the articles of incorporation of any of the corporations otherwise provide, and unless, in the case of a foreign subsidiary, approval by the subsidiary's board of directors or shareholders is required by the laws under which the subsidiary is organized.
(b) If under subsection (a) of this section approval of a merger by the subsidiary's shareholders is not required, the parent corporation shall within ten days after the effective date of the merger notify each of the subsidiary's shareholders that the merger has become effective.
(c) Except as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, a merger between a parent and a subsidiary shall be governed by the provisions of sections 21-2,161 to 21-2,168 applicable to mergers generally.
(MBCA 11.06) (a) After a plan of merger or share exchange has been adopted and approved as required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, articles of merger or share exchange shall be signed on behalf of each party to the merger or share exchange by any officer or other duly authorized representative. The articles shall set forth:
(1) The names of the parties to the merger or share exchange;
(2) If the articles of incorporation of the survivor of a merger are amended, or if a new corporation is created as a result of a merger, the amendments to the survivor's articles of incorporation or the articles of incorporation of the new corporation;
(3) If the plan of merger or share exchange required approval by the shareholders of a domestic corporation that was a party to the merger or share exchange, a statement that the plan was duly approved by the shareholders and, if voting by any separate voting group was required, by each such separate voting group, in the manner required by the act and the articles of incorporation;
(4) If the plan of merger or share exchange did not require approval by the shareholders of a domestic corporation that was a party to the merger or share exchange, a statement to that effect; and
(5) As to each foreign corporation or eligible entity that was a party to the merger or share exchange, a statement that the participation of the foreign corporation or eligible entity was duly authorized as required by the organic law of the corporation or eligible entity.
(b) Articles of merger or share exchange shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing by the survivor of the merger or the acquiring corporation in a share exchange and shall take effect at the effective time provided in section 21-206. Articles of merger or share exchange filed under this section may be combined with any filing required under the organic law of any domestic eligible entity involved in the transaction if the combined filing satisfies the requirements of both this section and the other organic law.
(MBCA 11.07) (a) When a merger becomes effective:
(1) The corporation or eligible entity that is designated in the plan of merger as the survivor continues or comes into existence, as the case may be;
(2) The separate existence of every corporation or eligible entity that is merged into the survivor ceases;
(3) All property owned by and every contract right possessed by each corporation or eligible entity that merges into the survivor is vested in the survivor without reversion or impairment;
(4) All liabilities of each corporation or eligible entity that is merged into the survivor are vested in the survivor;
(5) The name of the survivor may, but need not be, substituted in any pending proceeding for the name of any party to the merger whose separate existence ceased in the merger;
(6) The articles of incorporation or organic documents of the survivor are amended to the extent provided in the plan of merger;
(7) The articles of incorporation or organic documents of a survivor that is created by the merger become effective; and
(8) The shares of each corporation that is a party to the merger and the interests in an eligible entity that is a party to a merger that are to be converted under the plan of merger into shares, eligible interests, obligations, rights to acquire securities, other securities, or eligible interests, cash, other property, or any combination of the foregoing, are converted, and the former holders of such shares or eligible interests are entitled only to the rights provided to them in the plan of merger or to any rights they may have under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183 or the organic law of the eligible entity.
(b) When a share exchange becomes effective, the shares of each domestic corporation that are to be exchanged for shares or other securities, interests, obligations, rights to acquire shares or other securities, cash, other property, or any combination of the foregoing are entitled only to the rights provided to them in the plan of share exchange or to any rights they may have under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(c) A person who becomes subject to owner liability for some or all of the debts, obligations, or liabilities of any entity as a result of a merger or share exchange shall have owner liability only to the extent provided in the organic law of the entity and only for those debts, obligations, and liabilities that arise after the effective time of the articles of merger or share exchange.
(d) Upon a merger becoming effective, a foreign corporation or a foreign eligible entity that is the survivor of the merger is deemed to agree that it will promptly pay the amount, if any, to which such shareholders are entitled under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(e) The effect of a merger or share exchange on the owner liability of a person who had owner liability for some or all of the debts, obligations, or liabilities of a party to the merger or share exchange shall be as follows:
(1) The merger or share exchange does not discharge any owner liability under the organic law of the entity in which the person was a shareholder or interest holder to the extent any such owner liability arose before the effective time of the articles of merger or share exchange;
(2) The person shall not have owner liability under the organic law of the entity in which the person was a shareholder or interest holder prior to the merger or share exchange for any debt, obligation, or liability that arises after the effective time of the articles of merger or share exchange;
(3) The provisions of the organic law of any entity for which the person had owner liability before the merger or share exchange shall continue to apply to the collection or discharge of any owner liability preserved by subdivision (1) of this subsection as if the merger or share exchange had not occurred; and
(4) The person shall have whatever rights of contribution from other persons provided by the organic law of the entity for which the person had owner liability with respect to any owner liability preserved by subdivision (1) of this subsection as if the merger or share exchange had not occurred.
(MBCA 11.08) (a) Unless otherwise provided in a plan of merger or share exchange or in the laws under which a foreign business corporation or a domestic or foreign eligible entity that is a party to a merger or a share exchange is organized or by which it is governed, after the plan has been adopted and approved as required by sections 21-2,161 to 21-2,168, and at any time before the merger or share exchange has become effective, it may be abandoned by a domestic business corporation that is a party thereto without action by its shareholders in accordance with any procedures set forth in the plan of merger or share exchange or, if no such procedures are set forth in the plan, in the manner determined by the board of directors, subject to any contractual rights of other parties to the merger or share exchange.
(b) If a merger or share exchange is abandoned under subsection (a) of this section after articles of merger or share exchange have been filed with the Secretary of State but before the merger or share exchange has become effective, a statement that the merger or share exchange has been abandoned in accordance with this section, signed on behalf of a party to the merger or share exchange by an officer or other duly authorized representative, shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing prior to the effective date of the merger or share exchange. Upon filing, the statement shall take effect and the merger or share exchange shall be deemed abandoned and shall not become effective.
(MBCA 12.01) No approval of the shareholders of a corporation is required, unless the articles of incorporation otherwise provide:
(1) To sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any or all of the corporation's assets in the usual and regular course of business;
(2) To mortgage, pledge, dedicate to the repayment of indebtedness, whether with or without recourse, or otherwise encumber any or all of the corporation's assets, whether or not in the usual and regular course of business;
(3) To transfer any or all of the corporation's assets to one or more corporations or other entities all of the shares or interests of which are owned by the corporation; or
(4) To distribute assets pro rata to the holders of one or more classes or series of the corporation's shares.
(MBCA 12.02) (a) A sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of assets, other than a disposition described in section 21-2,169, requires approval of the corporation's shareholders if the disposition would leave the corporation without a significant continuing business activity. If a corporation retains a business activity that represented at least twenty-five percent of total assets at the end of the most recently completed fiscal year, and twenty-five percent of either income from continuing operations before taxes or revenue from continuing operations for that fiscal year, in each case of the corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the corporation will conclusively be deemed to have retained a significant continuing business activity.
(b) A disposition that requires approval of the shareholders under subsection (a) of this section shall be initiated by a resolution by the board of directors authorizing the disposition. After adoption of such a resolution, the board of directors shall submit the proposed disposition to the shareholders for their approval. The board of directors shall also transmit to the shareholders a recommendation that the shareholders approve the proposed disposition, unless (1) the board of directors makes a determination that because of conflicts of interest or other special circumstances it should not make such a recommendation or (2) section 21-2,101 applies. If either subdivision (b)(1) or (2) of this section applies, the board of directors shall transmit to the shareholders the basis for so proceeding.
(c) The board of directors may condition its submission of a disposition to the shareholders under subsection (b) of this section on any basis.
(d) If a disposition is required to be approved by the shareholders under subsection (a) of this section and if the approval is to be given at a meeting, the corporation shall notify each shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, of the meeting of shareholders at which the disposition is to be submitted for approval. The notice shall state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the disposition and shall contain a description of the disposition, including the terms and conditions thereof and the consideration to be received by the corporation.
(e) Unless the articles of incorporation or the board of directors acting pursuant to subsection (c) of this section requires a greater vote or a greater number of votes to be present, the approval of a disposition by the shareholders shall require the approval of the shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the disposition exists.
(f) After a disposition has been approved by the shareholders under subsection (b) of this section and at any time before the disposition has been consummated, it may be abandoned by the corporation without action by the shareholders, subject to any contractual rights of other parties to the disposition.
(g) A disposition of assets in the course of dissolution under sections 21-2,184 to 21-2,202 is not governed by this section.
(h) The assets of a direct or indirect consolidated subsidiary shall be deemed the assets of the parent corporation for the purposes of this section.
(MBCA 13.01) In sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183:
(1) Affiliate means a person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another person or is a senior executive thereof. For purposes of subdivision (5) of this section, a person is deemed to be an affiliate of its senior executives.
(2) Corporation means the issuer of the shares held by a shareholder demanding appraisal and, for matters covered in sections 21-2,176 to 21-2,182, includes the surviving entity in a merger.
(3) Fair value means the value of the corporation's shares determined:
(i) Immediately before the effectuation of the corporate action to which the shareholder objects;
(ii) Using customary and current valuation concepts and techniques generally employed for similar businesses in the context of the transaction requiring appraisal; and
(iii) Without discounting for lack of marketability or minority status except, if appropriate, for amendments to the articles pursuant to subdivision (a)(5) of section 21-2,172.
(4) Interest means interest from the effective date of the corporate action until the date of payment at the rate of interest specified in section 45-104, as such rate may from time to time be adjusted by the Legislature.
(5) Interested transaction means a corporate action described in subsection (a) of section 21-2,172, other than a merger pursuant to section 21-2,165, involving an interested person in which any of the shares or assets of the corporation are being acquired or converted. As used in this definition:
(i) Interested person means a person or an affiliate of a person who at any time during the one-year period immediately preceding approval by the board of directors of the corporate action:
(A) Was the beneficial owner of twenty percent or more of the voting power of the corporation, other than as owner of excluded shares;
(B) Had the power, contractually or otherwise, other than as owner of excluded shares, to cause the appointment or election of twenty-five percent or more of the directors to the board of directors of the corporation; or
(C) Was a senior executive or director of the corporation or a senior executive of any affiliate thereof and that senior executive or director will receive, as a result of the corporate action, a financial benefit not generally available to other shareholders as such, other than:
(I) Employment, consulting, retirement, or similar benefits established separately and not as part of or in contemplation of the corporate action;
(II) Employment, consulting, retirement, or similar benefits established in contemplation of or as part of the corporate action that are not more favorable than those existing before the corporate action or, if more favorable, that have been approved on behalf of the corporation in the same manner as is provided in section 21-2,122; or
(III) In the case of a director of the corporation who will, in the corporate action, become a director of the acquiring entity in the corporate action or one of its affiliates, rights and benefits as a director that are provided on the same basis as those afforded by the acquiring entity generally to other directors of such entity or such affiliate;
(ii) Beneficial owner means any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, or understanding, other than a revocable proxy, has or shares the power to vote or to direct the voting of shares; except that a member of a national securities exchange is not deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities held directly or indirectly by it on behalf of another person solely because the member is the record holder of the securities if the member is precluded by the rules of the exchange from voting without instruction on contested matters or matters that may affect substantially the rights or privileges of the holders of the securities to be voted. When two or more persons agree to act together for the purpose of voting their shares of the corporation, each member of the group formed thereby is deemed to have acquired beneficial ownership, as of the date of the agreement, of all voting shares of the corporation beneficially owned by any member of the group; and
(iii) Excluded shares means shares acquired pursuant to an offer for all shares having voting power if the offer was made within one year prior to the corporate action for consideration of the same kind and of a value equal to or less than that paid in connection with the corporate action.
(6) Preferred shares means a class or series of shares whose holders have preference over any other class or series with respect to distributions.
(7) Senior executive means the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, and anyone in charge of a principal business unit or function.
(8) Shareholder means a record shareholder, a beneficial shareholder, and a voting trust beneficial owner.
(MBCA 13.02) (a) A shareholder is entitled to appraisal rights and to obtain payment of the fair value of that shareholder's shares in the event of any of the following corporate actions:
(1) Consummation of a merger to which the corporation is a party (i) if shareholder approval is required for the merger by section 21-2,164, except that appraisal rights shall not be available to any shareholder of the corporation with respect to shares of any class or series that remain outstanding after consummation of the merger or (ii) if the corporation is a subsidiary and the merger is governed by section 21-2,165;
(2) Consummation of a share exchange to which the corporation is a party as the corporation whose shares will be acquired, except that appraisal rights shall not be available to any shareholder of the corporation with respect to any class or series of shares of the corporation that is not exchanged;
(3) Consummation of a disposition of assets pursuant to section 21-2,170 if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the disposition, except that appraisal rights shall not be available to any shareholder of the corporation with respect to shares of any class or series if (i) under the terms of the corporate action approved by the shareholders there is to be distributed to shareholders in cash its net assets, in excess of a reasonable amount reserved to meet claims of the type described in sections 21-2,189 and 21-2,190, (A) within one year after the shareholders' approval of the action and (B) in accordance with their respective interests determined at the time of distribution and (ii) the disposition of assets is not an interested transaction;
(4) An amendment of the articles of incorporation with respect to a class or series of shares that reduces the number of shares of a class or series owned by the shareholder to a fraction of a share if the corporation has the obligation or right to repurchase the fractional share so created;
(5) Any other amendment to the articles of incorporation, merger, share exchange, or disposition of assets to the extent provided by the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors;
(6) Consummation of a domestication if the shareholder does not receive shares in the foreign corporation resulting from the domestication that have terms as favorable to the shareholder in all material respects and represent at least the same percentage interest of the total voting rights of the outstanding shares of the corporation as the shares held by the shareholder before the domestication;
(7) Consummation of a conversion of the corporation to nonprofit status pursuant to sections 21-2,133 to 21-2,138; or
(8) Consummation of a conversion of the corporation to an unincorporated entity pursuant to sections 21-2,143 to 21-2,149.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the availability of appraisal rights under subdivisions (a)(1), (2), (3), (4), (6), and (8) of this section shall be limited in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) Appraisal rights shall not be available for the holders of shares of any class or series of shares which is:
(i) A covered security under section 18(b)(1)(A) or (B) of the federal Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 77r(b)(1)(A) or (B);
(ii) Traded in an organized market and has at least two thousand shareholders and a market value of at least twenty million dollars, exclusive of the value of such shares held by the corporation's subsidiaries, senior executives, directors, beneficial shareholders, and voting trust beneficial owners owning more than ten percent of such shares; or
(iii) Issued by an open-end management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the federal Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq., and may be redeemed at the option of the holder at net asset value;
(2) The applicability of subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall be determined as of:
(i) The record date fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting of shareholders to act upon the corporate action requiring appraisal rights; or
(ii) The day before the effective date of such corporate action if there is no meeting of shareholders;
(3) Subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall not be applicable and appraisal rights shall be available pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for the holders of any class or series of shares (i) who are required by the terms of the corporate action requiring appraisal rights to accept for such shares anything other than cash or shares of any class or any series of shares of any corporation or any other proprietary interest of any other entity that satisfies the standards set forth in subdivision (b)(1) of this section at the time the corporate action becomes effective or (ii) in the case of the consummation of a disposition of assets pursuant to section 21-2,170, unless such cash, shares, or proprietary interests are, under the terms of the corporate action approved by the shareholders as part of a distribution to shareholders of the net assets of the corporation in excess of a reasonable amount to meet claims of the type described in sections 21-2,189 and 21-2,190, (A) within one year after the shareholders' approval of the action and (B) in accordance with their respective interests determined at the time of the distribution; and
(4) Subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall not be applicable and appraisal rights shall be available pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for the holders of any class or series of shares where the corporate action is an interested transaction.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the articles of incorporation as originally filed or any amendment thereto may limit or eliminate appraisal rights for any class or series of preferred shares, except that (1) no such limitation or elimination shall be effective if the class or series does not have the right to vote separately as a voting group, alone or as part of a group, on the action or if the action is a nonprofit conversion under sections 21-2,133 to 21-2,138, or a conversion to an unincorporated entity under sections 21-2,143 to 21-2,149, or a merger having a similar effect and (2) any such limitation or elimination contained in an amendment to the articles of incorporation that limits or eliminates appraisal rights for any of such shares that are outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such amendment or that the corporation is or may be required to issue or sell thereafter pursuant to any conversion, exchange, or other right existing immediately before the effective date of such amendment shall not apply to any corporate action that becomes effective within one year after that date if such action would otherwise afford appraisal rights.
(d) The right to dissent and obtain payment under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183 shall not apply to shareholders of a bank, trust company, stock-owned savings and loan association, or the holding company of any such bank, trust company, or stock-owned savings and loan association.
(MBCA 13.03) (a) A record shareholder may assert appraisal rights as to fewer than all the shares registered in the record shareholder's name but owned by a beneficial shareholder or a voting trust beneficial owner only if the record shareholder objects with respect to all shares of the class or series owned by the beneficial shareholder or the voting trust beneficial owner and notifies the corporation in writing of the name and address of each beneficial shareholder or voting trust beneficial owner on whose behalf appraisal rights are being asserted. The rights of a record shareholder who asserts appraisal rights for only part of the shares held of record in the record shareholder's name under this subsection shall be determined as if the shares as to which the record shareholder objects and the record shareholder's other shares were registered in the names of different record shareholders.
(b) A beneficial shareholder and a voting trust beneficial owner may assert appraisal rights as to shares of any class or series held on behalf of the shareholder only if such shareholder:
(1) Submits to the corporation the record shareholder's written consent to the assertion of such rights no later than the date referred to in subdivision (b)(2)(ii) of section 21-2,176; and
(2) Does so with respect to all shares of the class or series that are beneficially owned by the beneficial shareholder or the voting trust beneficial owner.
(MBCA 13.20) (a) When any corporate action specified in subsection (a) of section 21-2,172 is to be submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting, the meeting notice must state that the corporation has concluded that the shareholders are, are not, or may be entitled to assert appraisal rights under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183. If the corporation concludes that appraisal rights are or may be available, a copy of sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183 must accompany the meeting notice sent to those record shareholders entitled to exercise appraisal rights.
(b) In a merger pursuant to section 21-2,165, the parent corporation must notify in writing all record shareholders of the subsidiary who are entitled to assert appraisal rights that the corporate action became effective. Such notice must be sent within ten days after the corporate action became effective and include the materials described in section 21-2,176.
(c) When any corporate action specified in subsection (a) of section 21-2,172 is to be approved by written consent of the shareholders pursuant to section 21-256:
(1) Written notice that appraisal rights are, are not, or may be available must be sent to each record shareholder from whom a consent is solicited at the time consent of such shareholder is first solicited and, if the corporation has concluded that appraisal rights are or may be available, must be accompanied by a copy of sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183; and
(2) Written notice that appraisal rights are, are not, or may be available must be delivered together with the notice to nonconsenting and nonvoting shareholders required by subsections (e) and (f) of section 21-256, may include the materials described in section 21-2,176, and, if the corporation has concluded that appraisal rights are or may be available, must be accompanied by a copy of sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(d) When corporate action described in subsection (a) of section 21-2,172 is proposed or a merger pursuant to section 21-2,165 is effected, the notice referred to in subsection (a) or (c) of this section, if the corporation concludes that appraisal rights are or may be available, and in subsection (b) of this section shall be accompanied by:
(1) The annual financial statements specified in subsection (a) of section 21-2,227 of the corporation that issued the shares that may be subject to appraisal, which shall be as of a date ending not more than sixteen months before the date of the notice and shall comply with subsection (b) of section 21-2,227, except that if such annual financial statements are not reasonably available, the corporation shall provide reasonably equivalent financial information; and
(2) The latest available quarterly financial statements of such corporation, if any.
(e) The right to receive the information described in subsection (d) of this section may be waived in writing by a shareholder before or after the corporate action.
(MBCA 13.21) (a) If a corporate action specified in subsection (a) of section 21-2,172 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting, a shareholder who wishes to assert appraisal rights with respect to any class or series of shares:
(1) Must deliver to the corporation, before the vote is taken, written notice of the shareholder's intent to demand payment if the proposed action is effectuated; and
(2) Must not vote, or cause or permit to be voted, any shares of such class or series in favor of the proposed action.
(b) If a corporate action specified in subsection (a) of section 21-2,172 is to be approved by less than unanimous written consent, a shareholder who wishes to assert appraisal rights with respect to any class or series of shares must not sign a consent in favor of the proposed action with respect to that class or series of shares.
(c) A shareholder who fails to satisfy the requirements of subsection (a) or (b) of this section is not entitled to payment under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(MBCA 13.22) (a) If a corporate action requiring appraisal rights under subsection (a) of section 21-2,172 becomes effective, the corporation must send a written appraisal notice and form required by subdivision (b)(1) of this section to all shareholders who satisfy the requirements of subsection (a) or (b) of section 21-2,175. In the case of a merger under section 21-2,165, the parent must deliver an appraisal notice and form to all record shareholders who may be entitled to assert appraisal rights.
(b) The appraisal notice must be delivered no earlier than the date the corporate action specified in subsection (a) of section 21-2,172 became effective, and no later than ten days after such date, and must:
(1) Supply a form that (i) specifies the first date of any announcement to shareholders made prior to the date the corporate action became effective of the principal terms of the proposed corporate action, (ii) if such announcement was made, requires the shareholder asserting appraisal rights to certify whether beneficial ownership of those shares for which appraisal rights are asserted was acquired before that date, and (iii) requires the shareholder asserting appraisal rights to certify that such shareholder did not vote for or consent to the transaction;
(2) State:
(i) Where the form must be sent and where certificates for certificated shares must be deposited and the date by which those certificates must be deposited, which date may not be earlier than the date for receiving the required form under subdivision (2)(ii) of this subsection;
(ii) A date by which the corporation must receive the form, which date may not be fewer than forty nor more than sixty days after the date the appraisal notice under subsection (a) of this section is sent, and state that the shareholder shall have waived the right to demand appraisal with respect to the shares unless the form is received by the corporation by such specified date;
(iii) The corporation's estimate of the fair value of the shares;
(iv) That, if requested in writing, the corporation will provide, to the shareholder so requesting within ten days after the date specified in subdivision (2)(ii) of this subsection, the number of shareholders who return the forms by the specified date and the total number of shares owned by them; and
(v) The date by which the notice to withdraw under section 21-2,177 must be received, which date must be within twenty days after the date specified in subdivision (2)(ii) of this subsection; and
(3) Be accompanied by a copy of sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(MBCA 13.23) (a) A shareholder who receives notice pursuant to section 21-2,176 and who wishes to exercise appraisal rights must sign and return the form sent by the corporation and, in the case of certificated shares, deposit the shareholder's certificates in accordance with the terms of the notice by the date referred to in the notice pursuant to subdivision (b)(2)(ii) of section 21-2,176. In addition, if applicable, the shareholder must certify on the form whether the beneficial owner of such shares acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before the date required to be set forth in the notice pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) of section 21-2,176. If a shareholder fails to make this certification, the corporation may elect to treat the shareholder's shares as after-acquired shares under section 21-2,179. Once a shareholder deposits that shareholder's certificates or, in the case of uncertificated shares, returns the signed forms, that shareholder loses all rights as a shareholder unless the shareholder withdraws pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(b) A shareholder who has complied with subsection (a) of this section may nevertheless decline to exercise appraisal rights and withdraw from the appraisal process by so notifying the corporation in writing by the date set forth in the appraisal notice pursuant to subdivision (b)(2)(v) of section 21-2,176. A shareholder who fails to so withdraw from the appraisal process may not thereafter withdraw without the corporation's written consent.
(c) A shareholder who does not sign and return the form and, in the case of certificated shares, deposit that shareholder's share certificates where required, each by the date set forth in the notice described in subsection (b) of section 21-2,176, shall not be entitled to payment under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(MBCA 13.24) (a) Except as provided in section 21-2,179, within thirty days after the form required by subdivision (b)(2)(ii) of section 21-2,176 is due, the corporation shall pay in cash to those shareholders who complied with subsection (a) of section 21-2,177 the amount the corporation estimates to be the fair value of their shares, plus interest.
(b) The payment to each shareholder pursuant to subsection (a) of this section must be accompanied by:
(1)(i) The annual financial statements specified in subsection (a) of section 21-2,227 of the corporation that issued the shares to be appraised, which shall be of a date ending not more than sixteen months before the date of payment and shall comply with subsection (b) of section 21-2,227, except that if such annual financial statements are not reasonably available, the corporation shall provide reasonably equivalent financial information, and (ii) the latest available quarterly financial statements of such corporation, if any;
(2) A statement of the corporation's estimate of the fair value of the shares, which estimate must equal or exceed the corporation's estimate given pursuant to subdivision (b)(2)(iii) of section 21-2,176; and
(3) A statement that shareholders described in subsection (a) of this section have the right to demand further payment under section 21-2,180 and that if any such shareholder does not do so within the time period specified therein, such shareholder shall be deemed to have accepted such payment in full satisfaction of the corporation's obligations under sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(MBCA 13.25) (a) A corporation may elect to withhold payment required by section 21-2,178 from any shareholder who was required to, but did not, certify that beneficial ownership of all the shareholder's shares for which appraisal rights are asserted was acquired before the date set forth in the appraisal notice sent pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) of section 21-2,176.
(b) If the corporation elected to withhold payment under subsection (a) of this section, it must, within thirty days after the form required by subdivision (b)(2)(ii) of section 21-2,176 is due, notify all shareholders who are described in subsection (a) of this section:
(1) Of the information required by subdivision (b)(1) of section 21-2,178;
(2) Of the corporation's estimate of fair value pursuant to subdivision (b)(2) of section 21-2,178;
(3) That they may accept the corporation's estimate of fair value, plus interest, in full satisfaction of their demands or demand appraisal under section 21-2,180;
(4) That those shareholders who wish to accept such offer must so notify the corporation of their acceptance of the corporation's offer within thirty days after receiving the offer; and
(5) That those shareholders who do not satisfy the requirements for demanding appraisal under section 21-2,180 shall be deemed to have accepted the corporation's offer.
(c) Within ten days after receiving the shareholder's acceptance pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the corporation must pay in cash the amount it offered under subdivision (b)(2) of this section to each shareholder who agreed to accept the corporation's offer in full satisfaction of the shareholder's demand.
(d) Within forty days after sending the notice described in subsection (b) of this section, the corporation must pay in cash the amount it offered to pay under subdivision (b)(2) of this section to each shareholder described in subdivision (b)(5) of this section.
(MBCA 13.26) (a) A shareholder paid pursuant to section 21-2,178 who is dissatisfied with the amount of the payment must notify the corporation in writing of that shareholder's estimate of the fair value of the shares and demand payment of that estimate plus interest, less any payment under section 21-2,178. A shareholder offered payment under section 21-2,179 who is dissatisfied with that offer must reject the offer and demand payment of the shareholder's stated estimate of the fair value of the shares plus interest.
(b) A shareholder who fails to notify the corporation in writing of that shareholder's demand to be paid the shareholder's stated estimate of the fair value plus interest under subsection (a) of this section within thirty days after receiving the corporation's payment or offer of payment under section 21-2,178 or 21-2,179, respectively, waives the right to demand payment under this section and shall be entitled only to the payment made or offered pursuant to those respective sections.
(MBCA 13.30) (a) If a shareholder makes demand for payment under section 21-2,180 which remains unsettled, the corporation shall commence a proceeding within sixty days after receiving the payment demand and petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares and accrued interest. If the corporation does not commence the proceeding within the sixty-day period, it shall pay in cash to each shareholder the amount the shareholder demanded pursuant to section 21-2,180 plus interest.
(b) The corporation shall commence the proceeding in the district court of the county where the corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state, its registered office, is located. If the corporation is a foreign corporation without a registered office in this state, it shall commence the proceeding in the county in this state where the principal office or registered office of the domestic corporation merged with the foreign corporation was located at the time of the transaction.
(c) The corporation shall make all shareholders, whether or not residents of this state, whose demands remain unsettled parties to the proceeding as in an action against their shares, and all parties must be served with a copy of the petition. Nonresidents may be served by registered or certified mail or by publication as provided by law.
(d) The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under subsection (b) of this section is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend a decision on the question of fair value. The appraisers shall have the powers described in the order appointing them or in any amendment to it. The shareholders demanding appraisal rights are entitled to the same discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings. There shall be no right to a jury trial.
(e) Each shareholder made a party to the proceeding is entitled to judgment (1) for the amount, if any, by which the court finds the fair value of the shareholder's shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the corporation to the shareholder for such shares or (2) for the fair value, plus interest, of the shareholder's shares for which the corporation elected to withhold payment under section 21-2,179.
(MBCA 13.31) (a) The court in an appraisal proceeding commenced under section 21-2,181 shall determine all court costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess the court costs against the corporation, except that the court may assess court costs against all or some of the shareholders demanding appraisal, in amounts which the court finds equitable, to the extent the court finds such shareholders acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the rights provided by sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(b) The court in an appraisal proceeding may also assess the expenses of the respective parties in amounts the court finds equitable:
(1) Against the corporation and in favor of any or all shareholders demanding appraisal if the court finds the corporation did not substantially comply with the requirements of section 21-2,174, 21-2,176, 21-2,178, or 21-2,179; or
(2) Against either the corporation or a shareholder demanding appraisal, in favor of any other party, if the court finds the party against whom expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the rights provided by sections 21-2,171 to 21-2,183.
(c) If the court in an appraisal proceeding finds that the expenses incurred by any shareholder were of substantial benefit to other shareholders similarly situated and that such expenses should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may direct that such expenses be paid out of the amounts awarded the shareholders who were benefited.
(d) To the extent the corporation fails to make a required payment pursuant to section 21-2,178, 21-2,179, or 21-2,180, the shareholder may sue directly for the amount owed and, to the extent successful, shall be entitled to recover from the corporation all expenses of the suit.
(MBCA 13.40) (a) The legality of a proposed or completed corporate action described in subsection (a) of section 21-2,172 may not be contested, nor may the corporate action be enjoined, set aside, or rescinded, in a legal or equitable proceeding by a shareholder after the shareholders have approved the corporate action.
(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a corporate action that:
(1) Was not authorized and approved in accordance with the applicable provisions of:
(i) Sections 21-2,125 to 21-2,170;
(ii) The articles of incorporation or bylaws; or
(iii) The resolution of the board of directors authorizing the corporate action;
(2) Was procured as a result of fraud, a material misrepresentation, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make statements made, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading;
(3) Is an interested transaction, unless it has been recommended by the board of directors in the same manner as is provided in section 21-2,122 and has been approved by the shareholders in the same manner as is provided in section 21-2,123 as if the interested transaction were a director's conflicting interest transaction; or
(4) Is approved by less than unanimous consent of the voting shareholders pursuant to section 21-256 if:
(i) The challenge to the corporate action is brought by a shareholder who did not consent and as to whom notice of the approval of the corporate action was not effective at least ten days before the corporate action was effected; and
(ii) The proceeding challenging the corporate action is commenced within ten days after notice of the approval of the corporate action is effective as to the shareholder bringing the proceeding.
(MBCA 14.01) A majority of the incorporators or initial directors of a corporation that has not issued shares or has not commenced business may dissolve the corporation by delivering to the Secretary of State for filing articles of dissolution that set forth:
(1) The name of the corporation;
(2) The date of its incorporation;
(3) Either (i) that none of the corporation's shares has been issued or (ii) that the corporation has not commenced business;
(4) That no debt of the corporation remains unpaid;
(5) That the net assets of the corporation remaining after winding up have been distributed to the shareholders, if shares were issued; and
(6) That a majority of the incorporators or initial directors authorized the dissolution.
(MBCA 14.02) (a) A corporation's board of directors may propose dissolution for submission to the shareholders.
(b) For a proposal to dissolve to be adopted:
(1) The board of directors must recommend dissolution to the shareholders unless (i) the board of directors determines that because of conflict of interest or other special circumstances it should make no recommendation or (ii) section 21-2,101 applies. If either subdivision (1)(i) or (ii) of this subsection applies, it must communicate the basis for so proceeding; and
(2) The shareholders entitled to vote must approve the proposal to dissolve as provided in subsection (e) of this section.
(c) The board of directors may condition its submission of the proposal for dissolution on any basis.
(d) The corporation shall notify each shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, of the proposed shareholders' meeting. The notice must also state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider dissolving the corporation.
(e) Unless the articles of incorporation or the board of directors acting pursuant to subsection (c) of this section require a greater vote, a greater number of shares to be present, or a vote by voting groups, adoption of the proposal to dissolve shall require the approval of the shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast exists.
(MBCA 14.03) (a) At any time after dissolution is authorized, the corporation may dissolve by delivering to the Secretary of State for filing articles of dissolution setting forth:
(1) The name of the corporation;
(2) The date dissolution was authorized; and
(3) If dissolution was approved by the shareholders, a statement that the proposal to dissolve was duly approved by the shareholders in the manner required by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act and by the articles of incorporation.
(b) A corporation is dissolved upon the effective date of its articles of dissolution.
(c) For purposes of sections 21-2,184 to 21-2,192, dissolved corporation means a corporation whose articles of dissolution have become effective and includes a successor entity to which the remaining assets of the corporation are transferred subject to its liabilities for purposes of liquidation.
(MBCA 14.04) (a) A corporation may revoke its dissolution within one hundred twenty days of its effective date.
(b) Revocation of dissolution must be authorized in the same manner as the dissolution was authorized unless that authorization permitted revocation by action of the board of directors alone, in which event the board of directors may revoke the dissolution without shareholder action.
(c) After the revocation of dissolution is authorized, the corporation may revoke the dissolution by delivering to the Secretary of State for filing articles of revocation of dissolution, together with a copy of its articles of dissolution, that set forth:
(1) The name of the corporation;
(2) The effective date of the dissolution that was revoked;
(3) The date that the revocation of dissolution was authorized;
(4) If the corporation's board of directors, or incorporators, revoked the dissolution, a statement to that effect;
(5) If the corporation's board of directors revoked a dissolution authorized by the shareholders, a statement that revocation was permitted by action by the board of directors alone pursuant to that authorization; and
(6) If shareholder action was required to revoke the dissolution, the information required by subdivision (a)(3) of section 21-2,186.
(d) Revocation of dissolution is effective upon the effective date of the articles of revocation of dissolution.
(e) When the revocation of dissolution is effective, it relates back to and takes effect as of the effective date of the dissolution and the corporation resumes carrying on its business as if dissolution had never occurred.
(MBCA 14.05) (a) A dissolved corporation continues its corporate existence but may not carry on any business except that appropriate to wind up and liquidate its business and affairs, including:
(1) Collecting its assets;
(2) Disposing of its properties that will not be distributed in kind to its shareholders;
(3) Discharging or making provision for discharging its liabilities;
(4) Distributing its remaining property among its shareholders according to their interests; and
(5) Doing every other act necessary to wind up and liquidate its business and affairs.
(b) Dissolution of a corporation does not:
(1) Transfer title to the corporation's property;
(2) Prevent transfer of its shares or securities, although the authorization to dissolve may provide for closing the corporation's share transfer records;
(3) Subject its directors or officers to standards of conduct different from those prescribed in sections 21-284 to 21-2,124;
(4) Change quorum or voting requirements for its board of directors or shareholders; change provisions for selection, resignation, or removal of its directors or officers or both; or change provisions for amending its bylaws;
(5) Prevent commencement of a proceeding by or against the corporation in its corporate name;
(6) Abate or suspend a proceeding pending by or against the corporation on the effective date of dissolution; or
(7) Terminate the authority of the registered agent of the corporation.
(MBCA 14.06) (a) A dissolved corporation may dispose of the known claims against it by notifying its known claimants in writing of the dissolution at any time after its effective date.
(b) The written notice must:
(1) Describe information that must be included in a claim;
(2) Provide a mailing address where a claim may be sent;
(3) State the deadline, which may not be fewer than one hundred twenty days after the effective date of the written notice, by which the dissolved corporation must receive the claim; and
(4) State that the claim will be barred if not received by the deadline.
(c) A claim against the dissolved corporation is barred:
(1) If a claimant who was given written notice under subsection (b) of this section does not deliver the claim to the dissolved corporation by the deadline; or
(2) If a claimant whose claim was rejected by the dissolved corporation does not commence a proceeding to enforce the claim within ninety days after the effective date of the rejection notice.
(d) For purposes of this section, claim does not include a contingent liability or a claim based on an event occurring after the effective date of dissolution.
(MBCA 14.07) (a) A dissolved corporation may also publish notice of its dissolution and request that persons with claims against the dissolved corporation present them in accordance with the notice.
(b) The notice must:
(1) Be published one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the dissolved corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state, its registered office, is or was last located;
(2) Describe the information that must be included in a claim and provide a mailing address where the claim may be sent; and
(3) State that a claim against the dissolved corporation will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within three years after the publication of the notice.
(c) If the dissolved corporation publishes a newspaper notice in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, the claim of each of the following claimants is barred unless the claimant commences a proceeding to enforce the claim against the dissolved corporation within three years after the publication date of the newspaper notice:
(1) A claimant who was not given written notice under section 21-2,189;
(2) A claimant whose claim was timely sent to the dissolved corporation but not acted on; or
(3) A claimant whose claim is contingent or based on an event occurring after the effective date of dissolution.
(d) A claim that is not barred by subsection (b) of section 21-2,189 or subsection (c) of this section may be enforced:
(1) Against the dissolved corporation to the extent of its undistributed assets; or
(2) Except as provided in subsection (d) of section 21-2,191, if the assets have been distributed in liquidation, against a shareholder of the dissolved corporation to the extent of the shareholder's pro rata share of the claim or the corporate assets distributed to the shareholder in liquidation, whichever is less, but a shareholder's total liability for all claims under this section may not exceed the total amount of assets distributed to the shareholder.
(MBCA 14.08) (a) A dissolved corporation that has published a notice under section 21-2,190 may file an application with the district court of the county where the dissolved corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state, its registered office, is located for a determination of the amount and form of security to be provided for payment of claims that are contingent or have not been made known to the dissolved corporation or that are based on an event occurring after the effective date of dissolution but that, based on the facts known to the dissolved corporation, are reasonably estimated to arise after the effective date of dissolution. Provision need not be made for any claim that is or is reasonably anticipated to be barred under subsection (c) of section 21-2,190.
(b) Within ten days after the filing of the application, notice of the proceeding shall be given by the dissolved corporation to each claimant holding a contingent claim whose contingent claim is shown on the records of the dissolved corporation.
(c) The court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent all claimants whose identities are unknown in any proceeding brought under this section. The reasonable fees and expenses of such guardian, including all reasonable expert witness fees, shall be paid by the dissolved corporation.
(d) Provision by the dissolved corporation for security in the amount and the form ordered by the court under subsection (a) of this section shall satisfy the dissolved corporation's obligations with respect to claims that are contingent, have not been made known to the dissolved corporation, or are based on an event occurring after the effective date of dissolution, and such claims may not be enforced against a shareholder who received assets in liquidation.
(MBCA 14.09) (a) Directors shall cause the dissolved corporation to discharge or make reasonable provision for the payment of claims and make distributions of assets to shareholders after payment or provision for claims.
(b) Directors of a dissolved corporation which has disposed of claims under section 21-2,189, 21-2,190, or 21-2,191 shall not be liable for breach of subsection (a) of this section with respect to claims against the dissolved corporation that are barred or satisfied under section 21-2,189, 21-2,190, or 21-2,191.
(MBCA 14.20) The Secretary of State may commence a proceeding under section 21-2,194 to administratively dissolve a corporation if:
(1) The corporation is without a registered agent or registered office in this state for sixty days or more;
(2) The corporation does not notify the Secretary of State within sixty days that its registered agent or registered office has been changed, that its registered agent has resigned, or that its registered office has been discontinued; or
(3) The corporation's period of duration stated in its articles of incorporation expires.
(MBCA 14.21) (a) If the Secretary of State determines that one or more grounds exist under section 21-2,193 for dissolving a corporation, the Secretary of State shall serve the corporation with written notice of such determination under section 21-236.
(b) If the corporation does not correct each ground for dissolution or demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Secretary of State that each ground determined by the Secretary of State does not exist within sixty days after service of the notice is perfected under section 21-236, the Secretary of State shall administratively dissolve the corporation by signing a certificate of dissolution that recites the ground or grounds for dissolution and its effective date. The Secretary of State shall file the original of the certificate and serve a copy on the corporation under section 21-236.
(c) A corporation administratively dissolved continues its corporate existence but may not carry on any business except that necessary to wind up and liquidate its business and affairs under section 21-2,188 and notify claimants under sections 21-2,189 and 21-2,190.
(d) The administrative dissolution of a corporation does not terminate the authority of its registered agent.
(MBCA 14.22) (a) A corporation administratively dissolved under section 21-2,194 may apply to the Secretary of State for reinstatement within five years after the effective date of dissolution. The application must:
(1) Recite the name of the corporation and the effective date of its administrative dissolution;
(2) State that the ground or grounds for dissolution either did not exist or have been eliminated; and
(3) State that the corporation's name satisfies the requirements of section 21-230.
(b) If the Secretary of State determines (1) that the application for reinstatement contains the information required by subsection (a) of this section and that the information is correct and (2) that the corporation has paid to the Secretary of State all delinquent fees and has delivered to the Secretary of State a properly executed and signed biennial report, the Secretary of State shall cancel the certificate of dissolution and prepare a certificate of reinstatement that recites such determination and the effective date of reinstatement, file the original of the certificate, and serve a copy on the corporation under section 21-236.
(c) A corporation that has been administratively dissolved under section 21-2,194 for more than five years may apply to the Secretary of State for late reinstatement. The application, along with the fee set forth in section 21-205, must:
(1) Recite the name of the corporation and the effective date of its administrative dissolution;
(2) State that the ground or grounds for dissolution either did not exist or have been eliminated;
(3) State that the corporation's name satisfies the requirements of section 21-230;
(4) State that a legitimate reason exists for reinstatement and what such legitimate reason is; and
(5) State that such reinstatement does not constitute fraud on the public.
(d) If the Secretary of State determines (1) that the application for late reinstatement contains the information required by subsection (c) of this section and that the information is correct and (2) that the corporation has paid to the Secretary of State all delinquent fees and has delivered to the Secretary of State a properly executed and signed biennial report, the Secretary of State shall cancel the certificate of dissolution and prepare a certificate of late reinstatement that recites such determination and the effective date of reinstatement, file the original of the certificate, and serve a copy on the corporation under section 21-236.
(e) When the reinstatement is effective, it relates back to and takes effect as of the effective date of the administrative dissolution and the corporation resumes carrying on its business as if the administrative dissolution had never occurred.
(MBCA 14.23) (a) If the Secretary of State denies a corporation's application for reinstatement following administrative dissolution, the Secretary of State shall serve the corporation under section 21-236 with a written notice that explains the reason or reasons for denial.
(b) The corporation may appeal the denial of reinstatement to the district court of Lancaster County within thirty days after service of the notice of denial is perfected. The corporation appeals by petitioning the court to set aside the dissolution and attaching to the petition copies of the Secretary of State's certificate of dissolution, the corporation's application for reinstatement, and the Secretary of State's notice of denial.
(c) The court may summarily order the Secretary of State to reinstate the dissolved corporation or may take other action the court considers appropriate.
(d) The court's final decision may be appealed as in other civil proceedings.
(MBCA 14.30) (a) Except as provided in subdivision (2)(ii) of this subsection, the court may dissolve a corporation:
(1) In a proceeding by the Attorney General if it is established that:
(i) The corporation obtained its articles of incorporation through fraud; or
(ii) The corporation has continued to exceed or abuse the authority conferred upon it by law;
(2)(i) In a proceeding by a shareholder if it is established that:
(A) The directors are deadlocked in the management of the corporate affairs, the shareholders are unable to break the deadlock, and irreparable injury to the corporation is threatened or being suffered or the business and affairs of the corporation can no longer be conducted to the advantage of the shareholders generally because of the deadlock;
(B) The directors or those in control of the corporation have acted, are acting, or will act in a manner that is illegal, oppressive, or fraudulent;
(C) The shareholders are deadlocked in voting power and have failed, for a period that includes at least two consecutive annual meeting dates, to elect successors to directors whose terms have expired; or
(D) The corporate assets are being misapplied or wasted; and
(ii) The right to bring a proceeding under this subdivision does not apply to shareholders of a bank, trust company, or stock-owned savings and loan association;
(3) In a proceeding by a creditor if it is established that:
(i) The creditor's claim has been reduced to judgment, the execution on the judgment returned unsatisfied, and the corporation is insolvent; or
(ii) The corporation has admitted in writing that the creditor's claim is due and owing and the corporation is insolvent;
(4) In a proceeding by the corporation to have its voluntary dissolution continued under court supervision; or
(5) In a proceeding by a shareholder if the corporation has abandoned its business and has failed within a reasonable time to liquidate and distribute its assets and dissolve.
(b) Subdivision (a)(2) of this section shall not apply in the case of a corporation that, on the date of the filing of the proceeding, has shares which are:
(1) A covered security under section (18)(b)(1)(A) or (B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or
(2) Not a covered security, but are held by at least three hundred shareholders and the shares outstanding have a market value of at least twenty million dollars, exclusive of the value of such shares held by the corporation's subsidiaries, senior executives, directors, beneficial shareholders, and voting trust beneficial owners owning more than ten percent of such shares.
(c) In subsection (a) of this section, shareholder means a record shareholder, a beneficial shareholder, and an unrestricted voting trust beneficial owner; in subsection (b) of this section, shareholder means a record shareholder, a beneficial shareholder, and a voting trust beneficial owner.
(MBCA 14.31) (a) Venue for a proceeding by the Attorney General to dissolve a corporation lies in the district court of Lancaster County. Venue for a proceeding brought by any other party named in subsection (a) of section 21-2,197 lies in the district court of the county where a corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state, its registered office, is or was last located.
(b) It is not necessary to make shareholders parties to a proceeding to dissolve a corporation unless relief is sought against them individually.
(c) A court in a proceeding brought to dissolve a corporation may issue injunctions, appoint a receiver or custodian pendente lite with all powers and duties the court directs, take other action required to preserve the corporate assets wherever located, and carry on the business of the corporation until a full hearing can be held.
(d) Within ten days of the commencement of a proceeding to dissolve a corporation under subdivision (a)(2) of section 21-2,197, the corporation must send to all shareholders, other than the petitioner, a notice stating that the shareholders are entitled to avoid the dissolution of the corporation by electing to purchase the petitioner's shares under section 21-2,201 and accompanied by a copy of section 21-2,201.
(MBCA 14.32) (a) Unless an election to purchase has been filed under section 21-2,201, a court in a judicial proceeding brought to dissolve a corporation may appoint one or more receivers to wind up and liquidate, or one or more custodians to manage, the business and affairs of the corporation. The court shall hold a hearing, after notifying all parties to the proceeding and any interested persons designated by the court, before appointing a receiver or custodian. The court appointing a receiver or custodian has jurisdiction over the corporation and all of its property wherever located.
(b) The court may appoint an individual or a domestic or foreign corporation, authorized to transact business in this state, as a receiver or custodian. The court may require the receiver or custodian to post bond, with or without sureties, in an amount the court directs.
(c) The court shall describe the powers and duties of the receiver or custodian in its appointing order, which may be amended from time to time. Among other powers:
(1) The receiver (i) may dispose of all or any part of the assets of the corporation wherever located, at a public or private sale, if authorized by the court, and (ii) may sue and defend in his or her own name as receiver of the corporation in all courts of this state; and
(2) The custodian may exercise all of the powers of the corporation, through or in place of its board of directors, to the extent necessary to manage the affairs of the corporation in the best interests of its shareholders and creditors.
(d) The court during a receivership may redesignate the receiver a custodian, and during a custodianship may redesignate the custodian a receiver, if doing so is in the best interests of the corporation, its shareholders, and creditors.
(e) The court from time to time during the receivership or custodianship may order compensation paid and expenses paid or reimbursed to the receiver or custodian from the assets of the corporation or proceeds from the sale of the assets.
(MBCA 14.33) (a) If after a hearing the court determines that one or more grounds for judicial dissolution described in section 21-2,197 exist, it may enter a decree dissolving the corporation and specifying the effective date of the dissolution, and the clerk of the court shall deliver a certified copy of the decree to the Secretary of State who shall file it.
(b) After entering the decree of dissolution, the court shall direct the winding-up and liquidation of the corporation's business and affairs in accordance with section 21-2,188 and the notification of claimants in accordance with sections 21-2,189 and 21-2,190.
(MBCA 14.34) (a) In a proceeding under subdivision (a)(2) of section 21-2,197 to dissolve a corporation, the corporation may elect or, if it fails to elect, one or more shareholders may elect to purchase all shares owned by the petitioning shareholder at the fair value of the shares. An election pursuant to this section shall be irrevocable unless the court determines that it is equitable to set aside or modify the election.
(b) An election to purchase pursuant to this section may be filed with the court at any time within ninety days after the filing of the petition under subdivision (a)(2) of section 21-2,197 or at such later time as the court in its discretion may allow. If the election to purchase is filed by one or more shareholders, the corporation shall, within ten days thereafter, give written notice to all shareholders, other than the petitioner. The notice must state the name and number of shares owned by the petitioner and the name and number of shares owned by each electing shareholder and must advise the recipients of their right to join in the election to purchase shares in accordance with this section. Shareholders who wish to participate must file notice of their intention to join in the purchase no later than thirty days after the effective date of the notice to them. All shareholders who have filed an election or notice of their intention to participate in the election to purchase thereby become parties to the proceeding and shall participate in the purchase in proportion to their ownership of shares as of the date the first election was filed, unless they otherwise agree or the court otherwise directs. After an election has been filed by the corporation or one or more shareholders, the proceeding under subdivision (a)(2) of section 21-2,197 may not be discontinued or settled, nor may the petitioning shareholder sell or otherwise dispose of his or her shares, unless the court determines that it would be equitable to the corporation and the shareholders, other than the petitioner, to permit such discontinuance, settlement, sale, or other disposition.
(c) If, within sixty days of the filing of the first election, the parties reach agreement as to the fair value and terms of purchase of the petitioner's shares, the court shall enter an order directing the purchase of petitioner's shares upon the terms and conditions agreed to by the parties.
(d) If the parties are unable to reach an agreement as provided for in subsection (c) of this section, the court, upon application of any party, shall stay the proceedings under subdivision (a)(2) of section 21-2,197 and determine the fair value of the petitioner's shares as of the day before the date on which the petition under subdivision (a)(2) of section 21-2,197 was filed or as of such other date as the court deems appropriate under the circumstances.
(e) Upon determining the fair value of the shares, the court shall enter an order directing the purchase upon such terms and conditions as the court deems appropriate, which may include payment of the purchase price in installments, where necessary in the interests of equity, provision for security to assure payment of the purchase price and any additional expenses as may have been awarded, and, if the shares are to be purchased by shareholders, the allocation of shares among them. In allocating petitioner's shares among holders of different classes of shares, the court should attempt to preserve the existing distribution of voting rights among holders of different classes insofar as practicable and may direct that holders of a specific class or classes shall not participate in the purchase. Interest may be allowed at the rate specified in section 45-104, as such rate may from time to time be adjusted by the Legislature, and from the date determined by the court to be equitable, but if the court finds that the refusal of the petitioning shareholder to accept an offer of payment was arbitrary or otherwise not in good faith, no interest shall be allowed. If the court finds that the petitioning shareholder had probable grounds for relief under subdivision (a)(2)(i)(B) or (D) of section 21-2,197, it may award expenses to the petitioning shareholder.
(f) Upon entry of an order under subsection (c) or (e) of this section, the court shall dismiss the petition to dissolve the corporation under subdivision (a)(2) of section 21-2,197, and the petitioning shareholder shall no longer have any rights or status as a shareholder of the corporation, except the right to receive the amounts awarded by the order of the court which shall be enforceable in the same manner as any other judgment.
(g) The purchase ordered pursuant to subsection (e) of this section shall be made within ten days after the date the order becomes final.
(h) Any payment by the corporation pursuant to an order under subsection (c) or (e) of this section, other than an award of expenses pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, is subject to the provisions of section 21-252.
(MBCA 14.40) Assets of a dissolved corporation that should be transferred to a creditor, claimant, or shareholder of the corporation who cannot be found or who is not competent to receive them shall be reduced to cash and deposited with the State Treasurer in accordance with the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. When the creditor, claimant, or shareholder furnishes satisfactory proof of entitlement to the amount deposited, the State Treasurer shall pay such person or his or her representative that amount in accordance with the act.
(MBCA 15.01) (a) A foreign corporation may not transact business in this state until it obtains a certificate of authority from the Secretary of State.
(b) The following activities, among others, do not constitute transacting business within the meaning of subsection (a) of this section:
(1) Maintaining, defending, or settling any proceeding;
(2) Holding meetings of the board of directors or shareholders or carrying on other activities concerning internal corporate affairs;
(3) Maintaining bank accounts;
(4) Maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange, and registration of the corporation's own securities or maintaining trustees or depositaries with respect to those securities;
(5) Selling through independent contractors;
(6) Soliciting or obtaining orders, whether by mail or through employees or agents or otherwise, if the orders require acceptance outside this state before they become contracts;
(7) Creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages, and security interests in real or personal property;
(8) Securing or collecting debts or enforcing mortgages and security interests in property securing the debts;
(9) Owning, without more, real or personal property;
(10) Conducting an isolated transaction that is completed within thirty days and that is not one in the course of repeated transactions of a like nature;
(11) Transacting business in interstate commerce; or
(12) Acting as a foreign corporate trustee to the extent authorized under section 30-3820.
(c) The list of activities in subsection (b) of this section is not exhaustive.
(d) The requirements of the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act are not applicable to foreign or alien insurers which are subject to the requirements of Chapter 44.
(MBCA 15.02) (a) A foreign corporation transacting business in this state without a certificate of authority may not maintain a proceeding in any court in this state until it obtains a certificate of authority.
(b) The successor to a foreign corporation that transacted business in this state without a certificate of authority and the assignee of a cause of action arising out of that business may not maintain a proceeding based on that cause of action in any court in this state until the foreign corporation or its successor obtains a certificate of authority.
(c) A court may stay a proceeding commenced by a foreign corporation, its successor, or assignee until it determines whether the foreign corporation or its successor requires a certificate of authority. If it so determines, the court may further stay the proceeding until the foreign corporation or its successor obtains the certificate.
(d) A foreign corporation is liable for a civil penalty of five hundred dollars for each day, but not to exceed a total of ten thousand dollars for each year, it transacts business in this state without a certificate of authority. The Attorney General may collect all penalties due under this subsection and shall remit them to the State Treasurer for distribution in accordance with Article VII, section 5, of the Constitution of Nebraska.
(e) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the failure of a foreign corporation to obtain a certificate of authority does not impair the validity of its corporate acts or prevent it from defending any proceeding in this state.
(MBCA 15.03) (a) A foreign corporation may apply for a certificate of authority to transact business in this state by delivering an application to the Secretary of State for filing. The application must set forth:
(1) The name of the foreign corporation or, if its name is unavailable for use in this state, a corporate name that satisfies the requirements of section 21-2,208;
(2) The name of the state or country under whose law it is incorporated;
(3) Its date of incorporation and period of duration;
(4) The street address of its principal office;
(5) The street address of its registered office in this state and the name of its current registered agent at that office. A post office box number may be provided in addition to the street address; and
(6) The names and street addresses of its current directors and officers.
(b) The foreign corporation shall deliver with the completed application a certificate of existence, or a document of similar import, duly authenticated by the secretary of state or other official having custody of corporate records in the state or country under whose law it is incorporated. Such certificate or document shall not bear a date of more than sixty days prior to the date the application is delivered.
(MBCA 15.04) (a) A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state must obtain an amended certificate of authority from the Secretary of State if it changes:
(1) Its corporate name;
(2) The period of its duration; or
(3) The state or country of its incorporation.
(b) The requirements of section 21-2,205 for obtaining an original certificate of authority apply to obtaining an amended certificate under this section.
(MBCA 15.05) (a) A certificate of authority authorizes the foreign corporation to which it is issued to transact business in this state subject, however, to the right of the state to revoke the certificate as provided in the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act.
(b) A foreign corporation with a valid certificate of authority has the same but no greater rights and has the same but no greater privileges as and, except as otherwise provided by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, is subject to the same duties, restrictions, penalties, and liabilities now or later imposed on a domestic corporation of like character.
(c) The Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act does not authorize this state to regulate the organization or internal affairs of a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state.
(MBCA 15.06) (a) If the corporate name of a foreign corporation does not satisfy the requirements of section 21-230, the foreign corporation to obtain or maintain a certificate of authority to transact business in this state:
(1) May add to its corporate name for use in this state the word corporation, incorporated, company, or limited, or the abbreviation corp., inc., co., or ltd.; or
(2) May use a fictitious name to transact business in this state if its real name is unavailable and it delivers to the Secretary of State for filing a copy of the resolution of its board of directors, certified by its secretary, adopting the fictitious name.
(b) Except as authorized by subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the corporate name, including a fictitious name, of a foreign corporation must not be deceptively similar to, upon the records of the Secretary of State:
(1) The corporate name of a corporation incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state;
(2) A corporate name reserved or registered under section 21-231 or 21-232;
(3) The fictitious name of another foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state;
(4) The corporate name of a not-for-profit corporation incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state;
(5) A trade name registered in this state pursuant to sections 87-208 to 87-219.01; and
(6) Any other business entity name registered or filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to the law of this state.
(c) A foreign corporation may apply to the Secretary of State for authorization to use in this state the name of another corporation or business entity, incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state, that is deceptively similar to, upon the records of the Secretary of State, the name applied for. The Secretary of State shall authorize use of the name applied for if:
(1) The other corporation or business entity consents to the use in writing; or
(2) The applicant delivers to the Secretary of State a certified copy of a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the applicant's right to use the name applied for in this state.
(d) A foreign corporation may use in this state the name, including the fictitious name, of another domestic or foreign corporation or business entity that is used in this state if the other corporation or business entity is incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state and the foreign corporation:
(1) Has merged with the other corporation or business entity;
(2) Has been formed by reorganization of the other corporation or business entity; or
(3) Has acquired all or substantially all of the assets, including the corporate name, of the other corporation or business entity.
(e) If a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state changes its corporate name to one that does not satisfy the requirements of section 21-230, it may not transact business in this state under the changed name until it adopts a name satisfying the requirements of section 21-230 and obtains an amended certificate of authority under section 21-2,206.
(MBCA 15.07) Each foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state must continuously maintain in this state:
(1) A registered office that may be the same as any of its places of business; and
(2) A registered agent, who may be:
(i) An individual who resides in this state and whose business office is identical with the registered office;
(ii) A domestic corporation or not-for-profit domestic corporation whose business office is identical with the registered office; or
(iii) A foreign corporation or foreign not-for-profit corporation authorized to transact business in this state whose business office is identical with the registered office.
(MBCA 15.08) (a) A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state may change its registered office or registered agent by delivering to the Secretary of State for filing a statement of change that sets forth:
(1) Its name;
(2) The street address of its current registered office;
(3) If the current registered office is to be changed, the street address of its new registered office;
(4) The name and street address of its current registered agent. A post office box number may be provided in addition to the street address;
(5) If the current registered agent is to be changed, the name of its new registered agent and the new agent's written consent, either on the statement or attached to it, to the appointment; and
(6) That after the change or changes are made, the street addresses of its registered office and the business office of its registered agent will be identical.
(b) If the street address or post office box number of a registered agent's business office changes, the agent may change the street address or post office box number of the registered office of any foreign corporation for which the person is the registered agent by notifying the corporation in writing of the change, and signing and delivering to the Secretary of State for filing a statement of change that complies with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and recites that the corporation has been notified of the change.
(MBCA 15.09) (a) The registered agent of a foreign corporation may resign the agency appointment by signing and delivering to the Secretary of State for filing the signed original and two exact or conformed copies of a statement of resignation. The statement of resignation may include a statement that the registered office is also discontinued.
(b) After filing the statement, the Secretary of State shall attach the filing receipt to one copy and mail the copy and receipt to the registered office if not discontinued. The Secretary of State shall mail the other copy to the foreign corporation at its principal office address shown in its most recent biennial report.
(c) The agency appointment is terminated, and the registered office discontinued if so provided, on the thirty-first day after the date on which the statement was filed.
(MBCA 15.10) (a) The registered agent of a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state is the corporation's agent for service of process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served on the foreign corporation. By being authorized to transact business in this state, the foreign corporation's agent for service of process also consents to service of process directed to the foreign corporation's agent in this state for a search warrant issued pursuant to sections 29-812 to 29-821, or for any other validly issued and properly served court order or subpoena, including those authorized under sections 86-2,106 and 86-2,112, for records or documents that are in the possession of the foreign corporation and are located inside or outside of this state. The consent to service of a court order, subpoena, or search warrant applies to a foreign corporation that is a party or nonparty to the matter for which the court order, subpoena, or search warrant is sought.
(b) A foreign corporation may be served by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the secretary of the foreign corporation or the designated custodian of records at its principal office shown in its application for a certificate of authority or in its most recent biennial report if the foreign corporation:
(1) Has no registered agent or its registered agent cannot with reasonable diligence be served;
(2) Has withdrawn from transacting business in this state under section 21-2,213; or
(3) Has had its certificate of authority revoked under section 21-2,218.
(c) Service is perfected under subsection (b) of this section at the earliest of:
(1) The date the foreign corporation receives the mail;
(2) The date shown on the return receipt, if signed on behalf of the foreign corporation; or
(3) Five days after its deposit in the United States mail, as evidenced by the postmark, if mailed postpaid and correctly addressed.
(d) This section does not prescribe the only means, or necessarily the required means, of serving a foreign corporation.
(MBCA 15.20) (a) A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state may not withdraw from this state until it obtains a certificate of withdrawal from the Secretary of State.
(b) A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state may apply for a certificate of withdrawal by delivering an application to the Secretary of State for filing. The application must set forth:
(1) The name of the foreign corporation and the name of the state or country under whose law it is incorporated;
(2) That it is not transacting business in this state and that it surrenders its authority to transact business in this state;
(3) That it revokes the authority of its registered agent to accept service on its behalf and consents that service of process in any proceeding based on a cause of action arising during the time it was authorized to transact business in this state may thereafter be made on such corporation outside this state; and
(4) A mailing address at which process against the corporation may be served.
(MBCA 15.21) A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state that converts to a domestic nonprofit corporation or any form of domestic filing entity shall be deemed to have withdrawn on the effective date of the conversion.
(MBCA 15.22) (a) A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state that converts to a domestic or foreign nonfiling entity shall apply for a certificate of withdrawal by delivering an application to the Secretary of State for filing. The application must set forth:
(1) The name of the foreign corporation and the name of the state or country under whose law it was incorporated before the conversion;
(2) That it surrenders its authority to transact business in this state as a foreign corporation;
(3) The type of unincorporated entity to which it has been converted and the jurisdiction whose laws govern its internal affairs; and
(4) If it has been converted to a foreign unincorporated entity:
(i) That it revokes the authority of its registered agent to accept service on its behalf and consents that service of process in any proceeding based on a cause of action arising during the time it was authorized to transact business in this state may thereafter be made on such foreign unincorporated entity outside this state; and
(ii) A mailing address at which process against the foreign unincorporated entity may be served.
(b) After the withdrawal under this section of a corporation that has converted to a domestic unincorporated entity is effective, service of process shall be made on the unincorporated entity in accordance with the regular procedures for service of process on the form of unincorporated entity to which the corporation was converted.
(MBCA 15.23) (a) A foreign business corporation authorized to transact business in this state that converts to a foreign nonprofit corporation or to any form of foreign unincorporated entity that is required to obtain a certificate of authority or make a similar type of filing with the Secretary of State if it transacts business in this state shall file with the Secretary of State an application for transfer of authority signed by any officer or other duly authorized representative. The application shall set forth:
(1) The name of the corporation;
(2) The type of unincorporated entity to which it has been converted and the jurisdiction whose laws govern its internal affairs; and
(3) Any other information that would be required in a filing under the laws of this state by an unincorporated entity of the type the corporation has become seeking authority to transact business in this state.
(b) The application for transfer of authority shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing and shall take effect at the effective time provided in section 21-206.
(c) Upon the effectiveness of the application for transfer of authority, the authority of the corporation under sections 21-2,203 to 21-2,220 to transact business in this state shall be transferred without interruption to the converted entity which shall thereafter hold such authority subject to the provisions of the laws of this state applicable to that type of unincorporated entity.
(MBCA 15.30) The Secretary of State may commence a proceeding under section 21-2,218 to administratively revoke the certificate of authority of a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state if:
(1) The foreign corporation is without a registered agent or registered office in this state for sixty days or more;
(2) The foreign corporation does not inform the Secretary of State under section 21-2,210 or 21-2,211 that its registered agent or registered office has changed, that its registered agent has resigned, or that its registered office has been discontinued within sixty days of the change, resignation, or discontinuance;
(3) An incorporator, director, officer, or agent of the foreign corporation signed a document knowing it was false in any material respect with intent that the document be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing;
(4) The foreign corporation or its agent for service of process does not comply with section 21-2,212; or
(5) The Secretary of State receives a duly authenticated certificate from the secretary of state or other official having custody of corporate records in the state or country under whose law the foreign corporation is incorporated stating that it has been dissolved or disappeared as the result of a merger.
(MBCA 15.31) (a) If the Secretary of State determines that one or more grounds exist under section 21-2,217 for revocation of a certificate of authority, the Secretary of State shall serve the foreign corporation with written notice of such determination under section 21-2,212.
(b) If the foreign corporation does not correct each ground for revocation or demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Secretary of State that each ground determined by the Secretary of State does not exist within sixty days after service of the notice is perfected under section 21-2,212, the Secretary of State shall administratively revoke the foreign corporation's certificate of authority by signing a certificate of revocation that recites the ground or grounds for revocation and its effective date. The Secretary of State shall file the original of the certificate and serve a copy on the foreign corporation under section 21-2,212.
(c) The authority of a foreign corporation to transact business in this state ceases on the date shown on the certificate revoking its certificate of authority.
(d) Revocation of a foreign corporation's certificate of authority does not terminate the authority of the registered agent of the corporation.
(a) A foreign corporation, the certificate of authority of which has been administratively revoked under section 21-2,218, may apply to the Secretary of State for reinstatement within five years after the effective date of the revocation. The application must:
(1) Recite the name of the foreign corporation and the effective date of the revocation;
(2) State that the ground or grounds for revocation either did not exist or have been eliminated; and
(3) State that the foreign corporation's name satisfies the requirements of section 21-2,208.
(b) If the Secretary of State determines (1) that the application for reinstatement contains the information required by subsection (a) of this section and that the information is correct and (2) that the foreign corporation has paid to the Secretary of State all delinquent fees and has delivered to the Secretary of State a properly executed and signed biennial report, he or she shall cancel the certificate of revocation, prepare a certificate of reinstatement that recites his or her determination and the effective date of reinstatement, file the original of the certificate, and serve a copy on the foreign corporation under section 21-2,212.
(c) A foreign corporation, the certificate of authority of which has been administratively revoked under section 21-2,218 for more than five years, may apply to the Secretary of State for late reinstatement. The application, along with the fee set forth in section 21-205, must:
(1) Recite the name of the foreign corporation and the effective date of the revocation;
(2) State that the ground or grounds for revocation either did not exist or have been eliminated;
(3) State that the foreign corporation's name satisfies the requirements of section 21-2,208;
(4) State that a legitimate reason exists for reinstatement and what such legitimate reason is; and
(5) State that such reinstatement does not constitute fraud on the public.
(d) If the Secretary of State determines (1) that the application for late reinstatement contains the information required by subsection (c) of this section and that the information is correct and (2) that the foreign corporation has paid to the Secretary of State all delinquent fees and has delivered to the Secretary of State a properly executed and signed biennial report, he or she shall cancel the certificate of revocation, prepare a certificate of late reinstatement that recites his or her determination and the effective date of reinstatement, file the original of the certificate, and serve a copy on the foreign corporation under section 21-2,212.
(e) When the reinstatement is effective, it relates back to and takes effect as of the effective date of the revocation and the foreign corporation shall resume carrying on its business as if the revocation had never occurred.
(MBCA 15.32) (a) If the Secretary of State denies a foreign corporation's application for reinstatement following administrative revocation of its certificate of authority under section 21-2,218, he or she shall serve the foreign corporation under section 21-2,212 with a written notice that explains the reason or reasons for denial.
(b) A foreign corporation may appeal the denial of reinstatement to the district court of Lancaster County within thirty days after service of the notice of denial is perfected under section 21-2,212. The foreign corporation appeals by petitioning the court to set aside the revocation and attaching to the petition copies of the Secretary of State's certificate of revocation, the foreign corporation's application for reinstatement, and the Secretary of State's notice of denial.
(c) The court may summarily order the Secretary of State to reinstate the certificate of authority or may take any other action the court considers appropriate.
(d) The court's final decision may be appealed as in other civil proceedings.
In lieu of compliance with section 21-2,203, relating to the authorization of foreign corporations to transact business in this state, any corporation organized under the laws of any other state or states which has heretofore filed, or which may hereafter file, with the Secretary of State of this state a copy, certified by the Secretary of State or other proper officer of the state or country under the laws of which such foreign corporation is formed, of its charter or articles of association or incorporation, together with all amendments to such date, the street address of its registered office in this state and the name and street address and, if one exists, a post office box number, of its current registered agent at that office, on filing with the Secretary of State a certified copy of a resolution adopted by its board of directors, including the date the resolution was adopted, accepting and agreeing to be bound by the provisions of the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act with respect to its property and business operations within this state shall become and be a body corporate of this state as a foreign domesticated corporation. If the stock is no par, a resolution of the corporation, signed by an officer of the corporation, shall state the book value of the no par stock, which in no event shall be less than one dollar per share.
Any foreign corporation which has domesticated pursuant to section 21-2,220.01 may cease to be a foreign domesticated corporation by filing with the Secretary of State a certified copy of a resolution adopted by its board of directors renouncing its domestication and withdrawing its acceptance and agreement provided for in section 21-2,220.01.
If a foreign corporation which has domesticated pursuant to section 21-2,220.01 surrenders its foreign corporate charter, and files, records, and publishes notice of amended articles of incorporation in the manner, time, and places required by sections 21-219, 21-220, and 21-2,229, such foreign domesticated corporation shall thereupon become and be a domestic corporation organized under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act.
Any corporation organized under the laws of any other state which had become, prior to January 1, 2017, a body corporate of this state as a foreign domesticated corporation, shall retain such status for all purposes.
(MBCA 16.01) (a) A corporation shall keep as permanent records minutes of all meetings of its shareholders and board of directors, a record of all actions taken by the shareholders or board of directors without a meeting, and a record of all actions taken by a committee of the board of directors in place of the board of directors on behalf of the corporation.
(b) A corporation shall maintain appropriate accounting records.
(c) A corporation or its agent shall maintain a record of its shareholders, in a form that permits preparation of a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders, in alphabetical order by class of shares showing the number and class of shares held by each.
(d) A corporation shall maintain its records in the form of a document, including an electronic record or in another form capable of conversion into paper form within a reasonable time.
(e) A corporation shall keep a copy of the following records at its principal office:
(1) Its articles or restated articles of incorporation, all amendments to them currently in effect, and any notices to shareholders referred to in subdivision (k)(5) of section 21-203 regarding facts on which a filed document is dependent;
(2) Its bylaws or restated bylaws and all amendments to them currently in effect;
(3) Resolutions adopted by its board of directors creating one or more classes or series of shares and fixing their relative rights, preferences, and limitations if shares issued pursuant to those resolutions are outstanding;
(4) The minutes of all shareholders' meetings and records of all action taken by shareholders without a meeting for the past three years;
(5) All written communications to shareholders generally within the past three years, including the financial statements furnished for the past three years under section 21-2,227;
(6) A list of the names and business addresses of its current directors and officers; and
(7) Its most recent biennial report delivered to the Secretary of State under section 21-2,228.
(MBCA 16.02) (a) A shareholder of a corporation is entitled to inspect and copy, during regular business hours at the corporation's principal office, any of the records of the corporation described in subsection (e) of section 21-2,221 if the shareholder gives the corporation a signed written notice of the shareholder's demand at least five business days before the date on which the shareholder wishes to inspect and copy.
(b) For any meeting of shareholders for which the record date for determining shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting is different than the record date for notice of the meeting, any person who becomes a shareholder subsequent to the record date for notice of the meeting and is entitled to vote at the meeting is entitled to obtain from the corporation upon request the notice and any other information provided by the corporation to shareholders in connection with the meeting unless the corporation has made such information generally available to shareholders by posting it on its website or by other generally recognized means. Failure of a corporation to provide such information does not affect the validity of action taken at the meeting.
(c) A shareholder of a corporation is entitled to inspect and copy, during regular business hours at a reasonable location specified by the corporation, any of the following records of the corporation if the shareholder meets the requirements of subsection (d) of this section and gives the corporation a signed written notice of the shareholder's demand at least five business days before the date on which the shareholder wishes to inspect and copy:
(1) Excerpts from minutes of any meeting of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors while acting in place of the board of directors on behalf of the corporation, minutes of any meeting of the shareholders, and records of action taken by the shareholders, board of directors, or a committee of the board without a meeting, to the extent not subject to inspection under subsection (a) of this section;
(2) Accounting records of the corporation; and
(3) The record of shareholders.
(d) A shareholder may inspect and copy the records described in subsection (c) of this section only if:
(1) The shareholder's demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose;
(2) The shareholder describes with reasonable particularity the shareholder's purpose and the records the shareholder desires to inspect; and
(3) The records are directly connected with the shareholder's purpose.
(e) The right of inspection granted by this section may not be abolished or limited by a corporation's articles of incorporation or bylaws.
(f) This section does not affect:
(1) The right of a shareholder to inspect records under section 21-262 or, if the shareholder is in litigation with the corporation, to the same extent as any other litigant; or
(2) The power of a court, independently of the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, to compel the production of corporate records for examination.
(g) For purposes of this section, shareholder means a record shareholder, a beneficial shareholder, and an unrestricted voting trust beneficial owner.
(MBCA 16.03) (a) A shareholder's agent or attorney has the same inspection and copying rights as the shareholder represented.
(b) The right to copy records under section 21-2,222 includes, if reasonable, the right to receive copies by xerographic or other means, including copies through an electronic transmission if available and so requested by the shareholder.
(c) The corporation may comply at its expense with a shareholder's demand to inspect the record of shareholders under subdivision (c)(3) of section 21-2,222 by providing the shareholder with a list of shareholders that was compiled no earlier than the date of the shareholder's demand.
(d) The corporation may impose a reasonable charge, covering the costs of labor and material, for copies of any documents provided to the shareholder. The charge may not exceed the estimated cost of production, reproduction, or transmission of the records.
(MBCA 16.04) (a) If a corporation does not allow a shareholder who complies with subsection (a) of section 21-2,222 to inspect and copy any records required by that subsection to be available for inspection, the district court of the county where the corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state, its registered office, is located may summarily order inspection and copying of the records demanded at the corporation's expense upon application of the shareholder.
(b) If a corporation does not within a reasonable time allow a shareholder to inspect and copy any other record, the shareholder who complies with subsections (c) and (d) of section 21-2,222 may apply to the district court of the county where the corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state, its registered office, is located for an order to permit inspection and copying of the records demanded. The court shall dispose of an application under this subsection on an expedited basis.
(MBCA 16.05) (a) A director of a corporation is entitled to inspect and copy the books, records, and documents of the corporation at any reasonable time to the extent reasonably related to the performance of the director's duties as a director, including duties as a member of a committee, but not for any other purpose or in any manner that would violate any duty to the corporation.
(b) The district court of the county where the corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state, its registered office, is located may order inspection and copying of the books, records, and documents at the corporation's expense upon application of a director who has been refused such inspection rights, unless the corporation establishes that the director is not entitled to such inspection rights. The court shall dispose of an application under this subsection on an expedited basis.
(c) If an order is issued, the court may include provisions protecting the corporation from undue burden or expense and provisions prohibiting the director from using information obtained upon exercise of the inspection rights in a manner that would violate a duty to the corporation, and the court may also order the corporation to reimburse the director for the director's expenses incurred in connection with the application.
(MBCA 16.06) (a) Whenever notice would otherwise be required to be given under any provision of the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act to a shareholder, such notice need not be given if:
(1) Notices to shareholders of two consecutive annual meetings and all notices of meetings during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings have been sent to such shareholder at such shareholder's address as shown on the records of the corporation and have been returned undeliverable or could not be delivered; or
(2) All, but not less than two, payments of dividends on securities during a twelve-month period, or two consecutive payments of dividends on securities during a period of more than twelve months, have been sent to such shareholder at such shareholder's address as shown on the records of the corporation and have been returned undeliverable or could not be delivered.
(b) If any such shareholder shall deliver to the corporation a written notice setting forth such shareholder's then-current address, the requirement that notice be given to such shareholder shall be reinstated.
(MBCA 16.20) (a) A corporation shall deliver to its shareholders annual financial statements, which may be consolidated or combined statements of the corporation and one or more of its subsidiaries, as appropriate, that include a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year, an income statement for that year, and a statement of changes in shareholders' equity for the year unless that information appears elsewhere in the financial statements. If financial statements are prepared for the corporation on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles, the annual financial statements must also be prepared on that basis.
(b) If the annual financial statements are reported upon by a public accountant, the report must accompany them. If not, the statements must be accompanied by a statement of the president or the person responsible for the corporation's accounting records:
(1) Stating such person's reasonable belief whether the statements were prepared on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles and, if not, describing the basis of preparation; and
(2) Describing any respects in which the statements were not prepared on a basis of accounting consistent with the statements prepared for the preceding year.
(c) Within one hundred twenty days after the close of each fiscal year, the corporation shall send the annual financial statements to each shareholder. Thereafter, on written request from a shareholder to whom the statements were not sent, the corporation shall send the shareholder the latest financial statements. A public corporation may fulfill its responsibilities under this section by delivering the specified financial statements or otherwise making them available in any manner permitted by the applicable rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(MBCA 16.21) Each domestic corporation and each foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state shall deliver to the Secretary of State for filing a biennial report as required under section 21-301 or 21-304.
(a) Notice of incorporation, amendment, merger, or share exchange of a domestic corporation shall be published for three successive weeks in some legal newspaper of general circulation in the county where the corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state, its registered office, is located.
A notice of incorporation shall show (1) the corporate name for the corporation, (2) the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue, (3) the street address of the corporation's initial registered office and the name of its initial registered agent at that office, and (4) the name and street address of each incorporator.
A brief resume of any amendment, merger, or share exchange of the corporation shall be published in the same manner and for the same period of time as a notice of incorporation is required to be published.
(b) Notice of the dissolution of a domestic corporation and the terms and conditions of such dissolution and the names of the persons who are to wind up and liquidate its business and affairs and their official titles with a statement of assets and liabilities of the corporation shall be published for three successive weeks in some legal newspaper of general circulation in the county where the corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state, its registered office, is located.
(c) Proof of publication of any of the notices required to be published under this section shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. In the event any notice required to be given pursuant to this section is not given but is subsequently published for the required time and proof of the publication thereof is filed in the office of the Secretary of State, the acts of such corporation prior to, as well as after, such publication shall be valid.
(MBCA 17.01) The Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act applies to all domestic corporations in existence on January 1, 2017, that were incorporated under any general statute of this state providing for incorporation of corporations for profit if power to amend or repeal the statute under which the corporation was incorporated was reserved.
(MBCA 17.02) A foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state on January 1, 2017, is subject to the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act but is not required to obtain a new certificate of authority to transact business under the act.
(MBCA 17.03) (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the repeal of a statute by Laws 2014, LB749, does not affect:
(1) The operation of the statute or any action taken under it before its repeal;
(2) Any ratification, right, remedy, privilege, obligation, or liability acquired, accrued, or incurred under the statute before its repeal;
(3) Any violation of the statute, or any penalty, forfeiture, or punishment incurred because of the violation, before its repeal; or
(4) Any proceeding, reorganization, or dissolution commenced under the statute before its repeal, and the proceeding, reorganization, or dissolution may be completed in accordance with the statute as if it had not been repealed.
(b) If a penalty or punishment imposed for violation of a statute repealed by Laws 2014, LB749, is reduced by Laws 2014, LB749, the penalty or punishment if not already imposed shall be imposed in accordance with Laws 2014, LB749.
(c) In the event that any provisions of the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act are deemed to modify, limit, or supersede the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq., as the act existed on January 1, 2014, the provisions of the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act shall control to the maximum extent permitted by section 102(a)(2) of that federal act, 15 U.S.C. 7002(a)(2).
(1) Each domestic corporation subject to the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act shall deliver a biennial report to the Secretary of State, as of January 1 of each even-numbered year, in such form as the Secretary of State may prescribe. The report shall be signed by one of the following: The president, a vice president, a secretary, or a treasurer of the corporation. The signature may be digital or electronic if it conforms to section 86-611. The report and occupation tax shall be delivered to the Secretary of State. The report and occupation tax shall be due on March 1 of each even-numbered year and shall become delinquent if not filed and paid by April 15 of each even-numbered year. If the Secretary of State finds that such report and occupation tax conform to the requirements of the law, the Secretary of State shall file the report. If the Secretary of State finds that the report or occupation tax does not conform, the Secretary of State shall not file the report or accept the occupation tax but shall return the report and occupation tax to the corporation for any necessary corrections. A correction or amendment to the report may be filed at any time.
(2) In each even-numbered year, the Secretary of State shall cause a notice to be sent either by United States mail or electronically transmitted to each corporation for which a report and occupation tax as described in this section have not been received as of March 1. The notice shall state that the report has not been received, that the report and occupation tax are due on March 1, and that the corporation will be administratively dissolved if the report and proper occupation tax are not received by April 15.