§ 995. Articles
Each association formed under this subchapter shall prepare and file articles of incorporation
setting forth:
(1) The name of the association.
(2) The purpose for which it is formed.
(3) The address of its principal office in this State, and the name, email, and address
information of an agent for service of process pursuant to section 1655 of this title.
(4) The names and business addresses of the directors thereof who are to serve until the
election and qualification of their successors.
(5) The name and business address of the clerk, and of any other principal the association
provides.
(6) When organized without capital stock, whether the property rights and interest of
the members are equal, and, if unequal, the general rules applicable to all members
by which the property rights and interest, respectively, of each member shall be determined
and fixed, and provision for the admission of new members who shall be entitled to
share in the property of the association in accordance with such general rules. This
provision or paragraph of the articles of incorporation shall not be altered, amended,
or replaced except by the written consent or vote representing three-fourths of the
members.
(7) When organized with capital stock, the amount of such stock, the number of shares
into which it is divided, and the par value thereof.
(8) The capital stock may be divided into preferred and one or more classes of common
stock. When so divided, the articles of incorporation shall contain a statement of
the number of shares of stock to which preference is granted, the number of shares
of stock to which no preference is granted, and the nature and definite extent of
the preference and privileges granted to each.
(9) The articles of incorporation of any association organized under this subchapter may
provide that the members or stockholders thereof shall have the right to vote in person
or through another method of communication, including through a telecommunications
or electronic medium, but a member or stockholder may not vote by proxy. This provision
or paragraph of the articles of incorporation shall not be altered and shall not be
subject to amendment.
(10) In addition to the foregoing, the articles of incorporation of any association incorporated
hereunder may contain any provision consistent with law with respect to management,
regulation, government, financing, indebtedness, membership, the establishment of
voting districts and the election of delegates for representative purposes, the issuance,
retirement, and transfer of its stock, if formed with capital stock, or any provisions
relative to the way or manner in which it shall operate or with respect to its members,
officers, or directors and any other provisions relating to its affairs.
(11) The articles of incorporation shall be subscribed by the incorporators and shall be
sworn to by one or more of them; and shall be filed with the Secretary of State. A
certified copy shall also be filed with the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets.
(12) When so filed, the articles of incorporation or a certified copy thereof shall be
received in the courts of this State as prima facie evidence of the facts contained
therein and of the due incorporation of such association. (Amended 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2015, No. 157 (Adj. Sess.), § B.1, eff. June 2, 2016; 2023, No. 85 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. July 1, 2024; 2025, No. 10, § 3, eff. July 1, 2025.)