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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 20§ 12702 Corporate Continuance Election Rules

§ 12702 Corporate Continuance Election Rules

Corporations Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12702 Corporate Continuance Election Rules

This law lets very old companies (those that existed on Jan. 1 1873 and were created under state law) choose to keep operating under the current state code by getting the right votes and filing the proper paperwork.

Key Takeaways

  • •Only corporations that existed on Jan. 1 1873 and were formed under state law can use this option.
  • •The election can be made by (a) unanimous director vote, (b) a majority‑voting‑power member vote at a meeting, or (c) director action with written consent from majority‑voting‑power members.
  • •A certificate of the decision must be filed with the Secretary of State, signed as required.

Example

A family‑owned manufacturing company that has been around since 1870 wants to stay in business under the new state rules.

The company can keep going under the new code if all its directors agree, or if members who own most of the voting power vote for it at a meeting, or if the directors get written consent from those members. After the vote, they file a certificate with the Secretary of State, and the company continues with all the rights and duties the new code gives.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12702 Corporate Continuance Election Rules

Any subject corporation that existed on the first day of January 1873, was formed under the laws of this state, and which has not already elected to continue its existence under the prior law, may at any time elect to continue its existence under the provisions of this code applicable thereto, (a) by the unanimous vote of all its directors, (b) by the vote of the members representing a majority of the voting power of the corporation at an election held at any annual meeting of the members or at any meeting called by the directors for the express purpose of considering this subject, or (c) by action of the directors upon the written consent of the members representing a majority of the voting power of the corporation. A certificate of the action of the directors, signed by the directors and the secretary, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State when the election is made by the unanimous vote of the directors or upon the written consent of the members. A certificate of the proceedings of the meeting of the members when the election is made at any such meeting, signed by the chairperson and secretary of the meeting and a majority of the directors, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. Thereafter, the corporation shall continue its existence under the provisions of this code which are applicable thereto, and shall possess all the rights and powers, and shall be subject to all the obligations, restrictions, and limitations, prescribed thereby. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 617, Sec. 85. (SB 1202) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

subject corporationunanimous vote of all its directorsmajority of

Related Statutes

  • § 12695 Corporate Indemnification Rules
  • § 12696 Corporate Meeting Voting Rules
  • § 12697 Corporate Law Effective Date
  • § 12698 Corporate Transaction Effective Dates
  • § 12699 Involuntary Dissolution Transition Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 12702.
View Official Source