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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 1Art. 5§ 5150 Bylaw Adoption And Amendment

§ 5150 Bylaw Adoption And Amendment

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

§ 5150 Bylaw Adoption And Amendment

Key Takeaways

  • •The board of a group can change the rules (bylaws) unless it hurts members' voting or transfer rights.
  • •If the rule change hurts one group of members more than others, that group must agree to the change.
  • •The group's main rules (articles) can stop the board from changing some or all bylaws.
  • •Sometimes, a special person must agree to change the rules, but not if they're dead, gone, or don't respond in time.

Example

A club wants to change its rules so only the board can pick new members, not all members.

If this change takes away members' right to vote on new members, the members must agree to it. If the club's main rules say the board can't change this rule, then the board can't do it at all.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5150 Bylaw Adoption And Amendment

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), and Sections 5151, 5220, 5224, 5512, 5613, and 5616, bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the board unless the action would materially and adversely affect the rights of members as to voting or transfer. (b) Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by approval of members (Section 5034); provided, however, that such adoption, amendment or repeal also requires approval by the members of a class if that action would materially and adversely affect the rights of that class as to voting or transfer in a manner different than that action affects another class. (c) The articles or bylaws may restrict or eliminate the power of the board to adopt, amend or repeal any or all bylaws, subject to subdivision (e) of Section 5151. (d) Bylaws may also provide that repeal or amendment of those bylaws, or the repeal or amendment of specified portions of those bylaws, may occur only with the approval in writing of a specified person or persons other than the board or members. However, this approval requirement, unless the bylaws specify otherwise, shall not apply if any of the following circumstances exist: (1) The specified person or persons have died or ceased to exist. (2) If the right of the specified person or persons to approve is in the capacity of an officer, trustee, or other status and the office, trust, or status has ceased to exist. (3) If the corporation has a specific proposal for amendment or repeal, and the corporation has provided written notice of that proposal, including a copy of the proposal, to the specified person or persons at the most recent address for each of them, based on the corporation’s records, and the corporation has not received written approval or nonapproval within the period specified in the notice, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 30 days commencing at least 20 days after the notice has been provided. (Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 631, Sec. 7. (AB 1233) Effective January 1, 2010.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

bylawsmaterially and adversely affectvoting or transferapproval of membersboard

Related Statutes

  • § 12330 Board Bylaw Amendment Limits
  • § 5152 Delegates Authority And Voting
  • § 5153 Voting By Chapter Or Region
  • § 7152 Corporate Delegate Authority Rules
  • § 7153 Corporate Voting By Groupings

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 5150.
View Official Source