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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 10Art. 1§ 6010 Public Benefit Corporation Mergers

§ 6010 Public Benefit Corporation Mergers

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

§ 6010 Public Benefit Corporation Mergers

Key Takeaways

  • •A public benefit corporation can merge with other companies, but usually only with another public benefit corporation or a charity unless the Attorney General says it's okay.
  • •If the public benefit corporation is a special kind of committee that follows certain rules, it can merge with another similar committee without asking the Attorney General.
  • •Before any merger happens, the Attorney General must get a copy of the merger plan at least 20 days ahead of time.
  • •When a merger happens, members of the original company can only get membership in the new company, not money or other benefits, unless the Attorney General agrees.

Example

A nonprofit organization that helps the environment wants to join with a company that sells shoes.

The nonprofit can't just merge with the shoe company. It needs the Attorney General's permission first because the shoe company isn't a charity or another nonprofit. If they don't get permission, the merger can't happen.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 6010 Public Benefit Corporation Mergers

(a) A public benefit corporation may merge with any domestic corporation, foreign corporation (Section 171), or other business entity (Section 5063.5). However, without the prior written consent of the Attorney General, a public benefit corporation may only merge with another public benefit corporation or a religious corporation or a foreign nonprofit corporation or an unincorporated association the governing documents of which provide that its assets are irrevocably dedicated to charitable, religious, or public purposes. In addition, a public benefit corporation that is exempt from the supervisory authority of the Attorney General pursuant to Sections 12581 and 12583 of the Government Code by virtue of being a committee, as defined in Section 82013 of the Government Code, that is required to and does file any statement pursuant to the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 84200) of Chapter 4 of Title 9 of the Government Code, may merge with another public benefit corporation similarly exempt without having to obtain the Attorney General’s consent. (b) At least 20 days prior to consummation of any merger allowed by subdivision (a), the Attorney General must be provided with a copy of the proposed agreement of merger. (c) Without the prior written consent of the Attorney General, when a merger occurs pursuant to subdivision (a), each member of a constituent corporation may only receive or keep a membership in the surviving corporation for or as a result of the member’s membership in the constituent corporation. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 442, Sec. 8. (AB 1211) Effective January 1, 2012.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

public benefit corporationAttorney Generalmergerprior written consentcharitable, religious, or public purposes

Related Statutes

  • § 12530 Corporate Merger Attorney General Approval
  • § 8010 Mutual Benefit Corporation Mergers
  • § 12531 Corporate Merger Agreement Requirements
  • § 12539 Corporate Merger Authorization
  • § 12540.1 Corporate Merger Authorization Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 6010.
View Official Source