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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 9§ 902 Corporate Amendment Approval Rules

§ 902 Corporate Amendment Approval Rules

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

§ 902 Corporate Amendment Approval Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •Most changes to a company's rules need approval from both the board and the shareholders.
  • •Some small changes, like splitting stocks or updating old addresses, only need the board's approval.
  • •If the company's rules say a bigger vote is needed for certain actions, you can't change that rule unless you get that bigger vote.
  • •If you want to make it easier to change the company's rules later, you need at least two-thirds of the shareholders to agree.

Example

A small company wants to split its stocks so that each shareholder gets twice as many shares, but each share is worth half as much.

This kind of change is called a stock split. According to the law, the company's board can approve this change on their own without asking the shareholders.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 902 Corporate Amendment Approval Rules

(a) After any shares have been issued, amendments may be adopted if approved by the board and approved by the outstanding shares (Section 152), either before or after the approval by the board. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an amendment extending the corporate existence or making the corporate existence perpetual may be adopted by a corporation organized prior to August 14, 1929, with approval by the board alone. (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), unless the corporation has more than one class of shares outstanding, an amendment effecting only a stock split (including an increase in the authorized number of shares in proportion thereto) may be adopted with approval by the board alone. (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an amendment deleting the initial street address and initial mailing address of the corporation, the names and addresses of the first directors, or the name and address of the initial agent may be adopted with approval by the board alone. (e) Whenever the articles require for corporate action the vote of a larger proportion or of all of the shares of any class or series, or of a larger proportion or of all of the directors, than is otherwise required by this division, the provision in the articles requiring such greater vote shall not be altered, amended or repealed except by such greater vote unless otherwise provided in the articles. (f) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), any amendment reducing the vote required for an amendment pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 158 may not be adopted unless approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of each class of outstanding shares or such other vote as may then be specified by the articles of the corporation. (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 494, Sec. 6. (SB 1532) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

corporationamendmentportstockdirectorexistence

Related Statutes

  • § 7151 Director Number Requirements
  • § 9151 Director Number Requirements
  • § 12313 Optional Corporate Articles Provisions
  • § 12331 Director Number Requirements
  • § 12371 Director Duties And Reliance

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 902.
View Official Source