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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 1Pt. 4Ch. 1Art. 8§ 3151 Small Investment Association Exemption

§ 3151 Small Investment Association Exemption

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

§ 3151 Small Investment Association Exemption

Key Takeaways

  • •If you buy shares in a group (like a club or small business) for $1,000 or less, some usual money rules don’t apply.
  • •This rule doesn’t work if the person selling the shares plans to make money from the group or get paid by it.
  • •You can’t use this rule for shares that don’t let you vote if you don’t already have voting power in the group.

Example

You join a local food co-op and buy a $500 membership to help it run.

Since your membership costs less than $1,000 and no one is trying to make a profit from selling it, the co-op doesn’t have to follow all the usual money rules.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 3151 Small Investment Association Exemption

(a) Any share or membership issued by an association is exempt from Part 2 (commencing with Section 25100) of Division 1 of Title 4 of the Corporations Code if the aggregate investment of a shareholder or member in shares or memberships sold by an association does not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). (b) This exemption does not apply to the shares or memberships in an association if any promoter of those shares or memberships expects or intends to make a profit directly or indirectly from any business or activity associated with the association or from the operation of the association or to receive a salary or other remuneration from the association. Furthermore, this exemption does not apply to nonvoting shares or memberships in an association issued to any person who does not possess, and who will not acquire in connection with the issuance of nonvoting memberships, voting power in the association. (Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 349, Sec. 1.2.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

associationshareholdercorporationsalarysecuritiesexemptionmembershipinvestment

Related Statutes

  • § 3152 Nonpar Stock Issuance Rules
  • § 3177 Stock Transfer Restrictions
  • § 24239 Definition Of Person
  • § 3025 Gas Exemption For Producers
  • § 3130 Gas Corporation Association Powers

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 3151.
View Official Source