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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to business entities and associations. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1.002, Business Organizations Code, is |
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amended by adding Subdivisions (55-a), (69-c), (69-d), and (69-e) |
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and amending Subdivision (69-b) to read as follows: |
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(55-a) "National securities exchange" means an |
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exchange registered as a national securities exchange under Section |
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6, Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. Section 78f). |
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(69-b) "Person" means an individual or a corporation, |
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partnership, limited liability company, business trust, trust, |
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association, or other organization, estate, government or |
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governmental subdivision or agency, or other legal entity [has the
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meaning assigned by Section 311.005, Government Code]. |
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(69-c) "Plan of conversion" means a document that |
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conforms with the requirements of Section 10.103. |
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(69-d) "Plan of exchange" means a document that |
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conforms with the requirements of Section 10.052. |
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(69-e) "Plan of merger" means a document that conforms |
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with the requirements of Sections 10.002 and 10.003. |
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SECTION 2. Section 6.101(b), Business Organizations Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Subject to this code and the governing documents of a |
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domestic entity, the governing authority of the entity, in advance, |
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may provide a record date for determining the owners or members of |
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the entity, except that the date may not be earlier than the 60th |
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day before the date the action requiring the determination of |
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owners or members is originally to be taken. |
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SECTION 3. Section 6.205(a), Business Organizations Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Any photographic, photostatic, facsimile, or similarly |
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reliable reproduction of a consent in writing signed by an owner, |
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member, or governing person of a filing entity may be substituted or |
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used instead of the original writing for any purpose for which the |
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original writing could be used[, if the reproduction is a complete
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reproduction of the entire original writing]. |
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SECTION 4. Sections 8.001(1) and (2), Business |
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Organizations Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(1) "Delegate" means a person who, while serving as a |
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governing person of an enterprise, is or was serving [as a
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representative of the enterprise] at the request of that enterprise |
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as a representative of [at] another enterprise, [or] another |
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organization, or [to] an employee benefit plan. A person is a |
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delegate to an employee benefit plan if the performance of the |
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person's official duties to the enterprise also imposes duties on |
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or otherwise involves service by the person to the plan or |
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participants in or beneficiaries of the plan. |
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(2) "Enterprise" means a domestic entity or an |
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organization subject to this chapter. The term includes [,
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including] a predecessor enterprise [domestic entity or
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organization]. |
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SECTION 5. Section 8.103(d), Business Organizations Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(d) With respect to a limited partnership, a vote of a |
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majority-in-interest of the limited partners in a vote that |
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excludes the interest held by each general partner who is not |
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disinterested and independent constitutes a determination under |
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Subsection (a)(4). For purposes of this subsection, |
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"majority-in-interest" means, with respect to limited partners, |
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limited partners who own more than 50 percent of the current |
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percentage or other interest in the profits of the partnership that |
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is owned by all of the limited partners. |
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SECTION 6. Section 8.104(d), Business Organizations Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(d) With respect to a limited partnership, a vote of a |
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majority-in-interest of the limited partners in a vote that |
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excludes the interest held by each general partner who is not |
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disinterested and independent constitutes an authorization under |
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Subsection (b). For purposes of this subsection, |
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"majority-in-interest" means, with respect to limited partners, |
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limited partners who own more than 50 percent of the current |
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percentage or other interest in the profits of the partnership that |
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is owned by all of the limited partners. |
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SECTION 7. Section 8.105(d), Business Organizations Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(d) Notwithstanding any authorization or determination |
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specified in this chapter, an enterprise may pay or reimburse, in |
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advance of the final disposition of a proceeding and on terms the |
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enterprise considers appropriate, reasonable expenses incurred by: |
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(1) a former governing person [managerial official] or |
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delegate who was, is, or is threatened to be made a respondent in |
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the proceeding; [,] or |
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(2) a present or former employee, [or] agent, or |
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officer who is not a governing person of the enterprise and who was, |
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is, or is threatened to be made a respondent in the proceeding. |
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SECTION 8. Section 8.151, Business Organizations Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows: |
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(c-1) With respect to a limited partnership, a vote of a |
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majority-in-interest of the limited partners constitutes approval |
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of the owners for purposes of Subsection (c). |
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SECTION 9. Section 9.007(b), Business Organizations Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The application for registration must state: |
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(1) the partnership's name; |
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(2) the federal taxpayer [tax] identification number |
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of the partnership; |
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(3) the partnership's jurisdiction of formation; |
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(4) the date of initial registration as a limited |
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liability partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction [state] of |
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formation; |
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(5) the date the foreign entity began or will begin to |
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transact business in this state; |
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(6) that the partnership exists as a valid limited |
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liability partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction [state] of |
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its formation; |
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(7) the number of partners at the date of the |
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statement; |
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(8) each business or activity that the partnership |
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proposes to pursue in this state, which may be stated to be any |
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lawful business or activity under the laws of this state; |
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(9) the address of the principal office of the |
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partnership; |
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(10) the address of the initial registered office and |
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the name and address of the initial registered agent for service of |
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process required to be maintained under Section 152.904; and |
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(11) that the secretary of state is appointed the |
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agent of the partnership for service of process under the same |
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circumstances as set forth by Section 5.251 for a foreign filing |
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entity. |
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SECTION 10. Section 10.002, Business Organizations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 10.002. PLAN OF MERGER: REQUIRED PROVISIONS. (a) A |
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plan of merger must be in writing and must include: |
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(1) the name of each organization that is a party to |
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the merger; |
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(2) the name of each organization that will survive |
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the merger; |
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(3) the name of each new organization that is to be |
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created by the plan of merger; |
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(4) a description of the organizational form of each |
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organization that is a party to the merger or that is to be created |
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by the plan of merger and its jurisdiction of formation; |
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(5) the manner and basis of converting or exchanging |
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any of the ownership or membership interests of each organization |
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that is a party to the merger into: |
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(A) ownership interests, membership interests, |
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obligations, rights to purchase securities, or other securities of |
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one or more of the surviving or new organizations; |
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(B) cash; |
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(C) other property, including ownership |
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interests, membership interests, obligations, rights to purchase |
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securities, or other securities of any other person or entity; or |
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(D) any combination of the items described by |
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Paragraphs (A)-(C); |
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(6) the identification of any of the ownership or |
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membership interests of an organization that is a party to the |
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merger that are to be canceled rather than converted or exchanged; |
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(7) the certificate of formation of each new domestic |
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filing entity to be created by the plan of merger; |
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(8) [(7)] the governing documents of each new domestic |
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nonfiling entity to be created by the plan of merger; and |
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(9) [(8)] the governing documents of each non-code |
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organization that: |
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(A) is to survive the merger or to be created by |
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the plan of merger; and |
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(B) is an entity that is not: |
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(i) organized under the laws of any state or |
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the United States; or |
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(ii) required to file its certificate of |
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formation or similar document under which the entity is organized |
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with the appropriate governmental authority. |
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(b) An item required by Subsections (a)(7)-(9) [(a)(6)-(8)] |
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may be included in the plan of merger by an attachment or exhibit to |
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the plan. |
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(c) If the plan of merger provides for a manner and basis of |
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converting or exchanging an ownership or membership interest that |
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may be converted or exchanged in a manner or basis different than |
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any other ownership or membership interest of the same class or |
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series of the ownership or membership interest, the manner and |
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basis of conversion or exchange must be included in the plan of |
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merger in the same manner as provided by Subsection (a)(5). |
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SECTION 11. Section 10.008(a), Business Organizations |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) When a merger takes effect: |
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(1) the separate existence of each domestic entity |
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that is a party to the merger, other than a surviving or new |
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domestic entity, ceases; |
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(2) all rights, title, and interests to all real |
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estate and other property owned by each organization that is a party |
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to the merger is allocated to and vested, subject to any existing |
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liens or other encumbrances on the property, in one or more of the |
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surviving or new organizations as provided in the plan of merger |
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without: |
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(A) reversion or impairment; |
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(B) any further act or deed; or |
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(C) any transfer or assignment having occurred; |
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(3) all liabilities and obligations of each |
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organization that is a party to the merger are allocated to one or |
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more of the surviving or new organizations in the manner provided by |
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the plan of merger; |
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(4) each surviving or new domestic organization to |
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which a liability or obligation is allocated under the plan of |
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merger is the primary obligor for the liability or obligation, and, |
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except as otherwise provided by the plan of merger or by law or |
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contract, no other party to the merger, other than a surviving |
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domestic entity or non-code organization liable or otherwise |
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obligated at the time of the merger, and no other new domestic |
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entity or non-code organization created under the plan of merger is |
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liable for the debt or other obligation; |
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(5) any proceeding pending by or against any domestic |
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entity or by or against any non-code organization that is a party to |
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the merger may be continued as if the merger did not occur, or the |
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surviving or new domestic entity or entities or the surviving or new |
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non-code organization or non-code organizations to which the |
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liability, obligation, asset, or right associated with that |
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proceeding is allocated to and vested in under the plan of merger |
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may be substituted in the proceeding; |
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(6) the governing documents of each surviving domestic |
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entity are amended to the extent provided by the plan of merger; |
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(7) each new filing entity whose certificate of |
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formation is included in the plan of merger under this chapter, on |
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meeting any additional requirements, if any, of this code for its |
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formation, is formed as a domestic entity under this code as |
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provided by the plan of merger; |
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(8) the ownership or membership interests of each |
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organization that is a party to the merger and that are to be |
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converted or exchanged, in whole or part, into ownership or |
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membership interests, obligations, rights to purchase securities, |
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or other securities of one or more of the surviving or new |
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organizations, into cash or other property, including ownership or |
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membership interests, obligations, rights to purchase securities, |
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or other securities of any organization, or into any combination of |
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these, or that are to be canceled, are converted, [and] exchanged, |
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or canceled as provided in the plan of merger, and the former owners |
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or members who held ownership or membership interests of each |
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domestic entity that is a party to the merger are entitled only to |
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the rights provided by the plan of merger or, if applicable, any |
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rights to receive the fair value for the ownership interests |
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provided under Subchapter H; and |
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(9) notwithstanding Subdivision (4), the surviving or |
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new organization named in the plan of merger as primarily obligated |
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to pay the fair value of an ownership or membership interest under |
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Section 10.003(2) is the primary obligor for that payment and all |
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other surviving or new organizations are secondarily liable for |
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that payment. |
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SECTION 12. Section 10.052(a), Business Organizations |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A plan of exchange must be in writing and must include: |
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(1) the name of each domestic entity the ownership or |
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membership interests of which are to be acquired; |
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(2) the name of each acquiring organization; |
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(3) if there is more than one acquiring organization, |
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the ownership or membership interests to be acquired by each |
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organization; |
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(4) the terms and conditions of the exchange; and |
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(5) the manner and basis of exchanging the ownership |
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or membership interests to be acquired for: |
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(A) ownership or membership interests, |
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obligations, rights to purchase securities, or other securities of |
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one or more of the acquiring organizations that is a party to the |
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plan of exchange; |
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(B) cash; |
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(C) other property, including ownership or |
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membership interests, obligations, rights to purchase securities, |
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or other securities of any other person or entity; or |
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(D) any combination of those items. |
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SECTION 13. Section 10.103(a), Business Organizations |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A plan of conversion must be in writing and must |
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include: |
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(1) the name of the converting entity; |
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(2) the name of the converted entity; |
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(3) a statement that the converting entity is |
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continuing its existence in the organizational form of the |
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converted entity; |
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(4) a statement of the type of entity that the |
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converted entity is to be and the converted entity's jurisdiction |
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of formation; |
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(5) if Sections 10.1025 and 10.109 do not apply, the |
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manner and basis of converting the ownership or membership |
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interests of the converting entity into ownership or membership |
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interests of the converted entity; |
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(6) any certificate of formation required to be filed |
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under this code if the converted entity is a filing entity; |
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(7) the certificate of formation or similar |
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organizational document of the converted entity if the converted |
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entity is not a filing entity; and |
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(8) if Sections 10.1025 and 10.109 apply, a statement |
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that the converting entity is electing to continue its existence in |
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its current organizational form and jurisdiction of formation after |
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the conversion takes effect. |
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SECTION 14. Section 10.354(b), Business Organizations |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), subject to Subsection |
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(c), an owner may not dissent from a plan of merger or conversion in |
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which there is a single surviving or new domestic entity or non-code |
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organization, or from a plan of exchange, if: |
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(1) the ownership interest, or a depository receipt in |
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respect of the ownership interest, held by the owner is part of a |
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class or series of ownership interests, or depository receipts in |
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respect of ownership interests, that are, on the record date set for |
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purposes of determining which owners are entitled to vote on the |
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plan of merger, conversion, or exchange, as appropriate: |
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(A) listed on a national securities exchange [or
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a similar system]; or |
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(B) [listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market or a
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successor quotation system;
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[(C)
designated as a national market security on
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an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of
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Securities Dealers, Inc., or a successor system; or
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[(D)] held of record by at least 2,000 owners; |
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(2) the owner is not required by the terms of the plan |
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of merger, conversion, or exchange, as appropriate, to accept for |
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the owner's ownership interest any consideration that is different |
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from the consideration to be provided to any other holder of an |
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ownership interest of the same class or series as the ownership |
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interest held by the owner, other than cash instead of fractional |
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shares or interests the owner would otherwise be entitled to |
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receive; and |
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(3) the owner is not required by the terms of the plan |
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of merger, conversion, or exchange, as appropriate, to accept for |
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the owner's ownership interest any consideration other than: |
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(A) ownership interests, or depository receipts |
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in respect of ownership interests, of a domestic entity or non-code |
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organization of the same general organizational type that, |
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immediately after the effective date of the merger, conversion, or |
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exchange, as appropriate, will be part of a class or series of |
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ownership interests, or depository receipts in respect of ownership |
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interests, that are: |
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(i) listed on a national securities |
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exchange or authorized for listing on the exchange on official |
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notice of issuance; or |
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(ii) [approved for quotation as a national
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market security on an interdealer quotation system by the National
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Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a successor entity; or
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[(iii)] held of record by at least 2,000 |
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owners; |
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(B) cash instead of fractional ownership |
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interests the owner would otherwise be entitled to receive; or |
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(C) any combination of the ownership interests |
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and cash described by Paragraphs (A) and (B). |
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SECTION 15. Sections 10.355(c) and (e), Business |
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Organizations Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(c) A notice required to be provided under Subsection (a) or |
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(b) must: |
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(1) be accompanied by a copy of this subchapter; and |
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(2) advise the owner of the location of the |
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responsible organization's principal executive offices to which a |
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notice required under Section 10.356(b)(1) or (3) [10.356(b)(2)] |
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may be provided. |
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(e) Not later than the 10th day after the date an action |
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described by Subsection (a)(1) takes effect, the responsible |
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organization shall give notice that the action has been effected to |
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each owner who voted against the action and sent notice under |
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Section 10.356(b)(1) [10.356(b)(2)]. |
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SECTION 16. Sections 10.356(b), (c), and (d), Business |
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Organizations Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(b) To perfect the owner's rights of dissent and appraisal |
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under Section 10.354, an owner: |
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(1) if the proposed action is to be submitted to a vote |
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of the owners at a meeting, must give to the domestic entity a |
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written notice of objection to the action that: |
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(A) is addressed to the entity's president and |
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secretary; |
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(B) states that the owner's right to dissent will |
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be exercised if the action takes effect; |
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(C) provides an address to which notice of |
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effectiveness of the action should be delivered or mailed; and |
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(D) is delivered to the entity's principal |
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executive offices before the meeting; |
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(2) with respect to the ownership interest for which |
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the rights of dissent and appraisal are sought: |
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(A) must vote against the action if the owner is |
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entitled to vote on the action and the action is approved at a |
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meeting of the owners; and |
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(B) may not consent to the action if the action is |
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approved by written consent; and |
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(3) [(2)] must give to the responsible organization a |
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demand in writing [notice dissenting to the action] that: |
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(A) is addressed to the president and secretary |
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of the responsible organization; |
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(B) demands payment of the fair value of the |
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ownership interests for which the rights of dissent and appraisal |
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are sought; |
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(C) provides to the responsible organization an |
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address to which a notice relating to the dissent and appraisal |
|
procedures under this subchapter may be sent; |
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(D) states the number and class of the ownership |
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interests of the domestic entity owned by the owner and the fair |
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value of the ownership interests as estimated by the owner; and |
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(E) is delivered to the responsible organization |
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at its principal executive offices at the following time: |
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(i) not later than the 20th day after the |
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date the responsible organization sends to the owner the notice |
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required by Section 10.355(e) that the action has taken effect |
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[before the action is considered for approval], if the action was |
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approved by [is to be submitted to] a vote of the owners at a |
|
meeting; |
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(ii) not later than the 20th day after the |
|
date the responsible organization sends to the owner the [a] notice |
|
required by Section 10.355(d)(2) that the action has taken effect |
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[was approved by the requisite vote of the owners], if the action |
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was approved by [is to be undertaken on] the written consent of the |
|
owners; or |
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(iii) not later than the 20th day after the |
|
date the responsible organization sends to the owner a notice that |
|
the merger was effected, if the action is a merger effected under |
|
Section 10.006. |
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(c) An owner who does not make a demand within the period |
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required by Subsection (b)(3)(E) or, if Subsection (b)(1) is |
|
applicable, does not give the notice of objection before the |
|
meeting of the owners [(b)(2)(E)] is bound by the action and is not |
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entitled to exercise the rights of dissent and appraisal under |
|
Section 10.354. |
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(d) Not later than the 20th day after the date an owner makes |
|
a demand under Subsection (b)(3) [this section], the owner must |
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submit to the responsible organization any certificates |
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representing the ownership interest to which the demand relates for |
|
purposes of making a notation on the certificates that a demand for |
|
the payment of the fair value of an ownership interest has been made |
|
under this section. An owner's failure to submit the certificates |
|
within the required period has the effect of terminating, at the |
|
option of the responsible organization, the owner's rights to |
|
dissent and appraisal under Section 10.354 unless a court, for good |
|
cause shown, directs otherwise. |
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SECTION 17. Sections 10.358(a), (d), and (e), Business |
|
Organizations Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Not later than the 20th day after the date a responsible |
|
organization receives a demand for payment made by a dissenting |
|
owner in accordance with Section 10.356(b)(3) [10.356], the |
|
responsible organization shall respond to the dissenting owner in |
|
writing by: |
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(1) accepting the amount claimed in the demand as the |
|
fair value of the ownership interests specified in the notice; or |
|
(2) rejecting the demand and including in the response |
|
the requirements prescribed by Subsection (c). |
|
(d) If the dissenting owner decides to accept the offer made |
|
by the responsible organization under Subsection (c)(2), the owner |
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must provide to the responsible organization notice of the |
|
acceptance of the offer not later than the 90th day after the date |
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the action that is the subject of the demand was effected. [An
|
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offer made under Subsection (c)(2) must remain open for a period of
|
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at least 60 days from the date the offer is first delivered to the
|
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dissenting owner.] |
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(e) If, not later than the 90th day after the date the action |
|
that is the subject of the demand was effected, a dissenting owner |
|
accepts an offer made by a responsible organization under |
|
Subsection (c)(2) or [if] a dissenting owner and a responsible |
|
organization reach an agreement on the fair value of the ownership |
|
interests, the responsible organization shall pay the agreed amount |
|
not later than the 120th [60th] day after the date the action that |
|
is the subject of the demand was effected [the offer is accepted or
|
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the agreement is reached, as appropriate], if the dissenting owner |
|
delivers to the responsible organization: |
|
(1) endorsed certificates representing the ownership |
|
interests if the ownership interests are certificated; or |
|
(2) signed assignments of the ownership interests if |
|
the ownership interests are uncertificated. |
|
SECTION 18. Section 11.057, Business Organizations Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: |
|
(f) "Majority-in-interest" means, with respect to all or a |
|
specified group of partners, partners who own more than 50 percent |
|
of the current percentage or other interest in the profits of the |
|
partnership that is owned by all of the partners or by the partners |
|
in the specified group, as appropriate. |
|
SECTION 19. Section 11.402, Business Organizations Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 11.402. JURISDICTION TO APPOINT RECEIVER. (a) A court |
|
that has subject matter jurisdiction over specific property of a |
|
domestic or foreign entity that is located in this state and is |
|
involved in litigation has jurisdiction to appoint a receiver for |
|
that property as provided by Section 11.403. |
|
(b) A district court in the county in which the registered |
|
office or principal place of business of a domestic entity is |
|
located has jurisdiction to: |
|
(1) appoint a receiver for the property and business |
|
of a domestic entity for the purpose of rehabilitating the entity as |
|
provided by Section 11.404; or |
|
(2) order the liquidation of the property and business |
|
of a domestic entity and appoint a receiver to effect that |
|
liquidation as provided by Section 11.405. |
|
SECTION 20. Section 11.404(b), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) A court may appoint a receiver under Subsection (a) only |
|
if: |
|
(1) circumstances exist that are considered by the |
|
court to necessitate the appointment of a receiver to conserve the |
|
property and business of the domestic entity and avoid damage to |
|
interested parties; |
|
(2) all other requirements of law are complied with; |
|
and |
|
(3) the court determines that all other available |
|
legal and equitable remedies, including the appointment of a |
|
receiver for specific property of the domestic entity under Section |
|
11.402(a) [11.402], are inadequate. |
|
SECTION 21. Section 21.109(a), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A shareholders' agreement authorized by this subchapter |
|
ceases to be effective when shares of the corporation are: |
|
(1) listed on a national securities exchange [or
|
|
similar system]; or |
|
(2) [quoted on an interdealer quotation system of a
|
|
national securities association or successor system; or
|
|
[(3)] regularly traded in a market maintained by one |
|
or more members of a national or affiliated securities association. |
|
SECTION 22. Subchapter C, Chapter 21, Business |
|
Organizations Code, is amended by adding Section 21.110 to read as |
|
follows: |
|
Sec. 21.110. OTHER SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENTS PERMITTED. This |
|
subchapter does not prohibit or impair any agreement between two or |
|
more shareholders, or between the corporation and one or more of the |
|
corporation's shareholders, permitted by Title 1, this chapter, or |
|
other law. |
|
SECTION 23. Section 21.203, Business Organizations Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
|
(c) This section and Sections 21.204 through 21.208 do not |
|
invalidate or impair a corporation's right or power to grant an |
|
enforceable nonstatutory preemptive right in: |
|
(1) a contract between the corporation and a |
|
shareholder or other person; or |
|
(2) the governing documents of the corporation. |
|
SECTION 24. Section 21.206(a), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) An action brought against a corporation, the board of |
|
directors or an officer, shareholder, or agent of the corporation, |
|
or an owner of a beneficial interest in shares of the corporation |
|
for the violation of a preemptive right of a shareholder under |
|
Sections 21.203 and 21.204 must be brought not later than the |
|
earlier of: |
|
(1) the first anniversary of the date written notice |
|
is given to each shareholder whose preemptive right was violated; |
|
or |
|
(2) the fourth anniversary of the latest of: |
|
(A) the date the corporation issued the shares, |
|
securities, or rights; |
|
(B) the date the corporation sold the shares, |
|
securities, or rights; or |
|
(C) the date the corporation otherwise |
|
distributed the shares, securities, or rights. |
|
SECTION 25. Section 21.222(b), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) It is a defense to an action brought under this section |
|
that the person suing: |
|
(1) has, within the two years preceding the date the |
|
action is brought, sold or offered for sale a list of shareholders |
|
or of holders of voting trust certificates [in consideration] for |
|
shares of the corporation or any other corporation; |
|
(2) has aided or abetted a person in procuring a list |
|
of shareholders or of holders of voting trust certificates for the |
|
purpose described by Subdivision (1); |
|
(3) has improperly used information obtained through a |
|
prior examination of the books and account records, minutes, or |
|
share transfer records of the corporation or any other corporation; |
|
or |
|
(4) was not acting in good faith or for a proper |
|
purpose in making the person's request for examination. |
|
SECTION 26. Section 21.357, Business Organizations Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 21.357. RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSE OF SHAREHOLDERS' |
|
MEETING [OTHER THAN WRITTEN CONSENT TO ACTION]. The record date for |
|
the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to |
|
vote at a shareholders' meeting or an adjournment of the meeting, as |
|
provided by the directors in accordance with Section 6.101, must be |
|
at least 10 days before the date of the shareholders' meeting [on
|
|
which the particular action requiring the determination of
|
|
shareholders is to be taken]. |
|
SECTION 27. Section 21.415(a), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The act of a majority of the directors present at a |
|
meeting at which a quorum is present at the time of the act is |
|
considered the act of the board of directors of a corporation, |
|
unless the act of a greater number is required by the certificate of |
|
formation or bylaws of the corporation or by this code. |
|
SECTION 28. Section 21.418, Business Organizations Code, is |
|
amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections |
|
(d) and (e) to read as follows: |
|
(a) This section applies only to a contract or transaction |
|
between a corporation and: |
|
(1) one or more [of the corporation's] directors or |
|
officers, or one or more affiliates or associates of one or more |
|
directors or officers, of the corporation; or |
|
(2) an entity or other organization in which one or |
|
more [of the corporation's] directors or officers, or one or more |
|
affiliates or associates of one or more directors or officers, of |
|
the corporation: |
|
(A) is a managerial official; or |
|
(B) has a financial interest. |
|
(b) An otherwise valid and enforceable contract or |
|
transaction described by Subsection (a) is valid and enforceable, |
|
and may not be void or voidable, notwithstanding any relationship |
|
or interest described by Subsection (a), if any one of the following |
|
conditions is satisfied [notwithstanding that the director or
|
|
officer having the relationship or interest described by Subsection
|
|
(a) is present at or participates in the meeting of the board of
|
|
directors, or of a committee of the board that authorizes the
|
|
contract or transaction, or votes or signs, in the person's
|
|
capacity as a director or committee member, a unanimous written
|
|
consent of directors or committee members to authorize the contract
|
|
or transaction, if]: |
|
(1) the material facts as to the relationship or |
|
interest described by Subsection (a) and as to the contract or |
|
transaction are disclosed to or known by: |
|
(A) the corporation's board of directors or a |
|
committee of the board of directors, and the board of directors or |
|
committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by |
|
the approval of the majority of the disinterested directors or |
|
committee members, regardless of whether the disinterested |
|
directors or committee members constitute a quorum; or |
|
(B) the shareholders entitled to vote on the |
|
authorization of the contract or transaction, and the contract or |
|
transaction is specifically approved in good faith by a vote of the |
|
shareholders; or |
|
(2) the contract or transaction is fair to the |
|
corporation when the contract or transaction is authorized, |
|
approved, or ratified by the board of directors, a committee of the |
|
board of directors, or the shareholders. |
|
(d) A person who has the relationship or interest described |
|
by Subsection (a) may: |
|
(1) be present at or participate in and, if the person |
|
is a director or committee member, may vote at a meeting of the |
|
board of directors or of a committee of the board that authorizes |
|
the contract or transaction; or |
|
(2) sign, in the person's capacity as a director or |
|
committee member, a unanimous written consent of the directors or |
|
committee members to authorize the contract or transaction. |
|
(e) If at least one of the conditions of Subsection (b) is |
|
satisfied, neither the corporation nor any of the corporation's |
|
shareholders will have a cause of action against any of the persons |
|
described by Subsection (a) for breach of duty with respect to the |
|
making, authorization, or performance of the contract or |
|
transaction because the person had the relationship or interest |
|
described by Subsection (a) or took any of the actions authorized by |
|
Subsection (d). |
|
SECTION 29. Section 21.453, Business Organizations Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows: |
|
(f) If after the adoption of a resolution under Subsection |
|
(b) the corporation's board of directors determines that the plan |
|
of conversion is not advisable, the board may submit the plan of |
|
conversion to the corporation's shareholders with a recommendation |
|
that the shareholders not approve the plan of conversion. |
|
(g) A corporation's plan of conversion may include a |
|
provision requiring that the plan of conversion be submitted to the |
|
corporation's shareholders, regardless of whether the board of |
|
directors determines, after adopting a resolution or making a |
|
determination under this section, that the plan of conversion is |
|
not advisable and recommends that the shareholders not approve the |
|
plan of conversion. |
|
SECTION 30. Section 21.601(1), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(1) "Issuing public corporation" means a domestic |
|
corporation that has: |
|
(A) 100 or more shareholders of record as shown |
|
by the share transfer records of the corporation; |
|
(B) a class or series of the corporation's voting |
|
shares registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 |
|
U.S.C. Section 77b et seq.), as amended; or |
|
(C) a class or series of the corporation's voting |
|
shares qualified for trading on [in] a national securities exchange |
|
[market system]. |
|
SECTION 31. Section 21.603, Business Organizations Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 21.603. BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES OR OTHER [SIMILAR] |
|
SECURITIES. (a) For purposes of this subchapter [chapter], a |
|
person is a beneficial owner of shares or other [similar] |
|
securities if the person individually, or through an affiliate or |
|
associate, [beneficially owns,] directly or indirectly |
|
beneficially owns the shares or other securities or has the right [,
|
|
shares or similar securities.
|
|
[(b)
A beneficial owner of shares or similar securities is
|
|
entitled, individually or through an affiliate or associate,] to: |
|
(1) acquire the shares or other [similar] securities |
|
[that may be exercised] immediately or after the passage [of a
|
|
certain amount] of time according to an oral or written agreement, |
|
arrangement, or understanding, or on the exercise of conversion |
|
rights, exchange rights, warrants, or options; |
|
(2) vote the shares or other [similar] securities |
|
according to an oral or written agreement, arrangement, or |
|
understanding; or |
|
(3) [subject to Subsection (c),] acquire, hold or |
|
dispose of, or vote the shares or other [similar] securities with |
|
another person who individually, or through an affiliate or |
|
associate, beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, the shares or |
|
other [similar] securities. |
|
(b) [(c)] A person, however, is not considered a beneficial |
|
owner of shares or other [similar] securities for purposes of this |
|
subchapter if: |
|
(1) the shares or other [similar] securities are: |
|
(A) tendered under a tender or exchange offer |
|
made by the person or an affiliate or associate of the person before |
|
the tendered shares or securities are accepted for purchase or |
|
exchange; or |
|
(B) subject to an agreement, arrangement, or |
|
understanding that expressly conditions the acquisition or |
|
purchase of shares or securities on the approval of the acquisition |
|
or purchase under Section 21.606 if the person has no direct or |
|
indirect rights of ownership or voting with respect to the shares or |
|
other securities until the time the approval is obtained; or |
|
(2) the agreement, arrangement, or understanding to |
|
vote the shares: |
|
(A) arises solely from an immediately revocable |
|
proxy that authorizes the person named in the proxy to vote at a |
|
meeting of the shareholders that has been called when the proxy is |
|
delivered or at an adjournment of the meeting; and |
|
(B) would [is] not be reportable on a Schedule |
|
13D under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. Section 77b |
|
et seq.), as amended, or a comparable or successor report. |
|
SECTION 32. Section 21.701(1), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(1) "Close corporation" means a domestic corporation |
|
formed under this subchapter or governed by this subchapter because |
|
of Section 21.705, 21.706, or 21.707. |
|
SECTION 33. Section 22.153(a), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or by the |
|
corporation's certificate of formation, a corporation shall hold an |
|
annual meeting of the members at a time that is stated in or |
|
determined in accordance with the corporation's bylaws. |
|
SECTION 34. Section 22.230, Business Organizations Code, is |
|
amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections |
|
(d) and (e) to read as follows: |
|
(a) This section applies only to a contract or transaction |
|
between a corporation and: |
|
(1) one or more [of the corporation's] directors, |
|
officers, or members, or one or more affiliates or associates of one |
|
or more directors, officers, or members, of the corporation; or |
|
(2) an entity or other organization in which one or |
|
more [of the corporation's] directors, officers, or members, or one |
|
or more affiliates or associates of one or more directors, |
|
officers, or members, of the corporation: |
|
(A) is a managerial official or a member; or |
|
(B) has a financial interest. |
|
(b) An otherwise valid and enforceable contract or |
|
transaction is valid and enforceable, and may not be void or |
|
voidable, notwithstanding any relationship or interest described |
|
by Subsection (a), if any one of the following conditions is |
|
satisfied [notwithstanding that a director, officer, or member of
|
|
the corporation is present at or participates in the meeting of the
|
|
board of directors, of a committee of the board, or of the members
|
|
that authorizes the contract or transaction, or votes to authorize
|
|
the contract or transaction, if]: |
|
(1) the material facts as to the relationship or |
|
interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed to or |
|
known by: |
|
(A) the corporation's board of directors, a |
|
committee of the board of directors, or the members, and the board, |
|
the committee, or the members in good faith and with ordinary care |
|
authorize the contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of |
|
the majority of the disinterested directors, committee members or |
|
members, regardless of whether the disinterested directors, |
|
committee members or members constitute a quorum; or |
|
(B) the members entitled to vote on the |
|
authorization of the contract or transaction, and the contract or |
|
transaction is specifically approved in good faith and with |
|
ordinary care by a vote of the members; or |
|
(2) the contract or transaction is fair to the |
|
corporation when the contract or transaction is authorized, |
|
approved, or ratified by the board of directors, a committee of the |
|
board of directors, or the members. |
|
(d) A person who has the relationship or interest described |
|
by Subsection (a) may: |
|
(1) be present at or participate in and, if the person |
|
is a director, member, or committee member, may vote at a meeting of |
|
the board of directors, of the members, or of a committee of the |
|
board that authorizes the contract or transaction; or |
|
(2) sign, in the person's capacity as a director, |
|
member, or committee member, a written consent of directors, |
|
members, or committee members to authorize the contract or |
|
transaction. |
|
(e) If at least one of the conditions of Subsection (b) is |
|
satisfied, neither the corporation nor any of the corporation's |
|
shareholders will have a cause of action against any of the persons |
|
described by Subsection (a) for breach of duty with respect to the |
|
making, authorization, or performance of the contract or |
|
transaction because the person had the relationship or interest |
|
described by Subsection (a) or took any of the actions authorized by |
|
Subsection (d). |
|
SECTION 35. Section 101.054, Business Organizations Code, |
|
is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by this section, the following |
|
provisions may not be waived or modified in the company agreement of |
|
a limited liability company: |
|
(1) this section; |
|
(2) Section 101.101, 101.151, 101.206, 101.501, |
|
101.602(b), or 101.613 [101.502]; |
|
(3) Chapter 1, if the provision is used to interpret a |
|
provision or define a word or phrase contained in a section listed |
|
in this subsection; |
|
(4) Chapter 2, except that Section 2.104(c)(2), |
|
2.104(c)(3), or 2.113 may be waived or modified in the company |
|
agreement; |
|
(5) Chapter 3, except that Subchapters C and E may be |
|
waived or modified in the company agreement; or |
|
(6) Chapter 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, or 12, other than Section |
|
11.056. |
|
(e) The company agreement may not unreasonably restrict a |
|
person's right of access to records and information under Section |
|
101.502. |
|
SECTION 36. Section 101.106, Business Organizations Code, |
|
is amended by adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: |
|
(a-1) A membership interest may be community property under |
|
applicable law. |
|
(a-2) A member's right to participate in the management and |
|
conduct of the business of the limited liability company is not |
|
community property. |
|
SECTION 37. Subchapter C, Chapter 101, Business |
|
Organizations Code, is amended by adding Section 101.1115 to read |
|
as follows: |
|
Sec. 101.1115. EFFECT OF DEATH OR DIVORCE ON MEMBERSHIP |
|
INTEREST. (a) For purposes of this code: |
|
(1) on the divorce of a member, the member's spouse, to |
|
the extent of the spouse's membership interest, if any, is an |
|
assignee of the membership interest; |
|
(2) on the death of a member, the member's surviving |
|
spouse, if any, and an heir, devisee, personal representative, or |
|
other successor of the member, to the extent of their respective |
|
membership interest, are assignees of the membership interest; and |
|
(3) on the death of a member's spouse while the member |
|
is alive, an heir, devisee, personal representative, or other |
|
successor of the spouse, other than the member, to the extent of |
|
their respective membership interest, if any, is an assignee of the |
|
membership interest. |
|
(b) This chapter does not impair an agreement for the |
|
purchase or sale of a membership interest at any time, including a |
|
purchase or sale following the death or divorce of an owner of the |
|
membership interest. |
|
SECTION 38. Section 101.254(a), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by this title and Title 1, each |
|
governing person of a limited liability company and each officer |
|
[or agent] of a limited liability company vested with actual or |
|
apparent authority by the governing authority of the company is an |
|
agent of the company for purposes of carrying out the company's |
|
business. |
|
SECTION 39. Section 101.255, Business Organizations Code, |
|
is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding |
|
Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows: |
|
(a) This section applies only to a contract or transaction |
|
between a limited liability company and: |
|
(1) one or more [of the company's] governing persons or |
|
officers, or one or more affiliates or associates of one or more |
|
governing persons or officers, of the company; or |
|
(2) an entity or other organization in which one or |
|
more [of the company's] governing persons or officers, or one or |
|
more affiliates or associates of one or more governing persons or |
|
officers, of the company: |
|
(A) is a managerial official; or |
|
(B) has a financial interest. |
|
(b) An otherwise valid and enforceable contract or |
|
transaction described by Subsection (a) is valid and enforceable, |
|
and may not be void or voidable, notwithstanding any relationship |
|
or interest described by Subsection (a), if any one of the following |
|
conditions is satisfied [notwithstanding that the governing person
|
|
or officer having the relationship or interest described by
|
|
Subsection (a) is present at or participates in the meeting of the
|
|
governing authority, or of a committee of the governing authority,
|
|
that authorizes the contract or transaction or votes or signs, in
|
|
the person's capacity as a governing person or committee member, a
|
|
written consent of governing persons or committee members to
|
|
authorize the contract or transaction, if]: |
|
(1) the material facts as to the relationship or |
|
interest described by Subsection (a) and as to the contract or |
|
transaction are disclosed to or known by: |
|
(A) the company's governing authority or a |
|
committee of the governing authority and the governing authority or |
|
committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by |
|
the approval of the majority of the disinterested governing persons |
|
or committee members, regardless of whether the disinterested |
|
governing persons or committee members constitute a quorum; or |
|
(B) the members of the company, and the members |
|
in good faith approve the contract or transaction by vote of the |
|
members; or |
|
(2) the contract or transaction is fair to the company |
|
when the contract or transaction is authorized, approved, or |
|
ratified by the governing authority, a committee of the governing |
|
authority, or the members of the company. |
|
(d) A person who has the relationship or interest described |
|
by Subsection (a) may: |
|
(1) be present at or participate in and, if the person |
|
is a governing person or committee member, may vote at a meeting of |
|
the governing authority or of a committee of the governing |
|
authority that authorizes the contract or transaction; or |
|
(2) sign, in the person's capacity as a governing |
|
person or committee member, a written consent of the governing |
|
persons or committee members to authorize the contract or |
|
transaction. |
|
(e) If at least one of the conditions of Subsection (b) is |
|
satisfied, neither the company nor any of the company's members |
|
will have a cause of action against any of the persons described by |
|
Subsection (a) for breach of duty with respect to the making, |
|
authorization, or performance of the contract or transaction |
|
because the person had the relationship or interest described by |
|
Subsection (a) or took any of the actions authorized by Subsection |
|
(d). |
|
SECTION 40. Section 101.357(b), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) A manager or committee member of a limited liability |
|
company[, if authorized by the company agreement,] may vote: |
|
(1) in person; or |
|
(2) if authorized by the company agreement, by a proxy |
|
executed in writing by the manager or committee member, as |
|
appropriate. |
|
SECTION 41. Section 101.611(b), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) Section 101.206 [101.207] does not apply to a |
|
distribution with respect to the series. |
|
SECTION 42. Section 151.003(d), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) Receipt of notice by a general partner of a fact |
|
relating to the partnership is effective immediately as notice to |
|
the partnership unless fraud against the partnership is committed |
|
by or with the consent of the partner receiving the notice. |
|
SECTION 43. Section 152.304(a), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or Section |
|
152.801(a), all partners are [liable] jointly and severally liable |
|
for all obligations [a debt or obligation] of the partnership |
|
unless otherwise: |
|
(1) agreed by the claimant; or |
|
(2) provided by law. |
|
SECTION 44. Subchapter E, Chapter 152, Business |
|
Organizations Code, is amended by adding Section 152.308 to read as |
|
follows: |
|
Sec. 152.308. PARTNER'S PARTNERSHIP INTEREST SUBJECT TO |
|
CHARGING ORDER. (a) On application by a judgment creditor of a |
|
partner or of any other owner of a partnership interest, a court |
|
having jurisdiction may charge the partnership interest of the |
|
judgment debtor to satisfy the judgment. |
|
(b) To the extent that the partnership interest is charged |
|
in the manner provided by Subsection (a), the judgment creditor has |
|
only the right to receive any distribution to which the judgment |
|
debtor would otherwise be entitled in respect of the partnership |
|
interest. |
|
(c) A charging order constitutes a lien on the judgment |
|
debtor's partnership interest. The charging order lien may not be |
|
foreclosed on under this code or any other law. |
|
(d) The entry of a charging order is the exclusive remedy by |
|
which a judgment creditor of a partner or of any other owner of a |
|
partnership interest may satisfy a judgment out of the judgment |
|
debtor's partnership interest. |
|
(e) This section does not deprive a partner or other owner |
|
of a partnership interest of a right under exemption laws with |
|
respect to the judgment debtor's partnership interest. |
|
(f) A creditor of a partner or of any other owner of a |
|
partnership interest does not have the right to obtain possession |
|
of, or otherwise exercise legal or equitable remedies with respect |
|
to, the property of the limited partnership. |
|
SECTION 45. Sections 152.406(a) and (c), Business |
|
Organizations Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) For purposes of this code: |
|
(1) on the divorce of a partner, the partner's spouse, |
|
to the extent of the spouse's partnership interest, if any, is a |
|
transferee of the partnership interest [from the partner]; |
|
(2) on the death of a partner: |
|
(A) if the partnership interest of the deceased |
|
partner is subject to redemption under Subchapter H, the partner's |
|
surviving spouse, if any, and an heir, devisee, personal |
|
representative, or other successor of the partner, to the extent of |
|
their respective right to the redemption price, are creditors of |
|
the partnership until the redemption price is paid; or |
|
(B) if the partnership interest of the deceased |
|
partner is not subject to redemption under Subchapter H, the |
|
partner's surviving spouse, if any, and an heir, devisee, personal |
|
representative, or other successor of the partner, to the extent of |
|
their respective partnership interest, are transferees of the |
|
partnership interest [, the partner's surviving spouse, if any, and
|
|
an heir, legatee, or personal representative of the partner, to the
|
|
extent of their respective partnership interest, is a transferee of
|
|
the partnership interest from the partner]; and |
|
(3) on the death of a partner's spouse, an heir, |
|
devisee [legatee], [or] personal representative, or other |
|
successor of the spouse, other than the partner, to the extent of |
|
their respective partnership interest, if any, is a transferee of |
|
the partnership interest [from the partner]. |
|
(c) This chapter does not impair an agreement for the |
|
purchase or sale of a partnership interest at any time, including on |
|
the death or divorce of an owner of the partnership interest. |
|
SECTION 46. Section 152.707(b), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) In settling accounts among the partners, the |
|
partnership interest of a withdrawn partner that is [not] redeemed |
|
under Section 152.610 [Subchapter H] is credited with a share of any |
|
profits for the period after the partner's withdrawal but is |
|
charged with a share of losses for that period only to the extent of |
|
profits credited for that period. |
|
SECTION 47. Section 152.801, Business Organizations Code, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 152.801. LIABILITY OF PARTNER. (a) Except as provided |
|
by [Subsection (b) or] the partnership agreement, a partner [in a
|
|
limited liability partnership] is not personally liable to any |
|
person, including a partner, directly or indirectly, by |
|
contribution, indemnity, or otherwise, for any [a debt or] |
|
obligation of the partnership incurred while the partnership is a |
|
limited liability partnership. |
|
(b) [A partner in a limited liability partnership is not
|
|
personally liable for a debt or obligation of the partnership
|
|
arising from an error, omission, negligence, incompetence, or
|
|
malfeasance committed by another partner or representative of the
|
|
partnership while the partnership is a limited liability
|
|
partnership and in the course of the partnership business unless
|
|
the first partner:
|
|
[(1)
was supervising or directing the other partner or
|
|
representative when the error, omission, negligence, incompetence,
|
|
or malfeasance was committed by the other partner or
|
|
representative;
|
|
[(2)
was directly involved in the specific activity in
|
|
which the error, omission, negligence, incompetence, or
|
|
malfeasance was committed by the other partner or representative;
|
|
or
|
|
[(3)
had notice or knowledge of the error, omission,
|
|
negligence, incompetence, or malfeasance by the other partner or
|
|
representative at the time of the occurrence and then failed to take
|
|
reasonable action to prevent or cure the error, omission,
|
|
negligence, incompetence, or malfeasance.
|
|
[(c)] Sections 2.101(1), 152.305, and 152.306 do not limit |
|
the effect of Subsection (a) in a limited liability partnership. |
|
(c) For purposes of this section, [(d)
In this section,
|
|
"representative" includes] an obligation is incurred while a |
|
partnership is [agent, servant, or employee of] a limited liability |
|
partnership if: |
|
(1) the obligation relates to an action or omission |
|
occurring while the partnership is a limited liability partnership; |
|
or |
|
(2) the obligation arises under a contract or |
|
commitment entered into while the partnership is a limited |
|
liability partnership. |
|
(d) [(e)] Subsection [Subsections] (a) does [and (b) do] |
|
not affect: |
|
(1) the liability of a partnership to pay its [debts
|
|
and] obligations from partnership property; |
|
(2) the liability of a partner, if any, imposed by law |
|
or contract independently of the partner's status as a partner; or |
|
(3) the manner in which service of citation or other |
|
civil process may be served in an action against a partnership. |
|
(e) [(f)] This section controls over the other parts of this |
|
chapter and the other partnership provisions regarding the |
|
liability of partners of a limited liability partnership, the |
|
chargeability of the partners for the [debts and] obligations of |
|
the partnership, and the obligations of the partners regarding |
|
contributions and indemnity. |
|
SECTION 48. Sections 152.802(a), (f), and (j), Business |
|
Organizations Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In addition to complying with Section [Sections] |
|
152.803 [and 152.804], a partnership, to become a limited liability |
|
partnership, must file an application with the secretary of state |
|
in accordance with Chapter 4 and this section. The application |
|
must: |
|
(1) set out: |
|
(A) the name of the partnership; |
|
(B) the federal taxpayer [tax] identification |
|
number of the partnership; |
|
(C) the street address of the partnership's |
|
principal office in this state or outside of this state, as |
|
applicable; and |
|
(D) the number of partners at the date of |
|
application; and |
|
(2) contain a brief statement of the partnership's |
|
business. |
|
(f) A registration may be withdrawn by filing a withdrawal |
|
notice with the secretary of state in accordance with Chapter 4. A |
|
certificate from the comptroller stating that all taxes |
|
administered by the comptroller under Title 2, Tax Code, have been |
|
paid must be filed with the notice of withdrawal. A withdrawal |
|
notice terminates the status of the partnership as a limited |
|
liability partnership from the date on which the notice is filed or |
|
a later date specified in the notice, but not later than the |
|
expiration date under Subsection (e). A withdrawal notice must: |
|
(1) contain: |
|
(A) the name of the partnership; |
|
(B) the federal taxpayer [tax] identification |
|
number of the partnership; |
|
(C) the date of registration of the partnership's |
|
last application under this subchapter; and |
|
(D) the current street address of the |
|
partnership's principal office in this state and outside this |
|
state, if applicable; and |
|
(2) be signed by: |
|
(A) a majority-in-interest of the partners; or |
|
(B) one or more partners authorized by a |
|
majority-in-interest of the partners. |
|
(j) A document filed under this subchapter may be amended by |
|
filing an application for amendment of registration with the |
|
secretary of state in accordance with Chapter 4 and this |
|
subsection. The application for amendment must: |
|
(1) contain: |
|
(A) the name of the partnership; |
|
(B) the taxpayer [tax] identification number of |
|
the partnership; |
|
(C) the identity of the document being amended; |
|
(D) the date on which the document being amended |
|
was filed; |
|
(E) a reference to the part of the document being |
|
amended; and |
|
(F) the amendment or correction; and |
|
(2) be signed by: |
|
(A) a majority-in-interest of the partners; or |
|
(B) one or more partners authorized by a |
|
majority-in-interest of the partners. |
|
SECTION 49. Section 152.906(b), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) In addition to the information required by Section |
|
9.011, the certificate of withdrawal must: |
|
(1) contain: |
|
(A) the federal taxpayer [tax] identification |
|
number of the partnership; and |
|
(B) the date of effectiveness of the |
|
partnership's last application for registration under this |
|
subchapter; and |
|
(2) be signed by: |
|
(A) a majority-in-interest of the partners; or |
|
(B) one or more partners authorized by a |
|
majority-in-interest of the partners. |
|
SECTION 50. Section 152.910(b), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) A partner of a foreign limited liability partnership is |
|
not liable for an [a debt or] obligation of the partnership solely |
|
because the partnership transacted business in this state without |
|
being registered. |
|
SECTION 51. Section 152.911(b), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The application for amendment must contain: |
|
(1) the name of the partnership; |
|
(2) the taxpayer [tax] identification number of the |
|
partnership; |
|
(3) the identity of the document being amended; |
|
(4) a reference to the date on which the document being |
|
amended was filed; |
|
(5) the part of the document being amended; and |
|
(6) the amendment or correction. |
|
SECTION 52. Section 153.004(a), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by this section, the following |
|
provisions of Title 1 may not be waived or modified in the |
|
partnership agreement of a limited partnership: |
|
(1) Chapter 1, if the provision is used to interpret a |
|
provision or define a word or phrase contained in a section listed |
|
in this subsection; |
|
(2) Chapter 2, other than Section 2.104(c)(2), |
|
2.104(c)(3), or 2.113; |
|
(3) Chapter 3, other than Subchapters C and E of that |
|
chapter and Section 3.151 (provided, that in all events a |
|
partnership agreement may not validly waive or modify Section |
|
[Sections] 153.551 or unreasonably restrict a partner's right of |
|
access to books and records under Section [and] 153.552); or |
|
(4) Chapter 4, 5, 10, 11, or 12, other than Section |
|
11.058. |
|
SECTION 53. Section 153.103, Business Organizations Code, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 153.103. ACTIONS NOT CONSTITUTING PARTICIPATION IN |
|
BUSINESS FOR LIABILITY PURPOSES. For purposes of this section and |
|
Sections 153.102, 153.104, and 153.105, a limited partner does not |
|
participate in the control of the business because the limited |
|
partner has or has acted in one or more of the following capacities |
|
or possesses or exercises one or more of the following powers: |
|
(1) acting as: |
|
(A) a contractor for or an officer or other agent |
|
or employee of the limited partnership; |
|
(B) a contractor for or an agent or employee of a |
|
general partner; |
|
(C) an officer, director, or stockholder of a |
|
corporate general partner; |
|
(D) a partner of a partnership that is a general |
|
partner of the limited partnership; or |
|
(E) a member or manager of a limited liability |
|
company that is a general partner of the limited partnership; |
|
(2) acting in a capacity similar to that described in |
|
Subdivision (1) with any other person that is a general partner of |
|
the limited partnership; |
|
(3) consulting with or advising a general partner on |
|
any matter, including the business of the limited partnership; |
|
(4) acting as surety, guarantor, or endorser for the |
|
limited partnership, guaranteeing or assuming one or more specific |
|
obligations of the limited partnership, or providing collateral for |
|
borrowings of the limited partnership; |
|
(5) calling, requesting, attending, or participating |
|
in a meeting of the partners or the limited partners; |
|
(6) winding up the business of a limited partnership |
|
under Chapter 11 and Subchapter K of this chapter; |
|
(7) taking an action required or permitted by law to |
|
bring, pursue, settle, or otherwise terminate a derivative action |
|
in the right of the limited partnership; |
|
(8) serving on a committee of the limited partnership |
|
or the limited partners; or |
|
(9) proposing, approving, or disapproving, by vote or |
|
otherwise, one or more of the following matters: |
|
(A) the winding up or termination of the limited |
|
partnership; |
|
(B) an election to reconstitute the limited |
|
partnership or continue the business of the limited partnership; |
|
(C) the sale, exchange, lease, mortgage, |
|
assignment, pledge, or other transfer of, or granting of a security |
|
interest in, an asset of the limited partnership; |
|
(D) the incurring, renewal, refinancing, or |
|
payment or other discharge of indebtedness by the limited |
|
partnership; |
|
(E) a change in the nature of the business of the |
|
limited partnership; |
|
(F) the admission, removal, or retention of a |
|
general partner; |
|
(G) the admission, removal, or retention of a |
|
limited partner; |
|
(H) a transaction or other matter involving an |
|
actual or potential conflict of interest; |
|
(I) an amendment to the partnership agreement or |
|
certificate of formation; |
|
(J) if the limited partnership is qualified as an |
|
investment company under the federal Investment Company Act of 1940 |
|
(15 U.S.C. Section 80a-1 et seq.), as amended, any matter required |
|
by that Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and |
|
Exchange Commission under that Act, to be approved by the holders of |
|
beneficial interests in an investment company, including: |
|
(i) electing directors or trustees of the |
|
investment company; |
|
(ii) approving or terminating an investment |
|
advisory or underwriting contract; |
|
(iii) approving an auditor; and |
|
(iv) acting on another matter that that Act |
|
requires to be approved by the holders of beneficial interests in |
|
the investment company; |
|
(K) indemnification of a general partner under |
|
Chapter 8 or otherwise; |
|
(L) any other matter stated in the partnership |
|
agreement; |
|
(M) the exercising of a right or power granted or |
|
permitted to limited partners under this code and not specifically |
|
enumerated in this section; or |
|
(N) the merger, [or] conversion, or interest |
|
exchange with respect to [of] a limited partnership. |
|
SECTION 54. Section 153.158(b), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) Until an action described by Subsection (a) is taken, |
|
the owner of the partnership interest of the withdrawn general |
|
partner has the status of an assignee under Subchapter F[, Section
|
|
153.113, and Section 153.555]. |
|
SECTION 55. Section 153.501(b), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The limited partnership may cancel under Section 11.152 |
|
an event requiring winding up arising from an event of withdrawal of |
|
a general partner as specified in Section 11.058(b) if: |
|
(1) there remains at least one general partner and the |
|
partnership agreement permits the business of the limited |
|
partnership to be carried on by the remaining general partners and |
|
those remaining general partners carry on the business; or |
|
(2) not later than one year after the event, all |
|
remaining partners, or another group or percentage of partners |
|
specified in the partnership agreement: |
|
(A) agree in writing to continue the business of |
|
the limited partnership [in writing]; and |
|
(B) to the extent that they desire or if there are |
|
no remaining general partners, agree to the appointment of one or |
|
more new general partners. |
|
SECTION 56. Section 153.504, Business Organizations Code, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 153.504. DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. On the winding up of a |
|
limited partnership, its assets shall be paid or transferred as |
|
follows: |
|
(1) to the extent otherwise permitted by law, to |
|
creditors, including partners who are creditors other than solely |
|
because of the application of Section 153.207, for the payment or |
|
the making of reasonable provision for payment to satisfy the |
|
liabilities of the limited partnership; |
|
(2) unless otherwise provided by the partnership |
|
agreement, to partners and former partners to satisfy the |
|
partnership's liability for distributions under Section 153.111 or |
|
153.209; and |
|
(3) unless otherwise provided by the partnership |
|
agreement, to partners first for the return of their capital and |
|
second with respect to their partnership interests, in the |
|
proportions provided by Sections 153.208(a) and (b). |
|
SECTION 57. Section 153.551(a), Business Organizations |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A domestic limited partnership shall maintain the |
|
following records in its principal office in the United States or |
|
make the records available in that office not later than the fifth |
|
day after the date on which a written request under Section |
|
153.552(a) is received: |
|
(1) a current list that states: |
|
(A) the name and mailing address of each partner, |
|
separately identifying in alphabetical order the general partners |
|
and the limited partners; |
|
(B) the last known street address of the business |
|
or residence of each general partner; |
|
(C) the percentage or other interest in the |
|
partnership owned by each partner; and |
|
(D) if one or more classes or groups are |
|
established under the partnership agreement, the names of the |
|
partners who are members of each specified class or group; |
|
(2) a copy of: |
|
(A) the limited partnership's federal, state, |
|
and local information or income tax returns for each of the |
|
partnership's six most recent tax years; |
|
(B) the partnership agreement and certificate of |
|
formation; and |
|
(C) all amendments or restatements; |
|
(3) copies of any document that creates, in the manner |
|
provided by the partnership agreement, classes or groups of |
|
partners; |
|
(4) an executed copy of any powers of attorney under |
|
which the partnership agreement, certificate of formation, and all |
|
amendments or restatements to the agreement and certificate have |
|
been executed; |
|
(5) unless contained in the written partnership |
|
agreement, a written statement of: |
|
(A) the amount of the cash contribution and a |
|
description and statement of the agreed value of any other |
|
contribution made by each partner; |
|
(B) the amount of the cash contribution and a |
|
description and statement of the agreed value of any other |
|
contribution that the partner has agreed to make in the future as an |
|
additional contribution; |
|
(C) [the date on which additional contributions
|
|
are to be made or] the [date of] events requiring additional |
|
contributions to be made or the date on which additional |
|
contributions are to be made; |
|
(D) the events requiring the winding up of the |
|
limited partnership; and |
|
(E) the date on which each partner in the limited |
|
partnership became a partner; and |
|
(6) books and records of the accounts of the limited |
|
partnership. |
|
SECTION 58. Section 200.317, Business Organizations Code, |
|
is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding |
|
Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows: |
|
(a) This section applies only to a contract or transaction |
|
between a real estate investment trust and: |
|
(1) one or more [of the trust's] trust managers or |
|
officers, or one or more affiliates or associates of one or more |
|
directors or officers, of the trust; or |
|
(2) an entity or other organization in which one or |
|
more [of the trust's] trust managers or officers, or one or more |
|
affiliates or associates of one or more directors or officers, of |
|
the trust: |
|
(A) is a managerial official; or |
|
(B) has a financial interest. |
|
(b) An otherwise valid and enforceable contract or |
|
transaction described by Subsection (a) is valid and enforceable, |
|
and may not be void or voidable, notwithstanding any relationship |
|
or interest described by Subsection (a), if any one of the following |
|
conditions is satisfied [notwithstanding that the trust manager or
|
|
officer having the relationship or interest described by Subsection
|
|
(a) is present at or participates in the meeting of the trust
|
|
managers or of a committee of the trust managers that authorizes the
|
|
contract or transaction, or votes or signs, in the person's
|
|
capacity as a trust manager or committee member, a unanimous
|
|
written consent of trust managers or committee members to authorize
|
|
the contract or transaction, if]: |
|
(1) the material facts as to the relationship or |
|
interest described by Subsection (a) and as to the contract or |
|
transaction are disclosed to or known by: |
|
(A) the trust managers or a committee of the |
|
trust managers, and the trust managers or committee of the trust |
|
managers in good faith authorize the contract or transaction by the |
|
approval of the majority of disinterested trust managers or |
|
committee members, regardless of whether the disinterested trust |
|
managers or committee members constitute a quorum; or |
|
(B) the shareholders entitled to vote on the |
|
authorization of the contract or transaction, and the contract or |
|
transaction is specifically approved in good faith by a vote of the |
|
shareholders; or |
|
(2) the contract or transaction is fair to the real |
|
estate investment trust when the contract or transaction is |
|
authorized, approved, or ratified by the trust managers, a |
|
committee of the trust managers, or the shareholders. |
|
(d) A person who has the relationship or interest described |
|
by Subsection (a) may: |
|
(1) be present at or participate in and, if the person |
|
is a trust manager or committee member, may vote at a meeting of the |
|
trust managers, or of a committee of the trust managers, that |
|
authorizes the contract or transaction; or |
|
(2) sign, in the person's capacity as a trust manager |
|
or committee member, a unanimous written consent of the trust |
|
managers or committee members to authorize the contract or |
|
transaction. |
|
(e) If at least one of the conditions of Subsection (b) is |
|
satisfied, neither the trust nor any of the trust's shareholders |
|
will have a cause of action against any of the persons described by |
|
Subsection (a) for breach of duty with respect to the making, |
|
authorization, or performance of the contract or transaction |
|
because the person had the relationship or interest described by |
|
Subsection (a) or took any of the actions authorized by Subsection |
|
(d). |
|
SECTION 59. Sections 252.011(b) and (f), Business |
|
Organizations Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) A statement appointing an agent must contain: |
|
(1) the name of the nonprofit association; |
|
(2) the federal taxpayer [tax] identification number |
|
of the nonprofit association, if applicable; |
|
(3) the address in this state, including the street |
|
address, if any, of the nonprofit association or, if the nonprofit |
|
association does not have an address in this state, its address out |
|
of state; and |
|
(4) the name of the person in this state authorized to |
|
receive service of process and the person's address, including the |
|
street address, in this state. |
|
(f) A statement appointing an agent may be canceled by |
|
filing with the secretary of state a written notice of cancellation |
|
executed by a person authorized to manage the affairs of the |
|
nonprofit association. A notice of cancellation must contain: |
|
(1) the name of the nonprofit association; |
|
(2) the federal taxpayer [tax] identification number |
|
of the nonprofit association, if applicable; |
|
(3) the date of filing of the nonprofit association's |
|
statement appointing the agent; and |
|
(4) a current street address, if any, of the nonprofit |
|
association in this state or, if the nonprofit association does not |
|
have an address in this state, its address out of state. |
|
SECTION 60. Section 402.003, Business Organizations Code, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 402.003. EARLY ADOPTION OF CODE BY EXISTING DOMESTIC |
|
ENTITY. (a) A domestic entity formed before the effective date of |
|
this code may voluntarily elect to adopt and become subject to this |
|
code by: |
|
(1) adopting the code by complying with the procedures |
|
for approval, under prior law and its governing documents, of an |
|
amendment to: |
|
(A) its articles of incorporation, with respect |
|
to a corporation or cooperative association; |
|
(B) its regulations, with respect to a limited |
|
liability company; |
|
(C) its articles of association, with respect to |
|
a professional association; |
|
(D) its declaration of trust, with respect to a |
|
real estate investment trust; |
|
(E) its partnership agreement, with respect to a |
|
partnership; or |
|
(F) its primary governing document, with respect |
|
to another type of domestic entity; |
|
(2) if any of its governing documents, including its |
|
certificate of formation, do not comply with this code, complying |
|
with the procedures, under prior law and its governing documents, |
|
to amend the noncomplying governing documents to comply with this |
|
code, including filing with the filing officer in accordance with |
|
Chapter 4 a certificate of amendment to cause its certificate of |
|
formation to comply with this code; and |
|
(3) if the domestic entity is a filing entity, filing |
|
with the filing officer in accordance with Chapter 4 a statement |
|
that the filing entity is electing to adopt this code. |
|
(b) A domestic entity that elected to adopt and become |
|
subject to this code as provided by Subsection (a) is not considered |
|
to have failed to comply with Subsection (a)(2) because: |
|
(1) the entity's governing documents do not state the |
|
type of entity formed; or |
|
(2) a circumstance described by Section 402.0051 |
|
applies. |
|
SECTION 61. Section 402.004, Business Organizations Code, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 402.004. EARLY ADOPTION OF CODE BY REGISTERED FOREIGN |
|
FILING ENTITY. (a) A foreign filing entity registered with the |
|
secretary of state to transact business in this state before the |
|
effective date of this code may voluntarily elect to adopt and |
|
become subject to this code by filing with the secretary of state in |
|
accordance with Chapter 4: |
|
(1) a statement that the foreign filing entity is |
|
electing to adopt this code; and |
|
(2) an amendment to its application for registration |
|
that would cause its application for registration to comply with |
|
this code. |
|
(b) A foreign filing entity that elected to adopt and become |
|
subject to this code as provided by Subsection (a) is not considered |
|
to have failed to comply with Subsection (a)(2) because: |
|
(1) the application for registration or any amendment |
|
to the registration: |
|
(A) does not state the entity's type; or |
|
(B) does not include the appointment of the |
|
secretary of state as agent for service of process under the |
|
circumstances provided by Section 5.251; or |
|
(2) a circumstance described by Section 402.0051 |
|
applies. |
|
SECTION 62. Section 402.005, Business Organizations Code, |
|
is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
|
(c) A domestic or foreign filing entity is not considered to |
|
have failed to comply with Subsection (a)(3) or (4) because: |
|
(1) the certificate of formation does not state the |
|
type of entity formed; |
|
(2) the application for registration or any amendment |
|
to the registration: |
|
(A) does not state the entity's type; or |
|
(B) does not include the appointment of the |
|
secretary of state as agent for service of process, notice, or |
|
demand under the circumstances provided by Section 5.251; or |
|
(3) a circumstance described by Section 402.0051 |
|
applies. |
|
SECTION 63. Chapter 402, Business Organizations Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 402.0051 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 402.0051. EFFECT OF REFERENCES TO PRIOR LAW AND USE OF |
|
SYNONYMOUS TERMS. (a) A governing document or a filing instrument, |
|
including a certificate of formation or application for |
|
registration, is not considered to have failed to conform to this |
|
code if the governing document or filing instrument: |
|
(1) contains a reference to prior law that was |
|
applicable at the time of its filing or adoption; |
|
(2) contains a provision that was authorized by prior |
|
law at the time of its filing or adoption; |
|
(3) includes a term or phrase described by Section |
|
1.006 of this code; or |
|
(4) includes a term or phrase from prior law that is |
|
different from the corresponding term or phrase used in this code. |
|
(b) A reference in a governing document or filing instrument |
|
to a statute or provision of a statute in effect before January 1, |
|
2010, that was repealed by this code is considered to be a reference |
|
to the provision or provisions of this code that correspond to the |
|
repealed statute or provision unless the governing document or |
|
filing instrument expressly provides otherwise. |
|
(c) An entity is not considered to have failed to comply |
|
with this code if a governing document or filing instrument makes a |
|
reference to prior law rather than to the corresponding provisions |
|
of the prior law in this code. |
|
(d) For purposes of this section, prior law includes a |
|
predecessor statute to the prior law. |
|
SECTION 64. The heading to Section 402.013, Business |
|
Organizations Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 402.013. REINSTATEMENT OF ENTITIES CANCELED, REVOKED, |
|
DISSOLVED, INVOLUNTARILY DISSOLVED, SUSPENDED, OR FORFEITED UNDER |
|
PRIOR LAW. |
|
SECTION 65. Section 402.013, Business Organizations Code, |
|
is amended by adding Subsections (b-1) and (b-2) to read as follows: |
|
(b-1) On or after January 1, 2010, a domestic filing entity |
|
whose certificate of formation or equivalent governing document has |
|
been canceled, revoked, voluntarily dissolved, involuntarily |
|
dissolved, suspended, or forfeited under prior law may reinstate |
|
the entity's certificate of formation or equivalent governing |
|
document in accordance with this code. |
|
(b-2) On or after January 1, 2010, a foreign filing entity |
|
whose registration to do business has been canceled, revoked, |
|
suspended, or forfeited under prior law may reinstate its |
|
registration in accordance with this code. |
|
SECTION 66. (a) In this section: |
|
(1) "Governing document" has the meaning assigned by |
|
Section 1.002(36), Business Organizations Code. |
|
(2) "Prior law" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
401.001, Business Organizations Code. |
|
(b) This section applies only to a domestic entity whose |
|
certificate of formation or equivalent governing document was |
|
voluntarily dissolved under prior law. |
|
(c) The reinstatement of a domestic filing entity that was |
|
filed in accordance with Chapter 11 and Section 402.003, Business |
|
Organizations Code, after December 31, 2005, and before January 1, |
|
2010, is validated in all respects as of the date on which the |
|
reinstatement occurred. |
|
SECTION 67. The following sections of the Business |
|
Organizations Code are repealed: |
|
(1) Section 21.001; |
|
(2) Section 152.802(i); and |
|
(3) Section 152.804. |
|
SECTION 68. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |