17-16-126. Appeal from secretary of state's refusal to file document.
(a) If the secretary of state refuses to file a document delivered to his office for filing, the domestic or foreign corporation may, within thirty (30) days after the return of the document, appeal the refusal to the district court of the county where the corporation's principal office is located in the state or, if the corporation does not have a principal office in the state, the district court of the county where its registered office is or will be located, or the district court of the county of residence of an incorporator for a domestic corporation, or in the district court of Laramie county. The appeal is commenced by petitioning the court to compel filing the document and by attaching to the petition the document and the secretary of state's explanation of his refusal to file.
(b) The court may summarily order the secretary of state to file the document or take other action the court considers appropriate.
(c) The court's final decision may be appealed as in other civil proceedings.
17-16-127. Evidentiary effect of copy of filed document.
A certificate from the secretary of state delivered with a copy of a document filed by the secretary of state is conclusive evidence that the original document is on file with the secretary of state.
(a) Anyone may apply to the secretary of state to furnish a certificate of existence for a domestic corporation or a certificate of authorization for a foreign corporation.
(b) A certificate of existence or authorization sets forth:
(i) The domestic corporation's corporate name or the foreign corporation's corporate name used in this state;
(ii) That:
(A) The domestic corporation is duly incorporated under the law of this state, the date of its incorporation, and the period of its duration if less than perpetual; or
(B) The foreign corporation is authorized to transact business in this state.
(iii) That all fees, taxes, and penalties owed to this state have been paid, if:
(A) Payment is reflected in the records of the secretary of state; and
(B) Nonpayment affects the existence or authorization of the domestic or foreign corporation.
(iv) That its most recent annual report required by W.S. 17-16-1630 has been filed by the secretary of state;
(v) That articles of dissolution have not been filed; and
(vi) Other facts of record in the office of the secretary of state that may be requested by the applicant.
(c) Subject to any qualification stated in the certificate, a certificate of existence or authorization issued by the secretary of state may be relied upon as conclusive evidence that the domestic or foreign corporation is in existence or is authorized to transact business in this state.
The secretary of state has the power reasonably necessary to perform the duties required of him by this act. The secretary of state shall promulgate reasonable forms, rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this act. D. Definitions
(a) In this act:
(i) "Articles of incorporation" means the original articles of incorporation, all amendments thereof and any other documents permitted or required to be filed by a domestic business corporation with the secretary of state under any provision of this act. If an amendment of the articles or any other document filed under this act restates the articles in their entirety thenceforth the articles shall not include any prior documents;
(ii) "Authorized shares" means the shares of all classes a domestic or foreign corporation is authorized to issue;
(iii) "Conspicuous" means so written that a reasonable person against whom the writing is to operate should have noticed it. For example, printing in italics or boldface or contrasting color, or typing in capitals or underlined, is conspicuous;
(iv) "Corporation" or "domestic corporation" means a corporation for profit, which is not a foreign corporation, incorporated under or subject to the provisions of this act;
(v) "Deliver" or "delivery" means any method of delivery used in conventional commercial practice, including delivery by hand, mail, commercial delivery and electronic transmission;
(vi) "Distribution" means a direct or indirect transfer of money or other property, except the corporation's own shares, or incurrence of indebtedness by a corporation to or for the benefit of its shareholders in respect of any of its shares. A distribution may be in the form of a declaration or payment of a dividend, a purchase, redemption, or other acquisition of shares, a distribution of indebtedness, or otherwise;
(vii) "Domestic unincorporated entity" means an unincorporated entity whose internal affairs are governed by the laws of this state;
(viii) "Effective date of notice" is defined in W.S. 17-16-141;
(ix) "Electronic transmission" or "transmitted electronically" means any process of communication that does not directly involve the physical transfer of paper, including a process of communication that uses one (1) or more distributed or other electronic networks or databases, and that is suitable for the retention, retrieval and reproduction of information by the recipient;
(x) "Eligible entity" means a domestic or foreign unincorporated entity or a domestic or foreign nonprofit corporation;
(xi) "Eligible interests" means interests;
(xii) "Employee" includes an officer but not a director. A director may accept duties that make him also an employee;
(xiii) "Entity" includes domestic corporation and foreign corporation, domestic nonprofit corporation and foreign nonprofit corporation, domestic and foreign profit and not-for-profit unincorporated association, business trust, statutory trust, estate, partnership, trust, or two (2) or more persons having a joint or common economic interest, and state, United States or foreign government;
(xiv) "Expenses" means reasonable expenses of any kind that are incurred in connection with a matter, including but not limited to attorney and expert witness fees;
(xv) "Foreign corporation" means a corporation for profit incorporated under a law other than the law of this state;
(xvi) "Governmental subdivision" includes authority, county, district, municipality, and any other political subdivision;
(xvii) "Includes" denotes a partial definition;
(xviii) "Individual" means a natural person and includes the estate of an incompetent or deceased individual;
(xix) "Interest" means either or both of the following rights under the organic law of an unincorporated entity:
(A) The right to receive distributions from the entity either in the ordinary course or upon liquidation; or
(B) The right to receive notice or vote on issues involving its internal affairs, other than as an agent, assignee, proxy or person responsible for managing its business and affairs.
(xx) "Interest holder" means a person who holds of record an interest;
(xxi) "Means" denotes an exhaustive definition;
(xxii) "Net assets" means the amount by which the total assets of a corporation exceed the total debts of the corporation;
(xxiii) "Notice" is defined in W.S. 17-16-141;
(xxiv) "Organic document" means a public organic document or a private organic document;
(xxv) "Organic law" means the statute governing the internal affairs of a domestic or foreign business or nonprofit corporation or unincorporated entity;
(xxvi) "Owner liability" means personal liability for a debt, obligation or liability of a domestic or foreign business or nonprofit corporation or unincorporated entity that is imposed on a person:
(A) Solely by reason of the person's status as a shareholder or interest holder; or
(B) By the articles of incorporation, bylaws or an organic document under a provision of the organic law of an entity authorizing the articles of incorporation, bylaws or an organic document to make one (1) or more specified shareholders or interest holders liable in their capacity as shareholders or interest holders for all or specified debts, obligations or liabilities of the entity.
(xxvii) "Person" includes an individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, joint stock company, limited liability company or any other association or entity, public or private;
(xxviii) "Principal office" means the office within or outside of this state, so designated in the annual report;
(xxix) "Private organic document" means any document other than the public organic document, if any, that determines the internal governance of an unincorporated entity. Where a private organic document has been amended or restated, the term means the private organic document as last amended or restated;
(xxx) "Proceeding" includes civil suit and criminal, administrative, and investigatory action;
(xxxi) "Public corporation" means a corporation that has shares listed on a national securities exchange or regularly traded in a market maintained by one (1) or more members of a national securities association;
(xxxii) "Public organic document" means the document, if any, that is filed of public record to create an unincorporated entity. Where a public organic document has been amended or restated, the term means the public organic document as last amended or restated;
(xxxiii) "Qualified director" is defined in W.S. 17-16-143;
(xxxiv) "Record date" means the date established under article 6 or 7 on which a corporation determines the identity of its shareholders and their shareholdings for purposes of this act. The determinations shall be made as of the close of business on the record date unless another time for doing so is specified when the record date is fixed;
(xxxv) "Registered agent" means as provided in W.S. 17-28-101 through 17-28-111;
(xxxvi) "Secretary" means the corporate officer to whom the board of directors has delegated responsibility under W.S. 17-16-840(c) for custody of the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors and of the shareholders and for authenticating records of the corporation;
(xxxvii) "Shareholder" means the person in whose name shares are registered in the records of a corporation, the beneficial owner of shares to the extent of the rights granted by a nominee certificate on file with a corporation or the owner of a private key that is uniquely associated with a data address that facilitates or records the sending and receiving of shares;
(xxxviii) "Shares" means the units into which the proprietary interests in a corporation are divided;
(xxxix) "Sign" or "signature" includes any manual, facsimile, conformed or electronic signature or a network signature;
(xl) "State," when referring to a part of the United States, includes a state and commonwealth, and their agencies and governmental subdivisions, and a territory and insular possession, and their agencies and governmental subdivisions, of the United States;
(xli) "Subscriber" means a person who subscribes for shares in a corporation, whether before or after incorporation;
(xlii) "Unincorporated entity" means an organization or artificial legal person that either has a separate legal existence or has the power to acquire an estate in real property in its own name and that is not any of the following: a domestic or foreign business or nonprofit corporation, an estate, a trust, a state, the United States or a foreign government. The term includes, but is not limited to, a general partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability limited partnership, registered limited liability partnership, business trust, statutory trust, cooperative, joint stock association, joint venture and unincorporated nonprofit association;
(xliii) "United States" includes district, authority, bureau, commission, department, and any other agency of the United States;
(xliv) "Voting group" means all shares of one (1) or more classes or series that under the articles of incorporation or this act are entitled to vote and be counted together collectively on a matter at a meeting of shareholders. All shares entitled by the articles of incorporation or this act to vote generally on the matter are for that purpose a single voting group;
(xlv) "Voting power" means the current power to vote in the election of directors;
(xlvi) "Identity" means the name of a shareholder or the data address for which the shareholder has knowledge or possession of the private key uniquely associated with the data address;
(xlvii) "Data address" means the string of alphanumeric characters on one (1) or more distributed or other electronic networks or databases that may only be accessed by knowledge or possession of a private key in order to facilitate or record transactions on the distributed or other electronic network or database;
(xlviii) "Network signature" means a string of alphanumeric characters that, when broadcast by a person to the data address's corresponding distributed or other electronic network or database, provides reasonable assurances to a recipient that the broadcasting person has knowledge or possession of the private key uniquely associated with the data address;
(xlix) "Record of shareholders" means one (1) or more records administered by or on behalf of a corporation that records the identity of all the corporation's shareholders and the number and class of shares held by each shareholder in accordance with W.S. 17-16-1601. "Record of shareholders" includes a record of all issuances and transfers of shares of a corporation at the discretion of the corporation;
(l) "This act" means W.S. 17-16-101 through 17-16-1810.
(a) Notice under this act shall be in writing unless oral notice is reasonable under the circumstances. Notice by electronic transmission is written notice.
(b) Notice may be communicated in person; by telephone, telegraph, teletype, or other form of wire or wireless communication; or by mail or private carrier. If these forms of personal notice are impracticable, notice may be communicated by a newspaper of general circulation in the area where published; or by radio, television, or other form of public broadcast communication.
(c) Written notice by a domestic or foreign corporation to its shareholder, if in a comprehensible form, is effective:
(i) Upon deposit in the United States mail, if mailed postpaid and correctly addressed to the shareholder's address shown in the corporation's current record of shareholders;
(ii) When an electronic transmission has been made to a data address provided by the shareholder; or
(iii) When electronically transmitted to the shareholder in a manner otherwise authorized by the shareholder.
(d) Written notice to a domestic or foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state may be addressed to its registered agent at its registered office or to the corporation or its secretary at its principal office shown in its most recent annual report or, in the case of a foreign corporation that has not yet delivered an annual report, in its application for a certificate of authority.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, written notice, if in a comprehensible form, is effective at the earliest of the following:
(i) When received;
(ii) Five (5) days after its deposit in the United States mail, as evidenced by the postmark, if mailed postpaid and correctly addressed; or
(iii) On the date shown on the return receipt, if sent by registered or certified mail, or comparable private carrier, return receipt requested, and the receipt is signed, either manually or in facsimile, by or on behalf of the addressee.
(f) Oral notice is effective when communicated if communicated in a comprehensible manner.
(g) If this act prescribes notice requirements for particular circumstances, those requirements govern. If articles of incorporation or bylaws prescribe notice requirements, not inconsistent with this section or other provisions of this act, those requirements govern.
(a) For purposes of this act, the following identified as a shareholder in a corporation's current record of shareholders constitutes one (1) shareholder:
(i) Three (3) or fewer coowners;
(ii) A corporation, partnership, trust, estate, or other entity;
(iii) The trustees, guardians, custodians, or other fiduciaries of a single trust, estate, or account; or
(iv) One (1) data address.
(b) For purposes of this act, shareholdings registered in substantially similar names constitute one (1) shareholder if it is reasonable to believe that the names represent the same person.
(a) A "qualified director" is a director who, at the time action is to be taken under:
(i) W.S. 17-16-744, does not have:
(A) A material interest in the outcome of the proceeding; or
(B) A material relationship with a person who has such an interest.
(ii) W.S. 17-16-853 or 17-16-855:
(A) Is not a party to the proceeding;
(B) Is not a director as to whom a transaction is a director's conflicting interest transaction or who sought a disclaimer of the corporation's interest in a business opportunity under W.S. 17-16-870, which transaction or disclaimer is challenged in the proceeding; and
(C) Does not have a material relationship with a director described in either subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph.
(iii) W.S. 17-16-862, is not a director as to whom the transaction is a director's conflicting interest transaction, or a director who has a material relationship with another director as to whom the transaction is a director's conflicting interest transaction; or
(iv) W.S. 17-16-870, would be a qualified director under paragraph (iii) of this subsection if the business opportunity were a director's conflicting interest transaction.
(b) For purposes of this section:
(i) "Material interest" means an actual or potential benefit or detriment, other than one which would devolve on the corporation or the shareholders generally, that would reasonably be expected to impair the objectivity of the director's judgment when participating in the action to be taken;
(ii) "Material relationship" means a familial, financial, professional, employment or other relationship that would reasonably be expected to impair the objectivity of the director's judgment when participating in the action to be taken.
(c) The presence of one (1) or more of the following circumstances shall not automatically prevent a director from being a qualified director:
(i) Nomination or election of the director to the current board by any director who is not a qualified director with respect to the matter, or by any person that has a material relationship with that director, acting alone or participating with others;
(ii) Service as a director of another corporation of which a director who is not a qualified director with respect to the matter, or any individual who has a material relationship with that director, is or was also a director; or
(iii) With respect to action to be taken under W.S. 17-16-744, status as a named defendant, as a director against whom action is demanded or as a director who approved the conduct being challenged.
One (1) or more persons may act as the incorporator or incorporators of a corporation by delivering articles of incorporation to the secretary of state for filing.
(a) The articles of incorporation shall set forth:
(i) A corporate name for the corporation that satisfies the requirements of W.S. 17-16-401;
(ii) The number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue, which may be unlimited if so stated;
(iii) The street address of the corporation's initial registered office and the name of its initial registered agent at that office; and
(iv) The name and address of each incorporator.
(b) The articles of incorporation may set forth:
(i) The names and addresses of the individuals who are to serve as the initial directors;
(ii) Provisions not inconsistent with law including:
(A) The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is organized;
(B) Managing the business and regulating the affairs of the corporation;
(C) Defining, limiting, and regulating the powers of the corporation, its board of directors, and shareholders;
(D) A par value for authorized shares or classes of shares;
(E) The imposition of personal liability on shareholders for the debts of the corporation to a specified extent and upon specified conditions.
(iii) Any provision that under this act is required or permitted to be set forth in the bylaws;
(iv) A provision eliminating or limiting the liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for money damages for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director, except liability for:
(A) The amount of financial benefit received by a director to which he is not entitled;
(B) An intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or shareholders;
(C) A violation of W.S. 17-16-833; or
(D) An intentional violation of criminal law; and
(v) A provision permitting or making obligatory indemnification of a director for liability (as defined in W.S. 17-16-850(a)(iii)) to any person for any action taken, or failure to take any action, as a director, except liability for:
(A) Receipt of a financial benefit to which he is not entitled;
(B) An intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or its shareholders;
(C) A violation of W.S. 17-16-833; or
(D) An intentional violation of criminal law.
(c) The articles of incorporation need not set forth any of the corporate powers enumerated in this act.
(d) Reserved.
(e) The articles of incorporation shall be accompanied by a written consent to appointment signed by the registered agent.
(a) Unless a delayed effective date is specified, the corporate existence becomes effective when the articles of incorporation are filed.
(b) The secretary of state's filing of the articles of incorporation is conclusive proof that the incorporators satisfied all conditions precedent to incorporation except in a proceeding by the state to cancel or revoke the incorporation or involuntarily dissolve the corporation.
17-16-204. Liability for preincorporation transactions.
All persons purporting to act as or on behalf of a corporation, knowing there was no incorporation under this act, are jointly and severally liable for all liabilities created while so acting.
(a) After incorporation:
(i) If initial directors are named in the articles of incorporation, the initial directors shall hold an organizational meeting, at the call of a majority of the directors, to complete the organization of the corporation by appointing officers, adopting bylaws, and carrying on any other business brought before the meeting;
(ii) If initial directors are not named in the articles, the incorporator or incorporators shall hold an organizational meeting at the call of a majority of the incorporators to:
(A) Elect directors and complete the organization of the corporation; or
(B) Elect a board of directors who shall complete the organization of the corporation.
(b) Action required or permitted by this act to be taken by incorporators at an organizational meeting may be taken without a meeting if the action taken is evidenced by one (1) or more written consents describing the action taken and signed by each incorporator.
(c) An organizational meeting may be held within or outside of this state.
(d) Within sixty (60) days after filing articles of incorporation, a corporation shall provide information to its registered agent as required by W.S. 17-28-107.
(a) The incorporators or board of directors of a corporation shall adopt initial bylaws for the corporation.
(b) The bylaws of a corporation may contain any provision for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the corporation that is not inconsistent with law or the articles of incorporation.
(c) If bylaws are not adopted:
(i) An annual meeting shall be held within three (3) months after the close of the corporation's fiscal year;
(ii) The required officers shall be the president, the secretary and the treasurer; and
(iii) Bylaws may be adopted at any director or shareholder meeting.
(a) Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the board of directors of a corporation may adopt bylaws to be effective only in an emergency defined in subsection (d) of this section. The emergency bylaws, which are subject to amendment or repeal by the shareholders, may make all provisions necessary for managing the corporation during the emergency, including:
(i) Procedures for calling a meeting of the board of directors;
(ii) Quorum requirements for the meeting; and
(iii) Designation of additional or substitute directors.
(b) All provisions of the regular bylaws consistent with the emergency bylaws remain effective during the emergency. The emergency bylaws are not effective after the emergency ends.
(c) Corporate action taken in good faith in accordance with the emergency bylaws:
(i) Binds the corporation; and
(ii) May not be used to impose liability on a corporate director, officer, employee, or agent.
(d) An emergency exists for purposes of this section if a quorum of the corporation's directors cannot readily be assembled because of some extraordinary event.
(a) Every corporation incorporated under this act has the purpose of engaging in any lawful business unless a more limited purpose is set forth in the articles of incorporation.
(b) A corporation engaging in a business that is subject to regulation under another statute of this state may incorporate under this act only if permitted by, and subject to all limitations of, the other statute.
(a) Unless its articles of incorporation provide otherwise, every corporation has perpetual duration and succession in its corporate name and has the same powers as an individual to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out its business and affairs, including without limitation power to:
(i) Sue and be sued, complain and defend in its corporate name;
(ii) Have a corporate seal, which may be altered at will, and to use it, or a facsimile of it, by impressing or affixing it or in any other manner reproducing it;
(iii) Make and amend bylaws, not inconsistent with its articles of incorporation or with the laws of this state, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the corporation;
(iv) Purchase, receive, lease, or otherwise acquire, and own, hold, improve, use, and otherwise deal with, real or personal property, or any legal or equitable interest in property, wherever located;
(v) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, and otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property;
(vi) Purchase, receive, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire; own, hold, vote, use, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge, or otherwise dispose of; and deal in and with shares or other interests in, or obligations of, any other entity;
(vii) Make contracts and guarantees, incur liabilities, borrow money, issue its notes, bonds, and other obligations which may be convertible into or include the option to purchase other securities of the corporation, and secure any of its obligations by mortgage or pledge of any of its property, franchises, or income;
(viii) Lend money, invest and reinvest its funds, and receive and hold real and personal property as security for repayment;
(ix) Be a promoter, partner, member, associate, or manager of any partnership, joint venture, trust, or other entity;
(x) Conduct its business, locate offices, and exercise the powers granted by this act within or without this state;
(xi) Elect directors and appoint officers, employees, and agents of the corporation, define their duties, fix their compensation, and lend them money and credit;
(xii) Pay pensions and establish pension plans, pension trusts, profit sharing plans, share bonus plans, share option plans, and benefit or incentive plans for any or all of its current or former directors, officers, employees, and agents;
(xiii) Make donations for the public welfare or for charitable, scientific, or educational purposes;
(xiv) Transact any lawful business; and
(xv) Make payments or donations, or do any other act, not inconsistent with law, that furthers the business and affairs of the corporation.
(a) In anticipation of or during an emergency defined in subsection (d) of this section, the board of directors of a corporation may:
(i) Modify lines of succession to accommodate the incapacity of any director, officer, employee, or agent; and
(ii) Relocate the principal office, designate alternative principal offices or regional offices, or authorize the officers to do so.
(b) During an emergency defined in subsection (d) of this section, unless emergency bylaws provide otherwise:
(i) Notice of a meeting of the board of directors need be given only to those directors whom it is practicable to reach and may be given in any practicable manner, including by publication and radio; and
(ii) One (1) or more officers of the corporation present at a meeting of the board of directors may be deemed to be directors for the meeting, in order of rank and within the same rank in order of seniority, as necessary to achieve a quorum.
(c) Corporate action taken in good faith during an emergency under this section to further the ordinary business affairs of the corporation:
(i) Binds the corporation; and
(ii) May not be used to impose liability on a corporate director, officer, employee, or agent.
(d) An emergency exists for the purposes of this section if a quorum of the corporation's directors cannot readily be assembled because of some extraordinary event.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the validity of corporate action may not be challenged on the ground that the corporation lacks or lacked power to act.
(b) A corporation's power to act may be challenged in a proceeding by:
(i) A shareholder against the corporation to enjoin the act;
(ii) The corporation, directly, derivatively, or through a receiver, trustee, or other legal representative, against an incumbent or former director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation; or
(iii) The attorney general under W.S. 17-16-1430.
(c) In a shareholder's proceeding under paragraph (b)(i) of this section to enjoin an unauthorized corporate act the court may enjoin or set aside the act, if equitable and if all affected persons are parties to the proceeding, and may award damages for loss, other than anticipated profits, suffered by the corporation or another party because of enjoining the unauthorized act.
(a) A corporate name may not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by W.S. 17-16-301 and its articles of incorporation.
(b) Except as authorized by subsections (c) and (d) of this section, a corporate name shall not be the same as, or deceptively similar to any trademark or service mark registered in this state and shall be distinguishable upon the records of the secretary of state from the name of any profit or nonprofit corporation, trade name, limited liability company, statutory trust company, statutory foundation, limited partnership or other business entity organized, continued or domesticated under the laws of this state or licensed or registered as a foreign profit or nonprofit corporation, foreign limited partnership, foreign joint stock company, foreign statutory trust company, foreign foundation, foreign limited liability company or other foreign business entity in this state or any fictitious or reserved name.
(c) A corporation may apply to the secretary of state for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable upon the secretary of state's records from one (1) or more of the names described in subsection (b) of this section. The secretary of state shall authorize use of the name applied for if:
(i) The other person whose name is not distinguishable from the name which the applicant desires to register or reserve, irrevocably consents to the use in writing and submits an undertaking in a form satisfactory to the secretary of state to change its name to a name that is distinguishable upon the records of the secretary of state from the name of the applicant; or
(ii) The applicant delivers to the secretary of state a certified copy of the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the applicant's right to use the name applied for in this state.
(d) A corporation may use the name, including the fictitious name, of another domestic or foreign corporation that is used in this state if the other corporation is incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state and the proposed user corporation:
(i) Has merged with the other corporation; or
(ii) Has been formed by reorganization of the other corporation; or
(iii) Has acquired all or substantially all of the assets, including the corporate name, of the other corporation; or
(iv) Repealed By Laws 1996, ch. 80, § 3.
(v) Where the other corporation is affiliated with the proposed user corporation and has consented in writing to the use of the name by the proposed user corporation, and the written consent also sets forth a description of a proposed merger, consolidation, dissolution, amendment to articles of incorporation or other intended corporate action which establishes to the reasonable satisfaction of the secretary of state that the coexistence of two (2) corporations using the same name will not continue for more than one hundred twenty (120) days.
(e) This act does not control the use of fictitious names.
(f) A name is distinguishable from other names, on the records of the secretary of state, if it contains one (1) or more different letters or numerals, or if it has a different sequence of letters or numerals from the other names on the secretary of state's records. Differences which are not distinguishable are:
(i) The words or abbreviations of the words "corporation," "company," "incorporated," "limited partnership," "L.P.," "limited," "ltd.," "limited liability company," "limited company," "L.C." or "L.L.C.";
(ii) The presence or absence of the words or symbols of the words "the," "and" or "a";
(iii) Differences in punctuation and special characters;
(iv) Differences in capitalization; or
(v) Differences between singular and plural forms of words.
(g) The secretary of state has the power and authority reasonably necessary to interpret and efficiently administer this section and to perform the duties imposed by this section.
(a) A person may apply to reserve the exclusive use of a corporate name, including a fictitious name for a foreign corporation whose corporate name is not available, by delivering an application to the secretary of state for filing. The application shall set forth the name and address of the applicant and the name proposed to be reserved. If the secretary of state finds that the corporate name applied for is available, he shall reserve the name for the applicant's exclusive use for a nonrenewable one hundred twenty (120) day period.
(b) The owner of a reserved corporate name may transfer the reservation to another person by delivering to the secretary of state a manually signed notice of the transfer that states the name and address of the transferee.
17-16-501. Registered office and registered agent.
(a) Each corporation shall continuously maintain in this state:
(i) A registered office as provided in W.S. 17-28-101 through 17-28-111; and
(ii) A registered agent as provided in W.S. 17-28-101 through 17-28-111.
(A) Repealed by Laws 2008, Ch. 90, § 3.
(B) Repealed by Laws 2008, Ch. 90, § 3.
(C) Repealed by Laws 2008, Ch. 90, § 3.
(b) The provisions of W.S. 17-28-101 through 17-28-111 shall apply to all corporations.
(a) The articles of incorporation shall set forth the classes of shares and series of shares within a class, and the number, which may be unlimited, of shares of each class and series that the corporation is authorized to issue. If more than one (1) class or series of shares is authorized, the articles of incorporation shall prescribe a distinguishing designation for each class or series, and shall prescribe, prior to the issuance of shares of a class or series, the terms, including preferences, rights and limitations of that class or series. Except to the extent varied as permitted by this section, all shares of a class or series shall have terms, including preferences, rights and limitations that are identical with those of other shares of the same class or series.
(b) The articles of incorporation shall authorize:
(i) One (1) or more classes or series of shares that together have unlimited voting rights; and
(ii) One (1) or more classes or series of shares, which may be the same class or classes as those with voting rights, that together are entitled to receive the net assets of the corporation upon dissolution.
(c) The articles of incorporation may authorize one (1) or more classes or series of shares that:
(i) Have special, conditional, or limited voting rights, or no right to vote, except to the extent otherwise provided by this act;
(ii) Are redeemable or convertible as specified in the articles of incorporation:
(A) At the option of the corporation, the shareholder, or another person or upon the occurrence of a specified event;
(B) For cash, indebtedness, securities, or other property; and
(C) At prices and in amounts specified or determined in accordance with a formula.
(iii) Entitle the holders to distributions calculated in any manner, including dividends that may be cumulative, noncumulative, or partially cumulative; or
(iv) Have preference over any other class or series of shares with respect to distributions, including distributions upon the dissolution of the corporation.
(d) Terms of shares may be made dependent upon facts objectively ascertainable outside the articles of incorporation.
(e) Any of the terms of shares may vary among holders of the same class or series so long as such variations are expressly set forth in the articles of incorporation.
(f) The description of the preferences, rights and limitations of classes or series of shares in subsection (c) of this section is not exhaustive.
17-16-602. Terms of class or series determined by board of directors.
(a) If the articles of incorporation so provide, the board of directors is authorized, without shareholder approval, to:
(i) Classify any unissued shares into one (1) or more classes or into one (1) or more series within a class;
(ii) Reclassify any unissued shares of any class into one (1) or more classes or into one (1) or more series within one (1) or more classes; or
(iii) Reclassify any unissued shares of any series of any class into one (1) or more classes or into one (1) or more series within a class.
(b) If the board of directors acts pursuant to subsection
(a) of this section, it shall determine the terms, including the preferences, rights and limitations, to the same extent permitted under W.S. 17-16-601, of:
(i) Any class of shares before the issuance of any shares of that class; or
(ii) Any series within a class before the issuance of any shares of that series.
(c) Before issuing any shares of a class or series created under this section, the corporation shall deliver to the secretary of state for filing articles of amendment effecting the provisions of this section in accordance with article 10 of this act and setting forth the terms determined under subsection
(a) of this section.
(a) A corporation may issue the number of shares of each class or series authorized by the articles of incorporation. Shares that are issued are outstanding shares until they are reacquired, redeemed, converted, or cancelled.
(b) The reacquisition, redemption, or conversion of outstanding shares is subject to the limitations of subsection
(c) of this section and to W.S. 17-16-640.
(c) At all times that shares of the corporation are outstanding, one (1) or more shares that together have unlimited voting rights and one (1) or more shares that together are entitled to receive the net assets of the corporation upon dissolution shall be outstanding.
(a) A corporation may:
(i) Issue fractions of a share or pay in money the value of fractions of a share;
(ii) Arrange for disposition of fractional shares by the shareholders; or
(iii) Issue scrip in registered or bearer form entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough scrip to equal a full share.
(b) Each certificate representing scrip shall be conspicuously labeled "scrip" and shall contain the information required by W.S. 17-16-625(b).
(c) The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the corporation upon liquidation. The holder of scrip is not entitled to any of these rights unless the scrip provides for them.
(d) The board of directors may authorize the issuance of scrip subject to any condition considered desirable, including:
(i) That the scrip will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and
(ii) That the shares for which the scrip is exchangeable may be sold and the proceeds paid to the scripholders.
17-16-605. Construction of terms relating to stock and certificate tokens.
(a) As used in this title, any reference to:
(i) Share certificate, share, stock, share of stock or words of similar import shall be construed to include a certificate token;
(ii) A requirement to print information on a share certificate or words of similar import shall be construed to be satisfied if the information satisfies the requirements set forth in W.S. 17-16-625(g);
(iii) Certificated shares or words of similar import shall be construed to include shares represented by certificate tokens, and any reference to the delivery or deposit of these shares to the corporation shall be construed to refer to any method of granting control of the tokens to the corporation;
(iv) A certificate being duly endorsed or words of similar import shall be construed to mean that the transaction authorizing transfer of control of the certificate token was signed by the lawful holder of the token with the network signature corresponding to the lawful holder's data address to which the certificate token was issued or last lawfully transferred. B. Issuance of Shares
17-16-620. Subscription for shares before incorporation.
(a) A subscription for shares entered into before incorporation is irrevocable for six (6) months unless the subscription agreement provides a longer or shorter period or all the subscribers agree to revocation.
(b) The board of directors may determine the payment terms of subscriptions for shares that were entered into before incorporation, unless the subscription agreement specifies them. A call for payment by the board of directors shall be uniform so far as practicable as to all shares of the same class or series, unless the subscription agreement specifies otherwise.
(c) Shares issued pursuant to subscriptions entered into before incorporation are fully paid and nonassessable when the corporation receives the consideration specified in the subscription agreement.
(d) If a subscriber defaults in payment of money or property under a subscription agreement entered into before incorporation, the corporation may collect the amount owed as any other debt. Alternatively, unless the subscription agreement provides otherwise, the corporation may rescind the agreement and may sell the shares if the debt remains unpaid more than twenty (20) days after the corporation sends written demand for payment to the subscriber.
(e) A subscription agreement entered into after incorporation is a contract between the subscriber and the corporation subject to W.S. 17-16-621.
(a) The powers granted in this section to the board of directors may be reserved to the shareholders by the articles of incorporation.
(b) The board of directors may authorize shares to be issued for consideration consisting of any tangible or intangible property or benefit to the corporation, including cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed, or other securities of the corporation.
(c) Before the corporation issues shares, the board of directors shall determine that the consideration received or to be received for shares to be issued is adequate. That determination by the board of directors is conclusive insofar as the adequacy of consideration for the issuance of shares relates to whether the shares are validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.
(d) When the corporation receives the consideration for which the board of directors authorized the issuance of shares, the shares issued therefor are fully paid and nonassessable.
(e) The corporation may place in escrow shares issued for a contract for future services or benefits or a promissory note, or make other arrangements to restrict the transfer of the shares, and may credit distributions in respect of the shares against their purchase price, until the services are performed, the note is paid, or the benefits received. If the services are not performed, the note is not paid, or the benefits are not received, the shares escrowed or restricted and the distributions credited may be cancelled in whole or part. (f)(i) An issuance of shares or other securities convertible into or rights exercisable for shares, in a transaction or a series of integrated transactions, requires approval of the shareholders, at a meeting at which a quorum exists, if:
(A) The shares, other securities, or rights are issued for consideration other than cash or cash equivalents; and
(B) The voting power of shares that are issued and issuable as a result of the transaction or series of integrated transactions will comprise more than twenty percent (20%) of the voting power of the shares of the corporation that were outstanding immediately before the transaction.
(ii) In this subsection:
(A) For purposes of determining the voting power of shares issued and issuable as a result of a transaction or series of integrated transactions, the voting power of shares shall be the greater of:
(I) The voting power of the shares to be issued; or
(II) The voting power of the shares that would be outstanding after giving effect to the conversion of convertible shares and other securities and the exercise of rights to be issued.
(B) A series of transactions is integrated if consummation of one (1) transaction is made contingent on consummation of one (1) or more of the other transactions.