reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 33-31-160 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-160. Judicial relief.

 (a) If for any reason it is impractical or impossible for a corporation to call or conduct a meeting of its members, delegates, or directors, or otherwise obtain their consent, in the manner prescribed by its articles, bylaws, or this chapter, then upon petition of a director, officer, delegate, member, or the Attorney General, the court of common pleas for the county in which the principal office designated on the last filed notice of change of principal office, articles, or application for authority to transact business is located, or if none within South Carolina, then the Richland County Court of Common Pleas, may order that such a meeting be called or that a written ballot or other form of obtaining the vote of members, delegates, or directors be authored, in such a manner as the court finds fair and equitable under the circumstances.  (b) The court, in an order issued pursuant to this section, shall provide for a method of notice reasonably designed to give actual notice to all persons who would be entitled to notice of a meeting held pursuant to the articles, bylaws, and this chapter, whether or not the method results in actual notice to all such persons or conforms to the notice requirements that would otherwise apply. In a proceeding under this section, the court may determine who the members or directors are.  (c) The order issued pursuant to this section may dispense with any requirement relating to the holding of or voting at meetings or obtaining votes, including any requirement as to quorums or as to the number or percentage of votes needed for approval, that would otherwise be imposed by the articles, bylaws, or this chapter.  (d) Whenever practical, any order issued pursuant to this section shall limit the subject matter of meetings or other forms of consent authorized to items, including amendments to the articles or bylaws, the resolution of which will or may enable the corporation to continue managing its affairs without further resort to this section. However, an order under this section may also authorize the obtaining of whatever votes and approvals are necessary for the dissolution, merger, or sale of assets.  (e) Any meeting or other method of obtaining the vote of members, delegates, or directors conducted pursuant to an order issued under this section and that complies with all the provisions of such order, is a valid meeting or vote, as the case may be, and has the same force and effect as if it complied with every requirement imposed by the articles, bylaws, and this chapter.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-170 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-170. Attorney General.

 (a) The Attorney General must be given notice of the commencement of any proceeding that this chapter authorizes the Attorney General to bring but that has been commenced by another person.  (b) Whenever a provision of this chapter requires that notice be given to the Attorney General before or after commencing a proceeding or permits the Attorney General to commence a proceeding:  (1) if no proceeding has been commenced, the Attorney General may take appropriate action including, but not limited to, seeking injunctive relief;  (2) if a proceeding has been commenced by a person other than the Attorney General, the Attorney General, as of right, may intervene in the proceeding.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-171 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-171. Investigation by Attorney General authorized.

 The Attorney General, or any of his assistants or representatives when authorized by the Attorney General, may make investigations into the organization, conduct, and management of a nonprofit corporation, domestic or foreign, operating in this State. Every such corporation shall permit the Attorney General or any of his authorized assistants or representatives to examine and take copies of all its books, accounts, records, minutes, letters, memoranda, documents, checks, vouchers, telegrams, articles, bylaws, and any and all other records of any such corporation as often as the Attorney General may deem it necessary to show or tend to show that the corporation has been, or is, engaged in acts or conduct in violation of its charter rights and privileges or in violation of any law of this State.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-172 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-172. Requesting permission to make examinations.

 A written request must be made to the president or another officer of the nonprofit corporation at the time the Attorney General or his assistants or representatives desire to examine the affairs of the corporation, and it is the duty of the officer or his agent to immediately permit the Attorney General, or his authorized assistants or representatives, to inspect and examine any of the documents of the corporation.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-173 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-173. Use of information is restricted.

 The Attorney General, or his authorized assistants or representatives, may not make public or use any document, copy, or other information derived in the course of an examination authorized by Sections 33-31-170 through 33-31-175, except in a judicial proceeding to which the State is a party or in a suit by the State to revoke the certificate of authority or cause the articles of the corporation to be forfeited or to collect penalties for a violation of the laws of this State or for the information of any officer of this State charged with the enforcement of its laws.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-174 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-174. Forfeiture of right to operate for refusing examination.

 A foreign nonprofit corporation operating in this State under certificate of authority granted under the laws of this State, or any officer or agent thereof, or any domestic nonprofit corporation which fails or refuses to permit the Attorney General or his authorized assistants or representatives to examine or take copies of any of its documents as provided in Sections 33-31-170 through 33-31-175, whether they be situated within or without this State, shall forfeit its right to operate in this State and its articles of incorporation or certificate of authority shall be canceled or forfeited.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-175 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-175. Provisions are cumulative.

 The provisions of Sections 33-31-170 through 33-31-175 are cumulative of all other laws now in force in this State and may not be construed as repealing any other means afforded by law for securing testimony or inquiring into the affairs of domestic or foreign nonprofit corporations.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-180 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-180. Religious corporations; Constitutional protections.

 If religious doctrine governing the affairs of a religious corporation is inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter on the same subject, the religious doctrine controls to the extent required by the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of South Carolina, or both.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-201 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-201. Incorporators.

 One 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.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-202 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-202. Articles of incorporation.

 (a) The articles of incorporation must set forth:  (1) a corporate name for the corporation that satisfies the requirements of Section 33-31-401;  (2) one of the following statements:  (i) This corporation is a public benefit corporation.  (ii) This corporation is a mutual benefit corporation.  (iii) This corporation is a religious corporation;  (3) the street address of the corporation's initial registered office with zip code and the name of its initial registered agent at that office;  (4) the name, address, and zip code of each incorporator;  (5) whether or not the corporation will have members;  (6) provisions not inconsistent with law regarding the distribution of assets on dissolution; and  (7) the address, including zip code, of the proposed principal office for the corporation which may be either within or outside South Carolina.  (b) Unless the articles provide otherwise, no director of the corporation is personally liable for monetary damages for breach of any duty to the corporation or members. However, this provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director:  (1) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its members;  (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;  (3) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit; or  (4) under Sections 33-31-831 through 33-31-833.  This provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for an act or omission occurring before the date when the provision becomes effective.  (c) The articles of incorporation may set forth:  (1) the purpose for which the corporation is organized which may be, either alone or in combination with other purposes, the transaction of any lawful activity;  (2) the names, addresses, and zip codes of the individuals who are to serve as the initial directors;  (3) provisions not inconsistent with law regarding:  (i) managing and regulating the affairs of the corporation;  (ii) defining, limiting, and regulating the powers of the corporation, its board of directors, and members, or any class of members; and  (iii) the characteristics, qualifications, rights, limitations, and obligations attaching to each or any class of members;  (4) any provision that under this chapter is required or permitted to be set forth in the bylaws.  (d) Each incorporator and director named in the articles must sign the articles.  (e) The articles of incorporation need not set forth any of the corporate powers enumerated in this chapter.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-203 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-203. Incorporation.

 (a) Unless a delayed effective date is specified, the corporate existence begins 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.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-204 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-204. Liability for preincorporation transactions.

 All persons purporting to act as or on behalf of a corporation, knowing there was no incorporation under this chapter, are jointly and severally liable for all liabilities created while so acting except for any liability to any person who knew or reasonably should have known that there was no incorporation.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-205 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-205. Organization of corporation.

 (a) After incorporation:  (1) 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;  (2) if initial directors are not named in the articles, the incorporator or incorporators shall hold an organizational meeting at a call of a majority of the incorporators:  (i) to elect directors and complete the organization of the corporation; or  (ii) to elect a board of directors who shall complete the organization of the corporation.  (b) Action required or permitted by this chapter to be taken by incorporators at an organizational meeting may be taken without a meeting if the action taken is evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken and signed by each incorporator.  (c) An organizational meeting may be held in or out of this State in accordance with Section 33-31-821.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-206 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-206. Bylaws.

 (a) The incorporators or board of directors of a corporation shall adopt bylaws for the corporation.  (b) The bylaws may contain any provision for regulating and managing the affairs of the corporation that is not inconsistent with law or the articles of incorporation.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-207 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-207. Emergency bylaws and powers.

 (a) Unless the articles provide otherwise, the directors of a corporation may adopt, amend, or repeal bylaws to be effective only in an emergency defined in subsection (d). The emergency bylaws, which are subject to amendment or repeal by the members, may provide special procedures necessary for managing the corporation during the emergency, including:  (1) how to call a meeting of the board;  (2) quorum requirements for the meeting; and  (3) 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:  (1) binds the corporation; and  (2) 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 catastrophic event.  (e) A corporate director, officer, employee, or agent is not liable for deviation from normal procedures if the conduct was authorized by emergency bylaws adopted as provided in this section.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-301 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-301. Purposes.

 (a) Every corporation incorporated under this chapter has the purpose of engaging in any lawful activity unless a more limited purpose is set forth in the articles of incorporation.  (b) A corporation engaging in an activity that is subject to regulation under another statute of this State may incorporate under this chapter only if incorporation under this chapter is not prohibited by the other statute. The corporation is subject to all limitations of the other statute.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-303 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-303. Emergency powers.

 (a) In anticipation of or during an emergency defined in subsection (d), the board of directors of a corporation may:  (1) modify lines of succession to accommodate the incapacity of any director, officer, employee, or agent; and  (2) relocate the principal office, designate alternative principal offices or regional offices, or authorize the officer to do so.  (b) During an emergency defined in subsection (d), unless emergency bylaws provide otherwise:  (1) notice of a meeting of the board of directors need be given only to those directors it is practicable to reach and may be given in any practicable manner, including by publication and radio; and  (2) one 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 affairs of the corporation:  (1) binds the corporation; and  (2) 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 catastrophic event.  (e) Corporate action taken in good faith under this section to further the affairs of the corporation during an emergency binds the corporation. A corporate director, officer, employee, or agent is not liable for deviation from normal procedures if the conduct was authorized by emergency powers provided in this chapter.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-304 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-304. Ultra vires.

 (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), 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 against the corporation to enjoin an act where a third party has not acquired rights. The proceeding may be brought by the Attorney General, a director, or by a member or members in a derivative proceeding.  (c) A corporation's power to act may be challenged in a proceeding against an incumbent or former director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation. The proceeding may be brought by a director, the corporation, directly, derivatively, or through a receiver, a trustee, or other legal representative, or in the case of a public benefit corporation, by the Attorney General.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-305 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-305. Powers of corporations created by legislative authority before 1900.

 All charitable, social, and religious corporations validly created by legislative authority before 1900, or validly created before 1900 by the act of a city, county government, or other political subdivision, in addition to the powers theretofore granted them, have all the powers enumerated in Section 33-31-302, "Powers of Corporation".  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
SC Code § 33-31-401 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-401. Corporate name.

 (a) A corporate name may not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by Section 33-31-301 and its articles of incorporation.  (b) Except as authorized by subsections (c) and (d), a corporate name must be distinguishable upon the records of the Secretary of State from the name appearing upon the records of the Secretary of State of any other nonprofit or business corporation, professional corporation, or limited partnership incorporated in, formed in, or authorized to do business in South Carolina, or a name reserved, registered, or otherwise filed upon the records of the Secretary of State.  (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 or more of the names described in subsection (b). The Secretary of State shall authorize use of the name applied for if:  (1) the other corporation consents to the use in writing and submits an undertaking in 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 applying corporation; or  (2) the applicant delivers to the Secretary of State a certified copy of a 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 business or nonprofit corporation that is used in this State if the other corporation is incorporated or authorized to do business in this State and the proposed user corporation has:  (1) merged with the other corporation;  (2) been formed by reorganization of the other corporation; or  (3) acquired all or substantially all of the assets, including the corporate name, of the other corporation.  (e) Except for allowing foreign corporations to file for a certificate of authority under a fictitious name as provided in Section 33-31-1506, this chapter does not control the use of fictitious names.  (f) A corporation that converts to a nonprofit corporation pursuant to Section 33-10-110 may continue to use the same name that it used prior to the conversion.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1; 2004 Act No. 221, Section 42.
SC Code § 33-31-402 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations|Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act|Section 33-31-402. Reserved name.

 (a) A person may reserve the exclusive use of a corporate name including the corporate name of a foreign corporation or its corporate name with any change required by Section 33-31-1506, by delivering an application to the Secretary of State for filing which shall set forth the name and address of the applicant and the name proposed to be reserved. Upon finding that the corporate name applied for is available, the Secretary of State shall reserve the name for the applicant's exclusive use for a nonrenewable one hundred twenty-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 signed notice of the transfer that states the name and address of the transferee.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.