reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 7-7-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-13 - Restriction on dividends.

§ 7-7-13. Restriction on dividends.No association formed under this chapter shall pay over eight percent (8%) per annum on its capital stock or membership capital.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-13.
RI Gen L § 7-7-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-14 - Directors - Meetings of association.

§ 7-7-14. Directors — Meetings of association.The bylaws of each association shall provide for the management of the association by a board of not less than five (5) directors, who shall be elected by the members in any manner, at any times, and for any terms that the bylaws prescribe. Regular meetings of the association shall be held at any places and at any times that the bylaws prescribe. The board of directors may hold special and adjourned meetings and may call a special meeting of the association at any time. Ten percent (10%) of the members may file a petition stating the specific business to be brought before the association and demand a special meeting at any time. The meeting must at that time be called by the directors. Notice of all meetings, together with a statement of the purposes of the meeting, shall be mailed to each member at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. However, the bylaws may require instead that the notice may be given by publication in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in the territory in which the association has its membership.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 8; P.L. 1932, ch. 1917, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-14.
RI Gen L § 7-7-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-15 - Amendment of articles.

§ 7-7-15. Amendment of articles.The articles of association of any association formed under this chapter may be changed or amended. Any change or amendment must first be approved by two-thirds (⅔) of the directors of an association and then must be adopted by a majority of its members through their vote on it or their written assent to it. An original and a duplicate of any amendment adopted, with a statement showing that the amendment has been adopted by vote of the members and the date of adoption, signed and sworn to by the president or vice-president and the secretary or assistant secretary of the corporation, shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state, who shall, upon the payment to him or her of a fee of five dollars ($5.00), certify the duplicate and issue the certificate to the corporation.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 9; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-15; P.L. 1971, ch. 164, § 2.
RI Gen L § 7-7-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-16 - Marketing contract - Enforcement.

§ 7-7-16. Marketing contract — Enforcement.The marketing contract of any association formed under this chapter may fix as liquidated damages, specific, reasonable sums to be paid by a member to the association upon the breach by him or her of any provisions of the marketing contract regarding the sale or delivery or withholding of products. It may also provide that the member will pay all costs, premiums for bonds, expenses, and fees in case any action is brought upon the contract by the association, and any provisions are valid and enforceable in the courts of this state. In the event of a breach, or threatened breach, of the marketing contract by a member, the board of directors may authorize one of the executive officers of the association to apply to the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol for an injunction to prevent the further breach of the contract and for a decree for the specific performance of the contract. Pending the adjudication of the petition, the court, upon the filing of a sufficient bond by the association, may grant any temporary relief that seems to it just and proper.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-16.
RI Gen L § 7-7-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-17 - Annual report - Examination of books.

§ 7-7-17. Annual report — Examination of books.Every association formed under this chapter shall submit an annual statement, sworn to by one of the officers of the association, to the director of environmental management, subject to any regulations that he or she prescribes, on forms furnished by or satisfactory to him or her, showing the number of members of the association, the amount of money received by it from every source, an itemized list of all expenses of the association, the amount of its indebtedness or liabilities, and its balance sheets. The director of the department of environmental management, or his or her representative, has the right to examine and audit the books of any association at any time.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 11; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 11; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-17; impl. am. P.L. 1965, ch. 137, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-7-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-18 - Federation and cooperation between associations.

§ 7-7-18. Federation and cooperation between associations.To effectuate the formation of federations of nonprofit associations of producers, any association of producers is authorized to acquire membership or stock in any other association of producers and any association is authorized to grant membership or sell stock to the associations. Any association may, upon resolution adopted by its board of directors, enter into all necessary and proper contracts and agreements, and make all necessary and proper stipulations, agreements, and contracts with any other cooperative corporation, association, or associations, formed in this or in any other state, for the cooperative and more economical carrying on of its business, or any part of carrying on business. Any two (2) or more associations may, by agreement, unite in employing and using, or may separately employ and use, the same methods, means, and agencies for carrying on and conducting their respective businesses.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 12; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-18.
RI Gen L § 7-7-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-19 - Use of name restricted to associations under chapter.

§ 7-7-19. Use of name restricted to associations under chapter.No corporation or other organization dealing in agricultural products, or engaged in any of the purposes enumerated in § 7-7-2, shall use the term "cooperative" as part of its name unless organized under the provisions of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 13; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 13; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-19.
RI Gen L § 7-7-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-20 - Application of general corporation law.

§ 7-7-20. Application of general corporation law.The provisions of the general corporation law of this state, and all powers and rights under that law, apply to the associations organized under this chapter, except where the provisions are in conflict with, or inconsistent with, the express provisions of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 14; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 14; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-20.
RI Gen L § 7-7-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-21 - Annual tax.

§ 7-7-21. Annual tax.Each association organized under the provisions of this chapter shall pay to the state an annual tax of five dollars ($5.00) that shall be assessed by the tax administrator at the same time and in the same manner, and is due and payable to, and may be collected by, the general treasurer at the same time and in the same manner as the annual corporation franchise tax provided for by § 44-12-1 [repealed] is assessed, due, payable, and collected; and the association is exempt from all state taxes except the one prescribed in this section.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 15; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 15; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 70; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-21.
RI Gen L § 7-7-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-22 - Previously incorporated associations.

§ 7-7-22. Previously incorporated associations.A cooperative corporation or association previously formed under, or subject to, a law repealed by this chapter, is subject to the provisions of this chapter as if incorporated under this chapter, and the corporation or association may continue its corporate existence and name, subject to the provisions.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 16; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 16; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-22.
RI Gen L § 7-8-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-1 - Short title.

§ 7-8-1. Short title.This chapter may be cited as the "Consumer Cooperative Association Law".History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-1.
RI Gen L § 7-8-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-2 - Definitions.

§ 7-8-2. Definitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:(1) "Association" means any corporation formed under this chapter.(2) "Capital", in the case of an association formed without capital stock, means the aggregate amount of consideration for which the total number of memberships in the association were issued.(3) "Cooperative basis", as applied to any incorporated or unincorporated group referred to in these provisions, means that:(i) Each member has only one vote, except as is altered in the articles of association or bylaws by provision for voting by member organizations. However, voting by member organizations shall not be on the basis of the number of shares held by the organizations.(ii) The maximum rate of return on share or membership capital is not more than eight percent (8%) per year.(iii) The net savings, or net income, after making provision for payment of return on capital, and for any separate funds and purposes that are not inconsistent with its cooperative character, are allocated or distributed to member patrons, or to all patrons, in proportion to their patronage.(4) "Member" means not only a member in a nonshare association but also a member in a share association.(5) "Membership" means, in the case of a share association, the status whereby a shareholder becomes entitled to all the rights, including, but not limited to, the right of voting and of receiving dividends on shares, and apportionment of net savings in cash, which accrue to him or her under the articles of association and bylaws upon the acquisition of the minimum number of shares of stock required by the articles of association for membership and upon fulfillment of the eligibility requirements of the association.(6) "Par value", in the case of membership in an association formed without shares, means the consideration, in terms of money, for which the membership was issued.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-2.
RI Gen L § 7-8-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-3 - Authorized purposes.

§ 7-8-3. Authorized purposes.An association may be incorporated, with or without capital stock, under this chapter for the purpose of carrying on any lawful business permitted by § 7-1.2-301 for the mutual benefit of its patrons, or their patrons, or any patrons' patrons, as ultimate consumers, or for the purpose of doing business for the benefit of its member patrons in all things relating directly or indirectly to the catching, processing, storing, transporting, marketing, and distributing of fish and other aquatic products of all kinds.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-3; P.L. 1985, ch. 2, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 36, § 6; P.L. 2005, ch. 72, § 6.
RI Gen L § 7-8-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-4 - Application of general corporation law.

§ 7-8-4. Application of general corporation law.(a) The provisions of chapter 1.2 of this title apply to associations formed under this chapter, except insofar as they are inconsistent with this chapter.(b) Wherever, in chapter 1.2 the word "stockholder" or "stockholders" is used, the word shall be construed, where appropriate, to include within its meaning members in associations formed without capital stock. Nothing contained in these chapters, however, shall be construed to permit associations formed under the provisions of this chapter to issue stock without par value.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-4; P.L. 1985, ch. 2, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 36, § 6; P.L. 2005, ch. 72, § 6.
RI Gen L § 7-8-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-5 - Federation and cooperation between associations.

§ 7-8-5. Federation and cooperation between associations.In addition to the powers granted to it by § 7-1.2-302, an association has power to:(1) Own and hold membership in other associations formed under any laws of this state, or of any other state, country, nation, or government, and while the holder thereof, to exercise all the rights of membership;(2) Make agreements of mutual aid or federation with other associations, other groups organized on a cooperative basis, and other nonprofit groups.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-5; P.L. 1985, ch. 2, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 36, § 6; P.L. 2005, ch. 72, § 6; P.L. 2018, ch. 346, § 9.
RI Gen L § 7-8-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-6 - Contents of articles of association.

§ 7-8-6. Contents of articles of association.The articles of association shall contain, in addition to the information required by §§ 7-1.2-202(a)(1), 7-1.2-202(a)(3) and 7-1.2-202(a)(4), the following:(1) A statement that the corporation is formed as a cooperative association under the provisions of this chapter;(2) A statement whether the association is organized with or without shares;(3) If organized with shares, the information required by § 7-1.2-202(a)(2);(4) The minimum number or value of shares that must be owned in order to qualify for membership; if organized without shares, a statement whether the property rights of members are equal or unequal, and if unequal, the rule by which their rights are determined;(5) The maximum amount or percentage of capital that may be owned or controlled by any member;(6) The method by which any surplus, upon dissolution of the association, is distributed.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-6; P.L. 1985, ch. 2, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 36, § 6; P.L. 2005, ch. 72, § 6.
RI Gen L § 7-8-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-7 - Name of association.

§ 7-8-7. Name of association.The name of the association shall include the word "cooperative".History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-7.
RI Gen L § 7-8-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-8 - Fee payable to secretary of state by nonstock corporation.

§ 7-8-8. Fee payable to secretary of state by nonstock corporation.In the case of an association formed without shares, by virtue of this chapter, the fees payable to the secretary of state for the incorporation is fifty dollars ($50.00).History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 32; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-8; P.L. 1960, ch. 71, art. 3, § 29; P.L. 1971, ch. 163, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-8-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-9 - Amendment of articles.

§ 7-8-9. Amendment of articles.(a) The articles of association may be amended, as provided in chapter 1.2 of this title, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (⅔) of the members voting at a meeting duly called for the purpose. If the amendment is to alter the preferences of outstanding shares of any type, or to authorize the issuance of shares having preferences superior to outstanding shares of any type, the affirmative vote of two-thirds (⅔) of the members owning the outstanding shares affected by the change is also required for the adoption of the amendment. If the amendment is to alter the rule by which members' property rights in a nonshare association are determined, a vote of two-thirds (⅔) of the entire membership is required.(b) Notice of any meeting to consider amendments to the articles of association must be sent at least three (3) weeks in advance of the meeting to each member at his or her last known address, accompanied by the full text of the proposal and the part of the articles to be amended.(c) There shall be paid to the secretary of state, upon the filing and certification of the articles of amendment, a fee of five dollars ($5.00).History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-10; P.L. 1971, ch. 163, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 36, § 6; P.L. 2005, ch. 72, § 6; P.L. 2018, ch. 346, § 9.
RI Gen L § 7-8-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-10 - Contents of bylaws.

§ 7-8-10. Contents of bylaws.The bylaws may, in addition to the provisions permitted by § 7-1.2-203(a), except where inconsistent with this chapter, provide for:(1) The method and terms of admission to membership and the disposal of members' interests on cessation of membership for any reason;(2) The method of distributing the net savings of the association.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-10; P.L. 1985, ch. 2, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 36, § 6; P.L. 2005, ch. 72, § 6.
RI Gen L § 7-8-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-11 - Meetings of members.

§ 7-8-11. Meetings of members.(a) Regular meetings of members shall be held at least once a year. Special meetings may be demanded by a written petition of at least one-tenth (1/10) of the membership, in which case it is the duty of the secretary to call the meeting to take place within thirty (30) days after the demand. Meetings of the members may be held within or without this state.(b) The articles of association or bylaws may provide for meetings by units of the membership and may provide for a method of transmitting the votes there cast to the central meeting, or for a method of representation by the election of delegates to the central meeting, or for a combination of both methods.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-11.
RI Gen L § 7-8-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-12 - Voting rights.

§ 7-8-12. Voting rights.Each member of an association shall have only one vote, except that where an association includes among its members any number of other associations or groups organized on a cooperative basis, the voting rights of the member associations or groups may be as prescribed in the articles of association or bylaws. However, voting by the member organizations shall in no case be on the basis of the number of shares held by the organization.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 11; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-12.
RI Gen L § 7-8-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-13 - Proxy and mail votes.

§ 7-8-13. Proxy and mail votes.(a) No member is permitted to vote by proxy, except that the articles of association or bylaws may provide for the casting of ballots by mail and may include in the provisions a provision allowing ballots to be sent to members absent from a meeting. However, the voting shall be only upon candidates for office, or upon propositions the text of which shall have been sent to the members entitled so to vote a specified number of days in advance of the date by which the ballots must be returned.(b) The articles of association or bylaws may also determine whether and to what extent mail votes are counted in computing a quorum.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-13.
RI Gen L § 7-8-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-14 - Mail voting included in statutory provisions.

§ 7-8-14. Mail voting included in statutory provisions.If an association has provided for voting by mail, or by delegates, any provision of this chapter referring to votes cast by members is construed to include votes cast by mail, or by delegates, but this does not permit delegates to vote by mail.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 13; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-14.
RI Gen L § 7-8-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-15 - Apportionment of directors among units.

§ 7-8-15. Apportionment of directors among units.The bylaws may provide for a method of apportioning the number of directors among the units into which the association may be divided, and for the election of directors by the respective units to which they are apportioned.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 14; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-15.
RI Gen L § 7-8-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-16 - Restriction on dividends.

§ 7-8-16. Restriction on dividends.The return upon capital shall not exceed six percent (6%) per year upon the paid up capital and is noncumulative.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 15; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-16.
RI Gen L § 7-8-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-8 - Consumers' Cooperatives|Section 7-8-17 - Membership of organizations - Payment of capital as prerequisite to membership.

§ 7-8-17. Membership of organizations — Payment of capital as prerequisite to membership.No corporation or organization or group of any kind shall be eligible to membership in an association unless it is organized on a cooperative or nonprofit basis, and no person, association, or organization or group of any kind shall be deemed a member of an association until the association has received payment in full for the par value of the minimum amount of share or membership capital stated in the articles as necessary to qualify for membership.History of Section.P.L. 1947, ch. 1976, § 16; G.L. 1956, § 7-8-17; P.L. 2018, ch. 346, § 9.