reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
FL Stat § 425.01 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.01 - Short Title.

425.01 Short title.—This chapter may be cited as the “Rural Electric Cooperative Law.”History.—s. 1, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(43).
FL Stat § 425.02 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.02 - Purpose.

425.02 Purpose.—Cooperative, nonprofit, membership corporations may be organized under this chapter for the purpose of supplying electric energy and promoting and extending the use thereof in rural areas. Corporations organized under this chapter and corporations which become subject to this chapter in the manner hereinafter provided are hereinafter referred to as “cooperatives.”History.—s. 2, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(45).
FL Stat § 425.03 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.03 - Definitions.

425.03 Definitions.—In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:(1) “Rural area” means any area not included within the boundaries of any incorporated or unincorporated city, town, village, or borough having a population in excess of 2,500 persons;(2) “Person” includes any natural person, firm, association, corporation, business trust, partnership, federal agency, state or political subdivision or agency thereof, or any body politic; and(3) “Member” means each incorporator of a cooperative and each person admitted to and retaining membership therein, and shall include a husband and wife admitted to joint membership.History.—s. 29, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(44).
FL Stat § 425.045 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.045 - Meetings of Trustees; Records.

425.045 Meetings of trustees; records.—(1) All meetings of any board of trustees of a cooperative organized pursuant to this chapter, or the board of any affiliated company or subsidiary thereof, at which official acts are to be taken, are declared to be meetings open to the membership of such cooperative at all times, and no formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at an open meeting. The minutes of a meeting of any such cooperative board or board of any affiliated company or subsidiary thereof shall be promptly recorded, and such records shall be open to inspection by any cooperative member. Reasonable notice of meetings shall be provided to the membership. The circuit courts of this state shall have jurisdiction to issue injunctions to enforce the purposes of this section upon application by any cooperative member.(2) Every person who has custody of the records of a cooperative organized pursuant to this chapter, or any affiliated company or subsidiary thereof, shall permit the records to be inspected and examined by any member of such cooperative desiring to do so, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian of the records or the custodian’s designee. The custodian shall furnish a copy of the records upon payment of the actual cost of duplication of the records. This section shall not apply to records which constitute proprietary confidential business information as defined in s. 366.093.(3) If any provision of this act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are declared severable.History.—s. 17, ch. 89-292; s. 24, ch. 95-144; s. 91, ch. 97-103.
FL Stat § 425.05 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.05 - Name.

425.05 Name.—The name of each cooperative shall include the words “electric” and “cooperative” and the abbreviation “inc.”; provided, however, such limitation shall not apply if, in an affidavit made by the president or vice president of a cooperative and filed with the Department of State, it shall appear that the cooperative desires to transact business in another state and is precluded therefrom by reason of its name. The name of a cooperative shall distinguish it from the name of any other corporation organized under the laws of, or authorized to transact business in, this state. The words “electric” and “cooperative” shall not both be used in the name of any corporation organized under the laws of, or authorized to transact business in, this state, except a cooperative or a corporation transacting business in this state pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.History.—s. 4, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(47); ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106.
FL Stat § 425.06 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.06 - Incorporators.

425.06 Incorporators.—Five or more natural persons or two or more cooperatives, may organize a cooperative in the manner hereinafter provided.History.—s. 5, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(48).
FL Stat § 425.07 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.07 - Articles of Incorporation.

425.07 Articles of incorporation.—(1) The articles of incorporation of a cooperative shall recite in the caption that they are executed pursuant to this chapter, shall be signed and acknowledged by each of the incorporators, and shall state:(a) The name of the cooperative;(b) The address of its principal office;(c) The names and addresses of the incorporators;(d) The names and addresses of the persons who shall constitute its first board of trustees; and(e) Any provisions not inconsistent with this chapter deemed necessary or advisable for the conduct of its business and affairs.It shall not be necessary to set forth in the articles of incorporation of a cooperative the purpose for which it is organized or any of the corporate powers vested in a cooperative under this chapter.(2) Such articles of incorporation shall be submitted to the Department of State for filing as provided in this chapter.History.—s. 6, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(49); ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106.
FL Stat § 425.08 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.08 - Bylaws.

425.08 Bylaws.—The original bylaws of a cooperative, and the first bylaws for a corporation after the effective date of the conversion thereof into a cooperative, pursuant to s. 425.17, shall be adopted by its board of trustees. Thereafter, bylaws shall be adopted, amended or repealed by its members. The bylaws shall set forth the rights and duties of members and trustees and may contain other provisions for the regulation and management of the affairs of the cooperative not inconsistent with this chapter or with its articles of incorporation.History.—s. 7, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(50).
FL Stat § 425.11 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.11 - Voting Districts.

425.11 Voting districts.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the bylaws may provide that the territory in which a cooperative supplies electric energy to its members shall be divided into two or more voting districts and that, in respect of each such voting district:(1) A designated number of trustees shall be elected by the members residing therein; or(2) A designated number of delegates shall be elected by such members; or(3) Both such trustees and delegates shall be elected by such members.In any such case the bylaws shall prescribe the manner in which such voting districts and the members thereof, and the delegates and trustees, if any, elected therefrom shall function and the powers of the delegates, which may include the power to elect trustees. No member at any voting district meeting and no delegate at any meeting shall vote by proxy or by mail.History.—s. 10, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(53).
FL Stat § 425.12 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.12 - Officers.

425.12 Officers.—The officers of a cooperative shall consist of a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, who shall be elected annually by and from the board of trustees. No person shall continue to hold any of the above offices after ceasing to be a trustee. The offices of secretary and of treasurer may be held by the same person. The board of trustees may also elect or appoint such other officers, agents, or employees as it shall deem necessary or advisable and shall prescribe the powers and duties thereof. Any officer may be removed from office and a successor elected in the manner prescribed in the bylaws.History.—s. 11, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(54); s. 94, ch. 97-103.
FL Stat § 425.13 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.13 - Amendment of Articles of Incorporation.

425.13 Amendment of articles of incorporation.—A cooperative may amend its articles of incorporation by complying with the following requirements:(1) The proposed amendment shall first be approved by the board of trustees and shall then be submitted to a vote of the members at any annual or special meeting thereof, the notice of which shall set forth the proposed amendment. The proposed amendment, with such changes as the members shall choose to make therein, shall be deemed to be approved on the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of those members voting thereon at such meeting; and(2) Upon such approval by the members, articles of amendment shall be executed and acknowledged on behalf of the cooperative by its president or vice president and its corporate seal shall be affixed thereto and attested by its secretary. The articles of amendment shall recite in the caption that they are executed pursuant to this chapter and shall state:(a) The name of the cooperative;(b) The address of its principal office;(c) The date of the filing of its articles of incorporation with the Department of State; and(d) The amendment to its articles of incorporation.The president or vice president executing such articles of amendment shall also make and annex thereto an affidavit stating that the provisions of this section were duly complied with. Such articles of amendment and affidavit shall be submitted to the Department of State for filing as provided in this chapter.(3) A cooperative may, without amending its articles of incorporation, upon authorization of its board of trustees, change the location of its principal office by filing a certificate of change of principal office executed and acknowledged by its president or vice president under its seal attested by its secretary, with the Department of State and also in each county office in which its articles of incorporation or any prior certificate of change of principal office of such cooperative has been filed. Such cooperative shall also, within 30 days after the filing of such certificate of change of principal office in any county office, file therein certified copies of its articles of incorporation and all amendments thereto, if the same are not already on file therein.History.—s. 12, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(55); ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106.
FL Stat § 425.14 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.14 - Consolidation.

425.14 Consolidation.—Any two or more cooperatives, each of which is hereinafter designated a “consolidating cooperative,” may consolidate into a new cooperative, hereinafter designated the “new cooperative,” by complying with the following requirements:(1) The proposition for the consolidation of the consolidating cooperatives into the new cooperative and proposed articles of consolidation to give effect thereto shall be first approved by the board of trustees of each consolidating cooperative. The proposed articles of consolidation shall recite in the caption that they are executed pursuant to this chapter and shall state:(a) The name of each consolidating cooperative, the address of its principal office, and the date of the filing of its articles of incorporation with the Department of State;(b) The name of the new cooperative and the address of its principal office;(c) The names and addresses of the persons who shall constitute the first board of trustees of the new cooperative;(d) The terms and conditions of the consolidation and the mode of carrying the same into effect, including the manner and basis of converting membership in each consolidating cooperative into memberships in the new cooperative and the issuance of certificates of membership in respect of such converted memberships; and(e) Any provisions not inconsistent with this chapter deemed necessary or advisable for the conduct of the business and affairs of the new cooperative;(2) The proposition for the consolidation of the consolidating cooperatives into the new cooperative and the proposed articles of consolidation approved by the board of trustees of each consolidating cooperative shall then be submitted to a vote of the members thereof at any annual or special meeting thereof, the notice of which shall set forth full particulars concerning the proposed consolidation. The proposed consolidation and the proposed articles of consolidation shall be deemed to be approved upon the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of those members of each consolidating cooperative voting thereon at such meeting; and(3) Upon such approval by the members of the respective consolidating cooperatives, articles of consolidation in the form approved shall be executed and acknowledged on behalf of each consolidating cooperative by its president or vice president and its seal shall be affixed thereto and attested by its secretary. The president or vice president of each consolidating cooperative executing such articles of consolidation shall also make and annex thereto an affidavit stating that the provisions of this section were duly complied with by such cooperative. Such articles of consolidation and affidavits shall be submitted to the Department of State for filing as provided in this chapter.History.—s. 13, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(56); ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106.
FL Stat § 425.15 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.15 - Merger.

425.15 Merger.—Any one or more cooperatives, each of which is hereinafter designated a “merging cooperative,” may merge into another cooperative, hereinafter designated the “surviving cooperative,” by complying with the following requirements:(1) The proposition for the merger of the merging cooperatives into the surviving cooperative and proposed articles of merger to give effect thereto shall be first approved by the board of trustees of each merging cooperative and by the board of trustees of the surviving cooperative. The proposed articles of merger shall recite in the caption that they are executed pursuant to this chapter and shall state:(a) The name of each merging cooperative, the address of its principal office, the date of the filing of its articles of incorporation with the Department of State;(b) The name of the surviving cooperative and the address of its principal office;(c) A statement that the merging cooperatives elect to be merged into the surviving cooperative;(d) The names and addresses of the persons who shall constitute the board of trustees of the surviving cooperative until the next following annual meeting of the members thereof;(e) The terms and conditions of the merger and the mode of carrying the same into effect, including the manner and basis of converting the memberships in the merging cooperative or cooperatives into memberships in the surviving cooperative and the issuance of certificates of membership in respect of such converted memberships; and(f) Any provisions not inconsistent with this chapter deemed necessary or advisable for the conduct of the business and affairs of the surviving cooperatives;(2) The proposition for the merger of the merging cooperatives into the surviving cooperative and the proposed articles of merger approved by the board of trustees of the respective cooperatives, parties to the proposed merger, shall then be submitted to a vote of the members of each such cooperative at any annual or special meeting thereof, the notice of which shall set forth full particulars concerning the proposed merger. The proposed merger and the proposed articles of merger shall be deemed to be approved upon the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of those members of each cooperative voting thereon at such meeting; and(3) Upon such approval by the members of the respective cooperatives, parties to the proposed merger, articles of merger in the form approved shall be executed and acknowledged on behalf of each such cooperative by its president or vice president and its seal shall be affixed thereto and attested by its secretary. The president or vice president of each cooperative executing such articles of merger shall also make and annex thereto an affidavit stating that the provisions of this section were duly complied with by such cooperative. Such articles of merger and affidavits shall be submitted to the Department of State for filing as provided in this chapter.History.—s. 14, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(57); ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106.
FL Stat § 425.16 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.16 - Effect of Consolidation or Merger.

425.16 Effect of consolidation or merger.—The effect of consolidation or merger shall be as follows:(1) The several cooperatives, parties to the consolidation or merger, shall be a single cooperative, which, in the case of a consolidation, shall be the new cooperative provided for in the articles of consolidation, and, in the case of a merger, shall be that cooperative designed in the articles of merger as the surviving cooperative, and the separate existence of all cooperatives, parties to the consolidation or merger, except the new or surviving cooperative, shall cease;(2) Such new or surviving cooperative shall have all the rights, privileges, immunities, and powers and shall be subject to all the duties and liabilities of a cooperative organized under the provisions of this chapter, and shall possess all the rights, privileges, immunities, and franchises, as well of a public as of a private nature, and all property, real and personal, applications for membership, all debts due on whatever account, and all other choses in action, of each of the consolidating or merging cooperatives, and furthermore all and every interest of, or belonging or due to, each of the cooperatives so consolidated or merged, shall be taken and deemed to be transferred to and vested in such new or surviving cooperative without further act or deed; and the title to any real estate, or any interest therein, under the laws of this state vested in any such cooperatives shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of such consolidation or merger;(3) Such new or surviving cooperative shall thenceforth be responsible and liable for all of the liabilities and obligations of each of the cooperatives so consolidated or merged, and any claim existing, or action or proceeding impending, by or against any of such cooperatives may be prosecuted as if such consolidation or merger had not taken place, but such new or surviving cooperative may be substituted in its place;(4) Neither the rights of creditors nor any liens upon the property of any of such cooperatives shall be impaired by such consolidation or merger; and(5) In the case of a consolidation, the articles of consolidation shall be deemed to be the articles of incorporation of the new cooperative; and in the case of a merger, the articles of incorporation of the surviving cooperative shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, if any, that changes therein are provided for in the articles of merger.History.—s. 15, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(58).
FL Stat § 425.18 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.18 - Initiative by Members.

425.18 Initiative by members.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any proposition embodied in a petition signed by not less than 10 percent of the members of a cooperative, together with any document submitted with such petition to give effect to the proposition, shall be submitted to the members of a cooperative, either at a special meeting of the members held within 45 days after the presentation of such petition or, if the date of the next annual meeting of members falls within 90 days after such presentation or if the petition so requests, at such annual meeting. The approval of the board of trustees shall not be required in respect of any proposition or document submitted to the members pursuant to this section and approved by them, but such proposition or document shall be subject to all other applicable provisions of this chapter. Any affidavit or affidavits required to be filed with any such document pursuant to applicable provisions of this chapter shall, in such case, be modified to show compliance with the provisions of this section.History.—s. 17, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(60).
FL Stat § 425.20 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXX - Social Welfare|Chapter 425 - Rural Electric Cooperatives|425.20 - Filing of Articles.

425.20 Filing of articles.—Articles of incorporation, amendment, consolidation, merger, conversion, or dissolution, as the case may be, when executed and acknowledged and accompanied by such affidavits as may be required by applicable provisions of this chapter, shall be presented to the Department of State for filing in the records of its office. If the Department of State shall find that the articles presented conform to the requirements of this chapter, it shall upon the payment of the fees as in this chapter provided, file the articles so presented in the records of its office and upon such filing the incorporation, amendment, consolidation, merger, conversion, or dissolution provided for therein shall be in effect. The Department of State immediately upon the filing in its office of any articles pursuant to this chapter shall transmit a certified copy thereof to the county clerk of the county in which the principal office of each cooperative or corporation affected by such incorporation, amendment, consolidation, merger, conversion, or dissolution shall be located. The clerk of any county, upon receipt of any such certified copy, shall file and index the same in the records of his or her office, but the failure of the Department of State or of a clerk of a county to comply with the provisions of this section shall not invalidate such articles. The provisions of this section shall also apply to certificates of election to dissolve and affidavits of compliance executed pursuant to s. 425.19(2)(b).History.—s. 19, ch. 19138, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 6494(62); ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 95, ch. 97-103.