reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 7-6.2-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-6.2 - Workers' Cooperatives|Section 7-6.2-4 - Application of general corporation law - Business corporation tax - Other taxes and programs.

§ 7-6.2-4. Application of general corporation law — Business corporation tax — Other taxes and programs.(a) The provisions of chapter 1.2 of title 7 are applicable to workers' cooperatives.(b) All workers' cooperatives shall enjoy the powers and privileges, and be subject to the duties, restrictions, and liabilities of other corporations organized under chapter 1.2 of title 7, except where inconsistent with the intent and purpose of this chapter.(c) This chapter takes precedence in the event of a conflict with the provisions of chapter 1.2 of title 7.(d) All workers' cooperatives shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 11 of title 44 dealing with the taxation of corporations and chapters 29 through 44 of title 28.(e) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, workers' cooperatives shall be subject to the provisions of title 28 as employers.(f) To the extent that a workers' cooperative has shareholders (owners) who are employees (members), the workers' cooperative shall be subject to the provisions of title 28 related to employees including, but not limited to: department of labor and training payroll taxes, temporary disability insurance, state unemployment insurance and workers' compensation insurance.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 370, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 378, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-6.2-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-6.2 - Workers' Cooperatives|Section 7-6.2-5 - Revocation of election.

§ 7-6.2-5. Revocation of election.A workers' cooperative may revoke its election under this chapter by a vote of two-thirds (⅔) of the members and through articles of amendment filed in accordance with §§ 7-1.2-901 — 7-1.2-907.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 370, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 378, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-6.2-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-6.2 - Workers' Cooperatives|Section 7-6.2-6 - Members -Membership shares - Fees - Rights and responsibilities.

§ 7-6.2-6. Members — Membership shares — Fees — Rights and responsibilities.(a) The certificate of incorporation or the bylaws shall establish qualifications and the method of acceptance and termination of members. Upon completion of their probationary period, all regular full-time or part-time employees shall be offered membership in the workers' cooperative. Acceptance as a member in a workers' cooperative shall be evidenced by a membership share, which shall be issued for a fee, to be paid in such terms and conditions as are provided in the bylaws.(b) A workers' cooperative shall issue a class of voting stock designated as "membership shares". Each member shall own only one membership share, and only members may own membership shares.(c) Membership shares shall be issued for a fee as shall be determined from time to time by the directors. No certificate for a membership share shall be issued until its fee has been paid in full. Each member is entitled to a certificate for his or her membership share upon fulfilling the requirements in the cooperative's articles of incorporation and bylaws.(d) Members of a workers' cooperative shall have all the rights and responsibilities of stockholders of a corporation organized under the provisions of chapter 1.2 of title 7, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 370, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 378, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-6.2-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-6.2 - Workers' Cooperatives|Section 7-6.2-7 - Voting shares - Bylaws - Amendment of certificate of incorporation.

§ 7-6.2-7. Voting shares — Bylaws — Amendment of certificate of incorporation.(a) No capital stock other than membership shares shall be given voting power in a workers' cooperative, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 7-1.2-201 and 7-1.2-202 and §§ 7-1.2-901 — 7-1.2-907, the power to amend or repeal bylaws of a workers' cooperative shall be vested in the members only, except to the extent that directors are authorized to amend or repeal the bylaws in accordance with the certificate of incorporation.(c) The provisions of §§ 7-1.2-901 — 7-1.2-907 shall be construed to limit voting on any amendment of the certificate of incorporation of a workers' cooperative to the members, except that nonmember stockholders shall participate in such voting in accordance with § 7-1.2-903 where a proposed amendment would adversely affect the rights of such nonmember stockholders as provided in § 7-1.2-904.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 370, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 378, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-6.2-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-6.2 - Workers' Cooperatives|Section 7-6.2-8 - Net earnings or losses - Apportionment, distribution, and payment.

§ 7-6.2-8. Net earnings or losses — Apportionment, distribution, and payment.(a) The net retained proceeds or losses of a workers' cooperative shall be apportioned and distributed at such times and in such manner as the certificate of incorporation or bylaws shall specify. Net retained proceeds declared as patronage allocations with respect to a period of time, and paid or credited to members, shall be apportioned among the members in accordance with the ratio which each member's patronage during the period involved bears to patronage by all members during that period. As used in this section, "patronage" means the amount of work performed as a member of a workers' cooperative, measured in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws.(b) The apportionment, distribution, and payment of net retained proceeds required by subsection (a) of this section may be in cash credits, written notices of allocation, or capital stock issued by the workers' cooperative. If the distribution and payment of net retained proceeds is made in cash credits, such distribution and payments shall be subject to pass-through withholding under § 44-11-2.2.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 370, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 378, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-6.2-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-6.2 - Workers' Cooperatives|Section 7-6.2-9 - Directors; officers.

§ 7-6.2-9. Directors; officers.(a) The bylaws of a workers' cooperative shall provide for the election, terms, classifications, if any, and removal of directors and officers in accordance with the provisions of this chapter or the provisions of chapter 1.2 of title 7.(b) In the absence of any bylaw provision, elections, terms, classifications, and removal procedures shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 1.2 of title 7.(c) Nonmembers may serve as directors or officers of a workers' cooperative, but at no time shall there be a majority of nonmember directors.(d) Vacancies in director positions resulting from death, resignation, or removal shall be filled by a vote of the member directors.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 370, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 378, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-6.2-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-6.2 - Workers' Cooperatives|Section 7-6.2-10 - Internal capital accounts - Recall or redemption of shares - Interest - Collective reserve account.

§ 7-6.2-10. Internal capital accounts — Recall or redemption of shares — Interest — Collective reserve account.(a) Any workers' cooperative may establish through its certificate of incorporation or bylaws a system of internal capital accounts, to reflect the book value and to determine the redemption price of membership shares, capital stock, and written notices of allocation. As used in this section, "written notice of allocation" means a written instrument that discloses to a member the stated dollar amount of the member's patronage allocation, and the terms for a payment amount by the workers' cooperative.(b) The certificate of incorporation or bylaws of a workers' cooperative may permit the periodic redemption of written notices of allocation and capital stock, and must provide for recall and redemption of the membership share upon termination of membership in the cooperative. No redemption shall be made if the redemption would result in the liability of any director or officer of the workers' cooperative under §§ 7-1.2-801 — 7-1.2-814.(c) The certificate of incorporation or bylaws may authorize assignment of a portion of net retained proceeds and net losses to a collective reserve account. Net retained proceeds assigned to the collective reserve account may be used for any and all corporate purposes as determined by the board of directors.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 370, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 378, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-6.2-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-6.2 - Workers' Cooperatives|Section 7-6.2-11 - Conversion of membership shares and internal capital accounts upon revocation of election; consolidation or merger.

§ 7-6.2-11. Conversion of membership shares and internal capital accounts upon revocation of election; consolidation or merger.When any workers' cooperative revokes its election in accordance with § 7-6.2-5, an amendment of the certificate of incorporation shall provide for the conversion of membership shares and internal capital accounts, or their conversion to securities or other property in a manner consistent with the provisions of chapter 1.2 of title 7.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 370, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 378, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-6.2-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-6.2 - Workers' Cooperatives|Section 7-6.2-12 - Severability.

§ 7-6.2-12. Severability.If any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation created under this chapter, or the application of any provision of this chapter to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid in any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the chapter, rule, or regulation and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. The invalidity of any section or sections of this chapter and to this end the provisions of the chapter are declared to be severable.History of Section.P.L. 2017, ch. 370, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 378, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-7-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-1 - Definitions.

§ 7-7-1. Definitions.In this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the term:(1) "Agricultural products" or "products" means field crops, horticultural, viticultural, forestry, nut, dairy, livestock, poultry, bee, and all farm products and the byproducts derived from any of them; and words used import the singular or the plural as the context demands;(2) "Association" means any corporation formed under this chapter;(3) "Member" means a person who owns a common stock in an association formed with capital stock, or who owns a certificate of membership in an association formed without capital stock;(4) "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, an association, or two (2) or more persons having a joint or common interest.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-1.
RI Gen L § 7-7-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-2 - Power to form associations.

§ 7-7-2. Power to form associations.Five (5) or more persons of lawful age engaged in the production of agricultural products, or two (2) or more nonprofit cooperative associations of producers, organized under the provisions of this chapter, may form a nonprofit cooperative association with or without capital stock for the purpose of producing, handling, processing, preparing for market, warehousing, financing, preserving, drying, canning, packing, manufacturing, utilizing, and marketing the agricultural products of its members or for engaging in any activity pertaining to any of the things enumerated, including the financing, purchasing, or otherwise securing for its members supplies, equipment, machinery, or commodities of any character.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-2.
RI Gen L § 7-7-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-3 - Contents and filing of articles of association.

§ 7-7-3. Contents and filing of articles of association.The persons shall sign and file in duplicate written articles of association, which shall be signed by all of the incorporators and which shall be acknowledged by them in the manner in which deeds of real estate are required to be acknowledged within this state, and the residences of the incorporators shall be stated opposite their names. In the articles of association, the incorporators shall recite that they desire to become incorporated under the provisions of this chapter and shall state:(1) The name of the association, which shall contain the word "cooperative" and which shall not be the same as that of any other association or corporation formed or doing business in this state or so similar in name as to be likely to be confused with it.(2) The objects or purposes for which it is formed.(3) The place where its principal office is to be located.(4) The term for which it is to exist.(5) Whether formed with or without capital stock, and if formed with capital stock, the total amount of the authorized capital stock of the corporation, the number of shares into which the stock is divided and the par value of each share, except in the case of a corporation having stock or any class of stock without par value, in which case the articles of association regarding the stock, in lieu of the above, shall state the total number of shares authorized and that they are without par value; the restrictions, if any, imposed on the transfer of stock; and, if there be two (2) or more classes of stock, a description of the different classes and a statement of the terms on which they are created.(6) In addition to the above, the articles of incorporation of any association incorporated under this chapter may contain any provision consistent with law with respect to management, regulation, government, financing, indebtedness, membership, the establishment of voting districts and the election of delegates for representative purposes, the issuance, retirement, and transfer of its stock, if formed with capital stock, or any provisions relative to the manner in which it operates or as to its members, officers, or directors and any other provisions relating to its affairs.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-3.
RI Gen L § 7-7-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-4 - Incorporation fee - Certificate - Articles as evidence.

§ 7-7-4. Incorporation fee — Certificate — Articles as evidence.Upon the filing of the articles of association and a duplicate of the articles with the secretary of state, together with an incorporation fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) and the duplicate copy certified to by the secretary of state and returned to the incorporator, the original articles of incorporation, or certified copies of them, shall be received in all the courts of this state and elsewhere as prima facie evidence of the facts contained in them and of the due incorporation of the association.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-4; P.L. 1960, ch. 71, art. 3, § 28; P.L. 1971, ch. 164, § 1.
RI Gen L § 7-7-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-5 - Associations deemed nonprofit.

§ 7-7-5. Associations deemed nonprofit.Associations organized under this chapter are deemed nonprofit, insofar as they are not organized as to make profits for themselves as such or for their members as such but only for their members as producers.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-5.
RI Gen L § 7-7-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-6 - General powers of associations.

§ 7-7-6. General powers of associations.Each association incorporated under this chapter has power and authority to:(1) Have perpetual succession in its corporate name unless a period for its duration is limited in its articles of association;(2) Sue and be sued in its corporate name;(3) Have and use a common seal and alter the seal at pleasure;(4) Elect any officers and appoint any agents that its business requires and to fix their compensation and define their duties;(5) Issue shares of capital stock or certificates of membership to its members, and to transfer, retire, or cancel them, as authorized by law, or by the articles of association or bylaws adopted in conformity with law;(6) Buy, lease, or hold any real or personal property necessary or convenient for the conduct and operation of the business or incidental to it;(7) Enter into contracts with its members for periods not over ten (10) years requiring them to sell or market all or a specified part of their products to or through the association;(8) Employ any lawful means or methods for financing its transactions or operations;(9) Borrow money and to make advance payments and other advances to members;(10) Act as agent or representative of any member or members in carrying out the objects of the association;(11) Receive and employ warehouse receipts or other written instruments covering products of members stored on farms or elsewhere under suitable conditions issued or executed by any warehouseman, warehousing association, or other entity, which products may or may not have been inspected by inspectors licensed or authorized to inspect, sample, classify, grade, or weigh agricultural products under state or federal laws and which warehouse receipts or other written instruments may or may not be accompanied by the certificate or certificates issued by the inspectors on the products;(12) Form or become a member or stockholder of other nonprofit associations of producers, and to admit to membership or to sell stock to, other nonprofit associations of producers;(13) Adopt bylaws consistent with law providing for any matter or thing relative to the control, operation, maintenance, management, regulation, government, financing, indebtedness, the establishment of voting districts and the election of delegates for representative purposes; membership, the termination of it; stock (if formed with capital stock), its issuance, retirement, purchase, or transfer; or with respect to members, directors, or officers; and any other bylaws pertaining to its affairs;(14) Do everything necessary, suitable, or proper for the accomplishment of any one or more of the purposes; or the attainment of any one or more of the objects enumerated in these provisions; or the objects or purposes for which formed, and to contract and act accordingly.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-6.
RI Gen L § 7-7-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-7 - Bylaws.

§ 7-7-7. Bylaws.Each association incorporated under this chapter shall, within thirty (30) days after its incorporation, adopt for its government and management a code of bylaws consistent with these provisions. A two-thirds (⅔) vote of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present is necessary to adopt bylaws or make any change or amendment of them if notice of the adoption, change, or amendment was included in the call of the meeting.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 7; P.L. 1932, ch. 1917, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-7.
RI Gen L § 7-7-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-8 - Qualifications of members.

§ 7-7-8. Qualifications of members.Only persons, or associations of persons, engaged in the production of the agricultural products as the association is authorized to handle, including lessees and landlords receiving these products as rent, shall be eligible to membership therein, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed in its articles of incorporation or bylaws consistent herewith. Following the ascertainment through procedure set forth in its bylaws that a member has ceased to be eligible to membership in an association, his or her rights therein may be suspended.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-8; P.L. 2018, ch. 346, § 8.
RI Gen L § 7-7-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-9 - Membership certificates - Settlement on termination of membership.

§ 7-7-9. Membership certificates — Settlement on termination of membership.Every association formed under this chapter without capital stock shall issue a certificate of membership to each member which, unless otherwise provided in its articles of incorporation or bylaws, is nontransferable. In the case of associations organized without capital stock, in the event of the death, withdrawal, or expulsion of a member, the board of directors shall, within a reasonable time, equitably and conclusively ascertain the amount of the member's interest in the association, which shall be paid him or her or his or her legal representative by the association in whole or in yearly partial payments within five (5) years from ascertainment.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-9.
RI Gen L § 7-7-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-10 - Voting rights.

§ 7-7-10. Voting rights.Only members of an association have the right to vote; and no member is entitled to more than one vote on any question or matter affecting the association or relating to its affairs. Proxy voting is prohibited.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-10.
RI Gen L § 7-7-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-11 - Limited liability of members and stockholders.

§ 7-7-11. Limited liability of members and stockholders.No member or stockholder of an association is liable for its debts or obligations beyond the unpaid amount, if any, due by him or her on his or her membership dues or stock issued to him or her.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-11.
RI Gen L § 7-7-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 7 - Corporations, Associations and Partnerships|Chapter 7-7 - Producers' Cooperatives|Section 7-7-12 - Transfer of stock.

§ 7-7-12. Transfer of stock.The transfer of common stock of an association is restricted to persons engaged in the production of the products handled by an association subject to any provisions in its articles or bylaws consistent with this chapter. An association may provide in its articles or bylaws that it is to have the prior right to purchase, on any terms that it determines, any of its common stock that may be offered for sale.History of Section.P.L. 1928, ch. 1202, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 117, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 7-7-12.