reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WI Stat § 185.033 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.033 - Restriction on changes to articles.

185.033  Restriction on changes to articles. (1) If the articles contain a prohibition on changes to the provision establishing the basis of distribution as provided in s. 185.05 (1) (j), no changes may be made to the provision including by amendment under s. 185.51 or 185.52, approval of a plan of division under s. 185.63, adoption of restated articles under s. 185.54, approval of a plan of merger or consolidation under s. 185.61 and conversion to a nonstock corporation under s. 181.1150. (2) If, upon dissolution of a cooperative with articles containing a prohibition on changes in the basis of distribution, the distributions required are wholly or partly impossible of execution, the whole or part of the net proceeds shall be distributed as provided in s. 185.71 (3).History:  1985 a. 30; 1997 a. 79.
WI Stat § 185.034 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.034 - Definitions applicable to indemnification and insurance provisions.

185.034  Definitions applicable to indemnification and insurance provisions. In ss. 185.034 to 185.042: (1) “Cooperative" means a domestic cooperative and any domestic or foreign predecessor of a domestic cooperative where the predecessor cooperative's existence ceased upon the consummation of a merger or other transaction. (2) “Director or officer" means any of the following:(a) A natural person who is or was a director or officer of a cooperative.(b) A natural person who, while a director or officer of a cooperative, is or was serving at the cooperative's request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member of any governing or decision-making committee, manager, employee or agent of an association, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.(c) A natural person who, while a director or officer of a cooperative, is or was serving an employee benefit plan because his or her duties to the cooperative also imposed duties on, or otherwise involved services by, the person to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan.(d) A natural person who is or was the chief executive, managerial employee of a cooperative, regardless of the person's title.(e) Unless the context requires otherwise, the estate or personal representative of a director or officer. (3) “Expenses" include fees, costs, charges, disbursements, attorney fees and any other expenses incurred in connection with a proceeding. (4) “Liability" includes the obligation to pay a judgment, settlement, forfeiture, or fine, including any excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, and reasonable expenses. (5) “Party" means a natural person who was or is, or who is threatened to be made, a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding. (6) “Proceeding" means any threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit, arbitration or other proceeding, whether formal or informal, which involves foreign, federal, state or local law and which is brought by or in the right of the cooperative or by any other person.History:  1987 a. 13; 1993 a. 112; 2003 a. 139.
WI Stat § 185.035 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.035 - Mandatory indemnification.

185.035  Mandatory indemnification. (1) A cooperative shall indemnify a director or officer, to the extent he or she has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of a proceeding, for all reasonable expenses incurred in the proceeding if the director or officer was a party because he or she is a director or officer of the cooperative. (2) (a) In cases not included under sub. (1), a cooperative shall indemnify a director or officer against liability incurred by the director or officer in a proceeding to which the director or officer was a party because he or she is a director or officer of the cooperative, unless liability was incurred because the director or officer breached or failed to perform a duty he or she owes to the cooperative and the breach or failure to perform constitutes any of the following:1. A willful failure to deal fairly with the cooperative, its members or stockholders in connection with a matter in which the director or officer has a material conflict of interest.2. A violation of criminal law, unless the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was lawful or no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.3. A transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal profit.4. Willful misconduct.(b) Determination of whether indemnification is required under this subsection shall be made under s. 185.036.(c) The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of no contest or an equivalent plea, does not, by itself, create a presumption that indemnification of the director or officer is not required under this subsection. (3) A director or officer who seeks indemnification under this section shall make a written request to the cooperative. (4) Indemnification under this section is not required if the director or officer has previously received indemnification or allowance of expenses from any person, including the cooperative, in connection with the same proceeding.History:  1987 a. 13.Cooperative indemnification. La Rowe and Weine. WBB Sept. 1988.
WI Stat § 185.036 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.036 - Determination of right to indemnification.

185.036  Determination of right to indemnification. Unless otherwise provided by the articles or bylaws or by written agreement between the director or officer and the cooperative, the director or officer seeking indemnification under s. 185.035 (2) shall select one of the following means for determining his or her right to indemnification: (1) By majority vote of a quorum of the board consisting of directors not at the time parties to the same or related proceedings. If a quorum of disinterested directors cannot be obtained, by majority vote of a committee duly appointed by the board and consisting solely of 2 or more directors not at the time parties to the same or related proceedings. Directors who are parties to the same or related proceedings may participate in the designation of members of the committee. (2) By independent legal counsel selected by a quorum of the board or its committee in the manner prescribed in sub. (1) or, if unable to obtain such a quorum or committee, by a majority vote of the full board, including directors who are parties to the same or related proceedings. (3) By a panel of 3 arbitrators consisting of one arbitrator selected by those directors entitled under sub. (2) to select independent legal counsel, one arbitrator selected by the director or officer seeking indemnification and one arbitrator selected by the 2 arbitrators previously selected. (4) By a majority vote of a quorum of the members. Members who are at the time parties to the same or related proceedings, whether as plaintiffs or defendants or in any other capacity, may not vote in making the determination. (5) By a court under s. 185.039. (6) By any other method provided for in any additional right to indemnification permitted under s. 185.038.History:  1987 a. 13.
WI Stat § 185.037 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.037 - Allowance of expenses as incurred.

185.037  Allowance of expenses as incurred. Upon written request by a director or officer who is a party to a proceeding, a cooperative may pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses as incurred if the director or officer provides the cooperative with all of the following: (1) A written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she has not breached or failed to perform his or her duties to the cooperative. (2) A written undertaking, executed personally or on his or her behalf, to repay the allowance and, if required by the cooperative, to pay reasonable interest on the allowance to the extent that it is ultimately determined under s. 185.036 that indemnification under s. 185.035 (2) is not required and that indemnification is not ordered by a court under s. 185.039 (2) (b). The undertaking under this subsection shall be an unlimited general obligation of the director or officer and may be accepted without reference to his or her ability to repay the allowance. The undertaking may be secured or unsecured.History:  1987 a. 13.
WI Stat § 185.038 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.038 - Additional rights to indemnification and allowance of expenses.

185.038  Additional rights to indemnification and allowance of expenses. (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), ss. 185.035 and 185.037 do not preclude any additional right to indemnification or allowance of expenses that a director or officer may have under any of the following:(a) The articles or bylaws.(b) A written agreement between the director or officer and the cooperative.(c) A resolution of the board.(d) A resolution, after notice, adopted by a majority vote of members who are entitled to vote. (2) Regardless of the existence of an additional right under sub. (1), the cooperative may not indemnify a director or officer, or permit a director or officer to retain any allowance of expenses unless it is determined by or on behalf of the cooperative that the director or officer did not breach or fail to perform a duty he or she owes to the cooperative which constitutes conduct under s. 185.035 (2) (a) 1., 2., 3. or 4. A director or officer who is a party to the same or related proceeding for which indemnification or an allowance of expenses is sought may not participate in a determination under this subsection. (3) Sections 185.034 to 185.042 do not affect a cooperative's power to pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a director or officer in any of the following circumstances:(a) As a witness in a proceeding to which he or she is not a party.(b) As a plaintiff or petitioner in a proceeding because he or she is or was an employee, agent, director or officer of the cooperative.History:  1987 a. 13.
WI Stat § 185.039 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.039 - Court-ordered indemnification.

185.039  Court-ordered indemnification. (1) Except as provided otherwise by written agreement between the director or officer and the cooperative, a director or officer who is a party to a proceeding may apply for indemnification to the court conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. Application shall be made for an initial determination by the court under s. 185.036 (5) or for review by the court of an adverse determination under s. 185.036 (1), (2), (3), (4) or (6). After receipt of an application, the court shall give any notice it considers necessary. (2) The court shall order indemnification if it determines any of the following:(a) That the director or officer is entitled to indemnification under s. 185.035 (1) or (2). If the court also determines that the cooperative unreasonably refused the director's or officer's request for indemnification, the court shall order the cooperative to pay the director's or officer's reasonable expenses incurred to obtain the court-ordered indemnification.(b) That the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, regardless of whether indemnification is required under s. 185.035 (2).History:  1987 a. 13.
WI Stat § 185.04 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.04 - Indemnification and allowance of expenses of employees and agents.

185.04  Indemnification and allowance of expenses of employees and agents. A cooperative may indemnify and allow reasonable expenses of an employee or agent who is not a director or officer to the extent provided by the articles or bylaws, by general or specific action of the board or by contract.History:  1987 a. 13.
WI Stat § 185.041 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.041 - Insurance.

185.041  Insurance. A cooperative may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an individual who is an employee, agent, director or officer of the cooperative against liability asserted against and incurred by the individual in his or her capacity as an employee, agent, director or officer, or arising from his or her status as an employee, agent, director or officer, regardless of whether the cooperative is required or authorized to indemnify or allow expenses to the individual against the same liability under ss. 185.035, 185.037, 185.038 and 185.04.History:  1987 a. 13.
WI Stat § 185.042 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.042 - Indemnification and insurance against securities law claims.

185.042  Indemnification and insurance against securities law claims. (1) It is the public policy of this state to require or permit indemnification, allowance of expenses and insurance for any liability incurred in connection with a proceeding involving securities regulation described under sub. (2) to the extent required or permitted under ss. 185.034 to 185.041. (2) Sections 185.034 to 185.041 apply, to the extent applicable to any other proceeding, to any proceeding involving a federal or state statute, rule or regulation regulating the offer, sale or purchase of securities, securities brokers or dealers, or investment companies or investment advisers.History:  1987 a. 13.
WI Stat § 185.043 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.043 - Incorporators.

185.043  Incorporators. (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), 5 or more adults, one of whom must be a resident, may form a cooperative by signing, acknowledging and filing articles. (2) If the cooperative is formed for purposes of operating as a small winery cooperative wholesaler under s. 125.545, 3 or more individuals, at least one of whom must be a resident and all of which must be owners of small wineries certified by the department of revenue under s. 125.545 (6) (a), may form a cooperative by signing, acknowledging, and filing articles. Membership in a cooperative formed under this subsection is limited to small wineries certified by the department of revenue under s. 125.545 (6) (a).History:  1981 c. 337; 1985 a. 30 s. 42; 1987 a. 13 s. 23; Stats. 1987 s. 185.043; 2007 a. 85.
WI Stat § 185.045 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.045 - Reserved or registered name.

185.045  Reserved or registered name. Sections 180.0122 (1) (c) to (i), 180.0402 and 180.0403 (2), (3), (3m) and (4) (b) apply to cooperatives, with the word “cooperative" substituted for the words “corporate" and “corporation".History:  1985 a. 338; 1989 a. 303; 1993 a. 331.
WI Stat § 185.05 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.05 - Articles.

185.05  Articles. (1) The articles shall set forth:(a) The name of the cooperative.(b) The period of existence, unless perpetual.(c) The purposes for which organized. It is sufficient to state that the cooperative may engage in any activity within the purposes for which cooperatives may be organized, and all such activities shall then be deemed within its purposes, subject to express limitations.(d) Whether the cooperative is organized with or without capital stock.(e) The designation of classes of members, if more than one.(f) The number and par value of shares of each authorized class of stock; if more than one class is authorized, the designation, preferences, limitations and relative rights of each class shall also be set forth.(g) Which classes of stock are membership stock.(h) As to each class of stock, the rate of dividend, or that the rate of dividend may be fixed by the board, or that no dividend will be paid. If the dividend on any class of stock is to be cumulative, this shall also be stated.(i) Any reservation of a right to acquire or recall any stock.(j) The basis of distribution of assets upon liquidation and, if changes in the basis of distribution are to be prohibited, a statement that this provision may not be changed and a reference to the restriction under s. 185.033.(k) The complete address, including street number, city, town or village, county and zip code of its principal office or the name and complete address, including street number, city, town or village, county and zip code of its registered agent.(L) The name and address of each incorporator.(m) The names and addresses of at least 5 incorporators who will act as the temporary board. (2) It is not necessary to set forth in the articles any of the powers granted by this chapter. The articles may include additional provisions, consistent with law, including provisions which are required or permitted to be set forth in the bylaws. Any provision required or permitted in the bylaws has equal force and effect if stated in the articles. Whenever a provision of the articles is inconsistent with a bylaw, the articles control. (3) The articles shall be filed and recorded as provided in s. 185.82. The legal existence of a cooperative begins when the articles are filed. Upon the filing of the articles, the department shall issue a certificate of incorporation. The department shall forward within 5 days a duplicate original of the articles to the register of deeds of the county of the cooperative's principal office or registered agent for recording. (4) The certificate of incorporation shall be conclusive evidence, except as against this state in a proceeding to cancel or revoke such certificate, that all conditions precedent to existence have been met.History:  1981 c. 337; 1985 a. 30 ss. 9, 10, 42; 1985 a. 274; 1995 a. 27.Cross-reference:  See s. 182.01 (3) for provision that certain corporate documents may not be filed with secretary of state unless they bear the drafter's name.
WI Stat § 185.06 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.06 - Organization meetings.

185.06  Organization meetings. (1) After articles have been filed, an organization meeting of the temporary board shall be held at the call of a majority of the incorporators or of a majority of the temporary directors for the adoption of bylaws, election of temporary officers, and transaction of other business. (2) The first meeting of the members shall be called by the temporary president or a majority of the temporary directors. Such meeting shall be held as soon as reasonably possible after the organization meeting of the temporary board, but not later than 6 months after filing the articles. Failure to hold such meeting within the time specified does not affect the validity of organization.History:  1981 c. 337.
WI Stat § 185.07 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.07 - Bylaws.

185.07  Bylaws. (1) The initial bylaws may be adopted by the temporary board. Thereafter, except as provided in sub. (4), bylaws may be adopted and amended only by the members unless the members adopt a bylaw which permits the board to make and amend specified bylaws. (2) Any bylaw adopted or amended by the board shall be reported at the next regular member meeting. Any such bylaw shall be at any time subject to amendment or repeal by the members. (3) Unless the bylaws provide otherwise, any bylaw may be adopted, amended or repealed by a majority of the member votes cast at a meeting. (4) (a) In this subsection, “emergency" means a catastrophic event that prevents a quorum of a cooperative's directors or members from being readily assembled.(b) Unless the articles provide otherwise, the board may adopt bylaws that are effective only in an emergency. Emergency bylaws are subject to amendment or repeal by the board or by the members. Emergency bylaws may provide special provisions or modify provisions as necessary for managing the cooperative during the emergency including any of the following:1. Procedures for calling a meeting of the board or the members.2. Procedures for the conduct of a meeting of the board or the members.3. Quorum requirements for a meeting of the board.4. Deadlines for any action required to be taken by the cooperative, the board, or the members.5. Designation of additional or substitute directors.(c) Provisions of the regular bylaws that are consistent with the emergency bylaws remain effective during the emergency. The emergency bylaws are not effective after the emergency ends.(d) Action taken in good faith in accordance with the emergency bylaws, and action taken in good faith under s. 185.03 (13) for the benefit of the cooperative, binds the cooperative and may not be used to impose liability on a director, officer, member, employee, or agent. Action taken in good faith in anticipation of or during an emergency to delay or reschedule any action required to be taken by the cooperative, the board, or the members under par. (b) 4. shall not constitute a violation of the bylaws in the event the delayed or rescheduled action occurs after the emergency ends.History:  1985 a. 30; 2021 a. 5.
WI Stat § 185.08 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.08 - Principal office; registered agent; service of process.

185.08  Principal office; registered agent; service of process. (1) A cooperative shall maintain in this state either its principal office or a registered agent. (2) (a) The board may establish or change the location of the principal office or name and address of the registered agent by causing a statement in writing to be filed and recorded as an amendment to the articles as provided in s. 185.82. Such statement shall set forth the name of the cooperative, and the mailing address and county of its principal office or the name and address, including the county, of the registered agent as established or changed.(b) If a statement under par. (a) results from the action of a governmental agency in changing the address of the principal office or registered agent and there is no corresponding change in physical location, these facts shall be contained in the statement. (3) A registered agent may resign by mailing a written notice to both the department and the cooperative. The resignation becomes effective when the cooperative names a new registered agent or 60 days after the receipt of notice by the department, whichever is sooner. (4) Service of any process, notice or demand upon a cooperative may be made as provided in s. 180.0504 or ch. 801.History:  Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 775 (1975); 1981 c. 337; 1983 a. 134; 1989 a. 303; 1995 a. 27.
WI Stat § 185.09 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.09 - Promotion expense; limitation.

185.09  Promotion expense; limitation. No cooperative funds may be used, nor any stock issued, in payment of any promotion expenses in excess of 5 percent of the paid-up capital stock or membership fees. This section does not apply to a cooperative association organized under s. 185.981.History:  2009 a. 165, 177; 2011 a. 258.
WI Stat § 185.11 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 185 - Cooperatives.|185.11 - Membership.

185.11  Membership. (1) All cooperatives shall be organized on a membership basis with no capital stock, or shall be organized on a membership basis with capital stock. (2) A cooperative may have one or more classes of members. The designation, qualifications, requirements, method of acceptance, and incidents of membership of each class shall be set forth in the bylaws. Any person, including a partnership, incorporated or unincorporated association, limited liability company, corporation, or body politic, may become a member in accordance with the bylaws. (3) No member may transfer his or her membership except as permitted in the bylaws. (4) The bylaws may provide for termination of membership and the conditions and terms thereof.History:  1985 a. 30 ss. 12, 42; 1993 a. 112, 482.