reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-59 - Regular and Special Meetings of Members.

Section 2-10-59
Regular and special meetings of members.
In its bylaws each association shall provide for one or more regular meetings annually. The board of directors shall have the right to call a special meeting at any time, and 10 percent of the members or stockholders may file a petition stating the specific business to be brought before the association and demand a special meeting at any time. Such meeting must thereupon be called by the directors. Notice of all meetings, together with a statement of the purpose thereof, shall be mailed to each member at least 10 days prior to the meeting, but the bylaws may require instead that such notice may be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation, published at the principal place of business of the association.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7136; Code 1940, T. 2, §94.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-60 - Selection of Directors; Contracts With Association; Vacancies.

Section 2-10-60
Selection of directors; contracts with association; vacancies.
The affairs of an association shall be managed by a board of not less than five directors, elected by the members or stockholders from their own number. The bylaws may provide that the territory in which the association has members shall be divided into districts and that the directors shall be elected according to such districts. In such case, the bylaws shall specify the number of directors to be elected by each district and the manner and method of reapportioning the directors and redistricting the territory covered by the association. The bylaws may provide that primary elections shall be held in each district to elect the directors apportioned to such districts and the results of all such primary elections must be ratified by the next regular meeting of the association. The bylaws may provide that one or more directors may be appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, the President of Auburn University or any other public official or commission. The director or directors so appointed need not be members or stockholders of the association, but shall have the same powers and rights as other directors. An association may provide a fair remuneration for the time actually spent by its officers and directors in its service. No director, during the term of his office, shall be a party to a contract for profit with the association differing in any way from the business relations accorded regular members or holders of common stock of the association or to any other kind of contract differing from terms generally current in that district. When a vacancy on the board of directors occurs, other than by expiration of term, the remaining members of the board by a majority vote shall fill the vacancy, unless the bylaws provide for an election of directors by district. In such a case, the board of directors shall immediately call a special meeting of the members or stockholders in that district to fill the vacancy.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7137; Code 1940, T. 2, §95.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-61 - Officers.

Section 2-10-61
Officers.
The directors of each association shall elect from their number a president and one or more vice-presidents. They shall also elect a secretary and a treasurer, who need not be directors, and they may combine the two latter offices and designate the combined office as secretary-treasurer. The treasurer may be a bank or any depository, and such shall not be considered as an officer but as a function of the board of directors. In such case, the secretary shall perform the usual accounting duties of the treasurer, except that the funds shall be deposited only as authorized by the board of directors.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7138; Code 1940, T. 2, §96.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-62 - Certificate of Membership; Stock of Association; Member's Liability for Association's Debts.

Section 2-10-62
Certificate of membership; stock of association; member's liability for association's debts.
When a member of an association established without capital stock has paid his membership fee in full, he shall receive a certificate of membership. No association shall issue stock to a member until it has been fully paid for. The promissory notes of the members may be accepted by the association as full or partial payment. The association shall hold the stock as security for the payment of the note, but such retention as security shall not affect the member's right to vote. Except for debts lawfully contracted between him and the association, no member shall be liable for the debts of the association to an amount exceeding the sum remaining unpaid on his membership fee or his subscription to the capital stock, including any unpaid balance or any promissory notes given in payment thereof. No stockholder of a cooperative association shall own more than 20 percent of the common stock of the association, and an association in its bylaws may limit the amount of common stock which one member may own to any amount less than 20 percent of the common stock. No member or stockholder shall be entitled to more than one vote. Any association organized with stock under this article may issue preferred stock, with or without the right to vote. Such stock may be redeemable or retirable by the association on such terms and conditions as may be provided for by the articles of incorporation and printed on the face of the certificate. The bylaws shall prohibit the transfer of the common stock of the association to persons not engaged in the production of the agricultural products handled by the association, and such restrictions must be printed upon every certificate of stock subject thereto. The association may at any time except, when the debts of the association exceed 50 percent of the assets thereof, buy in or purchase its common stock at book value thereof as conclusively determined by the board of directors and pay for it in cash within one year thereafter.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7139; Code 1940, T. 2, §97.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-63 - Removal of Officer or Director.

Section 2-10-63
Removal of officer or director.
Any member may bring charges against an officer or director by filing them in writing with the secretary of the association, together with a petition signed by 10 percent of the members, requesting the removal of the officer or director in question. The removal shall be voted upon at the next regular or special meeting of the association; and, by a vote of a majority of the members, the association may remove the officer or director and fill the vacancy. The director or officer against whom such charges have been brought shall be informed in writing of the charges previous to the meeting and shall have an opportunity at the meeting to be heard in person or by counsel and to present witnesses, and the person or persons bringing the charges against him shall have the same opportunity. In case the bylaws provide for election of directors by districts with primary elections in each district, then the petition for removal of a director must be signed by 20 percent of the members residing in the district from which he was elected. The board of directors must call a special meeting of the members residing in that district to consider the removal of the director. By a vote of a majority of the members of that district, the director in question shall be removed from office.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7140; Code 1940, T. 2, §98.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-64 - Referring Questions to Entire Membership.

Section 2-10-64
Referring questions to entire membership.
Upon demand of one third of the entire board of directors, any matter that has been approved or passed by the board must be referred to the entire membership or the stockholders for decision at the next special or regular meeting, but a special meeting may be called for the purpose.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7141; Code 1940, T. 2, §99.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-65 - Marketing Contracts.

Section 2-10-65
Marketing contracts.
The association and its members may make and execute marketing contracts, requiring the members to sell, for any period of time not over 10 years, all or any specified part of their agricultural products or specified commodities exclusively to or through the association or any facilities to be created by the association. The contract may provide that the association may sell or resell the products of its members, with or without taking title thereto, and pay over to its members the resale price, after deducting all necessary selling, overhead and other costs and expenses, including interest on preferred stock, not exceeding eight percent per annum, and reserves for retiring the stock, if any, and other proper reserves and interest not exceeding eight percent per annum upon common stock or other items deemed proper. The bylaws and the marketing contract may fix, as liquidated damages, specified sums to be paid by the member or stockholder to the association upon the breach by him of any provision of the marketing contract regarding the sale or delivery or withholding of products and may further 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 such provisions shall be valid and enforceable in the courts of this state.
In the event of any such breach or threatened breach of such marketing contract by a member, the association shall be entitled to an injunction to prevent the further breach of the contract and to a judgment of specific performance thereof. Pending the adjudication of such an action, upon filing a verified complaint showing the breach or threatened breach, upon filing a sufficient bond and upon notification of the member and a hearing, the association shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the member.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §§7142, 7143; Code 1940, T. 2, §§100, 101.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-66 - Exchange of Stock.

Section 2-10-66
Exchange of stock.
Whenever an association organized under this article with preferred capital stock shall purchase the stock or any property or any interest in any property of any person, firm, corporation or association, it may discharge the obligations so incurred, wholly or in part, by exchanging for the acquired interest shares of its preferred capital stock to an amount which at par value would equal a fair market value of the stock or interest so purchased, as determined by the board of directors. In that case the transfer to the association of the stock or interest purchased shall be equivalent to payment in cash for the shares of stock issued.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7144; Code 1940, T. 2, §102.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-67 - Annual Report of Association.

Section 2-10-67
Annual report of association.
Each association formed under this article shall prepare and make out an annual report on forms furnished by the Secretary of State, containing the name of the association, its principal place of business and a general statement of its business operations during the fiscal year, showing the amount of capital stock paid up and the number of stockholders of a stock association or the number of members and amount of membership fees received, if a nonstock association, the expenses of operations, the amount of its indebtedness or liability and its balance sheets.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7145; Code 1940, T. 2, §103.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-68 - Conflicting Laws Not Applicable.

Section 2-10-68
Conflicting laws not applicable.
Any provisions of law which are in conflict with this article shall not be construed as applying to the associations provided for in this article.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7146; Code 1940, T. 2, §104.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-69 - Association May Form, Own or Control Another Corporation.

Section 2-10-69
Association may form, own or control another corporation.
The association may organize, form, operate, own, control, have an interest in, own stock of or be a member of any other corporation or corporations, with or without capital stock, engaged in preserving, drying, processing, canning, packing, storing, handling, shipping, ginning, utilizing, manufacturing, marketing or selling the agricultural products handled by the association or the by-products thereof.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7148; Code 1940, T. 2, §106.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-70 - Agreements Between Associations.

Section 2-10-70
Agreements between 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, contracts and arrangements 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 or parts thereof. Any two or more associations may, by agreement between them, unite in employing and using or may separately employ and use the same methods, means and agencies for carrying on and conducting their respective business.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7150; Code 1940, T. 2, §108.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-71 - Association Not a Monopoly.

Section 2-10-71
Association not a monopoly.
No association organized under this article shall be deemed to be a combination in restraint of trade or an illegal monopoly or an attempt to lessen competition or fix prices arbitrarily, nor shall the marketing contracts or agreements between the association and its members or any agreements authorized in this article be considered illegal or in restraint of trade.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7152; Code 1940, T. 2, §110.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-72 - Applicability of General Corporation Laws.

Section 2-10-72
Applicability of general corporation laws.
The provisions of the general corporation laws of this state and all powers and rights thereunder shall apply to the associations organized under this article, except where such provisions are in conflict with or inconsistent with the express provisions of this article.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7153; Code 1940, T. 2, §111.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-73 - Fees to Probate Judges and Secretary of State.

Section 2-10-73
Fees to probate judges and Secretary of State.
For examining and filing corporation papers under provisions of this article, the probate judge in whose office the same is filed shall receive a fee of $2.00 and be paid $.15 per 100 words for recording the same. The Secretary of State for the use of the state shall be paid $5.00 for filing a certificate of incorporation forwarded by the probate judge as provided by law.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7154; Code 1940, T. 2, §112.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 3 - Incorporated Marketing Associations. › Section 2-10-74 - Fees for Filing Articles of Incorporation.

Section 2-10-74
Fees for filing articles of incorporation.
For filing articles of incorporation, an association organized under this article shall pay $10.00, and for filing an amendment to the articles, $2.50.
(Acts 1921, Ex. Sess., No. 31, p. 38; Code 1923, §7155; Code 1940, T. 2, §113.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-90 - Definitions.

Section 2-10-90
Definitions.
The following terms, as used in this article, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:
(1) PRODUCERS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. Individual persons, partnerships, associations and corporations who produce such products either directly or as landlords, tenants or sharecroppers.
(2) AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. The products of field, pasture, meadow and garden; fruits, melons, berries, nuts, vegetables, livestock, poultry and poultry products, dairy products, fish, aquatic and seafood products and all other things commonly known as agricultural products.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §130; Acts 1973, No. 1134, p. 1915, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-91 - Purposes of Article.

Section 2-10-91
Purposes of article.
The purposes of this article are to promote the general welfare of agriculture; to enable producers of agricultural products, whether in the State of Alabama or not, to cooperate in the production, processing, packing, distribution, financing and marketing of agricultural products and in the manufacturing, supplying or selling of machinery, equipment, or supplies used in connection with the production of said agricultural products or in the financing of the above enumerated activities; and to enable such producers to organize incorporated associations with or without capital stock and not for profit but for service to their members by the organization and operation of such corporations by a simplified and inexpensive procedure for the promotion and accomplishment of such cooperative and the general welfare of agriculture.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §115.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-92 - How Association May Be Formed; Amendments to Articles of Incorporation.

Section 2-10-92
How association may be formed; amendments to articles of incorporation.
Five or more producers of agricultural products, whether in the State of Alabama or not, who may desire that they, their associates and successors shall come under this article and enjoy its benefits may enter into articles of association and incorporation which shall set forth the name of the organization, the period of its existence, its domicile and the purposes for which it was formed and that said association is to be organized or operated under this article. The articles must be subscribed by the incorporators and acknowledged by one of them before an officer authorized by the law of this state to take and certify acknowledgments of deeds and conveyances and shall be filed in accordance with the provisions of the general corporation law of this state. When so filed the said articles of incorporation or certified copies thereof shall be received in all the courts of the state and other places as prima facie evidence of the facts contained therein and the due incorporation of such association. Such articles of incorporation may thereafter be altered or amended at any regular meeting of the members or stockholders or at any special meeting called for that purpose, if a quorum, as defined in the bylaws, is present. The amendment must first be approved by two thirds of the directors and then adopted by vote of two thirds of the members present and voting at the meeting. Amendments when so adopted shall be filed in accordance with the general corporation laws of the state.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §116; Acts 1959, No. 592, p. 1480.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-93 - Organization Generally; Adoption of Bylaws.

Section 2-10-93
Organization generally; adoption of bylaws.
A majority of the organizing members named in the articles of incorporation, at a time and place agreed upon in writing by all the said organizers, or when and where all are present, or upon call of a majority of such organizers upon five days' notice thereof, in writing, giving the time, place, and purposes of the meeting, mailed or delivered by hand to all of the other said organizing members, may make permanent organization of such corporation and adopt bylaws for the same, which bylaws may thereafter be amended or repealed by the members of such incorporated association in the manner provided in the bylaws. At such organization meeting, the members of the board of directors and such officers as provided for in this article and in the bylaws shall be elected. Each association incorporated under this article shall, within 30 days after its incorporation, adopt for its government and management bylaws not inconsistent with the powers granted in this article.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §117; Acts 1959, No. 592, p. 1480.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-94 - Board of Directors.

Section 2-10-94
Board of directors.
The affairs of an association incorporated under this article shall be conducted, controlled and managed by a board of directors of such number, not to be less than five, and with such terms of office as may be provided by the bylaws. The said directors shall be elected by the members or stockholders of the association from their own number. When a vacancy on the board of directors occurs other than by expiration of term, the remaining members of the board by a majority vote shall fill the vacancy until the next regular meeting of the members of the association. An association may provide a fair remuneration for the time actually spent by its officers and directors in its service. No director, during his term of office, shall be a party to a contract for profit with the association differing in any way from the business relations accorded regular members or holders of stock of the association.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §118; Acts 1959, No. 592, p. 1480.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-95 - Election and Duties of Officers.

Section 2-10-95
Election and duties of officers.
The board of directors shall elect from its number a president and one or more vice-presidents. It shall also elect a secretary and a treasurer who need not be directors, and it may combine the two latter offices and designate the combined office as secretary-treasurer. The duties of said officers shall be those usual to like officers in corporations and such other additional duties as may be designated in the bylaws.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §119.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-96 - Voting by Mail or Proxy; Fees and Dues.

Section 2-10-96
Voting by mail or proxy; fees and dues.
The bylaws may provide, among other things, for voting by the members by mail or by proxy in writing and for membership fees and dues and shall provide how membership in the incorporated association may be acquired and lost.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §120.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-97 - Membership.

Section 2-10-97
Membership.
Under the terms and conditions prescribed in its bylaws, an association may admit as members or issue common stock or certificates of membership only to persons engaged in the production of agricultural products, including the lessees and tenants of land used for the production of such products and lessors and landlords who receive as rent part of the crops raised on the leased premises. If a member of a nonstock association shall be other than a natural person, such member may be represented by an individual, associate, officer, manager or member thereof duly authorized in writing. All membership shall be personal to the member and equal in right and shall not be transferable, assignable, vendable, inheritable, devisable or seizable, and each member shall have one vote only.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §121.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-98 - Organization With Capital Stock.

Section 2-10-98
Organization with capital stock.
Incorporated associations may be organized under this article with capital stock at the option of the organizers. In that event the association shall be organized by the same method and for the same recording fee as in the case of those associations organized without capital stock, except that the articles of association shall set forth also that the association is organized with capital stock and the amount of capital stock authorized with particulars as to the class or classes thereof and the par value of shares. There shall be no individual liability on the part of shareholders, members, officers or directors for the obligations of the corporation. The articles of association may provide for preferred stock as well as common stock, but all shares shall have a definite par value, and all shares of the same class shall have the same par value. If so divided, the articles of incorporation must contain a statement of the number of shares of stock to which preference is granted and the number of shares of stock to which no preference is granted and the nature and extent of the preference and privileges granted to each. No member or stockholder shall be entitled to more than one vote irrespective of the number of shares of stock held by such member or stockholder. No stockholder shall hold more than 20 percent of the common stock. Common stock shall be issued only to and held only by producers of agricultural products who make use of the service and facilities of the association or to agricultural associations, organizations, federations or corporations organized under this article or whose purposes and operations are in harmony with the purposes of this article; provided, that the articles of association may limit the ownership of stock to producers of agricultural products. Dividends upon the capital stock shall not be declared or paid in excess of eight percent per annum. If any shareholder shall cease to be eligible to hold his shares or shall die or shall be dissolved, and if his shares are not promptly transferred to some producer or organization eligible to hold the same, the association shall take up such shares at par value or at the option of the association at appraised value, such value to be conclusively fixed by the board of directors of the association, and the association may pay therefor in cash or by certificate of indebtedness to be thereafter paid from the income of the association. If any shareholder shall attempt to transfer his share except as permitted, such shares may, at the option of the association, be taken up as in the case of the death of a shareholder.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §122.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-100 - Associations May Federate.

Section 2-10-100
Associations may federate.
Associations incorporated under this article may, in carrying out their purposes, become members of and enjoy the facilities and cooperation of any federation whose members are agricultural societies, organizations or associations whose purposes and operations are in any way promotive of and not inconsistent with the purpose of this article.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §124.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-101 - How Federation Organized and Managed.

Section 2-10-101
How federation organized and managed.
Five or more associations or corporations organized under this article, or whose purposes and operations are in any way promotive of, and not inconsistent with, the purposes of this article, whether incorporated under this article or not, may organize and incorporate a federation with such incorporated associations as members thereof, such incorporated federation to be managed by a board of directors to be composed of representatives of such constituent member associations. The articles of association and incorporation for such federation shall contain the names of the constituent member associations, and the signatures thereto shall be those of an executive officer of each of the constituent associations. The other procedure and details of incorporation shall be the same as provided in this article for the incorporation of the constituent incorporated associations, and the organization meeting and adoption of bylaws shall be by representatives chosen by the respective constituent members for that purpose, one for each member. In the organization and management of such federation, each constituent member shall be entitled to one vote only, and if any constituent member has more than one representative, as members of the board of directors of said federation, such representatives as directors shall jointly have one vote only, it being intended that such a federation may be incorporated under this article as aforesaid for the purposes and with all the rights and powers given by this article to associations of producers of agricultural products under this article. After such federation has been organized and incorporated as provided in this section, agricultural societies, organizations, associations or corporations whose purposes and operation are in any way promotive of, and not inconsistent with, the purposes of this article, whether incorporated under this article or not, and which are accepted by the federation, may become members of such federation, and any such federation may limit its membership to associations incorporated under this article. Such federation may be organized with capital stock, at the option of the organizing associations, and in that event the provisions of this article applying to capital stock organization of incorporated associations shall apply also to such federation, and the management shall be vested in a board of directors of such number as the bylaws may provide, elected by the shareholders.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §125.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-102 - Powers of Federation.

Section 2-10-102
Powers of federation.
Any federation incorporated under Section 2-10-101 for the purpose of carrying out the purposes of this article and the rendition of services to its constituent members and their members shall have all the rights, powers, privileges and immunities given its constituent members as an incorporated association under this article. The members of the constituent members of such federation shall be treated as members of the federation to the extent that services rendered to them by the federation shall be considered to be rendered to its own members.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §126.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-103 - Charges for Expenses and Creating Reserve; Patronage Dividends.

Section 2-10-103
Charges for expenses and creating reserve; patronage dividends.
An association incorporated under this article may make charges to its members and deductions from the proceeds of their products for services rendered to them, for the purpose of paying the expenses of operation and the maintenance and development of such association and for the creation and maintenance of reserves for the purpose of paying expenses, retiring obligations, acquiring, maintaining and operating property necessary or useful in carrying out the purpose of this article and for caring for contingencies, and such reserves may be used or distributed as may be deemed proper by the board of directors under the bylaws. Such corporation may make patronage dividends or distributions to its members and may do any and all things not unlawful in carrying out the purposes of this article, and shall have and enjoy all the rights, privileges and immunities of other corporations not inconsistent with this article.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §127.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-104 - Certain Civil Actions Authorized.

Section 2-10-104
Certain civil actions authorized.
An association incorporated under this article may institute and defend civil actions and may collect, institute civil actions for and realize on claims for the purchase money of products sold by it for its members or nonmembers, and on claims for freight overcharges on and for loss and damage to shipments made by it for its members or nonmembers for the use and benefit of such persons.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §128.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-105 - Permit Fee; Taxation.

Section 2-10-105
Permit fee; taxation.
Any corporation or association organized under this article shall pay to the state the annual permit fee of $10.00 now required by law and shall pay all ad valorem taxes on its real and personal property; except, that all cotton and all other agricultural products which have been raised or produced in the State of Alabama, title to which may be held by such corporation or association in its own right or for the use and benefit of its members, and all goods and articles purchased or acquired by such corporation, whether in or out of the state, for its own use or for the use and benefit of its members for strictly agricultural or farm purposes in this state, shall, so long as held by such corporation or association, be exempt from taxation, nor shall such corporation be liable for any other license or privilege fee or tax for the purpose of engaging in or transacting business or otherwise in this state.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §129.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-106 - Existing Associations May Come Under This Article.

Section 2-10-106
Existing associations may come under this article.
Existing associations may come under this article. Any cooperative association already in existence may by majority vote of the stockholders or its members be brought under the provisions of this article by adopting the restrictions provided in this article and complying with the requirements of this article.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §131.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-107 - Fees for Filing Articles of Incorporation.

Section 2-10-107
Fees for filing articles of incorporation.
For filing articles of incorporation, an association organized under this article shall pay $5.00 to the probate judge in whose office the same is filed. The Secretary of State for the use of the state shall be paid $5.00 for filing the certificate of incorporation forwarded by the probate judge as provided by law. For filing an amendment to the articles an association shall pay $2.50.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §132.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 10 - Cooperatives and Associations. › Article 4 - Mutual Farming or Trucking Associations. › Section 2-10-108 - Incorporated Marketing Association Not Affected.

Section 2-10-108
Incorporated marketing association not affected.
This article shall not amend, repeal or in anywise affect the provisions of article 3 of this chapter, nor any corporation or association formed thereunder.
(Acts 1935, No. 220, p. 604; Code 1940, T. 2, §133.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 11 - Marketing, Grading and Standards of Farm Products and Fish. › Article 1 - Marketing of Agricultural Products. › Section 2-11-1 - Purposes of Article.

Section 2-11-1
Purposes of article.
The purposes of this article are to promote, protect and develop the agricultural interests of this state, to regulate and control the marketing of agricultural products, to provide for the fixing and promulgation of standards for any or all containers for agricultural products which shall be the official standards for this state and to further prescribe the powers and duties of the State Board of Agriculture and Industries and the commissioner relative thereto.
(Ag. Code 1927, §334; Acts 1935, No. 147, p. 187; Code 1940, T. 2, §405.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 11 - Marketing, Grading and Standards of Farm Products and Fish. › Article 1 - Marketing of Agricultural Products. › Section 2-11-2 - Marketing in Bulk or Ungraded.

Section 2-11-2
Marketing in bulk or ungraded.
The provisions of this article shall apply only when agricultural products are sold in sacks, bags, crates, boxes, packages or other containers and shall not prevent the sale of any such products in bulk; provided, that, for the purposes of this article, the Board of Agriculture and Industries may adopt and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to be enforced by the commissioner fixing requirements as to the marking or labeling and terms used in the marketing of agricultural products when marketed in bulk or otherwise as uninspected, unclassified or ungraded agricultural products.
(Ag. Code 1927, §340; Acts 1935, No. 147, p. 187; Code 1940, T. 2, §410.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 11 - Marketing, Grading and Standards of Farm Products and Fish. › Article 1 - Marketing of Agricultural Products. › Section 2-11-3 - Powers of Commissioner and Board.

Section 2-11-3
Powers of commissioner and board.
(a) The commissioner shall have the power to:
(1) Inspect and determine the grade and condition of agricultural products both at shipping points and receiving centers within this state and provide for the issuance of certificates as to grade or condition of such products;
(2) Inspect, test and examine the containers for agricultural products;
(3) Investigate, collect and disseminate data and statistics as to the location, quantities and time when available of agricultural products produced, stored or held within this state, information as to the cost and facilities for the transportation, storage and distribution of such products and information as to market prices of such products in the markets of the state and other markets;
(4) Acquire and use such information and data as may be necessary and useful in making recommendations to the Public Service Commission to avoid and prevent discrimination in the transportation of such products of this state and to secure fair and reasonable rates for such transportation;
(5) Investigate the needs of terminal and other distributing facilities for agricultural products and cooperate and advise with corporations, municipalities and other persons concerning the establishment of such facilities;
(6) Obtain and disseminate such information and data relating to the preceding subjects from outside this state as may be practicable and of value to producers and consumers within this state; and
(7) Investigate the conduct and methods of exchanges and boards of trade within this state for the purchase and sale of agricultural products.
(b) The Board of Agriculture and Industries shall have the power to:
(1) Determine and adopt standards for any and all agricultural products as to classification, quality or condition of such products and such other qualifications as may be of value for the purposes of this article;
(2) Determine and adopt standards for any and all containers for agricultural products and to provide for and require the marking of such containers;
(3) Include in or exclude from such standards any agricultural products as may appear for the promotion of the purposes of this article and to change such standards as and when such may seem best; and
(4) Make any and all reasonable rules and regulations necessary to carrying out the objects and purposes of this article not inconsistent with the law.
(Ag. Code 1927, §336; Acts 1935, No. 147, p. 187; Code 1940, T. 2, §406.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 11 - Marketing, Grading and Standards of Farm Products and Fish. › Article 1 - Marketing of Agricultural Products. › Section 2-11-4 - Date Standards Become Effective; Information Concerning Standards.

Section 2-11-4
Date standards become effective; information concerning standards.
The commissioner shall specify the date or dates when the standards, or any alterations or modifications of such standards, adopted under the provisions of this article, shall become effective and shall give public notice not less than 30 days in advance of such date or dates by such means as he deems proper, and he is hereby empowered and authorized to employ reasonable methods for diffusing information concerning the standards that may be fixed by the board for any agricultural product.
(Ag. Code 1927, §337; Acts 1935, No. 147, p. 187; Code 1940, T. 2, §407.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 11 - Marketing, Grading and Standards of Farm Products and Fish. › Article 1 - Marketing of Agricultural Products. › Section 2-11-5 - Federal Standards May Be Adopted; Cooperation With Federal Government.

Section 2-11-5
Federal standards may be adopted; cooperation with federal government.
The commissioner, with the advice and counsel of the State Board of Agriculture and Industries, is authorized to fix and promulgate as the official standards for this state for any agricultural product the standard for such product promulgated or announced therefor under the authority of the Congress of the United States, and in carrying out the provisions of this article the said commissioner is authorized to cooperate with the United States or any department thereof in accomplishing the matters and things provided for herein.
(Ag. Code 1927, §338; Acts 1935, No. 147, p. 187; Code 1940, T. 2, §408.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 11 - Marketing, Grading and Standards of Farm Products and Fish. › Article 1 - Marketing of Agricultural Products. › Section 2-11-6 - Designation and Licensing of Inspectors; Duties; Fees; Unlawful Acts.

Section 2-11-6
Designation and licensing of inspectors; duties; fees; unlawful acts.
The commissioner is hereby authorized to designate any competent employee or agent of the Department of Agriculture and Industries or United States Department of Agriculture and to license any competent person and to charge and collect a reasonable fee for such license to inspect or classify agricultural products for the purposes of this article and to revoke such licenses at his discretion. Such inspectors shall be stationed at such places, furnish such certificates and information to the commissioner and interested parties and perform such other duties pertaining to the provisions of this article as the commissioner may require. The commissioner, with the approval of the Board of Agriculture and Industries, may fix, assess and collect or cause to be collected fees for such services. Any person other than those properly designated under the provisions of this article who shall issue certificates of inspection or classification or represent himself to be such an inspector shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ag. Code 1927, §339; Acts 1935, No. 147, p. 187; Code 1940, T. 2, §409.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 11 - Marketing, Grading and Standards of Farm Products and Fish. › Article 1 - Marketing of Agricultural Products. › Section 2-11-7 - Certificate as Evidence.

Section 2-11-7
Certificate as evidence.
A certificate of inspection or classification by a duly designated person issued under this article and all such certificates issued under authority of the Congress of the United States relating to the classification, quality or condition of agricultural products shall be accepted in any court of this state as prima facie evidence of the true classification, quality or condition of such agricultural product at the time of inspection.
(Ag. Code 1927, §341; Acts 1935, No. 147, p. 187; Code 1940, T. 2, §411.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 2 - Agriculture. › Chapter 11 - Marketing, Grading and Standards of Farm Products and Fish. › Article 1 - Marketing of Agricultural Products. › Section 2-11-8 - Rules and Regulations.

Section 2-11-8
Rules and regulations.
The Board of Agriculture and Industries is hereby authorized to promulgate all general rules and regulations necessary and practicable to the carrying out of the purposes of this article by the commissioner. The commissioner, with the approval of the board, may form or enter into agreements with other agricultural agencies, state and federal, for promotion and development of agricultural products for the purposes of this article, and to provide for payment of expenses thereof from the Agricultural Fund or other funds available to the department.
(Ag. Code 1927, §342; Acts 1935, No. 147, p. 187; Code 1940, T. 2, §412.)