2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 33. Insurance and Insurance Companies › Chapter 7. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Part 2. Formation › 33-7-215. Consolidations and mergers

33-7-215. Consolidations and mergers.
(1) A domestic society may consolidate or merge with any other society by complying with the provisions of this section. The consolidated or merged society shall file with the commissioner of insurance:
(a) a certified copy of the written contract containing in full the terms and conditions of the consolidation or merger;
(b) a sworn statement by the president and secretary or corresponding officers of each society showing the financial condition of each society on a date fixed by the commissioner, but not earlier than December 31 preceding the date of the contract;
(c) a certificate of the officers of each society, verified by their respective oaths, that the consolidation or merger has been approved by a two-thirds vote of the supreme governing body of each society, held at a regular or special meeting of each body or, if the society's laws permit, by mail; and
(d) evidence that at least 60 days prior to the action of the supreme governing body of each society, the text of the contract was furnished to all members of each society, either by mail or by publication in full in the official publication of each society.
(2) If the commissioner finds that the contract containing the terms and conditions of the proposed consolidation or merger is in conformity with this section, that the financial statements are correct, and that the consolidation or merger is just and equitable to the members of each society, the commissioner shall approve the contract and issue a certificate approving the contract.
(3) Upon approval, the contract is in full force and effect unless a society that is a party to the contract is incorporated under the laws of any other state, district, territory, province, or country. In that event, the consolidation or merger is not effective until it is approved as provided by the laws of that state, district, territory, province, or country and a certificate of approval has been filed with the commissioner of insurance of this state.
(4) When the consolidation or merger becomes effective, all the rights, franchises, and interests of the consolidated or merged societies in and to every type of property, real, personal, or mixed, and things in action pertaining to the property are vested in the society resulting from or remaining after the consolidation or merger without any other instrument, except that conveyances of real property may be evidenced by deeds. The title to any real property or interest in real property vested under the laws of this state in any of the societies consolidated or merged may not revert or be impaired by reason of the consolidation or merger, but the title vests in the society resulting from or remaining after the consolidation or merger.
(5) The affidavit of any officer of the society or of anyone authorized by the society to mail a notice or document, stating that the notice or document has been addressed and mailed, is prima facie evidence that the notice or document has been furnished to the addressees.
History: En. Sec. 14, Ch. 586, L. 1991.