reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-402. Reserved name.

(a) A person may reserve the exclusive use of a corporate name including the corporate name of a foreign corporation or its corporate name with any change required by Section 33-31-1506, by delivering an application to the Secretary of State for filing which shall set forth the name and address of the applicant and the name proposed to be reserved. Upon finding that the corporate name applied for is available, the Secretary of State shall reserve the name for the applicant's exclusive use for a nonrenewable one hundred twenty-day period.
(b) The owner of a reserved corporate name may transfer the reservation to another person by delivering to the Secretary of State a signed notice of the transfer that states the name and address of the transferee.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-403. Registered name of a foreign corporation.

(a) A foreign corporation may register its corporate name, or its corporate name with any change required by Section 33-31-1506, if the name is distinguishable upon the records of the Secretary of State from the name appearing upon the records of the Secretary of State of any other nonprofit or business corporation, professional corporation, or limited partnership incorporated in, formed in, or authorized to do business in this State, or a name reserved or registered upon the records of the Secretary of State.
(b) A foreign corporation registers its corporate name, or its corporate name with any change required by Section 33-31-1506, by delivering to the Secretary of State an application:
(1) setting forth its corporate name, or its corporate name with any change required by Section 33-31-1506, the state or country and date of its incorporation, a statement that the foreign corporation is not, and has not done business in South Carolina, and a brief description of the nature of the activities in which it is engaged; and
(2) accompanied by a certificate of existence, or a document of similar import, from the state or country of incorporation current within sixty days of delivery, duly authenticated by the official having custody of the corporation records in the state or country under whose law it is incorporated.
(c) The name is registered for the applicant's exclusive use upon the effective date of the application.
(d) A foreign corporation whose registration is effective may renew it for successive years by delivering to the Secretary of State for filing a renewal application, which complies with the requirements of subsection (b), between October first and December thirty-first of the preceding year. The renewal application renews the registration for the following calendar year.
(e) A foreign corporation whose registration is effective may qualify thereafter as a foreign corporation under that name or consent in writing to the use of that name by a corporation thereafter incorporated under this chapter or by another foreign corporation thereafter authorized to transact business in this State. The registration terminates when the domestic corporation is incorporated or the foreign corporation qualifies or consents to the qualification of another foreign corporation under the registered name.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-404. Name change filing requirement when real property owned.

(a) When either a domestic or foreign nonprofit corporation which owns real property in South Carolina changes its corporate name by amendment of its articles, by merger, or reorganization, the newly named, surviving, acquiring, or reorganized corporation must file a notice of that name change in the office of the register of deeds of the county in this State in which the real property is situate. If there is no such office in that county, a notice of name change must be filed with the clerk of court of the county in which that real property is situate.
(b) The filing must be:
(1) by affidavit executed in accordance with the provisions of Section 33-31-120 and containing the old and new names of the corporation, which affidavit also may describe the real property owned by that corporation; or,
(2) by filing a certified copy of the amended articles or articles of merger; or
(3) by a duly recorded deed of conveyance to the newly named, surviving, acquiring, or reorganized corporation.
(c) the affidavit or filed articles must be duly indexed in the index of deeds.
(d) The purpose of this section is to establish record notice under Chapter 7, Title 30. Failure to make the required filing of a corporate name change will not affect the legality, force, effect, or enforceability as between the parties of any conveyance or other transaction involving the real estate owned by the affected corporation that is made subsequent to the change in name.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
Code Commissioner's Note
1997 Act No. 34, Section 1, directed the Code Commissioner to change all references to "Register of Mesne Conveyances" to "Register of Deeds" wherever appearing in the 1976 Code of Laws.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-501. Registered office and registered agent.

Each corporation must continuously maintain in this State:
(1) a registered office with the same address as that of the registered agent; and
(2) a registered agent, who may be:
(i) an individual who resides in this State and whose office is identical with the registered office;
(ii) a domestic business or nonprofit corporation whose office is identical with the registered office; or
(iii) a foreign business or nonprofit corporation authorized to transact business in this State whose office is identical with the registered office.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-502. Change of registered office or registered agent.

(a) A corporation may change its registered office or registered agent by delivering to the Secretary of State for filing a statement of change that sets forth:
(1) the name of the corporation;
(2) the street address, with zip code, of its current registered office;
(3) if the current registered office is to be changed, the street address, including zip code, of the new registered office;
(4) the name of its current registered agent;
(5) if the current registered agent is to be changed, the name of the new registered agent and the new agent's written consent, either on the statement or attached to it, to the appointment; and
(6) that after the change or changes are made, the street addresses of its registered office and the office of its registered agent which will be identical.
(b) If the street address of a registered agent's office is changed, the registered agent may change the street address of the registered office of any corporation for which the registered agent is the registered agent by notifying the corporation in writing of the change and by signing, either manually or in facsimile, and delivering to the Secretary of State for filing a statement that complies with the requirements of subsection (a) and recites that the corporation has been notified of the change.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-503. Resignation of registered agent.

(a) A registered agent may resign as registered agent by signing and delivering to the Secretary of State the original and two exact or conformed copies of a statement of resignation. The statement may include a statement that the registered office is discontinued also.
(b) After filing the statement the Secretary of State shall mail one copy to the registered office, if not discontinued, and the other copy to the corporation at its principal office as shown in its articles or most recently filed notice of change of principal office.
(c) The agency appointment is terminated, and the registered office discontinued if so provided, on the thirty-first day after the date on which the statement was filed.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-505. Notice of Change of Principal Office.

If a corporation changes the location of its principal office, the corporation within thirty days shall file a Notice of Change of Principal Office with the Secretary of State. The Notice of Change of Principal Office shall set forth:
(a) The name of the corporation; and
(b) The current street address with zip code of the corporation's principal office and the former principal office address.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-610. Differences in rights and obligations of members.

All members have the same rights and obligations with respect to voting, dissolution, redemption, and transfer, unless the articles or bylaws establish classes of membership with different rights or obligations. All members have the same rights and obligations with respect to any other matters, except as set forth in or authorized by the articles or bylaws.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-611. Transfers.

(a) Except as set forth in or authorized by the articles or bylaws, no member of a mutual benefit corporation may transfer a membership or any right arising therefrom.
(b) No member of a public benefit or religious corporation may transfer a membership or any right arising therefrom.
(c) Where transfer rights have been provided, no restriction on them is binding with respect to a member holding a membership issued before the adoption of the restriction unless the restriction is approved by the members and the affected member.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-612. Member's liability to third parties.

A member of a corporation is not, as such, personally liable for the acts, debts, liabilities, or obligations of the corporation.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
Subarticle C
Resignation and Termination
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-620. Resignation.

(a) A member may resign at any time.
(b) The resignation of a member does not relieve the member from any obligations the member may have to the corporation as a result of obligations incurred or commitments made before resignation.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-621. Termination, expulsion, and suspension.

(a) No member of a public benefit or mutual benefit corporation may be expelled or suspended, and no membership or memberships in such corporations may be terminated or suspended except pursuant to a procedure that is fair and reasonable and is carried out in good faith.
(b) A procedure is fair and reasonable when either:
(1) the articles or bylaws set forth a procedure that provides:
(i) not less than fifteen days prior written notice of the expulsion, suspension, or termination and the reasons therefore; and
(ii) an opportunity for the member to be heard, orally or in writing, not less than five days before the effective date of the expulsion, suspension, or termination by a person or persons authorized to decide that the proposed expulsion, termination, or suspension not take place; or
(2) it is fair and reasonable taking into consideration all of the relevant facts and circumstances.
(c) Any written notice given by mail must be given by first class or certified mail sent to the last address of the member shown on the corporation's records.
(d) A proceeding challenging an expulsion, suspension, or termination, including a proceeding in which defective notice is alleged, must be commenced within one year after the effective date of the expulsion, suspension, or termination.
(e) A member who has been expelled or suspended may be liable to the corporation for dues, assessments, or fees as a result of obligations incurred or commitments made before expulsion or suspension.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-622. Purchase of memberships.

(a) A public benefit or religious corporation may not purchase any of its memberships or any right arising therefrom.
(b) A mutual benefit corporation may purchase the membership of a member who resigns or whose membership is terminated for the amount and pursuant to the conditions set forth in or authorized by its articles or bylaws. No payment shall be made in violation of Article 13.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
Subarticle D
Derivative Suits
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-630. Derivative suits.

Derivative suits may be maintained on behalf of South Carolina corporations in federal and state court in accordance with the applicable rules of civil procedure.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
Subarticle E
Delegates
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-640. Delegates.

(a) A corporation may provide in its articles or bylaws for delegates having some or all of the authority of members.
(b) The articles or bylaws may set forth provisions relating to:
(1) the characteristics, qualifications, rights, limitations, and obligations of delegates including their selection and removal;
(2) calling, noticing, holding, and conducting meetings of delegates; and
(3) carrying on corporate activities during and between meetings of delegates.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-701. Annual and regular meetings.

(a) A corporation with members shall hold a membership meeting annually at a time stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws.
(b) A corporation with members may hold regular membership meetings at the times stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws.
(c) Annual and regular membership meetings may be held in or out of this State at the place stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws. If no place is stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws, annual and regular meetings must be held at the corporation's principal office.
(d) At the annual meeting:
(1) The president and chief financial officer shall report on the activities and financial condition of the corporation; and
(2) Unless this chapter or the articles of incorporation or bylaws require otherwise, notice of an annual meeting need not include a description of the purpose for which the meeting is called.
(e) At regular meetings, the members shall consider and act upon matters as raised consistent with provisions of the articles of incorporation or bylaws and, in addition, with the notice requirements of this chapter.
(f) The failure to hold an annual or regular meeting at a time stated in or fixed in accordance with a corporation's bylaws does not affect the validity of a corporate action.
(g) If authorized by the board of directors, and subject to the guidelines and procedures the board of directors may adopt, members not physically present at annual or regular membership meetings may, by means of remote communication:
(1) participate in an annual or regular membership meeting;
(2) be deemed present in person and vote at an annual or regular membership meeting, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that the corporation implements reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the annual or regular membership meeting is a member of the corporation or proxy holder.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1; 2023 Act No. 68 (H.4049), Section 2, eff May 19, 2023.
Effect of Amendment
2023 Act No. 68, Section 2, added (g).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-702. Special meetings.

(a) A corporation with members shall hold a special meeting of members:
(1) on call of its board or the person or persons authorized to do so by the articles or bylaws; or
(2) except as provided in the articles or bylaws of a religious corporation, if the holders of at least five percent of the voting power of any corporation sign, date, and deliver to any corporate officer one or more written demands for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
(b) The close of business on the thirtieth day before delivery of the demand or demands for a special meeting to any corporate officer is the record date for the purpose of determining whether the five percent requirement of subsection (a) has been met.
(c) If a notice for a special meeting demanded under subsection (a)(2) is not given pursuant to Section 33-31-705 within thirty days after the date the written demand or demands are delivered to a corporate officer, regardless of the requirements of subsection (d), a person signing the demand or demands may set the time and place of the meeting and give notice pursuant to Section 33-31-705.
(d) Special meetings of members may be held in or out of this State at the place stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws. If no place is stated or fixed in accordance with the bylaws, special meetings must be held at the corporation's principal office.
(e) Only those matters that are within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice required by Section 33-31-705 may be conducted at a special meeting of members.
(f) If authorized by the board of directors, and subject to the guidelines and procedures the board of directors may adopt, members not physically present at special membership meetings may, by means of remote communication:
(1) participate in a special membership meeting; and
(2) be deemed present and in person and vote at a special membership meeting, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that the corporation implements reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the special membership meeting is a member of the corporation or proxy holder.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1; 2023 Act No. 68 (H.4049), Section 4, eff May 19, 2023.
Effect of Amendment
2023 Act No. 68, Section 4, added (f).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-703. Court-ordered meeting.

(a) The court of common pleas of the county where a corporation's principal office in this State or, if none in this State, its registered office, is located may summarily order a meeting to be held:
(1) on application of a member or other person entitled to participate in an annual or regular meeting, and in the case of a public benefit corporation, the Attorney General, if an annual meeting was not held within the earlier of six months after the end of the corporation's fiscal year or fifteen months after its last annual meeting; or
(2) on application of a member or other person entitled to participate in a regular meeting, and in the case of a public benefit corporation, the Attorney General, if a regular meeting is not held within forty days after the date it was required to be held; or
(3) on application of a member who signed a demand for a special meeting valid under Section 33-31-702, a person or persons entitled to call a special meeting and, in the case of a public benefit corporation, the Attorney General, if:
(i) notice of the special meeting was not given within thirty days after the date the demand was delivered to a corporate officer; or
(ii) the special meeting was not held in accordance with the notice.
(b) The court may fix the time and place of the meeting, specify a record date for determining members entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting, prescribe the form and content of the meeting notice, fix the quorum required for specific matters to be considered at the meeting, or direct that the votes represented at the meeting constitute a quorum for action on those matters, and enter other orders necessary to accomplish the purpose or purposes of the meeting.
(c) If the court orders a meeting, it may also order the corporation to pay the member's costs, including reasonable counsel fees, incurred to obtain the order.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-704. Action by written consent.

(a) Unless limited or prohibited by the articles or bylaws, action required or permitted by this chapter to be approved by the members may be approved without a meeting of members if the action is approved by members holding at least eighty percent of the voting power. The action must be evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken, signed by those members representing at least eighty percent of the voting power, and delivered to the corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records.
(b) If not otherwise determined under Section 33-31-703 or 33-31-707, the record date for determining members entitled to take action without a meeting is the date the first member signs the consent under subsection (a).
(c) A consent signed under this section has the effect of a meeting vote and may be described as such in any document filed with the Secretary of State.
(d) Written notice of member approval pursuant to this section must be given to all members who have not signed the written consent. If written notice is required, member approval pursuant to this section is effective ten days after the written notice is given.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-705. Notice of meeting.

(a) A corporation shall give notice consistent with its bylaws of meetings of members in a fair and reasonable manner.
(b) Any notice that conforms to the requirements of subsection (c) is fair and reasonable, but other means of giving notice also may be fair and reasonable when all the circumstances are considered. However, notice of matters referred to in subsection (c)(2) must be given as provided in subsection (c).
(c) Notice is fair and reasonable if:
(1) the corporation notifies its members of the place, date, and time of each annual, regular, and special meeting of members no fewer than ten or if notice is mailed by other than first class or registered mail, thirty, nor more than sixty days before the meeting date;
(2) notice of an annual or regular meeting includes a description of any matter that must be approved by the members under Section 33-31-831, 33-31-856, 33-31-1003, 33-31-1021, 33-31-1104, 33-31-1202, 33-31-1401, or 33-31-1402; and
(3) notice of a special meeting includes a description of the matter for which the meeting is called.
(d) Unless the bylaws require otherwise, if an annual, regular, or special meeting of members is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time, or place, if the new date, time, or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is or must be fixed under Section 33-31-707, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given under this section to the members of record as of the new record date.
(e) When giving notice of an annual, regular, or special meeting of members, a corporation shall give notice of a matter a member intends to raise at the meeting if:
(1) requested in writing to do so by a person entitled to call a special meeting; and
(2) the request is received by the secretary or president of the corporation at least ten days before the corporation gives notice of the meeting.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-706. Waiver of notice.

(a) A member may waive any notice required by this chapter, the articles, or bylaws before or after the date and time stated in the notice. The waiver must be in writing, be signed by the member entitled to the notice, and be delivered to the corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records.
(b) A member's attendance at a meeting:
(1) waives objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the meeting, unless the member at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting;
(2) waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the purpose described in the meeting notice, unless the member objects to considering the matter when it is presented.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-707. Record date; determining members entitled to notice and vote.

(a) The bylaws of a corporation may fix or provide the manner of fixing a date as the record date for determining the members entitled to notice of a member's meeting. If the bylaws do not fix or provide for fixing a record date, the board may fix a future date as a record date. If no record date is fixed, members at the close of business on the business day preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day preceding the day on which the meeting is held are entitled to notice of the meeting.
(b) The bylaws of a corporation may fix or provide the manner of fixing a date as the record date for determining the members entitled to vote at a member's meeting. If the bylaws do not fix or provide for fixing a record date, the board may fix a future date as a record date. If no record date is fixed, members on the date of the meeting who are otherwise eligible to vote are entitled to vote at the meeting.
(c) The bylaws may fix or provide the manner for determining a date as the record date for the purpose of determining the members entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action. If the bylaws do not fix or provide for fixing a record date, the board may fix in advance a record date. If no record date is fixed, members at the close of business on the day on which the board adopts the resolution relating thereto, or the sixtieth day before the date of such other action, whichever is later, are entitled to exercise such rights.
(d) A record date fixed under this section may not be more than seventy days before the meeting or action requiring a determination of members occurs.
(e) A determination of members entitled to notice of or to vote at a membership meeting is effective for any adjournment of the meeting unless the board fixes a new date for determining the right to notice or the right to vote, which it must do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than one hundred twenty days after the record date for determining members entitled to notice of the original meeting.
(f) If a court orders a meeting adjourned to a date more than one hundred twenty days after the date fixed for the original meeting, it may provide that the original record date for notice or voting continues in effect or it may fix a new record date for notice or voting.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-708. Action by written or electronic ballot.

(a) Unless prohibited or limited by the articles or bylaws, any action that may be taken at any annual, regular, or special meeting of members may be taken without a meeting if the corporation delivers a written or electronic ballot to every member entitled to vote on the matter.
(b) A written or electronic ballot shall:
(1) set forth each proposed action; and
(2) provide an opportunity to vote for or against each proposed action.
(c) Approval by written or electronic ballot pursuant to this section is valid only when the number of votes cast by ballot equals or exceeds the quorum required to be present at a meeting authorizing the action, and the number of approvals equals or exceeds the number of votes that would be required to approve the matter at a meeting at which the total number of votes cast was the same as the number of votes cast by ballot.
(d) All solicitations for votes by written or electronic ballot shall:
(1) indicate the number of responses needed to meet the quorum requirements;
(2) state the percentage of approvals necessary to approve each matter other than election of directors; and
(3) specify the time by which a ballot must be received by the corporation in order to be counted.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in the articles or bylaws, a written or electronic ballot may not be revoked.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1; 2006 Act No. 255, Section 1, eff April 8, 2006.
Effect of Amendment
The 2006 amendment added "or electronic" preceding "ballot" throughout.
Subarticle B
Voting
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-720. Members' list for voting.

(a) After fixing a record date for a notice of a meeting, a corporation shall prepare an alphabetical list of the names of all its members who are entitled to notice of the meeting and shall list the members by classification of membership, if any. The list must show the address and number of votes each member is entitled to vote at the meeting. The corporation shall prepare on a current basis through the time of the membership meeting a list of members, if any, who are entitled to vote at the meeting but not entitled to notice of the meeting. This list must be prepared on the same basis and be part of the list of members.
(b) The list of members must be available for inspection by any member for the purpose of communication with other members concerning the meeting, beginning the day after notice is given of the meeting for which the list was prepared and continuing through the meeting, at the corporation's principal office or at a reasonable place identified in the meeting notice in the city where the meeting will be held. A member, a member's agent, or member's attorney is entitled on written demand to inspect and, subject to the limitations of Sections 33-31-1602(c) and 33-31-1605, to copy the list, at a reasonable time and at the member's expense, during the period it is available for inspection.
(c) The corporation shall make the list of members available at the meeting, and any member, a member's agent, or member's attorney is entitled to inspect the list at any time during the meeting or any adjournment.
(d) If the corporation refuses to allow a member, a member's agent, or member's attorney to inspect the list of members before or at the meeting, or copy the list as permitted by subsection (b), the court of common pleas of the county where a corporation's principal office in this State or, if none in this State, its registered office, is located, on application of the member, may summarily order the inspection or copying at the corporation's expense and may postpone the meeting for which the list was prepared until the inspection or copying is complete and may order the corporation to pay the member's costs, including reasonable counsel fees, incurred to obtain the order.
(e) Unless a written demand to inspect and copy a membership list has been made under subsection (b) before the membership meeting and a corporation improperly refuses to comply with the demand, refusal or failure to comply with this section does not affect the validity of action taken at the meeting.
(f) The articles or bylaws of a religious corporation may limit or abolish the rights of a member under this section.
(g) A member may inspect and copy the membership list only if (i) his demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose; (ii) he describes with reasonable particularity his purpose; and (iii) the list is directly connected with his purpose.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-721. Voting entitlement generally.

(a) Unless the articles or bylaws provide otherwise, each member is entitled to one vote on each matter voted on by the members.
(b) Unless the articles or bylaws provide otherwise, if a membership stands of record in the names of two or more persons, their acts with respect to voting have the following effect:
(1) if only one votes, the act binds all; and
(2) if more than one votes, the vote must be divided on a pro rata basis.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-722. Quorum requirements.

(a) Unless this chapter, the articles, or bylaws provide for a higher or lower quorum, ten percent of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter must be represented at a meeting of members to constitute a quorum on that matter.
(b) A bylaw amendment to change the quorum for a member action may be approved by the members and, if required, be approved as provided in Section 33-31-1030.
(c) An amendment to the articles of incorporation or bylaws that adds, changes, or deletes a greater quorum must be adopted under the quorum then in effect or proposed to be adopted, whichever is greater.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-723. Voting requirements.

(a) Unless this chapter, the articles, or the bylaws require a greater vote or voting by class, if a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the votes represented and voting, which affirmative votes also constitute a majority of the required quorum, is the act of the members.
(b) A bylaw amendment to increase or decrease the vote required for a member action must be approved by the members and, if required, be approved as required in Section 33-31-1030.
(c) An amendment of the articles of incorporation or bylaws adding, changing, or deleting a voting requirement must be adopted by the same vote and classes of members required to take action under the voting requirements then in effect or proposed to be adopted, whichever is greater.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-724. Proxies.

(a) Unless the articles or bylaws prohibit or limit proxy voting, a member may appoint a proxy to vote or otherwise act for the member by signing an appointment form either personally or by an attorney-in-fact.
(b) An appointment of a proxy is effective when received by the secretary or other officer or agent authorized to tabulate votes. An appointment is valid for eleven months unless a different period is expressly provided in the appointment form. However, no proxy is valid for more than three years from its date of execution.
(c) An appointment of a proxy is revocable by the member.
(d) The death or incapacity of the member appointing a proxy does not affect the right of the corporation to accept the proxy's authority unless notice of the death or incapacity is received by the secretary or other officer or agent authorized to tabulate votes before the proxy exercises authority under the appointment.
(e) Appointment of a proxy is revoked by the person appointing the proxy:
(1) attending any meeting and voting in person; or
(2) signing and delivering to the secretary or other officer or agent authorized to tabulate proxy votes either a writing stating that the appointment of the proxy is revoked or a subsequent appointment form.
(f) Subject to Section 33-31-727 and any express limitation on the proxy's authority appearing on the face of the appointment form, a corporation is entitled to accept the proxy's vote or other action as that of the member making the appointment.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-725. Cumulative voting for directors.

(a) If the articles provide for cumulative voting by members, members may so vote by multiplying the number of votes the members are entitled to cast by the number of directors for whom they are entitled to vote, and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates.
(b) Cumulative voting is not authorized at a particular meeting unless:
(1) the meeting notice or statement accompanying the notice states that cumulative voting will take place; or
(2) a member gives notice during the meeting and before the vote is taken of the member's intent to cumulate votes and, if one member gives this notice, all other members participating in the election are entitled to cumulate their votes without giving further notice.
(c) A director elected by cumulative voting may be removed by the members without cause if the requirements of Section 33-31-808 are met unless the votes cast against removal, or not consenting in writing to the removal, would be sufficient to elect the director if voted cumulatively at an election at which the same total number of votes were cast or, if such action is taken by written ballot, all memberships entitled to vote were voted and the entire number of directors authorized at the time of the director's most recent election were then being elected.
(d) Members may not cumulatively vote if the directors and members are identical.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-726. Other methods of electing directors.

A corporation may provide in its articles or bylaws for election of directors by members or delegates:
(1) on the basis of chapter or other organizational unit;
(2) by region or other geographic unit;
(3) by preferential voting; or
(4) by any other reasonable method.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-727. Corporation's acceptance of votes.

(a) If the name signed on a vote, consent, waiver, or proxy appointment corresponds to the name of a member, the corporation if acting in good faith is entitled to accept the vote, consent, waiver, or proxy appointment and give it effect as the act of the member.
(b) If the name signed on a vote, consent, waiver, or proxy appointment does not correspond to the record name of a member, the corporation if acting in good faith is nevertheless entitled to accept the vote, consent, waiver, or proxy appointment and give it effect as the act of the member if:
(1) the member is an entity and the name signed purports to be that of an officer or agent of the entity;
(2) the name signed purports to be that of an attorney-in-fact of the member and, if the corporation requests, evidence acceptable to the corporation of the signatory's authority to sign for the member has been presented with respect to the vote, consent, waiver, or proxy appointment;
(3) two or more persons hold the membership as cotenants or fiduciaries and the name signed purports to be the name of at least one of the coholders and the person signing appears to be acting on behalf of all the coholders; and
(4) in the case of a mutual benefit corporation:
(i) the name signed purports to be that of an administrator, executor, guardian, or conservator representing the member and, if the corporation requests, evidence of fiduciary status acceptable to the corporation has been presented with respect to the vote, consent, waiver, or proxy appointment;
(ii) the name signed purports to be that of a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy of the member and, if the corporation requests, evidence of this status acceptable to the corporation has been presented with respect to the vote, consent, waiver, or proxy appointment.
(c) The corporation is entitled to reject a vote, consent, waiver, or proxy appointment if the secretary or other officer or agent authorized to tabulate votes, acting in good faith, has reasonable basis for doubt about the validity of the signature on it or about the signatory's authority to sign for the member.
(d) The corporation and its officer or agent who accepts or rejects a vote, consent, waiver, or proxy appointment in good faith and in accordance with the standards of this section are not liable in damages to the member for the consequences of the acceptance or rejection.
(e) Corporate action based on the acceptance or rejection of a vote, consent, waiver, or proxy appointment under this section is valid unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines otherwise.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
Subarticle C
Voting Agreements
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-730. Voting agreements.

(a) Two or more members may provide for the manner in which they will vote by signing an agreement for that purpose. The agreements may be valid for ten years. For public benefit corporations the agreements must have a reasonable purpose not inconsistent with the corporation's public or charitable purposes.
(b) A voting agreement created under this section is specifically enforceable.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-801. Requirement for and duties of board.

(a) Each corporation must have a board of directors.
(b) Except as provided in this chapter or subsection (c), all corporate powers must be exercised by or under the authority of and the affairs of the corporation managed under the direction of its board.
(c) The articles may authorize a person or persons to exercise some or all of the powers which would otherwise be exercised by a board. To the extent so authorized, the person or persons shall have the duties and responsibilities of the directors, and the directors shall be relieved to that extent from the duties and responsibilities.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-803. Number of directors.

(a) A board of directors must consist of three or more directors, with the number specified in or fixed in accordance with the articles or bylaws.
(b) The number of directors may be increased or decreased, but to no fewer than three, by amendment to or in the manner prescribed in the articles or bylaws.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-804. Election, designation, and appointment of directors.

(a) If the corporation has members entitled to vote for directors, all the directors, except the initial directors, must be elected at the first annual meeting of members, and at each annual meeting thereafter, unless the articles or bylaws provide some other time or method of election, or provide that some of the directors are appointed by some other person or designated.
(b) If the corporation does not have members entitled to vote for directors, all the directors, except the initial directors, must be elected, appointed, or designated as provided in the articles or bylaws. If no method of designation or appointment is set forth in the articles or bylaws, the directors, other than the initial directors, must be elected by the board.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-805. Terms of directors generally.

(a) The articles or bylaws may specify the terms of directors. Except for designated or appointed directors, the terms of directors may not exceed five years. In the absence of a term specified in the articles or bylaws, the term of each director is one year. Directors may be elected for successive terms.
(b) A decrease in the number of directors or term of office does not shorten an incumbent director's term.
(c) Except as provided in the articles or bylaws:
(1) the term of a director filling a vacancy in the office of a director elected by members expires at the next election of directors by members; and
(2) the term of a director filling another vacancy expires at the end of the unexpired term that such director is filling.
(d) Despite the expiration of a director's term, the director continues to serve until the director's successor is elected, designated or appointed, and qualifies, or until there is a decrease in the number of directors.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-806. Staggered terms for directors.

The articles or bylaws may provide for staggering the terms of directors by dividing the total number of directors into groups. The terms of office of the several groups need not be uniform.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 33 - Corporations, Partnerships and Associations › Chapter 31 - South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act › Section 33-31-807. Resignation of directors.

(a) A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its presiding officer, or to the president or secretary.
(b) A resignation is effective when the notice is effective unless the notice specifies a later effective date. If a resignation is made effective at a later date, the board may fill the pending vacancy before the effective date if the board provides that the successor does not take office until the effective date.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 384, Section 1.