the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (1) or (2). Such determination shall be made:
(a) By the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such proceeding;
(b) If such a quorum is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, by majority vote of a committee duly designated by the board of directors (in which directors who are parties may participate) consisting solely of two or more directors not at the time parties to the proceeding;
(i) Selected by the board of directors prescribed in paragraph (a) or the committee prescribed in paragraph (b); or
(ii) If a quorum of the directors cannot be obtained for paragraph (a) and the committee cannot be designed under paragraph (b), selected by majority vote of the full board of directors (in which directors who are parties may participate); or
(d) By the shareholders by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of shareholders who were not parties to such proceeding or, if no such quorum is obtainable, by a majority vote of shareholders who were not parties to such proceeding.
(5) Evaluation of the reasonableness of expenses and authorization of indemnification shall be made in the same manner as the determination that indemnification is permissible. However, if the determination of permissibility is made by independent legal counsel, persons specified by paragraph (4)(c) shall evaluate the reasonableness of expenses and may authorize indemnification.
(6) Expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or criminal proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if he is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification by the corporation pursuant to this section. Expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be paid in advance upon such terms or conditions that the board of directors deems appropriate.
(7) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided pursuant to this section are not exclusive, and the corporation may make any other or further indemnification or advancement of expenses of any of its directors, officers, employees, or agents, under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. However, indemnification or advancement of expenses shall not be made to or on behalf of any director, officer, employee, or agent if a judgment or other final adjudication establishes that his actions, or omissions to act, were material to the cause of action so adjudicated and constitute:
(a) A violation of the criminal law, unless the director, officer, employee, or agent had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful;
(b) A transaction from which the director, officer, employee, or agent derived an improper personal benefit;
(c) In the case of a director, a circumstance under which the liability provisions of Section 607.0834 under the Act are applicable; or
(d) Willful misconduct or a conscious disregard for the best interests of the corporation in a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor or in a proceeding by or in the right of a shareholder.
(8) Indemnification and advancement of expenses as provided in this section shall continue as, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified.
(9) Notwithstanding the failure of the corporation to provide indemnification, and despite any contrary determination of the board or of the shareholders in the specific case, a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation who is or was a party to a proceeding may apply for indemnification or advancement of expenses, or both, to the court conducting the proceeding, to the circuit court, or to another court of competent jurisdiction. On receipt of an application, the court, after giving any notice that it considers necessary, may order indemnification and advancement of expenses, including expenses incurred in seeking court-ordered indemnification or advancement of expenses, if it determines that:
(a) The director, officer, employee, or agent if entitled to mandatory indemnification under subsection (3), in which case the court shall also order the corporation to pay the director reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining court-ordered indemnification or advancement of expenses;
(b) The director, officer, employee, or agent is entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses, or both, by virtue of the exercise by the corporation of its power pursuant to subsection (7); or
(c) The director, officer, employee, or agent is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses, or both, in view of all the relevant circumstances, regardless of whether such person met the standard of conduct set forth in subsection (1), subsection (2) or subsection (7).
(10) For purposes of this section, the term “corporation” includes, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of a constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of a
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constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, is in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(11) For purposes of this section:
(a) The term “other enterprises” includes employee benefit plans;
(b) The term “expenses” includes counsel fees, including those for appeal;
(c) The term “liability” includes obligations to pay a judgment, settlement, penalty, fine (including an excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan), and expenses actually and reasonably incurred with respect to a proceeding;
(d) The term “proceeding” includes any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or other type of proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal;
(e) The term “agent” includes a volunteer;
(f) The term “serving at the request of the corporation” includes any service as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation that imposes duties on such persons, including duties relating to an employee benefit plan and its participants or beneficiaries; and
(g) The term “not opposed to the best interest of the corporation” describes the actions of a person who acts in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan.
(12) The corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this section.
ARTICLE VI
Office and Agent
Section 6.01. | Registered Office and Registered Agent. |
(1) The corporation shall have and continuously maintain in the State of Florida:
(a) A registered office which may be the same as its place of business; and
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(b) A registered agent, who, may be either:
(i) An individual who resides in the State of Florida whose business office is identical with such registered office; or
(ii) Another corporation or not-for-profit corporation as defined in Chapter 617 of the Act, authorized to transact business or conduct its affairs in the State of Florida, having a business office identical with the registered office; or
(iii) A foreign corporation or not-for-profit foreign corporation authorized pursuant to chapter 607 or chapter 617 of the Act to transact business or conduct its affairs in the State of Florida, having a business office identical with the registered office.
Section 6.02. Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent; Resignation of Registered Agent.
(1) The corporation may change its registered office or its registered agent upon filing with the Department of State of the State of Florida a statement of change setting forth:
(a) The name of the corporation;
(b) The street address of its current registered office;
(c) If the current registered office is to be changed, the street address of the new registered office;
(d) The name of its current registered agent;
(e) If its 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;
(f) That the street address of its registered office and the street address of the business office of its registered agent, as changed, will be identical;
(g) That such change was authorized by resolution duly adopted by its board of directors or by an officer of the corporation so authorized by the board of directors.
ARTICLE VII
Shares, Options, Dividends and Distributions
Section 7.01. | Authorized Shares. |
(1) The articles of incorporation prescribe the classes of shares and the number of shares of each class that the corporation is authorized to issue, as well as a distinguishing
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designation for each class, and prior to the issuance of shares of a class the preferences, limitations, and relative rights of that class must be described in the articles of incorporation.
(2) The articles of incorporation must authorize:
(a) One or more classes of shares that together have unlimited voting rights, and
(b) One or more classes of shares (which may be the same class or classes as those with voting rights) that together are entitled to receive the net assets of the corporation upon dissolution.
(3) The articles of incorporation may authorize one or more classes of shares that have special, conditional, or limited voting rights, or no rights, or no right to vote, except to the extent prohibited by the Act;
(a) Are redeemable or convertible as specified in the articles of incorporation;
(b) Entitle the holders to distributions calculated in any manner, including dividends that may be cumulative, non-cumulative, or partially cumulative;
(c) Have preference over any other class of shares with respect to distributions, including dividends and distributions upon the dissolution of the corporation.
(4) Shares which are entitled to preference in the distribution of dividends or assets shall not be designated as common shares. Shares which are not entitled to preference in the distribution of dividends or assets shall be common shares and shall not be designated as preferred shares.
Section 7.02. | Terms of Class or Series Determined by Board of Directors. |
(1) If the articles of incorporation so provide, the board of directors may determine, in whole or part, the preferences, limitations, and relative rights (within the limits set forth in Section 7.01) of:
(a) Any class of shares before the issuance of any shares of that class, or
(b) One or more series within a class before the issuance of any shares of that series.
(2) Each series of a class must be given a distinguishing designation.
(3) All shares of a series must have preferences, limitations, and relative rights identical with those of other shares of the same series and, except to the extent otherwise provided in the description of the series, of those of other series of the same class.
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(4) Before issuing any shares of a class or series created under this section, the corporation must deliver to the Department of State of the State of Florida for filing articles of amendment, which are effective without shareholder action, in accordance with Section 607.0602 of the Act.
Section 7.03. | Issued and Outstanding Shares. |
(1) A corporation may issue the number of shares of each class or series authorized by the articles of incorporation. Shares that are issued are outstanding shares until they are reacquired, redeemed, converted, or canceled.
(2) The reacquisition, redemption, or conversion of outstanding shares is subject to the limitations of subsection (3) and to Section 607.06401 of the Act.
(3) At all times that shares of the corporation are outstanding, one or more shares that together have unlimited voting rights and one or more shares that together are entitled to receive the net assets of the corporation upon dissolution must be outstanding.
Section 7.04. | Issuance of Shares. |
(1) The board of directors may authorize shares to be issued for consideration consisting of any tangible or intangible property or benefit to the corporation, including cash, promissory notes, services performed, promises to perform services evidenced by a written contract, or other securities of the corporation.
(2) Before the corporation issues shares, the board of directors must determine that the consideration received or to be received for shares to be issued is adequate. That determination by the board of directors is conclusive insofar as the adequacy of consideration for the issuance of shares relates to whether the shares are validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable. When it cannot be determined that outstanding shares are fully paid and non-assessable, there shall be a conclusive presumption that such shares are fully paid and non-assessable if the board of directors makes a good faith determination that there is no substantial evidence that the full consideration for such shares has not been paid.
(3) When the corporation receives the consideration for which the board of directors authorized the issuance of shares, the shares issued therefor are fully paid and non-assessable. Consideration in the form of a promise to pay money or a promise to perform services is received by the corporation at the time of the making of the promise, unless the agreement specifically provides otherwise.
(4) The corporation may place in escrow shares issued for a contract for future services or benefits or a promissory note, or make other arrangements to restrict the transfer of the shares, and may credit distributions in respect of the shares against their purchase price, until the services are performed, the note is paid, or the benefits received. If the services are not performed, the shares escrowed or restricted and the distributions credited may be canceled in whole or part.
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Section 7.05. | Form and Content of Certificates. |
(1) Shares may but need not be represented by certificates. Unless the Act or another statute expressly provides otherwise, the rights and obligations of shareholders are identical whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.
(2) At a minimum, each share certificate must state on its face:
(a) The name of the issuing corporation and that the corporation is organized under the laws of the State of Florida;
(b) The name of the person to whom issued; and
(c) The number and class of shares and the designation of the series, if any, the certificate represents.
(3) If the shares being issued are of different classes of shares or different series within a class, the designations, relative rights, preferences, and limitations applicable to each class and the variations in rights, preferences, and limitations determined for each series (and the authority of the board of directors to determine variations for future series) must be summarized on the front or back of each certificate. Alternatively, each certificate may state conspicuously on its front or back that the corporation will furnish the shareholder a full statement of this information on request and without charge.
(4) Each share certificate:
(a) Must be signed (either manually or in facsimile) by an officer or officers designated by the board of directors, and
(b) May bear the corporate seal or its facsimile.
(5) If the person who signed (either manually or in facsimile) a share certificate no longer holds office when the certificate is issued, the certificate is nevertheless valid.
(6) Nothing in this section may be construed to invalidate any share certificate validly issued and outstanding under the Act on July 1, 1990.
Section 7.06. | Shares Without Certificates. |
(1) The board of directors of the corporation may authorize the issue of some or all of the shares of any or all of its classes or series without certificates. The authorization does not affect shares already represented by certificates until they are surrendered to the corporation.
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(2) Within a reasonable time after the issue or transfer of shares without certificates, the corporation shall send the shareholder a written statement of the information required on certificates by the Act.
Section 7.07. | Restriction on Transfer of Shares and Other Securities. |
(1) The articles of incorporation, these bylaws, an agreement among shareholders, or an agreement between shareholders and the corporation may impose restrictions on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the corporation. A restriction does not affect shares issued before the restriction was adopted unless the holders of such shares are parties to the restriction agreement or voted in favor of the restriction.
(2) A restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares is valid and enforceable against the holder or a transferee of the holder if the restriction is authorized by this section, and effected in compliance with the provisions of the Act, including having a proper purpose as referred to in the Act.
Section 7.08. | Shareholder’s Pre-emptive Rights. |
The shareholders of the corporation do not have a pre-emptive right to acquire the corporation’s unissued shares.
Section 7.09. | Corporation’s Acquisition of its Own Shares. |
(1) The corporation may acquire its own shares, and, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or except as provided in subsection (4), shares so acquired constitute authorized but unissued shares of the same class but undesignated as to series.
(2) If the articles of incorporation prohibit the reissue of acquired shares, the number of authorized shares is reduced by the number of shares acquired, effective upon amendment of the articles of incorporation.
(3) Articles of amendment may be adopted by the board of directors without shareholder action, shall be delivered to the Department of State of the State of Florida for filing, and shall set forth the information required by Section 607.0631 of the Act.
(4) Shares of the corporation in existence on June 30, 1990, which are treasury shares under Section 607.004(18), Florida Statutes (1987), shall be issued, but not outstanding, until canceled or disposed of by the corporation.
Section 7.10. | Share Options. |
(1) Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the corporation may issue rights, options, or warrants for the purchase of shares of the corporation. The board of directors shall determine the terms upon which the rights, options, or warrants are issued, their form and content, and the consideration for which the shares are to be issued.
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(2) The terms and conditions of stock rights and options which are created and issued by the corporation, or its successor, and which entitle the holders thereof to purchase from the corporation shares of any class or classes, whether authorized by unissued shares, treasury shares, or shares to be purchased or acquired by the corporation, may include, without limitation, restrictions, or conditions that preclude or limit the exercise, transfer, receipt, or holding of such rights or options by any person or persons, including any person or persons owning or offering to acquire a specified number or percentage of the outstanding common shares or other securities of the corporation, or any transferee or transferees of any such person or persons, or that invalidate or void such rights or options held by any such person or persons or any such transferee or transferees.
Section 7.11. | Terms and Conditions of Stock Rights and Options. |
The terms and conditions of the stock rights and options which are created and issued by the corporation [or its successor], and which entitle the holders thereof to purchase from the corporation shares of any class or classes, whether authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares, or shares to be purchased or acquired by the corporation, may include, without limitation, restrictions or conditions that preclude or limit the exercise, transfer, receipt or holding of such rights or options by any person or persons, including any person or persons owning or offering to acquire a specified number or percentage of the outstanding common shares or other securities of the corporation, or any transferee or transferees of any such person or persons, or that invalidate or void such rights or options held by any such person or persons or any such transferee or transferees.
Section 7.12. | Share Dividends. |
(1) Shares may be issued pro rata and without consideration to the corporation’s shareholders or to the shareholders of one or more classes or series. An issuance of shares under this subsection is a share dividend.
(2) Shares of one class or series may not be issued as a share dividend in respect of shares of another class or series unless:
(a) The articles of incorporation so authorize,
(b) A majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued approves the issue, or
(c) There are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued.
(3) If the board of directors does not fix the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend, it is the date of the board of directors authorizes the share dividend.
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Section 7.13. | Distributions to Shareholders. |
(1) The board of directors may authorize and the corporation may make distributions to its shareholders subject to restriction by the articles of incorporation and the limitations in subsection (3).
(2) If the board of directors does not fix the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a distribution (other than one involving a purchase, redemption, or other acquisition of the corporation’s shares), it is the date the board of directors authorizes the distribution.
(3) No distribution may be made if, after giving it effect:
(a) The corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or
(b) The corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus (unless the articles of incorporation permit otherwise) the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.
(4) The board of directors may base a determination that a distribution is not prohibited under subsection (3) either on financial statements prepared on the basis of accounting practices and principles that are reasonable in the circumstances or on a fair valuation or other method that is reasonable in the circumstances. In the case of any distribution based upon such a valuation, each such distribution shall be identified as a distribution based upon a current valuation of assets, and the amount per share paid on the basis of such valuation shall be disclosed to the shareholders concurrent with their receipt of the distribution.
(5) Except as provided in subsection (7), the effect of a distribution under subsection (3) is measured;
(a) In the case of distribution by purchase, redemption, or other acquisition of the corporation’s shares, as of the earlier of:
(i) The date money or other property is transferred or debt incurred by the corporation, or
(ii) The date the shareholder ceases to be a shareholder with respect to the acquired shares;
(b) In the case of any other distribution of indebtedness, as of the date the indebtedness is distributed;
(c) In all other cases, as of:
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(i) The date the distribution is authorized if the payment occurs within 120 days after the date of authorization, or
(ii) The date the payment is made if it occurs more than 120 days after the date of authorization.
(6) A corporation’s indebtedness to a shareholder incurred by reason of a distribution made in accordance with this section is at parity with the corporation’s indebtedness to its general, unsecured creditors except to the extent subordinated by agreement.
(7) Indebtedness of the corporation, including indebtedness issued as a distribution, is not considered a liability for purposes of determinations under subsection (3) if its terms provide that payment of principal and interest are made only if and to the extent that payment of a distribution to shareholders could then be made under this section. If the indebtedness is issued as a distribution, each payment of principal or interest is treated as a distribution, the effect of which is measured on the date the payment is actually made.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendment of Articles and Bylaws
Section 8.01. | Authority to Amend the Articles of Incorporation. |
(1) The corporation may amend its articles of incorporation at any time to add or change a provision that is required or permitted in the articles of incorporation or to delete a provision not required in the articles of incorporation. Whether a provision is required or permitted in the articles of incorporation is determined as of the effective date of the amendment.
(2) A shareholder of the corporation does not have a vested property right resulting from any provision in the articles of incorporation, including provisions relating to management, control, capital structure, dividend entitlement, or purpose or duration of the corporation.
Section 8.02. | Amendment by Board of Directors. |
The corporation’s board of directors may adopt one or more amendments to the corporation’s articles of incorporation without shareholder action:
(1) To extend the duration of the corporation if it was incorporated at a time when limited duration was required by law;
(2) To delete the names and addresses of the initial directors;
(3) To delete the name and address of the initial registered agent or registered office, if a statement of change is on file with the Department of State of the State of Florida;
(4) To delete any other information contained in the articles of incorporation that is solely of historical interest;
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(5) To change each issued and unissued authorized share of an outstanding class into a greater number of whole shares if the corporation has only shares of that class outstanding;
(6) To delete the authorization for a class or series of shares authorized pursuant to Section 607.0602 of the Act, if no shares of such class or series have been issued;
(7) To change the corporate name by substituting the word “corporation,” “incorporated,” or “company,” or the abbreviation “corp.,” Inc.,” or Co.,” for a similar word or abbreviation in the name, or by adding, deleting, or changing a geographical attribution for the name; or
(8) To make any other change expressly permitted by the Act to be made without shareholder action.
Section 8.03. | Amendment of Bylaws by Board of Directors. |
The corporation’s board of directors may amend or repeal the corporation’s bylaws unless the Act reserves the power to amend a particular bylaw provision exclusively to the shareholders.
Section 8.04. | Bylaw Increasing Quorum or Voting Requirements for Directors. |
(1) A bylaw that fixes a greater quorum or voting requirement for the board of directors may be amended or repealed:
(a) If originally adopted by the shareholders, only by the shareholders;
(b) If originally adopted by the board of directors, either by the shareholders or by the board of directors.
(2) A bylaw adopted or amended by the shareholders that fixes a greater quorum or voting requirement for the board of directors may provide that it may be amended or repealed only by a specified vote of either the shareholders or the board of directors.
(3) Action by the board of directors under paragraph (1)(b) to adopt or amend a bylaw that changes the quorum or voting requirement for the board of directors must meet the same quorum requirement and be adopted by the same vote required to take action under the quorum and voting requirement then in effect or proposed to be adopted, whichever is greater.
ARTICLE IX
Records and Reports
Section 9.01. | Corporate Records. |
(1) The corporation shall keep as permanent records minutes of al meetings of its shareholders and board of directors, a record of all actions taken by the shareholders or board of
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directors without a meeting, and a record of all actions taken by a committee of the board of directors in place of the board of directors on behalf of the corporation.
(2) The corporation shall maintain accurate accounting records.
(3) The corporation or its agent shall maintain a record of its shareholders in a form that permits preparation of a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders in alphabetical order by class of shares showing the number and series of shares held by each.
(4) The corporation shall maintain its records in written form or in another form capable of conversion into written form within a reasonable time.
(5) The corporation shall keep a copy of the following records:
(a) Its articles or restated articles of incorporation and all amendments to them currently in effect;
(b) Its bylaws or restated bylaws and all amendments to them currently in effect;
(c) Resolutions adopted by the board of directors creating one or more classes or series of shares and finding their relative rights, preferences, and limitations, if shares issued pursuant to those resolutions are outstanding;
(d) The minutes of all shareholders’ meetings and records of all action taken by shareholders without a meeting for the past three years;
(e) Written communications to all shareholders generally or all shareholders of a class or series within the past three years, including the financial statements furnished for the past three years;
(f) A list of the names and business street addresses of its current directors and officers; and
(g) Its most recent annual report delivered to the Department of State of the State of Florida.
Section 9.02. | Financial Statements for Shareholders. |
(1) Unless modified by resolution of the shareholders within 120 days of the close of each fiscal year, the corporation shall furnish its shareholders annual financial statements which may be consolidated or combined statements of the corporation and one or more of its subsidiaries, as appropriate, that include a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year, an income statement for that year, and a statement of cash flows for that year. If financial statements are prepared for the corporation on the basis of generally-accepted accounting principles, the annual financial statements must also be prepared on that basis.
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(2) If the annual financial statements are reported upon by a public accountant, his report must accompany them. If not, the statements must be accompanied by a statement of the president or the person responsible for the corporation’s accounting records:
(a) Stating his reasonable belief whether the statements were prepared on the basis of generally-accepted accounting principles and, if not, describing the basis of preparation; and
(b) Describing any respects in which the statements were not prepared on a basis of accounting consistent with the statements prepared for the preceding year.
(3) The corporation shall mail the annual financial statements to each shareholder within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year or within such additional time thereafter as is reasonably necessary to enable the corporation to prepare its financial statements, if for reasons beyond the corporation’s control, it is unable to prepare its financial statements within the prescribed period. Thereafter, on written request from a shareholder who was not mailed the statements, the corporation shall mail him the latest annual financial statements.
Section 9.03. | Other Reports to Shareholders. |
(1) If the corporation indemnifies or advances expenses to any director, officer, employee or agent otherwise than by court order or action by the shareholders or by an insurance carrier pursuant to insurance maintained by the corporation, the corporation shall report the indemnification or advance in writing to the shareholders with or before the notice of the next shareholders’ meeting, or prior to such meeting if the indemnification or advance occurs after the giving of such notice but prior to the time such meeting is held, which report shall include a statement specifying the persons paid, the amounts paid, and the nature and status at the time of such payment of the litigation or threatened litigation.
(2) If the corporation issues or authorizes the issuance of shares for promises to render services in the future, the corporation shall report in writing to the shareholders the number of shares authorized or issued, and the consideration received by the corporation, with or before the notice of the next shareholders’ meeting.
Section 9.04. | Annual Report for Department of State. |
(1) The corporation shall deliver to the Department of State of the State of Florida for filing a sworn annual report on such forms as the Department of State of the State of Florida prescribes that sets forth the information prescribed by Section 607.1622 of the Act.
(2) Proof to the satisfaction of the Department of State of the State of Florida on or before July 1 of each calendar year that such report was deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope, properly addressed with postage prepaid, shall be deemed in compliance with this requirement.
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(3) Each report shall be executed by the corporation by an officer or director or, if the corporation is in the hands of a receiver or trustee, shall be executed on behalf of the corporation by such receiver or trustee, and the signing thereof shall have the same legal effect as if made under oath, without the necessity of appending such oath thereto.
(4) Information in the annual report must be current as of the date the annual report is executed on behalf of the corporation.
(5) Any corporation failing to file an annual report which complies with the requirements of this section shall not be permitted to maintain or defend any action in any court of this state until such report is filed and all fees and taxes due under the Act are paid and shall be subject to dissolution or cancellation of its certificate of authority to do business as provided in the Act.
ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous
Section 10.01. | Definition of the “Act”. |
All references contained herein to the “Act” or to sections of the “Act” shall be deemed to be in reference to the Florida Business Corporation Act.
Section 10.02. | Application of Florida Law. |
Whenever any provision of these bylaws is inconsistent with any provision of the Florida Business Corporation Act, Statutes 607, as they may be amended from time to time, then in such instance Florida law shall prevail.
Section 10.03. | Fiscal Year. |
The fiscal year of the corporation shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors.
Section 10.04. | Conflicts with Articles of Incorporation. |
In the event that any provision contained in these bylaws conflicts with any provision of the corporation’s articles of incorporation, as amended from time to time, the provisions of the articles of incorporation shall prevail and be given full force and effect, to the full extent permissible under the Act.
Section 10.05. | Emergency By-Laws. |
In the event of an emergency, as currently or hereafter defined or described under Section 607.02.07 of the Florida Business Corporation Act, and if there are no officers or directors in office or serving based on death, incapacity or resignation, the corporation, acting through
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shareholders representing a majority in interest of shares and who purport to be shareholders of the corporation, shall have a right to designate one or more persons to serve as director or directors of the corporation until formal procedures can be established in order to elect a director or directors to serve on the board of directors of the corporation. In the event the number of shareholders shall ultimately be determined not to be a majority in interest of the shareholder interest of the corporation, the actions taken by such shareholders, on the good faith belief that they are acting as a majority in interest of the shareholders of the corporation, shall be deemed valid and proper.
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