CHAPTER 92A
MERGERS AND EXCHANGES OF INTEREST
RIGHTS OF DISSENTING OWNERS
92A.300 Definitions.
92A.305 "Beneficial stockholder" defined.
92A.310 "Corporate action" defined.
92A.315 "Dissenter" defined.
92A.320 "Fair value" defined.
92A.325 "Stockholder" defined.
92A.330 "Stockholder of record" defined.
92A.335 "Subject corporation" defined.
92A.340 Computation of interest.
92A.350 Rights of dissenting partner of domestic limited partnership.
92A.360 Rights of dissenting member of domestic limited-liability company.
92A.370 Rights of dissenting member of domestic nonprofit corporation.
92A.380 Right of stockholder to dissent from certain corporate actions and to
obtain payment for shares.
92A.390 Limitations on right of dissent: Stockholders of certain classes or
series; action of stockholders not required for plan of merger.
92A.400 Limitations on right of dissent: Assertion as to portions only to
shares registered to stockholder; assertion by beneficial stockholder.
92A.410 Notification of stockholders regarding right of dissent.
92A.420 Prerequisites to demand for payment for shares.
92A.430 Dissenter's notice: Delivery to stockholders entitled to assert rights;
contents.
92A.440 Demand for payment and deposit of certificates; retention of rights of
stockholder.
92A.450 Uncertificated shares: Authority to restrict transfer after demand for
payment; retention of rights of stockholder.
92A.460 Payment for shares: General requirements.
92A.470 Payment for shares: Shares acquired on or after date of dissenter's
notice.
92A.480 Dissenter's estimate of fair value: Notification of subject
corporation; demand for payment of estimate.
92A.490 Legal proceeding to determine fair value: Duties of subject
corporation; powers of court; rights of dissenter.
92A.500 Legal proceeding to determine fair value: Assessment of costs and fees.
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RIGHTS OF DISSENTING OWNERS
92A.300 Definitions. As used in NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, unless the
context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 92A.305 to
92A.335, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
92A.305 "Beneficial stockholder" defined. "Beneficial stockholder" means a
person who is a beneficial owner of shares held in a voting trust or by a
nominee as the stockholder of record. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2086)
92A.310 "Corporate action" defined. "Corporate action" means the action of a
domestic corporation. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
92A.315 "Dissenter" defined. "Dissenter" means a stockholder who is entitled
to dissent from a domestic corporation's action under NRS 92A.380 and who
exercises that right when and in the manner required by NRS 92A.410 to 92A.480,
inclusive. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
92A.320 "Fair value" defined. "Fair value," with respect to a dissenter's
shares, means the value of the shares immediately before the effectuation of
the corporate action to which he objects, excluding any appreciation or
depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action unless exclusion would be
inequitable. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
92A.325 "Stockholder" defined. "Stockholder" means a stockholder of record or
a beneficial stockholder of a domestic corporation. (Added to NRS by 1995,
2087)
92A.330 "Stockholder of record" defined. "Stockholder of record" means the
person in whose name shares are registered in the records of a domestic
corporation or the beneficial owner of shares to the extent of the rights
granted by a nominee's certificate on file with the domestic corporation.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
92A.335 "Subject corporation" defined. "Subject corporation" means the
domestic corporation which is the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter
before the corporate action creating the dissenter's rights becomes effective
or the surviving or acquiring entity of that issuer after the corporate action
becomes effective. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
92A.340 Computation of interest. Interest payable pursuant to NRS 92A.300 to
92A.500, inclusive, must be computed from the effective date of the action until
the date of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the entity on its
principal bank loans or, if it has no bank loans, at a rate that is fair and
equitable under all of the circumstances. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
92A.350 Rights of dissenting partner of domestic limited partnership. A
partnership agreement of a domestic limited partnership or, unless otherwise
provided in the partnership agreement, an agreement of merger or exchange, may
provide that contractual rights with respect to the partnership interest of a
dissenting general or limited partner of a domestic limited partnership are
available for any class or group of partnership interests in connection with any
merger or exchange in which the domestic limited partnership are available for
any class or group of partnership interests in connection with any merger or
exchange in which the domestic limited partnership is a constituent entity.
(Aded to NRS by 1995, 2088)
92A.360 Rights of dissenting member of domestic limited-liability company.
The articles of organization or operating agreement of a domestic limited-
liability company or, unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization
or operating agreement, an agreement of merger or exchange, may provide that
contractual rights with respect to the interest of a dissenting member are
available in connection with any merger or exchange in which the domestic
limited-liability company is a constituent entity. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2088)
92A.370 Rights of dissenting member of domestic nonprofit corporation.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, and unless otherwise
provided in the articles or bylaws, any member of any constituent domestic
nonprofit corporation who voted against the merger may, without prior notice,
but within 30 days after the effective date of the merger, resign from
membership and is thereby excused from all contractual obligations to the
constituent or surviving corporations which did not occur before his resignation
and is thereby entitled to those rights, if any, which would have existed if
there had been no merger and the membership had been terminted or the member had
been expelled.
2. Unless otherwise provided in its articles of incorporation or bylaws, no
member of a domestic nonprofit corporation, including, but not limited to, a
cooperative corporation, which supplies services described in chapter 704 of NRS
to its members only, and no person who is a member of a domestic nonprofit
corporation as a condition of or by reason of the ownership of an interest in
real property, may resign and dissent pursuant to subsection 1. (Added to NRS
by 1995, 2088)
92A.380 Right of stockholder to dissent from certain corporate actions and to
obtain payment for shares.
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 92A.370 and 92A.390, a stockholder is
entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of his shares in
the event of any of the following corporate actions:
(a) Consummation of a plan of merger to which the domestic corporation is
a party:
(1) If approval by the stockholders is required for the merger by NRS
92A.120 to 92A.160, inclusive, or the articles of incorporation and he is
entitled to vote on the merger; or
(2) If the domestic corporation is a subsidiary and is merged with its
parent under NRS 92A.180.
(b) Consummation of a plan of exchange to which the domestic
corporation is a party as the corporation whose subject owner's interests will
be acquired, if he is entitled to vote on the plan.
(c) Any corporate action taken pursuant to a vote of the stockholders
to the event that the articles of incorporation, bylaws or a resolution of the
board of directors provides that voting or nonvoting stockholders are entitled
to dissent and obtain payment for their shares.
2. A stockholder who is entitled to dissent and obtain payment under NRS
92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, may not challenge the corporate action creating
his entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to him
or the domestic corporation. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
92A.390 Limitations on right of dissent: Stockholders of certain classes or
series; action of stockholders not required for plan of merger.
1. There is no right of dissent with respect to a plan of merger or
exchange in favor of stockholders of any class or series which, at the record
date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to
vote at the meeting at which the plan of merger or exchange is to be acted on,
were either listed on a national securities exchange, included in the national
market system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or held
by at least 2,000 stockholders of record, unless:
(a) The articles of incorporation of the corporation issuing the shares
provide otherwise; or
(b) The holders of the class or series are required under the plan of
merger or exchange to accept for the shares anything except:
(1) Cash, owner's interests or owner's interests and cash in lieu of
fractional owner's interests of:
(I) The surviving or acquiring entity; or
(II) Any other entity which, at the effective date of the plan of merger
or exchange, were either listed on a national securities exchange, included in
the national market system by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., or held of record by a least 2,000 holders of owner's interests of
record; or
(2) A combination of cash and owner's interests of the kind described in
sub-subparagraphs (I) and (II) of subparagraph (1) of paragraph (b).
2. There is no right of dissent for any holders of stock of the surviving
domestic corporation if the plan of merger does not require action of the
stockholders of the surviving domestic corporation under NRS 92A.130. (Added
to NRS by 1995, 2088)
92A.400 Limitations on right of dissent: Assertion as to portions only to
shares registered to stockholder; assertion by beneficial stockholder.
1. A stockholder of record may assert dissenter's rights as to fewer than
all of the shares registered in his name only if he dissents with respect to
all shares beneficially owned by any one person and notifies the subject
corporation in writing of the name and address of each person on whose behalf
he asserts dissenter's rights. The rights of a partial dissenter under this
subsection are determined as if the shares as to which he dissents and his other
shares were registered in the names of different stockholders.
2. A beneficial stockholder may assert dissenter's rights as to shares held
on his behalf only if:
(a) He submits to the subject corporation the written consent of the
stockholder of record to the dissent not later than the time the beneficial
stockholder asserts dissenter's rights; and
(b) He does so with respect to all shares of which he is the beneficial
stockholder or over which he has power to direct the vote. (Added to NRS by
1995, 2089)
92A.410 Notification of stockholders regarding right of dissent.
1. If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights is submitted
to a vote at a stockholders' meeting, the notice of the meeting must state that
stockholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters' rights under
NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, and be accompanied by a copy of those
sections.
2. If the corporate action creating dissenters' rights is taken without a
vote of the stockholders, the domestic corporation shall notify in writing all
stockholders entitled to assert dissenters' rights that the action was taken
and send them the dissenter's notice described in NRS 92A.430. (Added to NRS
by 1995, 2089)
92A.420 Prerequisite to demand for payment for shares.
1. If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights is submitted
to a vote at a stockholders' meeting, a stockholder who wishes to assert
dissenter's rights:
(a) Must deliver to the subject corporation, before the vote is taken,
written notice of his intent to demand payment for his shares if the proposed
action is effectuated; and
(b) Must not vote his shares in favor of the proposed action.
2. A stockholder who does not satisfy the requirements of subsection 1 is not
entitled to payment for his shares under this chapter. (Added to NRS by 1995,
2089)
92A.430 Dissenter's notice: Delivery to stockholders entitled to assert rights;
contents.
1. If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights is authorized
at a stockholders' meeting, the subject corporation shall deliver a written
dissenter's notice to all stockholders who satisfied the requirements to assert
those rights.
2. The dissenter's notice must be sent no later than 10 days after the
effectuation of the corporate action, and must:
(a) State where the demand for payment must be sent and where and when
certificates, if any, for shares must be deposited;
(b) Inform the holders of shares not represented by certificates to what
extent the transfer of the shares will be restricted after the demand for
payment is received;
(c) Supply a form for demanding payment that includes the date of the first
announcement to the news media or to the stockholders of the terms of the
proposed action and requires that the person asserting dissenter's rights
certify whether or not he acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before
that date;
(d) Set a date by which the subject corporation must receive the demand
for payment, which may not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days after the date
the notice is delivered; and
(e) Be accompanied by a copy of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive. (Added
to NRS by 1995, 2089)
92A.440 Demand for payment and deposit of certificates; retention of rights of
stockholder.
1. A stockholder to whom a dissenter's notice is sent must:
(a) Demand payment;
(b) Certify whether he acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before
the date required to be set forth in the dissenter's notice for this
certification; and
(c) Deposit his certificates, if any, in accordance with the terms of the
notice.
2. The stockholder who demands payment and deposits his certificates, if any,
retains all other rights of a stockholder until those rights are canceled or
modified by the taking of the proposed corporate action.
3. The stockholder who does not demand payment or deposit his certificates
where required, each by the date set forth in the dissenter's notice, is not
entitled to payment for his shares under this chapter. (Added to NRS by 1995,
2090)
92A.450 Uncertificated shares: Authority to restrict transfer after demand for
payment; retention of rights of stockholder.
1. The subject corporation may restrict the transfer of shares not
represented by a certificate from the date the demand for their payment is
received.
2. The person for whom dissenter's rights are asserted as to shares not
represented by a certificate retains all other rights of a stockholder until
those rights are canceled or modified by the taking of the proposed corporate
action. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2090)
92A.460 Payment for shares: General requirements.
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 92A.470, within 30 days after receipt
of a demand for payment, the subject corporation shall pay each dissenter who
complied with NRS 92A.440 the amount the subject corporation estimates to be
the fair value of his shares, plus accrued interest. The obligation of the
subject corporation under this subsection may be enforced by the district court:
(a) Of the county where the corporation's registered office is located; or
(b) At the election of any dissenter residing or having its registered
office in this state, of the county where the dissenter resides or has its
registered office. The court shall dispose of the complaint promptly.
2. The payment must be accompanied by:
(a) The subject corporation's balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal year
ending not more than 16 months before the date of payment, a statement of income
for that year, a statement of changes in the stockholders' equity for that year
and the latest available interim financial statements, if any;
(b) A statement of the subject corporation's estimate of the fair value of
the shares;
(c) An explanation of how the interest was calculated;
(d) A statement of the dissenter's rights to demand payment under NRS
92A.480; and
(e) A copy of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive. (Added to NRS by 1995,
2090)
92A.470 Payment for shares: Shares acquired on or after date of dissenter's
notice.
1. A subject corporation may elect to withhold payment from a dissenter
unless he was the beneficial owner of the shares before the date set forth in
the dissenter's notice as the date of the first announcement to the news media
or to the stockholders of the terms of the proposed action.
2. To the extent the subject corporation elects to withhold payment, after
taking the proposed action, it shall estimate the fair value of the shares, plus
accrued interest, and shall offer to pay this amount to each dissenter who
agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of his demand. The subject corporation
shall send with its offer a statement of its estimate of the fair value of the
shares, an explanation of how the interest was calculated, and a statement of
the dissenters' right to demand payment pursuant to NRS 92A.480. (Added to NRS
by 1995, 2091)
92A.480 Dissenter's estimate of fair value: Notification of subject
corporation; demand for payment of estimate.
1. A dissenter may notify the subject corporation in writing of his own
estimate of the fair value of his shares and the amount of interest due, and
demand payment of his estimate, less any payment pursuant to NRS 92A.460, or
reject the offer pursuant to NRS 92A.470 and demand payment of the fair value
of his shares and interest due, if he believes that the amount paid pursuant to
NRS 92A.460 or offered pursuant to NRS 92A.470 is less than the fair value of
his shares or that the interest due is incorrectly calculated.
2. A dissenter waives his right to demand payment pursuant to this section
unless he notifies the subject corporation of his demand in writing within 30
days after the subject corporation made or offered payment for his shares.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2091)
92A.490 Legal proceeding to determine fair value: Duties of subject
corporation; powers of court; rights of dissenter.
1. If a demand for payment remains unsettled, the subject corporation shall
commence a proceeding within 60 days after receiving the demand and petition
the court to determine the fair value of the shares and accrued interest. If the
subject corporation does not commence the proceeding within the 60-day period,
it shall pay each dissenter whose demand remains unsettled the amount demanded.
2. A subject corporation shall commence the proceeding in the district court
of the county where its registered office is located. If the subject corporation
is a foreign entity without a resident agent in the state, it shall commence the
proceeding in the county where the registered office of the domestic corporation
merged with or whose shares were acquired by the foreign entity was located.
3. The subject corporation shall make all dissenters, whether or not
residents of Nevada, whose demands remain unsettled, parties to the proceeding
as in an action against their shares. All parties must be served with a copy of
the petition. Nonresidents may be served by registered or certified mail or by
publication as provided by law.
4. The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under
subsection 2 is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more persons
as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend a decision on the question of
fair value. The appraisers have the powers described in the order appointing
them, or any amendment thereto. The dissenters are entitled to the same
discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings.
5. Each dissenter who is made a party to the proceeding is entitled to a
judgment:
(a) For the amount, if any, by which the court finds the fair value of his
shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the subject corporation; or
(b) For the fair value, plus accrued interest, of his after-acquired shares
for which the subject corporation elected to withhold payment pursuant to NRS
92A.470. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2091)
92A.500 Legal proceeding to determine fair value: Assessment of costs and fees.
1. The court in a proceeding to determine fair value shall determine all of
the costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses
of any appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess the costs
against the subject corporation, except that the court may assess costs
against all or some of the dissenters, in amounts the court finds equitable, to
the extent the court finds the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not
in good faith in demanding payment.
2. The court may also assess the fees and expenses of the counsel and experts
for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
(a) Against the subject corporation and in favor of all dissenters if the
court finds the subject corporation did not substantially comply with the
requirements of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive; or
(b) Against either the subject corporation or a dissenter in favor of any
other party, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees and
expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith with
respect to the rights provided by NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive.
3. If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were
of substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees
for those services should not be assessed against the subject corporation, the
court may award to those counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts
awarded to the dissenters who were benefited.
4. In a proceeding commenced pursuant to NRS 92A.460, the court may assess
the costs against the subject corporation, except that the court may assess
costs against all or some of the dissenters who are parties to the proceeding,
in amounts the court finds equitable, to the extent the court finds that such
parties did not act in good faith in instituting the proceeding.
5. This section does not preclude any party in a proceeding commenced
pursuant to NRS 92A.460 or 92A.490 from applying the provisions of N.R.C.P. 68
or NRS 17.115. (Added to NRS by 1995, 2092)