2022 -- H 7753 | |
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LC004940 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022 | |
____________ | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- UNIFORM | |
PARTNERSHIP ACT | |
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Introduced By: Representative Gregg Amore | |
Date Introduced: March 02, 2022 | |
Referred To: House Corporations | |
(Secretary of State) | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Sections 7-12-12, 7-12-13, 7-12-14, 7-12-15, 7-12-16, 7-12-17, 7-12-18, 7- |
2 | 12-19, 7-12-20, 7-12-21, 7-12-22, 7-12-23, 7-12-24, 7-12-25, 7-12-26, 7-12-27, 7-12-28, 7-12-29, |
3 | 7-12-30, 7-12-31, 7-12-32, 7-12-33, 7-12-34, 7-12-35, 7-12-36, 7-12-37, 7-12-38, 7-12-39, 7-12- |
4 | 40, 7-12-41, 7-12-42, 7-12-43, 7-12-44, 7-12-45, 7-12-46, 7-12-47, 7-12-48, 7-12-49, 7-12-50, 7- |
5 | 12-51, 7-12-52, 7-12-53, 7-12-54, 7-12-55, 7-12-56, 7-12-57, 7-12-58 and 7-12-59 of the General |
6 | Laws in Chapter 7-12 entitled "Partnerships" are hereby repealed: |
7 | 7-12-12. Short title. |
8 | Sections 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55 may be cited as the "Uniform Partnership Act". |
9 | 7-12-13. Definitions. |
10 | In §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-59: |
11 | (1) "Bankrupt" includes bankrupt under title 11 of the United States Code (Bankruptcy) or |
12 | insolvent under any state insolvent act. |
13 | (2) "Business" includes every trade, occupation, or profession. |
14 | (3) "Conveyance" includes every assignment, lease, mortgage, or encumbrance. |
15 | (4) "Court" includes every court and judge having jurisdiction in the case. |
16 | (5) "Foreign registered limited-liability partnership" means a registered limited-liability |
17 | partnership or a limited-liability partnership formed pursuant to an agreement governed by the laws |
18 | of another jurisdiction and registered under the laws of that jurisdiction. |
| |
1 | (6) "Person" includes individuals, partnerships, corporations, and other associations. |
2 | (7) "Real property" includes land and any interest or estate in land. |
3 | (8) "Registered limited-liability partnership" means a partnership formed pursuant to an |
4 | agreement governed by the laws of this state, registered under § 7-12-56 and in compliance with § |
5 | 7-12-58. |
6 | 7-12-14. Interpretation of knowledge and notice. |
7 | (a) A person has "knowledge" of a fact within the meaning of §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55 not |
8 | only when he or she has actual knowledge of it, but also when he or she has knowledge of any other |
9 | facts that in the circumstances show bad faith. |
10 | (b) A person has "notice" of a fact within the meaning of §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55 when the |
11 | person who claims the benefit of the notice: |
12 | (1) States the fact to the person; or |
13 | (2) Delivers through the mail, or by other means of communication, a written statement of |
14 | the fact to the person or to a proper person at his or her place of business or residence. |
15 | 7-12-15. Rules of construction. |
16 | (a) The rule that statutes in derogation of the common law are to be strictly construed has |
17 | no application to §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55. |
18 | (b) The law of estoppel applies under §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55. |
19 | (c) The law of agency applies under §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55. |
20 | (d) Sections 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55 shall be so interpreted and construed as to effect their |
21 | general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which enact them. |
22 | (e) Sections 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55 shall not be construed so as to impair the obligations of |
23 | any contract existing on October 1, 1957, nor to affect any action or proceedings or right accrued |
24 | before October 1, 1957. |
25 | 7-12-16. Rules for cases not provided for. |
26 | In any case not provided for in §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55, the rules of law and equity, including |
27 | the law merchant, govern. |
28 | 7-12-17. Partnership defined. |
29 | (a) A partnership is an association of two (2) or more persons to carry on as co-owners a |
30 | business for profit, and includes a registered limited-liability partnership. |
31 | (b) Any association formed under any other statute of this state, or any statute adopted by |
32 | authority, other than the authority of the state, is not a partnership under §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-59, |
33 | unless the association would have been a partnership in this state prior to May 6, 1957; but §§ 7- |
34 | 12-12 - - 7-12-59 apply to limited partnerships except insofar as the statutes relating to partnerships |
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1 | are inconsistent with these provisions. |
2 | 7-12-18. Rules for determining the existence of a partnership. |
3 | In determining whether a partnership exists, these rules apply: |
4 | (1) Except as provided by § 7-12-27, persons who are not partners as to each other are not |
5 | partners as to third persons. |
6 | (2) Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the entireties, joint property, common |
7 | property, or part ownership does not of itself establish a partnership, whether the co-owners do or |
8 | do not share any profits made by the use of the property. |
9 | (3) The sharing of gross returns does not of itself establish a partnership, whether or not |
10 | the persons sharing them have a joint or common right or interest in any property from which the |
11 | returns are derived. |
12 | (4) The receipt by a person of a share of the profits of a business is prima facie evidence |
13 | that he or she is a partner in the business, but no such inference is drawn if profits were received in |
14 | payment: |
15 | (i) As a debt by installments or otherwise; |
16 | (ii) As wages of an employee or rent to a landlord; |
17 | (iii) As an annuity to a widow or representative of a deceased partner; |
18 | (iv) As interest on a loan, though the amount of payment vary with the profits of the |
19 | business; |
20 | (v) As the consideration for the sale of a good will of a business or other property by |
21 | installments or otherwise. |
22 | 7-12-19. Partnership property. |
23 | (a) All property originally brought into the partnership stock or subsequently acquired by |
24 | purchase or otherwise, on account of the partnership, is partnership property. |
25 | (b) Unless the contrary intention appears, property acquired with partnership funds is |
26 | partnership property. |
27 | (c) Any estate in real property may be acquired in the partnership name. Title so acquired |
28 | can be conveyed only in the partnership name. |
29 | (d) A conveyance to a partnership in the partnership name, though without words of |
30 | inheritance, passes the entire estate of the grantor unless a contrary intent appears. |
31 | 7-12-20. Partner agent of partnership as to partnership business. |
32 | (a) Every partner is an agent of the partnership for the purpose of its business, and the act |
33 | of every partner, including the execution in the partnership name of any instrument, for apparently |
34 | carrying on in the usual way the business of the partnership of which he or she is a member, binds |
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1 | the partnership, unless the partner so acting has in fact no authority to act for the partnership in the |
2 | particular matter, and the person with whom he or she is dealing has knowledge of the fact that he |
3 | or she has no authority. |
4 | (b) An act of a partner that is not apparently for the carrying on of the business of the |
5 | partnership in the usual way does not bind the partnership unless authorized by the other partners. |
6 | (c) Unless authorized by the other partners or unless they have abandoned the business, |
7 | one or more but less than all the partners have no authority to: |
8 | (1) Assign the partnership property in trust for creditors or on the assignee's promise to pay |
9 | the debts of the partnership; |
10 | (2) Dispose of the good will of the business; |
11 | (3) Do any other act that would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of a |
12 | partnership; |
13 | (4) Confess a judgment; |
14 | (5) Submit a partnership claim or liability to arbitration or reference. |
15 | (d) No act of a partner in contravention of a restriction on authority shall bind the |
16 | partnership to persons having knowledge of the restriction. |
17 | 7-12-21. Conveyance of real property of the partnership. |
18 | (a) Where title to real property is in the partnership name, any partner may convey title to |
19 | the property by a conveyance executed in the partnership name; but the partnership may recover |
20 | the property unless the partner's act binds the partnership under the provisions of § 7-12-20(a), or |
21 | unless the property has been conveyed by the grantee or a person claiming through the grantee to |
22 | a holder for value without knowledge that the partner, in making the conveyance, has exceeded his |
23 | or her authority. |
24 | (b) Where title to real property is in the name of the partnership, a conveyance executed by |
25 | a partner, in his or her own name, passes the equitable interest of the partnership, provided the act |
26 | is one within the authority of the partner under the provisions of § 7-12-20(a). |
27 | (c) Where title to real property is in the name of one or more but not all the partners, and |
28 | the record does not disclose the right of the partnership, the partners in whose name the title stands |
29 | may convey title to the property, but the partnership may recover the property if the partners' act |
30 | does not bind the partnership under the provisions of § 7-12-20(a) unless the purchaser or his or |
31 | her assignee, is a holder for value, without knowledge. |
32 | (d) Where the title to real property is in the name of one or more or all of the partners, or |
33 | in a third person in trust for the partnership, a conveyance executed by a partner in the partnership |
34 | name, or in his or her own name, passes the equitable interest of the partnership, provided the act |
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1 | is one within the authority of the partner under the provision of § 7-12-20(a). |
2 | (e) Where the title to real property is in the names of all the partners a conveyance executed |
3 | by all the partners passes all their rights in the property. |
4 | 7-12-22. Partnership bound by admission of partner. |
5 | An admission or representation made by any partner concerning partnership affairs within |
6 | the scope of his or her authority as conferred by §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55 is evidence against the |
7 | partnership. |
8 | 7-12-23. Partnership charged with knowledge of or notice to partner. |
9 | Notice to any partner of any matter relating to partnership affairs, and the knowledge of |
10 | the partners acting in the particular matter, acquired while a partner or then present to his or her |
11 | mind, and the knowledge of any other partner who reasonably could and should have |
12 | communicated it to the acting partner, operate as notice to or knowledge of the partnership, except |
13 | in the case of a fraud on the partnership committed by or with the consent of that partner. |
14 | 7-12-24. Partnership bound by partner's wrongful act. |
15 | Where, by any wrongful act or omission of any partner acting in the ordinary course of the |
16 | business of the partnership or with the authority of his or her copartners, loss or injury is caused to |
17 | any person, not being a partner in the partnership, or any penalty is incurred, the partnership is |
18 | liable for the loss, injury, or penalty to the same extent as the partner acting or omitting to act. |
19 | 7-12-25. Partnership bound by partner's breach of trust. |
20 | The partnership is bound to make good the loss: |
21 | (1) Where one partner acting within the scope of his or her apparent authority receives |
22 | money or property of a third person and misapplies it; and |
23 | (2) Where the partnership in the course of its business receives money or property of a third |
24 | person and the money or property so received is misapplied by any partner while it is in the custody |
25 | of the partnership. |
26 | 7-12-26. Nature of partner's liability. |
27 | (a) All partners are liable, except as provided in subsection (b): |
28 | (1) Jointly and severally for everything chargeable to the partnership under §§ 7-12-24 and |
29 | 7-12-25. |
30 | (2) Jointly for all other debts and obligations of the partnership; but any partner may enter |
31 | into a separate obligation to perform a partnership contract. |
32 | (b) Subject to subsection (c), a partner in a registered limited-liability partnership is not |
33 | liable, directly or indirectly (including by way of indemnification, contribution, assessment or |
34 | otherwise), for debts, obligations, and liabilities of, or chargeable to, the partnership whether in |
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1 | tort, contract, or otherwise, arising while the partnership is a registered limited-liability partnership. |
2 | (c) Subsection (b) does not affect the individual liability of a partner in a registered limited- |
3 | liability partnership for his or her own negligence, wrongful acts or misconduct, or that of any |
4 | person under that partner's direct supervision and control other than in an administrative capacity. |
5 | (d) A partner in a registered limited-liability partnership is not a proper party in his or her |
6 | individual capacity to a proceeding by or against a registered limited-liability partnership, the object |
7 | of which is to recover damages or enforce the obligations of the registered limited-liability |
8 | partnership, unless the partner is personally liable under subsection (c). |
9 | (e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, the personal liability of a partner |
10 | in a limited-liability partnership engaged in the rendering of professional services is not less than |
11 | or greater than the personal liability of a shareholder of a professional corporation organized under |
12 | chapter 5.1 of this title engaged in the rendering of the same professional services. |
13 | 7-12-27. Partner by estoppel. |
14 | (a) When a person, by words spoken or written or by conduct, represents himself or herself, |
15 | or consents to another representing him or her to any one, as a partner in an existing partnership or |
16 | with one or more persons not actual partners, he or she is liable to any person to whom the |
17 | representation has been made, who has, on the faith of the representation, given credit to the actual |
18 | or apparent partnership, and if he or she has made a representation or consented to its being made |
19 | in a public manner, he or she is liable to the person, whether the representation has or has not been |
20 | made or communicated to the person giving credit by or with the knowledge of the apparent partner |
21 | making the representation or consenting to its being made. |
22 | (1) When a partnership liability results, he or she is liable as though he or she were an |
23 | actual member of the partnership. |
24 | (2) When no partnership liability results, he or she is liable jointly with the other persons, |
25 | if any, so consenting to the contract or representation as to incur liability, otherwise separately. |
26 | (b) When a person is represented to be a partner in an existing partnership, or with one or |
27 | more persons not actual partners, he or she is an agent of the persons consenting to the |
28 | representation to bind them to the same extent and in the same manner as though he or she were a |
29 | partner in fact, with respect to persons who rely on the representation. Where all the members of |
30 | the existing partnership consent to the representation, a partnership act or obligation results; but in |
31 | all other cases it is the joint act or obligation of the person acting and the persons consenting to the |
32 | representation. |
33 | 7-12-28. Liability of incoming partner. |
34 | A person admitted as a partner into an existing partnership is liable for all the obligations |
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1 | of the partnership arising before his or her admission as though he or she had been a partner when |
2 | the obligations were incurred, except that this liability is satisfied only out of partnership property. |
3 | 7-12-29. Rules determining rights and duties of partners. |
4 | The rights and duties of the partners in relation to the partnership are determined, subject |
5 | to any agreement between them, by the following rules: |
6 | (1) Each partner is repaid his or her contributions, whether by way of capital or advances |
7 | to the partnership property, and shares equally in the profits and surplus remaining after all |
8 | liabilities, including those to partners, are satisfied; and except as provided in § 7-12-26(b), each |
9 | partner must contribute toward the losses, whether of capital or otherwise, sustained by the |
10 | partnership according to his or her share in the profits. |
11 | (2) The partnership must indemnify every partner in respect of payments made and |
12 | personal liabilities reasonably incurred by him or her in the ordinary and proper conduct of its |
13 | business, or for the preservation of its business or property. |
14 | (3) A partner, who in aid of the partnership makes any payment or advance beyond the |
15 | amount of capital that he or she agreed to contribute, is paid interest from the date of the payment |
16 | or advance. |
17 | (4) A partner receives interest on the capital contributed by him or her only from the date |
18 | when repayment should be made. |
19 | (5) All partners have equal rights in the management and conduct of the partnership |
20 | business. |
21 | (6) No partner is entitled to remuneration for acting in the partnership business, except that |
22 | a surviving partner is entitled to reasonable compensation for his or her services in winding up the |
23 | partnership affairs. |
24 | (7) No person can become a member of a partnership without the consent of all the partners. |
25 | (8) Any difference arising as to ordinary matters connected with the partnership business |
26 | may be decided by a majority of the partners; but no act in contravention of any agreement between |
27 | the partners may be done rightfully without the consent of all the partners. |
28 | 7-12-30. Partnership books. |
29 | The partnership books are kept, subject to any agreement between the partners, at the |
30 | principal place of business of the partnership, and every partner shall at all times have access to |
31 | and may inspect and copy any of them. |
32 | 7-12-31. Duty of partners to render information. |
33 | Partners shall render on demand true and full information of all things affecting the |
34 | partnership to any partner or the legal representative of any deceased partner or partner under legal |
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1 | disability. |
2 | 7-12-32. Partner accountable as a fiduciary. |
3 | (a) Every partner must account to the partnership for any benefit, and hold as trustee for it |
4 | any profits derived by him or her without the consent of the other partners from any transaction |
5 | connected with the formation, conduct, or liquidation of the partnership or from any use by him or |
6 | her of its property. |
7 | (b) This section applies also to the representatives of a deceased partner engaged in the |
8 | liquidation of the affairs of the partnership as the personal representatives of the last surviving |
9 | partner. |
10 | 7-12-33. Right to an account. |
11 | Any partner has the right to a formal account as to partnership affairs: |
12 | (1) If he or she is wrongfully excluded from the partnership business or possession of its |
13 | property by his or her copartners. |
14 | (2) If the right exists under the terms of any agreement. |
15 | (3) As provided by § 7-12-32. |
16 | (4) Whenever other circumstances render it just and reasonable. |
17 | 7-12-34. Continuation of partnership beyond fixed term. |
18 | (a) When a partnership for a fixed term or particular undertaking is continued after the |
19 | termination of the term or particular undertaking without any express agreement, the rights and |
20 | duties of the partners remain the same as they were at the termination, insofar as is consistent with |
21 | a partnership at will. |
22 | (b) A continuation of the business by the partners or those of them who habitually acted in |
23 | the partnership during the term, without any settlement or liquidation of the partnership affairs, is |
24 | prima facie evidence of a continuation of the partnership. |
25 | 7-12-35. Extent of property rights of a partner. |
26 | The property rights of a partner are: |
27 | (1) His or her rights in specific partnership property; |
28 | (2) His or her interest in the partnership; and |
29 | (3) His or her rights to participate in the management. |
30 | 7-12-36. Nature of a partner's right in specific partnership property. |
31 | (a) A partner is co-owner with his or her partners of specific partnership property holding |
32 | as a tenant in partnership. |
33 | (b) The incidents of this tenancy are such that: |
34 | (1) A partner, subject to the provisions of §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55 and to any agreement |
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1 | between the partners, has an equal right with his or her partners to possess specific partnership |
2 | property for partnership purposes; but he or she has no right to possess the property for any other |
3 | purpose without the consent of his or her partners. |
4 | (2) A partner's right in specific partnership property is not assignable, except in connection |
5 | with the assignment of rights of all the partners in the same property. |
6 | (3) A partner's right in specific partnership property is not subject to attachment or |
7 | execution, except on a claim against the partnership. When partnership property is attached for a |
8 | partnership debt, the partners, or any of them, or the representatives of a deceased partner, cannot |
9 | claim any right under the exemption laws. |
10 | (4) On the death of a partner, his or her right in specific partnership property vests in the |
11 | surviving partner or partners, except where the deceased was the last surviving partner, when his |
12 | or her right in the property vests in his or her legal representative. The surviving partner, or partners, |
13 | or the legal representative of the last surviving partner, has no right to possess the partnership |
14 | property for any but a partnership purpose. |
15 | (5) A partner's right in specific partnership property is not subject to dower, curtesy, or |
16 | allowances to widows, heirs, or next of kin. |
17 | 7-12-37. Nature of partner's interest in the partnership. |
18 | A partner's interest in the partnership is his or her share of the profits and surplus, and his |
19 | or her share of the profits and surplus is personal property. |
20 | 7-12-38. Assignment of partner's interest. |
21 | (a) A conveyance by a partner of his or her interest in the partnership does not of itself |
22 | dissolve the partnership, nor, as against the other partners in the absence of agreement, entitle the |
23 | assignee, during the continuance of the partnership, to interfere in the management or |
24 | administration of the partnership business or affairs, to require any information or account of |
25 | partnership transactions, or to inspect the partnership book. It merely entitles the assignee to |
26 | receive, in accordance with his or her contract, the profits to which the assigning partner would |
27 | otherwise be entitled. |
28 | (b) In case of a dissolution of the partnership, the assignee is entitled to receive his or her |
29 | assignor's interest and may require an account from the date only of the last account agreed to by |
30 | all the partners. |
31 | 7-12-39. Partner's interest subject to charging order. |
32 | (a) On due application to the superior court by any judgment creditor of a partner, the court |
33 | may charge the interest of the debtor partner with payment of the unsatisfied amount of the |
34 | judgment debt with interest on it; and may then or later appoint a receiver of his or her share of the |
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1 | profits, and of any other money due, or to fall due, to him or her in respect of the partnership, and |
2 | make all other orders, directions, accounts, and inquiries that the debtor partner might have made, |
3 | or that the circumstances of the case require. |
4 | (b) The interest charged may be redeemed at any time before foreclosure, or in case of a |
5 | sale being directed by the court, may be purchased without causing a dissolution: |
6 | (1) With separate property, by any one or more of the partners; or |
7 | (2) With partnership property, by any one or more of the partners with the consent of all |
8 | the partners whose interests are not so charged or sold. |
9 | (c) Nothing in §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55 deprives a partner of his or her right, if any, under |
10 | the exemption laws, regarding his interest in the partnership. |
11 | 7-12-40. Dissolution defined. |
12 | The dissolution of a partnership is the change in the relation of the partners caused by any |
13 | partner ceasing to be associated in the carrying on as distinguished from the winding up of the |
14 | business. |
15 | 7-12-41. Partnership not terminated by dissolution. |
16 | On dissolution the partnership is not terminated, but continues until the winding up of |
17 | partnership affairs is completed. |
18 | 7-12-42. Causes of dissolution. |
19 | Dissolution is caused: |
20 | (1) Without violation of the agreement between the partners: |
21 | (i) By the termination of the definite term or particular undertaking specified in the |
22 | agreement; |
23 | (ii) By the express will of any partner when no definite term or particular undertaking is |
24 | specified; |
25 | (iii) By the express will of all the partners who have not assigned their interests or suffered |
26 | them to be charged for their separate debts, either before or after the termination of any specified |
27 | term or particular undertaking; |
28 | (iv) By the expulsion of any partner from the business bona fide in accordance with the |
29 | power conferred by the agreement between the partners; |
30 | (2) In contravention of the agreement between the partners, where the circumstances do |
31 | not permit a dissolution under any other provision of this section, by the express will of any partner |
32 | at any time; |
33 | (3) By any event that makes it unlawful for the business of the partnership to be carried on |
34 | or for the members to carry it on in partnership; |
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1 | (4) By the death of any partner; |
2 | (5) By the bankruptcy of any partner or the partnership; |
3 | (6) By decree of court under § 7-12-43. |
4 | 7-12-43. Dissolution by decree of court. |
5 | (a) On application by or for a partner, the court shall decree a dissolution whenever: |
6 | (1) A partner has been declared mentally incompetent in any judicial proceeding or is |
7 | shown to be of unsound mind; |
8 | (2) A partner becomes in any other way incapable of performing his or her part of the |
9 | partnership contract; |
10 | (3) A partner has been guilty of any conduct that tends to affect prejudicially the carrying |
11 | on of the business; |
12 | (4) A partner willfully or persistently commits a breach of the partnership agreement, or |
13 | otherwise so conducts him or herself in matters relating to the partnership business that it is not |
14 | reasonably practicable to carry on the business in partnership with him or her; |
15 | (5) The business of the partnership can only be carried on at a loss; |
16 | (6) Other circumstances render a dissolution equitable. |
17 | (b) On the application of the purchaser of a partner's interest under §§ 7-12-38 and 7-12- |
18 | 39, the court shall decree a dissolution: |
19 | (1) After the termination of the specified term or particular undertaking; |
20 | (2) At any time if the partnership was a partnership at will when the interest was assigned |
21 | or when the charging order was issued. |
22 | 7-12-44. General effect of dissolution on authority of partner. |
23 | Except insofar as is necessary to wind up partnership affairs or to complete transactions |
24 | begun but not then finished, dissolution terminates all authority of any partner to act for the |
25 | partnership: |
26 | (1) Regarding the partners: |
27 | (i) When the dissolution is not by the act, bankruptcy, or death of a partner; or |
28 | (ii) When the dissolution is by the act, bankruptcy, or death of a partner, in cases where § |
29 | 7-12-45 so requires. |
30 | (2) With respect to persons not partners, as declared in § 7-12-46. |
31 | 7-12-45. Right of partner to contribution from copartners after dissolution. |
32 | Where the dissolution is caused by the act, death, or bankruptcy of a partner, each partner |
33 | is liable to his or her copartners for his or her share of any liability created by any partner acting |
34 | for the partnership as if the partnership had not been dissolved, unless: |
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1 | (1) The dissolution being by act of any partner, the partner acting for the partnership had |
2 | knowledge of the dissolution; |
3 | (2) The dissolution being by the death or bankruptcy of a partner, the partner acting for the |
4 | partnership had knowledge or notice of the death or bankruptcy; or |
5 | (3) The liability is for a debt or obligation for which the partner is not liable as provided in |
6 | § 7-12-26(b). |
7 | 7-12-46. Power of partner to bind partnership to third persons after dissolution. |
8 | (a) After dissolution, a partner can bind the partnership except as provided in subsection |
9 | (c) by: |
10 | (1) Any act appropriate for winding up partnership affairs or completing transactions |
11 | unfinished at dissolution; |
12 | (2) Any transaction that would bind the partnership if dissolution had not taken place, |
13 | provided the other party to the transaction: |
14 | (i) Had extended credit to the partnership prior to dissolution and had no knowledge or |
15 | notice of the dissolution; or |
16 | (ii) Though he or she had not so extended credit, had nevertheless known of the partnership |
17 | prior to dissolution, and, having no knowledge or notice of dissolution, the fact of dissolution had |
18 | not been advertised in a newspaper of general circulation in the place (or in each place if more than |
19 | one) at which the partnership business was regularly carried on. |
20 | (b) The liability of a partner under subsection (a)(2) shall be satisfied out of partnership |
21 | assets alone, when the partner had been, prior to dissolution: |
22 | (1) Unknown as a partner to the person with whom the contract is made; and |
23 | (2) So far unknown and inactive in partnership affairs that the business reputation of the |
24 | partnership could not be said to have been in any degree due to his or her connection with it. |
25 | (c) The partnership is in no case bound by any act of a partner after dissolution where: |
26 | (1) The partnership is dissolved because it is unlawful to carry on the business, unless the |
27 | act is appropriate for winding up partnership affairs; |
28 | (2) The partner has become bankrupt; or |
29 | (3) The partner has no authority to wind up partnership affairs, except by a transaction with |
30 | one who: |
31 | (i) Had extended credit to the partnership prior to dissolution and had no knowledge or |
32 | notice of his or her want of authority; or |
33 | (ii) Had not extended credit to the partnership prior to dissolution, and, having no |
34 | knowledge or notice of his or her want of authority, the fact of his or her want of authority has not |
| LC004940 - Page 12 of 110 |
1 | been advertised in the manner provided for advertising the fact of dissolution in subsection |
2 | (a)(2)(ii). |
3 | (d) Nothing in this section affects the liability under § 7-12-27 of any person who after |
4 | dissolution represents him or herself or consents to another representing him or her as a partner in |
5 | a partnership engaged in carrying on business. |
6 | 7-12-47. Effect of dissolution on partner's existing liability. |
7 | (a) The dissolution of the partnership does not of itself discharge the existing liability of |
8 | any partner. |
9 | (b) A partner is discharged from any existing liability upon dissolution of the partnership |
10 | by an agreement to that effect between himself or herself, the partnership creditor, and the person |
11 | or partnership continuing the business. An agreement may be inferred from the course of dealing |
12 | between the creditor having knowledge of the dissolution and the person or partnership continuing |
13 | the business. |
14 | (c) Where a person agrees to assume the existing obligations of a dissolved partnership, |
15 | the partners whose obligations have been assumed are discharged from any liability to any creditor |
16 | of the partnership who, knowing of the agreement, consents to a material alteration in the nature or |
17 | time of payment of the obligations. |
18 | (d) The individual property of a deceased partner is liable for those obligations of the |
19 | partnership incurred while he or she was a partner and for which he or she is liable under § 7-12- |
20 | 26, but subject to the prior payment of his or her separate debts. |
21 | 7-12-48. Right to wind up. |
22 | Unless otherwise agreed, the partners who have not wrongfully dissolved the partnership |
23 | or the legal representative of the last surviving partner, not bankrupt, has the right to wind up the |
24 | partnership affairs; provided, that any partner, his or her legal representative, or his or her assignee |
25 | may obtain winding up by the court upon cause shown. |
26 | 7-12-49. Rights of partners to application of partnership property. |
27 | (a) When dissolution is caused in any way, except in contravention of the partnership |
28 | agreement, each partner, as against his or her copartners and all persons claiming through them in |
29 | respect of their interests in the partnership, unless otherwise agreed, may have the partnership |
30 | property applied to discharge its liabilities, and the surplus applied to pay in cash the net amount |
31 | owing to the respective partners. But if dissolution is caused by the expulsion of a bona fide partner |
32 | under the partnership agreement, and if the expelled partner is discharged from all partnership |
33 | liabilities, either by payment or agreement under § 7-12-47(b), he or she receives in cash only the |
34 | net amount due him or her from the partnership. |
| LC004940 - Page 13 of 110 |
1 | (b) When dissolution is caused in contravention of the partnership agreement, the rights of |
2 | the partners are as follows: |
3 | (1) Each partner who has not wrongfully caused dissolution has: |
4 | (i) All the rights specified in subsection (a); and |
5 | (ii) The right, as against each partner who has wrongfully caused the dissolution, to |
6 | damages for breach of the agreement. |
7 | (2) The partners who have not wrongfully caused the dissolution, if they all desire to |
8 | continue the business in the same name, either by themselves or jointly with others, may do so |
9 | during the agreed term for the partnership and for that purpose may possess the partnership |
10 | property, provided they secure the payment by bond approved by the court, or pay to any partner |
11 | who has wrongfully caused the dissolution, the value of his or her interest in the partnership at the |
12 | dissolution, less any damages recoverable under subsection (b)(1)(ii), and in like manner indemnify |
13 | him or her against all present or future partnership liabilities. |
14 | (3) A partner who has wrongfully caused the dissolution has: |
15 | (i) If the business is not continued under the provisions of subsection (b)(2), all the rights |
16 | of a partner under subsection (a), subject to subsection (b)(1)(ii); |
17 | (ii) If the business is continued under subsection (b)(2), the right as against his or her |
18 | copartners, and all claiming through them as to their interests in the partnership, to have the value |
19 | of his or her interest in the partnership, less any damages caused to his or her copartners by the |
20 | dissolution, ascertained and paid to him or her in cash, or the payment secured by bond approved |
21 | by the court, and to be released from all existing liabilities of the partnership; but in ascertaining |
22 | the value of the partner's interest, the value of the good will of the business is not considered. |
23 | 7-12-50. Rights where partnership is dissolved for fraud or misrepresentation. |
24 | Where a partnership contract is rescinded on the ground of the fraud or misrepresentation |
25 | of one of the parties to the contract, the party entitled to rescind is, without prejudice to any other |
26 | right, entitled to: |
27 | (1) A lien on, or right of retention of, the surplus of the partnership property, after satisfying |
28 | the partnership liabilities to third persons, for any sum of money paid by him or her for the purchase |
29 | of an interest in the partnership and for any capital or advances contributed by him; and |
30 | (2) Stand, after all liabilities to third persons have been satisfied, in the place of the creditors |
31 | of the partnership for any payments made by him or her as to the partnership liabilities; and |
32 | (3) Indemnification by the person guilty of the fraud or making the representation against |
33 | all debts and liabilities of the partnership. |
34 | 7-12-51. Rules for distribution. |
| LC004940 - Page 14 of 110 |
1 | In settling accounts between the partners after dissolution, the following rules are observed, |
2 | subject to any agreement to the contrary: |
3 | (1) The assets of the partnership are: |
4 | (i) The partnership property; |
5 | (ii) The contributions of the partners specified in subdivision (4). |
6 | (2) The liabilities of the partnership rank in order of payment, as follows: |
7 | (i) Those owing to creditors other than partners; |
8 | (ii) Those owing to partners other than for capital and profits; |
9 | (iii) Those owing to partners in respect of capital; |
10 | (iv) Those owing to partners in respect of profits. |
11 | (3) The assets are applied in the order of their declaration in subdivision (1) to the |
12 | satisfaction of the liabilities. |
13 | (4) Except as provided in § 7-12-26(b), the partners shall contribute, as provided by § 7- |
14 | 12-29(1), the amount necessary to satisfy the liabilities; but if any, but not all, of the partners are |
15 | insolvent, or not being subject to process, refuse to contribute, the other partners shall contribute |
16 | their share of the liabilities, and, in the relative proportions in which they share the profits, the |
17 | additional amount necessary to pay the liabilities. |
18 | (5) An assignee for the benefit of creditors of any person appointed by the court has the |
19 | right to enforce the contributions specified in subdivision (4). |
20 | (6) Any partner, or his or her legal representative, has the right to enforce the contributions |
21 | specified in subdivision (4), to the extent of the amount that he or she has paid in excess of his or |
22 | her share. |
23 | (7) The individual property of a deceased partner is liable for the contributions specified in |
24 | subdivision (4). |
25 | (8) When partnership property and the individual properties of the partners are in |
26 | possession of a court for distribution, partnership creditors have priority on partnership property |
27 | and separate creditors on individual property, saving the rights of lien or secured creditors as |
28 | previously. |
29 | (9) Where a partner has become bankrupt, or his or her estate is insolvent, the claims against |
30 | his or her separate property rank in the following order: |
31 | (i) Those owing to separate creditors; |
32 | (ii) Those owing to partnership creditors; |
33 | (iii) Those owing to partners by way of contribution. |
34 | 7-12-52. Liability of persons continuing the business in certain cases. |
| LC004940 - Page 15 of 110 |
1 | (a) When any new partner is admitted into an existing partnership, or when any partner |
2 | retires and assigns (or the representative of the deceased partner assigns) his or her rights in |
3 | partnership property to two (2) or more of the partners, or to one or more of the partners, and one |
4 | or more third persons, if the business is continued without liquidation of the partnership affairs, |
5 | creditors of the first or dissolved partnership are also creditors of the partnership continuing the |
6 | business. |
7 | (b) When all but one partner retire and assign (or the representative of the deceased partner |
8 | assigns) their rights in partnership property to the remaining partner, who continues the business |
9 | without liquidation of partnership affairs, either alone or with others, creditors of the dissolved |
10 | partnership are also creditors of the person or partnership continuing the business. |
11 | (c) When any partner retires or dies and the business of the dissolved partnership is |
12 | continued as described in subsections (a) and (b), with the consent of the retired partners or the |
13 | representative of the deceased partner, but without any assignment of his or her right in partnership |
14 | property, rights of creditors of the dissolved partnership and of the creditors of the person or |
15 | partnership continuing the business are as if the assignment had been made. |
16 | (d) When all the partners or their representatives assign their rights in partnership property |
17 | to one or more third persons who promise to pay the debts and who continue the business of the |
18 | dissolved partnerships, creditors of the dissolved partnerships are also creditors of the person or |
19 | partnership continuing the business. |
20 | (e) When any partner wrongfully causes a dissolution and the remaining partners continue |
21 | the business under the provision of § 7-12-49(b)(2), either alone or with others, and without |
22 | liquidation of the partnership affairs, creditors of the dissolved partnership are also creditors of the |
23 | person or partnership continuing the business. |
24 | (f) When a partner is expelled and the remaining partners continue the business either alone |
25 | or with others, without liquidation of the partnership affairs, creditors of the dissolved partnership |
26 | are also creditors of the person or partnership continuing the business. |
27 | (g) The liability of a third person becoming a partner in the partnership continuing the |
28 | business, under this section, to the creditors of the dissolved partnership is satisfied out of |
29 | partnership property only. |
30 | (h) When the business of a partnership after dissolution is continued under any conditions |
31 | described in this section, the creditors of the dissolved partnership, as against the separate creditors |
32 | of the retiring or deceased partner or the representative of the deceased partner, have a prior right |
33 | to any claim of the retired partner or the representative of the deceased partner against the person |
34 | or partnership continuing the business, on account of the retired or deceased partner's interest in the |
| LC004940 - Page 16 of 110 |
1 | dissolved partnership or on account of any consideration promised for the interest or for his or her |
2 | right in partnership property. |
3 | (i) Nothing in this section can be held to modify any right of creditors to set aside any |
4 | assignment on the ground of fraud. |
5 | (j) The use by the person or partnership continuing the business of the partnership name, |
6 | or the name of a deceased partner as part of it, does not of itself make the individual property of |
7 | the deceased partner liable for any debts contracted by the person or partnership. |
8 | 7-12-53. Rights of retiring or estate of deceased partner when the business is |
9 | continued. |
10 | When any partner retires or dies, and the business is continued under any of the conditions |
11 | described in subsection (a), (b), (c), (e) or (f) of § 7-12-52, or § 7-12-49(b)(2), without any |
12 | settlement of accounts as between him or her or his or her estate and the person or partnership |
13 | continuing the business, unless otherwise agreed, he or she or his or her legal representative as |
14 | against the persons or partnership may have the value of his or her interest at the date of dissolution |
15 | ascertained, and shall receive as an ordinary creditor an amount equal to the value of his or her |
16 | interest in the dissolved partnership with interest, or, at his or her option or at the option of his or |
17 | her legal representative, in lieu of interest, the profits attributable to the use of his or her right in |
18 | the property of the dissolved partnership; provided, that the creditors of the dissolved partnership |
19 | as against the separate creditors, or the representative of the retired or deceased partner, have |
20 | priority on any claim arising under this section as provided by § 7-12-52(h). |
21 | 7-12-54. Accrual of actions. |
22 | The right to an account of his or her interest accrues to any partner, or his or her legal |
23 | representative, as against the winding up partners or the surviving partners or the person or |
24 | partnership continuing the business, at the date of dissolution, in the absence of any agreement to |
25 | the contrary. |
26 | 7-12-55. Other laws preserved. |
27 | Nothing contained in §§ 7-12-12 - - 7-12-55 affects the provisions of §§ 7-12-1 - - 7-12-11 |
28 | or of chapter 13 of this title. |
29 | 7-12-56. Registered limited-liability partnerships. |
30 | (a) To become, and to continue as, a registered limited-liability partnership, a partnership |
31 | shall file with the secretary of state an application, or a renewal application, stating the name of the |
32 | partnership, the address of its principal office, if the partnership's principal office is not located in |
33 | this state, the address of a registered office and the name and address of a registered agent for |
34 | service of process in this state that a partnership is required to maintain. In addition, partnerships |
| LC004940 - Page 17 of 110 |
1 | under this section shall provide the names and addresses of all resident partners, the place where |
2 | the business records of the partnership are maintained, or if more than one location for business |
3 | records is maintained, then the principal place of business of the partnership, number, a brief |
4 | statement of the business in which the partnership engaged, and that the partnership applies for |
5 | status, or renewal of its status, as a registered limited-liability partnership. |
6 | (b) The application or renewal application shall be executed by a majority in interest of the |
7 | partners or by one or more partners authorized to execute an application or renewal application. |
8 | (c) The application shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for |
9 | each partnership's initial filing. |
10 | Renewal applications are to be filed yearly and are to be accompanied by a fee of fifty |
11 | dollars ($50.00). |
12 | (d) The secretary of state shall register as a registered limited-liability partnership, and shall |
13 | renew the registration of any limited-liability partnership, any partnership that submits a completed |
14 | application or renewal application with the required fee. |
15 | (e) Registration is effective for one year after the date an application is filed, unless |
16 | voluntarily withdrawn by filing with the secretary of state a written withdrawal notice executed by |
17 | a majority in interest of the partners or by one or more partners authorized to execute a withdrawal. |
18 | Registration, whether pursuant to an original application or a renewal application, as a registered |
19 | limited-liability partnership is renewed if, during the sixty-day (60) period preceding the date the |
20 | application or renewal application otherwise would have expired, the partnership filed with the |
21 | secretary of state a renewal application. A renewal application expires one year after the date an |
22 | original application would have expired if the last renewal of the application had not occurred. |
23 | (f) The status of a partnership as a registered limited-liability partnership is not affected by |
24 | changes after the filing of an application or a renewal application in the information stated in the |
25 | application or renewal application. |
26 | (g) The secretary of state may provide forms for application for, or renewal of, registration. |
27 | Any renewals shall maintain resident partners as set out in this section. |
28 | (h) A partnership that registers as a registered limited-liability partnership is not deemed to |
29 | have dissolved as a result of that registration and is for all purposes the same partnership that existed |
30 | before the registration and continues to be a partnership under the laws of this state. If a registered |
31 | limited-liability partnership dissolves, a partnership that is a successor to the registered limited- |
32 | liability partnership and that intends to be a registered limited-liability partnership is not required |
33 | to file a new application and is deemed to have filed any documents required or permitted under |
34 | this chapter that were filed by the predecessor partnership. |
| LC004940 - Page 18 of 110 |
1 | (i) The fact that an application or renewal application is on file in the office of the secretary |
2 | of state is notice that the partnership is a registered limited-liability partnership and is notice of all |
3 | other facts stated in the application or renewal application. |
4 | 7-12-57. Name of registered limited-liability partnerships. |
5 | (a) The name of a registered limited-liability partnership contains the words "registered |
6 | limited-liability partnership" or the abbreviation "L.L.P" or "LLP" as the last words or letters of its |
7 | name. |
8 | (b) The name shall be distinguishable upon the records of the secretary of state from the |
9 | name of any domestic for-profit or nonprofit corporation, or any domestic limited partnership, or |
10 | any domestic limited-liability company or any registered limited-liability partnership existing |
11 | under the laws of the state, or the name of any foreign for-profit or nonprofit corporation, or foreign |
12 | limited partnership, or foreign limited-liability company, or foreign registered limited-liability |
13 | partnership authorized to transact business in this state, or a name the exclusive right to which is, |
14 | at the time filed, reserved or registered in the manner provided under this title, subject to the |
15 | following: |
16 | (1) This provision does not apply if the applicant files with the secretary of state a certified |
17 | copy of a final decree of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the prior right of the |
18 | applicant to the use of the name in this state; and |
19 | (2) The name may be the same as the name of a corporation, or limited-liability company, |
20 | or registered limited-liability partnership, the certificate of incorporation, authority, organization, |
21 | or registration of which has been revoked by the secretary of state as permitted by law and the |
22 | revocation has not been withdrawn within one year from the date of the revocation. |
23 | (3) Words and/or abbreviations that are required by statute to identify the particular type |
24 | of business entity shall be disregarded when determining if a name is distinguishable upon the |
25 | records of the secretary of state. |
26 | (4) The secretary of state shall promulgate rules and regulations defining the term |
27 | "distinguishable upon the record" for the administration of this chapter. |
28 | 7-12-58. Insurance or financial responsibility of registered limited-liability |
29 | partnerships. |
30 | (a) A registered limited-liability partnership that is to perform professional services as |
31 | defined in § 7-5.1-2 shall carry, if reasonably available, liability insurance of a kind that is designed |
32 | to cover the kinds of negligence, wrongful acts, or misconduct for which liability is limited by § 7- |
33 | 12-26(b). The insurance shall be in the aggregate amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) |
34 | multiplied by the number of professional employees of the registered limited-liability partnership |
| LC004940 - Page 19 of 110 |
1 | as of the policy anniversary date; provided, that in no case shall the coverage be less than one |
2 | hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) but in no event shall the necessary coverage exceed a |
3 | maximum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000); provided, further, that any policy for |
4 | insurance coverage may include a deductible provision in any amount not to exceed twenty-five |
5 | thousand dollars ($25,000) for each claim multiplied by the number of professional employees of |
6 | the limited-liability partnership as of the date of the issuance of the policy. The policy or policies |
7 | of insurance may be subject to any terms, conditions, exclusions and endorsements that are |
8 | typically contained in policies of this type. |
9 | (b) If, in any proceeding, compliance by a partnership with the requirements of subsection |
10 | (a) is disputed: |
11 | (1) That issue is determined by the court, and |
12 | (2) The burden of proof of compliance is on the person who claims the limitation of liability |
13 | in § 7-12-26(b). |
14 | (c) If a registered limited-liability partnership is in compliance with the requirements of |
15 | subsection (a), the requirements of this section shall not be admissible or in any way be made |
16 | known to a jury in determining an issue of liability for or extent of the debt or obligation or damages |
17 | in question. |
18 | (d) Insurance is reasonably available for the purpose of subsection (a) if, at the time that |
19 | the coverage would apply to the negligence, wrongful acts, or misconduct in question, it was |
20 | reasonably available to similar types of partnerships through the admitted or eligible surplus lines |
21 | market. |
22 | (e) A registered limited-liability partnership is considered to be in compliance with |
23 | subsection (a) if the partnership provides five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) of funds |
24 | specifically designated and segregated for the satisfaction of judgments against the partnership |
25 | based on the forms of negligence, wrongful acts, and misconduct for which liability is limited by § |
26 | 7-12-26(b) by: |
27 | (1) Deposit in trust or in bank escrow of cash, bank certificates of deposit, or United States |
28 | Treasury obligations; or |
29 | (2) A bank letter of credit or insurance company bonds. |
30 | (f) To the extent that a partnership maintains liability insurance or segregated funds |
31 | pursuant to the laws or regulations of another jurisdiction, the liability insurance or segregated |
32 | funds are deemed to satisfy this section if the amount hereof is equal to or greater than the amount |
33 | specified in subsection (a) or (e). |
34 | 7-12-59. Applicability to foreign and interstate commerce. |
| LC004940 - Page 20 of 110 |
1 | (a) A partnership, including a registered limited-liability partnership, formed and existing |
2 | pursuant to an agreement governed by this chapter, may conduct its business, carry on its operations |
3 | and have and exercise the powers granted by this chapter in any state, territory, district or possession |
4 | of the United States, or in any foreign country. |
5 | (b) It is the intent of the general assembly that the legal existence of partnerships, including |
6 | registered limited-liability partnerships, formed in this state are recognized outside the boundaries |
7 | of this state and that, subject to any reasonable requirement of registration, a partnership, including |
8 | a registered limited-liability partnership, formed pursuant to an agreement governed by this chapter |
9 | and transacting business outside this state is granted the protection of full faith and credit under the |
10 | Constitution of the United States. |
11 | (c) The liability of partners in a partnership, including registered limited-liability |
12 | partnerships, formed and existing pursuant to an agreement governed by this chapter for the debts |
13 | and obligations of the partnership, is at all times determined exclusively by the laws of this state. |
14 | (d) Before transacting business in this state, a foreign registered limited-liability |
15 | partnership shall comply with any statutory or administrative registration or filing requirements |
16 | governing the specific type of business in which the partnership is engaged, and file a notice with |
17 | the secretary of state, on any forms that the Secretary provides, stating: |
18 | (1) The name of the partnership; |
19 | (2) The jurisdiction, the laws of which govern its partnership agreement and under which |
20 | it is registered as a limited-liability partnership; |
21 | (3) The address of its principal office; |
22 | (4) If the partnership's principal office is not located in this state; |
23 | (5) The address of a registered office and the name and address of a registered agent for |
24 | service of process in this state that the partnership shall be required to maintain; |
25 | (6) The names and addresses of all resident partners in this state; |
26 | (7) A brief statement of the business in which the partnership engages; |
27 | (8) Any other information that the partnership determines to include; |
28 | (9) A statement that the partnership is a registered limited-liability partnership. The notice |
29 | shall be accompanied by a fee of one thousand dollars ($1,000). The notice is effective for two (2) |
30 | years from the date of filing, after which time the partnership shall file a new notice. The filing of |
31 | the notice with the secretary of state makes it unnecessary to file any other documents under §§ 6- |
32 | 1-1 - - 6-1-4. |
33 | (e) The name of a foreign registered limited-liability partnership doing business in this state |
34 | shall contain the words "Registered Limited-Liability Partnership" or "L.L.P." or "LLP", or any |
| LC004940 - Page 21 of 110 |
1 | other similar words or abbreviation as are required or authorized by the laws of the state where the |
2 | partnership is registered, as the last words or letters of its name. |
3 | (f) The internal affairs of foreign registered limited-liability partnerships, including the |
4 | liability of partners for debts, obligations, and liabilities of, or chargeable to, the partnership or |
5 | another partner or partners, are subject to and governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the |
6 | foreign registered limited-liability partnership is registered. |
7 | SECTION 2. Title 7 of the General Laws entitled "CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, |
8 | AND PARTNERSHIPS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
9 | CHAPTER 12.1 |
10 | UNIFORM PARTNERSHIP ACT |
11 | ARTICLE 1 |
12 | GENERAL PROVISIONS |
13 | 7-12.1-101. Short title. |
14 | This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Uniform Partnership Act". |
15 | 7-12.1-102. Definitions. |
16 | As used in this chapter: |
17 | (1) "Business" includes every trade, occupation, and profession. |
18 | (2) "Contribution", except in the phrase "right of contribution", means property or a benefit |
19 | described in § 7-12.1-403 which is provided by a person to a partnership to become a partner or in |
20 | the person's capacity as a partner. |
21 | (3) "Debtor in bankruptcy" means a person that is the subject of: |
22 | (i) An order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code or a comparable order under |
23 | a successor statute of general application; or |
24 | (ii) A comparable order under federal, state, or foreign law governing insolvency. |
25 | (4) "Delivering/delivered" means either physically transferring a paper document to the |
26 | secretary of state or transferring a document to the secretary of state by electronic transmission |
27 | through a medium provided and authorized by the secretary of state. |
28 | (5) "Distribution" means a transfer of money or other property from a partnership to a |
29 | person on account of a transferable interest or in a person's capacity as a partner. The term: |
30 | (i) Includes: |
31 | (A) A redemption or other purchase by a partnership of a transferable interest; and |
32 | (B) A transfer to a partner in return for the partner's relinquishment of any right to |
33 | participate as a partner in the management or conduct of the partnership's business or have access |
34 | to records or other information concerning the partnership's business; and |
| LC004940 - Page 22 of 110 |
1 | (ii) Does not include amounts constituting reasonable compensation for present or past |
2 | service or payments made in the ordinary course of business under a bona fide retirement plan or |
3 | other bona fide benefits program. |
4 | (6) "Electronic transmission" means any form of communication, not directly involving |
5 | the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and |
6 | reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a |
7 | recipient through an automated process. |
8 | (7) "Foreign limited-liability partnership" means a foreign partnership whose partners have |
9 | limited-liability for the debts, obligations, or other liabilities of the foreign partnership under a |
10 | provision similar to § 7-12.1-306(c). |
11 | (8) "Foreign partnership" means an unincorporated entity formed under the law of a |
12 | jurisdiction other than this state which would be a partnership if formed under the law of this state. |
13 | The term includes a foreign limited-liability partnership. |
14 | (9) "Jurisdiction", used to refer to a political entity, means the United States, a state, a |
15 | foreign country, or a political subdivision of a foreign country. |
16 | (10) "Jurisdiction of formation" means the jurisdiction whose law governs the internal |
17 | affairs of an entity. |
18 | (11) "Limited-liability partnership", except in the phrase "foreign limited-liability |
19 | partnership" and in Article 11 of this chapter, means a partnership that has filed a statement of |
20 | qualification under § 7-12.1-901 and does not have a similar statement in effect in any other |
21 | jurisdiction. |
22 | (12) "Partner" means a person that: |
23 | (i) Has become a partner in a partnership under § 7-12.1-402 or was a partner in a |
24 | partnership when the partnership became subject to this chapter under § 7-12.1-110; and |
25 | (ii) Has not dissociated as a partner under § 7-12.1-601. |
26 | (13) "Partnership", except in Article 11 of this chapter, means an association of two (2) or |
27 | more persons to carry on as co-owners of a business for profit formed under this chapter or that |
28 | becomes subject to this chapter under Article 11 of this chapter or § 7-12.1-110. The term includes |
29 | a limited-liability partnership. |
30 | (14) "Partnership agreement" means the agreement, whether or not referred to as a |
31 | partnership agreement and whether oral, implied, in a record, or in any combination thereof, of all |
32 | the partners of a partnership concerning the matters described in § 7-12.1-105. The term includes |
33 | the agreement as amended or restated. |
34 | (15) "Partnership at will" means a partnership in which the partners have not agreed to |
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1 | remain partners until the expiration of a definite term or the completion of a particular undertaking. |
2 | (16) "Person" means an individual, business corporation, nonprofit corporation, |
3 | partnership, limited partnership, limited-liability company, general cooperative association, limited |
4 | cooperative association, unincorporated nonprofit association, statutory trust, business trust, |
5 | common-law business trust, estate, trust, association, joint venture, public corporation, government |
6 | or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity. |
7 | (17) "Principal office" means the principal executive office of a partnership or a foreign |
8 | limited-liability partnership, whether or not the office is located in this state. |
9 | (18) "Property" means all property, whether real, personal, or mixed or tangible or |
10 | intangible, or any right or interest therein. |
11 | (19) "Record", used as a noun, means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium |
12 | or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. |
13 | (20) "Registered agent" means an agent of a limited-liability partnership or foreign limited- |
14 | liability partnership which is authorized to receive service of any process, notice, or demand |
15 | required or permitted by law to be served on the partnership. |
16 | (21) "Registered foreign limited-liability partnership" means a foreign limited-liability |
17 | partnership that is registered to do business in this state pursuant to a statement of registration filed |
18 | with the secretary of state. |
19 | (22) "Sign" means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record: |
20 | (i) To execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or |
21 | (ii) To attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound, or |
22 | process. |
23 | (23) "Signature" or "signed" or "executed" means an original signature, facsimile, or an |
24 | electronically transmitted signature submitted through a medium provided and authorized by the |
25 | secretary of state. |
26 | (24) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the |
27 | United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the |
28 | United States. |
29 | (25) "Transfer" includes: |
30 | (i) An assignment; |
31 | (ii) A conveyance; |
32 | (iii) A sale; |
33 | (iv) A lease; |
34 | (v) An encumbrance, including a mortgage or security interest; |
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1 | (vi) A gift; and |
2 | (vii) A transfer by operation of law. |
3 | (26) "Transferable interest" means the right, as initially owned by a person in the person's |
4 | capacity as a partner, to receive distributions from a partnership, whether or not the person remains |
5 | a partner or continues to own any part of the right. The term applies to any fraction of the interest, |
6 | by whomever owned. |
7 | (27) "Transferee" means a person to which all or part of a transferable interest has been |
8 | transferred, whether or not the transferor is a partner. |
9 | 7-12.1-103. Knowledge; Notice. |
10 | (a) A person knows a fact if the person: |
11 | (1) Has actual knowledge of it; or |
12 | (2) Is deemed to know it under subsection (d)(1) of this section or law other than this |
13 | chapter. |
14 | (b) A person has notice of a fact if the person: |
15 | (1) Has reason to know the fact from all the facts known to the person at the time in |
16 | question; or |
17 | (2) Is deemed to have notice of the fact under subsection (d)(2) of this section. |
18 | (c) Subject to § 7-12.1-117(f), a person notifies another person of a fact by taking steps |
19 | reasonably required to inform the other person in ordinary course, whether or not those steps cause |
20 | the other person to know the fact. |
21 | (d) A person not a partner is deemed: |
22 | (1) To know of a limitation on authority to transfer real property as provided in § 7-12.1- |
23 | 303(g); and |
24 | (2) To have notice of: |
25 | (i) A person's dissociation as a partner ninety (90) days after a statement of dissociation |
26 | under § 7-12.1-704 becomes effective; and |
27 | (ii) A partnership's: |
28 | (A) Dissolution ninety (90) days after a statement of dissolution under § 7-12.1-802 |
29 | becomes effective; |
30 | (B) Termination ninety (90) days after a statement of termination under § 7-12.1-802 |
31 | becomes effective; and |
32 | (C) Participation in a merger, interest exchange, conversion, or domestication, ninety (90) |
33 | days after articles of merger, interest exchange, conversion, or domestication under Article 11 of |
34 | this chapter become effective. |
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1 | (e) A partner's knowledge or notice of a fact relating to the partnership is effective |
2 | immediately as knowledge of or notice to the partnership, except in the case of a fraud on the |
3 | partnership committed by or with the consent of that partner. |
4 | 7-12.1-104. Governing law. |
5 | The internal affairs of a partnership and the liability of a partner as a partner for a debt, |
6 | obligation, or other liability of the partnership are governed by: |
7 | (1) In the case of a limited-liability partnership, the law of this state; and |
8 | (2) In the case of a partnership that is not a limited-liability partnership, the law of the |
9 | jurisdiction in which the partnership has its principal office. |
10 | 7-12.1-105. Partnership agreement; Scope, Function, and Limitations. |
11 | (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the partnership |
12 | agreement governs: |
13 | (1) Relations among the partners as partners and between the partners and the partnership; |
14 | (2) The business of the partnership and the conduct of that business; and |
15 | (3) The means and conditions for amending the partnership agreement. |
16 | (b) To the extent the partnership agreement does not provide for a matter described in |
17 | subsection (a) of this section, this chapter governs the matter. |
18 | (c) A partnership agreement may not: |
19 | (1) Vary the law applicable under § 7-12.1-104(1); |
20 | (2) Vary the provisions of § 7-12.1-110; |
21 | (3) Vary the provisions of § 7-12.1-307; |
22 | (4) Unreasonably restrict the duties and rights under § 7-12.1-408, but the partnership |
23 | agreement may impose reasonable restrictions on the availability and use of information obtained |
24 | under that section and may define appropriate remedies, including liquidated damages, for a breach |
25 | of any reasonable restriction on use; |
26 | (5) Alter or eliminate the duty of loyalty or the duty of care, except as otherwise provided |
27 | in subsection (d) of this section; |
28 | (6) Eliminate the contractual obligation of good faith and fair dealing under § 7-12.1- |
29 | 409(d), but the partnership agreement may prescribe the standards, if not manifestly unreasonable, |
30 | by which the performance of the obligation is to be measured; |
31 | (7) Unreasonably restrict the right of a person to maintain an action under § 7-12.1-410(b); |
32 | (8) Relieve or exonerate a person from liability for conduct involving bad faith, willful or |
33 | intentional misconduct, or knowing violation of law; |
34 | (9) Vary the power of a person to dissociate as a partner under § 7-12.1-602(a), except to |
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1 | require that the notice under § 7-12.1-601(1) to be in a record; |
2 | (10) Vary the grounds for expulsion specified in § 7-12.1-601(5); |
3 | (11) Vary the causes of dissolution specified in § 7-12.1-801(4) or (5); |
4 | (12) Vary the requirement to wind up the partnership's business as specified in § 7-12.1- |
5 | 802(a), (b)(1), and (d); |
6 | (13) Vary the right of a partner under § 7-12.1-901(f) to vote on or consent to a cancellation |
7 | of a statement of qualification; |
8 | (14) Vary the right of a partner to approve a merger, interest exchange, conversion, or |
9 | domestication under §§ 7-12.1-11.23(a)(2), 7-12.1-11.33(a)(2), 7-12.1-11.43(a)(2), or 7-12.1- |
10 | 11.53(a)(2); |
11 | (15) Vary the required contents of a plan of merger under § 7-12.1-11.22(a), plan of interest |
12 | exchange under § 7-12.1-11.32(a), plan of conversion under § 7-12.1-11.42(a), or plan of |
13 | domestication under § 7-12.1-11.52(a); |
14 | (16) Vary any requirement, procedure, or other provision of this chapter pertaining to: |
15 | (i) Registered agents; or |
16 | (ii) The secretary of state, including provisions pertaining to records authorized or required |
17 | to be filed with the secretary of state under this chapter; or |
18 | (17) Except as otherwise provided in §§ 7-12.1-106 and 7-12.1-107(b), restrict the rights |
19 | under this chapter of a person other than a partner. |
20 | (d) Subject to subsection (c)(8) of this section, without limiting other terms that may be |
21 | included in a partnership agreement, the following rules apply: |
22 | (1) The partnership agreement may: |
23 | (i) Specify the method by which a specific act or transaction that would otherwise violate |
24 | the duty of loyalty may be authorized or ratified by one or more disinterested and independent |
25 | persons after full disclosure of all material facts; and |
26 | (ii) Alter the prohibition in § 7-12.1-406(a)(2) to the extent the prohibition requires only |
27 | that the partnership's total assets not be less than the sum of its total liabilities. |
28 | (2) To the extent the partnership agreement expressly relieves a partner of a responsibility |
29 | that the partner would otherwise have under this chapter and imposes the responsibility on one or |
30 | more other partners, the agreement also may eliminate or limit any fiduciary duty of the partner |
31 | relieved of the responsibility which would have pertained to the responsibility. |
32 | (3) If not manifestly unreasonable, the partnership agreement may: |
33 | (i) Alter or eliminate the aspects of the duty of loyalty stated in § 7-12.1-409(b); |
34 | (ii) Identify specific types or categories of activities that do not violate the duty of loyalty; |
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1 | (iii) Alter the duty of care, but may not authorize conduct involving bad faith, willful or |
2 | intentional misconduct, or knowing violation of law; and |
3 | (iv) Alter or eliminate any other fiduciary duty. |
4 | (e) The court shall decide as a matter of law whether a term of a partnership agreement is |
5 | manifestly unreasonable under subsection (c)(6) or (d)(3) of this section. The Providence County |
6 | superior court: |
7 | (1) Shall make its determination as of the time the challenged term became part of the |
8 | partnership agreement and by considering only circumstances existing at that time; and |
9 | (2) May invalidate the term only if, in light of the purposes and business of the partnership, |
10 | it is readily apparent that: |
11 | (i) The objective of the term is unreasonable; or |
12 | (ii) The term is an unreasonable means to achieve the term's objective. |
13 | 7-12.1-106. Partnership agreement -- Effect on partnership and person becoming |
14 | partner -- Preformation agreement. |
15 | (a) A partnership is bound by and may enforce the partnership agreement, whether or not |
16 | the partnership has itself manifested assent to the agreement. |
17 | (b) A person that becomes a partner is deemed to assent to the partnership agreement. |
18 | (c) Two (2) or more persons intending to become the initial partners of a partnership may |
19 | make an agreement providing that upon the formation of the partnership the agreement will become |
20 | the partnership agreement. |
21 | 7-12.1-107. Partnership agreement -- Effect on third parties and relationship to |
22 | records effective on behalf of partnership. |
23 | (a) A partnership agreement may specify that its amendment requires the approval of a |
24 | person that is not a party to the agreement or the satisfaction of a condition. An amendment is |
25 | ineffective if its adoption does not include the required approval or satisfy the specified condition. |
26 | (b) The obligations of a partnership and its partners to a person in the person's capacity as |
27 | a transferee or person dissociated as a partner are governed by the partnership agreement. Subject |
28 | only to a court order issued under § 7-12.1-504(b)(2) to effectuate a charging order, an amendment |
29 | to the partnership agreement made after a person becomes a transferee or is dissociated as a partner: |
30 | (1) Is effective with regard to any debt, obligation, or other liability of the partnership or |
31 | its partners to the person in the person's capacity as a transferee or person dissociated as a partner; |
32 | and |
33 | (2) Is not effective to the extent the amendment: |
34 | (i) Imposes a new debt, obligation, or other liability on the transferee or person dissociated |
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1 | as a partner; or |
2 | (ii) Prejudices the rights under § 7-12.1-701 of a person that dissociated as a partner before |
3 | the amendment was made. |
4 | (c) If a record delivered by a partnership to the secretary of state for filing becomes |
5 | effective and contains a provision that would be ineffective under §§ 7-12.1-105(c) or 7-12.1- |
6 | 105(d)(3) if contained in the partnership agreement, the provision is ineffective in the record. |
7 | (d) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, if a record delivered by a partnership to the |
8 | secretary of state for filing becomes effective and conflicts with a provision of the partnership |
9 | agreement: |
10 | (1) The agreement prevails as to partners, persons dissociated as partners, and transferees; |
11 | and |
12 | (2) The record prevails as to other persons to the extent they reasonably rely on the record. |
13 | 7-12.1-108. Signing of records to be delivered for filing to secretary of state. |
14 | (a) A record filed with the secretary of state pursuant to this chapter must be signed as |
15 | follows: |
16 | (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section, a record |
17 | signed by a partnership must be signed by a person authorized by the partnership. |
18 | (2) A record filed on behalf of a dissolved partnership that has no partner must be signed |
19 | by the person winding up the partnership's business under § 7-12.1-802(c) or a person appointed |
20 | under § 7-12.1-802(d) to wind up the business. |
21 | (3) A statement of denial by a person under § 7-12.1-304 must be signed by that person. |
22 | (4) Any other record delivered on behalf of a person to the secretary of state for filing must |
23 | be signed by that person. |
24 | (b) A record filed under this chapter may be signed by an agent. Whenever this chapter |
25 | requires a particular individual to sign a record and the individual is deceased or incompetent, the |
26 | record may be signed by a legal representative of the individual. |
27 | (c) A person that signs a record as an agent or legal representative affirms as a fact that the |
28 | person is authorized to sign the record. |
29 | 7-12.1-109. Liability for inaccurate information in filed record. |
30 | (a) If a record filed with the secretary of state under this chapter and filed by the secretary |
31 | of state contains inaccurate information, a person that suffers loss by reliance on the information |
32 | may recover damages for the loss from: |
33 | (1) A person that signed the record, or caused another to sign it on the person's behalf, and |
34 | knew the information to be inaccurate at the time the record was signed; and |
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1 | (2) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a partner if: |
2 | (i) The record was delivered for filing on behalf of the partnership; and |
3 | (ii) The partner knew or had notice of the inaccuracy for a reasonably sufficient time before |
4 | the information was relied upon so that, before the reliance, the partner reasonably could have: |
5 | (A) Effected an amendment under § 7-12.1-901(f); |
6 | (B) Filed a petition under § 7-12.1-112; or |
7 | (C) Filed with the secretary of state a statement of change under § 7-12.1-909 or a statement |
8 | of correction under § 7-12.1-116. |
9 | (b) To the extent the partnership agreement expressly relieves a partner of responsibility |
10 | for maintaining the accuracy of information contained in records delivered on behalf of the |
11 | partnership to the secretary of state for filing under this chapter and imposes that responsibility on |
12 | one or more other partners, the liability stated in subsection (a)(2) of this section applies to those |
13 | other partners and not to the partner that the partnership agreement relieves of the responsibility. |
14 | (c) An individual who signs a record authorized or required to be filed under this chapter |
15 | affirms under penalty of perjury that the information stated in the record is accurate. |
16 | 7-12.1-110. Application to existing relationships. |
17 | (a) This chapter governs only: |
18 | (1) A partnership formed on or after January 1, 2023; and |
19 | (2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, a partnership formed |
20 | before January 1, 2023, which elects, in the manner provided in its partnership agreement or by law |
21 | for amending the partnership agreement, to be subject to this chapter. |
22 | (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, on and after January 1, |
23 | 2023, this chapter governs all partnerships. |
24 | (c) With respect to a partnership that elects pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of this section to |
25 | be subject to this chapter, after the election takes effect the provisions of this chapter relating to the |
26 | liability of the partnership's partners to third parties apply to: |
27 | (1) A third party that had not done business with the partnership in the year before the |
28 | election took effect; and |
29 | (2) A third party that had done business with the partnership in the year before the election |
30 | took effect only if the third party knows or has been notified of the election. |
31 | 7-12.1-110.1. Election of existing limited-liability partnerships. |
32 | (a) With respect to a limited-liability partnership that elects pursuant to §7-12.1-110 (a)(2) |
33 | to be subject to this chapter, the partnership must deliver to the secretary of state a statement |
34 | approved in the manner required by § 7-12.1-901(b). The statement must contain: |
| LC004940 - Page 30 of 110 |
1 | (1) The name of the limited-liability partnership; |
2 | (2) A statement that the partnership is a limited-liability partnership and elects to comply |
3 | with the provisions of chapter 12.1 of title 7; |
4 | (3) A statement that the partnership’s status as a limited-liability partnership is perpetual |
5 | and remains effective, regardless of changes to the partnership, until it is canceled or |
6 | administratively revoked pursuant to the provision of chapter 12.1 of title 7; |
7 | (4) The name and street address in this state of the partnership’s registered agent. |
8 | (b) Prior to the effective date of this chapter outlined in § 7-12.1-110(b), a limited-liability |
9 | partnership may renew its registration pursuant to § 7-12-56(e). Upon the effective date of this |
10 | chapter, to maintain its status as a limited-liability partnership, the following actions must be taken: |
11 | (1) A designation of a registered agent must be recorded with the secretary of state; and |
12 | (2) At the time prescribed, the limited-liability partnership must file an annual report in |
13 | accordance with the provisions of § 7-12.1-913. |
14 | 7-12.1-111. Delivery of record. |
15 | (a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, permissible means of delivery of a record |
16 | include delivery by hand, mail, conventional commercial practice, and electronic transmission. |
17 | (b) Delivery to the secretary of state is effective only when a record is received by the |
18 | secretary of state. |
19 | 7-12.1-112. Signing and filing pursuant to judicial order. |
20 | (a) If a person required by this chapter to sign a record or deliver a record to the secretary |
21 | of state for filing under this chapter does not do so, any other person that is aggrieved may petition |
22 | the superior court to order: |
23 | (1) The person to sign the record; |
24 | (2) The person to deliver the record to the secretary of state for filing; or |
25 | (3) The secretary of state to file the record unsigned. |
26 | (b) If a petitioner under subsection (a) of this section is not the partnership or foreign |
27 | limited-liability partnership to which the record pertains, the petitioner shall make the partnership |
28 | or foreign partnership a party to the action. |
29 | (c) A record filed under subsection (a)(3) of this section is effective without being signed. |
30 | 7-12.1-113. Filing requirements. |
31 | (a) To be filed by the secretary of state pursuant to this chapter, a record must be received |
32 | by the secretary of state, comply with this chapter, and satisfy the following: |
33 | (1) The filing of the record must be required or permitted by this chapter; |
34 | (2) The record must be physically delivered in written form unless and to the extent the |
| LC004940 - Page 31 of 110 |
1 | secretary of state permits electronic delivery of records; |
2 | (3) The words in the record must be in English, and numbers must be in Arabic or Roman |
3 | numerals, but the name of an entity need not be in English if written in English letters or Arabic or |
4 | Roman numerals; |
5 | (4) The record must be signed by a person authorized or required under this chapter to sign |
6 | the record; and |
7 | (5) The record must state the name and capacity, if any, of each individual who signed it, |
8 | either on behalf of the individual or the person authorized or required to sign the record, but need |
9 | not contain a seal, attestation, acknowledgment, or verification. |
10 | (b) If any law other than this chapter prohibits the disclosure by the secretary of state of |
11 | information contained in a record filed with the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall file |
12 | the record if the record otherwise complies with this chapter but may redact the information. |
13 | (c) When a record is filed with the secretary of state, any fee required under this chapter |
14 | and any fee, tax, interest, or penalty required to be paid under this chapter or law other than this |
15 | chapter must be paid in a manner permitted by the secretary of state or by that law. |
16 | (d) The secretary of state may require that a record delivered in written form be |
17 | accompanied by an identical or conformed copy. |
18 | (e) The secretary of state may provide forms for filings required or permitted to be made |
19 | by this chapter, but, except as otherwise provided in this section, their use is not required. |
20 | (f) The secretary of state may require that a cover sheet for a filing be on a form prescribed |
21 | by the secretary of state. |
22 | 7-12.1-114. Effective date and time. |
23 | Except as otherwise provided in § 7-12.1-115 and subject to § 7-12.1-116(c), a record filed |
24 | under this chapter is effective: |
25 | (1) On the date and at the time of its filing by the secretary of state, as provided in § 7- |
26 | 12.1-117(b); |
27 | (2) On the date of filing and at the time specified in the record as its effective time, if later |
28 | than the time under subsection (1) of this section; |
29 | (3) At a specified delayed effective date and time, which may not be more than ninety (90) |
30 | days after the date of filing; or |
31 | (4) If a delayed effective date is specified, but no time is specified, at one minute past |
32 | twelve am (12:01 a.m.) on the date specified, which may not be more than ninety (90) days after |
33 | the date of filing. |
34 | 7-12.1-115. Withdrawal of filed record before effectiveness. |
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1 | (a) Except as otherwise provided in §§ 7-12.1-11.24, 7-12.1-11.34, 7-12.1-11.44, and 7- |
2 | 12.1-11.54, a record filed with the secretary of state may be withdrawn before it takes effect by |
3 | delivering to the secretary of state for filing a statement of withdrawal. |
4 | (b) A statement of withdrawal must: |
5 | (1) Be signed by each person that signed the record being withdrawn, except as otherwise |
6 | agreed by those persons; |
7 | (2) Identify the record to be withdrawn; and |
8 | (3) If signed by fewer than all the persons that signed the record being withdrawn, state |
9 | that the record is withdrawn in accordance with the agreement of all the persons that signed the |
10 | record. |
11 | (c) On filing by the secretary of state of a statement of withdrawal, the action or transaction |
12 | evidenced by the original record does not take effect. |
13 | 7-12.1-116. Correcting filed record. |
14 | (a) A person on whose behalf a filed record was filed with the secretary of state may correct |
15 | the record if: |
16 | (1) The record at the time of filing was inaccurate; |
17 | (2) The record was defectively signed; or |
18 | (3) The electronic transmission of the record to the secretary of state was defective. |
19 | (b) To correct a filed record, a person on whose behalf the record was delivered to the |
20 | secretary of state must deliver to the secretary of state for filing a statement of correction. |
21 | (c) A statement of correction: |
22 | (1) May not state a delayed effective date; |
23 | (2) Must be signed by the person correcting the filed record; |
24 | (3) Must identify the filed record to be corrected; |
25 | (4) Must specify the inaccuracy or defect to be corrected; and |
26 | (5) Must correct the inaccuracy or defect. |
27 | (d) A statement of correction is effective as of the effective date of the filed record that it |
28 | corrects except for purposes of § 7-12.1-103(d) and as to persons relying on the uncorrected filed |
29 | record and adversely affected by the correction. For those purposes and as to those persons, the |
30 | statement of correction is effective when filed. |
31 | 7-12.1-117. Duty of secretary of state to file -- Review of refusal to file -- Delivery of |
32 | record by secretary of state. |
33 | (a) The secretary of state shall file a record filed with the secretary of state which satisfies |
34 | this chapter. The duty of the secretary of state under this section is ministerial. |
| LC004940 - Page 33 of 110 |
1 | (b) When the secretary of state files a record, the secretary of state shall record it as filed |
2 | on the date and at the time of its delivery. After filing a record, the secretary of state shall deliver |
3 | to the person that submitted the record a copy of the record with an acknowledgment of the date |
4 | and time of filing and, in the case of a statement of denial, also to the partnership to which the |
5 | statement pertains. |
6 | (c) If the secretary of state refuses to file a record, the secretary of state shall, not later than |
7 | ten (10) business days after the record is delivered: |
8 | (1) Return the record or notify the person that submitted the record of the refusal; and |
9 | (2) Provide a brief explanation in a record of the reason for the refusal. |
10 | (d) If the secretary of state refuses to file a record, the person that submitted the record may |
11 | petition the superior court to compel filing of the record. The record and the explanation of the |
12 | secretary of state of the refusal to file must be attached to the petition. The Providence County |
13 | superior court may decide the matter in a summary proceeding. |
14 | (e) The filing of or refusal to file a record does not: |
15 | (1) Affect the validity or invalidity of the record in whole or in part; or |
16 | (2) Create a presumption that the information contained in the record is correct or incorrect. |
17 | (f) Except as otherwise provided by § 7-12.1-909 or by law other than this chapter, the |
18 | secretary of state may deliver any record to a person by delivering it: |
19 | (1) In person to the person that submitted it; |
20 | (2) To the address of the person's registered agent; |
21 | (3) To the principal office of the person; |
22 | (4) To an electronic address the person provides to the secretary of state for delivery; or |
23 | (5) By providing, at no cost to the filer, access to a downloadable copy of the record from |
24 | the secretary of state’s online corporate database. |
25 | (g) Notwithstanding that any instrument authorized to be filed with the secretary of state |
26 | under this chapter is when filed inaccurately, defectively or erroneously executed, sealed or |
27 | acknowledged, or otherwise defective in any respect, the secretary of state has no liability to any |
28 | individual for the preclearance for filing, the acceptance for filing or the filing and indexing of such |
29 | instrument by the secretary of state. |
30 | 7-12.1-117.1. Fees for filing documents and issuing certificates. |
31 | The secretary of state shall charge and collect for: |
32 | (1) Filing a statement of partnership authority, one hundred dollars ($100); |
33 | (2) Filing a statement of amendment or cancellation of partnership authority, fifty dollars |
34 | ($50.00); |
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1 | (3) Filing a statement of denial of partnership authority, fifty dollars ($50.00); |
2 | (4) Filing a statement of dissociation, ten dollars ($10.00); |
3 | (5) Filing an application to reserve a partnership name, fifty dollars ($50.00); |
4 | (6) Filing a notice of transfer of a reserved partnership name, fifty dollars ($50.00); |
5 | (7) Filing a statement of change of registered agent, twenty dollars ($20.00); |
6 | (8) Filing a statement of change of name or address only for a registered agent, without |
7 | fee; |
8 | (9) Filing a statement of qualification for a limited-liability partnership, one hundred fifty |
9 | dollars ($150) |
10 | (10) Filing a statement of amendment or cancellation of a limited-liability partnership, fifty |
11 | dollars ($50.00); |
12 | (11) Filing a fictitious business name statement for a limited-liability partnership, fifty |
13 | dollars ($50.00) |
14 | (12) Filing an application of registration for a foreign limited-liability partnership, one |
15 | hundred fifty dollars ($150); |
16 | (13) Filing an amendment to an application of registration for a foreign limited-liability |
17 | partnership, fifty dollars ($50.00) |
18 | (14) Filing a certificate of withdrawal of registration as a foreign limited-liability |
19 | partnership, fifty dollars ($50.00); |
20 | (15) Filing any other document, statement or report of a domestic or foreign limited- |
21 | liability partnership, except an annual report, ten dollars ($10.00); |
22 | (16) An annual report of a domestic or foreign limited-liability partnership, fifty dollars |
23 | ($50.00); |
24 | (17) To withdraw the certificate of revocation of a limited-liability partnership, whether |
25 | domestic or foreign, a penalty in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each year or part of the |
26 | year that has elapsed since the issuance of the certificate of revocation; |
27 | (18) For issuing a certificate of good standing/letter of status, twenty dollars ($20.00); |
28 | (19) For issuing a certificate of fact, thirty dollars ($30.00); |
29 | (20) For furnishing a certified copy of any document, instrument or paper relating to a |
30 | partnership or limited-liability partnership, a fee of fifteen cents ($.15) per page and ten dollars |
31 | ($10.00) for the certificate and affirming the seal to it; |
32 | (21) Service of process on the secretary of state as registered agent of a partnership or a |
33 | limited-liability partnership, fifteen dollars ($15.00) which amount may be recovered as a taxable |
34 | cost by the party to the suit or action making the service if the party prevails in the suit or action; |
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1 | (22) Filing articles of merger for a partnership or limited-liability partnership, one hundred |
2 | dollars ($100); and |
3 | (23) Filing a statement of domestication for a limited-liability partnership, fifty dollars |
4 | ($50.00). |
5 | 7-12.1-118. Reservation of power to amend or repeal. |
6 | The general assembly has power to amend or repeal all or part of this chapter at any time, |
7 | and all limited-liability partnerships and foreign limited-liability partnerships subject to this chapter |
8 | shall be governed by the amendment or repeal. |
9 | 7-12.1-119. Supplemental principles of law. |
10 | Unless displaced by particular provisions of this chapter, the principles of law and equity |
11 | supplement this chapter. |
12 | ARTICLE 2 |
13 | NATURE OF PARTNERSHIP |
14 | 7-12.1-201. Partnership as entity. |
15 | (a) A partnership is an entity distinct from its partners. |
16 | (b) A partnership is the same entity regardless of whether the partnership has a statement |
17 | of qualification in effect under § 7-12.1-901. |
18 | 7-12.1-202. Formation of partnership. |
19 | (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, the association of two |
20 | (2) or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit forms a partnership, whether or |
21 | not the persons intend to form a partnership. |
22 | (b) An association formed under a statute other than this chapter, a predecessor statute, or |
23 | a comparable statute of another jurisdiction is not a partnership under this chapter. |
24 | (c) In determining whether a partnership is formed, the following rules apply: |
25 | (1) Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the entireties, joint property, common |
26 | property, or part ownership does not by itself establish a partnership, even if the co-owners share |
27 | profits made by the use of the property; |
28 | (2) The sharing of gross returns does not by itself establish a partnership, even if the persons |
29 | sharing them have a joint or common right or interest in property from which the returns are |
30 | derived; and |
31 | (3) A person who receives a share of the profits of a business is presumed to be a partner |
32 | in the business, unless the profits were received in payment: |
33 | (i) Of a debt by installments or otherwise; |
34 | (ii) For services as an independent contractor or of wages or other compensation to an |
| LC004940 - Page 36 of 110 |
1 | employee; |
2 | (iii) Of rent; |
3 | (iv) Of an annuity or other retirement or health benefit to a deceased or retired partner or a |
4 | beneficiary, representative, or designee of a deceased or retired partner; |
5 | (v) Of interest or other charge on a loan, even if the amount of payment varies with the |
6 | profits of the business, including a direct or indirect present or future ownership of the collateral, |
7 | or rights to income, proceeds, or increase in value derived from the collateral; or |
8 | (vi) For the sale of the goodwill of a business or other property by installments or otherwise. |
9 | 7-12.1-203. Partnership property. |
10 | Property acquired by a partnership is property of the partnership and not of the partners |
11 | individually. |
12 | 7-12.1-204. When property is partnership property. |
13 | (a) Property is partnership property if acquired in the name of: |
14 | (1) The partnership; or |
15 | (2) One or more partners with an indication in the instrument transferring title to the |
16 | property of the person's capacity as a partner or of the existence of a partnership but without an |
17 | indication of the name of the partnership. |
18 | (b) Property is acquired in the name of the partnership by a transfer to: |
19 | (1) The partnership in its name; or |
20 | (2) One or more partners in their capacity as partners in the partnership, if the name of the |
21 | partnership is indicated in the instrument transferring title to the property. |
22 | (c) Property is presumed to be partnership property if purchased with partnership assets, |
23 | even if not acquired in the name of the partnership or of one or more partners with an indication in |
24 | the instrument transferring title to the property of the person's capacity as a partner or of the |
25 | existence of a partnership. |
26 | (d) Property acquired in the name of one or more of the partners, without an indication in |
27 | the instrument transferring title to the property of the person's capacity as a partner or of the |
28 | existence of a partnership and without use of partnership assets, is presumed to be separate property, |
29 | even if used for partnership purposes. |
30 | ARTICLE 3 |
31 | RELATIONS OF PARTNERS TO PERSONS DEALING WITH PARTNERSHIP |
32 | 7-12.1-301. Partner agent of partnership. |
33 | Subject to the effect of a statement of partnership authority under § 7-12.1-303, the |
34 | following rules apply: |
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1 | (1) Each partner is an agent of the partnership for the purpose of its business. An act of a |
2 | partner, including the signing of an instrument in the partnership name, for apparently carrying on |
3 | in the ordinary course the partnership business or business of the kind carried on by the partnership |
4 | binds the partnership, unless the partner did not have authority to act for the partnership in the |
5 | particular matter and the person with which the partner was dealing knew or had notice that the |
6 | partner lacked authority. |
7 | (2) An act of a partner which is not apparently for carrying on in the ordinary course the |
8 | partnership's business or business of the kind carried on by the partnership binds the partnership |
9 | only if the act was actually authorized by all the other partners. |
10 | 7-12.1-302. Transfer of partnership property. |
11 | (a) Partnership property may be transferred as follows: |
12 | (1) Subject to the effect of a statement of partnership authority under § 7-12.1-303, |
13 | partnership property held in the name of the partnership may be transferred by an instrument of |
14 | transfer signed by a partner in the partnership name; |
15 | (2) Partnership property held in the name of one or more partners with an indication in the |
16 | instrument transferring the property to them of their capacity as partners or of the existence of a |
17 | partnership, but without an indication of the name of the partnership, may be transferred by an |
18 | instrument of transfer signed by the persons in whose name the property is held; or |
19 | (3) Partnership property held in the name of one or more persons other than the partnership, |
20 | without an indication in the instrument transferring the property to them of their capacity as partners |
21 | or of the existence of a partnership, may be transferred by an instrument of transfer signed by the |
22 | persons in whose name the property is held. |
23 | (b) A partnership may recover partnership property from a transferee only if it proves that |
24 | signing of the instrument of initial transfer did not bind the partnership under § 7-12.1-301 and: |
25 | (1) As to a subsequent transferee who gave value for property transferred under subsections |
26 | (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, proves that the subsequent transferee knew or had been notified |
27 | that the person who signed the instrument of initial transfer lacked authority to bind the partnership; |
28 | or |
29 | (2) As to a transferee who gave value for property transferred under subsection (a)(3) of |
30 | this section, proves that the transferee knew or had been notified that the property was partnership |
31 | property and that the person who signed the instrument of initial transfer lacked authority to bind |
32 | the partnership. |
33 | (c) A partnership may not recover partnership property from a subsequent transferee if the |
34 | partnership would not have been entitled to recover the property, under subsection (b) of this |
| LC004940 - Page 38 of 110 |
1 | section, from any earlier transferee of the property. |
2 | (d) If a person holds all the partners' interests in the partnership, all the partnership property |
3 | vests in that person. The person may sign a record in the name of the partnership to evidence vesting |
4 | of the property in that person and may file or record the record. |
5 | 7-12.1-303. Statement of partnership authority. |
6 | (a) A partnership may deliver to the secretary of state for filing a statement of partnership |
7 | authority. The statement: |
8 | (1) Must include the name of the partnership and: |
9 | (i) If the partnership is not a limited-liability partnership, the street and mailing addresses |
10 | of its principal office; or |
11 | (ii) If the partnership is a limited-liability partnership, the name and street and mailing |
12 | addresses of its registered agent; |
13 | (2) With respect to any position that exists in or with respect to the partnership, may state |
14 | the authority, or limitations on the authority, of all persons holding the position to: |
15 | (i) Sign an instrument transferring real property held in the name of the partnership; or |
16 | (ii) Enter into other transactions on behalf of, or otherwise act for or bind, the partnership; |
17 | and |
18 | (3) May state the authority, or limitations on the authority, of a specific person to: |
19 | (i) Sign an instrument transferring real property held in the name of the partnership; or |
20 | (ii) Enter into other transactions on behalf of, or otherwise act for or bind, the partnership. |
21 | (b) To amend or cancel a statement of authority filed by the secretary of state, a partnership |
22 | must deliver to the secretary of state for filing an amendment or cancellation stating: |
23 | (1) The name of the partnership; |
24 | (2) If the partnership is not a limited-liability partnership, the street and mailing addresses |
25 | of the partnership's principal office; |
26 | (3) If the partnership is a limited-liability partnership, the name and street and mailing |
27 | addresses of its registered agent; |
28 | (4) The date the statement being affected became effective; and |
29 | (5) The contents of the amendment or a declaration that the statement is canceled. |
30 | (c) A statement of authority affects only the power of a person to bind a partnership to |
31 | persons that are not partners. |
32 | (d) Subject to subsection (c) of this section and § 7-12.1-103(d)(1), and except as otherwise |
33 | provided in subsections (f), (g), and (h) of this section, a limitation on the authority of a person or |
34 | a position contained in an effective statement of authority is not by itself evidence of any person's |
| LC004940 - Page 39 of 110 |
1 | knowledge or notice of the limitation. |
2 | (e) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a grant of authority not pertaining to transfers |
3 | of real property and contained in an effective statement of authority is conclusive in favor of a |
4 | person that gives value in reliance on the grant, except to the extent that if the person gives value: |
5 | (1) The person has knowledge to the contrary; |
6 | (2) The statement has been canceled or restrictively amended under subsection (b) of this |
7 | section; or |
8 | (3) A limitation on the grant is contained in another statement of authority that became |
9 | effective after the statement containing the grant became effective. |
10 | (f) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, an effective statement of authority that grants |
11 | authority to transfer real property held in the name of the partnership, a certified copy of which |
12 | statement is recorded in the office for recording transfers of the real property, is conclusive in favor |
13 | of a person that gives value in reliance on the grant without knowledge to the contrary, except to |
14 | the extent that when the person gives value: |
15 | (1) The statement has been canceled or restrictively amended under subsection (b) of this |
16 | section, and a certified copy of the cancellation or restrictive amendment has been recorded in the |
17 | office for recording transfers of the real property; or |
18 | (2) A limitation on the grant is contained in another statement of authority that became |
19 | effective after the statement containing the grant became effective, and a certified copy of the later- |
20 | effective statement is recorded in the office for recording transfers of the real property. |
21 | (g) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, if a certified copy of an effective statement |
22 | containing a limitation on the authority to transfer real property held in the name of a partnership |
23 | is recorded in the office for recording transfers of that real property, all persons are deemed to know |
24 | of the limitation. |
25 | (h) Subject to subsection (i) of this section, an effective statement of dissolution is a |
26 | cancellation of any filed statement of authority for the purposes of subsection (f) of this section and |
27 | is a limitation on authority for purposes of subsection (g) of this section. |
28 | (i) After a statement of dissolution becomes effective, a partnership may deliver to the |
29 | secretary of state for filing and, if appropriate, may record a statement of authority that is designated |
30 | as a post-dissolution statement of authority. The statement operates as provided in subsections (f) |
31 | and (g) of this section. |
32 | (j) Unless canceled earlier, an effective statement of authority is canceled by operation of |
33 | law five (5) years after the date on which the statement, or its most recent amendment, becomes |
34 | effective. The cancellation is effective without recording under subsection (f) or (g) of this section. |
| LC004940 - Page 40 of 110 |
1 | (k) An effective statement of denial operates as a restrictive amendment under this section |
2 | and may be recorded by certified copy for purposes of subsection (f)(1) of this section. |
3 | 7-12.1-304. Statement of denial. |
4 | A person named in a filed statement of authority granting that person authority may deliver |
5 | to the secretary of state for filing a statement of denial that: |
6 | (1) Provides the name of the partnership and the caption of the statement of authority to |
7 | which the statement of denial pertains; and |
8 | (2) Denies the grant of authority. |
9 | 7-12.1-305. Partnership liable for partner's actionable conduct. |
10 | (a) A partnership is liable for loss or injury caused to a person, or for a penalty incurred, as |
11 | a result of a wrongful act or omission, or other actionable conduct, of a partner acting in the ordinary |
12 | course of business of the partnership or with the actual or apparent authority of the partnership. |
13 | (b) If, in the course of the partnership's business or while acting with actual or apparent |
14 | authority of the partnership, a partner receives or causes the partnership to receive money or |
15 | property of a person not a partner, and the money or property is misapplied by a partner, the |
16 | partnership is liable for the loss. |
17 | 7-12.1-306. Partner's liability. |
18 | (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, all partners are |
19 | liable jointly and severally for all debts, obligations, and other liabilities of the partnership unless |
20 | otherwise agreed by the claimant or provided by law. |
21 | (b) A person that becomes a partner is not personally liable for a debt, obligation, or other |
22 | liability of the partnership incurred before the person became a partner. |
23 | (c) A debt, obligation, or other liability of a partnership incurred while the partnership is a |
24 | limited-liability partnership is solely the debt, obligation, or other liability of the limited-liability |
25 | partnership. A partner is not personally liable, directly or indirectly, by way of contribution or |
26 | otherwise, for a debt, obligation, or other liability of the limited-liability partnership solely by |
27 | reason of being or acting as a partner. This subsection applies: |
28 | (1) Despite anything inconsistent in the partnership agreement that existed immediately |
29 | before the vote or consent required to become a limited-liability partnership under § 7-12.1-901(b); |
30 | and |
31 | (2) Regardless of the dissolution of the limited-liability partnership. |
32 | (d) The failure of a limited-liability partnership to observe formalities relating to the |
33 | exercise of its powers or management of its business is not a ground for imposing liability on a |
34 | partner for a debt, obligation, or other liability of the partnership. |
| LC004940 - Page 41 of 110 |
1 | (e) The cancellation or administrative revocation of a limited-liability partnership's |
2 | statement of qualification does not affect the limitation in this section on the liability of a partner |
3 | for a debt, obligation, or other liability of the partnership incurred while the statement was in effect. |
4 | 7-12.1-307. Actions by and against partnership and partners. |
5 | (a) A partnership may sue and be sued in the name of the partnership. |
6 | (b) To the extent not inconsistent with § 7-12.1-306, a partner may be joined in an action |
7 | against the partnership or named in a separate action. |
8 | (c) A judgment against a partnership is not by itself a judgment against a partner. A |
9 | judgment against a partnership may not be satisfied from a partner's assets unless there is also a |
10 | judgment against the partner. |
11 | (d) A judgment creditor of a partner may not levy execution against the assets of the partner |
12 | to satisfy a judgment based on a claim against the partnership unless the partner is personally liable |
13 | for the claim under § 7-12.1-306 and: |
14 | (1) A judgment based on the same claim has been obtained against the partnership and a |
15 | writ of execution on the judgment has been returned unsatisfied in whole or in part; |
16 | (2) The partnership is a debtor in bankruptcy; |
17 | (3) The partner has agreed that the creditor need not exhaust partnership assets; |
18 | (4) A court grants permission to the judgment creditor to levy execution against the assets |
19 | of a partner based on a finding that partnership assets subject to execution are clearly insufficient |
20 | to satisfy the judgment, that exhaustion of partnership assets is excessively burdensome, or that the |
21 | grant of permission is an appropriate exercise of the court's equitable powers; or |
22 | (5) Liability is imposed on the partner by law or contract independent of the existence of |
23 | the partnership. |
24 | (e) This section applies to any debt, liability, or other obligation of a partnership which |
25 | results from a representation by a partner or purported partner under § 7-12.1-308. |
26 | 7-12.1-308. Liability of purported partner. |
27 | (a) If a person, by words or conduct, purports to be a partner, or consents to being |
28 | represented by another as a partner, in a partnership or with one or more persons not partners, the |
29 | purported partner is liable to a person to whom the representation is made, if that person, relying |
30 | on the representation, enters into a transaction with the actual or purported partnership. If the |
31 | representation, either by the purported partner or by a person with the purported partner's consent, |
32 | is made in a public manner, the purported partner is liable to a person who relies upon the purported |
33 | partnership even if the purported partner is not aware of being held out as a partner to the claimant. |
34 | If partnership liability results, the purported partner is liable with respect to that liability as if the |
| LC004940 - Page 42 of 110 |
1 | purported partner were a partner. If no partnership liability results, the purported partner is liable |
2 | with respect to that liability jointly and severally with any other person consenting to the |
3 | representation. |
4 | (b) If a person is thus represented to be a partner in an existing partnership, or with one or |
5 | more persons not partners, the purported partner is an agent of persons consenting to the |
6 | representation to bind them to the same extent and in the same manner as if the purported partner |
7 | were a partner with respect to persons who enter into transactions in reliance upon the |
8 | representation. If all the partners of the existing partnership consent to the representation, a |
9 | partnership act or obligation results. If fewer than all the partners of the existing partnership consent |
10 | to the representation, the person acting and the partners consenting to the representation are jointly |
11 | and severally liable. |
12 | (c) A person is not liable as a partner merely because the person is named by another as a |
13 | partner in a statement of partnership authority. |
14 | (d) A person does not continue to be liable as a partner merely because of a failure to file |
15 | a statement of dissociation or to amend a statement of partnership authority to indicate the person's |
16 | dissociation as a partner. |
17 | (e) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, persons who are |
18 | not partners as to each other are not liable as partners to other persons. |
19 | ARTICLE 4 |
20 | RELATIONS OF PARTNERS TO EACH OTHER AND TO PARTNERSHIP |
21 | 7-12.1-401. Partner's rights and duties. |
22 | (a) Each partner is entitled to an equal share of the partnership distributions and, except in |
23 | the case of a limited-liability partnership, is chargeable with a share of the partnership losses in |
24 | proportion to the partner's share of the distributions. |
25 | (b) A partnership shall reimburse a partner for any payment made by the partner in the |
26 | course of the partner's activities on behalf of the partnership, if the partner complied with this |
27 | section and § 7-12.1-409 in making the payment. |
28 | (c) A partnership shall indemnify and hold harmless a person with respect to any claim or |
29 | demand against the person and any debt, obligation, or other liability incurred by the person by |
30 | reason of the person's former or present capacity as a partner, if the claim, demand, debt, obligation, |
31 | or other liability does not arise from the person's breach of this section or §§ 7-12.1-407 or 7-12.1- |
32 | 409. |
33 | (d) In the ordinary course of its business, a partnership may advance reasonable expenses, |
34 | including attorneys' fees and costs, incurred by a person in connection with a claim or demand |
| LC004940 - Page 43 of 110 |
1 | against the person by reason of the person's former or present capacity as a partner, if the person |
2 | promises to repay the partnership if the person ultimately is determined not to be entitled to be |
3 | indemnified under subsection (c) of this section. |
4 | (e) A partnership may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a partner against |
5 | liability asserted against or incurred by the partner in that capacity or arising from that status even |
6 | if, under § 7-12.1-105(c)(7), the partnership agreement could not eliminate or limit the person's |
7 | liability to the partnership for the conduct giving rise to the liability. |
8 | (f) A partnership shall reimburse a partner for an advance to the partnership beyond the |
9 | amount of capital the partner agreed to contribute. |
10 | (g) A payment or advance made by a partner which gives rise to a partnership obligation |
11 | under subsections (b) or (f) of this section constitutes a loan to the partnership which accrues |
12 | interest from the date of the payment or advance. |
13 | (h) Each partner has equal rights in the management and conduct of the partnership's |
14 | business. |
15 | (i) A partner may use or possess partnership property only on behalf of the partnership. |
16 | (j) A partner is not entitled to remuneration for services performed for the partnership, |
17 | except for reasonable compensation for services rendered in winding up the business of the |
18 | partnership. |
19 | (k) A difference arising as to a matter in the ordinary course of business of a partnership |
20 | may be decided by a majority of the partners. An act outside the ordinary course of business of a |
21 | partnership and an amendment to the partnership agreement may be undertaken only with the |
22 | affirmative vote or consent of all the partners. |
23 | 7-12.1-402. Becoming partner. |
24 | (a) Upon formation of a partnership, a person becomes a partner under § 7-12.1-202(a). |
25 | (b) After formation of a partnership, a person becomes a partner: |
26 | (1) As provided in the partnership agreement; |
27 | (2) As a result of a transaction effective under Article 11 of this chapter; or |
28 | (3) With the affirmative vote or consent of all the partners. |
29 | (c) A person may become a partner without: |
30 | (1) Acquiring a transferable interest; or |
31 | (2) Making or being obligated to make a contribution to the partnership. |
32 | 7-12.1-403. Form of contribution. |
33 | A contribution may consist of property transferred to, services performed for, or another |
34 | benefit provided to the partnership or an agreement to transfer property to, perform services for, or |
| LC004940 - Page 44 of 110 |
1 | provide another benefit to the partnership. |
2 | 7-12.1-404. Liability for contribution. |
3 | (a) A person's obligation to make a contribution to a partnership is not excused by the |
4 | person's death, disability, termination, or other inability to perform personally. |
5 | (b) If a person does not fulfill an obligation to make a contribution other than money, the |
6 | person is obligated at the option of the partnership to contribute money equal to the value of the |
7 | part of the contribution which has not been made. |
8 | (c) The obligation of a person to make a contribution may be compromised only by the |
9 | affirmative vote or consent of all the partners. If a creditor of a limited-liability partnership extends |
10 | credit or otherwise acts in reliance on an obligation described in subsection (a) of this section |
11 | without knowledge or notice of a compromise under this subsection, the creditor may enforce the |
12 | obligation. |
13 | 7-12.1-405. Sharing of and right to distributions before dissolution. |
14 | (a) Any distribution made by a partnership before its dissolution and winding up must be |
15 | in equal shares among partners, except to the extent necessary to comply with a transfer effective |
16 | under § 7-12.1-503 or charging order in effect under § 7-12.1-504. |
17 | (b) Subject to § 7-12.1-701, a person has a right to a distribution before the dissolution and |
18 | winding up of a partnership only if the partnership decides to make an interim distribution. |
19 | (c) A person does not have a right to demand or receive a distribution from a partnership |
20 | in any form other than money. Except as otherwise provided in § 7-12.1-806, a partnership may |
21 | distribute an asset in kind only if each part of the asset is fungible with each other part and each |
22 | person receives a percentage of the asset equal in value to the person's share of distributions. |
23 | (d) If a partner or transferee becomes entitled to receive a distribution, the partner or |
24 | transferee has the status of, and is entitled to all remedies available to, a creditor of the partnership |
25 | with respect to the distribution. However, the partnership's obligation to make a distribution is |
26 | subject to offset for any amount owed to the partnership by the partner or a person dissociated as |
27 | partner on whose account the distribution is made. |
28 | 7-12.1-406. Limitations on distributions by limited-liability partnership. |
29 | (a) A limited-liability partnership may not make a distribution, including a distribution |
30 | under § 7-12.1-806, if after the distribution: |
31 | (1) The partnership would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the ordinary |
32 | course of the partnership's business; or |
33 | (2) The partnership's total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the |
34 | amount that would be needed, if the partnership were to be dissolved and wound up at the time of |
| LC004940 - Page 45 of 110 |
1 | the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution and winding up of partners and |
2 | transferees whose preferential rights are superior to the rights of persons receiving the distribution. |
3 | (b) A limited-liability partnership may base a determination that a distribution is not |
4 | prohibited under subsection (a) of this section on: |
5 | (1) Financial statements prepared on the basis of accounting practices and principles that |
6 | are reasonable in the circumstances; or |
7 | (2) A fair valuation or other method that is reasonable under the circumstances. |
8 | (c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e) of this section, the effect of a distribution |
9 | under subsection (a) of this section is measured: |
10 | (1) In the case of a distribution as defined in § 7-12.1-102(4)(i), as of the earlier of: |
11 | (i) The date money or other property is transferred or debt is incurred by the limited- |
12 | liability partnership; or |
13 | (ii) The date the person entitled to the distribution ceases to own the interest or rights being |
14 | acquired by the partnership in return for the distribution; |
15 | (2) In the case of any other distribution of indebtedness, as of the date the indebtedness is |
16 | distributed; and |
17 | (3) In all other cases, as of the date: |
18 | (i) The distribution is authorized, if the payment occurs not later than one hundred twenty |
19 | (120) days after that date; or |
20 | (ii) The payment is made, if the payment occurs more than one hundred twenty (120) days |
21 | after the distribution is authorized. |
22 | (d) A limited-liability partnership's indebtedness to a partner or transferee incurred by |
23 | reason of a distribution made in accordance with this section is at parity with the partnership's |
24 | indebtedness to its general, unsecured creditors, except to the extent subordinated by agreement. |
25 | (e) A limited-liability partnership's indebtedness, including indebtedness issued as a |
26 | distribution, is not a liability for purposes of subsection (a) of this section if the terms of the |
27 | indebtedness provide that payment of principal and interest is made only if and to the extent that a |
28 | payment of a distribution could then be made under this section. If the indebtedness is issued as a |
29 | distribution, each payment of principal or interest is treated as a distribution, the effect of which is |
30 | measured on the date the payment is made. |
31 | (f) In measuring the effect of a distribution under § 7-12.1-806, the liabilities of a dissolved |
32 | limited-liability partnership do not include any claim that has been disposed of under §§ 7-12.1- |
33 | 807, 7-12.1-808, or 7-12.1-809. |
34 | 7-12.1-407. Liability for improper distributions by limited-liability partnership. |
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1 | (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, if a partner of a limited- |
2 | liability partnership consents to a distribution made in violation of § 7-12.1-406 and in consenting |
3 | to the distribution fails to comply with § 7-12.1-409, the partner is personally liable to the |
4 | partnership for the amount of the distribution which exceeds the amount that could have been |
5 | distributed without the violation of § 7-12.1-406. |
6 | (b) To the extent the partnership agreement of a limited-liability partnership expressly |
7 | relieves a partner of the authority and responsibility to consent to distributions and imposes that |
8 | authority and responsibility on one or more other partners, the liability stated in subsection (a) of |
9 | this section applies to the other partners and not to the partner that the partnership agreement |
10 | relieves of the authority and responsibility. |
11 | (c) A person that receives a distribution knowing that the distribution violated § 7-12.1- |
12 | 406 is personally liable to the limited-liability partnership but only to the extent that the distribution |
13 | received by the person exceeded the amount that could have been properly paid under § 7-12.1- |
14 | 406. |
15 | (d) A person against which an action is commenced because the person is liable under |
16 | subsection (a) of this section may: |
17 | (1) Implead any other person that is liable under subsection (a) of this section and seek to |
18 | enforce a right of contribution from the person; and |
19 | (2) Implead any person that received a distribution in violation of subsection (c) of this |
20 | section and seek to enforce a right of contribution from the person in the amount the person received |
21 | in violation of subsection (c) of this section. |
22 | (e) An action under this section is barred unless commenced not later than two (2) years |
23 | after the distribution. |
24 | 7-12.1-408. Rights to information of partners and persons dissociated as partner. |
25 | (a) A partnership shall keep its books and records, if any, at its principal office. |
26 | (b) On reasonable notice, a partner may inspect and copy during regular business hours, at |
27 | a reasonable location specified by the partnership, any record maintained by the partnership |
28 | regarding the partnership's business, financial condition, and other circumstances, to the extent the |
29 | information is material to the partner's rights and duties under the partnership agreement or this |
30 | chapter. |
31 | (c) The partnership shall furnish to each partner: |
32 | (1) Without demand, any information concerning the partnership's business, financial |
33 | condition, and other circumstances which the partnership knows and is material to the proper |
34 | exercise of the partner's rights and duties under the partnership agreement or this chapter, except to |
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1 | the extent the partnership can establish that it reasonably believes the partner already knows the |
2 | information; and |
3 | (2) On demand, any other information concerning the partnership's business, financial |
4 | condition, and other circumstances, except to the extent the demand or the information demanded |
5 | is unreasonable or otherwise improper under the circumstances. |
6 | (d) The duty to furnish information under subsection (c) of this section also applies to each |
7 | partner to the extent the partner knows any of the information described in subsection (c) of this |
8 | section. |
9 | (e) Subject to subsection (j) of this section, on ten (10) days' demand made in a record |
10 | received by a partnership, a person dissociated as a partner may have access to information to which |
11 | the person was entitled while a partner if: |
12 | (1) The information pertains to the period during which the person was a partner; |
13 | (2) The person seeks the information in good faith; and |
14 | (3) The person satisfies the requirements imposed on a partner by subsection (b) of this |
15 | section. |
16 | (f) Not later than ten (10) days after receiving a demand under subsection (e) of this section, |
17 | the partnership in a record shall inform the person that made the demand of: |
18 | (1) The information that the partnership will provide in response to the demand and when |
19 | and where the partnership will provide the information; and |
20 | (2) The partnership's reasons for declining, if the partnership declines to provide any |
21 | demanded information. |
22 | (g) A partnership may charge a person that makes a demand under this section the |
23 | reasonable costs of copying, limited to the costs of labor and material. |
24 | (h) A partner or person dissociated as a partner may exercise the rights under this section |
25 | through an agent or, in the case of an individual under legal disability, a legal representative. Any |
26 | restriction or condition imposed by the partnership agreement or under subsection (j) of this section |
27 | applies both to the agent or legal representative and to the partner or person dissociated as a partner. |
28 | (i) Subject to § 7-12.1-505, the rights under this section do not extend to a person as |
29 | transferee. |
30 | (j) In addition to any restriction or condition stated in its partnership agreement, a |
31 | partnership, as a matter within the ordinary course of its business, may impose reasonable |
32 | restrictions and conditions on access to and use of information to be furnished under this section, |
33 | including designating information confidential and imposing nondisclosure and safeguarding |
34 | obligations on the recipient. In a dispute concerning the reasonableness of a restriction under this |
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1 | subsection, the partnership has the burden of proving reasonableness. |
2 | 7-12.1-409. Standards of conduct for partners. |
3 | (a) A partner owes to the partnership and the other partners the duties of loyalty and care |
4 | stated in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. |
5 | (b) The fiduciary duty of loyalty of a partner includes the duties: |
6 | (1) To account to the partnership and hold as trustee for it any property, profit, or benefit |
7 | derived by the partner: |
8 | (i) In the conduct or winding up of the partnership's business; |
9 | (ii) From a use by the partner of the partnership's property; or |
10 | (iii) From the appropriation of a partnership opportunity; |
11 | (2) To refrain from dealing with the partnership in the conduct or winding up of the |
12 | partnership business as or on behalf of a person having an interest adverse to the partnership; and |
13 | (3) To refrain from competing with the partnership in the conduct of the partnership's |
14 | business before the dissolution of the partnership. |
15 | (c) The duty of care of a partner in the conduct or winding up of the partnership business |
16 | is to refrain from engaging in grossly negligent or reckless conduct, willful or intentional |
17 | misconduct, or a knowing violation of law. |
18 | (d) A partner shall discharge the duties and obligations under this chapter or under the |
19 | partnership agreement and exercise any rights consistently with the contractual obligation of good |
20 | faith and fair dealing. |
21 | (e) A partner does not violate a duty or obligation under this chapter or under the |
22 | partnership agreement solely because the partner's conduct furthers the partner's own interest. |
23 | (f) All the partners may authorize or ratify, after full disclosure of all material facts, a |
24 | specific act or transaction by a partner that otherwise would violate the duty of loyalty. |
25 | (g) It is a defense to a claim under subsection (b)(2) of this section and any comparable |
26 | claim in equity or at common law that the transaction was fair to the partnership. |
27 | (h) If, as permitted by subsection (f) of this section or the partnership agreement, a partner |
28 | enters into a transaction with the partnership which otherwise would be prohibited by subsection |
29 | (b)(2) of this section, the partner's rights and obligations arising from the transaction are the same |
30 | as those of a person that is not a partner. |
31 | 7-12.1-410. Actions by partnership and partners. |
32 | (a) A partnership may maintain an action against a partner for a breach of the partnership |
33 | agreement, or for the violation of a duty to the partnership, causing harm to the partnership. |
34 | (b) A partner may maintain an action against the partnership or another partner, with or |
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1 | without an accounting as to partnership business, to enforce the partner's rights and protect the |
2 | partner's interests, including rights and interests under the partnership agreement or this chapter or |
3 | arising independently of the partnership relationship. |
4 | (c) A right to an accounting on dissolution and winding up does not revive a claim barred |
5 | by law. |
6 | 7-12.1-411. Continuation of partnership beyond definite term or particular |
7 | undertaking. |
8 | (a) If a partnership for a definite term or particular undertaking is continued, without an |
9 | express agreement, after the expiration of the term or completion of the undertaking, the rights and |
10 | duties of the partners remain the same as they were at the expiration or completion, so far as is |
11 | consistent with a partnership at will. |
12 | (b) If the partners, or those of them who habitually acted in the business during the term or |
13 | undertaking, continue the business without any settlement or liquidation of the partnership, they |
14 | are presumed to have agreed that the partnership will continue. |
15 | ARTICLE 5 |
16 | TRANSFERABLE INTERESTS AND RIGHTS OF TRANSFEREES AND |
17 | CREDITORS |
18 | 7-12.1-501. Partner not co-owner of partnership property. |
19 | A partner is not a co-owner of partnership property and has no interest in partnership |
20 | property which can be transferred, either voluntarily or involuntarily. |
21 | 7-12.1-502. Nature of transferable interest. |
22 | A transferable interest is personal property. |
23 | 7-12.1-503. Transfer of transferable interest. |
24 | (a) A transfer, in whole or in part, of a transferable interest: |
25 | (1) Is permissible; |
26 | (2) Does not by itself cause a person's dissociation as a partner or a dissolution and winding |
27 | up of the partnership business; and |
28 | (3) Subject to § 7-12.1-505, does not entitle the transferee to: |
29 | (i) Participate in the management or conduct of the partnership's business; or |
30 | (ii) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, have access to records |
31 | or other information concerning the partnership's business. |
32 | (b) A transferee has the right to: |
33 | (1) Receive, in accordance with the transfer, distributions to which the transferor would |
34 | otherwise be entitled; and |
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1 | (2) Seek under § 7-12.1-801(5) a judicial determination that it is equitable to wind up the |
2 | partnership business. |
3 | (c) In a dissolution and winding up of a partnership, a transferee is entitled to an account |
4 | of the partnership's transactions only from the date of dissolution. |
5 | (d) A partnership need not give effect to a transferee's rights under this section until the |
6 | partnership knows or has notice of the transfer. |
7 | (e) A transfer of a transferable interest in violation of a restriction on transfer contained in |
8 | the partnership agreement is ineffective if the intended transferee has knowledge or notice of the |
9 | restriction at the time of transfer. |
10 | (f) Except as otherwise provided in § 7-12.1-601(4)(ii), if a partner transfers a transferable |
11 | interest, the transferor retains the rights of a partner other than the transferable interest transferred |
12 | and retains all the duties and obligations of a partner. |
13 | (g) If a partner transfers a transferable interest to a person that becomes a partner with |
14 | respect to the transferred interest, the transferee is liable for the partner's obligations under §§ 7- |
15 | 12.1-404 and 7-12.1-407 known to the transferee when the transferee becomes a partner. |
16 | 7-12.1-504. Charging order. |
17 | (a) On application by a judgment creditor of a partner or transferee, a court may enter a |
18 | charging order against the transferable interest of the judgment debtor for the unsatisfied amount |
19 | of the judgment. A charging order constitutes a lien on a judgment debtor's transferable interest and |
20 | requires the partnership to pay over to the person to which the charging order was issued any |
21 | distribution that otherwise would be paid to the judgment debtor. |
22 | (b) To the extent necessary to effectuate the collection of distributions pursuant to a |
23 | charging order in effect under subsection (a) of this section, the court may: |
24 | (1) Appoint a receiver of the distributions subject to the charging order, with the power to |
25 | make all inquiries the judgment debtor might have made; and |
26 | (2) Make all other orders necessary to give effect to the charging order. |
27 | (c) Upon a showing that distributions under a charging order will not pay the judgment |
28 | debt within a reasonable time, the court may foreclose the lien and order the sale of the transferable |
29 | interest. The purchaser at the foreclosure sale obtains only the transferable interest, does not thereby |
30 | become a partner, and is subject to § 7-12.1-503. |
31 | (d) At any time before foreclosure under subsection (c) of this section, the partner or |
32 | transferee whose transferable interest is subject to a charging order under subsection (a) of this |
33 | section may extinguish the charging order by satisfying the judgment and filing a certified copy of |
34 | the satisfaction with the court that issued the charging order. |
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1 | (e) At any time before foreclosure under subsection (c) of this section, a partnership or one |
2 | or more partners whose transferable interests are not subject to the charging order may pay to the |
3 | judgment creditor the full amount due under the judgment and thereby succeed to the rights of the |
4 | judgment creditor, including the charging order. |
5 | (f) This chapter does not deprive any partner or transferee of the benefit of any exemption |
6 | law applicable to the transferable interest of the partner or transferee. |
7 | (g) This section provides the exclusive remedy by which a person seeking in the capacity |
8 | of a judgment creditor to enforce a judgment against a partner or transferee may satisfy the |
9 | judgment from the judgment debtor's transferable interest. |
10 | 7-12.1-505. Power of legal representative of deceased partner. |
11 | If a partner dies, the deceased partner's legal representative may exercise: |
12 | (1) The rights of a transferee provided in § 7-12.1-503(c); and |
13 | (2) For purposes of settling the estate, the rights the deceased partner had under § 7-12.1- |
14 | 408. |
15 | ARTICLE 6 |
16 | DISSOCIATION |
17 | 7-12.1-601. Events causing dissociation. |
18 | A person is dissociated as a partner when: |
19 | (1) The partnership knows or has notice of the person's express will to withdraw as a |
20 | partner, but, if the person has specified a withdrawal date later than the date the partnership knew |
21 | or had notice, on that later date; |
22 | (2) An event stated in the partnership agreement as causing the person's dissociation occurs; |
23 | (3) The person is expelled as a partner pursuant to the partnership agreement; |
24 | (4) The person is expelled as a partner by the affirmative vote or consent of all the other |
25 | partners if: |
26 | (i) It is unlawful to carry on the partnership business with the person as a partner; |
27 | (ii) There has been a transfer of all of the person's transferable interest in the partnership, |
28 | other than: |
29 | (A) A transfer for security purposes; or |
30 | (B) A charging order in effect under § 7-12.1-504 which has not been foreclosed; |
31 | (iii) The person is an entity and: |
32 | (A) The partnership notifies the person that it will be expelled as a partner because the |
33 | person has filed a statement of dissolution or the equivalent, the person has been administratively |
34 | dissolved, the person's charter or the equivalent has been revoked, or the person's right to conduct |
| LC004940 - Page 52 of 110 |
1 | business has been suspended by the person's jurisdiction of formation; and |
2 | (B) Not later than ninety (90) days after the notification, the statement of dissolution or the |
3 | equivalent has not been withdrawn, rescinded, or revoked, or the person's charter or the equivalent |
4 | or right to conduct business has not been reinstated; or |
5 | (iv) The person is an unincorporated entity that has been dissolved and whose activities |
6 | and affairs are being wound up; |
7 | (5) On application by the partnership or another partner, the person is expelled as a partner |
8 | by judicial order because the person: |
9 | (i) Has engaged or is engaging in wrongful conduct that has affected adversely and |
10 | materially, or will affect adversely and materially, the partnership's business; |
11 | (ii) Has committed willfully or persistently, or is committing willfully or persistently, a |
12 | material breach of the partnership agreement or a duty or obligation under § 7-12.1-409; or |
13 | (iii) Has engaged or is engaging in conduct relating to the partnership's business which |
14 | makes it not reasonably practicable to carry on the business with the person as a partner; |
15 | (6) The person: |
16 | (i) Becomes a debtor in bankruptcy; |
17 | (ii) Signs an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or |
18 | (iii) Seeks, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver, or liquidator |
19 | of the person or of all or substantially all the person's property; |
20 | (7) In the case of an individual: |
21 | (i) The individual dies; |
22 | (ii) A guardian or general conservator for the individual is appointed; or |
23 | (iii) A court orders that the individual has otherwise become incapable of performing the |
24 | individual's duties as a partner under this chapter or the partnership agreement; |
25 | (8) In the case of a person that is a testamentary or inter vivos trust or is acting as a partner |
26 | by virtue of being a trustee of such a trust, the trust's entire transferable interest in the partnership |
27 | is distributed; |
28 | (9) In the case of a person that is an estate or is acting as a partner by virtue of being a |
29 | personal representative of an estate, the estate's entire transferable interest in the partnership is |
30 | distributed; |
31 | (10) In the case of a person that is not an individual, the existence of the person terminates; |
32 | (11) The partnership participates in a merger under Article 11 of this chapter and: |
33 | (i) The partnership is not the surviving entity; or |
34 | (ii) Otherwise as a result of the merger, the person ceases to be a partner; |
| LC004940 - Page 53 of 110 |
1 | (12) The partnership participates in an interest exchange under Article 11 of this chapter |
2 | and, as a result of the interest exchange, the person ceases to be a partner; |
3 | (13) The partnership participates in a conversion under Article 11 of this chapter; |
4 | (14) The partnership participates in a domestication under Article 11 of this chapter and, |
5 | as a result of the domestication, the person ceases to be a partner; or |
6 | (15) The partnership dissolves and completes winding up. |
7 | 7-12.1-602. Power to dissociate as partner -- Wrongful dissociation. |
8 | (a) A person has the power to dissociate as a partner at any time, rightfully or wrongfully, |
9 | by withdrawing as a partner by express will under § 7-12.1-601(1). |
10 | (b) A person's dissociation as a partner is wrongful only if the dissociation: |
11 | (1) Is in breach of an express provision of the partnership agreement; or |
12 | (2) In the case of a partnership for a definite term or particular undertaking, occurs before |
13 | the expiration of the term or the completion of the undertaking and: |
14 | (i) The person withdraws as a partner by express will, unless the withdrawal follows not |
15 | later than ninety (90) days after another person's dissociation by death or otherwise under §§ 7- |
16 | 12.1-601(6) through 7-12.1-601(10) or wrongful dissociation under this subsection; |
17 | (ii) The person is expelled as a partner by judicial order under § 7-12.1-601(5); |
18 | (iii) The person is dissociated under § 7-12.1-601(6); or |
19 | (iv) In the case of a person that is not a trust other than a business trust, an estate, or an |
20 | individual, the person is expelled or otherwise dissociated because it willfully dissolved or |
21 | terminated. |
22 | (c) A person that wrongfully dissociates as a partner is liable to the partnership and to the |
23 | other partners for damages caused by the dissociation. The liability is in addition to any debt, |
24 | obligation, or other liability of the partner to the partnership or the other partners. |
25 | 7-12.1-603. Effect of dissociation. |
26 | (a) If a person's dissociation results in a dissolution and winding up of the partnership |
27 | business, Article 8 of this chapter applies; otherwise, Article 7 of this chapter applies. |
28 | (b) If a person is dissociated as a partner: |
29 | (1) The person's right to participate in the management and conduct of the partnership's |
30 | business terminates, except as otherwise provided in § 7-12.1-802(c); and |
31 | (2) The person's duties and obligations under § 7-12.1-409 end with regard to matters |
32 | arising and events occurring after the person's dissociation, except to the extent the partner |
33 | participates in winding up the partnership's business pursuant to § 7-12.1-802. |
34 | (c) A person's dissociation does not of itself discharge the person from any debt, obligation, |
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1 | or other liability to the partnership or the other partners which the person incurred while a partner. |
2 | ARTICLE 7 |
3 | PERSON'S DISSOCIATION AS A PARTNER WHEN BUSINESS NOT WOUND UP |
4 | 7-12.1-701. Purchase of interest of person dissociated as partner. |
5 | (a) If a person is dissociated as a partner without the dissociation resulting in a dissolution |
6 | and winding up of the partnership business under § 7-12.1-801, the partnership shall cause the |
7 | person's interest in the partnership to be purchased for a buyout price determined pursuant to |
8 | subsection (b) of this section. |
9 | (b) The buyout price of the interest of a person dissociated as a partner is the amount that |
10 | would have been distributable to the person under § 7-12.1-806(b) if, on the date of dissociation, |
11 | the assets of the partnership were sold and the partnership were wound up, with the sale price equal |
12 | to the greater of: |
13 | (1) The liquidation value; or |
14 | (2) The value based on a sale of the entire business as a going concern without the person. |
15 | (c) Interest accrues on the buyout price from the date of dissociation to the date of payment, |
16 | but damages for wrongful dissociation under § 7-12.1-602(b), and all other amounts owing, |
17 | whether or not presently due, from the person dissociated as a partner to the partnership, must be |
18 | offset against the buyout price. |
19 | (d) A partnership shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless a person dissociated as a |
20 | partner whose interest is being purchased against all partnership liabilities, whether incurred before |
21 | or after the dissociation, except liabilities incurred by an act of the person under § 7-12.1-702. |
22 | (e) If no agreement for the purchase of the interest of a person dissociated as a partner is |
23 | reached not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after a written demand for payment, the |
24 | partnership shall pay, or cause to be paid, in money to the person the amount the partnership |
25 | estimates to be the buyout price and accrued interest, reduced by any offsets and accrued interest |
26 | under subsection (c) of this section. |
27 | (f) If a deferred payment is authorized under subsection (h) of this section, the partnership |
28 | may tender a written offer to pay the amount it estimates to be the buyout price and accrued interest, |
29 | reduced by any offsets under subsection (c) of this section, stating the time of payment, the amount |
30 | and type of security for payment, and the other terms and conditions of the obligation. |
31 | (g) The payment or tender required by subsections (e) or (f) of this section must be |
32 | accompanied by the following: |
33 | (1) A statement of partnership assets and liabilities as of the date of dissociation; |
34 | (2) The latest available partnership balance sheet and income statement, if any; |
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1 | (3) An explanation of how the estimated amount of the payment was calculated; and |
2 | (4) Written notice that the payment is in full satisfaction of the obligation to purchase |
3 | unless, not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the written notice, the person dissociated |
4 | as a partner commences an action to determine the buyout price, any offsets under subsection (c) |
5 | of this section, or other terms of the obligation to purchase. |
6 | (h) A person that wrongfully dissociates as a partner before the expiration of a definite term |
7 | or the completion of a particular undertaking is not entitled to payment of any part of the buyout |
8 | price until the expiration of the term or completion of the undertaking, unless the person establishes |
9 | to the satisfaction of the court that earlier payment will not cause undue hardship to the business of |
10 | the partnership. A deferred payment must be adequately secured and bear interest. |
11 | (i) A person dissociated as a partner may maintain an action against the partnership, |
12 | pursuant to § 7-12.1-410(b)(2), to determine the buyout price of that person's interest, any offsets |
13 | under subsection (c) of this section, or other terms of the obligation to purchase. The action must |
14 | be commenced not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the partnership has tendered |
15 | payment or an offer to pay or within one year after written demand for payment if no payment or |
16 | offer to pay is tendered. The court shall determine the buyout price of the person's interest, any |
17 | offset due under subsection (c) of this section, and accrued interest, and enter judgment for any |
18 | additional payment or refund. If deferred payment is authorized under subsection (h) of this section, |
19 | the court shall also determine the security for payment and other terms of the obligation to purchase. |
20 | The court may assess reasonable attorneys' fees and the fees and expenses of appraisers or other |
21 | experts for a party to the action, in amounts the court finds equitable, against a party that the court |
22 | finds acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith. The finding may be based on the |
23 | partnership's failure to tender payment or an offer to pay or to comply with subsection (g) of this |
24 | section. |
25 | 7-12.1-702. Power to bind and liability of person dissociated as partner. |
26 | (a) After a person is dissociated as a partner without the dissociation resulting in a |
27 | dissolution and winding up of the partnership business and before the partnership is merged out of |
28 | existence, converted, or domesticated under Article 11, or dissolved, the partnership is bound by |
29 | an act of the person only if: |
30 | (1) The act would have bound the partnership under § 7-12.1-301 before dissociation; and |
31 | (2) At the time the other party enters into the transaction: |
32 | (i) Less than two (2) years has passed since the dissociation; and |
33 | (ii) The other party does not know or have notice of the dissociation and reasonably |
34 | believes that the person is a partner. |
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1 | (b) If a partnership is bound under subsection (a) of this section, the person dissociated as |
2 | a partner which caused the partnership to be bound is liable: |
3 | (1) To the partnership for any damage caused to the partnership arising from the obligation |
4 | incurred under subsection (a) of this section; and |
5 | (2) If a partner or another person dissociated as a partner is liable for the obligation, to the |
6 | partner or other person for any damage caused to the partner or other person arising from the |
7 | liability. |
8 | 7-12.1-703. Liability of person dissociated as partner to other persons. |
9 | (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person dissociated as |
10 | a partner is not liable for a partnership obligation incurred after dissociation. |
11 | (b) A person that is dissociated as a partner is liable on a transaction entered into by the |
12 | partnership after the dissociation only if: |
13 | (1) A partner would be liable on the transaction; and |
14 | (2) At the time the other party enters into the transaction: |
15 | (i) Less than two (2) years has passed since the dissociation; and |
16 | (ii) The other party does not have knowledge or notice of the dissociation and reasonably |
17 | believes that the person is a partner. |
18 | (c) By agreement with a creditor of a partnership and the partnership, a person dissociated |
19 | as a partner may be released from liability for a debt, obligation, or other liability of the partnership. |
20 | (d) A person dissociated as a partner is released from liability for a debt, obligation, or |
21 | other liability of the partnership if the partnership's creditor, with knowledge or notice of the |
22 | person's dissociation but without the person's consent, agrees to a material alteration in the nature |
23 | or time of payment of the debt, obligation, or other liability. |
24 | 7-12.1-704. Statement of dissociation. |
25 | (a) A person dissociated as a partner or the partnership may deliver to the secretary of state |
26 | for filing a statement of dissociation stating the name of the partnership and that the person has |
27 | dissociated from the partnership. |
28 | (b) A statement of dissociation is a limitation on the authority of a person dissociated as a |
29 | partner for the purposes of § 7-12.1-303. |
30 | 7-12.1-705. Continued use of partnership name. |
31 | Continued use of a partnership name, or the name of a person dissociated as a partner as |
32 | part of the partnership name, by partners continuing the business does not of itself make the person |
33 | dissociated as a partner liable for an obligation of the partners or the partnership continuing the |
34 | business. |
| LC004940 - Page 57 of 110 |
1 | ARTICLE 8 |
2 | DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP |
3 | 7-12.1-801. Events causing dissolution. |
4 | A partnership is dissolved, and its business must be wound up, upon the occurrence of any |
5 | of the following: |
6 | (1) In a partnership at will, the partnership knows or has notice of a person's express will |
7 | to withdraw as a partner, other than a partner that has dissociated under §§ 7-12.1-601(2) through |
8 | 7-12.1-601(10), but, if the person has specified a withdrawal date later than the date the partnership |
9 | knew or had notice, on the later date; |
10 | (2) In a partnership for a definite term or particular undertaking: |
11 | (i) Within ninety (90) days after a person's dissociation by death or otherwise under §§ 7- |
12 | 12.1-601(6) through 7-12.1-601(10) or wrongful dissociation under § 7-12.1-602(b), the |
13 | affirmative vote or consent of at least half of the remaining partners to wind up the partnership |
14 | business, for which purpose a person's rightful dissociation pursuant to § 7-12.1-602(b)(2)(i) |
15 | constitutes that partner's consent to wind up the partnership business; |
16 | (ii) The affirmative vote or consent of all the partners to wind up the partnership business; |
17 | or |
18 | (iii) The expiration of the term or the completion of the undertaking; |
19 | (3) An event or circumstance that the partnership agreement states causes dissolution; |
20 | (4) On application by a partner, the entry by the superior court of an order dissolving the |
21 | partnership on the grounds that: |
22 | (i) The conduct of all or substantially all the partnership's business is unlawful; |
23 | (ii) The economic purpose of the partnership is likely to be unreasonably frustrated; |
24 | (iii) Another partner has engaged in conduct relating to the partnership business which |
25 | makes it not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in partnership with that partner; or |
26 | (iv) It is otherwise not reasonably practicable to carry on the partnership business in |
27 | conformity with the partnership agreement; |
28 | (5) On application by a transferee, the entry by the superior court of an order dissolving |
29 | the partnership on the ground that it is equitable to wind up the partnership business: |
30 | (i) After the expiration of the term or completion of the undertaking, if the partnership was |
31 | for a definite term or particular undertaking at the time of the transfer or entry of the charging order |
32 | that gave rise to the transfer; or |
33 | (ii) At any time, if the partnership was a partnership at will at the time of the transfer or |
34 | entry of the charging order that gave rise to the transfer; or |
| LC004940 - Page 58 of 110 |
1 | (6) The passage of ninety (90) consecutive days during which the partnership does not have |
2 | at least two (2) partners. |
3 | 7-12.1-802. Winding up. |
4 | (a) A dissolved partnership shall wind up its business and, except as otherwise provided in |
5 | § 7-12.1-803, the partnership continues after dissolution only for the purpose of winding up. |
6 | (b) In winding up its business, the partnership: |
7 | (1) Shall discharge the partnership's debts, obligations, and other liabilities, settle and close |
8 | the partnership's business, and marshal and distribute the assets of the partnership; and |
9 | (2) May: |
10 | (i) Deliver to the secretary of state for filing a statement of dissolution stating the name of |
11 | the partnership and that the partnership is dissolved; |
12 | (ii) Preserve the partnership business and property as a going concern for a reasonable time; |
13 | (iii) Prosecute and defend actions and proceedings, whether civil, criminal, or |
14 | administrative; |
15 | (iv) Transfer the partnership's property; |
16 | (v) Settle disputes by mediation or arbitration; |
17 | (vi) Deliver to the secretary of state for filing a statement of termination stating the name |
18 | of the partnership and that the partnership is terminated; and |
19 | (vii) Perform other acts necessary or appropriate to the winding up. |
20 | (c) A person whose dissociation as a partner resulted in dissolution may participate in |
21 | winding up as if still a partner, unless the dissociation was wrongful. |
22 | (d) If a dissolved partnership does not have a partner and no person has the right to |
23 | participate in winding up under subsection (c) of this section, the personal or legal representative |
24 | of the last person to have been a partner may wind up the partnership's business. If the |
25 | representative does not exercise that right, a person to wind up the partnership's business may be |
26 | appointed by the affirmative vote or consent of transferees owning a majority of the rights to receive |
27 | distributions at the time the consent is to be effective. A person appointed under this subsection has |
28 | the powers of a partner under § 7-12.1-804 but is not liable for the debts, obligations, and other |
29 | liabilities of the partnership solely by reason of having or exercising those powers or otherwise |
30 | acting to wind up the partnership's business. |
31 | (e) On the application of any partner or person entitled under subsection (c) of this section |
32 | to participate in winding up, the superior court may order judicial supervision of the winding up of |
33 | a dissolved partnership, including the appointment of a person to wind up the partnership's business, |
34 | if: |
| LC004940 - Page 59 of 110 |
1 | (1) The partnership does not have a partner and within a reasonable time following the |
2 | dissolution no person has been appointed under subsection (d) of this section; or |
3 | (2) The applicant establishes other good cause. |
4 | 7-12.1-803. Rescinding dissolution. |
5 | (a) A partnership may rescind its dissolution, unless a statement of termination applicable |
6 | to the partnership has become effective or the superior court has entered an order under §§ 7-12.1- |
7 | 801(4) or 7-12.1-801(5) dissolving the partnership. |
8 | (b) Rescinding dissolution under this section requires: |
9 | (1) The affirmative vote or consent of each partner; and |
10 | (2) If the partnership has filed with the secretary of state a statement of dissolution and: |
11 | (i) The statement has not become effective, delivery to the secretary of state for filing of a |
12 | statement of withdrawal under § 7-12.1-115 applicable to the statement of dissolution; or |
13 | (ii) The statement of dissolution has become effective, delivery to the secretary of state for |
14 | filing of a statement of rescission stating the name of the partnership and that dissolution has been |
15 | rescinded under this section. |
16 | (c) If a partnership rescinds its dissolution: |
17 | (1) The partnership resumes carrying on its business as if dissolution had never occurred; |
18 | (2) Subject to subsection (c)(3) of this section, any liability incurred by the partnership |
19 | after the dissolution and before the rescission has become effective is determined as if dissolution |
20 | had never occurred; and |
21 | (3) The rights of a third party arising out of conduct in reliance on the dissolution before |
22 | the third party knew or had notice of the rescission may not be adversely affected. |
23 | 7-12.1-804. Power to bind partnership after dissolution. |
24 | (a) A partnership is bound by a partner's act after dissolution which: |
25 | (1) Is appropriate for winding up the partnership business; or |
26 | (2) Would have bound the partnership under § 7-12.1-301 before dissolution if, at the time |
27 | the other party enters into the transaction, the other party does not know or have notice of the |
28 | dissolution. |
29 | (b) A person dissociated as a partner binds a partnership through an act occurring after |
30 | dissolution if: |
31 | (1) At the time the other party enters into the transaction: |
32 | (i) Less than two (2) years has passed since the dissociation; and |
33 | (ii) The other party does not know or have notice of the dissociation and reasonably |
34 | believes that the person is a partner; and |
| LC004940 - Page 60 of 110 |
1 | (2) The act: |
2 | (i) Is appropriate for winding up the partnership's business; or |
3 | (ii) Would have bound the partnership under § 7-12.1-301 before dissolution and at the |
4 | time the other party enters into the transaction the other party does not know or have notice of the |
5 | dissolution. |
6 | 7-12.1-805. Liability after dissolution of partner and person dissociated as partner. |
7 | (a) If a partner having knowledge of the dissolution causes a partnership to incur an |
8 | obligation under § 7-12.1-804(a) by an act that is not appropriate for winding up the partnership |
9 | business, the partner is liable: |
10 | (1) To the partnership for any damage caused to the partnership arising from the obligation; |
11 | and |
12 | (2) If another partner or person dissociated as a partner is liable for the obligation, to that |
13 | other partner or person for any damage caused to that other partner or person arising from the |
14 | liability. |
15 | (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, if a person dissociated |
16 | as a partner causes a partnership to incur an obligation under § 7-12.1-804(b), the person is liable: |
17 | (1) To the partnership for any damage caused to the partnership arising from the obligation; |
18 | and |
19 | (2) If a partner or another person dissociated as a partner is liable for the obligation, to the |
20 | partner or other person for any damage caused to the partner or other person arising from the |
21 | obligation. |
22 | (c) A person dissociated as a partner is not liable under subsection (b) of this section if: |
23 | (1) Section 7-12.1-802(c) permits the person to participate in winding up; and |
24 | (2) The act that causes the partnership to be bound under § 7-12.1-804(b) is appropriate for |
25 | winding up the partnership's business. |
26 | 7-12.1-806. Disposition of assets in winding up -- When contributions required. |
27 | (a) In winding up its business, a partnership shall apply its assets, including the |
28 | contributions required by this section, to discharge the partnership's obligations to creditors, |
29 | including partners that are creditors. |
30 | (b) After a partnership complies with subsection (a) of this section, any surplus must be |
31 | distributed in the following order, subject to any charging order in effect under § 7-12.1-504: |
32 | (1) To each person owning a transferable interest that reflects contributions made and not |
33 | previously returned, an amount equal to the value of the unreturned contributions; and |
34 | (2) Among persons owning transferable interests in proportion to their respective rights to |
| LC004940 - Page 61 of 110 |
1 | share in distributions immediately before the dissolution of the partnership. |
2 | (c) If a partnership's assets are insufficient to satisfy all its obligations under subsection (a) |
3 | of this section, with respect to each unsatisfied obligation incurred when the partnership was not a |
4 | limited-liability partnership, the following rules apply: |
5 | (1) Each person that was a partner when the obligation was incurred and that has not been |
6 | released from the obligation under §§ 7-12.1-703(c) and 7-12.1-703(d) shall contribute to the |
7 | partnership for the purpose of enabling the partnership to satisfy the obligation. The contribution |
8 | due from each of those persons is in proportion to the right to receive distributions in the capacity |
9 | of a partner in effect for each of those persons when the obligation was incurred. |
10 | (2) If a person does not contribute the full amount required under subsection (c)(1) of this |
11 | section with respect to an unsatisfied obligation of the partnership, the other persons required to |
12 | contribute by subsection (c)(1) of this section on account of the obligation shall contribute the |
13 | additional amount necessary to discharge the obligation. The additional contribution due from each |
14 | of those other persons is in proportion to the right to receive distributions in the capacity of a partner |
15 | in effect for each of those other persons when the obligation was incurred. |
16 | (3) If a person does not make the additional contribution required by subsection (c)(2) of |
17 | this section, further additional contributions are determined and due in the same manner as provided |
18 | in that subsection. |
19 | (d) A person that makes an additional contribution under subsection (c)(2) or (c)(3) of this |
20 | section may recover from any person whose failure to contribute under subsection (c)(1) or (c)(2) |
21 | of this section necessitated the additional contribution. A person may not recover under this |
22 | subsection more than the amount additionally contributed. A person's liability under this subsection |
23 | may not exceed the amount the person failed to contribute. |
24 | (e) If a partnership does not have sufficient surplus to comply with subsection (b)(1) of this |
25 | section, any surplus must be distributed among the owners of transferable interests in proportion to |
26 | the value of the respective unreturned contributions. |
27 | (f) All distributions made under subsections (b) and (c) of this section must be paid in |
28 | money. |
29 | 7-12.1-807. Known claims against dissolved limited-liability partnership. |
30 | (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, a dissolved limited- |
31 | liability partnership may give notice of a known claim under subsection (b) of this section, which |
32 | has the effect provided in subsection (c) of this section. |
33 | (b) A dissolved limited-liability partnership may in a record notify its known claimants of |
34 | the dissolution. The notice must: |
| LC004940 - Page 62 of 110 |
1 | (1) Specify the information required to be included in a claim; |
2 | (2) State that a claim must be in writing and provide a mailing address to which the claim |
3 | is to be sent; |
4 | (3) State the deadline for receipt of a claim, which may not be less than one hundred twenty |
5 | (120) days after the date the notice is received by the claimant; |
6 | (4) State that the claim will be barred if not received by the deadline; and |
7 | (5) Unless the partnership has been throughout its existence a limited-liability partnership, |
8 | state that the barring of a claim against the partnership will also bar any corresponding claim against |
9 | any partner or person dissociated as a partner which is based on § 7-12.1-306. |
10 | (c) A claim against a dissolved limited-liability partnership is barred if the requirements of |
11 | subsection (b) of this section are met and: |
12 | (1) The claim is not received by the specified deadline; or |
13 | (2) If the claim is timely received but rejected by the limited-liability partnership: |
14 | (i) The partnership causes the claimant to receive a notice in a record stating that the claim |
15 | is rejected and will be barred unless the claimant commences an action against the partnership to |
16 | enforce the claim not later than ninety (90) days after the claimant receives the notice; and |
17 | (ii) The claimant does not commence the required action not later than ninety (90) days |
18 | after the claimant receives the notice. |
19 | (d) This section does not apply to a claim based on an event occurring after the date of |
20 | dissolution or a liability that on that date is contingent. |
21 | 7-12.1-808. Other claims against dissolved limited-liability partnership. |
22 | (a) A dissolved limited-liability partnership may publish notice of its dissolution and |
23 | request persons having claims against the partnership to present them in accordance with the notice. |
24 | (b) A notice under subsection (a) of this section must: |
25 | (1) Be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation; |
26 | (2) Describe the information required to be contained in a claim, state that the claim must |
27 | be in writing, and provide a mailing address to which the claim is to be sent; |
28 | (3) State that a claim against the partnership is barred unless an action to enforce the claim |
29 | is commenced not later than three (3) years after publication of the notice; and |
30 | (4) Unless the partnership has been throughout its existence a limited-liability partnership, |
31 | state that the barring of a claim against the partnership will also bar any corresponding claim against |
32 | any partner or person dissociated as a partner which is based on § 7-12.1-306. |
33 | (c) If a dissolved limited-liability partnership publishes a notice in accordance with |
34 | subsection (b) of this section, the claim of each of the following claimants is barred unless the |
| LC004940 - Page 63 of 110 |
1 | claimant commences an action to enforce the claim against the partnership not later than three (3) |
2 | years after the publication date of the notice: |
3 | (1) A claimant that did not receive notice in a record under § 7-12.1-807; |
4 | (2) A claimant whose claim was timely sent to the partnership but not acted on; and |
5 | (3) A claimant whose claim is contingent at, or based on an event occurring after, the date |
6 | of dissolution. |
7 | (d) A claim not barred under this section or § 7-12.1-807 may be enforced: |
8 | (1) Against a dissolved limited-liability partnership, to the extent of its undistributed assets; |
9 | (2) Except as otherwise provided in § 7-12.1-809, if assets of the partnership have been |
10 | distributed after dissolution, against a partner or transferee to the extent of that person's |
11 | proportionate share of the claim or of the partnership's assets distributed to the partner or transferee |
12 | after dissolution, whichever is less, but a person's total liability for all claims under this subsection |
13 | may not exceed the total amount of assets distributed to the person after dissolution; and |
14 | (3) Against any person liable on the claim under §§ 7-12.1-306, 7-12.1-703, and 7-12.1- |
15 | 805. |
16 | 7-12.1-809. Court proceedings. |
17 | (a) A dissolved limited-liability partnership that has published a notice under § 7-12.1-808 |
18 | may file an application with the Providence County superior court for a determination of the amount |
19 | and form of security to be provided for payment of claims that are reasonably expected to arise |
20 | after the date of dissolution based on facts known to the partnership and: |
21 | (1) At the time of the application: |
22 | (i) Are contingent; or |
23 | (ii) Have not been made known to the partnership; or |
24 | (2) Are based on an event occurring after the date of dissolution. |
25 | (b) Security is not required for any claim that is or is reasonably anticipated to be barred |
26 | under § 7-12.1-807. |
27 | (c) Not later than ten (10) days after the filing of an application under subsection (a) of this |
28 | section, the dissolved limited-liability partnership shall give notice of the proceeding to each |
29 | claimant holding a contingent claim known to the partnership. |
30 | (d) In any proceeding under this section, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to |
31 | represent all claimants whose identities are unknown. The reasonable fees and expenses of the |
32 | guardian, including all reasonable expert witness fees, must be paid by the dissolved limited- |
33 | liability partnership. |
34 | (e) A dissolved limited-liability partnership that provides security in the amount and form |
| LC004940 - Page 64 of 110 |
1 | ordered by the court under subsection (a) of this section satisfies the partnership's obligations with |
2 | respect to claims that are contingent, have not been made known to the partnership, or are based on |
3 | an event occurring after the date of dissolution, and such claims may not be enforced against a |
4 | partner or transferee on account of assets received in liquidation. |
5 | 7-12.1-810. Liability of partner and person dissociated as partner when claim against |
6 | partnership barred. |
7 | If a claim against a dissolved partnership is barred under §§ 7-12.1-807, 7-12.1-808, or 7- |
8 | 12.1-809, any corresponding claim under §§ 7-12.1-306, 7-12.1-703, or 7-12.1-805 is also barred. |
9 | ARTICLE 9 |
10 | LIMITED-LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP |
11 | 7-12.1-901. Statement of qualification. |
12 | (a) A partnership may become a limited-liability partnership pursuant to this section. |
13 | (b) The terms and conditions on which a partnership becomes a limited-liability partnership |
14 | must be approved by the affirmative vote or consent necessary to amend the partnership agreement |
15 | except, in the case of a partnership agreement that expressly addresses obligations to contribute to |
16 | the partnership, the affirmative vote or consent necessary to amend those provisions. |
17 | (c) After the approval required by subsection (b) of this section, a partnership may become |
18 | a limited-liability partnership by delivering to the secretary of state for filing a statement of |
19 | qualification. The statement must contain: |
20 | (1) The name of the partnership which must comply with § 7-12.1-902; |
21 | (2) The street and mailing addresses of the partnership's principal office and, if different, |
22 | the street address of an office in this state, if any; |
23 | (3) The name and street and mailing addresses in this state of the partnership's registered |
24 | agent; and |
25 | (4) A statement that the partnership elects to become a limited-liability partnership. |
26 | (d) A partnership's status as a limited-liability partnership remains effective, regardless of |
27 | changes in the partnership, until it is canceled pursuant to subsection (f) of this section or |
28 | administratively revoked pursuant to § 7-12.1-903. |
29 | (e) The status of a partnership as a limited-liability partnership and the protection against |
30 | liability of its partners for the debts, obligations, or other liabilities of the partnership while it is a |
31 | limited-liability partnership is not affected by errors or later changes in the information required to |
32 | be contained in the statement of qualification. |
33 | (f) A limited-liability partnership may amend or cancel its statement of qualification by |
34 | delivering to the secretary of state for filing a statement of amendment or cancellation. The |
| LC004940 - Page 65 of 110 |
1 | statement must be approved by the affirmative vote or consent of all the partners and state the name |
2 | of the limited-liability partnership and in the case of: |
3 | (1) An amendment, state the text of the amendment; and |
4 | (2) A cancellation, state that the statement of qualification is canceled. |
5 | 7-12.1-902. Permitted names. |
6 | (a) The name of a partnership that is not a limited-liability partnership may not contain the |
7 | phrase "Registered Limited-liability Partnership" or "Limited-liability Partnership" or the |
8 | abbreviation "R.L.L.P.", "L.L.P.", "RLLP" , or "LLP". |
9 | (b) The name of a limited-liability partnership must contain the phrase "Registered |
10 | Limited-liability Partnership" or "Limited-liability Partnership" or the abbreviation "R.L.L.P.", |
11 | "L.L.P.", "RLLP", or "LLP". |
12 | (c) The name of a limited-liability partnership, and the name under which a foreign limited- |
13 | liability partnership may register to do business in this state, must be distinguishable on the records |
14 | of the secretary of state from any: |
15 | (1) Name of an existing person whose formation or qualifications required the filing of a |
16 | record by the secretary of state or any name that is filed, reserved or registered under this title or as |
17 | permitted by the laws of this state, subject to the following: |
18 | (i) This provision does not apply if the applicant files with the secretary of state a certified |
19 | copy of a final decree of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the prior right of the |
20 | applicant to the use of the name in this state; and |
21 | (ii) The name may be the same as the name of an existing person the certificate of |
22 | incorporation or organization of which has been revoked by the secretary of state as permitted by |
23 | law, and the revocation has not been withdrawn within one year from the date of the revocation. |
24 | (iii) Words and/or abbreviations that are required by statute to identify the particular type |
25 | of business entity shall be disregarded when determining if a name is distinguishable upon the |
26 | records of the secretary of state. |
27 | (iv) The secretary of state shall promulgate rules and regulations defining the term |
28 | "distinguishable upon the record" for the administration of this chapter. |
29 | 7-12.1-902.1. Fictitious business name. |
30 | (a) Any domestic or foreign limited-liability partnership formed under the laws of, or |
31 | registered to do business in this state may transact business in this state under a fictitious name |
32 | provided that it files a fictitious business name statement in accordance with this section prior to |
33 | the time it commences to conduct business under the fictitious name. |
34 | (b) A fictitious business name statement shall be filed with the secretary of state, and shall |
| LC004940 - Page 66 of 110 |
1 | be signed by a person authorized or required under this chapter to sign a record, and shall state: |
2 | (1) The fictitious business name to be used; and |
3 | (2) The name of the applicant limited-liability partnership or foreign limited-liability |
4 | partnership, and the state and date of its formation. |
5 | (c) The fictitious business name statement expires upon the filing of a statement of |
6 | abandonment of use of a fictitious business name registered in accordance with this section or upon |
7 | the cancellation of the domestic limited-liability partnership or the withdrawal of registration of the |
8 | foreign limited-liability partnership. |
9 | (d) The statement of abandonment of use of a fictitious business name under this section |
10 | shall be filed with the secretary of state, shall be executed in the same manner provided in |
11 | subsection (2) of this section and shall state: |
12 | (1) The fictitious business name being abandoned; |
13 | (2) The date on which the original fictitious business name statement being abandoned was |
14 | filed; and |
15 | (3) The information presented in subsection (b) of this section. |
16 | (e) No domestic or foreign limited-liability partnership transacting business under a |
17 | fictitious business name contrary to the provisions of this section, or its assignee, may maintain any |
18 | action upon or on account of any contract made, or transaction had, in the fictitious business name |
19 | in any court of the state until a fictitious business name statement has been filed in accordance with |
20 | this section. |
21 | (f) No domestic or foreign limited-liability partnership may be permitted to transact |
22 | business under a fictitious business name pursuant to this section that is the same as the name of an |
23 | existing person whose registration or qualification required the filing of a record by the secretary |
24 | of state or any name that is filed, reserved, or registered under this title or as permitted by the laws |
25 | of this state, subject to the following: |
26 | (1) This provision does not apply if the applicant files with the secretary of state a certified |
27 | copy of a final decree of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the prior right of the |
28 | applicant to the use of the name in this state; and |
29 | (2) The name may be the same as the name of an existing person the certificate of |
30 | incorporation or organization of which has been revoked by the secretary of state as permitted by |
31 | law, and the revocation has not been withdrawn within one year from the date of the revocation. |
32 | (3) Words and/or abbreviations that are required by statute to identify the particular type |
33 | of business entity shall be disregarded when determining if a name is distinguishable upon the |
34 | records of the secretary of state. |
| LC004940 - Page 67 of 110 |
1 | (4) The secretary of state shall promulgate rules and regulations defining the term |
2 | "distinguishable upon the record" for the administration of this chapter. |
3 | 7-12.1-903. Administrative revocation of statement of qualification. |
4 | (a) The statement of qualification of a limited-liability partnership may be revoked by the |
5 | secretary of state under the conditions prescribed in this section when it is established that: |
6 | (1) The limited-liability partnership procured its statement of qualification through fraud; |
7 | (2) The limited-liability partnership has continued to exceed or abuse the authority |
8 | conferred upon it by law; |
9 | (3) The limited-liability partnership has failed to file its annual report within the time |
10 | required by this chapter; |
11 | (4) The limited-liability partnership has failed to pay any required fees to the secretary of |
12 | state when they have become due and payable; |
13 | (5) The secretary of state has received notice from the division of taxation, in accordance |
14 | with § 7-12.1-915, that the limited-liability partnership has failed to pay any fees or taxes due this |
15 | state; |
16 | (6) The limited-liability partnership has failed for thirty (30) days to appoint and maintain |
17 | a registered agent in this state as required by this chapter; |
18 | (7) The limited-liability partnership has failed, after change of its registered agent, to file |
19 | in the office of the secretary of state a statement of the change as required by this chapter; |
20 | (8) The limited-liability partnership has failed to file in the office of the secretary of state |
21 | any amendment to its statement of qualification or any articles of dissolution, cancellation |
22 | statement, merger, or consolidation as prescribed by this chapter; or |
23 | (9) A misrepresentation has been made of any material matter in any application, report, |
24 | affidavit, or other document submitted by the limited-liability partnership pursuant to this chapter. |
25 | (b) No certificate of a limited-liability partnership shall be revoked by the secretary of state |
26 | unless: |
27 | (1) The secretary of state shall have given the limited-liability partnership notice thereof |
28 | not less than sixty (60) days prior to such revocation by regular mail addressed to the registered |
29 | agent in this state on file with the secretary of state's office, which notice shall specify the basis for |
30 | the revocation; provided, however, that if a prior mailing addressed to the address of the registered |
31 | agent of the limited-liability partnership in this state currently on file with the secretary of state's |
32 | office has been returned as undeliverable by the United States Postal Service for any reason, or if |
33 | the revocation notice is returned as undeliverable by the United States Postal Service for any reason, |
34 | the secretary of state shall give notice as follows: |
| LC004940 - Page 68 of 110 |
1 | (i) To the limited-liability partnership at its principal office of record as shown in its most |
2 | recent annual report, and no further notice shall be required; or |
3 | (ii) In the case of a limited-liability partnership that has not yet filed an annual report, then |
4 | to the limited-liability partnership at the principal office in the statement of qualification of limited- |
5 | liability partnership and no further notice shall be required; and |
6 | (2) The limited-liability partnership fails prior to revocation to file the annual report, pay |
7 | the fees or taxes, file the required statement of change of registered agent, file any amendments to |
8 | its statement of qualification or articles of dissolution, cancellation statement, merger, or |
9 | consolidation, or correct the misrepresentation. |
10 | 7-12.1-903.1. Issuance of certificates of revocation. |
11 | (a) Upon revoking any such certificate of a limited-liability partnership, the secretary of |
12 | state shall: |
13 | (1) Issue a certificate of revocation in duplicate; |
14 | (2) File one of the certificates in the secretary of state's office; |
15 | (3) Send to the limited-liability partnership by regular mail a certificate of revocation, |
16 | addressed to the registered agent of the limited-liability partnership in this state on file with the |
17 | secretary of state's office; provided, however, that if a prior mailing addressed to the address of the |
18 | registered agent of the limited-liability partnership in this state currently on file with the secretary |
19 | of state's office has been returned to the secretary of state as undeliverable by the United States |
20 | Postal Service for any reason, or if the revocation certificate is returned as undeliverable to the |
21 | secretary of state's office by the United States Postal Service for any reason, the secretary of state |
22 | shall give notice as follows: |
23 | (i) To the limited-liability partnership at its principal office of record as shown in its most |
24 | recent annual report, and no further notice shall be required; or |
25 | (ii) In the case of a limited-liability partnership that has not yet filed an annual report, then |
26 | to the domestic limited-liability company at the principal office in the articles of organization or to |
27 | the authorized person listed on the articles of organization, and no further notice shall be required. |
28 | (b) An administrative revocation under this section affects only the partnership’s status as |
29 | a limited-liability partnership and is not an event causing dissolution of the partnership. |
30 | (c) The revocation of a limited-liability partnership does not terminate the authority of its |
31 | registered agent. |
32 | 7-12.1-904. Reinstatement. |
33 | (a) A partnership whose statement of qualification has been revoked administratively under |
34 | § 7-12.1-903 may apply to the secretary of state for reinstatement of the statement of qualification |
| LC004940 - Page 69 of 110 |
1 | not later than two (2) years after the effective date of the revocation. The application must be |
2 | accompanied by a certificate of good standing from the Rhode Island division of taxation and state: |
3 | (1) The name of the partnership at the time of the administrative revocation of its statement |
4 | of qualification and, if needed, a different name that satisfies § 7-12.1-902; |
5 | (2) The address of the principal office of the partnership and the name and street and |
6 | mailing addresses of its registered agent; |
7 | (3) The effective date of administrative revocation of the partnership's statement of |
8 | qualification; |
9 | (4) On the payment by the limited-liability partnership of a penalty in the amount of fifty |
10 | dollars ($50.00) for each year or part of year that has elapsed since the issuance of the certificate |
11 | of revocation; and |
12 | (5) That the grounds for revocation did not exist or have been cured. |
13 | (b) To have its statement of qualification reinstated, a partnership must pay all fees, taxes, |
14 | interest, and penalties that were due to the secretary of state or tax administrator at the time of the |
15 | administrative revocation and all fees, taxes, interest, and penalties that would have been due to the |
16 | secretary of state or tax administrator while the partnership's statement of qualification was revoked |
17 | administratively. |
18 | (c) If the secretary of state determines that an application under subsection (a) of this |
19 | section contains the required information, is satisfied that the information is correct, and determines |
20 | that all payments required to be made to the secretary of state by subsection (b) of this section have |
21 | been made, the secretary of state shall: |
22 | (1) Cancel the statement of revocation and prepare a statement of reinstatement that states |
23 | the secretary of state's determination and the effective date of reinstatement; and |
24 | (2) File the statement of reinstatement and serve a copy on the partnership. |
25 | (d) When reinstatement under this section has become effective, the following rules apply: |
26 | (1) The reinstatement relates back to and takes effect as of the effective date of the |
27 | administrative revocation. |
28 | (2) The partnership's status as a limited-liability partnership continues as if the revocation |
29 | had not occurred. |
30 | (3) The rights of a person arising out of an act or omission in reliance on the revocation |
31 | before the person knew or had notice of the reinstatement are not affected. |
32 | 7-12.1-905. Judicial review of denial of reinstatement. |
33 | (a) If the secretary of state denies a partnership's application for reinstatement following |
34 | administrative revocation of the partnership's statement of qualification, the secretary of state shall |
| LC004940 - Page 70 of 110 |
1 | serve the partnership with a notice in a record that explains the reasons for the denial. |
2 | (b) A partnership may seek judicial review of denial of reinstatement in the Providence |
3 | County superior court not later than thirty (30) days after service of the notice of denial. |
4 | 7-12.1-906. Reservation of name. |
5 | (a) A person may reserve the exclusive use of a name that complies with § 7-12.1-902 by |
6 | delivering an application to the secretary of state for filing. The application must state the name |
7 | and address of the applicant and the name to be reserved. If the secretary of state finds that the |
8 | name is available, the secretary of state shall reserve the name for the applicant's exclusive use for |
9 | one hundred twenty (120) days. |
10 | (b) The owner of a reserved name may transfer the reservation to another person by |
11 | delivering to the secretary of state a signed notice in a record of the transfer which states the name |
12 | and address of the person to which the reservation is being transferred. |
13 | 7-12.1-907. Registration of name. |
14 | (a) A foreign limited-liability partnership not registered to do business in this state under |
15 | Article 10 of this chapter may register its name, or an alternate name adopted pursuant to § 7-12.1- |
16 | 902, if the name is distinguishable on the records of the secretary of state from the names that are |
17 | not available under § 7-12.1-902. |
18 | (b) To register its name or an alternate name adopted pursuant to § 7-12.1-902, a foreign |
19 | limited-liability partnership must deliver to the secretary of state for filing an application stating |
20 | the partnership's name, the jurisdiction and date of its formation, and any alternate name adopted |
21 | pursuant to § 7-12.1-902. If the secretary of state finds that the name applied for is available, the |
22 | secretary of state shall register the name for the applicant's exclusive use. |
23 | (c) The registration of a name under this section is effective for one year after the date of |
24 | registration. |
25 | (d) A foreign limited-liability partnership whose name registration is effective may renew |
26 | the registration for successive one-year periods by delivering, not earlier than three (3) months |
27 | before the expiration of the registration, to the secretary of state for filing a renewal application that |
28 | complies with this section. When filed, the renewal application renews the registration for a |
29 | succeeding one-year period. |
30 | (e) A foreign limited-liability partnership whose name registration is effective may register |
31 | as a foreign limited-liability partnership under the registered name or consent in a signed record to |
32 | the use of that name by another person that is not an individual. |
33 | 7-12.1-908. Registered agent. |
34 | (a) Each limited-liability partnership and each registered foreign limited-liability |
| LC004940 - Page 71 of 110 |
1 | partnership shall designate and maintain a registered agent in this state. The designation of a |
2 | registered agent is an affirmation of fact by the partnership or foreign partnership that the agent has |
3 | consented to serve. |
4 | (b) A registered agent for a limited-liability partnership or registered foreign limited- |
5 | liability partnership must be an existing person and have a place of business in this state. |
6 | (c) The only duties under this chapter of a registered agent that has complied with this |
7 | chapter are: |
8 | (1) To forward to the limited-liability partnership or registered foreign limited-liability |
9 | partnership at the address most recently supplied to the agent by the partnership or foreign |
10 | partnership any process, notice, or demand pertaining to the partnership or foreign partnership |
11 | which is served on or received by the agent; |
12 | (2) If the registered agent resigns, to provide the notice required by § 7-12.1-907(c) to the |
13 | partnership or foreign partnership at the address most recently supplied to the agent by the |
14 | partnership or foreign partnership; and |
15 | (3) To keep current the information with respect to the agent in the statement of |
16 | qualification or foreign registration statement. |
17 | 7-12.1-909. Change of registered agent or address for registered agent by limited- |
18 | liability partnership. |
19 | (a) A limited-liability partnership or registered foreign limited-liability partnership may |
20 | change its registered agent or the address of its registered agent by delivering to the secretary of |
21 | state for filing a statement of change that states: |
22 | (1) The name of the partnership or foreign partnership; and |
23 | (2) The information that is to be in effect as a result of the filing of the statement of change. |
24 | (b) The partners of a limited-liability partnership need not approve the delivery to the |
25 | secretary of state for filing of: |
26 | (1) A statement of change under this section; or |
27 | (2) A similar filing changing the registered agent or registered office, if any, of the |
28 | partnership in any other jurisdiction. |
29 | (c) A statement of change under this section designating a new registered agent is an |
30 | affirmation of fact by the limited-liability partnership or registered foreign limited-liability |
31 | partnership that the agent has consented to serve. |
32 | 7-12.1-910. Resignation of registered agent. |
33 | (a) A registered agent may resign as an agent for a limited-liability partnership or registered |
34 | foreign limited-liability partnership by delivering to the secretary of state for filing a statement of |
| LC004940 - Page 72 of 110 |
1 | resignation that states: |
2 | (1) The name of the partnership or foreign partnership; |
3 | (2) The name of the agent; |
4 | (3) That the agent resigns from serving as registered agent for the partnership or foreign |
5 | partnership; and |
6 | (4) The address of the partnership or foreign partnership to which the agent will send the |
7 | notice required by subsection (c) of this section. |
8 | (b) A statement of resignation takes effect on the earlier of: |
9 | (1) The thirty-first day after the day on which it is filed by the secretary of state; or |
10 | (2) The designation of a new registered agent for the limited-liability partnership or |
11 | registered foreign limited-liability partnership. |
12 | (c) A registered agent promptly shall furnish to the limited-liability partnership or |
13 | registered foreign limited-liability partnership notice in a record of the date on which a statement |
14 | of resignation was filed. |
15 | (d) When a statement of resignation takes effect, the registered agent ceases to have |
16 | responsibility under this chapter for any matter thereafter tendered to it as agent for the limited- |
17 | liability partnership or registered foreign limited-liability partnership. The resignation does not |
18 | affect any contractual rights the partnership or foreign partnership has against the agent or that the |
19 | agent has against the partnership or foreign partnership. |
20 | (e) A registered agent may resign with respect to a limited-liability partnership or registered |
21 | foreign limited-liability partnership whether or not the partnership or foreign partnership is in good |
22 | standing. |
23 | 7-12.1-911. Change of name or address by registered agent. |
24 | (a) If a registered agent changes its name or address, the agent may deliver to the secretary |
25 | of state for filing a statement of change that states: |
26 | (1) The name of the limited-liability partnership or registered foreign limited-liability |
27 | partnership represented by the registered agent; |
28 | (2) The name of the agent as currently shown in the records of the secretary of state for the |
29 | partnership or foreign partnership; |
30 | (3) If the name of the agent has changed, its new name; and |
31 | (4) If the address of the agent has changed, its new address. |
32 | (b) A registered agent promptly shall furnish notice to the represented limited-liability |
33 | partnership or registered foreign limited-liability partnership of the filing by the secretary of state |
34 | of the statement of change and the changes made by the statement. |
| LC004940 - Page 73 of 110 |
1 | 7-12.1-912. Service of process, notice, or demand. |
2 | (a) A limited-liability partnership or registered foreign limited-liability partnership may be |
3 | served with any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law by serving its registered |
4 | agent. |
5 | (b) If a limited-liability partnership or registered foreign limited-liability partnership fails |
6 | to appoint or maintain a registered agent in this state, or whenever its registered agent cannot with |
7 | reasonable diligence be found at the registered office, then the secretary of state is an agent of the |
8 | corporation upon whom any process, notice, or demand may be served. Service on the secretary of |
9 | state of any process, notice, or demand is made by delivering to and leaving with him or her or with |
10 | any clerk having charge of the corporation department of his or her office, duplicate copies of the |
11 | process, notice, or demand. In the event any process, notice, or demand is served on the secretary |
12 | of state, the secretary of state shall immediately forward one of the copies by certified mail, |
13 | addressed to the corporation at its registered office. Any service upon the secretary of state is |
14 | returnable in not less than thirty (30) days. |
15 | (c) The secretary of state shall maintain a record of any such service setting forth the name |
16 | of the plaintiff and defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which |
17 | process has been served upon the secretary of state, the fact that service has been effected pursuant |
18 | to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour when the service was made. The |
19 | secretary of state shall not be required to retain such information for a period longer than five (5) |
20 | years from receipt of the service of process. |
21 | (d) Service of process, notice, or demand on a registered agent must be in a written record. |
22 | (e) Service of process, notice, or demand may be made by other means under law other |
23 | than this chapter. |
24 | 7-12.1-913. Annual report for secretary of state. |
25 | (a) A limited-liability partnership or registered foreign limited-liability partnership shall |
26 | deliver to the secretary of state for filing an annual report that states: |
27 | (1) The name of the partnership or registered foreign partnership; |
28 | (2) The street and mailing addresses of its principal office; |
29 | (3) The name of at least one partner; |
30 | (4) In the case of a foreign partnership, its jurisdiction of formation and any alternate name |
31 | adopted under § 7-12.1-1006; |
32 | (5) A brief statement of the character of the business in which the limited-liability |
33 | partnership is actually engaged in this state; and |
34 | (6) Any additional information that is required by the secretary of state. |
| LC004940 - Page 74 of 110 |
1 | (b) The annual report must be made on forms prescribed and furnished by the secretary of |
2 | state, and the information in the annual report must be current as of the date the report is signed by |
3 | the limited-liability partnership or registered foreign limited-liability partnership. |
4 | (c) The first annual report must be filed with the secretary of state after February 1, and |
5 | before May 1, of the year following the calendar year in which the limited-liability partnership's |
6 | statement of qualification became effective or the registered foreign limited-liability partnership |
7 | registered to do business in this state. Subsequent annual reports must be filed with the secretary of |
8 | state after February 1, and before May 1, of each calendar year thereafter. Proof to the satisfaction |
9 | of the secretary of state that prior to May 1 the report was deposited in the United States mail in a |
10 | sealed envelope, properly addressed, with postage prepaid, is deemed to be a compliance with this |
11 | requirement. |
12 | (d) If the secretary of state finds that the annual report conforms to the requirements of this |
13 | chapter, the secretary of state shall file the report. If an annual report does not contain the |
14 | information required by this section, the secretary of state promptly shall notify the reporting |
15 | limited-liability partnership or registered foreign limited-liability partnership in a record and return |
16 | the report for correction, in which event the penalties subsequently prescribed for failure to file the |
17 | report within the time previously provided do not apply if the report is corrected to conform to the |
18 | requirements of this chapter and returned to the secretary of state within thirty (30) days from the |
19 | date on which it was mailed to the corporation by the secretary of state. |
20 | (e) Each limited-liability partnership, domestic or foreign, that fails or refuses to file its |
21 | annual report for any year within thirty (30) days after the time prescribed by this chapter is subject |
22 | to a penalty of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per year. |
23 | 7-12.1-914. Filing of returns with the tax administrator -- annual charge. |
24 | (a) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2012, a limited-liability partnership |
25 | registered under § 7-12-56, shall file a return in the form and containing the information as |
26 | prescribed by the tax administrator as follows: |
27 | (1) If the fiscal year of the limited-liability partnership is the calendar year, on or before |
28 | the fifteenth day of April in the year following the close of the fiscal year; and |
29 | (2) If the fiscal year of the limited-liability partnership is not a calendar year, on or before |
30 | the fifteenth day of the fourth month following the close of the fiscal year. |
31 | (b) For tax years beginning after December 31, 2015, a limited-liability partnership |
32 | registered under § 7-12-56 or this chapter, shall file a return, in the form and containing the |
33 | information as prescribed by the tax administrator, and shall be filed on or before the date a federal |
34 | tax return is due to be filed, without regard to extension. |
| LC004940 - Page 75 of 110 |
1 | (c) An annual charge, equal to the minimum tax imposed upon a corporation under § 44- |
2 | 11-2(e), shall be due on the filing of the limited-liability partnership's return filed with the tax |
3 | administrator and shall be paid to the division of taxation. |
4 | (d) The annual charge is delinquent if not paid by the due date for the filing of the return |
5 | and an addition of one hundred dollars ($100) to the charge is then due. |
6 | 7-12.1-915. Confirmation of state fees and taxes. |
7 | (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Rhode Island general laws, when any |
8 | section of this chapter refers to state fees and/or taxes paid, the division of taxation is authorized to |
9 | respond and share tax information with the secretary of state’s office in response to a request from |
10 | that office regarding an entity’s tax status as compliant or noncompliant. |
11 | (b) If the secretary of state’s office receives notice from the division of taxation that the |
12 | limited-liability partnership has failed to pay any fees or taxes due this state, the secretary of state |
13 | shall begin revocation proceedings in accordance with the provisions of § 7-12.1-903. |
14 | (c) The notice of revocation may state as the basis for revocation that the taxpayer failed |
15 | to pay state fees and/or taxes to the division of taxation. However, the secretary of state’s office |
16 | must otherwise protect all state and federal tax information in its custody as required by § 7-12.1- |
17 | 915 and refrain from disclosing any other specific tax information. |
18 | 7-12.1-916. Revocation of certificate of limited-liability partnership or certificate of |
19 | registration for nonpayment of fee. |
20 | (a) The tax administrator may, after July 15 of each year, compile a list of all limited- |
21 | liability partnerships that have failed to pay any state fees and/or taxes for one year after the fees |
22 | and/or taxes became due and payable, and the failure is not the subject of a pending appeal. The |
23 | tax administrator shall certify to the correctness of the list. Upon receipt of the certified list, the |
24 | secretary of state may initiate revocation proceedings as defined in § 7-12.1-903. |
25 | (b) With respect to any information provided by the division of taxation to the secretary of |
26 | state’s office pursuant to this chapter, the secretary of state, together with the employees or agents |
27 | thereof, shall be subject to all state and federal tax confidentiality laws applying to the division of |
28 | taxation and the officers, agents, and employees thereof, and which restrict the acquisition, use, |
29 | storage, dissemination, or publication of confidential taxpayer data. |
30 | (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the notice of revocation may state as the basis for |
31 | revocation that the taxpayer has failed to pay state fees and/or taxes to the division of taxation. |
32 | However, the secretary of state’s office must otherwise protect all state and federal tax information |
33 | in its custody as required by subsection (b) of this section and refrain from disclosing any other |
34 | specific tax information. |
| LC004940 - Page 76 of 110 |
1 | ARTICLE 10 |
2 | FOREIGN LIMITED-LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP |
3 | 7-12.1-1001. Governing law. |
4 | (a) The law of the jurisdiction of formation of a foreign limited-liability partnership |
5 | governs: |
6 | (1) The internal affairs of the partnership; and |
7 | (2) The liability of a partner as partner for a debt, obligation, or other liability of the foreign |
8 | partnership. |
9 | (b) A foreign limited-liability partnership is not precluded from registering to do business |
10 | in this state because of any difference between the law of its jurisdiction of formation and the law |
11 | of this state. |
12 | (c) Registration of a foreign limited-liability partnership to do business in this state does |
13 | not authorize the foreign partnership to engage in any business or exercise any power that a limited- |
14 | liability partnership may not engage in or exercise in this state. |
15 | 7-12.1-1002. Registration to do business in this state. |
16 | (a) A foreign limited-liability partnership may not do business in this state until it registers |
17 | with the secretary of state under this article. |
18 | (b) A foreign limited-liability partnership doing business in this state may not maintain an |
19 | action or proceeding in this state unless it has registered to do business in this state. |
20 | (c) The failure of a foreign limited-liability partnership to register to do business in this |
21 | state does not impair the validity of a contract or act of the foreign partnership or preclude it from |
22 | defending an action or proceeding in this state. |
23 | (d) A limitation on the liability of a partner of a foreign limited-liability partnership is not |
24 | waived solely because the foreign partnership does business in this state without registering to do |
25 | business in this state. |
26 | (e) Sections 7-12.1-1001(a) and 7-12.1-1001(b) applies even if a foreign limited-liability |
27 | partnership fails to register under this article. |
28 | 7-12.1-1003. Foreign registration statement. |
29 | To register to do business in this state, a foreign limited-liability partnership must deliver |
30 | a foreign registration statement to the secretary of state for filing. The statement must state: |
31 | (1) The name of the partnership and, if the name does not comply with § 7-12.1-902, an |
32 | alternate name adopted pursuant to § 7-12.1-1006(a); |
33 | (2) That the partnership is a foreign limited-liability partnership; |
34 | (3) The partnership's jurisdiction of formation; |
| LC004940 - Page 77 of 110 |
1 | (4) The general character of the business it proposes to transact in this state; |
2 | (5) The name and business address of at least one partner; |
3 | (6) The street and mailing addresses of the partnership's principal office and, if the law of |
4 | the partnership's jurisdiction of formation requires the partnership to maintain an office in that |
5 | jurisdiction, the street and mailing addresses of the required office; |
6 | (7) The name and street and mailing addresses of the partnership's registered agent in this |
7 | state; |
8 | (8) A statement that the secretary of state is appointed the agent of a foreign limited-liability |
9 | partnership for service of process if no agent has been appointed, or, if appointed, the agent’s |
10 | authority has been revoked or if the agent cannot be found or served with the exercise of reasonable |
11 | diligence; and |
12 | (9) Additional information as may be necessary or appropriate in order to enable the |
13 | secretary of state to determine whether the foreign limited-liability partnership is entitled to a |
14 | certificate of authority to transact business in this state. |
15 | 7-12.1-1004. Amendment of foreign registration statement. |
16 | A registered foreign limited-liability partnership shall deliver to the secretary of state for |
17 | filing an amendment to its foreign registration statement if there is a change in: |
18 | (1) The name of the partnership; |
19 | (2) The alternate name adopted pursuant to § 7-12.1-1006(a); |
20 | (3) The address required by § 7-12.1-1003(6). |
21 | 7-12.1-1005. Activities not constituting doing business. |
22 | (a) Activities of a foreign limited-liability partnership which do not constitute doing |
23 | business in this state under this article include: |
24 | (1) Maintaining, defending, mediating, arbitrating, or settling an action or proceeding; |
25 | (2) Carrying on any activity concerning its internal affairs, including holding meetings of |
26 | its partners; |
27 | (3) Maintaining accounts in financial institutions; |
28 | (4) Maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange, and registration of securities |
29 | of the partnership or maintaining trustees or depositories with respect to those securities; |
30 | (5) Selling through independent contractors; |
31 | (6) Soliciting or obtaining orders by any means if the orders require acceptance outside this |
32 | state before they become contracts; |
33 | (7) Creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages, or security interests in property; |
34 | (8) Securing or collecting debts or enforcing mortgages or security interests in property |
| LC004940 - Page 78 of 110 |
1 | securing the debts and holding, protecting, or maintaining property; |
2 | (9) Conducting an isolated transaction that is not in the course of similar transactions; |
3 | (10) Owning, without more, property; and |
4 | (11) Doing business in interstate commerce. |
5 | (b) A person does not do business in this state solely by being a partner of a foreign limited- |
6 | liability partnership that does business in this state. |
7 | (c) This section does not apply in determining the contacts or activities that may subject a |
8 | foreign limited-liability partnership to service of process, taxation, or regulation under law of this |
9 | state other than this chapter. |
10 | 7-12.1-1006. Noncomplying name of foreign limited-liability partnership. |
11 | (a) A foreign limited-liability partnership whose name does not comply with § 7-12.1-902 |
12 | may not register to do business in this state until it adopts, for the purpose of doing business in this |
13 | state, an alternate name that complies with § 7-12.1-902. A partnership that registers under an |
14 | alternate name under this subsection need not comply with §§ 7-16-902 or 7-1.2-402. A partnership |
15 | that registers under an alternate name under this subsection need not comply with this state’s |
16 | fictitious name statute. After registering to do business in the state with an alternate name, a |
17 | partnership shall do business in this state under: |
18 | (1) The alternate name; |
19 | (2) The partnership's name, with the addition of its jurisdiction of formation; or |
20 | (3) A name the partnership is authorized to use under the state's fictitious name statute to |
21 | include, but not be limited to, §§ 7-16- 902.1 or 7-1.2-402. |
22 | (b) If a registered foreign limited-liability partnership changes its name to one that does |
23 | not comply with § 7-12.1-902, it may not do business in this state until it complies with subsection |
24 | (a) of this section by amending its registration to adopt an alternate name that complies with § 7- |
25 | 12.1-902. |
26 | 7-12.1-1007. Withdrawal deemed on conversion to domestic filing entity or domestic |
27 | limited-liability partnership. |
28 | A registered foreign limited-liability partnership that converts to a domestic limited- |
29 | liability partnership or to a domestic entity whose formation requires the delivery of a record to the |
30 | secretary of state for filing is deemed to have withdrawn its registration on the effective date of the |
31 | conversion. |
32 | 7-12.1-1008. Withdrawal on dissolution or conversion to nonfiling entity other than |
33 | limited-liability partnership. |
34 | (a) A registered foreign limited-liability partnership that has dissolved and completed |
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1 | winding up or has converted to a domestic or foreign entity whose formation does not require the |
2 | public filing of a record, other than a limited-liability partnership, shall deliver a statement of |
3 | withdrawal to the secretary of state for filing. The statement must state: |
4 | (1) In the case of a partnership that has completed winding up: |
5 | (i) Its name and jurisdiction of formation; |
6 | (ii) That the partnership surrenders its registration to do business in this state; |
7 | (iii) That the limited-liability partnership revokes the authority of its registered agent in |
8 | this state to accept service of process and consents that service of process in any action, suit, or |
9 | proceeding based upon any cause of action arising in this state during the time the limited-liability |
10 | partnership was authorized to transact business in this state may subsequently be made on the |
11 | limited-liability partnership by service on the secretary of state in accordance with subsection (b) |
12 | of this section; and |
13 | (iv) The post office address to which the secretary of state may mail a copy of any process |
14 | against the limited-liability partnerships that is served on the secretary of state. |
15 | (2) In the case of a partnership that has converted: |
16 | (i) The name of the converting partnership and its jurisdiction of formation; |
17 | (ii) The type of entity to which the partnership has converted and its jurisdiction of |
18 | formation; |
19 | (iii) That the converted entity surrenders the converting partnership's registration to do |
20 | business in this state and revokes the authority of the converting partnership's registered agent to |
21 | act as registered agent in this state on behalf of the partnership or the converted entity; and |
22 | (iv) A mailing address to which service of process may be made under subsection (b) of |
23 | this section. |
24 | (b) After a withdrawal under this section becomes effective, service of process in any action |
25 | or proceeding based on a cause of action arising during the time the foreign limited-liability |
26 | partnership was registered to do business in this state may be made pursuant to § 7-12.1-912. |
27 | 7-12.1-1009. Transfer of registration. |
28 | (a) When a registered foreign limited-liability partnership has merged into a foreign entity |
29 | that is not registered to do business in this state or has converted to a foreign entity required to |
30 | register with the secretary of state to do business in this state, the foreign entity shall deliver to the |
31 | secretary of state for filing an application for transfer of registration. The application must state: |
32 | (1) The name of the registered foreign limited-liability partnership before the merger or |
33 | conversion; |
34 | (2) That before the merger or conversion the registration pertained to a foreign limited- |
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1 | liability partnership; |
2 | (3) The name of the applicant foreign entity into which the foreign limited-liability |
3 | partnership has merged or to which it has been converted and, if the name does not comply with § |
4 | 7-12.1-902, an alternate name adopted pursuant to § 7-12.1-1006(a); |
5 | (4) The type of entity of the applicant foreign entity and its jurisdiction of formation; |
6 | (b) An application for authority to transact business in the state of Rhode Island for the |
7 | resulting entity type and a certificate of legal existence or good standing issued by the proper officer |
8 | of the state or country under the laws of which the resulting entity has been formed. |
9 | (c) When an application for transfer of registration takes effect, the registration of the |
10 | foreign limited-liability limited partnership to do business in this state is transferred without |
11 | interruption to the foreign entity into which the partnership has merged or to which it has been |
12 | converted. |
13 | 7-12.1-1010. Revocation of registration. |
14 | (a) The registration of a foreign limited-liability partnership may be revoked by the |
15 | secretary of state under the conditions prescribed in this section when it is established that: |
16 | (1) The limited-liability partnership procured its certificate of registration through fraud; |
17 | (2) The limited-liability partnership has continued to exceed or abuse the authority |
18 | conferred upon it by law; |
19 | (3) The limited-liability partnership has failed to file its annual report within the time |
20 | required by this chapter; |
21 | (4) The limited-liability partnership has failed to pay any required fees to the secretary of |
22 | state when they have become due and payable; |
23 | (5) The limited-liability partnership has failed for thirty (30) days to appoint and maintain |
24 | a registered agent in this state as required by this chapter; |
25 | (6) The limited-liability partnership has failed, after change of its registered agent, to file |
26 | in the office of the secretary of state a statement of the change as required by this chapter; |
27 | (7) The limited-liability partnership has failed to file in the office of the secretary of state |
28 | any amendment to its certificate of registration or any articles of dissolution, merger, or |
29 | consolidation as prescribed by this chapter; or |
30 | (8) A misrepresentation has been made of any material matter in any application, report, |
31 | affidavit, or other document submitted by the limited-liability partnership pursuant to this chapter. |
32 | (b) No certificate of registration of a limited-liability partnership shall be revoked by the |
33 | secretary of state unless: |
34 | (1) The secretary of state shall have given the limited-liability partnership notice thereof |
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1 | not less than sixty (60) days prior to such revocation by regular mail addressed to the registered |
2 | agent in this state on file with the secretary of state's office, which notice shall specify the basis for |
3 | the revocation; provided, however, that if a prior mailing addressed to the address of the registered |
4 | agent of the limited-liability partnership in this state currently on file with the secretary of state's |
5 | office has been returned as undeliverable by the United States Postal Service for any reason, or if |
6 | the revocation notice is returned as undeliverable by the United States Postal Service for any reason, |
7 | the secretary of state shall give notice as follows: |
8 | (i) To the limited-liability partnership at its principal office of record as shown in its most |
9 | recent annual report, and no further notice shall be required; or |
10 | (ii) In the case of a limited-liability partnership that has not yet filed an annual report, then |
11 | to the limited-liability partnership at the principal office in the certificate of registration of limited- |
12 | liability partnership and no further notice shall be required; and |
13 | (2) The limited-liability partnership fails prior to revocation to file the annual report, pay |
14 | the fees or taxes, file the required statement of change of registered agent, file the amendment to |
15 | its registration or certificate of withdrawal of registration, merger, or consolidation, or correct the |
16 | misrepresentation. |
17 | 7-12.1-1011. Issuance of certificates of revocation. |
18 | (a) Upon revoking any such certificate of registration of limited-liability partnership, the |
19 | secretary of state shall: |
20 | (1) Issue a certificate of revocation in duplicate; |
21 | (2) File one of the certificates in the secretary of state's office; |
22 | (3) Send to the limited-liability partnership by regular mail a certificate of revocation, |
23 | addressed to the registered agent of the limited-liability partnership in this state on file with the |
24 | secretary of state's office; provided, however, that if a prior mailing addressed to the address of the |
25 | registered agent of the limited-liability partnership in this state currently on file with the secretary |
26 | of state's office has been returned to the secretary of state as undeliverable by the United States |
27 | Postal Service for any reason, or if the revocation certificate is returned as undeliverable to the |
28 | secretary of state's office by the United States Postal Service for any reason, the secretary of state |
29 | shall give notice as follows: |
30 | (i) To the limited-liability partnership at its principal office of record as shown in its most |
31 | recent annual report, and no further notice shall be required; or |
32 | (ii) In the case of a limited-liability partnership that has not yet filed an annual report, then |
33 | to the principal office listed in the certificate of registration, and no further notice shall be required. |
34 | (b The authority of the registered foreign limited-liability partnership to do business in this |
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1 | state ceases on the effective date of the certificate of revocation, or to apply for reinstatement under |
2 | § 7-12.1-1012. |
3 | (c) The revocation of a limited-liability partnership does not terminate the authority of its |
4 | registered agent. |
5 | 7-12.1-1012. Reinstatement. |
6 | (a) Within two (2) years after issuing a certificate of revocation as provided in § 7-12.1- |
7 | 1011, the secretary of state may withdraw the certificate of revocation and retroactively reinstate |
8 | the limited-liability partnership in good standing as if its certificate of registration of limited- |
9 | liability partnership had not been revoked except as subsequently provided: |
10 | (1) On the filing by the limited-liability partnership of the documents it had previously |
11 | failed to file as set forth in §§ 7-12.1-1006(a)(3) through 7-12.1-1006(a)(7); |
12 | (2) On the payment by the limited-liability partnership of a penalty in the amount of fifty |
13 | dollars ($50.00) for each year or part of year that has elapsed since the issuance of the certificate |
14 | of revocation; and |
15 | (b) If, as permitted by the provisions of this chapter or chapters 1.2, 6, 12, or 13.1 of this |
16 | title, another limited-liability company, business or nonprofit corporation, registered limited- |
17 | liability partnership or a limited-liability partnership, or in each case domestic or foreign, |
18 | authorized and qualified to transact business in this state, bears or has filed a fictitious business |
19 | name statement as to or reserved or registered a name that is the same as, the name of the limited- |
20 | liability partnership with respect to which the certificate of revocation is proposed to be withdrawn, |
21 | then the secretary of state shall condition the withdrawal of the certificate of revocation on the |
22 | reinstated limited-liability partnership amending its certificate of registration so as to designate a |
23 | name that meets the requirements of § 7-12.1-902 by adopting an alternate name pursuant to § 7- |
24 | 12.1-1006(a). |
25 | (d) When reinstatement under this section has become effective, the following rules apply: |
26 | (1) The reinstatement relates back to and takes effect as of the effective date of the |
27 | certificate of revocation. |
28 | (2) The limited-liability partnership resumes carrying on its activities and affairs as if the |
29 | revocation had not occurred. |
30 | (3) The rights of a person arising out of an act or omission in reliance on the revocation |
31 | before the person knew or had notice of the reinstatement are not affected. |
32 | 7-12.1-1013. Withdrawal of registration of registered foreign limited-liability |
33 | partnership. |
34 | (a) A registered foreign limited-liability partnership may withdraw its registration by |
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1 | delivering a statement of withdrawal to the secretary of state for filing. The statement of withdrawal |
2 | must state: |
3 | (1) The name of the partnership and its jurisdiction of formation; |
4 | (2) That the partnership is not doing business in this state and that it withdraws its |
5 | registration to do business in this state; |
6 | (3) That the limited-liability partnership revokes the authority of its registered agent in this |
7 | state to accept service of process and consents that service of process in any action, suit, or |
8 | proceeding based upon any cause of action arising in this state during the time the limited-liability |
9 | partnership was authorized to transact business in this state may subsequently be made on the |
10 | limited partnership by service on the secretary of state in accordance with subsection (b) of this |
11 | section; and |
12 | (4) The post office address to which the secretary of state may mail a copy of any process |
13 | against the limited-liability partnership that is served on the secretary of state. |
14 | (b) After the withdrawal of the registration of a foreign limited-liability partnership, service |
15 | of process in any action or proceeding based on a cause of action arising during the time the |
16 | partnership was registered to do business in this state may be made pursuant to § 7-12.1-912. |
17 | 7-12.1-1014. Action by attorney general. |
18 | The attorney general may maintain an action to enjoin a foreign limited-liability |
19 | partnership from doing business in this state in violation of this article of this chapter. |
20 | ARTICLE 11 |
21 | MERGER, INTEREST EXCHANGE, CONVERSION, AND DOMESTICATION |
22 | PART 1 |
23 | GENERAL PROVISIONS |
24 | 7-12.1-11.11. Definitions. |
25 | As used in this chapter: |
26 | (1) "Acquired entity" means the entity, all of one or more classes or series of interests of |
27 | which are acquired in an interest exchange. |
28 | (2) "Acquiring entity" means the entity that acquires all of one or more classes or series of |
29 | interests of the acquired entity in an interest exchange. |
30 | (3) "Conversion" means a transaction authorized by §§ 7-12.1-11.41 through 7-12.1-11.46. |
31 | (4) "Converted entity" means the converting entity as it continues in existence after a |
32 | conversion. |
33 | (5) "Converting entity" means the domestic entity that approves a plan of conversion |
34 | pursuant to § 7-12.1-11.43 or the foreign entity that approves a conversion pursuant to the law of |
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1 | its jurisdiction of formation. |
2 | (6) "Distributional interest" means the right under an unincorporated entity's organic law |
3 | and organic rules to receive distributions from the entity. |
4 | (7) "Domestic", with respect to an entity, means governed as to its internal affairs by the |
5 | law of this state. |
6 | (8) "Domesticated limited-liability partnership" means a domesticating limited-liability |
7 | partnership as it continues in existence after a domestication. |
8 | (9) "Domesticating limited-liability partnership" means the domestic limited-liability |
9 | partnership that approves a plan of domestication pursuant to § 7-12.1-11.53 or the foreign limited- |
10 | liability partnership that approves a domestication pursuant to the law of its jurisdiction of |
11 | formation. |
12 | (10) "Domestication" means a transaction authorized by §§ 7-12.1-11.51 through 7-12.1- |
13 | 11.56. |
14 | (11) "Entity": |
15 | (i) Means: |
16 | (A) A business corporation; |
17 | (B) A nonprofit corporation; |
18 | (C) A general partnership, including a limited-liability partnership; |
19 | (D) A limited partnership, including a limited-liability limited partnership; |
20 | (E) A limited-liability company; |
21 | (F) A general cooperative association; |
22 | (G) A limited cooperative association; |
23 | (H) An unincorporated nonprofit association; |
24 | (I) A statutory trust, business trust, or common-law business trust; or |
25 | (J) Any other person that has: |
26 | (I) A legal existence separate from any interest holder of that person; or |
27 | (II) The power to acquire an interest in real property in its own name; and |
28 | (ii) Does not include: |
29 | (A) An individual; |
30 | (B) A trust with a predominantly donative purpose or a charitable trust; |
31 | (C) An association or relationship that is not an entity listed in subsection (11)(i) of this |
32 | section and is not a partnership under the rules stated in § 7-12.1-202(c) or a similar provision of |
33 | the law of another jurisdiction; |
34 | (D) A decedent's estate; or |
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1 | (E) A government or a governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality. |
2 | (12) "Filing entity" means an entity whose formation requires the filing of a public organic |
3 | record. The term does not include a limited-liability partnership. |
4 | (13) "Foreign", with respect to an entity, means an entity governed as to its internal affairs |
5 | by the law of a jurisdiction other than this state. |
6 | (14) "Governance interest" means a right under the organic law or organic rules of an |
7 | unincorporated entity, other than as a governor, agent, assignee, or proxy, to: |
8 | (i) Receive or demand access to information concerning, or the books and records of, the |
9 | entity; |
10 | (ii) Vote for or consent to the election of the governors of the entity; or |
11 | (iii) Receive notice of or vote on or consent to an issue involving the internal affairs of the |
12 | entity. |
13 | (15) "Governor" means: |
14 | (i) A director of a business corporation; |
15 | (ii) A director or trustee of a nonprofit corporation; |
16 | (iii) A general partner of a general partnership; |
17 | (iv) A general partner of a limited partnership; |
18 | (v) A manager of a manager-managed limited-liability company; |
19 | (vi) A member of a member-managed limited-liability company; |
20 | (vii) A director of a general cooperative association; |
21 | (viii) A director of a limited cooperative association; |
22 | (ix) A manager of an unincorporated nonprofit association; |
23 | (x) A trustee of a statutory trust, business trust, or common-law business trust; or |
24 | (xi) Any other person under whose authority the powers of an entity are exercised and |
25 | under whose direction the activities and affairs of the entity are managed pursuant to the organic |
26 | law and organic rules of the entity. |
27 | (16) "Interest" means: |
28 | (i) A share in a business corporation; |
29 | (ii) A membership in a nonprofit corporation; |
30 | (iii) A partnership interest in a general partnership; |
31 | (iv) A partnership interest in a limited partnership; |
32 | (v) A membership interest in a limited-liability company; |
33 | (vi) A share in a general cooperative association; |
34 | (vii) A member's interest in a limited cooperative association; |
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1 | (viii) A membership in an unincorporated nonprofit association; |
2 | (ix) A beneficial interest in a statutory trust, business trust, or common-law business trust; |
3 | or |
4 | (x) A governance interest or distributional interest in any other type of unincorporated |
5 | entity. |
6 | (17) "Interest exchange" means a transaction authorized by §§ 7-12.1-11.31 through 7- |
7 | 12.1-11.36. |
8 | (18) "Interest holder" means: |
9 | (i) A shareholder of a business corporation; |
10 | (ii) A member of a nonprofit corporation; |
11 | (iii) A general partner of a general partnership; |
12 | (iv) A general partner of a limited partnership; |
13 | (v) A limited partner of a limited partnership; |
14 | (vi) A member of a limited-liability company; |
15 | (vii) A shareholder of a general cooperative association; |
16 | (viii) A member of a limited cooperative association; |
17 | (ix) A member of an unincorporated nonprofit association; |
18 | (x) A beneficiary or beneficial owner of a statutory trust, business trust, or common-law |
19 | business trust; or |
20 | (xi) Any other direct holder of an interest. |
21 | (19) "Interest holder liability" means: |
22 | (i) Personal liability for a liability of an entity which is imposed on a person: |
23 | (A) Solely by reason of the status of the person as an interest holder; or |
24 | (B) By the organic rules of the entity which make one or more specified interest holders or |
25 | categories of interest holders liable in their capacity as interest holders for all or specified liabilities |
26 | of the entity; or |
27 | (ii) An obligation of an interest holder under the organic rules of an entity to contribute to |
28 | the entity. |
29 | (20) "Merger" means a transaction authorized by §§ 7-12.1-11.21 through 7-12.1-11.26. |
30 | (21) "Merging entity" means an entity that is a party to a merger and exists immediately |
31 | before the merger becomes effective. |
32 | (22) "Organic law" means the law of an entity's jurisdiction of formation governing the |
33 | internal affairs of the entity. |
34 | (23) "Organic rules" means the public organic record and private organic rules of an entity. |
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1 | (24) "Plan" means a plan of merger, plan of interest exchange, plan of conversion, or plan |
2 | of domestication. |
3 | (25) "Plan of conversion" means a plan under § 7-12.1-11.42. |
4 | (26) "Plan of domestication" means a plan under § 7-12.1-11.52. |
5 | (27) "Plan of interest exchange" means a plan under § 7-12.1-11.32. |
6 | (28) "Plan of merger" means a plan under § 7-12.1-11.22. |
7 | (29) "Private organic rules" means the rules, whether or not in a record, that govern the |
8 | internal affairs of an entity, are binding on all its interest holders, and are not part of its public |
9 | organic record, if any. The term includes: |
10 | (i) The bylaws of a business corporation; |
11 | (ii) The bylaws of a nonprofit corporation; |
12 | (iii) The partnership agreement of a general partnership; |
13 | (iv) The partnership agreement of a limited partnership; |
14 | (v) The operating agreement of a limited-liability company; |
15 | (vi) The bylaws of a general cooperative association; |
16 | (vii) The bylaws of a limited cooperative association; |
17 | (viii) The governing principles of an unincorporated nonprofit association; and |
18 | (ix) The trust instrument of a statutory trust or similar rules of a business trust or common- |
19 | law business trust. |
20 | (30) "Protected agreement" means: |
21 | (i) A record evidencing indebtedness and any related agreement in effect on the effective |
22 | date of this chapter; |
23 | (ii) An agreement that is binding on an entity on the effective date of this chapter; |
24 | (iii) The organic rules of an entity in effect on the effective date of this chapter; or |
25 | (iv) An agreement that is binding on any of the governors or interest holders of an entity |
26 | on the effective date of this chapter. |
27 | (31) "Public organic record" means the record the filing of which by the secretary of state |
28 | is required to form an entity and any amendment to or restatement of that record. The term includes: |
29 | (i) The articles of incorporation of a business corporation; |
30 | (ii) The articles of incorporation of a nonprofit corporation; |
31 | (iii) The certificate of limited partnership of a limited partnership; |
32 | (iv) The certificate of organization of a limited-liability company; |
33 | (v) The articles of incorporation of a general cooperative association; |
34 | (vi) The articles of organization of a limited cooperative association; and |
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1 | (vii) The certificate of trust of a statutory trust or similar record of a business trust. |
2 | (32) "Registered foreign entity" means a foreign entity that is registered to do business in |
3 | this state pursuant to a record filed by the secretary of state. |
4 | (33) "Statement of conversion" means a statement under § 7-12.1-11.45. |
5 | (34) "Statement of domestication" means a statement under § 7-12.1-11.55. |
6 | (35) "Statement of interest exchange" means a statement under § 7-12.1-11.35. |
7 | (36) "Statement of merger" means a statement under § 7-12.1-11.25. |
8 | (37) "Surviving entity" means the entity that continues in existence after or is created by a |
9 | merger. |
10 | (38) "Type of entity" means a generic form of entity: |
11 | (i) Recognized at common law; or |
12 | (ii) Formed under an organic law, whether or not some entities formed under that organic |
13 | law are subject to provisions of that law that create different categories of the form of entity. |
14 | 7-12.1-11.21. Relationship of article to other laws. |
15 | (a) This article does not authorize an act prohibited by, and does not affect the application |
16 | or requirements of, any law other than this article. |
17 | (b) A transaction effected under this chapter may not create or impair a right, duty, or |
18 | obligation of a person under the statutory law of this state relating to a change in control, takeover, |
19 | business combination, control-share acquisition, or similar transaction involving a domestic |
20 | merging, acquired, converting, or domesticating business corporation unless: |
21 | (1) If the corporation does not survive the transaction, the transaction satisfies any |
22 | requirements of the law; or |
23 | (2) If the corporation survives the transaction, the approval of the plan is by a vote of the |
24 | shareholders or directors which would be sufficient to create or impair the right, duty, or obligation |
25 | directly under the law. |
26 | 7-12.1-11.31. Required notice or approval. |
27 | (a) A domestic or foreign entity that is required to give notice to, or obtain the approval of, |
28 | a governmental agency or officer of this state to be a party to a merger must give the notice or |
29 | obtain the approval to be a party to an interest exchange, conversion, or domestication. |
30 | (b) Property held for a charitable purpose under the law of this state by a domestic or |
31 | foreign entity immediately before a transaction under this article becomes effective may not, as a |
32 | result of the transaction, be diverted from the objects for which it was donated, granted, devised, |
33 | or otherwise transferred unless, to the extent required by or pursuant to the law of this state |
34 | concerning cy pres or other law dealing with nondiversion of charitable assets, the entity obtains |
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1 | an appropriate order of the superior court specifying the disposition of the property. |
2 | (c) A bequest, devise, gift, grant, or promise contained in a will or other instrument of |
3 | donation, subscription, or conveyance which is made to a merging entity that is not the surviving |
4 | entity and which takes effect or remains payable after the merger inures to the surviving entity. |
5 | (d) A trust obligation that would govern property if transferred to a nonsurviving entity |
6 | applies to property that is transferred to the surviving entity under this section. |
7 | 7-12.1-11.41. Nonexclusivity. |
8 | The fact that a transaction under this article produces a certain result does not preclude the |
9 | same result from being accomplished in any other manner permitted by law other than this article. |
10 | 7-12.1-11.51. Reference to external facts. |
11 | A plan may refer to facts ascertainable outside the plan if the manner in which the facts |
12 | will operate upon the plan is specified in the plan. The facts may include the occurrence of an event |
13 | or a determination or action by a person, whether or not the event, determination, or action is within |
14 | the control of a party to the transaction. |
15 | 7-12.1-11.61. Appraisal rights. |
16 | An interest holder of a domestic merging, acquired, converting, or domesticating |
17 | partnership is entitled to contractual appraisal rights in connection with a transaction under this |
18 | article to the extent provided in: |
19 | (1) The partnership's organic rules; or |
20 | (2) The plan. |
21 | 7-12.1-11.71. Excluded entities and transactions; Other applicable law. |
22 | (a) This Part may not be used to effect a transaction that is prohibited by law of this state |
23 | other than this chapter. |
24 | (b) If law of this state other than this chapter applies to a transaction that is otherwise within |
25 | the scope of this Part, the transaction is still subject to such other law. |
26 | PART 2 |
27 | MERGER |
28 | 7-12.1-11.21. Merger authorized. |
29 | (a) By complying with this part: |
30 | (1) One or more domestic partnerships may merge with one or more domestic or foreign |
31 | entities into a domestic or foreign surviving entity; and |
32 | (2) Two (2) or more foreign entities may merge into a domestic partnership. |
33 | (b) By complying with the provisions of this part applicable to foreign entities, a foreign |
34 | entity may be a party to a merger under this part or may be the surviving entity in such a merger if |
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1 | the merger is authorized by the law of the foreign entity's jurisdiction of formation. |
2 | 7-12.1-11.22. Plan of merger. |
3 | (a) A domestic partnership may become a party to a merger under this part by approving a |
4 | plan of merger. The plan must be in a record and contain: |
5 | (1) As to each merging entity, its name, jurisdiction of formation, and type of entity; |
6 | (2) If the surviving entity is to be created in the merger, a statement to that effect and the |
7 | entity's name, jurisdiction of formation, and type of entity; |
8 | (3) The manner of converting the interests in each party to the merger into interests, |
9 | securities, obligations, money, other property, rights to acquire interests or securities, or any |
10 | combination of the foregoing; |
11 | (4) If the surviving entity exists before the merger, any proposed amendments to: |
12 | (i) Its public organic record, if any; or |
13 | (ii) Its private organic rules that are, or are proposed to be, in a record; |
14 | (5) If the surviving entity is to be created in the merger: |
15 | (i) Its proposed public organic record, if any; and |
16 | (ii) The full text of its private organic rules that are proposed to be in a record; |
17 | (6) The other terms and conditions of the merger; and |
18 | (7) Any other provision required by the law of a merging entity's jurisdiction of formation |
19 | or the organic rules of a merging entity. |
20 | (b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, a plan of merger may |
21 | contain any other provision not prohibited by law. |
22 | 7-12.1-11.23. Approval of merger. |
23 | (a) A plan of merger is not effective unless it has been approved: |
24 | (1) By a domestic merging partnership, by all the partners of the partnership entitled to |
25 | vote on or consent to any matter; and |
26 | (2) In a record, by each partner of a domestic merging partnership which will have interest |
27 | holder liability for debts, obligations, and other liabilities that are incurred after the merger becomes |
28 | effective, unless: |
29 | (i) The partnership agreement of the partnership provides in a record for the approval of a |
30 | merger in which some or all of its partners become subject to interest holder liability by the |
31 | affirmative vote or consent of fewer than all the partners; and |
32 | (ii) The partner consented in a record to or voted for that provision of the partnership |
33 | agreement or became a partner after the adoption of that provision. |
34 | (b) A merger involving a domestic merging entity that is not a partnership is not effective |
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1 | unless the merger is approved by that entity in accordance with its organic law. |
2 | (c) A merger involving a foreign merging entity is not effective unless the merger is |
3 | approved by the foreign entity in accordance with the law of the foreign entity's jurisdiction of |
4 | formation. |
5 | 7-12.1-11.24. Amendment or abandonment of plan of merger. |
6 | (a) A plan of merger may be amended only with the consent of each party to the plan, |
7 | except as otherwise provided in the plan. |
8 | (b) A domestic merging partnership may approve an amendment of a plan of merger: |
9 | (1) In the same manner as the plan was approved, if the plan does not provide for the |
10 | manner in which it may be amended; or |
11 | (2) By its partners in the manner provided in the plan, but a partner that was entitled to vote |
12 | on or consent to approval of the merger is entitled to vote on or consent to any amendment of the |
13 | plan that will change: |
14 | (i) The amount or kind of interests, securities, obligations, money, other property, rights to |
15 | acquire interests or securities, or any combination of the foregoing, to be received by the interest |
16 | holders of any party to the plan; |
17 | (ii) The public organic record, if any, or private organic rules of the surviving entity that |
18 | will be in effect immediately after the merger be effective, except for changes that do not require |
19 | approval of the interest holders of the surviving entity under its organic law or organic rules; or |
20 | (iii) Any other terms or conditions of the plan, if the change would adversely affect the |
21 | partner in any material respect. |
22 | (c) After a plan of merger has been approved and before a statement of merger becomes |
23 | effective, the plan may be abandoned as provided in the plan. Unless prohibited by the plan, a |
24 | domestic merging partnership may abandon the plan in the same manner as the plan was approved. |
25 | (d) If a plan of merger is abandoned after a statement of merger has been filed with the |
26 | secretary of state and before the statement becomes effective, a statement of abandonment, signed |
27 | by a party to the plan, must be filed with the secretary of state before the statement of merger |
28 | becomes effective. The statement of abandonment takes effect on filing, and the merger is |
29 | abandoned and does not become effective. The statement of abandonment must contain: |
30 | (1) The name of each party to the plan of merger; |
31 | (2) The date on which the statement of merger was filed by the secretary of state; and |
32 | (3) A statement that the merger has been abandoned in accordance with this section. |
33 | 7-12.1-11.25. Articles of merger -- Effective date of merger. |
34 | (a) Articles of merger must be signed by each merging entity and filed with the secretary |
| LC004940 - Page 92 of 110 |
1 | of state. |
2 | (b) Articles of merger must contain: |
3 | (1) The name, jurisdiction of formation, and type of entity of each merging entity that is |
4 | not the surviving entity; |
5 | (2) The name, jurisdiction of formation, and type of entity of the surviving entity; |
6 | (3) A statement that the merger was approved by each domestic merging entity, if any, in |
7 | accordance with this part and by each foreign merging entity, if any, in accordance with the law of |
8 | its jurisdiction of formation; |
9 | (4) If the surviving entity exists before the merger and is a domestic filing entity, any |
10 | amendment to its public organic record approved as part of the plan of merger; |
11 | (5) If the surviving entity is created by the merger and is a domestic filing entity, its public |
12 | organic record, as an attachment; and |
13 | (6) If the surviving entity is created by the merger and is a domestic limited-liability |
14 | partnership, its statement of qualification, as an attachment. |
15 | (c) In addition to the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, a statement of merger |
16 | may contain any other provision not prohibited by law. |
17 | (d) If the surviving entity is a domestic entity, its public organic record, if any, must satisfy |
18 | the requirements of the law of this state, except that the public organic record does not need to be |
19 | signed. |
20 | (e) If the surviving or resulting entity is not a domestic limited-liability partnership or |
21 | another filing entity of record in the office of the secretary of state, a statement that the surviving |
22 | or resulting other entity agrees that it may be served with process in Rhode Island in any action, |
23 | suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any obligation of any domestic limited-liability |
24 | partnership that is to merge, irrevocably appointing the secretary of state as its agent to accept |
25 | service of process in the action, suit or proceeding and specifying the address to which a copy of |
26 | the process is to be mailed to it by the secretary of state. In the event of service under this section |
27 | on the secretary of state, the procedures set forth in § 7-12.1-912 are applicable, except that the |
28 | plaintiff in any action, suit or proceeding shall furnish the secretary of state with the address |
29 | specified in the articles of merger provided for in this section and any other address that the plaintiff |
30 | elects to furnish, together with copies of the process as required by the secretary of state, and the |
31 | secretary of state shall notify the surviving or resulting other business entity at all addresses |
32 | furnished by the plaintiff in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 7-12.1-912. |
33 | (f) If the surviving entity is a domestic partnership, the merger becomes effective when the |
34 | article of merger is effective. In all other cases, the merger becomes effective on the later of: |
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1 | (1) The date and time provided by the organic law of the surviving entity; and |
2 | (2) When the article of merger is effective. |
3 | 7-12.1-11.26. Effect of merger. |
4 | (a) When a merger becomes effective: |
5 | (1) The surviving entity continues or comes into existence; |
6 | (2) Each merging entity that is not the surviving entity ceases to exist; |
7 | (3) All property of each merging entity vests in the surviving entity without transfer, |
8 | reversion, or impairment; |
9 | (4) All debts, obligations, and other liabilities of each merging entity are debts, obligations, |
10 | and other liabilities of the surviving entity; |
11 | (5) Except as otherwise provided by law or the plan of merger, all the rights, privileges, |
12 | immunities, powers, and purposes of each merging entity vest in the surviving entity; |
13 | (6) If the surviving entity exists before the merger: |
14 | (i) All its property continues to be vested in it without transfer, reversion, or impairment; |
15 | (ii) It remains subject to all its debts, obligations, and other liabilities; and |
16 | (iii) All its rights, privileges, immunities, powers, and purposes continue to be vested in it; |
17 | (7) The name of the surviving entity may be substituted for the name of any merging entity |
18 | that is a party to any pending action or proceeding; |
19 | (8) If the surviving entity exists before the merger: |
20 | (i) Its public organic record, if any, is amended as provided in the statement of merger; and |
21 | (ii) Its private organic rules that are to be in a record, if any, are amended to the extent |
22 | provided in the plan of merger; |
23 | (9) If the surviving entity is created by the merger, its private organic rules become |
24 | effective and: |
25 | (i) If it is a filing entity, its public organic record becomes effective; and |
26 | (ii) If it is a limited-liability partnership, its statement of qualification becomes effective; |
27 | and |
28 | (10) The interests in each merging entity which are to be converted in the merger are |
29 | converted, and the interest holders of those interests are entitled only to the rights provided to them |
30 | under the plan of merger and to any appraisal rights they have under § 7-12.1-11.16 and the merging |
31 | entity's organic law. |
32 | (b) Except as otherwise provided in the organic law or organic rules of a merging entity, |
33 | the merger does not give rise to any rights that an interest holder, governor, or third party would |
34 | have upon a dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the merging entity. |
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1 | (c) When a merger becomes effective, a person that did not have interest holder liability |
2 | with respect to any of the merging entities and becomes subject to interest holder liability with |
3 | respect to a domestic entity as a result of the merger has interest holder liability only to the extent |
4 | provided by the organic law of that entity and only for those debts, obligations, and other liabilities |
5 | that are incurred after the merger becomes effective. |
6 | (d) When a merger becomes effective, the interest holder liability of a person that ceases |
7 | to hold an interest in a domestic merging partnership with respect to which the person had interest |
8 | holder liability is subject to the following rules: |
9 | (1) The merger does not discharge any interest holder liability under this chapter to the |
10 | extent the interest holder liability was incurred before the merger became effective. |
11 | (2) The person does not have interest holder liability under this chapter for any debt, |
12 | obligation, or other liability that is incurred after the merger becomes effective. |
13 | (3) This chapter continues to apply to the release, collection, or discharge of any interest |
14 | holder liability preserved under subsection (d)(1) of this section as if the merger had not occurred |
15 | and the surviving entity were the domestic merging entity. |
16 | (4) The person has whatever rights of contribution from any other person as are provided |
17 | by this chapter, law other than this chapter, or the partnership agreement of the domestic merging |
18 | partnership with respect to any interest holder liability preserved under subsection (d)(1) of this |
19 | section as if the merger had not occurred. |
20 | (e) When a merger has become effective, a foreign entity that is the surviving entity may |
21 | be served with process in this state for the collection and enforcement of any debts, obligations, or |
22 | other liabilities of a domestic merging partnership as provided in § 7-12.1-119. |
23 | (f) When a merger has become effective, the registration to do business in this state of any |
24 | foreign merging entity that is not the surviving entity is canceled. |
25 | PART 3 |
26 | INTEREST EXCHANGE |
27 | 7-12.1-11.31. Interest exchange authorized. |
28 | (a) By complying with this part: |
29 | (1) A domestic partnership may acquire all of one or more classes or series of interests of |
30 | another domestic entity or a foreign entity in exchange for interests, securities, obligations, money, |
31 | other property, rights to acquire interests or securities, or any combination of the foregoing; or |
32 | (2) All of one or more classes or series of interests of a domestic partnership may be |
33 | acquired by another domestic entity or a foreign entity in exchange for interests, securities, |
34 | obligations, money, other property, rights to acquire interests or securities, or any combination of |
| LC004940 - Page 95 of 110 |
1 | the foregoing. |
2 | (b) By complying with the provisions of this part applicable to foreign entities, a foreign |
3 | entity may be the acquiring or acquired entity in an interest exchange under this part if the interest |
4 | exchange is authorized by the law of the foreign entity's jurisdiction of formation. |
5 | (c) If a protected agreement contains a provision that applies to a merger of a domestic |
6 | partnership but does not refer to an interest exchange, the provision applies to an interest exchange |
7 | in which the domestic partnership is the acquired entity as if the interest exchange were a merger |
8 | until the provision is amended after the effective date of this chapter. |
9 | 7-12.1-11.32. Plan of interest exchange. |
10 | (a) A domestic partnership may be the acquired entity in an interest exchange under this |
11 | part by approving a plan of interest exchange. The plan must be in a record and contain: |
12 | (1) The name of the acquired entity; |
13 | (2) The name, jurisdiction of formation, and type of entity of the acquiring entity; |
14 | (3) The manner of converting the interests in the acquired entity into interests, securities, |
15 | obligations, money, other property, rights to acquire interests or securities, or any combination of |
16 | the foregoing; |
17 | (4) Any proposed amendments to the partnership agreement that are, or are proposed to be, |
18 | in a record of the acquired entity; |
19 | (5) The other terms and conditions of the interest exchange; and |
20 | (6) Any other provision required by the law of this state or the partnership agreement of |
21 | the acquired entity. |
22 | (b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, a plan of interest |
23 | exchange may contain any other provision not prohibited by law. |
24 | 7-12.1-11.33. Approval of interest exchange. |
25 | (a) A plan of interest exchange is not effective unless it has been approved: |
26 | (1) By all the partners of a domestic acquired partnership entitled to vote on or consent to |
27 | any matter; and |
28 | (2) In a record, by each partner of the domestic acquired partnership that will have interest |
29 | holder liability for debts, obligations, and other liabilities that are incurred after the interest |
30 | exchange becomes effective, unless: |
31 | (i) The partnership agreement of the partnership provides in a record for the approval of an |
32 | interest exchange or a merger in which some or all its partners become subject to interest holder |
33 | liability by the affirmative vote or consent of fewer than all the partners; and |
34 | (ii) The partner consented in a record to or voted for that provision of the partnership |
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1 | agreement or became a partner after the adoption of that provision. |
2 | (b) An interest exchange involving a domestic acquired entity that is not a partnership is |
3 | not effective unless it is approved by the domestic entity in accordance with its organic law. |
4 | (c) An interest exchange involving a foreign acquired entity is not effective unless it is |
5 | approved by the foreign entity in accordance with the law of the foreign entity's jurisdiction of |
6 | formation. |
7 | (d) Except as otherwise provided in its organic law or organic rules, the interest holders of |
8 | the acquiring entity are not required to approve the interest exchange. |
9 | 7-12.1-11.34. Amendment or abandonment of plan of interest exchange. |
10 | (a) A plan of interest exchange may be amended only with the consent of each party to the |
11 | plan, except as otherwise provided in the plan. |
12 | (b) A domestic acquired partnership may approve an amendment of a plan of interest |
13 | exchange: |
14 | (1) In the same manner as the plan was approved, if the plan does not provide for the |
15 | manner in which it may be amended; or |
16 | (2) By its partners in the manner provided in the plan, but a partner that was entitled to vote |
17 | on or consent to approval of the interest exchange is entitled to vote on or consent to any amendment |
18 | of the plan that will change: |
19 | (i) The amount or kind of interests, securities, obligations, money, other property, rights to |
20 | acquire interests or securities, or any combination of the foregoing, to be received by any of the |
21 | partners of the acquired partnership under the plan; |
22 | (ii) The partnership agreement of the acquired partnership that will be in effect immediately |
23 | after the interest exchange becomes effective, except for changes that do not require approval of |
24 | the partners of the acquired partnership under this chapter or the partnership agreement; or |
25 | (iii) Any other terms or conditions of the plan, if the change would adversely affect the |
26 | partner in any material respect. |
27 | (c) After a plan of interest exchange has been approved and before a statement of interest |
28 | exchange becomes effective, the plan may be abandoned as provided in the plan. Unless prohibited |
29 | by the plan, a domestic acquired partnership may abandon the plan in the same manner as the plan |
30 | was approved. |
31 | (d) If a plan of interest exchange is abandoned after a statement of interest exchange has |
32 | been filed with the secretary of state and before the statement becomes effective, a statement of |
33 | abandonment, signed by the acquired partnership, must be filed with the secretary of state before |
34 | the statement of interest exchange becomes effective. The statement of abandonment takes effect |
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1 | on filing, and the interest exchange is abandoned and does not become effective. The statement of |
2 | abandonment must contain: |
3 | (1) The name of the acquired partnership; |
4 | (2) The date on which the statement of interest exchange was filed by the secretary of state; |
5 | and |
6 | (3) A statement that the interest exchange has been abandoned in accordance with this |
7 | section. |
8 | 7-12.1-11.35. Statement of interest exchange -- Effective date of interest exchange. |
9 | (a) A statement of interest exchange must be signed by a domestic acquired partnership |
10 | and filed with the secretary of state. |
11 | (b) A statement of interest exchange must contain: |
12 | (1) The name of the acquired partnership; |
13 | (2) The name, jurisdiction of formation, and type of entity of the acquiring entity; and |
14 | (3) A statement that the plan of interest exchange was approved by the acquired partnership |
15 | in accordance with this part. |
16 | (c) In addition to the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, a statement of interest |
17 | exchange may contain any other provision not prohibited by law. |
18 | (d) An interest exchange becomes effective when the statement of interest exchange is |
19 | effective. |
20 | 7-12.1-11.36. Effect of interest exchange. |
21 | (a) When an interest exchange in which the acquired entity is a domestic partnership |
22 | becomes effective: |
23 | (1) The interests in the acquired partnership which are the subject of the interest exchange |
24 | are converted, and the partners holding those interests are entitled only to the rights provided to |
25 | them under the plan of interest exchange and to any appraisal rights they have under § 7-12.1- |
26 | 11.16; |
27 | (2) The acquiring entity becomes the interest holder of the interests in the acquired |
28 | partnership stated in the plan of interest exchange to be acquired by the acquiring entity; and |
29 | (3) The provisions of the partnership agreement of the acquired partnership that are to be |
30 | in a record, if any, are amended to the extent provided in the plan of interest exchange. |
31 | (b) Except as otherwise provided in the partnership agreement of a domestic acquired |
32 | partnership, the interest exchange does not give rise to any rights that a partner or third party would |
33 | have upon a dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the acquired partnership. |
34 | (c) When an interest exchange becomes effective, a person that did not have interest holder |
| LC004940 - Page 98 of 110 |
1 | liability with respect to a domestic acquired partnership and becomes subject to interest holder |
2 | liability with respect to a domestic entity as a result of the interest exchange has interest holder |
3 | liability only to the extent provided by the organic law of the entity and only for those debts, |
4 | obligations, and other liabilities that are incurred after the interest exchange becomes effective. |
5 | (d) When an interest exchange becomes effective, the interest holder liability of a person |
6 | that ceases to hold an interest in a domestic acquired partnership with respect to which the person |
7 | had interest holder liability is subject to the following rules: |
8 | (1) The interest exchange does not discharge any interest holder liability under this chapter |
9 | to the extent the interest holder liability was incurred before the interest exchange became effective. |
10 | (2) The person does not have interest holder liability under this chapter for any debt, |
11 | obligation, or other liability that is incurred after the interest exchange becomes effective. |
12 | (3) This chapter continues to apply to the release, collection, or discharge of any interest |
13 | holder liability preserved under subsection (d)(1) of this section as if the interest exchange had not |
14 | occurred. |
15 | (4) The person has whatever rights of contribution from any other person as are provided |
16 | by this chapter, law other than this chapter, or the partnership agreement of the domestic acquired |
17 | partnership with respect to any interest holder liability preserved under subsection (d)(1) of this |
18 | section as if the interest exchange had not occurred. |
19 | PART 4 |
20 | CONVERSION |
21 | 7-12.1-11.41. Conversion authorized. |
22 | (a) By complying with this part, a domestic partnership may become: |
23 | (1) A domestic entity that is a different type of entity; or |
24 | (2) A foreign entity that is a different type of entity, if the conversion is authorized by the |
25 | law of the foreign entity's jurisdiction of formation. |
26 | (b) By complying with the provisions of this part applicable to foreign entities, a foreign |
27 | entity that is not a foreign partnership may become a domestic partnership if the conversion is |
28 | authorized by the law of the foreign entity's jurisdiction of formation. |
29 | (c) If a protected agreement contains a provision that applies to a merger of a domestic |
30 | partnership but does not refer to a conversion, the provision applies to a conversion of the |
31 | partnership as if the conversion were a merger until the provision is amended after the effective |
32 | date of this chapter. |
33 | 7-12.1-11.42. Plan of conversion. |
34 | (a) A domestic partnership may convert to a different type of entity under this part by |
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1 | approving a plan of conversion. The plan must be in a record and contain: |
2 | (1) The name of the converting partnership; |
3 | (2) The name, jurisdiction of formation, and type of entity of the converted entity; |
4 | (3) The manner of converting the interests in the converting partnership into interests, |
5 | securities, obligations, money, other property, rights to acquire interests or securities, or any |
6 | combination of the foregoing; |
7 | (4) The proposed public organic record of the converted entity if it will be a filing entity; |
8 | (5) The full text of the private organic rules of the converted entity which are proposed to |
9 | be in a record; |
10 | (6) The other terms and conditions of the conversion; and |
11 | (7) Any other provision required by the law of this state or the partnership agreement of |
12 | the converting partnership. |
13 | (b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, a plan of conversion |
14 | may contain any other provision not prohibited by law. |
15 | 7-12.1-11.43. Approval of conversion. |
16 | (a) A plan of conversion is not effective unless it has been approved: |
17 | (1) By a domestic converting partnership, by all the partners of the partnership entitled to |
18 | vote on or consent to any matter; and |
19 | (2) In a record, by each partner of a domestic converting partnership which will have |
20 | interest holder liability for debts, obligations, and other liabilities that are incurred after the |
21 | conversion becomes effective, unless: |
22 | (i) The partnership agreement of the partnership provides in a record for the approval of a |
23 | conversion or a merger in which some or all of its partners become subject to interest holder liability |
24 | by the affirmative vote or consent of fewer than all the partners; and |
25 | (ii) The partner voted for or consented in a record to that provision of the partnership |
26 | agreement or became a partner after the adoption of that provision. |
27 | (b) A conversion involving a domestic converting entity that is not a partnership is not |
28 | effective unless it is approved by the domestic converting entity in accordance with its organic law. |
29 | (c) A conversion of a foreign converting entity is not effective unless it is approved by the |
30 | foreign entity in accordance with the law of the foreign entity's jurisdiction of formation. |
31 | 7-12.1-11.44. Amendment or abandonment of plan of conversion. |
32 | (a) A plan of conversion of a domestic converting partnership may be amended: |
33 | (1) In the same manner as the plan was approved, if the plan does not provide for the |
34 | manner in which it may be amended; or |
| LC004940 - Page 100 of 110 |
1 | (2) By its partners in the manner provided in the plan, but a partner that was entitled to vote |
2 | on or consent to approval of the conversion is entitled to vote on or consent to any amendment of |
3 | the plan that will change: |
4 | (i) The amount or kind of interests, securities, obligations, money, other property, rights to |
5 | acquire interests or securities, or any combination of the foregoing, to be received by any of the |
6 | partners of the converting partnership under the plan; |
7 | (ii) The public organic record, if any, or private organic rules of the converted entity which |
8 | will be in effect immediately after the conversion becomes effective, except for changes that do not |
9 | require approval of the interest holders of the converted entity under its organic law or organic |
10 | rules; or |
11 | (iii) Any other terms or conditions of the plan, if the change would adversely affect the |
12 | partner in any material respect. |
13 | (b) After a plan of conversion has been approved by a domestic converting partnership and |
14 | before a statement of conversion becomes effective, the plan may be abandoned as provided in the |
15 | plan. Unless prohibited by the plan, a domestic converting partnership may abandon the plan in the |
16 | same manner as the plan was approved. |
17 | (c) If a plan of conversion is abandoned after a statement of conversion has been filed with |
18 | the secretary of state and before the statement becomes effective, a statement of abandonment, |
19 | signed by the converting entity, must be filed with the secretary of state before the statement of |
20 | conversion becomes effective. The statement of abandonment takes effect on filing, and the |
21 | conversion is abandoned and does not become effective. The statement of abandonment must |
22 | contain: |
23 | (1) The name of the converting partnership; |
24 | (2) The date on which the statement of conversion was filed by the secretary of state; and |
25 | (3) A statement that the conversion has been abandoned in accordance with this section. |
26 | 7-12.1-11.45. Statement of conversion -- Effective date of conversion. |
27 | (a) A statement of conversion must be signed by the converting entity and filed with the |
28 | secretary of state. |
29 | (b) A statement of conversion must contain: |
30 | (1) The name, jurisdiction of formation, and type of entity of the converting entity; |
31 | (2) The name, jurisdiction of formation, and type of entity of the converted entity; |
32 | (3) If the converting entity is a domestic partnership, a statement that the plan of conversion |
33 | was approved in accordance with this part or, if the converting entity is a foreign entity, a statement |
34 | that the conversion was approved by the foreign entity in accordance with the law of its jurisdiction |
| LC004940 - Page 101 of 110 |
1 | of formation; |
2 | (4) If the converted entity is a domestic filing entity, its public organic record, as an |
3 | attachment; and |
4 | (5) If the converted entity is a domestic limited-liability partnership, its statement of |
5 | qualification, as an attachment. |
6 | (c) In addition to the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, a statement of |
7 | conversion may contain any other provision not prohibited by law. |
8 | (d) If the converted entity is a domestic entity, its public organic record, if any, must satisfy |
9 | the requirements of the law of this state, except that the public organic record does not need to be |
10 | signed. |
11 | (e) If the converted entity is a domestic partnership, the conversion becomes effective when |
12 | the statement of conversion is effective. In all other cases, the conversion becomes effective on the |
13 | later of: |
14 | (1) The date and time provided by the organic law of the converted entity; and |
15 | (2) When the statement is effective. |
16 | 7-12.1-11.46. Effect of conversion. |
17 | (a) When a conversion becomes effective: |
18 | (1) The converted entity is: |
19 | (i) Organized under and thereafter subject to the organic law of the converted entity; and |
20 | (ii) The same entity without interruption as the converting entity; |
21 | (2) All property of the converting entity continues to be vested in the converted entity |
22 | without transfer, reversion, or impairment; |
23 | (3) All debts, obligations, and other liabilities of the converting entity continue as debts, |
24 | obligations, and other liabilities of the converted entity; |
25 | (4) Except as otherwise provided by law or the plan of conversion, all the rights, privileges, |
26 | immunities, powers, and purposes of the converting entity remain in the converted entity; |
27 | (5) The name of the converted entity may be substituted for the name of the converting |
28 | entity in any pending action or proceeding; |
29 | (6) If the converted entity is a limited-liability partnership, its statement of qualification |
30 | becomes effective; |
31 | (7) The provisions of the partnership agreement of the converted entity which are to be in |
32 | a record, if any, approved as part of the plan of conversion become effective; and |
33 | (8) The interests in the converting entity are converted, and the interest holders of the |
34 | converting entity are entitled only to the rights provided to them under the plan of conversion and |
| LC004940 - Page 102 of 110 |
1 | to any appraisal rights they have under § 7-12.1-11.16. |
2 | (b) Except as otherwise provided in the partnership agreement of a domestic converting |
3 | partnership, the conversion does not give rise to any rights that a partner or third party would have |
4 | upon a dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the converting entity. |
5 | (c) When a conversion becomes effective, a person that did not have interest holder liability |
6 | with respect to the converting entity and becomes subject to interest holder liability with respect to |
7 | a domestic entity as a result of the conversion has interest holder liability only to the extent provided |
8 | by the organic law of the entity and only for those debts, obligations, and other liabilities that are |
9 | incurred after the conversion becomes effective. |
10 | (d) When a conversion becomes effective, the interest holder liability of a person that |
11 | ceases to hold an interest in a domestic converting partnership with respect to which the person had |
12 | interest holder liability is subject to the following rules: |
13 | (1) The conversion does not discharge any interest holder liability under this chapter to the |
14 | extent the interest holder liability was incurred before the conversion became effective. |
15 | (2) The person does not have interest holder liability under this chapter for any debt, |
16 | obligation, or other liability that is incurred after the conversion becomes effective. |
17 | (3) This chapter continues to apply to the release, collection, or discharge of any interest |
18 | holder liability preserved under subsection (d)(1) of this section as if the conversion had not |
19 | occurred. |
20 | (4) The person has whatever rights of contribution from any other person as are provided |
21 | by this chapter, law other than this chapter, or the organic rules of the converting entity with respect |
22 | to any interest holder liability preserved under subsection (d)(1) of this section as if the conversion |
23 | had not occurred. |
24 | (e) When a conversion has become effective, a foreign entity that is the converted entity |
25 | may be served with process in this state for the collection and enforcement of any of its debts, |
26 | obligations, and other liabilities as provided in § 7-12.1-119. |
27 | (f) If the converting entity is a registered foreign entity, its registration to do business in |
28 | this state is canceled when the conversion becomes effective. |
29 | (g) A conversion does not require the entity to wind up its affairs and does not constitute |
30 | or cause the dissolution of the entity. |
31 | PART 5 |
32 | DOMESTICATION |
33 | 7-12.1-11.51. Domestication authorized. |
34 | (a) By complying with this part, a domestic limited-liability partnership may become a |
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1 | foreign limited-liability partnership if the domestication is authorized by the law of the foreign |
2 | jurisdiction. |
3 | (b) By complying with the provisions of this part applicable to foreign limited-liability |
4 | partnerships, a foreign limited-liability partnership may become a domestic limited-liability |
5 | partnership if the domestication is authorized by the law of the foreign limited-liability partnership's |
6 | jurisdiction of formation. |
7 | (c) If a protected agreement contains a provision that applies to a merger of a domestic |
8 | limited-liability partnership but does not refer to a domestication, the provision applies to a |
9 | domestication of the limited-liability partnership as if the domestication were a merger until the |
10 | provision is amended after the effective date of this chapter. |
11 | 7-12.1-11.52. Plan of domestication. |
12 | (a) A domestic limited-liability partnership may become a foreign limited-liability |
13 | partnership in a domestication by approving a plan of domestication. The plan must be in a record |
14 | and contain: |
15 | (1) The name of the domesticating limited-liability partnership; |
16 | (2) The name and jurisdiction of formation of the domesticated limited-liability |
17 | partnership; |
18 | (3) The manner of converting the interests in the domesticating limited-liability partnership |
19 | into interests, securities, obligations, money, other property, rights to acquire interests or securities, |
20 | or any combination of the foregoing; |
21 | (4) The proposed statement of qualification of the domesticated limited-liability |
22 | partnership; |
23 | (5) The full text of the provisions of the partnership agreement of the domesticated limited- |
24 | liability partnership that are proposed to be in a record; |
25 | (6) The other terms and conditions of the domestication; and |
26 | (7) Any other provision required by the law of this state or the partnership agreement of |
27 | the domesticating limited-liability partnership. |
28 | (b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, a plan of domestication |
29 | may contain any other provision not prohibited by law. |
30 | 7-12.1-11.53. Approval of domestication. |
31 | (a) A plan of domestication of a domestic domesticating limited-liability partnership is not |
32 | effective unless it has been approved: |
33 | (1) By all the partners entitled to vote on or consent to any matter; and |
34 | (2) In a record, by each partner that will have interest holder liability for debts, obligations, |
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1 | and other liabilities that are incurred after the domestication becomes effective, unless: |
2 | (i) The partnership agreement of the domesticating partnership in a record provides for the |
3 | approval of a domestication or merger in which some or all of its partners become subject to interest |
4 | holder liability by the affirmative vote or consent of fewer than all the partners; and |
5 | (ii) The partner voted for or consented in a record to that provision of the partnership |
6 | agreement or became a partner after the adoption of that provision. |
7 | (b) A domestication of a foreign domesticating limited-liability partnership is not effective |
8 | unless it is approved in accordance with the law of the foreign limited-liability partnership's |
9 | jurisdiction of formation. |
10 | 7-12.1-11.54. Amendment or abandonment of plan of domestication. |
11 | (a) A plan of domestication of a domestic domesticating limited-liability partnership may |
12 | be amended: |
13 | (1) In the same manner as the plan was approved, if the plan does not provide for the |
14 | manner in which it may be amended; or |
15 | (2) By its partners in the manner provided in the plan, but a partner that was entitled to vote |
16 | on or consent to approval of the domestication is entitled to vote on or consent to any amendment |
17 | of the plan that will change: |
18 | (i) The amount or kind of interests, securities, obligations, money, other property, rights to |
19 | acquire interests or securities, or any combination of the foregoing, to be received by any of the |
20 | partners of the domesticating limited-liability partnership under the plan; |
21 | (ii) The partnership agreement of the domesticated limited-liability partnership that will be |
22 | in effect immediately after the domestication becomes effective, except for changes that do not |
23 | require approval of the partners of the domesticated limited-liability partnership under its organic |
24 | law or partnership agreement; or |
25 | (iii) Any other terms or conditions of the plan, if the change would adversely affect the |
26 | partner in any material respect. |
27 | (b) After a plan of domestication has been approved by a domestic domesticating limited- |
28 | liability partnership and before a statement of domestication becomes effective, the plan may be |
29 | abandoned as provided in the plan. Unless prohibited by the plan, a domestic domesticating limited- |
30 | liability partnership may abandon the plan in the same manner as the plan was approved. |
31 | (c) If a plan of domestication is abandoned after a statement of domestication has been |
32 | filed with the secretary of state and before the statement becomes effective, a statement of |
33 | abandonment, signed by the domesticating limited-liability partnership, must be filed with the |
34 | secretary of state before the statement of domestication becomes effective. The statement of |
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1 | abandonment takes effect on filing, and the domestication is abandoned and does not become |
2 | effective. The statement of abandonment must contain: |
3 | (1) The name of the domesticating limited-liability partnership; |
4 | (2) The date on which the statement of domestication was filed by the secretary of state; |
5 | and |
6 | (3) A statement that the domestication has been abandoned in accordance with this section. |
7 | 7-12.1-11.55. Statement of domestication -- Effective date of domestication. |
8 | (a) A statement of domestication must be signed by the domesticating limited partnership |
9 | and filed with the secretary of state. |
10 | (b) A statement of domestication must contain: |
11 | (1) The name and jurisdiction of formation of the domesticating limited-liability |
12 | partnership; |
13 | (2) The name and jurisdiction of formation of the domesticated limited-liability |
14 | partnership; |
15 | (3) If the domesticating limited-liability partnership is a domestic limited-liability |
16 | partnership, a statement that the plan of domestication was approved in accordance with this part |
17 | or, if the domesticating limited-liability partnership is a foreign limited-liability partnership, a |
18 | statement that the domestication was approved in accordance with the law of its jurisdiction of |
19 | formation; and |
20 | (4) The statement of qualification of the domesticated limited-liability partnership, as an |
21 | attachment. |
22 | (c) In addition to the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, a statement of |
23 | domestication may contain any other provision not prohibited by law. |
24 | (d) The statement of qualification of a domesticated domestic limited-liability partnership |
25 | must satisfy the requirements of this chapter, but the statement does not need to be signed. |
26 | (e) If the domesticated entity is a domestic partnership, the domestication becomes |
27 | effective when the statement of domestication is effective. If the domesticated entity is a foreign |
28 | partnership, the domestication becomes effective on the later of: |
29 | (1) The date and time provided in the organic law of the domesticated entity; and |
30 | (2) When the statement is effective. |
31 | 7-12.1-11.56. Effect of domestication. |
32 | (a) When a domestication becomes effective: |
33 | (1) The domesticated entity is: |
34 | (i) Organized under and thereafter subject to the organic law of the domesticated entity; |
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1 | and |
2 | (ii) The same entity without interruption as the domesticating entity; |
3 | (2) All property of the domesticating entity continues to be vested in the domesticated |
4 | entity without transfer, reversion, or impairment; |
5 | (3) All debts, obligations, and other liabilities of the domesticating entity continue as debts, |
6 | obligations, and other liabilities of the domesticated entity; |
7 | (4) Except as otherwise provided by law or the plan of domestication, all the rights, |
8 | privileges, immunities, powers, and purposes of the domesticating entity remain in the |
9 | domesticated entity; |
10 | (5) The name of the domesticated entity may be substituted for the name of the |
11 | domesticating entity in any pending action or proceeding; |
12 | (6) The statement of qualification of the domesticated entity becomes effective; |
13 | (7) The provisions of the partnership agreement of the domesticated entity that are to be in |
14 | a record, if any, approved as part of the plan of domestication become effective; and |
15 | (8) The interests in the domesticating entity are converted to the extent and as approved in |
16 | connection with the domestication, and the partners of the domesticating entity are entitled only to |
17 | the rights provided to them under the plan of domestication and to any appraisal rights they have |
18 | under § 7-12.1-11.16. |
19 | (b) Except as otherwise provided in the organic law or partnership agreement of the |
20 | domesticating limited-liability partnership, the domestication does not give rise to any rights that a |
21 | partner or third party would otherwise have upon a dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the |
22 | domesticating partnership. |
23 | (c) When a domestication becomes effective, a person that did not have interest holder |
24 | liability with respect to the domesticating limited-liability partnership and becomes subject to |
25 | interest holder liability with respect to a domestic limited-liability partnership as a result of the |
26 | domestication has interest holder liability only to the extent provided by this chapter and only for |
27 | those debts, obligations, and other liabilities that are incurred after the domestication becomes |
28 | effective. |
29 | (d) When a domestication becomes effective, the interest holder liability of a person that |
30 | ceases to hold an interest in a domestic domesticating limited-liability partnership with respect to |
31 | which the person had interest holder liability is subject to the following rules: |
32 | (1) The domestication does not discharge any interest holder liability under this chapter to |
33 | the extent the interest holder liability was incurred before the domestication became effective. |
34 | (2) A person does not have interest holder liability under this chapter for any debt, |
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1 | obligation, or other liability that is incurred after the domestication becomes effective. |
2 | (3) This chapter continues to apply to the release, collection, or discharge of any interest |
3 | holder liability preserved under subsection (d)(1) of this section as if the domestication had not |
4 | occurred. |
5 | (4) A person has whatever rights of contribution from any other person as are provided by |
6 | this chapter, law other than this chapter, or the partnership agreement of the domestic domesticating |
7 | limited-liability partnership with respect to any interest holder liability preserved under subsection |
8 | (d)(1) of this section as if the domestication had not occurred. |
9 | (e) When a domestication becomes effective, a foreign limited-liability partnership that is |
10 | the domesticated partnership may be served with process in this state for the collection and |
11 | enforcement of any of its debts, obligations, and other liabilities as provided in § 7-12.1-119. |
12 | (f) If the domesticating limited-liability partnership is a registered foreign entity, the |
13 | registration of the partnership is canceled when the domestication becomes effective. |
14 | (g) A domestication does not require a domestic domesticating limited-liability partnership |
15 | to wind up its business and does not constitute or cause the dissolution of the partnership. |
16 | ARTICLE 12 |
17 | MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
18 | 7-12.1-1201. Uniformity of application and construction. |
19 | In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to |
20 | promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it. |
21 | 7-12.1-1202. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act. |
22 | This chapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the Electronic Signatures in Global and |
23 | National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede |
24 | Section 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Section 7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the |
25 | notices described in Section 103(b) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Section 7003(b). |
26 | 7-12.1-1203. Savings clause. |
27 | This chapter does not affect an action commenced, proceeding brought, or right accrued |
28 | before the effective date of this chapter. |
29 | 7-12.1-1204. Severability clause. |
30 | If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held |
31 | invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be |
32 | given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this |
33 | chapter are severable. |
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1 | SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2023. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- UNIFORM | |
PARTNERSHIP ACT | |
*** | |
1 | This act would enact the Uniform Partnership Act to govern the law of partnerships in this |
2 | state. |
3 | This act would take effect on January 1, 2023. |
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LC004940 | |
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