Section 12401.

(a) A corporation may issue, but is not required to issue, membership certificates. In the event that membership certificates are issued, the certificates shall state the information required to be contained in the disclosure document described in subdivision (b). Nothing in this section shall restrict a corporation from issuing identity cards or similar devices to members which serve to identify members qualifying to use facilities or services of the corporation.

(b) Except as provided in subdivision (e), prior to issuing a membership, the corporation shall provide the purchaser of a membership with a disclosure document. The disclosure document may be a prospectus, offering circular, brochure, or similar document, a specimen copy of the membership certificate, or a receipt which the corporation proposes to issue. The disclosure document shall contain the following information:

(1) A statement that the corporation is a cooperative corporation.

(2) A statement that a copy of the corporation's articles and bylaws will be furnished without charge to a member or prospective member upon written request, and the address of the office of the corporation and the address to which such a written request is to be directed.

(3) If there are restrictions imposed by the corporation upon the transfer of membership, a statement to that effect and the restrictions imposed on transfer.

(4) If the corporation may levy dues, assessments, or membership or transfer fees, a statement to that effect and the conditions under which the corporation may make such a levy.

(5) If the member is required to contribute services to the corporation, a statement to that effect and the amount and nature of the services to be contributed to the corporation.

(6) Whether the membership is redeemable and the conditions under which the membership may be redeemed at the option of the corporation or the member.

(7) If the voting power or the proprietary interests of the members is unequal, a statement to that effect and the rule or rules by which the voting power and proprietary rights are to be determined.

(8) In lieu of specifying verbatim in the disclosure document the restrictions on the transfer of a membership, conditions of levy, amount and nature of services to be contributed, conditions under which memberships are redeemable, or the rules by which the voting power and proprietary rights of members are to be determined, the disclosure document may contain a statement that such information will be provided free of charge to a member or prospective member who requests it in writing. If the disclosure document contains such a statement it shall also set forth the address of the office of the corporation and the address to which such a request is to be directed.

(c) If the articles or bylaws are amended so that any statement required by subdivision (a) on outstanding membership certificates is no longer accurate, the board may cancel the outstanding certificates and issue in their place new certificates conforming to the articles or bylaws amendments.

(d) When new membership certificates are issued in accordance with subdivision (c), the board may order holders of outstanding certificates to surrender and exchange them for new certificates within a reasonable time fixed by the board. The board may further provide that the holder of the certificate to be surrendered shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of membership until the certificate is surrendered, but such rights shall be suspended only after notice of the order is given to the holder of the certificate and only until the certificate is surrendered. The requirement to surrender outstanding certificates may be enforced by civil action.

(e) A corporation shall issue a membership certificate, receipt, or written advice of purchase to anyone purchasing a membership upon the member's first purchase of a membership of any class. No disclosure document need be provided to an existing member prior to the purchase of additional memberships if that member has previously been provided with a disclosure document which is accurate and correct as of the date of the purchase of the additional memberships.

(f) If a corporation does not issue new certificates as contemplated by subdivisions (c) and (d), and if a transferee of a membership certificate has not previously been provided with a disclosure statement which is accurate and correct as of the date of registration of the transfer, then the corporation shall provide a disclosure document to the transferee upon registration with the corporation of the transfer of the certificate.

(Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 792, Sec. 19.)