ARTICLE 1. Title, Purposes and Application of Part [12200. - 12203.]

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP 1.
in effect

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12200. Section 12200.

This part shall be known as the Cooperative Corporation Law. This part is intended primarily to apply to the organization and operation of cooperatives, including, but not limited to, consumer cooperatives, worker cooperatives, and cooperatives formed for the purpose of recycling or treating hazardous waste that elect to incorporate under its provisions.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12201. Section 12201.

Subject to any other provision of law of this state applying to the particular class of corporation or line of activity, a corporation may be formed under this part for any lawful purpose provided that it shall be organized and shall conduct its business primarily for the mutual benefit of its members as patrons of the corporation. The earnings, savings, or benefits of the corporation shall be used for the general welfare of the members or shall be proportionately and equitably distributed to some or all of its members or its patrons, based upon their patronage (Section 12243) of the corporation, in the form of cash, property, evidences of indebtedness, capital credits, memberships, or services. Such corporations are democratically controlled and are not organized to make a profit for themselves, as such, or for their members, as such, but primarily for their members as patrons (Section 12243).

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12201.5. Section 12201.5.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 12201, the net earnings and losses of a worker cooperative shall be apportioned and distributed at the time and in the manner specified in the articles of incorporation or bylaws. (b) Net earnings declared as patronage distributions with respect to a period of time, and paid to a creditor or member, shall be apportioned among the members in accordance with the ratio that each member’s patronage during the period bears to total patronage by all members during the period. (c) The apportionment, distribution, and payment of net earnings required by subdivision (a) may be paid in cash, credits, written notices of allocation, or capital stock issued by the worker cooperative.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12202. Section 12202.

(a) The provisions of this part apply to corporations existing pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 12200) of Division 3 of Title 1 in effect immediately prior to January 1, 1984. (b) The existence of corporations formed or existing on the date of enactment of this part shall not be affected by the enactment or reenactment of this part or by any change in the requirements for the formation of corporations or by the amendment or repeal of the laws under which they were formed or created. (c) Neither the repeal of Part 2 (commencing with Section 12200) of Division 3 of Title 1 as in effect immediately prior to January 1, 1984, nor the reenactment or amendment of this part shall impair or take away any existing liability or cause of action against any corporation, its members, shareholders, directors, or officers incurred prior to the enactment of this part.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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