Section 2603.
Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 2603.
in effectThe articles of incorporation may set forth:
(a)
Any or all of the following provisions, which shall not be effective unless expressly provided in the articles:
(1)
Granting, with or without limitations, the power to levy assessments upon the shares or any class of shares.
(2)
Granting to shareholders preemptive rights to subscribe to any or all issues of shares or securities.
(3)
Special qualifications of persons who may be shareholders.
(4)
A provision limiting the duration of the social purpose
corporation’s existence to a specified date.
(5)
A provision requiring, for any or all corporate actions, except as provided in Section 303, subdivision (b) of Section 402.5, subdivision (c) of Section 708, and Section 1900, the vote of a larger proportion or of all of the shares of any class or series, or the vote or quorum for taking action of a larger proportion or of all of the directors, than is otherwise required by Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) or this division.
(6)
So long as consistent with the purpose of the social purpose corporation as set forth in the articles in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 2602, a provision limiting or restricting the business in which the social purpose corporation may engage or the powers which the social purpose corporation may exercise, or both.
(7)
A
provision conferring upon the holders of any evidences of indebtedness, issued or to be issued by the social purpose corporation, the right to vote in the election of the directors and on any other matters on which shareholders may vote.
(8)
A provision conferring upon shareholders the right to determine the consideration for which shares shall be issued.
(9)
A provision requiring the approval of the shareholders (Section 153) or the approval of the outstanding shares (Section 152) for any corporate action, even though not otherwise required by Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) or this division.
(10)
Provisions eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director for monetary damages in an action brought by or in the right of the social purpose corporation for breach of a director’s duties to the
social purpose corporation and its shareholders, as set forth in Section 2700, subject to the following:
(A)
The provision may not eliminate or limit the liability of directors (i) for acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law, (ii) for acts or omissions that a director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the social purpose corporation or its shareholders and its corporate purposes as expressed in its articles, or that involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director, (iii) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit, (iv) for acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director’s duty to the social purpose corporation or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was aware, or should have been aware, in the ordinary course of performing a director’s duties, of a risk of serious injury to the social
purpose corporation, its shareholders, or its corporate purposes as expressed in its articles, (v) for acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to an abdication of the director’s duty to the social purpose corporation, its shareholders, or its corporate purposes as expressed in its articles pursuant to Section 2602, or (vi) under Section 310 or 2701.
(B)
The provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date on which the provision becomes effective.
(C)
The provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of an officer for any act or omission as an officer, notwithstanding that the officer is also a director or that his or her actions, if negligent or improper, have been ratified by the directors.
(11)
A
provision authorizing, whether by bylaw, agreement, or otherwise, the indemnification of agents of the social purpose corporation for breach of duty to the social purpose corporation and its shareholders, provided, however, that the provision may not provide for indemnification of any agent for any acts or omissions or transactions from which a director may not be relieved of liability as described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (10).
Notwithstanding this subdivision, bylaws may require, for all or any actions by the board, the affirmative vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors. Nothing contained in this subdivision shall affect the enforceability, as between the parties thereto, of any lawful agreement not otherwise contrary to public policy.
(b)
Reasonable restrictions upon the right to transfer or hypothecate shares of any class or classes or series, except that no
restriction shall be binding with respect to shares issued prior to the adoption of the restriction unless the holders of those shares voted in favor of the restriction.
(c)
The names and addresses of the persons appointed to act as initial directors.
(d)
Any other provision, not in conflict with law, for the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the social purpose corporation, including any provision that is required or permitted by this division to be stated in the bylaws.
(e)
This section shall become operative on January 1, 2022.
References
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 303.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 402.5.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 708.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 1900.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 100.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 2602.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 153.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 152.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 2700.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 310.
referencesCal. Corporations Code - CORP § 2701.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026