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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 23§ 2318 Corporate Continuance Election Rules

§ 2318 Corporate Continuance Election Rules

Corporations Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 2318 Corporate Continuance Election Rules

This law lets very old companies (still around since Jan 1 1873) choose to keep existing under the current state code, if they follow the voting steps listed.

Key Takeaways

  • •Only corporations that existed on Jan 1 1873 and are still alive can use this option.
  • •The election can be made by (a) unanimous director vote, (b) a majority of shareholders at a meeting, or (c) written consent of shareholders.
  • •A signed certificate of the decision must be filed with the Secretary of State before the corporation is considered to be under the new code.

Example

A corporation that was created in 1870 and is still doing business today wants to switch to the new code.

The company can have all its directors vote yes, or get a majority of its shareholders to agree at a meeting or in writing, then file the signed certificate with the Secretary of State. After filing, the company is treated as a corporation under the new code with all the same rights and duties.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 2318 Corporate Continuance Election Rules

Any corporation existing on the first day of January, 1873, formed under the laws of this state, and still existing, which has not already elected to continue its existence under the prior law, may, at any time, elect to continue its existence under the provisions of this code applicable thereto by the unanimous vote of all its directors, or such election may be made at any annual meeting of the shareholders, or at any meeting called by the directors especially for considering the subject, if voted by shareholders representing a majority of the voting power, or may be made by the directors upon the written consent of that number of the shareholders. A certificate of the action of the directors, signed by them and their secretary, when the election is made by their unanimous vote, or upon the written consent of the shareholders, or a certificate of the proceedings of the meeting of the shareholders, when the election is made at any such meeting, signed by the chairperson and secretary of the meeting and a majority of the directors, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State, and thereafter the corporation continues its existence under the provisions of this code which are applicable thereto, and possesses all the rights, and powers, and is subject to all the obligations, restrictions, and limitations prescribed thereby. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 617, Sec. 39. (SB 1202) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

corporationunanimous vote of all its directorsshareholders representing a majority of the voting powerwritten consentcertificateSecretary of State

Related Statutes

  • § 9926 Nonprofit Corporation Continuation Election
  • § 2316 Foreign Business Qualification Grace Period
  • § 10014 Corporate Dissolution Filing
  • § 12571 Agent Resignation Process
  • § 1403 Filing Fees For Reorganizations

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 2318.
View Official Source