Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Office of the Revisor of Statutes

Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 172--H.F.No. 2582

An act

relating to corporations; providing for the organization and operation of public benefit corporations;

proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 304A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [304A.001] CITATION. new text end

new text begin This chapter may be cited as the "Minnesota Public Benefit Corporation Act." new text end

APPLICATION

Sec. 2.

new text begin [304A.011] APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF CHAPTER. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin General rule. new text end

new text begin This chapter applies to all public benefit corporations. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Laws applicable. new text end

new text begin Chapter 302A applies to all public benefit corporations and all statutes and rules of law that apply to a corporation formed under chapter 302A also apply to a public benefit corporation. If chapter 302A conflicts with sections 304A.001 to 304A.301, sections 304A.001 to 304A.301 govern. The chapter does not affect a statute or rule of law that applies to a corporation formed under chapter 302A that is not a public benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Chapter not to be varied. new text end

new text begin A provision of the articles, shareholder control agreement, or bylaws of a public benefit corporation may not limit, be inconsistent with, or supersede a provision of this chapter. new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [304A.021] DEFINITIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Terms. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this chapter, unless the language or context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended, the words, terms, and phrases defined in this section have the meanings given them. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin General benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin "General benefit corporation" means a public benefit corporation that elects in its articles to pursue general public benefit and that may state in its articles a specific public benefit purpose it elects to pursue. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin General public benefit. new text end

new text begin "General public benefit" means a net material positive impact from the business and operations of a general benefit corporation on society, the environment, and the well-being of present and future generations. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Independent. new text end

new text begin "Independent" means having no material relationship with a public benefit corporation or a parent, a subsidiary, or other affiliate of a public benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Minimum status vote. new text end

new text begin "Minimum status vote" means that the shareholders shall take action by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of all of the issued and outstanding shares. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Organization. new text end

new text begin "Organization" means a domestic or foreign business or nonprofit corporation, limited liability company, whether domestic or foreign, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, trust, estate, enterprise, or other legal or commercial entity. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Public benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin "Public benefit corporation" means a corporation formed under chapter 302A: new text end

new text begin (1) that has elected to become subject to this chapter; and new text end

new text begin (2) whose status as a public benefit corporation has not been terminated or revoked. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Specific benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin "Specific benefit corporation" means a public benefit corporation that states in its articles a specific public benefit purpose it elects to pursue, but does not include a general benefit corporation that states in its articles a specific public benefit purpose it elects to pursue. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Specific public benefit. new text end

new text begin "Specific public benefit" means one or more positive impacts, or reduction of a negative impact, on specified categories of natural persons, entities, communities, or interests, other than shareholders in their capacity as shareholders, as enumerated in the articles of a public benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Third-party standard. new text end

new text begin "Third-party standard" means: new text end

new text begin (1) a publicly available standard or guideline for defining, reporting, and assessing the performance of a business enterprise as a social or benefit corporation; new text end

new text begin (2) promulgated by a natural person or an organization; and new text end

new text begin (3) that is independent of the public benefit corporation. new text end

INCORPORATION

Sec. 4.

new text begin [304A.101] INCORPORATION OF A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Incorporation. new text end

new text begin A public benefit corporation must be incorporated in accordance with chapter 302A, and its articles must also state that the public benefit corporation is a: new text end

new text begin (1) general benefit corporation; new text end

new text begin (2) general benefit corporation that also elects to pursue a specific public benefit purpose as stated in its articles; or new text end

new text begin (3) a specific benefit corporation that elects to pursue a specific public benefit purpose as stated in its articles. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Name requirements. new text end

new text begin A public benefit corporation name must comply with the requirements of section 302A.115 other than subdivision 1, paragraph (b), and with respect to: new text end

new text begin (1) a general benefit corporation, contain the words "general benefit corporation," or the abbreviation "GBC;" and new text end

new text begin (2) a specific benefit corporation, contain the words "specific benefit corporation," or the abbreviation "SBC." new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin [304A.102] ELECTION OF PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION STATUS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin By amendment. new text end

new text begin In accordance with the procedures stated in chapter 302A and with approval by the minimum status vote, an existing corporation formed under chapter 302A may elect to become a public benefit corporation under this chapter by amending its articles to meet the requirements of section 304A.101. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin By merger, exchange, conversion, or transfer. new text end

new text begin (a) This subdivision applies if: new text end

new text begin (1) an organization, other than a nonprofit corporation, that is not a public benefit corporation is a party to a merger, exchange, or conversion, or a transfer in accordance with section 302A.601; and new text end

new text begin (2) the surviving organization in the merger, the acquiring organization in an exchange, the converted organization in the conversion, or the transferee is to be a public benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin (b) If this subdivision applies, the transfer or the plan of merger, exchange, or conversion, must be adopted in accordance with the procedures stated in chapter 302A and with approval by the minimum status vote. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Rights of dissenting shareholders. new text end

new text begin A shareholder of a corporation or the member of a limited liability company may dissent from, and obtain payment for the fair value of the shareholder's shares or the member's membership interests pursuant to sections 302A.471 and 302A.473, or section 322B.383 or 322B.386, in the event of an election of public benefit corporation status pursuant to this section. new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [304A.103] TERMINATION OF PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION STATUS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin By amendment. new text end

new text begin In accordance with the procedures stated in chapter 302A and with approval by the minimum status vote, a public benefit corporation may terminate its status as a public benefit corporation and cease to be subject to this chapter by amending its articles to delete the requirements of section 304A.101, subdivision 1, and change its name to remove the information required by section 304A.101, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Merger, exchange, conversion, or transfer. new text end

new text begin If a merger, exchange, conversion, or transfer would have the effect of terminating the status of a public benefit corporation under this chapter, the transfer or the plan of merger, exchange, or conversion must be approved by the minimum status vote. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Rights of dissenting shareholders. new text end

new text begin A shareholder of a public benefit corporation may dissent from, and obtain payment for the fair value of the shareholder's shares pursuant to sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 in the event of a termination of public benefit corporation status pursuant to this section. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Effects of termination. new text end

new text begin A public benefit corporation that terminates its status, or has its status revoked more than once pursuant to section 304A.301, subdivision 5, may not elect to become a public benefit corporation under this chapter until three years have passed since the effective date of termination or revocation. new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [304A.104] PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION PURPOSES. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin General benefit corporation purpose. new text end

new text begin A general benefit corporation has a purpose of pursuing general public benefit. A general benefit corporation may also state in its articles one or more specific public benefit purposes the general benefit corporation elects to pursue. Purposes under these subdivisions are in addition to the purposes under section 302A.101. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Specific benefit corporation purpose. new text end

new text begin A specific benefit corporation shall have a purpose of pursuing one or more specific public benefit purposes stated in its articles. Purposes under this subdivision are in addition to the purposes under section 302A.101. The election to pursue a specific public benefit purpose under this subdivision does not require a specific benefit corporation to pursue general public benefit under subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Effect of purposes. new text end

new text begin The pursuit of general public benefit or a specific public benefit purpose under subdivision 1, or a specific public benefit purpose under subdivision 2, is in the best interests of a public benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Amendment of a specific public benefit purpose. new text end

new text begin In accordance with the procedures stated in chapter 302A and with approval by the minimum status vote, a general benefit corporation or a specific benefit corporation may amend its articles to add, amend, or delete a specific public benefit purpose unless the amendment would cause a termination of public benefit corporation status under section 304A.103. new text end

ACCOUNTABILITY

Sec. 8.

new text begin [304A.201] STANDARD OF CONDUCT FOR DIRECTORS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Considerations for a general benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin In discharging the duties of the position of director of a general benefit corporation, a director: new text end

new text begin (1) shall consider the effects of any proposed, contemplated, or actual conduct on: new text end

new text begin (i) the general benefit corporation's ability to pursue general public benefit; new text end

new text begin (ii) if the articles also state a specific public benefit purpose, the general benefit corporation's ability to pursue its specific public benefit; and new text end

new text begin (iii) the interests of the constituencies stated in section 302A.251, subdivision 5, including the pecuniary interests of its shareholders; and new text end

new text begin (2) may not give regular, presumptive, or permanent priority to: new text end

new text begin (i) the pecuniary interests of the shareholders; or new text end

new text begin (ii) any other interest or consideration unless the articles identify the interest or consideration as having priority. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Considerations for a specific benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin In discharging the duties of the position of director of a specific benefit corporation, a director: new text end

new text begin (1) shall consider the effects of any proposed, contemplated, or actual conduct on: new text end

new text begin (i) the pecuniary interest of its shareholders; and new text end

new text begin (ii) the specific benefit corporation's ability to pursue its specific public benefit purpose; new text end

new text begin (2) may consider the interests of the constituencies stated in section 302A.251, subdivision 5; and new text end

new text begin (3) may not give regular, presumptive, or permanent priority to: new text end

new text begin (i) the pecuniary interests of the shareholders; or new text end

new text begin (ii) any other interest or consideration unless the articles identify the interest or consideration as having priority. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Liability. new text end

new text begin A director who performs the duties of a director stated in subdivisions 1 and 2 is not liable by reason of being or having been a director of a public benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Other applicable law. new text end

new text begin The conduct and liability of a director of a public benefit corporation is subject to section 302A.251, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duty of loyalty. new text end

new text begin The articles of a public benefit corporation may include a provision that any disinterested failure to satisfy subdivision 1 or 2 of this section shall not, for purposes of this section or section 302A.251, subdivision 4, constitute a breach of the duty of loyalty. new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin [304A.202] RIGHT OF ACTION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Standing and grounds for claims. new text end

new text begin (a) No person other than a shareholder may assert a claim under this chapter or chapter 302A against a public benefit corporation, its directors, or its officers on account of the public benefit corporation's director's or officer's failure to pursue or create general public benefit or a specific public benefit. new text end

new text begin (b) A public benefit corporation is not liable for monetary damages under this chapter for any failure of the public benefit corporation to pursue or create general public benefit or a specific public benefit. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grounds for relief. new text end

new text begin In addition to the grounds for relief stated in section 302A.751, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), a court may grant relief under this chapter when: new text end

new text begin (1) directors or those in control of a public benefit corporation have breached the duties stated in section 304A.201 to a substantial extent and in a sustained manner; or new text end

new text begin (2) the public benefit corporation has for an unreasonably long period of time failed to pursue: new text end

new text begin (i) in the case of a general benefit corporation: new text end

new text begin (A) general public benefit; or new text end

new text begin (B) any specific public benefit purpose stated in its articles; and new text end

new text begin (ii) in the case of a specific benefit corporation, any specific public benefit purpose stated in its articles. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Particular relief available. new text end

new text begin (a) In an action under this chapter, in addition to granting any other equitable relief the court deems just and reasonable in the circumstances, the court may: new text end

new text begin (1) order the public benefit corporation to terminate its status as a public benefit corporation pursuant to section 304A.103, subdivision 1; new text end

new text begin (2) remove one or more directors from the public benefit corporation's board of directors and determine whether the vacancy will be filled: new text end

new text begin (i) as provided in section 302A.225; or new text end

new text begin (ii) by court appointment, with the appointee to serve only until a qualified successor is elected by the shareholders at the next regular or special meeting of the shareholders; new text end

new text begin (3) appoint a receiver of the public benefit corporation to: new text end

new text begin (i) wind up and liquidate the activities and business of the public benefit corporation; or new text end

new text begin (ii) carry on the business and activities of the public benefit corporation in a manner consistent with this chapter. new text end

new text begin (b) Paragraph (a) does not imply any limitations on the relief available in a proceeding brought under section 302A.751 without reference to this chapter. new text end

TRANSPARENCY

Sec. 10.

new text begin [304A.301] ANNUAL BENEFIT REPORT. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Report required. new text end

new text begin No later than 90 days after the conclusion of each calendar year, a public benefit corporation must deliver to the secretary of state for filing an annual benefit report covering the 12-month period ending on December 31 of that year and pay a fee of $35 to the secretary of state. The annual benefit report must state the name of the public benefit corporation, be signed by the public benefit corporation's chief executive officer not more than 30 days before the report is delivered to the secretary of state for filing, and must be current when signed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Annual benefit report for a specific benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin For a specific benefit corporation, the annual benefit report must contain: new text end

new text begin (1) with regard to the period covered by the report, a narrative description of: new text end

new text begin (i) the ways in which the corporation pursued and created the specific public benefit stated in its articles; new text end

new text begin (ii) the extent to which that specific public benefit purpose was pursued and created; and new text end

new text begin (iii) any circumstances that hindered efforts to pursue or create the specific public benefit; and new text end

new text begin (2) a certification that its board of directors has reviewed and approved the report. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Annual benefit report for a general benefit corporation. new text end

new text begin The annual benefit report of a general benefit corporation must: new text end

new text begin (1) certify that its board of directors has: new text end

new text begin (i) chosen the third-party standard designated pursuant to clause (2), item (i); new text end

new text begin (ii) determined that the organization that promulgated the third-party standard is independent; and new text end

new text begin (iii) approved the report; new text end

new text begin (2) with regard to the period covered by the report: new text end

new text begin (i) identify a third-party standard determined by the board; and new text end

new text begin (ii) with reference to that third-party standard, describe: new text end

new text begin (A) how the corporation has pursued general public benefit; new text end

new text begin (B) the extent to which and the ways in which the corporation has created general public benefit; and new text end

new text begin (C) any circumstances that hindered efforts to pursue or create general public benefit; new text end

new text begin (3) if the report is the first delivered for filing by the general benefit corporation, explain how and why the board chose the third-party standard identified under clause (2), item (i); new text end

new text begin (4) if the third-party standard identified under clause (2), item (i), is the same third-party standard identified in the immediately prior report: new text end

new text begin (i) state whether the third-party standard is being applied in a manner consistent with the third-party standard's application in the prior reports; and new text end

new text begin (ii) if the third-party standard is not being so applied in a consistent manner, explain why; new text end

new text begin (5) if the third-party standard identified under clause (2), item (i), is not the same as the third-party standard identified in the immediately prior report, explain how and why the board chose a different third-party standard; and new text end

new text begin (6) if the general benefit corporation has also stated a specific public benefit purpose in its articles, the information required in subdivision 2, clause (1). new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Audit not required. new text end

new text begin A public benefit corporation is not required to have its annual benefit report audited, certified, or otherwise evaluated by a third party. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Failure to file an annual benefit report. new text end

new text begin If a public benefit corporation fails to file an annual benefit report in accordance with this section within 90 days of the date on which an annual benefit report is due, the secretary of state shall revoke the corporation's status as a public benefit corporation under this chapter and must notify the public benefit corporation of the revocation using the information provided by the corporation pursuant to section 5.002 or 5.34 or provided in the articles. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Effects of revocation; reinstatement. new text end

new text begin (a) A public benefit corporation that has lost its public benefit corporation status for failure to timely file an annual benefit report is not entitled to the benefits afforded to a public benefit corporation under this chapter as of the date of revocation. new text end

new text begin (b) Within 30 days of issuance of revocation of public benefit corporation status by the secretary of state, filing a renewal complying with this section and a $500 fee with the secretary of state will reinstate the corporation as a public benefit corporation under this chapter as of the date of revocation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Intentional failure to file an annual benefit report. new text end

new text begin A shareholder of the public benefit corporation may obtain payment for the fair value of the shareholder's shares pursuant to section 302A.473 as a result of revocation of public benefit corporation status pursuant to this section caused by the intentional failure to file an annual benefit report. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 10 are effective January 1, 2015. new text end

Presented to the governor April 25, 2014

Signed by the governor April 29, 2014, 10:22 a.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes