as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/27/2012 01:04pm
A bill for an act
relating to corporations; providing for incorporation of for-profit public benefit
corporations; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 304A.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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This chapter may be cited as the "Minnesota Public Benefit Corporation Act."
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For purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this
section have the meanings given.
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"Best interests of the corporation"
means those goals and objectives that are reasonably believed to provide for long-term
public benefit or to advance one or more interests of stakeholders.
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"Public benefit" means providing directly or indirectly
through for-profit business undertakings public goods and improvements and advantages
for the general public well-being of local, state, national, or world communities.
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"Stakeholder" means:
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(1) a shareholder;
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(2) an employee;
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(3) a customer;
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(4) a community of interest; or
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(5) a creditor.
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Chapter 302A, including its definitions, applies to corporations incorporated or
governed under this chapter, except as otherwise provided in this chapter or where chapter
302A conflicts with this chapter.
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(a) A for-profit corporation may be incorporated under this chapter to pursue one or
more modes of public benefit as stated in its articles of incorporation.
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(b) The secretary of state shall maintain incorporation records in a manner that
clearly distinguishes public benefit corporations incorporated under this chapter.
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(c) A corporation incorporated under this chapter shall include as part of its corporate
name the phrase "public benefit corporation" or the abbreviation "PBC."
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(a) A director or officer of a public benefit corporation
shall discharge the duties of the position in a manner the director or officer reasonably
believes to be in the best interests of the corporation, as defined in section 304A.02.
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(b) Subject to the best interests of the corporation standard under paragraph (a),
section 302A.251, subdivisions 1 to 4, apply to directors and section 302A.361 applies
to officers of a public benefit corporation.
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Nothing in this chapter creates liability to, or a cause of action in
favor of, a person other than the corporation or a shareholder.
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The board of a public benefit corporation
shall provide reasonable constructive opportunities for stakeholder engagement with
the corporation, its officers, and its board.
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A public benefit corporation shall make an annual
report to the public on its financial condition and describing its efforts with respect to
achieving public benefit and constructively engaging with material stakeholder interests.
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