(a) An amendment to the certificate of incorporation does not affect a cause of action existing against or in favor of the corporation, a proceeding to which the corporation is a party, or the existing rights of persons other than the stockholders. An amendment changing a corporation’s name does not affect a proceeding brought by or against the corporation in its former name.
Terms Used In Alabama Code 10A-2A-10.09
Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
certificate of incorporation: as used in this chapter is synonymous to the term "certificate of formation" used in Chapter 1. See Alabama Code 10A-2A-1.40
Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
(b) A stockholder who becomes subject to new personal liability in respect of the corporation as a result of an amendment to the certificate of incorporation shall have that new personal liability only in respect of interest holder liabilities that arise after the amendment becomes effective.(c) Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation of the corporation, the personal liability of a stockholder who had personal liability in respect of the corporation before the amendment becomes effective and has new personal liability after the amendment becomes effective shall be as follows:
(1) The amendment does not discharge that prior personal liability with respect to any interest holder liabilities that arose before the amendment becomes effective.(2) The provisions of the certificate of incorporation relating to personal liability as in effect immediately prior to the amendment shall continue to apply to the collection or discharge of any interest holder liabilities preserved by subsection (c)(1), as if the amendment had not occurred.(3) The stockholder shall have the rights of contribution from other persons as are provided by the certificate of incorporation relating to personal liability as in effect immediately prior to the amendment with respect to any interest holder liabilities preserved by subsection (c)(1), as if the amendment had not occurred.(4) The stockholder shall not, by reason of any prior personal liability, have personal liability with respect to any interest holder liabilities that arise after the amendment becomes effective.
