Rhode Island General Laws 7-6-23. Number and election of directors
(a) The number of directors of a corporation shall be not less than three (3). Subject to limitation, the number of directors shall be fixed by the bylaws, except as to the number of the first board of directors, which number shall be fixed by the articles of incorporation. The number of directors may be increased or decreased from time to time by amendment to or as provided by the bylaws, unless the articles of incorporation provide that a change in the number of directors shall be made only by amendment of the articles of incorporation. No decrease in number has the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. In the absence of a bylaw fixing the number of directors, the number shall be the same as that stated in the articles of incorporation.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 7-6-23
- 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.
- Articles of incorporation: means the original or restated articles of incorporation or articles of consolidation and all amendments to it, including articles of merger and special acts of the general assembly creating corporations and/or entities. See Rhode Island General Laws 7-6-2
- Board of directors: means the group of persons vested with the management of the affairs of the corporation (including, without being limited to, a board of trustees) regardless of the name by which the group is designated. See Rhode Island General Laws 7-6-2
- Bylaws: means the code or codes of rules adopted for the regulation or management of the affairs of the corporation regardless of the name, or names, by which the rules are designated. See Rhode Island General Laws 7-6-2
- 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.
- Director: means a member of a board of directors. See Rhode Island General Laws 7-6-2
(b) The directors constituting the first board of directors shall be named in the articles of incorporation and hold office until the first annual election of directors or for any other period that may be specified in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. Subsequently, directors shall be elected or appointed in the manner and for the terms provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. In the absence of a provision fixing the term of office, the term of office of a director is one year.
(c) Directors may be divided into classes and the terms of office of the several classes need not be uniform. Each director shall hold office for the term for which he or she is elected or appointed and until his or her successor has been elected or appointed and qualified.
(d) A director may be removed from office pursuant to any procedure for removal that is provided in the articles of incorporation or in bylaws and that has been approved by the members of the corporation.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 380, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 444, § 1.