33-3-203. Amendment of articles of incorporation -- grounds for disapproval. (1) A domestic stock insurer may amend its articles of incorporation for any lawful purpose by written authorization of the holders of a majority of the voting power of its outstanding capital stock or by affirmative vote of a majority voting at a lawful meeting of stockholders of which the notice given to stockholders included notice of the proposal to amend.
     (2) A domestic mutual insurer may amend its articles of incorporation for any lawful purpose by affirmative vote of a majority of those of its members present or represented by proxy at a lawful meeting of its members of which the notice given members included notice of the proposal to amend.
     (3) Upon adoption of an amendment, the insurer shall make in triplicate under its corporate seal a certificate, sometimes referred to as "articles of amendment", setting forth the amendment and the date and manner of the amendment's adoption. The certificate must be executed by the insurer's president or vice president and secretary or assistant secretary and acknowledged by them before an officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds. The insurer shall deliver to the commissioner the triplicate originals of the certificate. If the commissioner finds that the certificate and amendments comply with law, the commissioner shall approve in writing each of the triplicate originals and return them to the insurer. The insurer shall subsequently file one set of endorsed articles of amendment with the secretary of state, shall file one set with the commissioner, bearing the certification of the secretary of state, and shall retain the remaining set in the corporate records. The amendment is effective when the filings have been completed.
     (4) If the commissioner finds that the proposed amendment or certificate does not comply with the law, the commissioner may not approve the amendment or certificate and shall return the triplicate certificate of amendment to the insurer, together with a written statement of reasons for nonapproval. The filing fee is not returnable.
     (5) If an amendment of articles of incorporation would reduce the authorized capital stock of a stock insurer below the amount then outstanding, the commissioner may not approve the amendment if the commissioner has reason to believe that the interests of policyholders or creditors of the insurer would be materially prejudiced by the reduction. If a reduction of capital stock is realized, the insurer may require the return of the original certificates of stock held by each stockholder for exchange for new certificates for the number of shares as the stockholder is then entitled in the proportion that the reduced capital bears to the amount of capital stock outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective date of the reduction.

     History: En. Sec. 424, Ch. 286, L. 1959; R.C.M. 1947, 40-4707; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 316, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 29, Ch. 227, L. 2001.