35-14-858. Variation by corporate action -- application. (1) A corporation may, by a provision in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or in a resolution adopted or a contract approved by the board of directors or shareholders, obligate itself in advance of the act or omission giving rise to a proceeding to provide indemnification in accordance with 35-14-851 or advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses in accordance with 35-14-853. An obligatory provision under this section satisfies the requirements for authorization referred to in 35-14-853(3) and 35-14-855(3). Any provision that obligates the corporation to provide indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law obligates the corporation to advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses in accordance with 35-14-853 to the fullest extent permitted by law unless the provision expressly provides otherwise.

(2) A right of indemnification or to advances for expenses created by 35-14-850 through 35-14-859 or under subsection (1) of this section and in effect at the time of an act or omission may not be eliminated or impaired with respect to the act or omission by an amendment of the articles of incorporation or bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors or shareholders adopted after the occurrence of the act or omission unless, in the case of a right created under subsection (1), the provision creating the right and in effect at the time of the act or omission explicitly authorizes the elimination or impairment after the act or omission has occurred.

(3) A provision pursuant to subsection (1) may not obligate the corporation to indemnify or advance expenses to a director of a predecessor of the corporation pertaining to conduct with respect to the predecessor unless otherwise expressly provided. A provision for indemnification or advance for expenses in the articles of incorporation or bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors or shareholders of a predecessor of the corporation in a merger or in a contract to which the predecessor is a party that exists at the time the merger takes effect is governed by 35-14-1107(1)(d).

(4) Subject to subsection (2), a corporation may, by a provision in its articles of incorporation, limit any of the rights to indemnification or advance for expenses created by or pursuant to 35-14-850 through 35-14-859.

(5) Sections 35-14-850 through 35-14-859 do not limit a corporation's power to pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a director or an officer in connection with appearing as a witness in a proceeding at a time when the director or officer is not a party.

(6) Sections 35-14-850 through 35-14-859 do not limit a corporation's power to indemnify, advance expenses to, or provide or maintain insurance on behalf of an employee or agent.