33-7-208. Organization. A domestic society organized on or after January 1, 1992, must be formed as follows:

(1) Ten or more citizens of the United States, a majority of whom are residents of this state, who desire to form a fraternal benefit society, may make, sign, and acknowledge before a notary public an application for articles of incorporation that states:

(a) the proposed corporate name of the society, which may not so closely resemble the name of any society or insurance company as to be misleading or confusing;

(b) the purposes for which it is being formed and the mode in which its corporate powers are to be exercised. The purposes may not include more liberal powers than are granted by this chapter.

(c) the names and residences of the incorporators and the names, residences, and official titles of all the officers, trustees, directors, or other persons who are to have and exercise the general control of the management of the affairs and funds of the society for the first year or until the ensuing election at which all officers are elected by the supreme governing body. The election must be held not later than 1 year from the date of issuance of the permanent certificate of authority.

(2) The application for articles of incorporation, certified copies of the society's bylaws and rules, copies of all proposed forms of certificates, applications for certificates, and circulars to be issued by the society, and a bond conditioned upon the return to applicants of the advanced payments if the organization is not completed within 1 year must be filed with the commissioner, who may require further information considered necessary. The bond, with sureties approved by the commissioner, must be in an amount, not less than $300,000 or more than $1,500,000, required by the commissioner. All documents filed must be in English. If the purposes of the society conform to the requirements of this chapter and all provisions of law have been complied with, the commissioner shall certify, retain, and file the articles of incorporation and furnish to the incorporators a preliminary certificate of authority authorizing the society to solicit members.

(3) A preliminary certificate of authority granted under the provisions of this section is not valid after 1 year from its date of issuance or after an extended period, not exceeding 1 year, as may be authorized by the commissioner upon good cause shown, unless the 500 applicants required under subsection (4) have been secured and the organization has been completed. The charter and all other proceedings under the charter are void 1 year from the date of issuance of the preliminary certificate of authority or at the expiration of the extended period unless the society has completed its organization and received a certificate of authority to do business.

(4) Upon receipt of a preliminary certificate of authority from the commissioner, the society may solicit members for the purpose of completing its organization, shall collect from each applicant the amount of not less than one regular monthly premium in accordance with its table of rates, and shall issue to each applicant a receipt for the amount collected. A society may not incur a liability other than for the return of an advance premium, issue any certificate, or pay, allow, offer, or promise to pay or allow any benefit to a person until:

(a) actual applications for benefits have been secured, aggregating at least $500,000, on not less than 500 applicants and any necessary evidence of insurability has been furnished to and approved by the society;

(b) at least 10 subordinate lodges have been established into which the 500 applicants have been admitted;

(c) there has been submitted to the commissioner, under oath of the president, secretary, or corresponding officer of the society, a list of the applicants, giving their names, addresses, date each was admitted, name and number of the subordinate lodge of which each applicant is a member, amount of benefits to be granted, and premiums for benefits; and

(d) it has been shown to the commissioner, by sworn statement of the treasurer or the corresponding officer of the society, that at least 500 applicants have each paid in cash at least one regular monthly premium. The aggregate premiums must amount to at least $150,000. The advance premiums must be held in trust during the period of organization. If the society has not qualified for a certificate of authority within 1 year, unless extended as provided in subsection (3), the premiums must be returned to the applicants.

(5) The commissioner may require and examine additional information that the commissioner considers advisable. Upon presentation of satisfactory evidence that the society has complied with all the provisions of law, the commissioner shall issue a certificate of authority to the society, authorizing it to transact business pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The certificate of authority is prima facie evidence of the existence of the society at the date of the certificate. The commissioner shall record the certificate of authority.

(6) A society authorized to transact business in this state on January 1, 1992, is not required to reincorporate.

(7) An unincorporated or voluntary association may not transact business in this state as a society. Every voluntary association incorporated as provided in section 629(2), Chapter 286, Laws of 1959, may incur the obligations and enjoy the benefits of a society as if it were originally incorporated, and the corporation is considered a continuation of the original voluntary association. The officers must be elected and serve as provided in its articles of incorporation. Incorporation of a voluntary association does not affect existing suits, claims, or contracts.