By State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Corporate Bylaws Defined
What to Include
While the contents of the bylaws form will often vary from corporation to corporation, the following clauses should be included:
Meetings
The bylaws should specify when and where the annual and special meetings are held. They should also indicate who may call the meetings, how notice of meetings is to be delivered to shareholders, and how many shareholders or board members are needed to constitute a quorum. It also states whether actions made on behalf of the company may be made with or without a meeting.
Board of Directors
The board of directors is responsible for providing the corporation with oversight. The clause establishes the number of directors that will serve on the board, how directors are nominated, how long each can serve, how they’re compensated, when they have a conflict of interest, and other information related to their roles and responsibilities.
Officers
The officers of a company are the top-level employees responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and ensuring their respective teams remain focused and meet deadlines. Typical officer roles include the following positions:
- President
- Chairperson
- Treasurer
- Secretary
The “officers” clause will establish how they are elected, the initial roles that will be created, and the roles and responsibilities of each officer.
Indemnification
An indemnification clause addresses whether directors and officers are protected from liability that may occur due to their association with the corporation. If the bylaws indemnify the directors/officers, the corporation would pay for expenses necessary to resolve any issues.
Amendments
Establishing the requirements for amending the contract is essential. Often, a percentage vote from shareholders and the board of directors is required to amend the bylaws.
Dissolution
The bylaws should include a section that sets out the events that must occur in order for the corporation to be dissolved. This will often be determined by a vote by the shareholders and/or the directors.
Corporate Bylaws Requirements: By State
| STATE | STATUTE | REQUIRED? |
| Alabama | § 10A-2A-2.05 | Yes |
| Alaska | § 10.06.223 | Yes |
| Arizona | § 10-206 | Yes |
| Arkansas | § 4-27-206 | Yes |
| California | CORP §§ 200 – 213 | No |
| Colorado | § 7-102-106 | No |
| Connecticut | § 33-640 | Yes |
| Delaware | Tit. 8 §§ 108, 109 | Yes |
| Florida | § 607.0206 | Yes |
| Georgia | § 14-2-206 | Yes |
| Hawaii | § 414-36 | Yes |
| Idaho | § 30-29-206 | Yes |
| Illinois | § 805 ILCS 5/2.20 | Yes |
| Indiana | IC § 23-1-21-6 | Yes |
| Iowa | § 490.206 | Yes |
| Kansas | § 17-6009 | No |
| Kentucky | § 271B.2-060 | Yes |
| Louisiana | § 1-206 | No |
| Maine | 13-C § 206 | Yes |
| Maryland | § 2-109 | Yes |
| Massachusetts | § 2.06 | Yes |
| Michigan | § 450.1223 | No |
| Minnesota | § 302A.181 | No |
| Mississippi | § 79-4-2.06 | Yes |
| Missouri | § 351.290 | No |
| Montana | § 35-14-206 | Yes |
| Nebraska | § 21-224 | Yes |
| Nevada | § 78.120 | No |
| New Hampshire | § 293-A:2.06 | Yes |
| New Jersey | § 14A:2-9 | Yes |
| New Mexico | § 53-11-27 | Yes |
| New York | § 601 | Yes |
| North Carolina | § 55-2-06 | Yes |
| North Dakota | § 10-19.1-31 | No |
| Ohio | § 1701.11 | No |
| Oklahoma | 18 OK Stat § 1013 | No |
| Oregon | § 60.061 | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | §§ 1504, 1505 | No |
| Rhode Island | § 7-1.2-203 | No |
| South Carolina | § 33-2-106 | Yes |
| South Dakota | § 47-1A-206 | Yes |
| Tennessee | § 48-12-106 | Yes |
| Texas | § 21.057 | Yes |
| Utah | § 16-10a-206 | No |
| Vermont | 11V.S.A § 2.06 | Yes |
| Virginia | § 13.1-624 | Yes |
| Washington | § 23B.02.060 | Yes |
| West Virginia | § 31D-2-205 | Yes |
| Wisconsin | § 180.0206 | No |
| Wyoming | § 17-16-206 | Yes |
Sample
[STATE] BYLAWS OF
[CORPORATION NAME]
1. INCORPORATION. It is recognized that [CORPORATION NAME] (“Corporation”) is a duly organized corporation authorized to do business in the State of [STATE] by its Articles of Incorporation.
2. PURPOSE. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful activity for which corporations may be formed.
3. ANNUAL MEETING. Meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal office or any other place determined by the board. The purpose of the annual meeting shall be to elect directors and officers and conduct business. An annual meeting must be held within 13 months after the last annual meeting or incorporation date. If not held, any shareholder or director may demand a meeting within [#] days after notice.
4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of shareholders may be called by [CONVENING PARTY]. The board shall set the time and place within [#] days after the meeting is called.
5. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings shall take place at the principal office or another place decided by the board. Shareholders may attend by [METHOD OF ATTENDANCE].
6. DISSOLUTION. The Corporation may only be dissolved by [% OF AUTHORIZED PARTIES].
7. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written notice shall state time, place, and purpose, delivered at least [#] days and no more than [#] days before the meeting. Notice may be given by [METHOD OF DELIVERY].
8. QUORUM. A quorum is met by [% OF DIRECTORS/SHAREHOLDERS PRESENT]. Upon meeting the requirements of the quorum, the attending individuals of the meeting shall be able to act and make decisions for the Corporation.
9. ACTIONS OF THE CORPORATION. Actions must be taken ☐ only at a meeting ☐ without a meeting by written consent of sufficient shareholders.
10. CORPORATE SEAL. The Corporation shall ☐ have ☐ not have a corporate seal.
11. EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS. Documents may be signed by [LIST ALL AUTHORIZED SIGNERS].
12. INDEMNIFICATION. The Corporation shall ☐ indemnify ☐ not indemnify directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, except for acts of bad faith, fraud, dishonesty, or gross negligence.
13. AMENDMENTS. These bylaws may be amended by [% OF AUTHORIZED PARTIES].
14. STOCK CERTIFICATES. The Corporation may provide shares of stock ☐ with ☐ without certificates.
15. DIRECTORS. The Corporation shall be managed by [#] directors, elected at the annual meeting, each serving [#] years. A majority constitutes a quorum. Regular meetings may occur without notice per board resolution. Special meetings may be called by any officer or director with at least [#] days’ notice. Remote participation is allowed and counts as presence. Any director may resign with written notice. Vacancies may be filled by the board. Directors may be removed with or without cause by majority shareholder vote. Committees may be formed by resolution. Actions may be taken without a meeting by unanimous written consent.
16. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. A director has a conflict if personal, financial, or other interests impair independent judgment. Disputes about conflicts are decided by board majority.
17. OFFICERS. Officers include chairperson, president, secretary, treasurer, and others as appointed. Officers are elected by the board and serve until successors are chosen or removed. chairperson oversees the Corporation and presides over meetings. President manages day-to-day operations. Treasurer manages funds and records. Secretary keeps minutes and records.
18. LIST OF SHAREHOLDERS. At least [#] days before a meeting, a list of shareholders entitled to vote shall be prepared and made available for inspection.
19. CERTIFICATION. The original or copy of these bylaws shall be kept at the principal office and available for inspection by shareholders.
By signing below, these bylaws are certified as adopted on [MM/DD/YYYY].
Signature (Director or Officer): ________________________ Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
Print Name: [PRINTED NAME]
Title: [TITLE]
