California § 817 - Evidences of indebtedness of companies incorporated in the United States and, dir
Full text of California Public Contract Code - PCC § 817 — Evidences of indebtedness of companies incorporated in the United States and, dir, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 817. Evidences of indebtedness of companies incorporated in the United States and, dir
Evidences of indebtedness of companies incorporated in the United States and, directly or indirectly, engaged in manufacturing, extraction, merchandising, or commercial financing and in bonds of authorities established pursuant to the California Industrial Development Financing Act (Title 10 (commencing with Section 91500) of the Government Code), to which these companies are obligated with respect to payment subject to the following conditions: (a) Any unsecured evidences of indebtedness shall be issued by a company substantially all of whose property is free of mortgage and shall carry a covenant by the obligor that they will be secured equally with any mortgage bond, except a purchase money mortgage, which may be later issued. (b) The company is of a size as to attract at least statewide interest in its publicly held securities and its gross income shall have averaged not less than ten million dollars ($10,000,000) and its net income shall have averaged not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the five fiscal years preceding the investment and its gross income was not less than ten million dollars ($10,000,000) and its net income not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) for at least three of these five fiscal years. (c) Working capital, as measured by consolidated current assets less consolidated current liabilities as shown in the latest published balance sheet, shall exceed 150 percent of the total of consolidated debt due in longer than one year and âminority interest.â For that purpose, âminority interestâ means any outstanding interest in a subsidiary having a prior claim on the earnings of the subsidiary. However, the foregoing ratio requirement shall not apply in the case of evidences of indebtedness of any corporation whose consolidated gross assets less any valuation reserves exceed five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000) and whose consolidated current assets exceed consolidated current liabilities by at least one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) as shown by the latest published balance sheet. When new financing is involved, the changes in gross assets, capital structure and working capital shall be considered and reliance may be placed on the representations made in the official prospectus prepared under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission as to the application of the proceeds of the financing. (d) The total consolidated debt of the company including current liabilities and âminority interest,â as shown on the latest published balance sheet, does not exceed 33 1 3 percent of its gross assets less valuation reserves. (e) The consolidated annual net income for the five fiscal years next preceding the investment, before deduction of state and federal taxes imposed on or measured by income or profits but after deducting all charges, including reserves, regularly recurring charges for amortization of discount, and expense allocable to funded debt (1) shall have averaged not less than six times the annual consolidated interest charges existing at the time the investment is made; (2) in at least three of the five fiscal years shall have been at least four times the annual consolidated interest charges for the same year; and (3) for the fiscal year next preceding the investment shall have been not less than six times the consolidated interest charges for that year and not less than six times the annual consolidated charges on the funded debt outstanding at the time of the investment.
Source: official California text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About California § 817
What does Public Contract Code - PCC § 817 cover?
Section 817 ("Evidences of indebtedness of companies incorporated in the United States and, dir") is part of the Public Contract Code - PCC, the codified statutory law of California. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite California § 817?
A common citation format is "Public Contract Code - PCC § 817" (California). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of California law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the California official source linked on this page or consult a licensed California attorney.
How does California § 817 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in California can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in California.