Louisiana § RS 12:1-1003 - Amendment by board of directors and shareholders

Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 12:1-1003 — Amendment by board of directors and shareholders, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ RS 12:1-1003. Amendment by board of directors and shareholders

A.  If a corporation has issued shares, but is not a public corporation, an amendment to the articles of incorporation shall be adopted in the following manner:

(1)  Except as provided in R.S. 12:1-1005, 1-1007, and 1-1008, the amendment must be approved by the shareholders.

(2)  If the approval is to be given at a meeting, the corporation must notify each shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, of the meeting of shareholders at which the amendment is to be submitted for approval.  The notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the amendment and must contain or be accompanied by a copy of the amendment. If Paragraph (A)(3) of this Section requires the approval of one or more separate voting groups, in addition to the approval of all shareholders entitled to vote on the amendment, the notice must also identify each class or series of shares that the corporation plans to treat as part of each separate voting group.

(3)  Unless the articles of incorporation require a greater vote, approval of the amendment by the shareholders requires the approval of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment, and, if any class or series of shares is entitled to vote as a separate group on the amendment, except as provided in R.S. 12:1-1004(C), the approval of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment by each such separate voting group.

B.  An amendment to the articles of incorporation of a public corporation shall be adopted in the following manner:

(1)  The proposed amendment must be adopted by the board of directors.

(2)  Except as provided in R.S. 12:1-1005, 1-1007, and 1-1008, after adopting the proposed amendment the board of directors must submit the amendment to the shareholders for their approval.  The board of directors must also transmit to the shareholders a recommendation that the shareholders approve the amendment, unless the board of directors makes a determination that because of conflicts of interest or other special circumstances it should not make such a recommendation, in which case the board of directors must transmit to the shareholders the basis for that determination.

(3)  The board of directors may condition its submission of the amendment to the shareholders on any basis.

(4)  If the amendment is required to be approved by the shareholders, and the approval is to be given at a meeting, the corporation must notify each shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, of the meeting of shareholders at which the amendment is to be submitted for approval.  The notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the amendment and must contain or be accompanied by a copy of the amendment.  If Paragraph (B)(5) of this Section requires the approval of one or more separate voting groups, in addition to the approval of all shareholders entitled to vote on the amendment, the notice must also identify each class or series of shares that the corporation plans to treat as part of each separate voting group.

(5)  Unless the articles of incorporation, or the board of directors acting pursuant to Paragraph (B)(3) of this Section, requires a greater vote, approval of the amendment by the shareholders requires the approval of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment, and, if any class or series of shares is entitled to vote as a separate group on the amendment, except as provided in R.S. 12:1-1004(C), the approval of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment by each such separate voting group.

Acts 2014, No. 328, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2015.

Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 12:1-1003

What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 12:1-1003 cover?

Section RS 12:1-1003 ("Amendment by board of directors and shareholders") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. 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 Louisiana § RS 12:1-1003?

A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 12:1-1003" (Louisiana). 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 Louisiana law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.

How does Louisiana § RS 12:1-1003 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana 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 Louisiana.