611.41 611.41 Communications to shareholders or policyholders and commissioner's attendance at meetings.
611.41(1)(1)Copies of communications. The commissioner may by rule prescribe that copies of specified classes of communications circulated generally by a corporation to shareholders or policyholders shall be communicated to the commissioner at the same time.
611.41(2) (2)Attendance at meetings. The commissioner has the right to attend any shareholders' or policyholders' meeting.
611.41(3) (3)Exception. Subsection (2) and, so far as it relates to communications to shareholders, sub. (1) do not apply to stock corporations all of whose voting shares are owned by a single person, or all of whose shareholders are either members of the board or are represented on it.
611.41 History History: 1971 c. 260; 1979 c. 102 s. 236 (21).
611.42 611.42 Mutual policyholders' voting rights.
611.42(1) (1)General. Subject to this section, ss. 181.14, 181.15 and 181.17 apply to mutuals. Subject to this section and s. 611.53, s. 181.16 applies to mutuals.
611.42(2) (2)Voting rights.
611.42(2)(a)(a) Mandatory voting rights. Policyholders in all mutuals have the right to vote on conversion, voluntary dissolution, amendment of the articles and the election of all directors except public directors appointed under s. 611.53 (1). Directors may be divided into classes, and in that case one class shall be elected at least every 4 years for terms not exceeding 6 years.
611.42(2)(b) (b) Optional voting rights. The articles of any mutual may give the policyholders additional voting rights.
611.42(3) (3)Voting procedures. The articles or bylaws shall contain rules governing voting eligibility consistent with sub. (2) and voting procedures. No amendment to the rules may be effective until at least 30 days after it has been filed with the commissioner.
611.42(4) (4)Meetings and elections.
611.42(4)(a)(a) The articles may provide for regular or special meetings of the policyholders, or elections in lieu of meetings.
611.42(4)(b) (b) Notice of the time and place of regular meetings or elections shall be given to each policyholder by printing it conspicuously on each policy or in such other reasonable manner as the commissioner approves or requires.
611.42(5) (5)Representative assembly. The articles may provide that representatives or delegates be selected by the policyholders to represent specific geographical districts, or otherwise to represent defined classes of policyholders, determined on a reasonable basis. After the representative assembly has been selected by the policyholders, the assembly may choose replacements for members unable to complete their terms, if the articles so provide. The vote of a representative shall be treated as the vote of the policyholders he or she represents.
611.42 History History: 1971 c. 260; 1979 c. 102 s. 236 (5).
611.43 611.43 Annual report to mutual policyholders. Every domestic mutual shall send to each policyholder requesting it an annual report which shall contain basic financial and operating data, information about important business and corporate developments, and such other information as the corporation wishes to include or as the commissioner by rule requires to be included in order to keep policyholders properly informed.
611.43 History History: 1971 c. 260.
611.51 611.51 Board of directors.
611.51(1)(1)General. Subject to this section, ss. 180.0801 and 180.0802 apply to stock corporations and s. 181.18 applies to mutuals.
611.51(2) (2)Number of directors.
611.51(2)(a)(a) General. Except under pars. (b) and (c), a corporation shall have at least 5 directors if no more than one director is an employe or representative of the corporation, and shall have at least 9 directors in other cases.
611.51(2)(b) (b) New corporations. During the first 5 years after initial issuance of a certificate of authority, a corporation shall have at least 5 directors.
611.51(2)(c) (c) Exception. The commissioner may by order reduce the number of directors required under this subsection, if he or she finds that it would be an unreasonable burden on the corporation to comply with the requirement and that the interests of policyholders and shareholders can be otherwise protected.
611.51(3) (3)Inside directors. Employes and representatives of a corporation may not constitute a majority of its board.
611.51(4) (4)Subsidiaries and closely held corporations. Subsections (2) (a) and (3) do not apply to an insurance subsidiary authorized under s. 611.26 (1) nor to a stock insurance corporation more than 95% of whose outstanding shares entitled to vote are owned by a single person or all of whose voting shareholders are either members of or are individually represented on the board.
611.51(5) (5)Classification of directors. If directors are divided into classes by the articles or the bylaws, no class may contain fewer than 3 members. Subject thereto, s. 180.0806 applies to stock corporations.
611.51(6) (6)Unlawful delegation. The board shall manage the business and affairs of the corporation and may not delegate its power or responsibility to do so, except to the extent authorized by ss. 180.0841, 181.25 (2), 611.56 and 611.67.
611.51(7) (7)Quorum and voting. Section 180.0824 applies to the board of a stock corporation and s. 181.22 applies to the board of a mutual except as modified by s. 611.60.
611.51(8) (8)Place and notice of directors' meetings. Sections 180.0820, 180.0822 and 180.0823 apply to stock corporations. Section 181.24 applies to mutuals.
611.51(9) (9)Books and records.
611.51(9)(a)(a) Sections 180.1601 to 180.1620 apply to stock corporations. Section 181.27 applies to mutuals, but inspection of the records of the names and addresses of policyholders of mutuals entitled to vote shall be permitted only for the purpose of communicating with other policyholders with regard to the nomination and election of candidates for the board or other corporate matters which may be submitted to a vote of the policyholders. No person may, directly or indirectly, use any information so obtained for any other purpose.
611.51(9)(b) (b) Any books, records or minutes may be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.
611.51(9)(c) (c) Any provision of this chapter or of any articles or bylaws of a mutual, which requires the keeping of records concerning the names and addresses of policyholders entitled to vote shall be deemed to be complied with by the keeping of a record of the names of policyholders and the names and addresses of insureds or persons paying premiums. Any such provision which requires the mailing or sending of notices, reports, proposals, ballots or other materials to policyholders shall be deemed to be complied with if mailing thereof is made to the insured or the person paying premiums on the policy for delivery to the policyholder.
611.51 Annotation Legislative Council Note to (2) (a), 1975: This amendment accommodates the needs of small corporations while continuing to satisfy the purposes for having large boards, as explained in the note to s. 611.51 (2) (a) in chapter 260, laws of 1971. [Bill 643-S]
611.52 611.52 Election and removal of directors and officers of stock corporations.
611.52(1) (1)Resignation and removal of officers. Sections 180.0843 and 180.0844 apply to stock corporations.
611.52(2) (2)Election. At each annual meeting of shareholders, the shareholders shall elect directors to hold office until the next succeeding annual election except as provided in sub. (3) or under s. 180.0806. Each director shall hold office for the term for which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is elected and qualified if qualification is required. Section 180.0804 applies to a stock corporation.
611.52(3) (3)Resignation and removal of directors. Sections 180.0807 to 180.0810 apply to stock corporations.
611.52 History History: 1971 c. 260; 1973 c. 184; 1979 c. 102; 1989 a. 303.
611.53 611.53 Selection and removal of directors and officers of mutuals.
611.53(1)(1)Public selection of directors. The articles of a mutual may provide that any number of the directors shall be public directors chosen under a plan proposed by the corporation and approved by the commissioner. The plan shall be designed to assure true public representation on the board. The persons to be nominated as directors shall be persons whose insurance business or general experience qualifies them to serve responsibly and impartially.
611.53(2) (2)Election of directors. Directors not to be chosen under sub. (1) shall be elected by the policyholders.
611.53(3) (3)Removal. A director may be removed from office for cause by an affirmative vote of a majority of the full board at a meeting of the board called for that purpose.
611.53(4) (4)Vacancies and removal of officers. Subject to subs. (1) to (3), ss. 181.21 and 181.26 apply.
611.53 History History: 1971 c. 260.
611.54 611.54 Supervision of management changes.
611.54(1)(1)Report of selection.
611.54(1)(a)(a) General. The name of any person selected as a director or principal officer of a corporation, together with such pertinent biographical and other data as the commissioner requires by rule, shall be reported to the commissioner immediately after the selection.
611.54(1)(b) (b) New corporations. For 5 years after the initial issuance of a certificate of authority to a corporation, the commissioner may within 30 days after receipt of a report under par. (a) disapprove any person selected who fails to satisfy the commissioner that the person is trustworthy and has the competence, experience and freedom from conflict of interest necessary to discharge his or her responsibilities.
611.54(2) (2)Report of removal. Whenever a director or principal officer of a corporation is removed under s. 180.0843 (2), 181.26 or 611.53 (3), the removal shall be reported to the commissioner immediately together with a statement of the reasons for the removal.
611.54(3) (3)Removal by commissioner. If the commissioner finds, after a hearing, that a director or officer has a conflict of interest, is incompetent, untrustworthy or has wilfully violated chs. 600 to 646, a rule promulgated under s. 601.41 (3) or an order issued under s. 601.41 (4), and that the conflict of interest, incompetence or the violation endangers the interests of insureds or of the public, the commissioner may order that the director or officer be removed.
611.54 History History: 1971 c. 260; 1979 c. 89, 102; 1989 a. 303.
611.55 611.55 Continuity of management in emergencies.
611.55(1)(1)Purpose. The legislature declares it to be desirable for the general welfare and in particular for the welfare of insurance beneficiaries, policyholders, claimants and others that the business of domestic insurance corporations be continued even in a national emergency. The specific purpose of this section is to facilitate the continued operation of such corporations if a national emergency is caused by an attack on the United States or by a nuclear, atomic or other disaster which makes it impossible or impracticable for a corporation to conduct its business in strict accord with applicable provisions of law, its articles, bylaws or its charter.
611.55(2) (2)Emergency bylaws. The board of any corporation may at any time adopt emergency bylaws, subject to repeal or change by action of those having power to adopt regular bylaws, which shall be operative during such a national emergency and which may, notwithstanding any different provisions of the regular bylaws, or of the applicable statutes or of the corporation's articles or charter, make any provision that may be reasonably necessary for operation during the emergency.
611.55(3) (3)Emergency authorizations. If the board of a corporation has not adopted emergency bylaws, the following provisions shall become effective upon the occurrence of a national emergency:
611.55(3)(a) (a) Three directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the board.
611.55(3)(b) (b) Any vacancy on the board may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
611.55(3)(c) (c) If there are no surviving directors, but at least 3 officers of the corporation survive, the 3 officers with the longest term of service shall be the directors and shall possess all of the powers of the previous board and such powers as are granted herein or by subsequently enacted legislation. By majority vote such emergency board may elect other directors. If there are not at least 3 surviving officers, the commissioner shall appoint 3 persons as directors who shall possess all of the powers of the previous board and such powers as are granted herein or by subsequently enacted legislation, and these persons by majority vote may elect other directors.
611.55(4) (4)Succession list. At any time the board of a corporation may, by resolution, provide that in the event of such a national emergency and in the event of the death or incapacity of specified officers of the corporation, such officers shall be succeeded by the persons named or described in a succession list adopted by the board. The list may be on the basis of named persons or position titles, shall establish the order of priority and may prescribe the conditions under which the powers of the office shall be exercised.
611.55(5) (5)Home office. At any time the board of a corporation may, by resolution, provide that in the event of such a national emergency the home office or principal place of business shall be at a location named or described in the resolution. The resolution may provide for alternate locations and establish an order of preference.
611.55 History History: 1971 c. 260.
611.56 611.56 Committees of directors.
611.56(1) (1)Appointment. If the articles or bylaws of a corporation so provide, the board by resolution adopted by a majority of the full board may designate one or more committees, each consisting of 3 or more directors serving at the pleasure of the board. The board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee to substitute for any absent member at any meeting of the committee. The designation of a committee and delegation of authority to it shall not relieve the board or any director of any responsibility imposed by law.
611.56(2) (2)Delegation; major committees. When the board is not in session, a committee satisfying all of the requirements for the composition of a board under s. 611.51 (2) to (4) may exercise any of the powers of the board in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, including action under ss. 611.60 and 611.61, to the extent authorized in the resolution or in the articles or bylaws; except that any such committee may be composed of 7 or more directors if the corporation has 9 or more directors.
611.56(3) (3)Delegation; ordinary committees. When the board is not in session, a committee not satisfying the requirements of sub. (2) may exercise the powers of the board in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation to the extent authorized in the resolution or in the articles or bylaws, except action in respect to:
611.56(3)(a) (a) Compensation or indemnification of any person who is a director, principal officer or one of the 3 most highly paid employes, and any benefits or payments requiring shareholder or policyholder approval;
611.56(3)(b) (b) Approval of any contract required to be approved by the board under s. 611.60 or 611.61, or of any other transaction in which a director has a material interest adverse to the corporation;
611.56(3)(c) (c) Amendment of the articles or bylaws;
611.56(3)(d) (d) Merger or consolidation under s. 611.72 or 611.73, stock exchanges under s. 611.71, conversion under s. 611.75 or 611.76, voluntary dissolution under s. 611.74 or transfer of business or assets under s. 611.78;
611.56(3)(e) (e) Any other decision requiring shareholder or policyholder approval;
611.56(3)(f) (f) Amendment or repeal of any action previously taken by the full board which by its terms is not subject to amendment or repeal by a committee;
611.56(3)(g) (g) Dividends or other distributions to shareholders or policyholders, other than in the routine implementation of policy determinations of the full board;
611.56(3)(h) (h) Selection of principal officers; and
611.56(3)(i) (i) Filling of vacancies on the board or any committee created under sub. (1) except that the articles or bylaws may provide for temporary appointments to fill vacancies on the board or any committee, the appointments to last no longer than the end of the next board meeting.
611.56(4) (4)Subsequent review. The full board or a major committee of the board authorized to do so under sub. (2) shall specifically review any transaction in which an officer has a material financial interest adverse to the corporation, at the next meeting following action by any ordinary committee.
611.56(5) (5)Quorum and voting. Section 180.0824 applies to a committee of the board of a stock corporation, except references to a committee "created under s. 180.0825" shall be read as a committee "created under this section".
611.56 History History: 1971 c. 260; 1973 c. 31; 1979 c. 102; 1989 a. 303.
611.57 611.57 Interlocking directorates and other relationships. No person may simultaneously be a director or officer in one insurance corporation and a director, officer, employe or agent for another insurer if the effect is to lessen competition substantially or if the 2 insurers have materially adverse interests.
611.57 History History: 1971 c. 260; 1973 c. 128.
611.60 611.60 Transactions in which directors and others are interested.
611.60(1)(1)Voidable transactions. Any material transaction between an insurance corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between an insurance corporation and any other person in which one or more of its directors or officers or any person controlling the corporation has a material interest, is voidable by the corporation unless:
611.60(1)(a) (a) The transaction at the time it is entered into is reasonable and fair to the interests of the corporation; and
611.60(1)(b) (b) The transaction has, with full knowledge of its terms and of the interests involved, been approved in advance by the board or by the shareholders; and
611.60(1)(c) (c) The transaction has been reported to the commissioner immediately after such approval.
611.60(2) (2)Quorum and voting. Directors whose interest or status make the transaction subject to this section may be counted in determining a quorum for a board meeting approving a transaction under sub. (1) (b), but may not vote. Approval requires an affirmative vote of a majority of those present.
611.60(3) (3)Restricted transactions. The commissioner may by rule require that for any classes of transactions subject to sub. (1) which by their nature tend to be unreasonable or unfair to the interests of the corporation the report under sub. (1) (c) shall be submitted to the commissioner in advance of the proposed effective date. Such a transaction shall not be carried out even though approved under sub. (1) (b), until the commissioner approves the transaction, or does not disapprove it for failure to comply with sub. (1) (a) within 30 days after receiving the report under sub. (1) (c).
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This is an archival version of the Wis. Stats. database for 1995. See Are the Statutes on this Website Official?