180.1141
180.1141
Restrictions on business combinations. 180.1141(1)(1)
Business combinations during the 3 years after the stock acquisition date. Except as provided in
s. 180.1143, a resident domestic corporation may not engage in a business combination with an interested stockholder of the resident domestic corporation for 3 years after the interested stockholder's stock acquisition date unless the board of directors of the resident domestic corporation has approved, before the interested stockholder's stock acquisition date, that business combination or the purchase of stock made by the interested stockholder on that stock acquisition date.
180.1141(2)
(2) Business combinations more than 3 years after the stock acquisition date. At any time after the 3-year period described in
sub. (1), the resident domestic corporation may engage in a business combination with the interested stockholder but only if any of the following is satisfied:
180.1141(2)(a)
(a) The board of directors of the resident domestic corporation has approved, before the interested stockholder's stock acquisition date, the purchase of stock made by the interested stockholder on that stock acquisition date.
180.1141(2)(b)
(b) The business combination is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting stock not beneficially owned by the interested stockholder at a meeting called for that purpose.
180.1141(2)(c)
(c) The business combination meets all of the following conditions:
180.1141(2)(c)1.
1. Holders of all outstanding shares of stock of the resident domestic corporation not beneficially owned by the interested stockholder are each entitled to receive per share an aggregate amount of cash and the market value, as of the consummation date, of noncash consideration at least equal to the higher of the following:
180.1141(2)(c)1.a.
a. The highest of: the market value per share on the announcement date with respect to the business combination, the market value per share on the interested stockholder's stock acquisition date, the highest price per share paid by the interested stockholder, including brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees, for shares of the same class or series within the 3 years immediately before and including the announcement date of the business combination, or the highest price per share paid by the interested stockholder, including brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees, for shares of the same class or series within the 3 years immediately before and including the interested stockholder's stock acquisition date; plus, in each case, interest compounded annually from the earliest date on which that highest per share acquisition price was paid or the per share market value was determined, through the consummation date, at the rate for one-year U.S. treasury obligations from time to time in effect; less the aggregate amount of any cash and the market value, as of the dividend payment date, of any noncash dividends paid per share since that date, up to the amount of that interest.
180.1141(2)(c)1.b.
b. The highest preferential amount per share, if any, to which the holders of shares of that class or series of stock are entitled upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation of the resident domestic corporation, plus the aggregate amount of dividends declared or due which those holders are entitled to before payment of dividends on another class or series of stock, unless the aggregate amount of those dividends is included in the preferential amount.
180.1141(2)(c)2.
2. The form of consideration to be received by holders of each particular class or series of outstanding stock in the business combination is in cash or, if the interested stockholder previously acquired shares of that class or series, the same form as the interested stockholder previously used to acquire the largest number of shares of that class or series.
180.1141 History
History: 1989 a. 303;
1991 a. 39.
180.1142
180.1142
Determining market value and control. 180.1142(1)(1) For purposes of
ss. 180.1140 to
180.1144, the market value of stock or property other than cash or stock is determined as follows:
180.1142(1)(a)1.
1. The highest closing sale price during the 30 days immediately before the date in question of a share of that class or series of stock on the composite tape for stocks listed on the New York stock exchange, or, if that class or series of stock is not quoted on the composite tape or if that class or series of stock is not listed on the New York stock exchange, on the principal U.S. securities exchange registered under the exchange act on which that class or series of stock is listed.
180.1142(1)(a)2.
2. If that class or series of stock is not listed on an exchange described in
subd. 1., the highest closing bid quotation for a share of that class or series of stock during the 30 days immediately before the date in question on the National Association of Securities Dealers automated quotation system, or any similar system then in use.
180.1142(1)(a)3.
3. If no quotations described in
subd. 2. are available, the fair market value on the date in question of a share of that class or series of stock as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the resident domestic corporation.
180.1142(1)(b)
(b) In the case of property other than cash or stock, the fair market value of the property on the date in question as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the resident domestic corporation.
180.1142(2)
(2) For purposes of
ss. 180.1140 to
180.1144, a person's beneficial ownership of at least 10% of the voting power of a corporation's outstanding voting stock creates a presumption that the person has control of the corporation.
180.1142 History
History: 1989 a. 303;
1991 a. 39.
180.1143
180.1143
Exclusions from business combination restrictions. Sections 180.1140 to
180.1144 do not apply to any of the following:
180.1143(1)
(1) Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, a business combination of a resident domestic corporation with an interested stockholder if the resident domestic corporation did not have a class of voting stock registered or traded on a national securities exchange or registered under section 12 (g) of the exchange act on the interested stockholder's stock acquisition date.
180.1143(2)
(2) Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, a business combination with an interested stockholder who was an interested stockholder immediately before September 10, 1987, unless subsequently the interested stockholder increased its beneficial ownership of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the resident domestic corporation to a proportion in excess of the proportion of voting power that the interested stockholder beneficially owned immediately before September 10, 1987, excluding an increase approved by the board of directors of the resident domestic corporation before the increase occurred.
180.1143(3)
(3) A business combination of a resident domestic corporation with an interested stockholder which became an interested stockholder inadvertently, if the interested stockholder satisfies all of the following:
180.1143(3)(a)
(a) As soon as practicable divests itself of a sufficient amount of the voting stock of the resident domestic corporation so that the interested stockholder is no longer the beneficial owner of at least 10% of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the resident domestic corporation, or a subsidiary of that resident domestic corporation.
180.1143(3)(b)
(b) Would not at any time within the 3 years before the announcement date with respect to the business combination in question have been an interested stockholder except for the inadvertent acquisition.
180.1143(4)
(4) A business combination of a resident domestic corporation with an interested stockholder which was an interested stockholder immediately before September 10, 1987, and inadvertently increased its beneficial ownership of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the resident domestic corporation to a proportion in excess of the proportion of voting power that the interested stockholder beneficially owned immediately before September 10, 1987, if the interested stockholder divests itself of a sufficient amount of voting stock so that the interested stockholder is no longer the beneficial owner of a proportion of the voting power in excess of the proportion of voting power that the interested stockholder held immediately before September 10, 1987.
180.1143 History
History: 1989 a. 303;
1991 a. 39.
180.1144
180.1144
Relationship to other laws. 180.1144(1)
(1) The requirements of
ss. 180.1140 to
180.1144 are in addition to the requirements of other applicable law, including the other provisions of this chapter, and any additional requirements contained in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a resident domestic corporation with respect to business combinations.
180.1144(2)
(2) For purposes of applying
ss. 180.1140 to
180.1144, if any other provision of this chapter is inconsistent with, in conflict with or contrary to
ss. 180.1140 to
180.1144, that provision does not apply to the extent that it is inconsistent with, in conflict with or contrary to
ss. 180.1140 to
180.1144.
180.1144 History
History: 1989 a. 303;
1991 a. 39.
180.1150
180.1150
Control share voting restrictions. 180.1150(1)(b)
(b) "Person" includes 2 or more individuals or persons acting as a group for the purpose of acquiring or holding securities of a resident domestic corporation, but does not include a bank, broker, nominee, trustee or other person that acquires or holds shares in the ordinary course of business for others in good faith and not for the purpose of avoiding this section unless the person may exercise or direct the exercise of votes with respect to the shares at a meeting of shareholders without further instruction from another.
180.1150(2)
(2) Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation of a resident domestic corporation or otherwise specified by the board of directors of the resident domestic corporation in accordance with
s. 180.0824 (3), and except as provided in
sub. (3) or as restored under
sub. (5), the voting power of shares of a resident domestic corporation held by any person, including shares issuable upon conversion of convertible securities or upon exercise of options or warrants, in excess of 20% of the voting power in the election of directors shall be limited to 10% of the full voting power of those shares.
180.1150(3)
(3) Shares of a resident domestic corporation held, acquired or to be acquired in any of the following circumstances are excluded from the application of this section:
180.1150(3)(b)
(b) Shares acquired under an agreement entered into before April 22, 1986.
180.1150(3)(c)
(c) Shares acquired by a donee under an inter vivos gift not made to avoid this section or by a distributee as defined in
s. 851.07.
180.1150(3)(d)
(d) Shares acquired under a collateral pledge or security agreement, or similar instrument, not created to avoid this section.
180.1150(3)(f)
(f) Shares acquired from the resident domestic corporation.
180.1150(3)(g)
(g) Shares acquired under an agreement entered into at a time when the resident domestic corporation was neither a resident domestic corporation nor an issuing public corporation under s.
180.1150 (1) (a), 1995 stats.
180.1150(3)(i)
(i) Shares acquired in a transaction incident to which the shareholders of the resident domestic corporation have voted under
sub. (5) to approve the person's resolution delivered under
sub. (4) to restore the full voting power of all of that person's shares.
180.1150(4)
(4) A person desiring a shareholder vote under
sub. (5) shall deliver to the resident domestic corporation at its principal office a form of shareholder resolution with an accompanying notice containing all of the following:
180.1150(4)(b)
(b) A statement that the resolution and notice are submitted under this section.
180.1150(4)(c)
(c) The number of shares of the resident domestic corporation owned by the person of record and beneficially under the meaning prescribed in rule 13d-3 under the securities exchange act of 1934.
180.1150(4)(d)
(d) A specification of the voting power the person has acquired or proposes to acquire for which shareholder approval is sought.
180.1150(4)(e)
(e) The circumstances, terms and conditions under which shares representing in excess of 20% of the voting power were acquired or are proposed to be acquired, set forth in reasonable detail, including the source of funds or other consideration and other details of the financial arrangements of the transactions.
180.1150(4)(f)
(f) If shares representing in excess of 20% of the voting power were acquired or are proposed to be acquired for the purpose of gaining control of the resident domestic corporation, the terms of the proposed acquisition, including but not limited to the source of funds or other consideration and the material terms of the financial arrangements for the acquisition, any plans or proposals of the person to liquidate the resident domestic corporation, to sell all or substantially all of its assets, or merge it or exchange its shares with any other person, to change the location of its principal office or of a material portion of its business activities, to change materially its management or policies of employment, to alter materially its relationship with suppliers or customers or the communities in which it operates, or make any other material change in its business, corporate structure, management or personnel, and such other material information as would affect the decision of a shareholder with respect to voting on the resolution.
180.1150(5)(a)(a) Within 10 days after receipt of a resolution and notice under
sub. (4), the directors of the resident domestic corporation shall fix a date for a special meeting of the shareholders to vote on the resolution. The meeting shall be held no later than 50 days after receipt of the resolution and notice under
sub. (4), unless the person agrees to a later date, and no sooner than 30 days after receipt of the resolution and notice, if the person so requests in writing when delivering the resolution and notice.
180.1150(5)(b)
(b) The notice of the meeting shall include a copy of the resolution and notice delivered under
sub. (4) and a statement by the directors of their position or lack of position on the resolution.
180.1150(5)(c)
(c) Regular voting power is restored if at the meeting called under
par. (a) at which a quorum is present a majority of the voting power of shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter approve the resolution.
180.1150(5)(d)
(d) A resident domestic corporation is not required to hold more than 2 meetings under
par. (a) in any 12-month period with respect to resolutions and notices presented by the same person unless the person pays to the corporation, in advance of the 3rd or subsequent such meeting the reasonable expenses of the meeting including, without limitation, fees and expenses of counsel, as estimated in good faith by the board of directors of the resident domestic corporation and communicated in writing to the person within 10 days after receipt of a 3rd or subsequent resolution and notice from the person. In such event, notwithstanding
par. (a), the directors may fix a date for the meeting within 10 days after receipt of payment in full of such estimated expenses rather than within 10 days after receipt of the resolution and notice.
180.1150(6)
(6) Any sale or other disposition of shares by a person holding both shares having full voting power and shares having voting power limited under
sub. (2) shall be deemed to reduce the number of shares having limited voting power until such shares are exhausted.
180.1150(7)
(7) A corporation that is not a resident domestic corporation may elect, by express provision in its articles of incorporation, to be subject to this section as if it were a resident domestic corporation unless its articles of incorporation contain a provision stating that the corporation is a close corporation under
ss. 180.1801 to
180.1837.
180.1161(1)(a)
(a) A domestic corporation may convert to another form of business entity if it satisfies the requirements under this section and if the conversion is permitted under the applicable law of the jurisdiction that governs the organization of the business entity into which the domestic corporation is converting.
180.1161(1)(b)
(b) In addition to satisfying any applicable legal requirements of the jurisdiction that governs the organization of the business entity into which the domestic corporation is converting and that relate to the submission and approval of a plan of conversion, the domestic corporation shall comply with the procedures that govern a plan of merger under
s. 180.1103 for the submission and approval of a plan of conversion.
180.1161(2)(a)(a) A business entity other than a domestic corporation may convert to a domestic corporation if it satisfies the requirements under this section and if the conversion is permitted under the applicable law of the jurisdiction that governs the business entity.
180.1161(2)(b)
(b) A business entity converting into a domestic corporation shall comply with the procedures that govern the submission and approval of a plan of conversion of the jurisdiction that governs the business entity.
180.1161(3)
(3) A plan of conversion shall set forth all of the following:
180.1161(3)(a)
(a) The name, form of business entity, and the identity of the jurisdiction governing the business entity that is to be converted.
180.1161(3)(b)
(b) The name, form of business entity, and the identity of the jurisdiction that will govern the business entity after conversion.
180.1161(3)(d)
(d) The manner and basis of converting the shares or other ownership interests of the business entity that is to be converted into the shares or other ownership interests of the new form of business entity.
180.1161(3)(e)
(e) The effective date and time of the conversion, if the conversion is to be effective other than at the close of business on the date of filing the certificate of conversion, as provided under
s. 180.0123.
180.1161(3)(f)
(f) A copy of the articles of incorporation, articles of organization, certificate of limited partnership, or other similar governing document of the business entity after conversion.
180.1161(3)(g)
(g) Other provisions relating to the conversion, as determined by the business entity.
180.1161(4)
(4) When a conversion is effective, all of the following shall occur:
180.1161(4)(a)1.1. Except with respect to taxation laws of each jurisdiction that are applicable upon the conversion of the business entity, the business entity that was converted is no longer subject to the applicable law of the jurisdiction that governed the organization of the prior form of business entity and is subject to the applicable law of the jurisdiction that governs the new form of business entity.
180.1161(4)(a)2.
2. If the conversion is from or to a business entity under the laws applicable to which one or more of the owners thereof is liable for the debts and obligations of such business entity, such owner or owners shall continue to be or become so liable for debts and obligations of such business entity, but only for such debts and obligations accrued during the period or periods in which such laws are applicable to such owner or owners. This subdivision does not affect liability under any taxation laws.
180.1161(4)(b)
(b) The business entity continues to have all liabilities of the business entity that was converted.
180.1161(4)(c)
(c) The business entity continues to be vested with title to all property owned by the business entity that was converted without reversion or impairment.
180.1161(4)(d)
(d) The articles of incorporation, articles of organization, certificate of limited partnership, or other similar governing document, whichever is applicable, of the business entity are as provided in the plan of conversion.
180.1161(4)(e)
(e) All other provisions of the plan of conversion apply.
180.1161(5)
(5) After a plan of conversion is submitted and approved, the business entity that is to be converted shall deliver to the department for filing a certificate of conversion that includes all of the following:
180.1161(5)(b)
(b) A statement that the plan of conversion was approved in accordance with the applicable law of the jurisdiction that governs the organization of the business entity.
180.1161(5)(bm)
(bm) A statement indicating whether the business entity that is to be converted has a fee simple ownership interest in any Wisconsin real estate.
