§ 27-25-11 - Amendments to laws. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 27-25-11

   § 27-25-11  Amendments to laws. – (a) A domestic society may amend its laws in accordance with the provisions ofthose laws, by action of its supreme governing body at any regular or specialmeeting of that body or, if its laws provide, by referendum. A referendum maybe held in accordance with the provisions of the domestic society's laws, bythe vote of the voting members of the society, by the vote of delegates orrepresentatives of voting members, or by the vote of local lodges. A societymay provide for voting by mail. No amendment submitted for adoption byreferendum shall be adopted unless, within six (6) months from the date ofsubmission, a majority of the members voting shall have signified their consentto the amendment by one of the methods specified in this section.

   (b) No amendment to the laws of any domestic society shalltake effect unless approved by the commissioner of insurance who shall approvethe amendment if the commissioner finds that it has been duly adopted and isnot inconsistent with any requirement of the laws of the state or with thecharacter, objects, and purposes of the society. Unless the commissioner ofinsurance shall disapprove an amendment within sixty (60) days after the filingof the amendment, it shall be considered approved. The approval or disapprovalof the commissioner of insurance shall be in writing and mailed to thesecretary or corresponding officer of the society at its principal office. Incase the commissioner disapproves the amendment, the reasons shall be stated inthe written notice.

   (c) Within ninety (90) days from the approval by thecommissioner of insurance, all amendments, or a synopsis of the amendments,shall be furnished to all of the members of the society either by mail or bypublication, in full, in the official publication of the society. The affidavitof any officer of the society or of anyone authorized by it to mail anyamendments or synopsis, stating facts which show that the amendments or asynopsis have been duly addressed and mailed, shall be prima facie evidencethat the amendments or synopsis have been furnished to the addressee.

   (d) Every foreign or alien society authorized to do businessin this state shall file with the commissioner of insurance a duly certifiedcopy of all amendments of, or additions to, its laws within ninety (90) daysafter their enactment.

   (e) Printed copies of the laws, as amended, certified by thesecretary or corresponding officer of the society, shall be prima facieevidence of their legal adoption.