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§ 308B.625 Restriction On Transfer Or Registration Of Membership Interests

Statute text

Extracted from the Revisor of Statutes; first captured here October 15, 2026. Formatting and whitespace are normalized. Extraction can contain errors; the linked official text controls.

Subdivision 1. How imposed.

A restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of membership interests of a cooperative may be imposed in the articles, in the bylaws, by a resolution adopted by the members, or by an agreement among or other written action by a number of members or holders of other membership interests or among them and the cooperative. A restriction is not binding with respect to membership interests issued prior to the adoption of the restriction, unless the holders of those membership interests are parties to the agreement or voted in favor of the restriction.

Subdivision 2. Restrictions permitted.

A written restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of membership interests of a cooperative that is not manifestly unreasonable under the circumstances may be enforced against the holder of the restricted membership interests or a successor or transferee of the holder, including a pledgee or a legal representative, if the restriction is either:

(1) noted conspicuously on the face or back of the certificate;

(2) included in this chapter or the articles or bylaws; or

(3) included in information sent to the holders of uncertificated membership interests.

Unless a restriction is in this chapter, the articles, bylaws, noted conspicuously on the face or back of the certificate, or included in information sent to the holders of uncertificated membership interests, a restriction, even though permitted by this section, is ineffective against a person without knowledge of the restriction. A restriction under this section is deemed to be noted conspicuously and is effective if the existence of the restriction is stated on the certificate and reference is made to a separate document creating or describing the restriction.

History: 2003 c 105 art 1 s 59

Notes & interpretation Not part of the law

Verified against sources: October 15, 2026Last edited: October 16, 2026

In plain language#

A cooperative may restrict the transfer, or registration of transfer, of membership interests by:

  • the articles,
  • the bylaws,
  • a resolution adopted by the members, or
  • an agreement or other written action among a number of members or holders (or between them and the cooperative).

A restriction does not bind interests issued before it was adopted unless their holders signed the agreement or voted for it.

Enforceability#

A written restriction that is "not manifestly unreasonable under the circumstances" may be enforced against the holder, or a successor or transferee (including a pledgee or legal representative), if it is: (1) noted conspicuously on the face or back of the certificate; (2) included in this chapter or the articles or bylaws; or (3) included in the information sent to holders of uncertificated interests. Otherwise, even a permitted restriction is ineffective against someone who did not know of it. A restriction is deemed conspicuous if the certificate states that a restriction exists and refers to a separate document that creates or describes it.

How it works in practice#

  • This section covers transfer of the whole membership interest. A parallel rule for financial rights only is in § 308B.605 subd. 3.
  • Separately from this section, § 308B.601 subd. 4 already requires board approval for any sale or transfer after issuance.
  • Put the restriction where it will be found: in the bylaws, on the certificate, or in the written information sent to uncertificated holders (§ 308B.615).

Sources

  • P1 Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 308B (Cooperative Associations), Office of the Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota. revisor.mn.gov (primary; accessed October 15, 2026)

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