Right of members and directors to inspect and copy records; denial of inspection; civil liability; defense to action for penalties or damages.
1. Any director or person authorized in writing by at least 15 percent of the members of the corporation upon at least 5 days’ written demand is entitled to inspect in person or by agent or attorney, during normal business hours, the books of account and all financial records of the corporation and to make extracts therefrom. The right of members and directors to inspect the corporate records may not be limited in the articles or bylaws of any corporation.
2. All costs for making extracts of records must be borne by the person exercising his rights under subsection 1.
3. The rights authorized by subsection 1 may be denied to a director or member upon his refusal to furnish the corporation an affidavit that such inspection, extracts or audit is not desired for any purpose not related to his interest in the corporation as a director or member. Any director or member or other person, exercising rights under subsection 1, who uses or attempts to use information, records or other data obtained from the corporation, for any purpose not related to his interest in the corporation as a director or member, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
4. A director or member who brings an action or proceeding to enforce any right under this section or to recover damages resulting from its denial:
(a) Is entitled to costs and reasonable attorney’s fees, if he prevails; or
(b) Is liable for such costs and fees, if he does not prevail, in the action or proceeding.
5. It is a defense to any action to enforce the provisions of this section or for damages or penalties under this section that the person seeking an inspection of the books of account and financial records, or extracts thereof, has used or intends to use any such accounts and records for any of the following reasons:
(a) For any commercial purpose or purpose in competition with the corporation;
(b) To sell to any person; or
(c) For any other purpose not related to his interest as a member or director.
6. The rights and remedies of this section are not available to members of any corporation that makes available at no cost to its members a detailed annual financial statement.
Last modified: February 26, 2006