A society shall be deemed to have a representative form of government when:
(1) It provides in its constitution or laws for a supreme legislative or governing body, composed of representatives elected either by the members or by delegates elected, directly or indirectly, by the members, together with such other members of such body as may be prescribed by the society's constitution and laws;
(2) The representatives elected constitute a majority in number and have not less than two thirds of the votes nor less than the votes required to amend its constitution and laws;
(3) The meetings of the supreme legislative or governing body and the election of officers, representatives, or delegates are held as often as once in four calendar years;
(4) Each insured member shall be eligible for election to act or serve as a delegate to such meeting;
(5) The society has a board of directors charged with the responsibility for managing its affairs in the interim between meetings of its supreme legislative or governing body, subject to control by such body, and having powers and duties delegated to it in the constitution or laws of the society;
(6) Such board of directors is elected by the supreme legislative or governing body, except in case of filling a vacancy in the interim between meetings of such body;
(7) The officers are elected either by the supreme legislative or governing body or by the board of directors; and
(8) The members, officers, representatives, or delegates shall not vote by proxy.
Structure Code of Alabama
Chapter 34 - Fraternal Benefit Societies.
Section 27-34-1 - Definitions.
Section 27-34-2 - Societies Deemed Operating on Lodge System.
Section 27-34-3 - When Society Deemed as Having Representative Form of Government.
Section 27-34-4 - Applicability of Chapter - Generally.
Section 27-34-5 - Applicability of Chapter - Exceptions.
Section 27-34-6 - License - Requirement; Renewal; Fee; Evidence.
Section 27-34-7 - License - Foreign or Alien Societies - Application; Qualifications.
Section 27-34-8 - License - Foreign or Alien Societies - Suspension, Revocation, or Refusal.
Section 27-34-9 - Articles of Incorporation - Contents.
Section 27-34-11 - Preliminary Certificate - Time to Complete Organization.
Section 27-34-12 - Preliminary Certificate - Initial Solicitations and Qualifications.
Section 27-34-13 - Certificate of Compliance.
Section 27-34-14 - Constitution and Laws; Powers.
Section 27-34-15 - Existing Incorporated Societies.
Section 27-34-16 - Incorporation of Existing Unincorporated Domestic Voluntary Associations.
Section 27-34-17 - Amendment of Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, or Laws.
Section 27-34-18 - Waiver of Societies' Laws and Constitution.
Section 27-34-20 - Creation, etc., of Charitable, Benevolent, or Educational Institutions.
Section 27-34-21 - Members - Qualifications for Membership.
Section 27-34-22 - Members - Payment of Equitable Part of Deficiency.
Section 27-34-23 - Benefits - Generally.
Section 27-34-24 - Benefits - Lives of Children.
Section 27-34-26 - Beneficiaries.
Section 27-34-27 - Exemption of Benefits, etc., From Attachment, Garnishment, or Other Process.
Section 27-34-28 - Personal Liability for Payment of Benefits.
Section 27-34-29 - Issuance of Certificate to Each Benefit Member; Matters Constituting Agreement.
Section 27-34-30 - Life Benefit Certificate - Filing With Commissioner; Standard Provisions.
Section 27-34-31 - Life Benefit Certificate - Prohibited Provisions.
Section 27-34-32 - Accident or Health and Total or Permanent Disability Insurance Contracts.
Section 27-34-33 - Reinsurance.
Section 27-34-34 - Assets; Funds; Expenses.
Section 27-34-35 - Investments.
Section 27-34-36 - Annual Statements - Requirements.
Section 27-34-37 - Annual Statements - Valuation of Certificates; Reserves.
Section 27-34-38 - Annual Statements - Failure to File.
Section 27-34-39 - Examinations - Domestic Societies.
Section 27-34-40 - Examinations - Foreign and Alien Societies.
Section 27-34-41 - Examinations - Publication of Financial Statement, Report, or Finding.
Section 27-34-42 - Exemption From Taxation.
Section 27-34-43 - Applicability of Chapters 7 and 8a.
Section 27-34-44 - Agents - Solicitation Without License.
Section 27-34-45 - Misrepresentations.
Section 27-34-46 - Discrimination, Inducements, and Rebates.
Section 27-34-47 - Service of Process.
Section 27-34-48 - Consolidation or Merger - Procedure.
Section 27-34-49 - Consolidation or Merger - Effect.
Section 27-34-50 - Actions to Enjoin or in Quo Warranto; Liquidation; Receivership.
Section 27-34-51 - Applications for Injunctions.
Section 27-34-52 - Review of Decisions and Findings of Commissioner.