Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 5A - Maryland Consumer Cooperative Act
Section 5-5A-08 - Limitation on Stock Ownership; Member's Withdrawal or Disposal of Interest; Classes of Ownership; Stock Conversion; Termination of Nonstock Voting Membership

(a)    A cooperative may limit in its articles of incorporation the number of shares of stock that a person may hold.
    (b)    If a member desires to withdraw from a consumer cooperative or dispose of any or all of the member’s interest in the cooperative, the directors of the cooperative have the option to purchase that interest by paying the par value or book value, whichever is less, of any or all of the interest offered.
    (c)    If the cooperative fails, within 60 days of the original offer, to purchase all or any part of the interest offered, the member may sell the unpurchased interest to a purchaser who is eligible for membership in the cooperative.
    (d)    A consumer cooperative may provide in its articles of incorporation for a class of nonvoting capital stock or a class of nonstock voting membership.
    (e)    A consumer cooperative organized with voting stock may amend its articles of incorporation to provide for conversion of its voting stock at par value, to nonstock voting memberships. When that conversion occurs, voting stock shall convert to nonvoting capital stock of par value or, at the holder’s election, to a nonstock voting membership.
    (f)    A nonstock voting membership shall be continuing unless terminated by:
        (1)    A written request from the member; or
        (2)    The member’s failure to comply with the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the cooperative after receiving notice as required in the bylaws.

Structure Maryland Statutes