Subdivision 1. Conditions for relief. A court may grant equitable relief that it deems just and reasonable in the circumstances or may dissolve a cooperative and liquidate its assets and business:
(1) in a supervised voluntary dissolution that is applied for by the cooperative;
(2) in an action by a member when it is established that:
(i) the directors or the persons having the authority otherwise vested in the board are deadlocked in the management of the cooperative's affairs and the shareholders or members are unable to break the deadlock;
(ii) the directors or those in control of the cooperative have acted fraudulently, illegally, or in a manner unfairly prejudicial toward one or more members in their capacities as members, directors, or officers;
(iii) the members of the cooperative are so divided in voting power that, for a period that includes the time when two consecutive regular members' meetings were held, they have failed to elect successors to directors whose terms have expired or would have expired upon the election and qualification of their successors;
(iv) the cooperative assets are being misapplied or wasted; or
(v) the period of duration as provided in the articles has expired and has not been extended as provided in this chapter;
(3) in an action by a creditor when:
(i) the claim of the creditor against the cooperative has been reduced to judgment and an execution on the judgment has been returned unsatisfied; or
(ii) the cooperative has admitted in writing that the claim of the creditor against the cooperative is due and owing and it is established that the cooperative is unable to pay its debts in the ordinary course of business; or
(4) in an action by the attorney general to dissolve the cooperative in accordance with this chapter when it is established that a decree of dissolution is appropriate.
Subd. 2. Condition of cooperative or association. In determining whether to order equitable relief or dissolution, the court shall take into consideration the financial condition of the cooperative but may not refuse to order equitable relief or dissolution solely on the ground that the cooperative has accumulated operating net income or current operating net income.
Subd. 3. Dissolution as remedy. In deciding whether to order dissolution of the cooperative, the court must consider whether lesser relief suggested by one or more parties, such as a form of equitable relief or a partial liquidation, would be adequate to permanently relieve the circumstances established under subdivision 1, clause (2) or (3). Lesser relief may be ordered if it would be appropriate under the facts and circumstances of the case.
Subd. 4. Expenses. If the court finds that a party to a proceeding brought under this section has acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or otherwise not in good faith, the court may in its discretion award reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees and disbursements, to any of the other parties.
Subd. 5. Venue. Proceedings under this section shall be brought in a court within the county where the registered office of the cooperative is located.
Subd. 6. Parties. It is not necessary to make members parties to the action or proceeding unless relief is sought against them personally.
1989 c 144 art 3 s 37
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 300 - 323A — Business, Social, And Charitable Organizations
Section 308A.005 — Definitions.
Section 308A.011 — Use Of Term Cooperative Restricted.
Section 308A.015 — Reservation Of Right.
Section 308A.021 — Filing Fee.
Section 308A.025 — Registered Office.
Section 308A.027 — Annual Renewal.
Section 308A.032 — Foreign Cooperatives; Sections Applicable.
Section 308A.101 — Organizational Purpose.
Section 308A.105 — Incorporators.
Section 308A.121 — Cooperative Name.
Section 308A.125 — Stock And Nonstock Organization.
Section 308A.131 — Articles Of Incorporation.
Section 308A.135 — Amendment Of Articles.
Section 308A.141 — Amendment Of Articles To Be Governed By This Chapter.
Section 308A.145 — Amendment Of Articles To Incorporate Defectively Organized Cooperative.
Section 308A.155 — Corporate Existence.
Section 308A.205 — Agricultural Marketing Contracts.
Section 308A.210 — Telecommunication Services Purchasing Cooperatives.
Section 308A.301 — Board Governs Cooperative.
Section 308A.305 — Number Of Directors.
Section 308A.311 — Election Of Directors.
Section 308A.313 — Apportionment Of Directors Among Districts Or Units.
Section 308A.315 — Filling Vacancies.
Section 308A.321 — Removal Of Directors.
Section 308A.325 — Limitation Of Director's Liability.
Section 308A.327 — Electric Cooperative; Board Meetings.
Section 308A.328 — Standard Of Conduct.
Section 308A.501 — Capital Stock.
Section 308A.503 — Health Care Cooperative Members.
Section 308A.505 — Subject To Securities Law.
Section 308A.601 — Grouping Of Members.
Section 308A.605 — Member And Stockholder Violations.
Section 308A.611 — Regular Members' Meetings.
Section 308A.615 — Special Members' Meetings.
Section 308A.621 — Certification Of Mailed Meeting Notice.
Section 308A.625 — Failure To Receive Meeting Notice.
Section 308A.635 — Member Voting Rights.
Section 308A.645 — Vote Of Corporate Stock Held By Cooperative.
Section 308A.705 — Distribution Of Income.
Section 308A.711 — Distribution Of Unclaimed Property.
Section 308A.801 — Merger And Consolidation.
Section 308A.901 — Liquidation.
Section 308A.905 — Methods Of Dissolution.
Section 308A.911 — Voluntary Dissolution By Members.
Section 308A.915 — Winding Up.
Section 308A.921 — Revocation Of Dissolution Proceedings.
Section 308A.925 — Statute Of Limitations.
Section 308A.931 — Articles Of Dissolution.
Section 308A.935 — Application For Court-supervised Voluntary Dissolution.
Section 308A.941 — Court-ordered Remedies Or Dissolution.
Section 308A.945 — Procedure In Involuntary Or Court-supervised Voluntary Dissolution.
Section 308A.951 — Receiver Qualifications And Powers.
Section 308A.955 — Dissolution Action By Attorney General.
Section 308A.961 — Filing Claims In Court-supervised Dissolution Proceedings.
Section 308A.965 — Discontinuance Of Court-supervised Dissolution Proceedings.
Section 308A.971 — Court-supervised Dissolution Order.
Section 308A.975 — Filing Court's Dissolution Order.
Section 308A.981 — Barring Of Claims.
Section 308A.985 — Right To Sue Or Defend After Dissolution.