South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 38 - Fraternal Benefit Societies
Section 38-38-250. Consolidation or merger of domestic societies.

(A) A domestic society may consolidate or merge with another society by complying with the applicable provisions of Chapter 21 of this title and Regulation 69-14. It shall file with the director or his designee:
(1) the information required by Regulation 69-14;
(2) a certified copy of the written contract containing in full the terms and conditions of the consolidation or merger;
(3) a sworn statement by the president and secretary or corresponding officers of each society showing the financial condition the societies on a date fixed by the director or his designee, but not earlier than December thirty-first next preceding the date of the contract;
(4) a certificate of the officers, verified by the respective oaths, that the consolidation or merger has been approved by a two-thirds vote of the supreme governing body of each society; this vote must be conducted at a regular or special meeting of each body or, if the society's bylaws permit, by mail; and
(5) evidence that, at least sixty days before the action of the supreme governing body of each society, the text of the contract was furnished to all members of each society either by mail or by publication in full in the official publication of each society.
(B) If the director or his designee finds that the transaction is in conformity with the provisions of this section, that the financial statements are correct, and that the consolidation or merger is just and equitable to the members of each society, the director or his designee shall approve the transaction and issue a certificate to that effect. Upon this approval, the contract is in full force and effect, unless a society which is a party to the contract is incorporated under the laws of another state or territory. In that event, the consolidation or merger does not become effective unless and until it has been approved as provided by the laws of that other state or territory and a certificate of that approval has been filed with the director or his designee of this State. If the laws of the other state or territory contain no such provision, then the consolidation or merger does not become effective unless and until it has been approved by the director of insurance, or equivalent official, of that state or territory and a certificate of the approval has been filed with the director or his designee of this State.
(C) Upon the consolidation or merger becoming effective, all the rights, franchises, and interests of the consolidated or merged societies in and to every species of property, real, personal, or mixed, and things in action belonging to the same are vested in the society resulting from or remaining after the consolidation or merger without another instrument, except that conveyances of real property may be evidenced by proper deeds, and the title to a real estate or interest in real estate, vested under the laws of this State in any of the societies consolidated or merged does not revert, nor is in any way impaired, by reason of the consolidation or merger but vests absolutely in the society resulting from or remaining after the consolidation or merger.
(D) The affidavit of an officer of the society or of anyone authorized by it to mail a notice or document, stating that the notice or document has been duly addressed and mailed, is prima facie evidence that the notice or document has been furnished the addressees.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 259, Section 1.

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