Article 9. Members of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 20. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 9.

Under the terms and conditions which are prescribed in the bylaws adopted by it, an association may admit as members or issue common stock to only such persons as are engaged in the production of any product which is to be handled by or through the association, or that use or employ any service or facility offered by the association on, or in connection with, land which is used for the production of any product, including the lessees and tenants of land which is used for the production of such product and any lessors and landlords that receive as rent all or part of the crop which is raised on the leased premises.

If a member of a nonstock association is other than a natural person, such member may be represented by any individual, associate, officer, or manager or member of it, who is duly authorized in writing.

Any association may become a member or stockholder of any other association.

If a member of an association which is established without shares of stock has paid his membership fee in full, he shall receive a certificate of membership.

An association shall not issue a certificate for stock to a member until it has been fully paid for. The promissory notes of the members may be accepted by the association as full or partial payment. The association shall hold the stock as security for the payment of the note, but such retention as security does not affect the member's right to vote.

An association, in its bylaws, may limit the amount of common stock which any member may own.

The bylaws shall prohibit the transfer of the common stock or membership certificates of the associations to any person that is not qualified to be a shareholder or member as specified in this chapter. Such restrictions shall be printed upon every certificate of stock or membership which is subject to them.

The association may, at any time, as specified in the bylaws, except when the debts of the association exceed 50 percent of its assets, buy in or purchase its common stock at the book value of the common stock, as conclusively determined by the board of directors, and pay for it in cash within one year thereafter.

A member or stockholder is not liable for the debts of the association to an amount which exceeds the sum which remains unpaid on his membership fee or his subscription to the capital stock, including any unpaid balance on any promissory note which is given in payment of the membership fee or the subscription to the capital stock.