§ 18-1065. Inspection of Books and Records.

INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS

A.  As used in this section:

1.  “Shareholder” means:

a.a shareholder of record in a stock corporation, or a person who is the beneficial owner of shares of stock held either in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of a person, and

b.a member of a nonstock corporation as reflected on the records of the nonstock corporation;

2.  “List of shareholders” includes a list of members in a nonstock corporation;

3.  “Under oath” includes statements the declarant affirms to be true under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States or any state; and

4.  “Subsidiary” means any entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by the corporation of which the shareholder is a shareholder and over the affairs of which the corporation directly or indirectly exercises control, and includes but is not limited to corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies, statutory trusts and joint ventures.

B.  Any shareholder, in person or by attorney or other agent, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, shall have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose, and to make copies and extracts from:

1.  The corporation’s stock ledger, a list of shareholders, and its other books and records; and

2.  A subsidiary’s books and records, to the extent that:

a.the corporation has actual possession and control of the records of the subsidiary, or

b.the corporation could obtain the records through the exercise of control over the subsidiary,

provided that as of the date of the making of the demand:

(1)shareholder inspection of the books and records of the subsidiary would not constitute a breach of an agreement between the corporation or the subsidiary and a person or person not affiliated with the corporation, and

(2)the subsidiary would not have the right under the law applicable to it to deny the corporation access to the books and records upon demand by the corporation.

In every instance where the shareholder is other than a records holder of stock in a stock corporation or a member of a nonstock corporation, the demand under oath shall state the person’s status as a shareholder or member, be accompanied by documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of the stock or beneficial membership, and state that the documentary evidence is a true and correct copy of what it purports to be.  A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to a person’s interest as a shareholder or member.  In every instance where an attorney or other agent shall be the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or other writing which authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the shareholder.  The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in this state or at its principal place of business.

C.  1.  If the corporation or an officer or agent thereof refuses to permit an inspection sought by a shareholder or attorney or other agent acting for the shareholder pursuant to the provisions of subsection B of this section or does not reply to the demand within five (5) business days after the demand has been made, the shareholder may apply to the district court for an order to compel an inspection.  The court may summarily order the corporation to permit the shareholder to inspect the corporation’s stock ledger, an existing list of shareholders, and its other books and records, and to make copies or extracts therefrom; or the court may order the corporation to furnish to the shareholder a list of its shareholders as of a specific date on condition that the shareholder first pay to the corporation the reasonable cost of obtaining and furnishing the list and on other conditions as the court deems appropriate.

2.  Where the shareholder seeks to inspect the corporation’s books and records, other than its stock ledger or list of shareholders, the shareholder shall first establish that:

a.the shareholder is a shareholder,

b.the shareholder has complied with the provisions of this section respecting the form and manner of making demand for inspection of the documents, and

c.the inspection the shareholder seeks is for a proper purpose.

3.  Where the shareholder seeks to inspect the corporation’s stock ledger or list of shareholders and has complied with the provisions of this section respecting the form and manner of making demand for inspection of the documents, the burden of proof shall be upon the corporation to establish that the inspection the shareholder seeks is for an improper purpose.  The court may, in its discretion, prescribe any limitations or conditions upon the inspection, or award other or further relief as the court may deem just and proper.  The court may order books, documents, and records, pertinent extracts therefrom, or duly authenticated copies thereof, to be brought within this state and kept in this state upon such terms and conditions as the order may prescribe.

D.  Any director, including a member of the governing body of a nonstock corporation, shall have the right to examine the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its shareholders, and its other books and records for a purpose reasonably related to his or her position as a director.  The district court may summarily order the corporation to permit the director to inspect any and all books and records, the stock ledger, and the list of shareholders and to make copies or extracts therefrom.  The court, in its discretion, may prescribe any limitations or conditions with reference to the inspection, or award other or further relief as the court may deem just and proper.  The burden of proof shall be upon the corporation to establish that the inspection the director seeks is for an improper purpose.

Added by Laws 1986, c. 292, § 65, eff. Nov. 1, 1986.  Amended by Laws 1998, c. 422, § 12, eff. Nov. 1, 1998; Laws 2004, c. 255, § 14, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.