§291.  Amendments to laws

A.  A domestic society may amend its laws in accordance with the provisions thereof by action of its supreme governing body at any regular or special meeting thereof or, if its laws so provide, by referendum.  Such referendum may be held in accordance with the provisions of its laws by the vote of the voting members of the society, by the vote of delegates or representatives of voting members, or by the vote of local lodges.  A society may provide for voting by mail.  No amendment submitted for adoption by referendum shall be adopted unless, within six months from the date of submission thereof, a majority of the members voting shall have signified their consent to such amendment by one of the methods herein specified.

B.  No amendment to the laws of any domestic society shall take effect unless approved by the commissioner of insurance who shall approve such amendment if he finds that it has been duly adopted and is not inconsistent with any requirement of the laws of this state or with the character, objects, and purposes of the society.  Unless the commissioner of insurance disapproves any such amendment within sixty days after the filing of same, the amendment shall be considered approved.  The approval or disapproval of the commissioner of insurance shall be in writing and mailed to the secretary or corresponding officer of the society at its principal office.  In case the commissioner disapproves the amendment, the reasons therefor shall be stated in the written notice.  Within ninety days after approval by the commissioner of insurance a certified copy of the amendment shall be filed with the secretary of state.

C.  Within ninety days after the approval thereof by the commissioner of insurance, all such amendments, or a synopsis thereof, shall be furnished to all members of the society either by mail or by publication in full in the official publication of the society.  The affidavit of any officer of the society or of anyone authorized by it to mail any amendments or synopsis thereof, stating facts which show that they have been duly addressed and mailed, shall be prima facie evidence that such amendments, or synopsis thereof, have been furnished the addressee.

D.  Every foreign or alien society authorized to do business in this state shall file with the commissioner of insurance and the secretary of state a duly certified copy of all amendments of, or additions to, its laws within ninety days after enactment.

E.  Printed copies of the laws as amended, certified by the secretary or corresponding officer of the society shall be prima facie evidence of the legal adoption thereof.

Acts 1958, No. 125; Acts 1987, No. 470, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Redesignated from R.S. 22:551 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.

NOTE:  Former R.S. 22:291 redesignated as R.S. 22:131 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.