1509 - Bylaws and other powers in emergency.
§ 1509. Bylaws and other powers in emergency. (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise restricted in the bylaws, the board of directors of any business corporation may adopt emergency bylaws, subject to repeal or change by action of the shareholders, which shall, notwithstanding any different provisions of law or of the articles or bylaws, be effective during any emergency resulting from an attack on the United States, a nuclear disaster or another catastrophe as a result of which a quorum of the board cannot readily be assembled. The emergency bylaws may make any provision that may be appropriate for the circumstances of the emergency, including: (1) Procedures for calling meetings of the board. (2) Quorum requirements for meetings. (3) Procedures for designating additional or substitute directors. (b) Lines of succession; head office.--The board of directors, either before or during any emergency, may provide, and from time to time modify, lines of succession in the event that during the emergency any or all officers or agents of the corporation shall for any reason be rendered incapable of discharging their duties and may, effective in the emergency, change the head offices or designate several alternative head offices or regional offices of the corporation or authorize the officers to do so. (c) Personnel not liable.--A representative of the corporation: (1) Acting in accordance with any emergency bylaws shall not be liable except for willful misconduct. (2) Shall not be liable for any action taken by him in good faith in an emergency in furtherance of the ordinary business affairs of the corporation even though not authorized by the emergency or other bylaws then in effect. (d) Effect on regular bylaws.--To the extent not inconsistent with any emergency bylaws so adopted, the bylaws of the corporation shall remain in effect during any emergency and, upon its termination, the emergency bylaws shall cease to be effective. (e) Procedure in absence of emergency bylaws.--Unless otherwise provided in emergency bylaws, notice of any meeting of the board of directors during an emergency shall be given only to those directors it is feasible to reach at the time and by such means as are feasible at the time, including publication, radio or television. To the extent required to constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board of directors during any emergency, the officers of the corporation who are present shall, unless otherwise provided in emergency bylaws, be deemed, in order of rank and within the same rank in order of seniority, directors for the meeting.