Washington Constitution Article XII - Corporations Other Than Municipal
Here is the full text of Article XII - Corporations Other Than Municipal from the Washington State Constitution:
ARTICLE XII — CORPORATIONS OTHER THAN MUNICIPAL
Section 1. Regulation
All laws relating to corporations may be altered, amended, or repealed by the legislature at any time, and all corporations doing business in this state may, as to such business, be regulated, limited, or restrained by law.
Section 2. Formation under general laws
Corporations may be formed under general laws, but shall not be created by special acts, except for municipal purposes, and in cases where, in the judgment of the legislature, the objects of the corporation cannot be attained under general laws.
Section 3. Corporate powers
All corporations shall have the right to sue and shall be subject to be sued in all courts in like cases as natural persons.
Section 4. Eminent domain
The exercise of the right of eminent domain shall never be so abridged or construed as to prevent the legislature from taking the property and franchises of incorporated companies and subjecting them to public use the same as the property of individuals.
Section 5. "Corporation" defined
The term "corporation" as used in this article shall be construed to include all associations and joint-stock companies having powers or privileges not possessed by individuals or partnerships, and all corporations shall have the right to sue and be subject to suit in all courts in like cases as natural persons.
Section 6. Dues from corporations
Dues from corporations shall be secured by such means as may be prescribed by law.
Section 7. Street railroads
No corporation other than municipal shall be allowed to construct or operate any street railroad within any city or town without the consent of the local authorities having control of the street or highway proposed to be occupied.
Section 8. Consolidation of competing companies
No railroad or other transportation company shall consolidate its stock, property, or franchises with any other competing company or line of transportation without the permission of the legislature.
Section 9. Railroad charges
No railroad or other transportation company shall charge, demand, or receive from any person, company, or corporation, an unreasonable charge for the transportation of persons or property, or for the transmission of messages or other intelligence.
Section 10. Discrimination by railroad companies
No railroad company shall give, or permit any other person or corporation to give, any preference to any individual, company, corporation, or locality, or subject any particular person or locality to any prejudice or disadvantage in any respect whatsoever.
Section 11. Railroads as common carriers
Railroads heretofore constructed or that may hereafter be constructed in this state are hereby declared public highways and railroad companies as common carriers subject to legislative control, and the legislature shall enact laws to prevent unjust discrimination and excessive charges for transportation.
Section 12. Railroad rolling stock personal property
The rolling stock of all railroads shall be considered personal property and shall be liable to execution and sale in the same manner as the personal property of individuals, and the legislature shall pass no laws exempting such property from execution and sale.
Section 13. Reports by corporations
The legislature shall have the power to require all corporations to make reports under oath of their capital, debts, assets, and liabilities, and to provide the means for enforcing all the provisions of this article.
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