§ 7717 — Patronage distributions

(a) Procedure.--Net earnings of a corporation may be apportioned, distributed and paid periodically on the basis of patronage to those persons entitled to receive them, at a time and in a manner as the bylaws provide. The distributions shall be designated as patronage allocations.

(b) Method of payment.--The apportionment, distribution and payment of net earnings under subsection (a) may be in cash or written notices of allocation issued by the corporation.

(c) Minimum transaction amount.--A corporation may provide in its bylaws the minimum amount of a single patronage transaction, which shall be taken into account for the purpose of participation in allocation and distribution of net earnings under this section.

(d) Periodic redemption.--The bylaws of a workers' cooperative corporation shall provide for periodic redemption of written notices of allocation.

(e) Interest.--The bylaws may provide for the corporation to pay or credit interest on the balance of each member's internal capital account.

(f) Termination redemption.--The articles of incorporation shall provide for the recall and redemption of the membership share upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of membership in the corporation. The price of the redemption shall be equal to the sum of the membership fee and any other capital paid in by the member, adjusted by the amount of interest accrued and by distributions of net earnings as provided in the bylaws. No redemption may be made which would render the corporation insolvent.

(g) Net earnings.--For purposes of this section, net earnings shall be computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.