Untitled Texas Attorney General Opinion

Honorable Zollie Steakley Opinion No. Ww-803 Secretary of State Capitol Station Re: Authority of the Secretary Austin, Texas of State to accept and file proposed Articles of In- corporation containing the clause that the purpose of the corporation is "to sup- port and make contributions to any religious, charitable, scientific or educational Dear Mr. Steakley: undertaking or organization." You have requested an opinion on the following questions: "The opinion of your office is respectfully requested concerning the authority of this office to accept and file the charter of a proposed non- profit corporation containing a purpose clause stated generally as follows: "'The purpose for which the'corpora- tion is organized is to support and make contributions to any religious, charitable, scientific or educational undertaking or organization.' I, . . . "1. Should the Secretary of State accept and file the proposed Articles of Incorporation with the general purpose clause stated above? "2. If Question No. 1 is answered in the affirmative, should the Secretary Honorable Zollie Steakley, page 2 (w-803). of State require an elaboration or a detailed statement as to the manner in which the corporation will engage in or carry out its authorized purposes In order to determine whether the corpora- tion is exempt from franchise taxes?" Subdivision A of Article 2.01, Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act (House Bill 145, Azts of the 56th Legisla- ture, Regular Session, 1959, Chapter 162, page 286, pro- vides in part: "A. Except as hereinafter in this Article expressly excluded herefrom, non- profit corporations may be organized under It is noted that the purpose stated in the Articles of Incorporation submitted with your request is for specific purposes named in the Act and, therefore, states a lawful purpose. It is, therefore, our opinion that you are author- ized to accept and file the Articles of Incorporation. In answer to your second question, you are author- ized to require such informatlon as is necessary for you to determine whether the corporation is exempt from fran- chise taxes. SUMMARY The Secretary of State is authorized to accept and file proposed Articles of Incorporation containing the clause Honorable Zollie Steakley, page 3 (~~-803). that its purpose is "to support and make contributions to any religious, charitable, scientific or educational undertaking or organization," as this clause constitutes a full statement of the purpose of the corporation as required by Article 2.01.of the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act. Yours very truly, WILL WILSON Attorney General of Texas Assistant JR:mfh APPROVED: OPINION COMMITTEE W. V. Geppert, Chairman Charles D. Cabaniss Tom I. McFarling 5. Arthur Sandlin REVIEWED FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BY: Leonard Passmore