(1) The articles or bylaws may specify the terms of directors. If a term is not specified in the articles or bylaws, then the term of a director is one year. Each term of a director elected by the members or directors, or by some other method provided in the articles or bylaws, may not exceed five years except as provided in subsection (2) of this section. Terms of directors appointed by some other person or persons, or designated in some other manner, may be of any length.

(2) For a corporation formed before January 1, 2022, if the articles or bylaws current as of January 1, 2022, provided for terms of elected directors longer than five years, then the terms for elected directors provided in those articles or bylaws may continue in effect until and unless the articles or bylaws are amended to shorten those terms.

(3) The initial directors named in the articles hold office until the first annual election of directors or for any other period specified in the articles.

(4) A reduction in directors' terms of office does not shorten an incumbent director's term.

(5) Except as provided in the articles or bylaws, the term of a director elected to fill a vacancy expires at the end of the unexpired term that the director is filling.

(6) Despite the expiration of a director's term, the director continues to serve until the director's successor is elected, appointed, or designated and until the director's successor takes office, unless otherwise provided in the articles or bylaws.

Effective date—2021 c 176: See note following RCW 24.03A.005.