SF0055

Failed

Third party filers.

Require third-party filers to register with the secretary of state and establish associated fees and penalties.

Full legal title

AN ACT relating to registered offices and agents; requiring third-party filers to register with the secretary of state; authorizing fees; specifying a penalty; providing a definition; requiring rulemaking; providing an appropriation; and providing for effective dates.

Business Government

Sponsor:

View on wyoleg.gov Introduced Text (PDF)Digest (PDF)Engrossed (PDF)Fiscal Note (PDF)

What does this bill do?

Requires third-party filers who submit documents to the Secretary of State on behalf of business entities to register and establishes fees, penalties, and rulemaking requirements.

Defines 'third-party filer' as a person who receives compensation to file documents with the Secretary of State on behalf of business entities but is not a direct employee, shareholder, director, or member of those entities. Excludes attorneys in good standing with the Wyoming State Bar and certified public accountants. (W.S. 17-28-112(a))
Requires third-party filers to register with the Secretary of State after filing ten or more documents in a calendar year. No further filings are accepted from unregistered third-party filers who have exceeded the ten-document threshold. (W.S. 17-28-112(b))
Establishes the registration application process, requiring notarized applications executed under penalty of perjury containing the filer's legal name, home and business addresses, phone numbers, email address, and a copy of a valid state-issued driver's license or identification card. (W.S. 17-28-112(c))
Sets a registration fee not to exceed fifty dollars, designed to recover administrative costs. Fees are retained by the Secretary of State even if applications are withdrawn or denied. (W.S. 17-28-112(d))
Requires registered third-party filers to notify the Secretary of State of any changes to their registration information as specified by rules. (W.S. 17-28-112(e))
Establishes a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars for each violation if a third-party filer required to register files or attempts to file a document without registering. (W.S. 17-28-112(f))
Makes third-party filer registration records confidential and allows the Secretary of State to release them only pursuant to court-ordered subpoena or to law enforcement agencies for criminal investigations. (W.S. 17-28-112(g))
Directs the Secretary of State to promulgate all necessary rules and forms to implement the act. (Sec. 2)
Appropriates one hundred thousand dollars from the general fund to the Secretary of State for the period through June 30, 2026 to develop the filing system necessary to administer the act. Appropriation does not carry forward to subsequent fiscal biennium.