SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5067

              As Passed Senate, February 4, 1998

Title:  An act relating to filing of business and nonprofit documents with the secretary of state.

Brief Description:  Allowing facsimile filings with the secretary of state's office.

Sponsors:  Senators Roach, Haugen, Johnson and Winsley; by request of Secretary of State.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice: 1/16/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/24/97, 47-0.

Passed Senate, 2/4/98, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Johnson, Vice Chair; Fairley, Goings, Haugen, Jacobsen, Long, Stevens and Zarelli.

Staff:  Harry Steinmetz (786-7421)

Background: Corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and nonprofit organizations file certain documents with the Secretary of State.   No authority currently exists for accepting such filings by facsimile or other electronic means.

Summary of Bill:  The Secretary of State may accept faxed copies of any documents authorized or required to be filed by corporations, nonprofit corporations or associations, partnerships and limited liability companies, and professional service corporations , so long as the copy is legible and all statutory or regulatory requirements for form and content are met. If a fee is otherwise required, the secretary may reject the faxed filing unless the fee is received before or at the time of filing.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This updates processes and provides for greater efficiency and cost savings to affected business.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Ralph Munro, Secretary of State.