HB359 requires foreign entities doing business in Alabama to register with the Secretary of State and sets consequences for unregistered entities, including restrictions on suing in Alabama courts and new service-of-process rules.
It requires foreign entities (except those formed under federal law) to register before they may file lawsuits in Alabama courts. If a foreign entity operates without registering, its contracts and ability to defend lawsuits remain, but it is deemed to consent to service of process by mail or other allowed methods. It also preserves owners' liability under their home jurisdiction and repeals two existing provisions. The act takes effect upon approval and has an additional effective date of January 1, 2014, contingent on the constitutional amendment process.
Delivered to Governor at 5:24 p. m. on May 2, 2012.
Assigned Act No. 2012-304 on 05/09/2012.
Enrolled
Signature Requested
Clerk of the House Certification
Concurred in Second House Amendment
DeMarco motion to Concur In and Adopt adopted Roll Call 1164
Concurrence Requested
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted Roll Call 876
Marsh motion to Adopt adopted Roll Call 875
Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, and Elections Amendment Offered
Third Reading Passed
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar 1 amendment
Re-referred to Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, and Elections.
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Business and Labor
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted Roll Call 364
Third Reading Passed
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar
Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections
Source: Alabama Legislature