An Act Concerning Improved Public Access To Certain Business Records Filed With The Secretary Of The State.
If enacted, the bill will modify existing statutes to mandate the Secretary of the State to implement these enhancements. This could significantly improve the ease with which people, including potential clients and legal entities, can obtain necessary contact information for business representatives in the event of legal proceedings. Enhanced access to this information is viewed as a step towards greater transparency in business operations and accountability.
House Bill 05219 aims to enhance public access to business records by requiring improvements to the CONCORD commercial records database maintained by the Secretary of the State. The bill proposes that individuals should be able to find a business entity's agent for service of process simply by entering the name of the business owner, officer, or agent in the database. This change is designed to increase transparency and facilitate easier access to important business information for the general public.
During discussions surrounding HB 05219, some stakeholders raised concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of the accessible data. They worried that while transparency is vital, it must not come at the cost of businesses' right to confidentiality, particularly for sensitive information. Proponents of the bill argue that public access to these business records is crucial since it serves the public interest, especially for legal notifications and other matters requiring formal contact with business entities.