Bill Text: DE HB327 | 2013-2014 | 147th General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: An Act To Amend Chapter 18, Title 6 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Creation, Regulation, Operation And Dissolution Of Domestic Limited Liability Companies And The Registration And Regulation Of Foreign Limited Liability Companies.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-3)
Status: (Passed) 2014-07-15 - Signed by Governor [HB327 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2013-HB327-Draft.html
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SPONSOR: |
Rep. Walker & Rep. M. Smith & Sen. Henry & Sen. Townsend |
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Reps. Brady, J. Johnson, Mitchell, Smyk, Wilson; Sens. Blevins, McDowell, Simpson |
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 147th GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
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HOUSE BILL NO. 327 |
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AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 18, TITLE 6 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE CREATION, REGULATION, OPERATION AND DISSOLUTION OF DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES AND THE REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES. |
Section 1.Amend §18-104(g), Chapter 18, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
(g) Every limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or qualified to do business in the State of Delaware shall provide to its registered agent and update from time to time as necessary the name, business address and business telephone number of a natural person who is a member, manager, officer, employee or designated agent of the limited liability company, who is then authorized to receive communications from the registered agent.Such person shall be deemed the communications contact for the limited liability company.A limited liability company, upon receipt of a request by the communications contact delivered in writing or by electronic transmission, shall provide the communications contact with the name, business address and business telephone number of a natural person who has access to the record required to be maintained pursuant to §18-305(h) of this title.Every registered agent shall retain (in paper or electronic form) the above information concerning the current communications contact for each limited liability company and each foreign limited liability company for which that registered agent serves as registered agent.If the limited liability company fails to provide the registered agent with a current communications contact, the registered agent may resign as the registered agent for such limited liability company pursuant to this section.For purposes of this subsection, the term "electronic transmission" means any form of communication not directly involving the physical transmission of paper that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.
Section 2.Amend §18-302(d), Chapter 18, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
(d) Unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, meetings of members may be held by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this subsection shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.Unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, on any matter that is to be voted on, consented to or approved by members, the members may take such action without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if consented to, in writing or by electronic transmission, by members having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all members entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.Unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, if a person (whether or not then a member) consenting as a member to any matter provides that such consent will be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), then such person shall be deemed to have consented as a member at such future time so long as such person is then a member.Unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, on any matter that is to be voted on by members, the members may vote in person or by proxy, and such proxy may be granted in writing, by means of electronic transmission or as otherwise permitted by applicable law.Unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, a consent transmitted by electronic transmission by a member or by a person or persons authorized to act for a member shall be deemed to be written and signed for purposes of this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, the term "electronic transmission'' means any form of communication not directly involving the physical transmission of paper that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.
Section 3.Amend §18-305, Chapter 18, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
(a) Each member of a limited liability company, in person or by attorney or other agent, has the right, subject to such reasonable standards (including standards governing what information and documents are to be furnished at what time and location and at whose expense) as may be set forth in a limited liability company agreement or otherwise established by the manager or, if there is no manager, then by the members, to obtain from the limited liability company from time to time upon reasonable demand for any purpose reasonably related to the member's interest as a member of the limited liability company:
(1) True and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the limited liability company;
(2) Promptly after becoming available, a copy of the limited liability company's federal, state and local income tax returns for each year;
(3) A current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each member and manager;
(4) A copy of any written limited liability company agreement and certificate of formation and all amendments thereto, together with executed copies of any written powers of attorney pursuant to which the limited liability company agreement and any certificate and all amendments thereto have been executed;
(5) True and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other property or services contributed by each member and which each member has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a member; and
(6) Other information regarding the affairs of the limited liability company as is just and reasonable.
(b) Each manager shall have the right to examine all of the information described in subsection (a) of this section for a purpose reasonably related to the position of manager.
(c) The manager of a limited liability company shall have the right to keep confidential from the members, for such period of time as the manager deems reasonable, any information which the manager reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which the manager in good faith believes is not in the best interest of the limited liability company or could damage the limited liability company or its business or which the limited liability company is required by law or by agreement with a third party to keep confidential.
(d) A limited liability company may maintain its records in other than a written form if such form is capable of conversion into written form within a reasonable time.
(e) Any
demand by a member under this section shall be in writing and shall
state the purpose of such demand.In
every instance where an attorney or other agent shall be the person who seeks
the right to obtain the information described in subsection (a) of this
section, the demand shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other
writing which authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the
member.
(f) Any action to enforce any right arising under this section shall be brought in the Court of Chancery.If the limited liability company refuses to permit a member, or attorney or other agent acting for the member, to obtain or a manager to examine the information described in subsection (a) of this section or does not reply to the demand that has been made within 5 business days (or such shorter or longer period of time as is provided for in a limited liability company agreement but not longer than 30 business days) after the demand has been made, the demanding member or manager may apply to the Court of Chancery for an order to compel such disclosure.The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether or not the person seeking such information is entitled to the information sought.The Court of Chancery may summarily order the limited liability company to permit the demanding member to obtain or manager to examine the information described in subsection (a) of this section and to make copies or abstracts therefrom, or the Court of Chancery may summarily order the limited liability company to furnish to the demanding member or manager the information described in subsection (a) of this section on the condition that the demanding member or manager first pay to the limited liability company the reasonable cost of obtaining and furnishing such information and on such other conditions as the Court of Chancery deems appropriate.When a demanding member seeks to obtain or a manager seeks to examine the information described in subsection (a) of this section, the demanding member or manager shall first establish:
(1) That the demanding member or manager has complied with the provisions of this section respecting the form and manner of making demand for obtaining or examining of such information, and
(2) That the information the demanding member or manager seeks is reasonably related to the member's interest as a member or the manager's position as a manager, as the case may be.
The Court of Chancery may, in its discretion, prescribe any limitations or conditions with reference to the obtaining or examining of information, or award such other or further relief as the Court of Chancery may deem just and proper.The Court of Chancery may order books, documents and records, pertinent extracts therefrom, or duly authenticated copies thereof, to be brought within the State of Delaware and kept in the State of Delaware upon such terms and conditions as the order may prescribe.
(g) The rights of a member or manager to obtain information as provided in this section may be restricted in an original limited liability company agreement or in any subsequent amendment approved or adopted by all of the members or in compliance with any applicable requirements of the limited liability company agreement.The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to limit the ability to impose restrictions on the rights of a member or manager to obtain information by any other means permitted under this chapter.
(h) A limited liability company shall maintain a current record that identifies the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each member and manager.
Section 4.Amend §18-404(d), Chapter 18, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
(d) Unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, meetings of managers may be held by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this subsection shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.Unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, on any matter that is to be voted on, consented to or approved by managers, the managers may take such action without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if consented to, in writing or by electronic transmission, by managers having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all managers entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.Unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, if a person (whether or not then a manager) consenting as a manager to any matter provides that such consent will be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), then such person shall be deemed to have consented as a manager at such future time so long as such person is then a manager.Unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, on any matter that is to be voted on by managers, the managers may vote in person or by proxy, and such proxy may be granted in writing, by means of electronic transmission or as otherwise permitted by applicable law. Unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, a consent transmitted by electronic transmission by a manager or by a person or persons authorized to act for a manager shall be deemed to be written and signed for purposes of this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, the term "electronic transmission'' means any form of communication not directly involving the physical transmission of paper that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.
Section 5.Amend §18-806, Chapter 18, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
Notwithstanding If a limited liability company
agreement provides the manner in which a dissolution may be revoked, it may be
revoked in that manner and, unless a limited liability company agreement
prohibits revocation of dissolution, then notwithstanding the occurrence of
an event set forth in §18-801(a)(1), (2), (3) or (4) of this title, the
limited liability company shall not be dissolved and its affairs shall not be
wound up if, prior to the filing of a certificate of cancellation in the office
of the Secretary of State, the limited liability company is continued,
effective as of the occurrence of such event, pursuant to the affirmative
vote or written consent of all remaining members of the limited liability
company or the personal representative of the last remaining member of the
limited liability company if there is no remaining member (and any other person
whose approval is required under the limited liability company agreement to
revoke a dissolution pursuant to this section); provided, however, if the
dissolution was caused by a vote or written consent, the dissolution shall not
be revoked unless each member and other person (or their respective personal
representatives) who voted in favor of, or consented to, the dissolution has
voted or consented in writing to continue the limited liability company (i)
in the case of dissolution effected by the affirmative vote or written consent
of the members or other persons, pursuant to such affirmative vote or written
consent (and the approval of any members or other persons whose approval is
required under the limited liability company agreement to revoke a dissolution
contemplated by this clause), (ii) in the case of dissolution under §
18-801(a)(1) or (2) (other than a dissolution effected by the affirmative vote
or written consent of the members or other persons or the occurrence of an
event that causes the last remaining member to cease to be a member), pursuant
to such affirmative vote or written consent that, pursuant to the terms of the
limited liability company agreement, is required to amend the provision of the
limited liability company agreement effecting such dissolution (and the
approval of any members or other persons whose approval is required under the
limited liability company agreement to revoke a dissolution contemplated by
this clause), and (iii) in the case of dissolution effected by the occurrence
of an event that causes the last remaining member to cease to be a member,
pursuant to the affirmative vote or written consent of the personal
representative of the last remaining member of the limited liability company or
the assignee of all of the limited liability company interests in the limited
liability company (and the approval of any other persons whose approval is required
under the limited liability company agreement to revoke a dissolution
contemplated by this clause).If
there is no remaining member of the limited liability company and the personal
representative of the last remaining member or the assignee of all of the
limited liability company interests in the limited liability company votes
in favor of or consents to the continuation of the limited liability company,
such personal representative or such assignee, as applicable, shall be
required to agree in writing to the admission of the personal representative
of such member or its a nominee or designee to the limited
liability company as a member, effective as of the occurrence of the event
that terminated the continued membership of the last remaining member.The provisions of this section shall not be
construed to limit the accomplishment of a revocation of dissolution by other
means permitted by law.
Section 6.This Act shall become effective August 1, 2014.
SYNOPSIS
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This bill continues the practice of amending periodically the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the "Act") to keep it current and to maintain its national preeminence.The following is a section-by-section review of the proposed amendments of the Act. Section 1.Section 1 amends §18-104(g) of the Act to require a limited liability company, upon the written request of the limited liability company's communications contact, to provide to such communications contact the name, business address and business telephone number of a natural person who has access to the record that contains the name and address of each member and manager of the limited liability company. Section 2.Section 2 amends §18-302(d) of the Act to confirm and clarify that unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, a person who is not then a member may consent to any matter as a member provided that such consent will only be effective at a time when such person is a member of the limited liability company. Section 3.Section 3 amends § 18-305 of the Act to confirm that a member of a limited liability company may make a books and records request to the limited liability company in person or by an attorney or other agent.Section 3 also amends § 18-305 of the Act by adding a new subsection 18-305(h) which provides that a limited liability company is required to maintain a current record of the name and last known address of each member and manager of the limited liability company. Section 4.Section 4 amends § 18-404(d) of the Act to confirm and clarify that, unless otherwise provided in a limited liability company agreement, a person who is not then a manager may consent to any matter as a manager provided that such consent will only be effective at a time when such person is a manager of the limited liability company. Section 5.Section 5 amends § 18-806 of the Act to modify and provide additional means by which a dissolution of a limited liability company may be revoked. Section 6.This section provides that the proposed amendments of the Act shall become effective August 1, 2014. |
