HB 801 Summary

• Creates the Mississippi Registered Agents Act establishing uniform statewide rules for registered agents for service of process, replacing entity-specific provisions scattered throughout corporate statutes

• Defines registered agents as either commercial (listed with Secretary of State) or noncommercial agents, with commercial agents paying $100 listing fees and $50 termination fees; allows agents to resign with 30-day notice after notifying represented entities

• Requires all filing entities (corporations, LLCs, LPs, etc.) to designate registered agents whose addresses appear in filings; permits entities to change agents without member/shareholder approval; establishes procedures for agent changes and nonacceptance of unauthorized designations

• Specifies registered agent duties as limited to forwarding process and maintaining current contact information, with protections for nonconsentual agents who may file notices of nonacceptance; provides service of process procedures on Secretary of State if no agent available

• Repeals obsolete registered agent provisions from chapters covering corporations, nonprofits, investment trusts, business trusts, and LLCs; conforms multiple entity statutes to reference the new unified registered agents act effective July 1, 2011