Committee rejects bill to let local officials obtain registered-agent records without subpoena

The Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee voted 1-8 to defeat Senate File 59, a bill that would have allowed certain county officials expanded access to records held by registered agents.

The bill failed on a roll call after testimony from county assessors and the secretary of state over whether the measure would help identify fraudulent corporate filings or improperly expose confidential registered-agent information. Minority Leader Yin moved the bill; Representative Ekt seconded the motion. The committee recorded one yea and eight nays; the motion failed.

Proponents said the change would help local officials identify and respond to a recent surge of out-of-state corporate filings that local offices say can mask where businesses are actually operating. Tara Berg, who identified herself in committee testimony as the Fremont County assessor, said…