SB 147
Uniform Antitrust Pre-Merger Notification Act
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill establishes the Uniform Antitrust Pre-Merger Notification Act in West Virginia, requiring businesses to notify the Attorney General about proposed mergers that meet certain size thresholds. The Attorney General can then review these mergers for potential antitrust concerns and maintain confidentiality of related documents. The act also allows for reciprocal sharing of confidential information with other states that have similar laws and authorizes civil penalties for non-compliance.
Key provisions
- Requires businesses with significant annual sales in West Virginia to file pre-merger notifications with the Attorney General.
- Allows the Attorney General to keep confidential Hart-Scott-Rodino forms and related documentary material.
- Permits reciprocity with other state attorneys general for sharing confidential documents under specific conditions.
- Authorizes the Attorney General to seek civil penalties for non-compliance with notification requirements.
- Directs courts to promote uniformity in applying and interpreting the act across states.
- Specifies that the act applies only to mergers filed on or after the bill’s effective date.
Who is affected
- Businesses involved in mergers and acquisitions
- The West Virginia Attorney General’s office
- Other state attorneys general
- The Federal Trade Commission and the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division
Notable changes
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