SENATE/HOUSE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED SECRETARY OF STATE BILL)

A BILL FOR

An Act authorizing the secretary of state to modify fees for businesses newly organizing in this state during an Iowa start a business month.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

DIVISION I

IOWA START-UP BUSINESS INITIATIVE
    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  9.4A  Iowa start a business initiative.
   1.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, “business entity” means a profit or nonprofit business organized under the laws of this state, including but not limited to a partnership or limited liability partnership under chapter 486A; a limited partnership under chapter 488; a limited liability company under chapter 489; a corporation under chapter 490; a cooperative association under chapter 499, 501, or 501A; or a nonprofit corporation under chapter 504.
   2.  The secretary of state may establish and administer an Iowa start a business initiative. In order to participate in the initiative as an Iowa start-up business, a business entity must qualify as a newly formed Iowa-based business according to requirements established by rules adopted by the secretary of state.
   3.  The secretary of state may designate a month as “Iowa start a business month”.
   4.  The secretary of state may reduce or waive any fee that must be paid to the secretary of state as a direct result of organizing an Iowa start-up business during an Iowa start a business month, which may include a filing fee paid by a person as required pursuant to section 486A.1202, 488.1206, 489.117, 490.122, 499.45, 501.105, 501A.205, or 504.113.
   5.  If the secretary of state implements this section or any part of this section, it may adopt all rules that the secretary of state determines is necessary for its administration.

DIVISION II

COORDINATING PROVISIONS
    Sec. 2.  Section 486A.1202, Code 2011, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4.  The secretary of state may reduce or waive any fee that is otherwise required to be collected by the secretary of state under this chapter, if the fee is to be paid by a person as a direct result of organizing an Iowa start-up business as provided in section 9.4A.
    Sec. 3.  Section 488.1206, Code 2011, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4.  The secretary of state may reduce or waive any fee that is otherwise required to be collected by the secretary of state under this chapter, if the fee is to be paid by a person as a direct result of organizing an Iowa start-up business as provided in section 9.4A.
    Sec. 4.  Section 489.117, Code 2011, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  3A.  The secretary of state may reduce or waive any fee that is otherwise required to be collected by the secretary of state under this chapter, if the fee is to be paid by a person as a direct result of organizing an Iowa start-up business as provided in section 9.4A.
    Sec. 5.  Section 490.122, Code Supplement 2011, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4.  The secretary of state may reduce or waive any fee that is otherwise required to be collected by the secretary of state under this chapter, if the fee is to be paid by a person as a direct result of organizing an Iowa start-up business as provided in section 9.4A.
    Sec. 6.  Section 501.105, Code 2011, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  7.  The secretary of state may reduce or waive any fee that is otherwise required to be collected by the secretary of state under this chapter, if the fee is to be paid by a person as a direct result of organizing an Iowa start-up business as provided in section 9.4A.
    Sec. 7.  Section 501A.205, Code 2011, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4.  The secretary of state may reduce or waive any fee that is otherwise required to be collected by the secretary of state under this chapter, if the fee is to be paid by a person as a direct result of organizing an Iowa start-up business as provided in section 9.4A.
    Sec. 8.  Section 504.113, Code Supplement 2011, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4.  The secretary of state may reduce or waive any fee that is otherwise required to be collected by the secretary of state under this chapter, if the fee is to be paid by a person as a direct result of organizing an Iowa start-up business as provided in section 9.4A.
EXPLANATION
   This bill authorizes the secretary of state to provide for an Iowa start-up business initiative for the benefit of domestic business entities newly organized under the laws of this state according to rules adopted by the secretary of state. Under the initiative, the secretary of state may designate a month as “Iowa start a business month”. The secretary of state may reduce or waive any fee required to be paid by a person as a direct result of organizing an Iowa start-up business during that month (e.g., filing articles of incorporation for an Iowa corporation). The secretary of state is authorized to adopt rules to administer the initiative.