Substitute Senate Bill No. 294, also known as Public Act No. 26-81, amends existing laws related to trade names, corporate dissolution, and notary management in Connecticut. The bill mandates that businesses operating under assumed names must record their trade names with the town clerk and obtain a certificate, with specific application requirements outlined. It establishes the Connecticut Trade Name Registry for managing trade name applications and public searches, and introduces a renewal process for trade names, which will expire on December 31, 2029, unless renewed. The bill also clarifies the roles of town clerks and the Secretary of the State, replacing terms like "trade name certificate" with "trade name" and ensuring compliance with state regulations.

Additionally, the bill updates the procedures for administrative dissolution of corporations, allowing electronic notifications for annual report failures, and modifies the fee structure for services provided by the Secretary of the State. It introduces new provisions for the issuance of apostilles and authentications, defining these terms in accordance with the Hague Convention and allowing for both paper and electronic formats. The bill also revises notary appointment management, increasing the maximum fee a notary can charge and establishing a new travel fee structure. Overall, the act aims to enhance transparency, streamline processes, and prevent fraudulent activities in business registrations and notary services.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 35-1a, 35-1b, 35-1c, 35-1d, 3-99e, 33-890, 33-1181, 3-94m, 3-95
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 35-1a, 35-1b, 35-1c, 35-1d, 3-99e, 33-890, 33-1181, 3-94m, 3-95
File No. 615: 35-1a, 35-1b, 35-1c, 35-1d, 3-99e, 33-890, 33-1181, 3-94m, 3-95
Public Act No. 26-81: 35-1a, 35-1b, 35-1c, 35-1d, 3-99e, 33-890, 33-1181, 3-94m, 3-95