The proposed bill aims to establish the Uniform Antitrust Pre-Merger Notification Act within West Virginia's legal framework. It introduces a new article, designated as Article 18A, which outlines the requirements for pre-merger notifications to be filed with the state attorney general. Key provisions include definitions of relevant terms, the requirement for businesses to file a complete electronic copy of the Hart-Scott-Rodino form and any additional documentary material, and the attorney general's responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of these documents, with specific exceptions. The bill also allows for reciprocity in sharing confidential documents with attorneys general from other states that have enacted similar legislation.

Additionally, the bill empowers the attorney general to impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for noncompliance with the filing requirements. It emphasizes the importance of uniformity in the application and interpretation of the act across jurisdictions and specifies that the provisions will only apply to pre-merger notifications filed after the act's effective date. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance the state's ability to participate in antitrust reviews while ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive business information.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 47-18A-1, 47-18A-2, 47-18A-3, 47-18A-4, 47-18A-5, 47-18A-6, 47-18A-7, 47-18A-8