The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to introduce biennial reporting options for various business entities, including corporations and limited liability companies, effective July 1, 2026. It establishes a biennial report fee of $50, in addition to the existing annual report fee of $25. The legislation requires all reports to include email addresses for notifications and grants the Secretary of State the authority to waive late fees under certain conditions. It also introduces a logotype to promote veteran-owned businesses and outlines specific reporting requirements for each type of entity, while allowing for the suspension or cancellation of business registration certificates for non-compliance.

Additionally, the bill provides support for veteran-owned and active-duty member-owned businesses by exempting them from the annual report fee for the first four years after registration, with specific eligibility dates. The Secretary of State is tasked with developing a logotype for these businesses by July 1, 2026, and guidelines for its application process are included. The bill also addresses non-governmental entities soliciting payments for annual report filings, requiring them to disclose that their offers are not endorsed by any government agency, with penalties for violations. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the reporting process while promoting compliance and supporting veteran-owned businesses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 59-1-2a
Engrossed Version: 59-1-2a
Enrolled Version: 59-1-2a