S 1395 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Allows certain limited liability companies to terminate alternate names before end of five-year registration period.

This bill (S 1395) allows limited liability companies (LLCs) in New Jersey to stop using a registered "alternate business name" before the standard 5-year registration period ends. It directly affects LLCs that have previously registered an alternate name (like a brand or shortened version of their legal name) but no longer need it. The key mechanism requires LLCs to file a "termination certificate" with the state office, pay a $50 fee, and state they’ve stopped using the name - though residential landlords must still wait until the 5-year period expires. This change simplifies name management for businesses without altering the basic registration rules or fees for initial registration.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

General Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jun 4, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was expanded from only amending the Limited Liability Company Act to also amend the Business Corporation Act (Title 14A), adding a new section that allows corporations to register, renew, and terminate alternate names with the State Treasurer. Additionally, all references to 'filing office' in the LLC provisions were replaced with 'State Treasurer' to clarify which office handles these filings. The corporate version does not include the residential landlord restriction that applies to LLCs.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from amending only the Limited Liability Company Act (Title 42) to also amending the Business Corporation Act (Title 14A), extending alternate name registration and termination provisions to corporations in addition to LLCs.

SCOPE

A new section (Section 13) amends N.J.S. 14A:2-2.1 to allow corporations to register, renew, and terminate alternate names with the State Treasurer, mirroring the existing LLC framework but without the residential landlord termination restriction.

REQUIREMENT

All references to 'filing office' throughout the LLC alternate name provisions (Section 9 of P.L.2012, c.50) were replaced with 'State Treasurer,' clarifying which state office receives filings and sets identifying information requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Corporations are now explicitly permitted to terminate an alternate name before the five-year registration period expires by filing a termination certificate, with no exception for residential landlords (unlike LLCs, which must wait until expiration if they operate as residential landlords).

FISCAL

The corporate section includes penalty provisions of $200 to $500 for false statements or failure to file after 60 days notice, and additional filing fees equal to the regular fee multiplied by years of non-compliant use (after August 1, 1974).

TECHNICAL

The bill's effective date section was renumbered from Section 3 to Section 4 due to the addition of the new corporate amendment section.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 4, 2026

Committee

Reported and Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by the Senate (38-0)

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Amendment (Voice) (Ruiz)

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors