Secretary of State - As enacted, clarifies that administrative dissolution is permitted for certain entities if the entity files a signed document with the secretary of state knowing that it contained materially false information; permits administrative dissolution of certain entities if the entity is owned or controlled by a foreign government or foreign non-government person determined to be a foreign adversary by the United States secretary of commerce. - Amends TCA Title 43, Chapter 38; Title 48, Chapter 24; Title 48, Chapter 245; Title 48, Chapter 246; Title 48, Chapter 249; Title 48, Chapter 25; Title 48, Chapter 64; Title 48, Chapter 65 and Title 61, Chapter 3.
HB 459 adds two new reasons for Tennessee to force the shutdown of registered businesses. It allows the Secretary of State to dissolve entities that knowingly file documents containing false information, or that are owned or controlled by a foreign government or entity designated as a "foreign adversary" by the U.S. Commerce Secretary (per 15 CFR 791.4(a)). The law applies to corporations, LLCs, cooperatives, and foreign businesses operating in Tennessee. It amends multiple Tennessee business statutes to include these provisions, effective as of April 8, 2025.
Bill status
in committee
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 3, 2025
Last action Apr 8, 2025
Floor votes · House Mar 12, 2025
How they voted
23–0
Passed
Total votes 23
Mar 12, 2025
D
Democratic4
100% Yea
R
Republican19
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
18
Key actions
8
Committee
9
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/13/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (23-0)
house
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 3/12/2025
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Commerce Committee to 3/12/2025
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Commerce Committee
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 2/26/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Business & Utilities Subcommittee for 2/19/2025
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Commerce Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Business & Utilities Subcommittee
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Greg Martin
RRepublican
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