Whereas, the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 13-C, which governs domestic and foreign corporations in Maine, became effective on July 1, 2003, and changes to that law and other entity laws administered by the Secretary of State must be in place by July 1, 2004, in order for the Secretary of State to properly administer these laws; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 13-B MRSA §111 is enacted to read:

§111.__Certificate of existence; certificate of authority;

certificate of fact

1.__Application.__Any person may apply to the Secretary of State for a certificate of existence for a domestic corporation or a certificate of authority for a foreign corporation.

2.__Contents.__A certificate of existence or certificate of authority sets forth:

A.__The corporation's name used in this State;

B.__That, if a domestic corporation, the corporation is duly incorporated under the laws of this State and the date of its incorporation;

C.__That, if a foreign corporation, the foreign corporation is authorized to carry on activities in this State, the date on which the corporation was authorized to carry on activities in this State and its jurisdiction of incorporation;

D.__That all fees and penalties owed to this State have been paid if:

(1) Payment is reflected in the records of the Secretary of State; and