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Delaware General Assembly· HB 400Signed

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SPONSOR: Rep. Harris & Rep. Minor-Brown & Rep. Osienski &
                                                                         Rep. K. Williams & Sen. Townsend & Sen. Sokola &
                                                                         Sen. Lockman & Sen. Paradee

                    HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                      153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

                                                 HOUSE BILL NO. 400

    AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 5, TITLE 6, TITLE 8, TITLE 12, AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE
    RELATING TO FEES AND TAXES ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

    BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Three-fifths of all members
    elected to each house thereof concurring therein):

1   Section 1. Amend § 735, Title 5 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

2 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

3   § 735. Fees of Secretary of State and Commissioner.

4   (a) The following fees shall be collected by and paid to the Secretary of State, for the use of the State:

5               (1) For making and issuing the certificate of incorporation, $11.50; $200.

6               (2) For making the certified copy of the articles of association, $11.50; $50.

7               (3) For making the certified copy of the certificate of incorporation to be kept on file in the office of the

8   Secretary of State and for filing and indexing the same and the articles of association in said office, $5.75; $50.

9               (4) For supplying any additional certified copy of the certificate of incorporation or articles of association

10  requested by the corporation, $5.75. $50.

11              (5) For all services described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section that are requested to be

12  completed within 24-hours of the time of request, an additional fee of up to $300.

13  (b) Before issuing the certificate authorizing the corporation to begin the transaction of business, the State Bank

14 Commissioner shall collect from the corporation, for the use of the State, the sum of $5,750. In additionaddition, the

15 applicant shall pay an investigation fee of $1,150 which shall not be refundable and shall be submitted with the application.

16  Section 2. Amend § 9-525, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

17 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

18  § 9-525. Fees.

19  (d) Response to information request and expediting services. —

20              (3) For each service described in this subsection or in Section 9-523(a) that is requested to be completed: (i)

21  within a twenty-four hour period from the time of the request, the Secretary of State shall charge the additional sum of

22  up to $100; $300; (ii) within the same day as the day of the request, the Secretary of State shall charge the additional

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23  sum of up to $200; $500; (iii) within a two-hour period from the time of the request, the Secretary of State shall charge

24  the additional sum of up to $500; and $1,500; (iv) within a one-hour period from the time of the request, the Secretary

25  of State shall charge the additional sum of up to $1,000. $2,500; and (v) within a 30-minute period from the time of the

26  request, the Secretary of State shall charge an additional sum of up to $10,000.

27  Section 3. Amend § 1410, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

28 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

29  § 1410. Fees.

30  (a) No document required to be filed under this chapter shall be effective until the applicable fee required by this

31 section is paid. The following fees shall be paid to and collected by the Secretary of State for the use of this State:

32  (1) Upon the receipt for filing of a certificate of acceptance, a certificate of amendment, a certificate of

33  correction or a certificate of cancellation, a fee in the amount of $100.$200.

34  (2) For certifying copies of any paper on file as provided for by this chapter, a fee in the amount of $20 $50

35  for each copy certified. In addition, a fee of $1.00 $2.00 per page shall be paid in each instance where the Secretary of

36  State provides the copies of the document to be certified.

37  (3) For issuing further noncertified copies, a fee in the amount of $5.00 $10 for the first page and $1.00 $2.00

38  for each additional page.

39  (b) In addition to those fees charged under subsection (a) of this section, there shall be collected by and paid to the

40 Secretary of State the following:

41  (1) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within 2

42  hours on the same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $500; $1,500;

43  (2) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within the

44  same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $200;$500; and

45  (3) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within a 24-

46  hour period from the time of the request, an additional sum of up to $100. $300.

47  (c)The Secretary of State shall establish (and may from time to time alter or amend) a schedule of specific fees

48 payable pursuant to this subsection.subsection (b) of this section.

49  Section 4. Amend § 15-112, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

50 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

51  § 15-112. Service of process on partnership filing a statement.

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52  (b) In case the officer whose duty it is to serve legal process cannot by due diligence serve the process in any

53 manner provided for by subsection (a) of this section, it shall be lawful to serve the process against the partnership upon the

54 Secretary of State, and such service shall be as effectual for all intents and purposes as if made in any of the ways provided

55 for in subsection (a) of this section. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under this subsection by means of

56 electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue such

57 rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the event that

58 service is effected through the Secretary of State in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall forthwith

59 notify the partnership by letter, directed to the partnership at the address of any partner as it appears on the records relating

60 to such partnership on file with the Secretary of State or, if no such address appears, at the last registered office. Such letter

61 shall be sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of

62 delivery evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers

63 served on the Secretary of State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service

64 to serve process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to

65 this subsection, and to pay the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 15-1207(a)(12) of this title for

66 the use of the State of Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail

67 therein. The Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the

68 plaintiff and defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon him or

69 her, the fact that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour when

70 the service was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information for a period longer than 5

71 years from receipt of the service of process.

72  Section 5. Amend § 15-113, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

73 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

74  § 15-113. Service of process on a partnership not filing a statement.

75  (b) In case the officer whose duty it is to serve legal process cannot by due diligence serve the process in any

76 manner provided for by subsection (a) of this section, it shall be lawful to serve the process against the partnership upon the

77 Secretary of State, and such service shall be as effectual for all intents and purposes as if made in any of the ways provided

78 for in subsection (a) of this section. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under this subsection by means of

79 electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue such

80 rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the event that

81 service is effected through the Secretary of State in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall forthwith

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82 notify the partnership by letter, directed to the partnership at the address of any partner or the partnership as it is furnished

83 to the Secretary of State by the person desiring to make service. Such letter shall be sent by a mail or courier service that

84 includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced by the signature of the recipient.

85 Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served on the Secretary of State pursuant to this

86 subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any other papers in

87 duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to this subsection, and to pay the Secretary

88 of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 15-1207(a)(12) of this title for the use of the State of Delaware, which

89 sum shall be taxed as part of the costs on the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall

90 maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and defendant, the title, docket

91 number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon the Secretary of State, the fact that service has

92 been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour when the service was made. The

93 Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information for a period longer than 5 years from the Secretary of

94 State’s receipt of the service of process.

95   Section 6. Amend § 15-114, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

96 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

97   § 15-114. Service of process on a partner and liquidating trustee.

98   (b) Service of process shall be effected by serving the registered agent (or, if there is none, the Secretary of State)

99 with 1 copy of such process in the manner provided by law for service of writs of summons. In the event service is made

100 under this subsection upon the Secretary of State, the plaintiff shall pay to the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as

101 prescribed under § 15-1207(a)(12) of this title for the use of the State of Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as part of the

102 costs of the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. In addition, the Prothonotary or the Register in Chancery of the

103 court in which the civil action or proceeding is pending shall, within 7 days of such service, deposit in the United States

104 mails, by registered mail, postage prepaid, true and attested copies of the process, together with a statement that service is

105 being made pursuant to this section, addressed to such partner or liquidating trustee at the partner’s or liquidating trustee’s

106 address furnished to the Prothonotary or Register in Chancery by the person desiring to make service, which address shall

107 be the partner’s or the liquidating trustee’s address as the same appears in any statement of the partnership or, if no such

108 address appears, the partner’s or the liquidating trustee’s last known address.

109  Section 7. Amend § 15-902, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

110 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

111  § 15-902. Merger or consolidation.

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112  (m) In any case in which (i) at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of the stock of a corporation or

113 corporations (other than a corporation which has in its certificate of incorporation the provision required by § 251(g)(7)(A)

114 and (B) of Title 8), of which class there are outstanding shares that, absent § 267(a) of Title 8, would be entitled to vote on

115 such merger, is owned by a domestic partnership, (ii) 1 or more of such corporations is a corporation of the State of

116 Delaware, and (iii) any corporation that is not a corporation of the State of Delaware is a corporation of any other state or

117 the District of Columbia or another jurisdiction, the laws of which do not forbid such merger, the domestic partnership

118 having such stock ownership may either merge the corporation or corporations into itself and assume all of its or their

119 obligations, or merge itself, or itself and 1 or more of such corporations, into 1 of the other corporations, pursuant to a plan

120 of merger. If a domestic partnership is causing a merger under this subsection, (i) if the domestic partnership has not filed a

121 statement of partnership existence, then the domestic partnership shall file a statement of partnership existence, and (ii) the

122 domestic partnership shall file a certificate of ownership and merger executed by at least 1 partner or by 1 or more

123 authorized persons on behalf of the domestic partnership in the office of the Secretary of State. The certificate of ownership

124 and merger shall certify that such merger was authorized in accordance with the domestic partnership’s partnership

125 agreement and this chapter, and if the domestic partnership shall not own all the outstanding stock of all the corporations

126 that are parties to the merger, shall state the terms and conditions of the merger, including the securities, cash, property, or

127 rights to be issued, paid, delivered or granted by the surviving domestic partnership or corporation upon surrender of each

128 share of the corporation or corporations not owned by the domestic partnership, or the cancellation of some or all of such

129 shares. The terms and conditions of the merger may not result in a holder of stock in a corporation becoming a partner in a

130 surviving domestic partnership (other than a limited liability partnership). In the case of a merger under this subsection in

131 which a domestic partnership is the surviving entity, the certificate of ownership and merger may also state such

132 amendments, if any, to the statement of partnership existence of the surviving domestic partnership (and in the case of a

133 surviving domestic partnership that is a limited liability partnership, to the statement of qualification of such surviving

134 domestic partnership) as are desired to be effected by the merger (which amendments may amend and restate the statement

135 of partnership existence of the surviving domestic partnership in its entirety). If a corporation surviving a merger under this

136 subsection is not a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, then the terms and conditions of the

137 merger shall obligate such corporation to agree that it may be served with process in the State of Delaware in any

138 proceeding for enforcement of any obligation of the domestic partnership or any obligation of any constituent corporation

139 of the State of Delaware, as well as for enforcement of any obligation of the surviving corporation, including any suit or

140 other proceeding to enforce the right of any stockholders as determined in appraisal proceedings pursuant to § 262 of Title

141 8, and to irrevocably appoint the Secretary of State as its agent to accept service of process in any such suit or other

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142 proceedings, and to specify the address to which a copy of such process shall be mailed by the Secretary of State. Process

143 may be served upon the Secretary of State under this subsection by means of electronic transmission but only as prescribed

144 by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue such rules and regulations with respect to such

145 service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the event of such service upon the Secretary of State in

146 accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify such surviving corporation thereof by letter,

147 directed to such surviving corporation at its address so specified, unless such surviving corporation shall have designated in

148 writing to the Secretary of State a different address for such purpose, in which case it shall be mailed to the last address so

149 designated. Such letter shall be sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier

150 and a record of delivery evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any

151 other papers served on the Secretary of State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of

152 such service to serve process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected

153 pursuant to this subsection and to pay the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 15-1207(a)(12) of

154 this title for the use of the State of Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding, if the plaintiff

155 shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name

156 of the plaintiff and the defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served,

157 the fact that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour service was

158 made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information longer than 5 years from receipt of the service

159 of process.

160  Section 8. Amend § 15-1207, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

161 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

162  § 15-1207. Fees.

163  (a) No document required to be filed under this chapter shall be effective until the applicable fee required by this

164 section is paid. The following fees shall be paid to and collected by the Secretary of State for the use of the State of

165 Delaware:

166              (3) Upon the receipt for filing of a statement of qualification, a statement of foreign qualification or an annual

167  report for a limited liability partnership or a foreign limited liability partnership, a fee in the amount of $200 $300 for

168  each partner, but in no event shall the fee payable for any year with respect to a limited liability partnership or a foreign

169  limited liability partnership under this section be more than $120,000. $180,000.

170              (7) For preclearance of any document for filing, a fee in the amount of $250. $350.

171              (8) For preparing and providing a written report of a record search, a fee of up to $100. $200.

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172  (12) For accepting service of process under this chapter, a fee in the amount of $100.

173  (b) In addition to those fees charged under subsection (a) of this section, there shall be collected by and paid to the

174 Secretary of State the following:

175  (1) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within 30

176  minutes on the same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $7,500$10,000 and for all services

177  described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within 1 hour on the same day as the day

178  of the request, an additional sum of up to $1,000 $2,500 and for all services described in subsection (a) of this section

179  that are requested to be completed within 2 hours on the same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to

180  $500; $1,500;

181  (2) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within the

182  same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $300; $500; and

183  (3) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within a 24-

184  hour period from the time of the request, an additional sum of up to $150. $300.

185  Section 9. Amend § 15-1208, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

186 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

187  § 15-1208. Annual tax of partnership.

188  (a) Every partnership that has filed a statement of partnership existence shall pay an annual tax, for the use of the

189 State of Delaware, in the amount of $300. $400.

190  Section 10. Amend § 17-105, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

191 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

192  § 17-105. Service of process on domestic limited partnerships and protected series or registered series thereof.

193  (b) In case the officer whose duty it is to serve legal process cannot by due diligence serve the process in any

194 manner provided for by subsection (a) of this section, it shall be lawful to serve the process against the limited partnership

195 or any protected series or registered series thereof upon the Secretary of State, and such service shall be as effectual for all

196 intents and purposes as if made in any of the ways provided for in subsection (a) of this section. If service of legal process

197 is made upon the Secretary of State on behalf of any such protected series or registered series, such process shall include

198 the name of the limited partnership and the name of such protected series or registered series. Process may be served upon

199 the Secretary of State under this subsection by means of electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of

200 State. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue such rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary

201 of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the event that service is effected through the Secretary of State in accordance

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202 with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify the limited partnership by letter, directed to the limited

203 partnership at the address of a general partner as it appears on the records relating to such limited partnership on file with

204 the Secretary of State or, if no such address appears, at its last registered office. Such letter shall be sent by a mail or courier

205 service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced by the signature of

206 the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served on the Secretary of State pursuant

207 to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any other papers in

208 duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to this subsection, and to pay the Secretary

209 of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 17-1107(a)(13) of this title for the use of the State of Delaware, which

210 sum shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall

211 maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and defendant, the title, docket

212 number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon the Secretary, the fact that service has been

213 effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour when the service was made. The Secretary

214 of State shall not be required to retain such information for a period longer than 5 years from the Secretary’s receipt of the

215 service of process.

216  Section 11. Amend § 17-109, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

217 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

218  § 17-109. Service of process on partners and liquidating trustees.

219  (b) Service of process shall be effected by serving the registered agent (or, if there is none, the Secretary of State)

220 with 1 copy of such process in the manner provided by law for service of writs of summons. In the event service is made

221 under this subsection upon the Secretary of State, the plaintiff shall pay to the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as

222 prescribed under § 17-1107(a)(13) of this title for the use of the State of Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as part of the

223 costs of the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. In addition, the Prothonotary or the Register in Chancery of the

224 court in which the civil action or proceeding is pending shall, within 7 days of such service, deposit in the United States

225 mails, by registered mail, postage prepaid, true and attested copies of the process, together with a statement that service is

226 being made pursuant to this section, addressed to such general partner or liquidating trustee at the same address that appears

227 in the certificate of limited partnership of the limited partnership, or, if no such address appears, at the general partner's or

228 the liquidating trustee's address last known to the party desiring to make such service.

229  Section 12. Amend § 17-211, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

230 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

231  § 17-211. Merger and consolidation.

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232  (l) In any case in which (i) at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of the stock of a corporation or

233 corporations (other than a corporation which has in its certificate of incorporation the provision required by § 251(g)(7)(A)

234 and (B) of Title 8), of which class there are outstanding shares that, absent § 267(a) of Title 8, would be entitled to vote on

235 such merger, is owned by a domestic limited partnership, (ii) 1 or more of such corporations is a corporation of the State of

236 Delaware, and (iii) any corporation that is not a corporation of the State of Delaware is a corporation of any other state or

237 the District of Columbia or another jurisdiction, the laws of which do not forbid such merger, the domestic limited

238 partnership having such stock ownership may either merge the corporation or corporations into itself and assume all of its

239 or their obligations, or merge itself, or itself and 1 or more of such corporations, into 1 of the other corporations, pursuant to

240 a plan of merger. If a domestic limited partnership is causing a merger under this subsection, the domestic limited

241 partnership shall file a certificate of ownership and merger executed by at least 1 general partner on behalf of the domestic

242 limited partnership in the office of the Secretary of State. The certificate of ownership and merger shall certify that such

243 merger was authorized in accordance with the domestic limited partnership’s partnership agreement and this chapter, and if

244 the domestic limited partnership shall not own all the outstanding stock of all the corporations that are parties to the merger,

245 shall state the terms and conditions of the merger, including the securities, cash, property, or rights to be issued, paid,

246 delivered or granted by the surviving domestic limited partnership or corporation upon surrender of each share of the

247 corporation or corporations not owned by the domestic limited partnership, or the cancellation of some or all of such shares.

248 The terms and conditions of the merger may not result in a holder of stock in a corporation becoming a general partner in a

249 surviving domestic limited partnership (other than a limited liability limited partnership). In the case of a merger under this

250 subsection in which a domestic limited partnership is the surviving entity, the certificate of ownership and merger may also

251 state such amendments, if any, to the certificate of limited partnership of the surviving domestic limited partnership (and in

252 the case of a surviving domestic limited partnership that is a limited liability limited partnership, to the statement of

253 qualification of such surviving domestic limited partnership filed under § 15-1001 of this title) as are desired to be effected

254 by the merger (which amendments may amend and restate the certificate of limited partnership of the surviving domestic

255 limited partnership in its entirety). If a corporation surviving a merger under this subsection is not a corporation organized

256 under the laws of the State of Delaware, then the terms and conditions of the merger shall obligate such corporation to

257 agree that it may be served with process in the State of Delaware in any proceeding for enforcement of any obligation of the

258 domestic limited partnership or any obligation of any constituent corporation of the State of Delaware, as well as for

259 enforcement of any obligation of the surviving corporation, including any suit or other proceeding to enforce the right of

260 any stockholders as determined in appraisal proceedings pursuant to § 262 of Title 8, and to irrevocably appoint the

261 Secretary of State as its agent to accept service of process in any such suit or other proceedings, and to specify the address

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262 to which a copy of such process shall be mailed by the Secretary of State. Process may be served upon the Secretary of

263 State under this subsection by means of electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The

264 Secretary of State is authorized to issue such rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State

265 deems necessary or appropriate. In the event of such service upon the Secretary of State in accordance with this subsection,

266 the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify such surviving corporation thereof by letter, directed to such surviving

267 corporation at its address so specified, unless such surviving corporation shall have designated in writing to the Secretary of

268 State a different address for such purpose, in which case it shall be mailed to the last address so designated. Such letter shall

269 be sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery

270 evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served on

271 the Secretary of State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve

272 process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to this

273 subsection and to pay the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 17-1107(a)(13) of this title for the

274 use of the State of Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding, if the plaintiff shall prevail

275 therein. The Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the

276 plaintiff and the defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served, the fact

277 that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour service was made.

278 The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information longer than 5 years from receipt of the service of

279 process.

280           Section 13. Amend § 17-910, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

281 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

282           § 17-910. Service of process on registered foreign limited partnerships.

283           (b) In case the officer whose duty it is to serve legal process cannot by due diligence serve the process in any

284 manner provided for by subsection (a) of this section, it shall be lawful to serve the process against the foreign limited

285 partnership upon the Secretary of State, and such service shall be as effectual for all intents and purposes as if made in any

286 of the ways provided for in subsection (a) of this section. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under this

287 subsection by means of electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is

288 authorized to issue such rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or

289 appropriate. In the event that service is effected through the Secretary of State in accordance with this subsection, the

290 Secretary of State shall forthwith notify the foreign limited partnership by letter, directed to the foreign limited partnership

291 at the address of a general partner as it appears on the records relating to such foreign limited partnership on file with the

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292 Secretary of State or, if no such address appears, at its last registered office. Such letter shall be sent by a mail or courier

293 service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced by the signature of

294 the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served on the Secretary of State pursuant

295 to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any other papers in

296 duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to this subsection, and to pay to the

297 Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 17-1107(a)(13) of this title for the use of the State of

298 Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as a part of the costs in the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The

299 Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and

300 defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon the Secretary, the

301 fact that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof and the day and hour when the service

302 was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information for a period longer than 5 years from

303 receipt of the service of process.

304  Section 14. Amend § 17-911, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

305 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

306  § 17-911. Service of process on unregistered foreign limited partnerships.

307  (c) In the event of service upon the Secretary of State in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the

308 Secretary of State shall forthwith notify the foreign limited partnership thereof by letter, directed to the foreign limited

309 partnership at the address furnished to the Secretary of State by the plaintiff in such action, suit or proceeding. Such letter

310 shall be sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of

311 delivery evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers

312 served upon the Secretary of State. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any

313 other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being made pursuant to this subsection, and to pay

314 to the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 17-1107(a)(13) of this title for the use of the State of

315 Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding, if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary

316 of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such process setting forth the name of the plaintiff and defendant, the

317 title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon the Secretary, the return date

318 thereof, and the day and hour when the service was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such

319 information for a period longer than 5 years from receipt of the service of process.

320  Section 15. Amend § 17-1107, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

321 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

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322           § 17-1107. Fees.

323           (a) No document required to be filed under this chapter shall be effective until the applicable fee required by this

324 section is paid. The following fees shall be paid to and collected by the Secretary of State for the use of the State of

325 Delaware:

326            (8) For preclearance of any document for filing, a fee in the amount of $250. $350.

327            (9) For preparing and providing a written report of a record search, a fee of up to $100.$200.

328            (13) For accepting service of process under this chapter, a fee in the amount of $100.

329           (b) In addition to those fees charged under subsection (a) of this section, there shall be collected by and paid to the

330 Secretary of State the following:

331            (1) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within 30

332  minutes on the same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $7,500 $10,000 and for all services

333  described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within 1 hour on the same day as the day

334  of the request, an additional sum of up to $1,000 $2,500 and for all services described in subsection (a) of this section

335  that are requested to be completed within 2 hours on the same day of the request, an additional sum of $500; $1,500;

336            (2) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within the

337  same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $300; $500; and

338            (3) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within a 24-

339  hour period from the time of the request, an additional sum of up to $150. $300.

340           Section 16. Amend § 17-1109, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

341 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

342           § 17-1109. Annual tax of domestic limited partnership and foreign limited partnership and registered series.

343           (a) Every domestic limited partnership and every foreign limited partnership registered to do business in the State

344 of Delaware shall pay an annual tax, for the use of the State of Delaware, in the amount of $300.$400. There shall be paid

345 by or on behalf of each registered series of a domestic limited partnership an annual tax, for use of the State of Delaware, in

346 the amount of $75$100 per registered series.

347           Section 17. Amend § 18-105, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

348 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

349           § 18-105. Service of process on domestic limited liability companies and protected series or registered series

350 thereof.

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351  (b) In case the officer whose duty it is to serve legal process cannot by due diligence serve the process in any

352 manner provided for by subsection (a) of this section, it shall be lawful to serve the process against the limited liability

353 company or any protected series or registered series thereof upon the Secretary of State, and such service shall be as

354 effectual for all intents and purposes as if made in any of the ways provided for in subsection (a) of this section. If service

355 of legal process is made upon the Secretary of State on behalf of any such protected series or registered series, such process

356 shall include the name of the limited liability company and the name of such protected series or registered series. Process

357 may be served upon the Secretary of State under this subsection by means of electronic transmission but only as prescribed

358 by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue such rules and regulations with respect to such

359 service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the event that service is effected through the Secretary

360 of State in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify the limited liability company by

361 letter, directed to the limited liability company at its address as it appears on the records relating to such limited liability

362 company on file with the Secretary of State or, if no such address appears, at its last registered office. Such letter shall be

363 sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery

364 evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served on

365 the Secretary of State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve

366 process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to this

367 subsection, and to pay the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed by § 18-1105(a)(13) of this title for the use

368 of the State of Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein.

369 The Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and

370 defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon the Secretary, the

371 fact that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour when the service

372 was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information for a period longer than 5 years from the

373 Secretary’s receipt of the service of process.

374  Section 18. Amend § 18-109, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

375 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

376  § 18-109. Service of process on managers and liquidating trustees.

377  (b) Service of process shall be effected by serving the registered agent (or, if there is none, the Secretary of State)

378 with 1 copy of such process in the manner provided by law for service of writs of summons. In the event service is made

379 under this subsection upon the Secretary of State, the plaintiff shall pay to the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as

380 prescribed by § 18-1105(a)(13) of this title for the use of the State of Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as part of the

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381 costs of the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. In addition, the Prothonotary or the Register in Chancery of the

382 court in which the civil action or proceeding is pending shall, within 7 days of such service, deposit in the United States

383 mails, by registered mail, postage prepaid, true and attested copies of the process, together with a statement that service is

384 being made pursuant to this section, addressed to such manager or liquidating trustee at the principal place of business of

385 the limited liability company (if such address is known) and at the manager’s or liquidating trustee’s address last known to

386 the party desiring to make such service.

387  Section 19. Amend § 18-209, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

388 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

389  § 18-209. Merger and consolidation.

390  (i) In any case in which (i) at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of the stock of a corporation or

391 corporations (other than a corporation which has in its certificate of incorporation the provision required by § 251(g)(7)(A)

392 and (B) of Title 8), of which class there are outstanding shares that, absent § 267(a) of Title 8, would be entitled to vote on

393 such merger, is owned by a domestic limited liability company, (ii) 1 or more of such corporations is a corporation of the

394 State of Delaware, and (iii) any corporation that is not a corporation of the State of Delaware is a corporation of any other

395 state or the District of Columbia or another jurisdiction, the laws of which do not forbid such merger, the domestic limited

396 liability company having such stock ownership may either merge the corporation or corporations into itself and assume all

397 of its or their obligations, or merge itself, or itself and 1 or more of such corporations, into 1 of the other corporations,

398 pursuant to a plan of merger. If a domestic limited liability company is causing a merger under this subsection, the domestic

399 limited liability company shall file a certificate of ownership and merger executed by 1 or more authorized persons on

400 behalf of the domestic limited liability company in the office of the Secretary of State. The certificate of ownership and

401 merger shall certify that such merger was authorized in accordance with the domestic limited liability company’s limited

402 liability company agreement and this chapter, and if the domestic limited liability company shall not own all the

403 outstanding stock of all the corporations that are parties to the merger, shall state the terms and conditions of the merger,

404 including the securities, cash, property, or rights to be issued, paid, delivered or granted by the surviving domestic limited

405 liability company or corporation upon surrender of each share of the corporation or corporations not owned by the domestic

406 limited liability company, or the cancellation of some or all of such shares. In the case of a merger under this subsection in

407 which a domestic limited liability company is the surviving entity, the certificate of ownership and merger may also state

408 such amendments, if any, to the certificate of formation of the surviving domestic limited liability company as are desired

409 to be effected by the merger (which amendments may amend and restate the certificate of formation of the surviving

410 domestic limited liability company in its entirety). If a corporation surviving a merger under this subsection is not a

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411 corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, then the terms and conditions of the merger shall obligate

412 such corporation to agree that it may be served with process in the State of Delaware in any proceeding for enforcement of

413 any obligation of the domestic limited liability company or any obligation of any constituent corporation of the State of

414 Delaware, as well as for enforcement of any obligation of the surviving corporation, including any suit or other proceeding

415 to enforce the right of any stockholders as determined in appraisal proceedings pursuant to § 262 of Title 8, and to

416 irrevocably appoint the Secretary of State as its agent to accept service of process in any such suit or other proceedings, and

417 to specify the address to which a copy of such process shall be mailed by the Secretary of State. Process may be served

418 upon the Secretary of State under this subsection by means of electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the

419 Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue such rules and regulations with respect to such service as

420 the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the event of such service upon the Secretary of State in

421 accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify such surviving corporation thereof by letter,

422 directed to such surviving corporation at its address so specified, unless such surviving corporation shall have designated in

423 writing to the Secretary of State a different address for such purpose, in which case it shall be mailed to the last address so

424 designated. Such letter shall be sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier

425 and a record of delivery evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any

426 other papers served on the Secretary of State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of

427 such service to serve process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected

428 pursuant to this subsection and to pay the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed by § 18-1105(a)(13) of this

429 title for the use of the State of Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding, if the plaintiff shall

430 prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the

431 plaintiff and the defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served, the fact

432 that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour service was made.

433 The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information longer than 5 years from receipt of the service of

434 process.

435           Section 20. Amend § 18-910, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

436 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

437           § 18-910. Service of process on registered foreign limited liability companies.

438           (b) In case the officer whose duty it is to serve legal process cannot by due diligence serve the process in any

439 manner provided for by subsection (a) of this section, it shall be lawful to serve the process against the foreign limited

440 liability company upon the Secretary of State, and such service shall be as effectual for all intents and purposes as if made

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441 in any of the ways provided for in subsection (a) of this section. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under

442 this subsection by means of electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State

443 is authorized to issue such rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or

444 appropriate. In the event that service is effected through the Secretary of State in accordance with this subsection, the

445 Secretary of State shall forthwith notify the foreign limited liability company by letter, directed to the foreign limited

446 liability company at its last registered office. Such letter shall be sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of

447 mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall

448 enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served on the Secretary of State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be

449 the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the

450 Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to this subsection, and to pay to the Secretary of State the sum of

451 $50 a fee as prescribed by § 18-1105(a)(13) of this title for the use of the State of Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as a

452 part of the costs in the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical

453 record of any such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the

454 proceeding in which process has been served upon the Secretary, the fact that service has been effected pursuant to this

455 subsection, the return date thereof and the day and hour when the service was made. The Secretary of State shall not be

456 required to retain such information for a period longer than 5 years from the Secretary’s receipt of the service of process.

457  Section 21. Amend § 18-911, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

458 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

459  § 18-911. Service of process on unregistered foreign limited liability companies.

460  (c) In the event of service upon the Secretary of State in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the

461 Secretary of State shall forthwith notify the foreign limited liability company thereof by letter, directed to the foreign

462 limited liability company at the address furnished to the Secretary of State by the plaintiff in such action, suit or proceeding.

463 Such letter shall be sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a

464 record of delivery evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other

465 papers served upon the Secretary of State. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process

466 and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being made pursuant to this subsection, and

467 to pay to the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed by § 18-1105(a)(13) of this title for the use of the State of

468 Delaware, which sum shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding, if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary

469 of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such process setting forth the name of the plaintiff and defendant, the

470 title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon the Secretary, the return date

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471 thereof, and the day and hour when the service was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such

472 information for a period longer than 5 years from the receipt of the service of process.

473  Section 22. Amend § 18-1105, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

474 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

475  § 18-1105. Fees.

476  (a) No document required to be filed under this chapter shall be effective until the applicable fee required by this

477 section is paid. The following fees shall be paid to and collected by the Secretary of State for the use of the State of

478 Delaware:

479            (8) For preclearance of any document for filing, a fee in the amount of $250. $350.

480            (9) For preparing and providing a written report of a record search, a fee of up to $100. $200.

481            (13) For accepting service of process under this chapter, a fee in the amount of $100.

482  (b) In addition to those fees charged under subsection (a) of this section, there shall be collected by and paid to the

483 Secretary of State the following:

484            (1) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within 30

485  minutes on the same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $7,500 $10,000 and for all services

486  described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within 1 hour on the same day as the day

487  of the request, an additional sum of up to $1,000 $2,500 and for all services described in subsection (a) of this section

488  that are requested to be completed within 2 hours on the same day of the request, an additional sum of up to $500;

489  $1,500;

490            (2) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within the

491  same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $300; $500; and

492            (3) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within a 24-

493  hour period from the time of the request, an additional sum of up to $150. $300.

494  Section 23. Amend § 18-1107, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

495 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

496  § 18-1107. Taxation of limited liability companies and registered series.

497  (b) Every domestic limited liability company and every foreign limited liability company registered to do business

498 in the State of Delaware shall pay an annual tax, for the use of the State of Delaware, in the amount of $300.$400. There

499 shall be paid by or on behalf of each registered series of a domestic limited liability company an annual tax, for use of the

500 State of Delaware, in the amount of $75$100 per registered series.

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501  Section 24. Amend § 3304, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

502 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

503  § 3304. Application for registration.

504  (b) The application shall be signed and verified by the applicant, by a member of the firm or by an officer of the

505 corporation or association applying therefor. The application shall be accompanied by a specimen or facsimile of such mark

506 in duplicate. The application for registration shall be accompanied by a filing fee of $25$100 payable to the Secretary of

507 State. A fee in the amount of up to $300 shall be assessed for applications for registration that are requested to be completed

508 within a 24-hour period from the time of the request.

509  Section 25. Amend § 3305, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

510 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

511  § 3305. Certificate of registration.

512  (c) A certificate of registration will be issued by the Secretary of State upon receipt of a $10 $50 fee payable to the

513 Secretary of State.

514  Section 26. Amend § 3306, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

515 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

516  § 3306. Duration and renewal.

517  (a) Registration of a mark under this chapter shall be effective for a term of 10 years from the date of registration

518 and, upon application filed within 6 months prior to the expiration of such term, on a form to be furnished by the Secretary

519 of State, the registration may be renewed for a like term. A renewal fee of $25,$100, payable to the Secretary of State, shall

520 accompany the application for renewal of the registration. A fee in the amount of up to $300 shall be assessed for

521 applications for registration that are requested to be completed within a 24-hour period from the time of the request. A

522 trademark registration may be renewed for successive periods of 10 years in like manner.

523  Section 27. Amend § 3307, Title 6 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

524 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

525  § 3307. Assignment.

526  Any mark and its registration hereunder shall be assignable, with the good will of the business in which the mark

527 is used, or with that part of the good will of the business connected with the use of and symbolized by the mark.

528 Assignment shall be by instruments in writing duly executed, and may be recorded with the Secretary of State upon the

529 payment of a fee of $25,$100, payable to the Secretary of State who, upon recording of the assignment, shall issue in the

530 name of the assignee a new certificate for the remainder of the term of the registration, or of the last renewal thereof. A fee

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531 in the amount of up to $300 shall be assessed for applications for registration that are requested to be completed within a

532 24-hour period from the time of the request. An assignment of any registration under this chapter shall be void as against

533 any subsequent purchaser for valuable consideration without notice, unless it is recorded with the Secretary of State within

534 3 months after the date thereof, or prior to such subsequent purchase.

535  Section 28. Amend § 252, Title 8 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

536 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

537  § 252. Merger or consolidation of domestic and foreign corporations; service of process upon surviving or

538 resulting corporation.

539  (d) If the corporation surviving or resulting from the merger or consolidation is a foreign corporation, it shall agree

540 that it may be served with process in this State in any proceeding for enforcement of any obligation of any constituent

541 corporation of this State, as well as for enforcement of any obligation of the surviving or resulting corporation arising from

542 the merger or consolidation, including any suit or other proceeding to enforce the right of any stockholders as determined in

543 appraisal proceedings pursuant to § 262 of this title, and shall irrevocably appoint the Secretary of State as its agent to

544 accept service of process in any such suit or other proceedings and shall specify the address to which a copy of such process

545 shall be mailed by the Secretary of State. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under this subsection by means

546 of electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue such

547 rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the event of

548 such service upon the Secretary of State in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify

549 such surviving or resulting corporation thereof by letter, directed to such surviving or resulting corporation at its address so

550 specified, unless such surviving or resulting corporation shall have designated in writing to the Secretary of State a different

551 address for such purpose, in which case it shall be mailed to the last address so designated. Such letter shall be sent by a

552 mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced by

553 the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served on the Secretary of

554 State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any

555 other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to this subsection and to pay

556 the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 391(a)(29) of this title for the use of the State, which sum

557 shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding, if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall

558 maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and the defendant, the title, docket

559 number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served, the fact that service has been effected pursuant to

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560 this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour service was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required

561 to retain such information longer than 5 years from receipt of the service of process.

562  Section 29. Amend § 256, Title 8 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

563 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

564  § 256. Merger or consolidation of domestic and foreign nonstock corporations; service of process upon surviving

565 or resulting corporation.

566  (d) If the corporation surviving or resulting from the merger or consolidation is a foreign nonstock corporation, it

567 shall agree that it may be served with process in this State in any proceeding for enforcement of any obligation of any

568 constituent corporation of this State, as well as for enforcement of any obligation of the surviving or resulting corporation

569 arising from the merger or consolidation and shall irrevocably appoint the Secretary of State as its agent to accept service of

570 process in any suit or other proceedings and shall specify the address to which a copy of such process shall be mailed by the

571 Secretary of State. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under this subsection by means of electronic

572 transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue such rules and

573 regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the event of such

574 service upon the Secretary of State in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify such

575 surviving or resulting corporation thereof by letter, directed to such corporation at its address so specified, unless such

576 surviving or resulting corporation shall have designated in writing to the Secretary of State a different address for such

577 purpose, in which case it shall be mailed to the last address so designated. Such letter shall be sent by a mail or courier

578 service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced by the signature of

579 the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served upon the Secretary of State. It shall

580 be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the

581 Secretary of State that service is being made pursuant to this subsection, and to pay the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a

582 fee as prescribed under § 391(a)(29) of this title for the use of the State, which sum shall be taxed as a part of the costs in

583 the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such

584 service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which

585 process has been served upon the Secretary of State, the fact that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the

586 return date thereof, and the day and hour when the service was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain

587 such information for a period longer than 5 years from receipt of the service of process.

588  Section 30. Amend § 263, Title 8 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

589 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

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590           § 263. Merger or consolidation of domestic corporations and partnerships; service of process upon surviving or

591 resulting corporation or partnership.

592           (d) If the entity surviving or resulting from the merger or consolidation is a partnership formed under the laws of a

593 jurisdiction other than this State, it shall agree that it may be served with process in this State in any proceeding for

594 enforcement of any obligation of any constituent corporation or partnership of this State, as well as for enforcement of any

595 obligation of the surviving or resulting corporation or partnership arising from the merger or consolidation, including any

596 suit or other proceeding to enforce the right of any stockholders as determined in appraisal proceedings pursuant to § 262 of

597 this title, and shall irrevocably appoint the Secretary of State as its agent to accept service of process in any such suit or

598 other proceedings and shall specify the address to which a copy of such process shall be mailed by the Secretary of State.

599 Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under this subsection by means of electronic transmission but only as

600 prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue such rules and regulations with respect to

601 such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the event of such service upon the Secretary of

602 State in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify such surviving or resulting corporation

603 or partnership thereof by letter, directed to such surviving or resulting corporation or partnership at its address so specified,

604 unless such surviving or resulting corporation or partnership shall have designated in writing to the Secretary of State a

605 different address for such purpose, in which case it shall be mailed to the last address so designated. Such letter shall be

606 sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery

607 evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served on

608 the Secretary of State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve

609 process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to this

610 subsection and to pay the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 391(a)(29) of this title for the use of

611 the State, which sum shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding, if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary

612 of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and the defendant,

613 the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon the Secretary of State, the fact

614 that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour service was made.

615 The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information longer than 5 years from receipt of the service of

616 process.

617           Section 31. Amend § 264, Title 8 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

618 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

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619  § 264. Merger or consolidation of domestic corporations and limited liability companies; service of process upon

620 surviving or resulting corporation or limited liability company.

621  (d) If the entity surviving or resulting from the merger or consolidation is a limited liability company formed under

622 the laws of a jurisdiction other than this State, it shall agree that it may be served with process in this State in any

623 proceeding for enforcement of any obligation of any constituent corporation or limited liability company of this State, as

624 well as for enforcement of any obligation of the surviving or resulting corporation or limited liability company arising from

625 the merger or consolidation, including any suit or other proceeding to enforce the right of any stockholders as determined in

626 appraisal proceedings pursuant to the provisions of § 262 of this title, and shall irrevocably appoint the Secretary of State as

627 its agent to accept service of process in any such suit or other proceedings and shall specify the address to which a copy of

628 such process shall be mailed by the Secretary of State. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under this

629 subsection by means of electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is

630 authorized to issue such rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or

631 appropriate. In the event of such service upon the Secretary of State in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of

632 State shall forthwith notify such surviving or resulting corporation or limited liability company thereof by letter, directed to

633 such surviving or resulting corporation or limited liability company at its address so specified, unless such surviving or

634 resulting corporation or limited liability company shall have designated in writing to the Secretary of State a different

635 address for such purpose, in which case it shall be mailed to the last address so designated. Such letter shall be sent by a

636 mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced by

637 the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served on the Secretary of

638 State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any

639 other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to this subsection and to pay

640 the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 391(a)(29) of this title for the use of the State, which sum

641 shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding, if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall

642 maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and the defendant, the title, docket

643 number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon the Secretary of State, the fact that service has

644 been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour service was made. The Secretary of

645 State shall not be required to retain such information longer than 5 years from receipt of the service of process.

646  Section 32. Amend § 266, Title 8 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

647 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

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648  § 266. Conversion of a domestic corporation to other entities [For application of this section, see 84 Del. Laws, c.

649 98, § 16].

650  (c) If a corporation shall convert in accordance with this section to another entity organized, formed or created

651 under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware, the corporation shall file with the Secretary of State a

652 certificate of conversion executed in accordance with § 103 of this title, which certifies:

653             (6) The address to which a copy of the process referred to in paragraph (c)(5) of this section shall be mailed to

654  it by the Secretary of State. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State in accordance with paragraph (c)(5) of

655  this section by means of electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State

656  is authorized to issue such rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary

657  or appropriate. In the event of such service upon the Secretary of State in accordance with paragraph (c)(5) of this

658  section, the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify such corporation that has converted out of the State of Delaware by

659  letter, directed to such corporation that has converted out of the State of Delaware at the address so specified, unless

660  such corporation shall have designated in writing to the Secretary of State a different address for such purpose, in

661  which case it shall be mailed to the last address designated. Such letter shall be sent by a mail or courier service that

662  includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced by the signature of the

663  recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served on the Secretary of State pursuant

664  to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any other papers

665  in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to this subsection and to pay the

666  Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 391(a)(29) of this title for the use of the State, which sum

667  shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding, if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall

668  maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and the defendant, the title,

669  docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served, the fact that service has been effected

670  pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour service was made. The Secretary of State shall

671  not be required to retain such information longer than 5 years from receipt of the service of process.

672  Section 33. Amend § 321, Title 8 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

673 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

674  § 321. Service of process on corporations.

675  (b) In case the officer whose duty it is to serve legal process cannot by due diligence serve the process in any

676 manner provided for by subsection (a) of this section, it shall be lawful to serve the process against the corporation upon the

677 Secretary of State, and such service shall be as effectual for all intents and purposes as if made in any of the ways provided

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678 for in subsection (a) of this section. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under this subsection by means of

679 electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue such

680 rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the event that

681 service is effected through the Secretary of State in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall forthwith

682 notify the corporation by letter, directed to the corporation at its principal place of business as it appears on the records

683 relating to such corporation on file with the Secretary of State or, if no such address appears, at its last registered office.

684 Such letter shall be sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a

685 record of delivery evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other

686 papers served on the Secretary of State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such

687 service to serve process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected

688 pursuant to this subsection, and to pay the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 391(a)(29) of this

689 title for the use of the State, which sum shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail

690 therein. The Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the

691 plaintiff and defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon the

692 Secretary of State, the fact that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and

693 hour when the service was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information for a period longer

694 than 5 years from receipt of the service of process.

695  Section 34. Amend § 376, Title 8 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

696 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

697  § 376. Service of process upon qualified foreign corporations.

698  (b) In case the officer whose duty it is to serve legal process cannot by due diligence serve the process in any

699 manner provided for by subsection (a) of this section, it shall be lawful to serve the process against the corporation upon the

700 Secretary of State, and such service shall be as effectual for all intents and purposes as if made in any of the ways provided

701 for in subsection (a) of this section. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under this subsection by means of

702 electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue such

703 rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the event that

704 service is effected through the Secretary of State in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall forthwith

705 notify the corporation by letter, directed to the corporation at its principal place of business as it appears on the last annual

706 report filed pursuant to § 374 of this title or, if no such address appears, at its last registered office. Such letter shall be sent

707 by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced

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708 by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served upon the

709 Secretary of State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve

710 process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to this

711 subsection, and to pay the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 391(a)(29) of this title for the use of

712 the State, which sum shall be taxed as a part of the costs in the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The

713 Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and the

714 defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon the Secretary of

715 State, the fact that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour when

716 the service was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information for a period longer than 5

717 years from receipt of such service.

718  Section 35. Amend § 381, Title 8 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

719 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

720  § 381. Withdrawal of foreign corporation from State; procedure; service of process on Secretary of State.

721  (d) In the event of service upon the Secretary of State in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, the

722 Secretary of State shall forthwith notify the corporation by letter, directed to the corporation at the address stated in the

723 certificate which was filed by the corporation with the Secretary of State pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Such

724 letter shall be sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of

725 delivery evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers

726 served upon the Secretary of State. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any

727 other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being made pursuant to this subsection, and to pay

728 the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 391(a)(29) of this title for the use of the State, which sum

729 shall be taxed as part of the cost of the action, suit or proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State

730 shall maintain an alphabetical record of such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and defendant, the title, docket

731 number and nature of the proceeding in which the process has been served upon the Secretary of State, the fact that service

732 has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof, and the day and hour when the service was made. The

733 Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information for a period longer than 5 years from receipt of the

734 service of process.

735  Section 36. Amend § 382, Title 8 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

736 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

737  § 382. Service of process on nonqualifying foreign corporations.

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738         (c) In the event of service upon the Secretary of State in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the

739 Secretary of State shall forthwith notify the corporation thereof by letter, directed to the corporation at the address furnished

740 to the Secretary of State by the plaintiff in such action, suit or proceeding. Such letter shall be sent by a mail or courier

741 service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced by the signature of

742 the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served upon the Secretary of State. It shall

743 be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the

744 Secretary of State that service is being made pursuant to this subsection, and to pay the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a

745 fee as prescribed under § 391(a)(29) of this title for the use of the State, which sum shall be taxed as a part of the costs in

746 the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such

747 process setting forth the name of the plaintiff and defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which

748 process has been served upon the Secretary of State, the fact that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the

749 return date thereof, and the day and hour when the service was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain

750 such information for a period longer than 5 years from receipt of the service of process.

751         Section 37. Amend § 391, Title 8 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

752 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

753         § 391. Amounts payable to Secretary of State upon filing certificate or other paper.

754         (a) The following fees and penalties shall be collected by and paid to the Secretary of State, for the use of the

755 State:

756         (5) Upon the receipt for filing of a certificate of dissolution, there shall be paid to and collected by the

757  Secretary of State a fee of:

758                a. Forty dollars; or

759                b. Ten Fifty dollars in the case of a certificate of dissolution which certifies that:

760                1. The corporation has no assets and has ceased transacting business; and

761                2. The corporation, for each year since its incorporation in this State, has been required to pay only

762         the minimum franchise tax then prescribed by § 503 of this title; and

763                3. The corporation has paid all franchise taxes and fees due to or assessable by this State through the

764         end of the year in which said certificate of dissolution is filed.

765         (8) For receiving and filing and/or indexing the annual report of a foreign corporation doing business in this

766  State, a fee of $125 $250 shall be paid. In the event of neglect, refusal or failure on the part of any foreign corporation

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767  to file the annual report with the Secretary of State on or before June 30 each year, the corporation shall pay a penalty

768  of $125. $200.

769  (16) For preparing and providing a written report of a record search, a fee of up to $100 $200 shall be paid.

770  (17) For preclearance of any document for filing, a fee of $250 $350 shall be paid. paid, with the exception of

771  documents for filing under § 204 of this title, for which a fee of $1,500 shall be paid.

772  (29) For accepting service of process under this title, a fee of $100 shall be paid.

773  (h) In addition to those fees charged under subsections (a) and (c) of this section, there shall be collected by and

774 paid to the Secretary of State the following:

775  (1) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within 30

776  minutes on the same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $7,500 $10,000 and for all services

777  described in subsections (a) and (c) of this section that are requested to be completed within 1 hour on the same day as

778  the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $1,000 $2,500 and for all services described in subsections (a) and (c)

779  of this section that are requested to be completed within 2 hours on the same day as the day of the request, an

780  additional sum of up to $500; $1,500; and

781  (2) For all services described in subsections (a) and (c) of this section that are requested to be completed

782  within the same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $300; $500; and

783  (3) For all services described in subsections (a) and (c) of this section that are requested to be completed

784  within a 24-hour period from the time of the request, an additional sum of up to $150. $300.

785  The Secretary of State shall establish (and may from time to time alter or amend) a schedule of specific fees

786 payable pursuant to this subsection.

787  Section 38. Amend § 3804, Title 12 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

788 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

789  § 3804. Legal proceedings.

790  (c) Service of process shall be effected by serving the Delaware trustee or registered agent of such statutory trust

791 required by § 3807 of this title (or, if there is none, the Secretary of State) with 1 copy of such process in the manner

792 provided by law for service of writs of summons. In the event service is made under this subsection upon the Secretary of

793 State, the plaintiff shall pay to the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 3813(a)(8) of this title for

794 the use of the State, which sum shall be taxed as part of the costs of the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. In

795 addition, the Prothonotary or the Register in Chancery of the court in which the civil action or proceeding is pending shall,

796 within 7 days of such service, deposit in the United States mails, by registered mail, postage prepaid, true and attested

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797 copies of the process, together with a statement that service is being made pursuant to this section, addressed to the

798 defendant at the defendant’s address last known to and furnished by the party desiring to make such service.

799  Section 39. Amend § 3813, Title 12 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

800 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

801  § 3813. Fees.

802  (a) No documents required to be filed under this subchapter shall be effective until the applicable fee required by

803 this section is paid. The following fees shall be paid to and collected by the Secretary of State for the use of this State:

804  (7) For preparing and providing a written report of a record search, a fee in the amount of up to $100. $200.

805  (8) For accepting service of process under this subchapter, a fee in the amount of $100.

806  (9) For preclearance of any document for filing, a fee in the amount of $350.

807  (b) In addition to those fees charged under subsection (a) of this section, there shall be collected by and paid to the

808 Secretary of State the following:

809  (1) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within 30

810  minutes on the same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $7,500 $10,000 and for all services

811  described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to completed within 1 hour on the same day as the day of

812  the request, an additional sum of up to $1,000$2,500 and for all services described in subsection (a) of this section that

813  are requested to be completed within 2 hours on the same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to

814  $500; $1,500; and

815  (2) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within the

816  same day as the day of the request, an additional sum of up to $300;$500; and

817  (3) For all services described in subsection (a) of this section that are requested to be completed within a 24-

818  hour period from the time of the request, an additional sum of up to $150. $300.

819  Section 40. Amend § 3815, Title 12 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

820 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

821  § 3815. Merger and consolidation.

822  (b) If a statutory trust is merging or consolidating under this section, the statutory trust or other business entity

823 surviving or resulting in or from the merger or consolidation shall file a certificate of merger or consolidation in the office

824 of the Secretary of State. The certificate of merger or consolidation shall state:

825  (8) If the surviving or resulting person is not a statutory trust or other business entity formed or organized or

826  existing under the laws of the State, a statement that such surviving or resulting other business entity agrees that it may

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827  be served with process in the State in any action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any obligation of any

828  statutory trust which is to merge or consolidate, irrevocably appointing the Secretary of State as its agent to accept

829  service of process in any such action, suit or proceeding and specifying the address to which a copy of such process

830  shall be mailed to it by the Secretary of State. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under this subsection

831  by means of electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is

832  authorized to issue such rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or

833  appropriate. In the event of service hereunder upon the Secretary of State, the plaintiff in any such action, suit or

834  proceeding shall furnish the Secretary of State with the address specified in the certificate of merger or consolidation

835  provided for in this section and any other address which the plaintiff may elect to furnish, together with copies of such

836  process as required by the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State shall notify such surviving or resulting other

837  business entity thereof at all such addresses furnished by the plaintiff by letter. Such letter shall be sent by a mail or

838  courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced by the

839  signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served upon the

840  Secretary of State. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any other papers

841  in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being made pursuant to this subsection, and to pay the

842  Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 3813(a)(8) of this title for use of the State, which sum

843  shall be taxed as part of the costs in the proceeding, if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall

844  maintain an alphabetical record of any such process setting forth the name of the plaintiff and defendant, the title,

845  docket number and nature of the proceedings in which process has been served upon the Secretary, the return date

846  thereof, and the day and hour when the service was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such

847  information for a period longer than 5 years from the Secretary's receipt of the service of process.

848  Section 41. Amend § 3860, Title 12 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

849 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

850  § 3860. Service of process on registered foreign statutory trusts.

851  (b) In case the officer whose duty it is to serve legal process cannot by due diligence serve the process in any

852 manner provided for by subsection (a) of this section, it shall be lawful to serve the process against the foreign statutory

853 trust upon the Secretary of State, and such service shall be as effectual for all intents and purposes as if made in any of the

854 ways provided for in subsection (a) of this section. Process may be served upon the Secretary of State under this subsection

855 by means of electronic transmission but only as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is authorized to

856 issue such rules and regulations with respect to such service as the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate. In the

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857 event that service is effected through the Secretary of State in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary of State shall

858 forthwith notify the foreign statutory trust by letter, directed to the foreign statutory trust at its last registered office. Such

859 letter shall be sent by a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of

860 delivery evidenced by the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers

861 served on the Secretary of State pursuant to this subsection. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service

862 to serve process and any other papers in duplicate, to notify the Secretary of State that service is being effected pursuant to

863 this subsection, and to pay to the Secretary of State the sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 3862(3) of this title for the

864 use of the State, which sum shall be taxed as a part of the costs in the proceeding if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The

865 Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of any such service setting forth the name of the plaintiff and

866 defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding in which process has been served upon the Secretary of

867 State, the fact that service has been effected pursuant to this subsection, the return date thereof and the day and hour when

868 the service was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information for a period longer than 5

869 years from receipt of the service of process.

870  Section 42. Amend § 3861, Title 12 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

871 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

872  § 3861. Service of process on unregistered foreign statutory trusts.

873  (c) In the event of service upon the Secretary of State in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the

874 Secretary of State shall forthwith notify the foreign statutory trust thereof by letter, directed to the foreign statutory trust at

875 the address furnished to the Secretary of State by the plaintiff in such action, suit or proceeding. Such letter shall be sent by

876 a mail or courier service that includes a record of mailing or deposit with the courier and a record of delivery evidenced by

877 the signature of the recipient. Such letter shall enclose a copy of the process and any other papers served upon the Secretary

878 of State. It shall be the duty of the plaintiff in the event of such service to serve process and any other papers in duplicate, to

879 notify the Secretary of State that service is being made pursuant to this subsection, and to pay to the Secretary of State the

880 sum of $50 a fee as prescribed under § 3862(3) of this title for the use of the State, which sum shall be taxed as part of the

881 costs in the proceeding, if the plaintiff shall prevail therein. The Secretary of State shall maintain an alphabetical record of

882 any such process setting forth the name of the plaintiff and defendant, the title, docket number and nature of the proceeding

883 in which process has been served upon the Secretary of State, the return date thereof, and the day and hour when the service

884 was made. The Secretary of State shall not be required to retain such information for a period longer than 5 years from

885 receipt of the service of process.

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886     Section 43. Amend § 3862, Title 12 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

887 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

888     § 3862. Fees.

889     No document required to be filed under this subchapter shall be effective until the applicable fee required by this

890 section is paid. The following fees shall be paid to and collected by the Secretary of State for the use of the State:

891              (3) For accepting service of process under this subchapter, a fee in the amount of $100.

892     Section 44. Amend § 2315, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

893 insertions as shown by underline as follows:

894     § 2315. Fees.

895     The fees to be charged by the Secretary of State for the use of the State are as follows:

896     For issuing certificate in private case under the Great Seal $ 3.00

897     For issuing certificate in private case under the seal of office 2.00

898     For copying, per line .05

899     For receiving, filing and indexing certificates, statements, affidavits, decrees, agreements, surveys, reports and any

900 other papers pertaining to corporations, except as otherwise provided in Title 8 10.00

901     For receiving, filing and indexing every paper now or hereafter provided by law to be filed with the Secretary of

902 State, except as otherwise provided in Title 8 10.00

903     For recording, filing and indexing certificates, articles of association and any other paper required by law to be

904 recorded by the Secretary of State, the same fees as provided by law for the recorder, except as otherwise provided in Title

905 8.

906     For proceeding for reinstatement, including the receiving, filing and indexing and all necessary certificates 15.00

907     For filing certificates of foreign corporations including the receiving, filing, indexing and issuing necessary

908 certificates, $13 of which shall be paid to each prothonotary for filing and certificate. 30.00

909     For certifying acts or resolutions of a private nature, acts of a private character pertaining to the acknowledgement

910 or recording of deeds or other papers or to titles or conveyances of real estate, the fees prescribed in § 909 of this title

911 [repealed].

912     For commission to Attorney General and notaries public, each 15.00

913     For commission to justices of the peace 10.00

914     For commission to constables, when appointed by the Governor 10.00

915     For acceptance of service of process not otherwise specified by statute 100.00

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916  For designation or appointment of resident agent not otherwise specified by statute 50.00

917  Section 45. Sections 9,16, and 23 of this Act take effect January 1, 2026. All other sections of this Act take effect

918 on August 1, 2026.

                                                                         SYNOPSIS

               This Act alters various fees assessed by the Delaware Secretary of State. The Act provides that most changes to
     the fees will take effect on August 1, 2026, however changes to the partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability
     company annual tax and changes to the annual tax on registered series of limited partnerships and limited liability
     companies will take effect on January 1, 2026.

               This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 10 of Article VIII of the Delaware
     Constitution requires the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to
     increase the effective rate of a tax levied by the State.

     HD : KL : DS       Page 32 of 32  Released: 04/09/2026 09:58 AM
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Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.