Securities and Exchange Commission Seeks to Facilitate Intrastate and Regional Securities Offerings
When the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced its finalized crowdfunding regulations in October, it also proposed additional rule amendments that would further help small businesses raise capital. The SEC’s proposal would amend existing securities rules to facilitate intrastate and regional securities offerings.
In its current form, Rule 147 provides a safe harbor for complying with the intrastate offering exemption under Section 3(a)(11) of the Securities Act, which exempts offers and sales of securities by an issuer to residents of the same state. Proponents of modernizing the rule argue that it does not reflect current business/marketing practices (i.e. the use of the Internet and social media) and hinders companies from taking advantage of state crowdfunding regulations because such laws generally require compliance with Section 3(a)(11).
As detailed by the SEC, the proposed rule changes would authorize companies to raise money from investors within their state without concurrently registering the offers and sales at the federal level. The amendments would specifically:
Eliminate the restriction on offers, while continuing to require that sales be made only to residents of the issuer’s state or territory.
Refine what it means to be an intrastate offering and ease some of the issuer eligibility requirements in the current rule.
Limit the availability of the exemption to offerings that are registered in-state or conducted under an exemption from state law registration that limits the amount of securities an issuer may sell to no more than $5 million in a 12-month period and imposes an investment limitation on investors.
Proposed Amendments to Rule 504
The proposed changes to Rule 504 would increase the aggregate offering amount limitation for the first time since 1988, as well as add investor protections. More specifically, the rule proposal would increase the aggregate amount of securities that may be offered and sold under Rule 504 in any 12-month period from $1 million to $5 million and disqualify certain bad actors from participation in Rule 504 offerings.
The SEC is seeking public comment on the rule proposals until January 11, 2016. We will continue to track the status of the proposed amendments and provide updates as they become available.
When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan
Once a child turns 18, parents lose the automatic legal authority to make medical and financial decisions on their behalf, even if the child still lives at home or remains on the family’s insurance. Three documents close that gap: a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy or directive, and a HIPAA authorization. For […]
Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips
Business mediation is a confidential, voluntary process in which a neutral third party helps companies negotiate a resolution to a commercial dispute without going to trial. Because working with a mediator is very different from litigating in the courtroom, it is important to understand how commercial mediation works, when it makes sense for your dispute, […]
Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation
The five most common causes of construction defect litigation are design defects, substandard materials, workmanship defects, code violations, and subsurface defects. Because these flaws can compromise a building’s integrity, functionality, or safety, they frequently lead to disputes involving multiple parties and high financial stakes. Key takeaways: What is Construction Defect Litigation? Construction litigation is complex, […]
How to Protect Your New Jersey Business When Going through a Divorce
The most effective ways to protect your business in a divorce are put in place before one begins: a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, clean separation of business and personal finances, and divorce contingencies built into your operating or buy-sell agreements. If divorce is already underway, the priorities shift to establishing how the business is classified […]
The most common franchise disputes involve breach of contract, franchise termination and non-renewal, intellectual property rights, territorial encroachment, royalty and fee payments, franchisor support obligations, and violations of state franchise laws such as the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act. Franchisors and franchisees can often resolve these conflicts by providing written notice detailing the dispute and […]
Reputational Risk and Legal Exposure: Why New Jersey Businesses Must Manage Them Together
New Jersey businesses must manage legal and reputational risk together because modern disputes play out on two fronts at once: the legal proceeding itself and the court of public opinion, where customers, employees, investors, and business partners often reach conclusions long before a judge or jury has had the opportunity to evaluate the facts. Success […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
