HB 266 LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES  CHAIRMAN LEMAN announced HB 266 to be up for consideration. REPRESENTATIVE JOE RYAN, sponsor, said this bill updates State statutes reflecting changes made in IRS regulations making it easier to form limited partnerships. He anticipates 5,000 companies being formed which would mean an extra $1 million to the Department of Commerce and Economic Development. SENATOR MACKIE asked what position the Department had on this. REPRESENTATIVE RYAN said they supported this and he hadn't heard of any opposition. CHAIRMAN LEMAN noted that he knew Willis Kirkpatrick supported this bill. MR. RICHARD HOMPESCH, Attorney, said the applicability provision at the end of the bill does not apply to any existing limited partnerships unless they file a statement with the Department of Commerce and Economic Development that they elect to be covered by this new law. Any new limited partnerships filed after the effective date would be covered by this bill. Secondly, he said, the bill sets out default rules for various provisions. Parties to these agreements can always agree otherwise. This bill provides default rules if the parties do not otherwise agree. It also allows one-person limited liability companies which were authorized by treasury regulation. It also simplifies our laws. SENATOR MACKIE moved to pass HB 266 from committee with individual recommendations. There were no objections and it was so ordered.