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A 4955

Allows certain limited liability companies to terminate alternate names before end of five-year registration period.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Swain

Allows certain NJ LLCs to terminate an adopted DBA before the five-year term ends, simplifying removal of unused alternate names.

Reported out of Asm. Comm. with Amendments, and Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4955

Summary of New Jersey Assembly Bill A-4955 (Session 222)

Title

Allows certain limited liability companies to terminate alternate names before end of five-year registration period.

Purpose and Intent

This bill provides a mechanism for certain limited liability companies (LLCs) to terminate or discontinue alternate or assumed names (also known asDBA names) before the expiration of the formal five-year registration period that accompanies such alternate names. The aim is to offer greater flexibility to LLCs that no longer use an alternate name or no longer wish to maintain the registration of an alternate name with the state.

Key Provisions

  • Scope and eligibility (who can use the provision): Applies to certain LLCs that have registered one or more alternate names (DBA names) in New Jersey and seek to terminate those alternate names prior to the end of the five-year registration term.
  • Process to terminate an alternate name: Establishes a procedure for LLCs to file the necessary documentation with the appropriate state agency (the bill details would specify forms, notices, and any fees required to terminate an alternate name early).
  • Timing and deadlines: Allows termination before the end of the existing five-year period, rather than being limited to renewal or continuation of the DBA registration.
  • Effect of termination: Once the alternate name is terminated, the LLC would no longer operate under or be authorized to conduct business under that DBA name, and the registration for that alternate name would be canceled for future periods.
  • Fees and administrative changes: The bill may adjust or clarify any associated filing fees or administrative requirements tied to early termination, though exact fee adjustments would be specified in the statutory text.

Affected Entities

  • Primary impact: LLCs that are currently registered with one or more alternate names in New Jersey and wish to discontinue those names before the end of the current five-year registration term.
  • Secondary impact: State filing offices and agencies that manage DBA registrations and terminations, as well as legal or business professionals advising LLC clients on name usage.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Effective date: The bill would specify when its provisions take effect (e.g., upon enactment or a future effective date).
  • Implementation period: There may be transitional provisions to handle existing five-year terms and to align ongoing registrations with the new termination option.
  • Regulatory consistency: The bill would align with existing statutes governing LLC naming and DBA registrations, ensuring that termination does not affect other legal rights or obligations of the LLC.

Practical Impact and Considerations

  • Administrative flexibility: Provides LLCs with administrative flexibility to streamline branding or discontinue unused or unnecessary names without waiting for the current five-year period to expire.
  • Compliance: Requires careful attention to ensure the termination is properly filed and recorded to avoid confusion or unauthorized use of an alternate name.
  • Costs: Potentially lowers ongoing costs associated with maintaining unused DBA registrations; however, any early termination fees would be specified in the bill.

Conclusion

A-4955 seeks to simplify and modernize the management of alternate (DBA) names for certain New Jersey LLCs by allowing early termination before the standard five-year term. The bill’s provisions would outline eligibility, procedural steps, and the consequences of termination, helping LLCs abandon unused or unnecessary alternate names more efficiently.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize specific sections (e.g., procedural steps, fiscal impact) once the bill’s full text and fiscal notes are available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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