Section 60-2E-24 - Suitability of individuals acquiring beneficial ownership of voting security in publicly traded corporation; report of acquisition; application; prohibition.

60-2E-24. Suitability of individuals acquiring beneficial ownership of voting security in publicly traded corporation; report of acquisition; application; prohibition.

A.     Each person who, individually or in association with others, acquires, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of five percent or more of any voting securities in a publicly traded corporation registered with the board may be required to be found suitable if the board has reason to believe that the acquisition of the ownership would otherwise be inconsistent with the declared policy of this state.   

B.     Each person who, individually or in association with others, acquires, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of five percent or more of any class of voting securities of a publicly traded corporation certified by the board shall notify the board within ten days after acquiring such interest.   

C.     Each person who, individually or in association with others, acquires, directly or indirectly, the beneficial ownership of more than ten percent of any class of voting securities of a publicly traded corporation certified by the board shall apply to the board for a finding of suitability within thirty days after acquiring such interest.   

D.     Institutional investors that have been exempted from or have received a waiver of suitability requirements pursuant to regulations adopted by the board are not required to comply with this section.   

E.     Any person required by the board or by the provisions of this section to be found suitable shall apply for a finding of suitability within thirty days after the board requests that he do so.   

F.     Any person required by the board or the provisions of this section to be found suitable who subsequently is found unsuitable by the board shall not hold directly or indirectly the beneficial ownership of any security of a publicly traded corporation that is registered with the board beyond that period of time prescribed by the board.   

G.     The board may, but is not required to, deem a person qualified to hold a license or be found suitable as required by this section if the person currently holds a valid license issued by, or has been found suitable by, gaming regulatory authorities in another jurisdiction, provided that the board finds that the other jurisdiction has conducted a thorough investigation of the applicant and has criteria substantially similar to those of the board to determine when a person is to be found suitable or to obtain a license.