453D.4 Agent for service of process.

1. A nonresident or foreign nonparticipating manufacturer that has not registered to do business in the state as a foreign corporation or business entity shall, as a condition precedent to having the nonparticipating manufacturer’s brand family included or retained in the directory, appoint and continually engage without interruption the services of an agent in this state to act as agent for service of process on whom all process, and any action or proceeding against the nonparticipating manufacturer concerning or arising out of the enforcement of this chapter or chapter 453C, may be served in any manner authorized by law. The service shall constitute legal and valid service of process on the nonparticipating manufacturer. The nonparticipating manufacturer shall provide the name, address, telephone number, and proof of the appointment and availability of the agent to, and to the satisfaction of, the director and the attorney general.

2. The nonparticipating manufacturer shall provide notice to the director and the attorney general thirty calendar days prior to termination of the authority of an agent and shall further provide proof to the satisfaction of the attorney general of the appointment of a new agent at least five calendar days prior to the termination of the existing agent appointment. In the event an agent terminates an agency appointment, the nonparticipating manufacturer shall notify the director and the attorney general of the termination within five calendar days and shall include proof to the satisfaction of the attorney general of the appointment of a new agent.

3. A nonparticipating manufacturer whose products are sold in this state, who has not appointed or designated an agent as required, shall be deemed to have appointed the secretary of state as agent and may be proceeded against in the courts of this state by service of process upon the secretary of state. However, the appointment of the secretary of state as agent shall not satisfy the condition precedent for having the brand families of the nonparticipating manufacturer included or retained in the directory.

2003 Acts, ch 97, §4, 13

Referred to in §453D.3