17-18-113. Hearing; order of secretary of state prohibiting or conditioning purchase.

(a) Whenever it appears to the secretary of state that any person has acted or is about to act in a manner constituting a violation of any provision of this act or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this act, the secretary of state shall call a hearing to investigate the matter. Any interested person may petition the secretary of state for a hearing if that person reasonably believes a violation of W.S. 17-18-105 through 17-18-111 has or is about to occur, or for purposes of W.S. 17-18-111(b).

(b) At least five (5) days notice that a hearing will be held under this section shall be given to the target company, the offeror, and other persons as the secretary of state may designate.

(c) The expenses, including the cost of transcripts and all expenses of the state, of all hearings held under this section shall be borne by the offeror. As security for the payment of these expenses, the offeror shall file with the secretary of state an acceptable bond or other deposit in an amount to be determined by the secretary of state.

(d) The target company, the offeror, any offeree, and any other person whose interests may be affected have the right to appear at any hearing held pursuant to this section, and to become a party to the proceeding. Any person appearing at or party to the hearing has the rights granted in the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.

(e) If the secretary of state finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the takeover statement fails to provide full and fair disclosure to the offerees of all material information concerning the takeover offer or that the takeover offer is not made to all offerees of the same class of equity securities of the target company on substantially equivalent terms, he shall by order prohibit the purchase of shares tendered in response to the takeover offer or condition purchase upon changes or modifications.

(f) In the case of a takeover offer subject to the approval of the insurance commissioner, the offeror within five (5) days after the statement is filed shall mail a notice to all offerees of the target company advising them of the general terms and conditions of the takeover offer and the date of the hearing at which they may appear. No shares shall be contracted for, purchased or paid for until after approval by both the secretary of state and the insurance commissioner. All expenses of notifying the offerees shall be paid by the offeror.