November 27, 2024
Happy Autumn,
Over the past month, we have dedicated significant time to enhancing technology to improve customer experience and strengthen Utahns’ trust in the tech industry.
I was recently named one of Utah Business’s Most Influential Women, a 2024 Women Tech Council’s Women Tech Award finalist, and the Utah State Bar’s Cyber Pioneer Award recipient. While I was proud to accept these recognitions, they are a testament to the collective innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence that define the team at the Department of Commerce.
There is currently a crisis of trust surrounding big tech. The mission at the Department of Commerce is to strengthen trust in Utah’s commercial activities, and that’s what we are now working to do in the tech industry. We have been at the forefront of policies that balance innovation with integrity. These recognitions reflect Commerce’s dedication to shaping Utah’s tech landscape through good public policy, particularly in artificial intelligence, social media regulation, and blockchain technology.
Technological advancements have created enormous prosperity for our society. However, learning how to harness these tools responsibly is a complex journey. Commerce has helped craft Utah’s social media laws and sued social media companies to protect our kids. With the advent of powerful AI tools, we see a tremendous opportunity to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, including in healthcare, education, and re-skilling the workforce. Still, we need to restore trust in technology to get there. The goal at Commerce is to do just that by putting in place the appropriate guardrails to spur innovation and ensure public safety by offering AI companies regulatory relief as they pursue innovative ideas. Our Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy is also studying pressing AI issues, such as how Generative AI can be safely used in providing mental healthcare. While promoting innovation, Commerce remains committed to advocating for regulations that protect the public.
Speaking of changes in tech, Our Division of Corporations debuted its new online business registration system, replacing a nearly 20-year-old system. This transition marks a significant milestone towards a more efficient, user-friendly process. The upgrade is part of the Division’s ongoing commitment to providing superior service and fostering a more efficient business environment in the state. Transitioning to a new system is never without its challenges, and I acknowledge that the road has been bumpy. Your concerns and frustrations have not gone unheard. We are aware of the issues and are diligently working through them. It’s encouraging to note that call wait times are decreasing significantly.
While we navigate these initial hurdles, I want to emphasize how this new platform improves on our old system—it’s more efficient, secure, and user-friendly for all our licensees. We’ve added new features that will provide long-term benefits for Utahns. The new system offers a range of benefits, including:
- A new dashboard allowing business owners to access all their business registration information in one place.
- Improved security enabling business owners to lock access to their business filings and control individual permissions.
- Name reservations and initial business registrations which can be completed online with immediate approval.
- Amendments and additional filings can be filed online in a fraction of the time it used to take.
- The ability for registered agents to more easily access records and filings made on behalf of their clients.
I encourage you to read the online registration instructions before starting the registration process. Please take a moment to read this letter from the Director of the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. Our team is here to support you every step of the way and is committed to making this transition as smooth as possible.
Warm Regards,
Margaret Busse
