Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) has introduced a bipartisan bill to improve the transparency of corporate multi-class share structures.
In a press release, Sen. Gallego explained that some publicly traded companies (the kind where you can buy stocks and shares) use a multi-class share structure, in which the company issues two or more classes of shares with different voting rights. This allows the founders and executives to maintain long-term stability and position security, but it can also limit accountability and reduce shareholder democracy.
In response, Sen. Gallego's Enhancing Multi-Class Share Disclosures Act provides a relatively simple fix: companies with multi-class share systems are required to disclose shareholders' voting power, including the number of shares owned by specified persons and the amount of voting power held by specified persons (those who own 5% or more of the company's total voting power).
"When companies sell one kind of stock to everyday investors and another kind to insiders, it's hard to know who really holds the power in that company," the Arizona Democrat commented. "In order to level the playing field between the everyday Americans and the powerful elites, we need more transparency. This bill requires companies to disclose how much voting power each share has, so that everyday investors know what they're getting into and can make the best decisions with their money."
Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD), the bill's cosponsor, also weighed in, saying, "Multiclass share structures have been used in U.S. markets for many years and can be important for certain companies, especially family-owned businesses focused on long-term growth.""At the same time, investors should have clear, easy-to-understand information about who controls voting power," he added, stressing that the bill "takes a practical, balanced approach by improving disclosure so shareholders can clearly see when insiders or large investors hold greater influence, strengthening transparency and confidence in our capital markets."
Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) previously worked with Rounds in August to introduce the Medic Education and Deployment into Civilian (MEDIC) Careers Act, which reduces red tape and bureaucratic barriers for medics to enter civilian medical professions by standardizing training to align with civilian credential requirements.
