article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011''. SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO EXEMPT CERTAIN SECURITIES. (a) In General.--Section 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77c(b)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``(b) The Commission'' and inserting the following: ``(b) Additional Exemptions.-- ``(1) Small issues exemptive authority.--The Commission''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) Additional issues.--The Commission shall by rule or regulation add a class of securities to the securities exempted pursuant to this section in accordance with the following terms and conditions: ``(A) The aggregate offering amount of all securities offered and sold within the prior 12-month period in reliance on the exemption added in accordance with this paragraph shall not exceed $50,000,000. ``(B) The securities may be offered and sold publicly. ``(C) The securities shall not be restricted securities within the meaning of the Federal securities laws and the regulations promulgated thereunder. ``(D) The civil liability provision in section 12(a)(2) shall apply to any person offering or selling such securities. ``(E) The issuer may solicit interest in the offering prior to filing any offering statement, on such terms and conditions as the Commission may prescribe in the public interest or for the protection of investors. ``(F) The Commission shall require the issuer to file audited financial statements with the Commission annually. ``(G) Such other terms, conditions, or requirements as the Commission may determine necessary in the public interest and for the protection of investors, which may include-- ``(i) a requirement that the issuer prepare and electronically file with the Commission and distribute to prospective investors an offering statement, and any related documents, in such form and with such content as prescribed by the Commission, including audited financial statements and a description of the issuer's business operations, its financial condition, its corporate governance principles, its use of investor funds, and other appropriate matters; and ``(ii) disqualification provisions under which the exemption shall not be available to the issuer or its predecessors, affiliates, officers, directors, underwriters, or other related persons, which shall be substantially similar to the disqualification provisions contained in the regulations adopted in accordance with section 926 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 77d note). ``(3) Limitation.--Only the following types of securities may be exempted under a rule or regulation adopted pursuant to paragraph (2): equity securities, debt securities, and debt securities convertible or exchangeable to equity interests, including any guarantees of such securities. ``(4) Periodic disclosures.--Upon such terms and conditions as the Commission determines necessary in the public interest and for the protection of investors, the Commission by rule or regulation may require an issuer of a class of securities exempted under paragraph (2) to make available to investors and file with the Commission periodic disclosures regarding the issuer, its business operations, its financial condition, its corporate governance principles, its use of investor funds, and other appropriate matters, and also may provide for the suspension and termination of such a requirement with respect to that issuer. ``(5) Adjustment.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011 and every 2 years thereafter, the Commission shall review the offering amount limitation described in paragraph (2)(A) and shall increase such amount as the Commission determines appropriate. If the Commission determines not to increase such amount, it shall report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate on its reasons for not increasing the amount.''. (b) Treatment as Covered Securities for Purposes of NSMIA.--Section 18(b)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77r(b)(4)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``; or'' at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (2) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E), and inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: ``(D) a rule or regulation adopted pursuant to section 3(b)(2) and such security is-- ``(i) offered or sold on a national securities exchange; or ``(ii) offered or sold to a qualified purchaser as defined by the Commission pursuant to paragraph (3) with respect to that purchase or sale.''. (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 4(5) of the Securities Act of 1933 is amended by striking ``section 3(b)'' and inserting ``section 3(b)(1)''. SEC. 3. STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF STATE BLUE SKY LAWS ON REGULATION A OFFERINGS. Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall-- (1) conduct a study on the impact of State laws regulating securities offerings (commonly referred to as ``Blue Sky laws'') on offerings made under Regulation A (17 C.F.R. 230.251 et seq.); and (2) transmit a report on the findings of the study to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
summary: Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to exempt from its regulation a class of securities for which the aggregate offering amount of all securities offered and sold within the prior 12-month period in reliance on such exemption is between $5 million and $50 million, subject to specified terms and conditions. Limits such an exemption to equity securities, debt securities, and debt securities convertible or exchangeable to equity interests, including any guarantees of such securities. Authorizes the SEC to: (1) require an issuer of such exempted class of securities to make periodic disclosures available to investors regarding the issuer, its business operations, its financial condition, and its use of investor funds; and (2) provide for the suspension and termination of such a requirement with respect to that issuer. Requires the SEC to: (1) review and increase biennially such offering amount limitation, as appropriate; and (2) report to certain congressional committees on its reasons for not increasing the amount if it determines not to do so. Treats as a covered security with respect to a transaction exempt from registration requirements pursuant to a rule or regulation adopted under this Act any such security offered or sold: (1) on a national securities exchange, or (2) to a qualified purchaser. Directs the Comptroller General to study the impact of state laws regulating securities offerings (Blue Sky laws) on offerings made under Regulation A (which specifies the terms and conditions of exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933).