Section 67-4-2603 - Registered agent necessary for listing of nonresident or nonparticipating manufacturer(a) Any 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 its brand families included or retained in the directory, appoint and continually engage without interruption the services of an agent in this state to act as an agent for the service of process on whom all process, and any action or proceeding against it concerning or arising out of the enforcement of this part and title 47, chapter 31, may be served in any manner authorized by law. Such service shall constitute legal and valid service of process on the nonparticipating manufacturer. The nonparticipating manufacturer shall provide the name, address, phone number and proof of the appointment and availability of such agent to and to the satisfaction of the commissioner and attorney general and reporter.(b) The nonparticipating manufacturer shall provide notice to the commissioner and attorney general and reporter thirty (30) calendar days prior to termination of the authority of an agent and shall further provide proof to the satisfaction of the attorney general and reporter of the appointment of a new agent no less than five (5) calendar days prior to the termination of an existing agent appointment. In the event an agent terminates an agency appointment, the nonparticipating manufacturer shall notify the commissioner and attorney general and reporter of said termination within five (5) calendar days and shall include proof to the satisfaction of the attorney general and reporter of the appointment of a new agent.(c) Any nonparticipating manufacturer whose cigarettes are sold in this state, who has not appointed and engaged an agent as required in this section, shall be deemed to have appointed the secretary of state as such agent and may be proceeded against in courts of this state by service of process upon the secretary of state; provided, however, that the appointment of the secretary of state as such agent shall not satisfy the condition precedent for having the brand families of the nonparticipating manufacturer included or retained in the directory. Acts 2003 , ch. 294, § 4.