Kentucky Revised Statutes Title III. Executive Branch § 14A.9-020.Consequences of transacting business without authority

(1) A foreign entity transacting business in this Commonwealth without a certificate of authority may not maintain a proceeding in any court in this Commonwealth until it obtains a certificate of authority.

(2) Neither the successor to a foreign entity that transacted business in this Commonwealth without a certificate of authority nor the assignee of a cause of action arising out of that business shall maintain a proceeding based on that cause of action in any court in this Commonwealth until the foreign entity or the assignee of the cause of action obtains a certificate of authority.

(3) A court may stay a proceeding commenced by a foreign entity, its successor, or assignee until it determines whether the foreign entity, its successor, or assignee requires a certificate of authority. If it so determines, the court may further stay the proceeding until the foreign entity, its successor, or assignee obtains the certificate.

(4) A foreign entity is liable for a civil penalty of two dollars ($2) for each day it transacts business in this Commonwealth without a certificate of authority. The Secretary of State may collect all penalties due under this subsection.

(5) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the failure of a foreign entity to obtain a certificate of authority shall not impair the validity of the acts of the foreign entity or prevent it from defending any proceeding in this Commonwealth.