48-5-422. Returns to commissioner; effect of filing certified copy of authorization of franchise.

On or before March 1 in each year, each person holding, or owning, and exercising any special franchise within the state shall make a special return as of January 1 of that year to the commissioner. Each return made pursuant to this Code section shall state the value of the special franchise as exercised within this state; shall particularly describe the special franchise; shall be accompanied by a certified copy of every statute, ordinance, resolution, contract, or grant pursuant to which the franchise is held, claimed, or owned; and shall be sworn to by the person making the return or by the chief executive officer of the corporation if the person owning and exercising the franchise is a corporation. Once a certified copy has been filed with the commissioner as required by this Code section, it shall not be necessary in any subsequent annual return to duplicate the certified copy and the filed certified copy shall be considered returned thereafter by reference to the copy filed as required by this Code section.