(a) A foreign limited liability partnership transacting business in this State may not maintain an action or proceeding in this State unless it has in effect a registration as a foreign limited liability partnership.

(b) The failure of a foreign limited liability partnership to have in effect a registration as a foreign limited liability partnership does not impair the validity of a contract or act of the foreign limited liability partnership or preclude it from defending an action or proceeding in this State.

(c) A limitation on personal liability of a partner is not waived solely by transacting business in this State without a registration as a foreign limited liability partnership.

(d) A foreign limited liability partnership failing to register as a foreign limited liability partnership as required by this Article shall be liable to the State for the years or parts thereof during which it transacted business in this State without having registered in an amount equal to all fees and taxes which would have been imposed by law upon the foreign limited liability partnership had it duly applied for and received such permission, plus interest and all penalties imposed by law for failure to pay such fees and taxes. In addition, the foreign limited liability partnership shall be liable for a civil penalty of ten dollars ($10.00) for each day, but not to exceed a total of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each year or part thereof, it transacts business in this State without having registered. The Attorney General may bring actions to recover all amounts due the State under the provisions of this subsection. (1999-362, s. 10.)