Williams Act

The Williams Act refers to amendments to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 enacted in 1968 regarding tender offers. The legislation was proposed by Senator Harrison A. Williams of New Jersey.The Williams act requires that bidders must include all details of their tender offer in their filing to the SEC and the target company. Their file must include the terms, cash source, and their plans for the company after takeover. There are also time constraints that stipulate the minimum period of time the offer may be open and the number of days after the offering in which shareholders have the right to change their minds.
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Often used in risk arbitrage. Federal legislation enacted in 1968 (and now comprises Rules 13d and 14d of the Security Exchange Act of 1934) that imposes requirements with respect to public tender offers .