Microsoft will maintain its existing eligibility thresholds for shareholder resolutions for one year under an agreement with conservative activist Paul Chesser. The deal comes as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. securities regulator, reviews its shareholder-proposal framework and SEC Chair Paul Atkins proposes moving oversight of the process to state officials. Critics say the change could reduce the influence of individual investors, religious groups, unions and other participants. Microsoft’s annual meeting is scheduled for December 8, while Chesser’s group has similar proposals pending at Procter & Gamble and Oracle.