FORM 8-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 19, 2014
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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1-9712 |
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62-1147325 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization ) |
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(Commission File Number) |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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8410 West Bryn Mawr, Chicago, Illinois |
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60631 |
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(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (773) 399-8900
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
This Current Report on Form 8-K of United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”) is being filed in connection with a restatement of U.S. Cellular’s Bylaws effective August 19, 2014 (the “Restated Bylaws”).
Restated Bylaws
Among other things, the Restated Bylaws make the following changes:
· Section 1.2 relating to special meetings of shareholders consolidates into one section the provisions addressing who can call a special meeting, what business can be conducted at a special meeting and what action a shareholder is required to take to propose business and nominate directors. Additional provisions have been added to establish certain timing requirements and procedural rules.
· Sections 1.4 and 1.5 clarify the quorum and voting requirements, particularly with respect to voting by classes or groups.
· Sections 1.6, 1.7, 1.9, 1.10, 2.9, 2.19, 3.3 and 3.4 are new sections that address procedural matters under Delaware law.
· Section 1.12 relating to the ability of a shareholder to introduce business at an annual meeting of shareholders was revised and expanded from the current version of the similar provision. The changes require a shareholder making a proposal to provide more information about itself, related persons and any persons acting in concert with such shareholder and any arrangements among the foregoing.
· Section 1.13 relating to the ability of a shareholder to nominate directors at an annual meeting of shareholders was revised and expanded from the current version of the similar provision. The changes require a shareholder nominating a director to provide more information about the proposed nominee(s) and about itself, related persons and any persons acting in concert with such shareholder.
· Section 1.14 was added to specify the information required pursuant to Sections 1.2 and 1.13.
· Section 1.15(a) was added to adopt qualification requirements for all director candidates, as follows:
- Such candidate is eligible to serve as a director of a company that controls licenses granted by the FCC, as determined by the Board of Directors with the advice of counsel.
- Such candidate is not or will not become affiliated with, employed by or a representative of, or has or will acquire a material personal involvement with, or material financial interest in, a Business Competitor (as defined in the Restated Bylaws), as determined by the Board of Directors.
- As determined by the Board of Directors with the advice of counsel, (i) such candidate’s election as a director would not violate federal, state or foreign law or applicable stock exchange requirements, or (ii) such candidate has not been convicted, including a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, of any felony, or of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
· Section 1.15(b) was added to provide a mechanism to confirm that a candidate nominated by a shareholder satisfies the qualifications (as set forth in Section 1.15(a)) and to collect information necessary for a proxy statement with respect to such person.
· Section 1.16 was added requiring any shareholder submitting a proposal or nominating a director (and related persons and persons acting in concert with such shareholder) to provide information about any derivatives and similar instruments that such shareholder and other persons hold with respect to any U.S. Cellular securities, including short interests, vote buying or selling interests and all other derivative interests such as swaps, options or similar rights.
· Section 1.17 was added to provide certain definitions and interpretive matters relating to the foregoing.
· Section 2.3 was expanded to address resignations of directors, and provides that removal of directors may be effected only as provided in the U.S. Cellular Charter or Delaware law.
· Section 2.7 provides that special meetings of the Board of Directors could be called on four hours notice. (The prior Bylaws required 2 days notice.)
· Several sections were revised to expressly provide for and permit electronic delivery to shareholders and directors, electronic consents/voting by directors and electronic voting and proxies by shareholders, and eliminates outdated references to telegram, telex, etc.
· Article XII was added which includes provisions that would be operative and permit Board action in the event of an emergency, defined to include only events of extraordinary magnitude, as permitted by Delaware law.
In addition, certain other changes were made to the Bylaws. The foregoing brief description is qualified by reference to the copy of the amended Bylaws attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1, which are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits:
In accordance with the provisions of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, any Exhibits filed or furnished herewith are set forth on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.
SIGNATURES |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized. |
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United States Cellular Corporation |
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(Registrant) |
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Date: |
August 22, 2014 |
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By: |
/s/ Steven T. Campbell |
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Steven T. Campbell |
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Executive Vice President – Finance, |
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Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
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EXHIBIT INDEX |
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The following exhibits are filed or furnished herewith as noted below. |
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Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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3.1 |
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Restated Bylaws |
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Exhibit 3.1
RESTATED BYLAWS [1]
OF
UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
(a Delaware corporation)
Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. For avoidance of doubt, the Corporation shall not be required to call, or distribute a notice of meeting relating to, a special meeting of stockholders at the request of any stockholders, other than a request by holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on the business proposed to be transacted at the meeting pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 1.2.
In the event that a special meeting of stockholders is called pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 1.2 for the purpose of filling any vacancy or newly created directorship, and only in such event, a stockholder may nominate persons for election to such vacancy or newly created directorship (but only with respect to directorships specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting for such special meeting), if such stockholder (i) was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in Section 1.7(a) of these Bylaws and at the time of the special meeting, (ii) is entitled to vote for the director(s) to be elected at such meeting as a stockholder of record on the date set therefor pursuant to Section 1.7(a) of these Bylaws and (iii) complies with the notice procedures set forth below in this Section 1.2. For the avoidance of doubt, the preceding sentence shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations before a special meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a stockholder who otherwise complies with this Section 1.2 shall be entitled to nominate persons for election at a special meeting only with respect to director positions to be elected at such meeting for which such stockholder is entitled to vote at such meeting.
Any such nominations by a stockholder shall be made only pursuant to timely notice in proper form in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation.
To be timely, a stockholder’s notice of a director nomination for a special meeting must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth calendar day following the date that public notice is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. Delivery of any notice required by this Section shall be by hand, or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.
[1] As amended August 19, 2014 effective August 19, 2014.
For purposes of these Bylaws, “public notice” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (such act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Exchange Act”) .
In no event shall any adjournment, postponement or recess of a special meeting, for which notice of such special meeting has been given, or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice of a director nomination shall set forth the information specified in Sections 1.14 and 1.16.
Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business, including the election of directors to fill vacancies or newly created directorships, shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.2. The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that any business proposed, including any nomination of persons for election as directors, was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be considered.
For avoidance of doubt, nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, or the right of the Corporation to exclude such proposals from the Corporation’s proxy statement if not required to be included or permitted to be excluded under Rule 14a-8.
(a) Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written or electronic notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.
(b) Notice of every meeting of stockholders shall, except when otherwise required by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), or the laws of the State of Delaware, be given at least 10 but not more than 60 days prior to such meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, in the manner set forth in Section 9.1 of these Bylaws, by or at the direction of the President or the Secretary or the persons calling such meeting.
(c) Any meeting may be adjourned from time to time without notice, other than by announcement at such meeting of the time, place, if any, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting. At such adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, written notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat as above provided. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 1.7(a) of these Bylaws, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
(a) Except as otherwise required by the laws of the State of Delaware or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the voting power of shares of capital stock of the Corporation in matters other than the election of directors under the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders, notwithstanding the subsequent withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
(b) Where a separate vote by a class or group is required with respect to the election of directors or any other matter by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, except as otherwise required by the laws of the State of Delaware or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the presence in person or representation by proxy of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of each such class or group entitled to vote with respect to such matter, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to the vote on that matter at any meeting of stockholders, notwithstanding the subsequent withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. For avoidance of doubt, if two or more classes vote as a
group in the election of directors or other matters, a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares in such group shall constitute a quorum, and a majority of the voting power of each class in such group shall not be required as well.
(c) If at any meeting a quorum shall not be present as required pursuant to paragraph (a), the chairman of such meeting may adjourn such meeting to another time and/or place without notice other than announcement at such meeting. If at any meeting a quorum shall be present as required pursuant to paragraph (a) but is not present with respect to one or more matters as required pursuant to paragraph (b), business may be conducted at such meeting with respect to any matters for which a quorum is present and, with respect to matters for which a quorum is not present, the chairman of such meeting may adjourn such meeting to another time and/or place without notice other than announcement at such meeting, to consider action with respect to such matters for which a quorum is not present. At such adjourned meeting, if a quorum shall be present or represented pursuant to paragraph (a) and pursuant to paragraph (b) with respect to any matter for which a quorum was not present at the original meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting and with respect to any matter for which a quorum is present at the adjourned meeting, notwithstanding the subsequent withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
(a) Unless otherwise required by law, the stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders and the number of votes to which such stockholders are entitled shall be determined as provided in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
(b) Provided that a quorum is present as provided in Section 1.4, unless otherwise provided by law or in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election of directors by the class or group of stockholders entitled to vote in the election of such directors which are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting. For avoidance of doubt, if two or more classes vote as a group in the election of certain directors, a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of such group which are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such group, and the affirmative vote of a plurality of each class in such group shall not be required as well.
(c) Provided that a quorum is present as provided in Section 1.4, except as provided in paragraph (d), each question other than the election of directors shall, unless otherwise required by law, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or, if determined to be applicable and appropriate by the Board of Directors, stock exchange listing requirements, be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of stock having a majority of the votes which could be cast by the holders of all stock entitled to vote on such question which are present in person or by proxy at the meeting.
(d) Provided that a quorum is present as provided in Section 1.4, where a separate vote by a class or group is required on matters other than the election of directors by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or, if determined to be applicable and appropriate by the Board of Directors, stock exchange listing requirements, the affirmative vote of holders of stock having a majority of the votes which could be cast by the holders of each such class or group entitled to vote on such matter which are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of each such class or group, unless otherwise required by law, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, stock exchange listing requirements or these Bylaws. For avoidance of doubt, if two or more classes vote as a group in matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes which could be cast by the holders of such group which are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such group, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of each class in such group shall not be required as well.
Shares of capital stock of the Corporation standing in the name of a deceased person, a minor, an incompetent or a corporation declared bankrupt and entitled to vote may be voted by an administrator, executor, guardian, conservator or trustee, as the case may be, either in person or by proxy, without transfer of such shares into the name of the official so voting.
A stockholder whose shares of capital stock of the Corporation are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares unless on the transfer books of the Corporation the pledgor has expressly empowered the pledgee to vote such shares, in which case only the pledgee, or such pledgee’s proxy, may represent such shares and vote thereon.
Shares of capital stock of the Corporation belonging to the Corporation, or to another corporation if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation shall be held by the Corporation, shall not be voted at any meeting of stockholders and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. Nothing in this Section 1.9 shall be construed to limit the right of any corporation to vote shares of capital stock of the Corporation held by it in a fiduciary capacity.
To be properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, business (other than director nominations) must be (a) pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting and proxy materials with respect to such meeting , (b) properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by a stockholder who (i) was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in Section 1.7(a) of these Bylaws and at the time of the annual meeting, (ii) is entitled to vote with respect to such business at the meeting as a stockholder of record on the date set therefor pursuant to Section 1.7(a) of these Bylaws and (iii) complies with the notice procedures set forth in these Bylaws as to such business. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (c) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business (other than business included in the Corporation's proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act) before an annual meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a stockholder who otherwise complies with this Section 1.12 shall be entitled to propose business at an annual meeting only with respect to matters for which such stockholder is entitled to vote at such meeting.
For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice in proper form in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation.
To be timely, a stockholder’s notice with respect to an annual meeting must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than 120 calendar days nor later than the close of business on the 90th calendar day in advance of the anniversary of the date on which the Corporation files with the SEC its definitive proxy statement (regardless of any later filed amendments thereto) in connection with the most recent preceding annual meeting of stockholders, except that, subject to the next paragraph, if the date of the annual meeting for a year has been changed by more than 30 calendar days before or after the anniversary date of the most recent preceding annual meeting, a stockholder proposal shall be timely if it is received by the Corporation not earlier than 150 calendar days nor later than the close of business on the 120th calendar day in advance of the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public notice of the date of such annual meeting is less than 130 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the tenth calendar day following the date of public notice of the date of the annual meeting for such year. Delivery of any notice required by this Section shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.
In no event shall any adjournment, postponement or recess of an annual meeting, for which notice of such annual meeting has been given, or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth the following information.
A stockholder’s notice shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before an annual meeting of stockholders (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business and each other Covered Person (as defined in Section 1.17), (c) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned on the date of such stockholder’s notice by such stockholder and each other Covered Person, (d) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote with respect to such business and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to move the consideration of such business, (e) a description of all arrangements or understandings (whether written or oral) between or among any Covered Person and any other Covered Person or any other person or persons, including competitors of the Corporation, specifying the names and addresses of such persons, relating to the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (f) any material interest of the stockholder or any other Covered Person in such business, (g) all information that, as of the date of the notice, would be required to be filed on Schedule 13D (including the exhibits thereto) under the Exchange Act, by any Covered Person, regardless of whether such Covered Person has publicly filed a Schedule 13D containing such information, (h) a statement whether or not such stockholder or any other Covered Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to any other stockholders and, if so, a description of which stockholders will be solicited and how such stockholder or Covered Person will conduct the solicitation and (i) the information specified in Section 1.16.
The stockholder shall be deemed to have affirmatively asserted that no person is a Covered Person other than the stockholder and any Covered Person expressly identified by the stockholder in its notice. Furthermore, if any other item required pursuant to the foregoing requirements is not expressly addressed in such stockholder’s notice with respect to the stockholder or any other Covered Person identified in such notice, the stockholder shall be deemed to have affirmatively asserted that the answer to such item is “none” or “not applicable”, as the case may be, unless such item cannot be reasonably answered with a response of either “none” or “not applicable”, in which case such notice shall be deemed incomplete with respect to such response. Not in limitation of the foregoing, any answer of “none” or “not applicable” to clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) or (h) above shall be deemed incomplete with respect to such response. To the extent that the stockholder’s notice is inaccurate in any material respect (including any such deemed affirmative assertions) and/or incomplete in any material respect with respect to requirements that cannot be reasonably answered with
an answer of either “none” or “not applicable”, as determined by the Board of Directors, the stockholder shall be deemed not to have complied with the requirements of this Section 1.12. Such stockholder shall provide further notice or notices to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation to update the foregoing information if such information changes between the date of such stockholder’s notice and the date of the stockholders’ meeting to which it relates, such notice to be provided within three business days after such information changes but no later than the day prior to such stockholders’ meeting. To the extent the stockholder fails to so update such information on a timely basis in any material respect, as determined by the Board of Directors, the stockholder shall be deemed not to have complied with the requirements of this Section 1.12. If the Board of Directors determines before the stockholders’ meeting that such stockholder’s notice does not comply with the requirements of this Section 1.12, the chairman of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that such stockholder’s notice does not comply with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws and the business proposed by such stockholder shall be disregarded.
Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business (other than the election of directors as provided in Section 1.13) shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.12. The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be considered.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these Bylaws, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to the matters set forth in these Bylaws; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 1.12.
For avoidance of doubt, nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, or the right of the Corporation to exclude such proposals from the Corporation’s proxy statement if not required to be included or permitted to be excluded under Rule 14a-8.
Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (b) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (i) was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in Section 1.7(a) of these Bylaws and at the time of the annual meeting, (ii) is entitled to vote for the election of the directors to be elected at such meeting as a stockholder of record on the date set therefor pursuant to Section 1.7(a) of these Bylaws and (iii) complies with the notice procedures set forth in Sections 1.13 and 1.14. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (b) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations before an annual meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a stockholder shall be entitled to nominate persons for election at an annual meeting only with respect to director positions for which such stockholder is entitled to vote at such meeting.
Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in proper form in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation.
To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than 120 calendar days nor later than the close of business on the 90th calendar day in advance of the anniversary of the date on which the Corporation files with the SEC its definitive proxy statement (regardless of any later filed amendments thereto) in connection with the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders, except that, subject to the next paragraph, if the date of the annual meeting for a year has been changed by more than 30 calendar days before or after the anniversary date of the most recent preceding annual meeting, a nomination shall be timely if it is received by the Corporation not earlier than 150 calendar days nor later than the close of business on the 120th calendar day in advance of the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public notice of the date of such annual meeting is less than 130 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the tenth calendar day following the date of public notice of the date of the annual meeting for such year. Notwithstanding anything in the preceding sentence to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and there is no public notice naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least ten days before the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination in accordance with the preceding sentence, a stockholder’s notice required by this bylaw shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth calendar day following the day on which such public notice is first made by the Corporation. Delivery of any notice required by this Section shall be by hand, or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.
In no event shall any adjournment, postponement or recess of an annual meeting, for which notice of such annual meeting has been given, or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth the information specified in Sections 1.14 and 1.16.
If the Board of Directors submits the election of directors for vacant directorships or new directorships to a vote of stockholders at an annual meeting, this Section 1.13 shall also apply to nominations relating to the election by stockholders of directors for vacant directorships and new directorships at such meeting. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 1.13 shall not apply to the appointment of a director to a directorship which is filled by the Board of Directors under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or filled pursuant to stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders.
A stockholder’s notice with respect to director nominations under Section 1.2 or 1.13 shall set forth:
(a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by such person on the date of such stockholder’s notice and (iv) any other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including, without limitation, such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected). If any of the foregoing requirements is not expressly responded to in such stockholder’s notice, the stockholder shall be deemed to have affirmatively asserted that the answer to such item is “none” or “not applicable”, as the case may be, unless such item cannot be reasonably answered with a response of either “none” or “not applicable”, in which case such notice shall be deemed incomplete with respect to such requirement. Not in limitation of the foregoing, any answer of “none” or “not applicable” to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above shall be deemed incomplete with respect to such response. To the extent that the notice is inaccurate in any material respect (including any such deemed affirmative assertions) and/or incomplete in any material respect with respect to requirements that cannot be reasonably answered with a response of either “none” or “not applicable”, as determined by the Board of Directors, the stockholder shall be deemed not to have complied with the requirements of this Section 1.14(a). Such stockholder shall provide further notice or notices to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation to update the foregoing information if such information changes between the date of such stockholder’s notice and the date of the stockholders’ meeting to which it relates, such notice to be provided within three business days after such information changes but no later than the day prior to such stockholders’ meeting. To the extent the stockholder fails to so update such information on a timely basis in any material respect, as determined by the Board of Directors, the stockholder shall be deemed not to have complied with the requirements of this Section 1.14(a); and
(b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and address of such stockholder and any other Covered Person, (ii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned on the date of such stockholder’s notice by such stockholder and any other Covered Person, (iii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on the election of the directors to be elected at such meeting and the persons being nominated by such person, and that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice, (iv) a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether written or oral) between or among any Covered Person and any other Covered Person or any other person or persons, including competitors of the Corporation, specifying the names and addresses of such persons, relating to the nomination or nominations to be made by the stockholder or relating to acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing of any securities of the Corporation or any Derivative Interests therein, or to cooperate in obtaining, changing or influencing the control of the Corporation, (v) all information that, as of the date of the notice, would be required to be filed on Schedule 13D (including the exhibits thereto) under the Exchange Act, by any Covered Person, regardless of whether such Covered Person has publicly filed a Schedule 13D containing such information, (vi) a statement whether or not such stockholder or any other Covered Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to any other stockholders relating to such nomination and, if so, a description of which stockholders will be solicited and how such stockholder or Covered Person will conduct the solicitation and (vii) the info rmation required by Section 1.16 with respect to each Covered Person.
T he stockholder shall be deemed to have affirmatively asserted that no person is a Covered Person other than the stockholder and any Covered Person expressly identified by the stockholder in its notice. Furthermore, if any other item required pursuant to the foregoing requirements is not expressly addressed in such stockholder’s notice with respect to the stockholder or any other Covered Person identified in such notice, the stockholder shall be deemed to have affirmatively asserted that the answer to such item is “none” or “not applicable”, as the case may be, unless such item cannot be reasonably answered with a response of either “none” or “not applicable”, in which case such notice shall be deemed incomplete with respect to such response. Not in limitation of the foregoing, any answer of “none” or “not applicable” to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (vi) above shall be deemed incomplete with respect to such response. To the extent that the notice is inaccurate in any material respect (including any such deemed affirmative assertions) and/or incomplete in any material respect with respect to requirements that cannot be reasonably answered with an answer of either “none” or “not applicable”, as determined by the Board of Directors, the stockholder shall be deemed not to have complied with the requirements of this Section 1.14(b). Such stockholder shall provide further notice or notices to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation to update the foregoing information if such information changes between the date of such
stockholder’s notice and the date of the stockholders’ meeting to which it relates, such notice to be provided within three business days after such information changes but no later than the day prior to such stockholders’ meeting. To the extent the stockholder fails to so update such information on a timely basis in any material respect, as determined by the Board of Directors, the stockholder shall be deemed not to have complied with the requirements of this Section 1.14(b).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bylaws, no nomination by any stockholder shall be effective unless made, and no person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.14.
If the Board of Directors determines before the stockholders’ meeting that such stockholder’s notice does not comply with the requirements of this Section 1.14, the chairman of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that such stockholder’s notice does not comply with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws and the director nomination by such stockholder shall be disregarded.
(a) In addition to any other qualifications for director election set forth in these Bylaws, a person properly nominated under Section 1.2 or 1.13 (a “candidate”) shall not be eligible for election as a director in the following circumstances:
(i) Federal Communications Commission Qualification . Such candidate shall not be eligible for election or continued service as a director unless he or she is eligible to serve as a director of a company that controls licenses granted by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), as determined by the Board of Directors with the advice of counsel.
(ii) Competition with Corporation . Such candidate shall not be eligible for election or continued service as a director if he or she is or becomes affiliated with, employed by or a representative of, or has or acquires a material personal involvement with, or material financial interest in, any individual, corporation, association, partnership, firm, business enterprise or other entity, organization or person which is engaged in competition with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates ("Business Competitor"), as determined by the Board of Directors. Such affiliation, employment or representation shall include, without limitation, service or status as an owner, partner, stockholder, trustee, director, officer, consultant, employee, agent or counsel, or the existence of any relationship which results in such person having an express, legal or fiduciary obligation to act on behalf of or in the interests of a Business Competitor; provided, however, that passive ownership of an interest not exceeding 1% of the outstanding securities in any publicly-owned Business Competitor shall not constitute such affiliation, employment or representation.
(iii) Other Qualifications . Such candidate shall not be eligible for election or continued service as a director if, as determined by the Board of Directors with the advice of counsel, (i) such candidate’s election as a director would violate federal, state or foreign law or applicable stock exchange requirements (other than those related to independence) or (ii) such candidate has been convicted, including a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, of any felony, or of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
(b) Questionnaire . In addition to any other qualifications for director election set forth in these Bylaws, a person properly nominated by a stockholder under Section 1.2 or 1.13 shall not be eligible for election as a director unless, prior to such person’s initial election as a director, he or she signs and returns to the Secretary, within fifteen days of a request therefor, written responses to any questions posed by the Secretary that are intended to:
(i) determine whether such person, if elected, would qualify as an “independent director” under listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and any other exchange on which the Corporation’s shares are listed;
(ii) determine whether such person is qualified to serve as a director of the Corporation under these Bylaws;
(iii) obtain other information with respect to such person, and a description of all direct and indirect agreements, arrangements and understandings (whether written or oral) during the past three years, identifying all amounts, and any other relationships, between or among such person and any Covered Person or any other person, including competitors of the Corporation, specifying the names and addresses of such persons, that could be material or otherwise required to be disclosed under SEC proxy solicitation rules or applicable stock exchange listing standards relating to such person’s possible election as a director of the Corporation, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the SEC if the stockholder or any Covered Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and
(iv) solicit from such person any other information that the Secretary determines could be material to a reasonable stockholder, including information relating to the independence, or lack thereof, of such person.
If such questionnaire is returned on a timely basis but any question in such questionnaire is not expressly responded to, the person returning such questionnaire shall be deemed to have affirmatively asserted that the answer to such question is “none” or “not applicable”, as the case may be, unless such question cannot be reasonably answered with an answer of either “none” or “not applicable”, in which case such questionnaire shall be deemed incomplete with respect to such question. To the extent that the responses to the questionnaire are inaccurate in any material respect as determined by the Board of Directors (including any such deemed affirmative assertions) and/or incomplete in any material respect with respect to questions that cannot be answered with an answer of either “none” or “not applicable”, the person returning the questionnaire shall be deemed not to have complied with the requirements of this Section 1.15. If any answer changes between the date that such questionnaire is originally completed and the date of the stockholders’ meeting to which it relates, such person shall update such answers in writing to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, such update to be provided within three business days after such information changes but no later than the day prior to such stockholders’ meeting. Any failure to so update the answers in any material respect shall result in such person being deemed not to have complied with the qualification requirements of this Section 1.15.
Notwithstanding compliance with the foregoing requirements, any such person shall also be required to promptly (but in no event later than three business days) respond to reasonable requests by the Secretary for additional information or clarification of responses from such person.
(c) Each person who consents to serve as a director of the Corporation if elected shall be deemed to have consented to an investigation and background check of such person by the Corporation or its agents of the type typically obtained by the Corporation with respect to the initial nomination of persons as directors. The scope of the background check may include information relating to character, general reputation and similar information. The types of reports which may be requested from reporting agencies and other sources may include, but not be limited to, credit reports, criminal record checks, public court records checks, driving records, summaries and verifications of education and histories/summaries and verification of employment positions held and related duties, last pay rate or salary, work performance, experience, skills, qualifications, compliance with employer or institutional policies, licensing, certification, training, honesty and other personal characteristics. The information may be obtained from any and all lawful private or public records or sources.
(d) If the Board of Directors determines before the closing of the polls at a stockholders’ meeting that such person does not comply with the qualification requirements of this Section 1.15, the chairman of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that such person is not eligible to be elected as a director in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws and the nomination of such person shall be disregarded.
If the stockholder does not expressly disclose that such stockholder or any other Covered Person has an interest in one or more of the foregoing interests in such stockholder’s notice, the stockholder shall be deemed to have affirmatively asserted that the stockholder and each other Covered Person does not have any direct or indirect interest, right or obligation (whether written or oral) with respect to or related to such interest. In the event that any such notice is inaccurate in any material respect (including any such deemed affirmative assertions), as determined by the Board of Directors, the stockholder shall be deemed not to have complied
with the requirements of this Section 1.16. Such stockholder shall provide further notice or notices to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation to update the foregoing information if such information changes between the date of such stockholder’s notice and the date of the stockholders’ meeting to which it relates, such notice to be provided within three business days after such information changes but no later than the day prior to such stockholders’ meeting. To the extent the stockholder fails to so update such information on a timely basis in any material respect, as determined by the Board of Directors, the stockholder shall be deemed not to have complied with the requirements of this Section 1.16.
If the Board of Directors determines before the stockholders’ meeting that such stockholder’s notice does not comply with the requirements of this Section 1.16, the chairman of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that such stockholder’s notice does not comply with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws and the director nomination or business proposed by such stockholder shall be disregarded.
For purposes of these Bylaws, an “affiliate” of a person shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
For purposes of these Bylaws, an “associate” of a person shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
For purposes of these Bylaws, a “Covered Person” with respect to a stockholder proposing to make a nomination or propose business at a meeting of stockholders shall mean such stockholder, any beneficial owner(s) on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, any person acting in concert with any of the foregoing, and the affiliates and associates of all of the foregoing.
For purposes of these Bylaws, a “Derivative Instrument” shall mean any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, future, forward, swap, synthetic arrangement or similar right, agreement or arrangement (whether or not currently exercisable and whether written or oral) with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any securities of the Corporation, or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any securities of the Corporation, including by reference to the market price, volatility, dividend or interest rate or other attribute, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying securities of the Corporation or otherwise and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of securities of the Corporation, including by reference to the market price, volatility, dividend or interest rate or other attribute, including but not limited to “derivative securities” as defined under Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act (a “Derivative Instrument”).
For purposes of these Bylaws, a “Proxy” shall mean any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship (whether written or oral), other than a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Exchange Act, pursuant to which such stockholder has a right to vote, shares voting rights, has authorized another person to vote, has transferred any right to vote, or relates in any way to the voting of any securities of the Corporation.
With respect to any provision of these Bylaws which requires action prior to the close of business on a specified date, if such date is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for the Corporation, such action shall be required to be taken prior to the close of business on the first business day for the Corporation immediately preceding such specified date.
Any determinations or interpretations relating to Article I of these Bylaws shall be made by the Board of Directors or by the chairman of the meeting.
Any action or disclosure by a stockholder under this Article I may be rejected by the Board of Directors or by the chairman of the meeting as not complying with the requirements of this Article I, if such action or disclosure, as determined by the Board of Directors or chairman of the meeting, makes any untrue statement of material fact, omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made not misleading, or was not properly taken or made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws.
Vacancies and newly created directorships shall be filled as set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
Each committee shall keep a record of its acts and proceedings, and all actions of each committee shall be reported to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
Each committee shall fix its own rules of procedure not inconsistent with these Bylaws or the resolution of the Board of Directors designating such committee and shall meet at such times and places and upon such call or notice as shall be provided by such rules.
The Corporation shall indemnify directors, officers and persons as specified the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the extent set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, except as otherwise required by the laws of the State of Delaware.
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the laws of the State of Delaware, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws to any stockholder to whom (a) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders, and all notices of meetings of stockholders or of the taking of action by stockholders by written consent without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (b) all, and at least two, payments (if sent by first class mail) of dividends or interest on securities of the Corporation during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at the address of such stockholder as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth the then current address of such stockholder, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated.
The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends, in cash, in property or in shares of capital stock of the Corporation, on its outstanding shares of capital stock in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
Except to the extent otherwise provided in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, these Bylaws shall be subject to alteration, amendment or repeal, and new Bylaws may be adopted (a) by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon or (b) by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Board of Directors present at any meeting of the Board of Directors at which there is a quorum present and voting.
(a) This article shall be operative during an emergency. An emergency exists for purposes of this section if a quorum of the Corporation's directors cannot be readily assembled within the time period determined by the Chairman or TDS Chairman of the Board because of an emergency as determined by the Chairman or TDS Chairman of the Board. Such emergency is intended to include events of extraordinary magnitude and may include the declaration of a civil defense emergency, war, enemy attack, other warlike acts, a catastrophic event, disaster or other similar emergency condition, which prevents the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Corporation by the Board of Directors and officers in the ordinary course as contemplated by the other Articles of these Bylaws. An emergency, once declared by the Chairman or TDS Chairman of the Board, shall be deemed to continue until terminated by resolutions adopted for that purpose by the Board of Directors.
(b) During an emergency, special meetings of the Board of Directors and of any committee thereof may be called by the Chairman or the TDS Chairman of the Board. Notice of any special or regular meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee need be given only to those directors whom it is practical to reach, may be given in any practical manner and may call a meeting at any time following the notice, including immediately after the notice.
(c) The directors or sole director in attendance or otherwise participating at a meeting during an emergency shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors. Such directors or sole director may temporarily reassign duties and responsibilities of officers, relocate offices, and authorize officers to take emergency actions. Any action taken at a meeting by majority vote of the directors or the sole director in attendance or otherwise participating, shall be the action of the Board of Directors.
(d) If a quorum of any committee is not in attendance or otherwise participating at a meeting of such committee called during an emergency, any action of such committee may be taken by a majority of the directors or the sole director in attendance or participating in a meeting during such emergency. Alternatively, a majority of such directors or the sole director may temporarily redesignate the membership of committees to serve during the emergency.
(e) Corporate action taken in good faith during an emergency under this section to further the business affairs of the Corporation shall bind the Corporation and may not be used to impose liability on a director, officer, employee or agent.