UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 3, 2006

 

Potlatch Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-32729   82-0156045

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

601 W. Riverside Avenue, Suite 1100,
Spokane, WA
  99201
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

509-835-1500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Potlatch Holdings, Inc.

(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):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 3.03. Material Modification of Rights of Security Holders.

 

On February 3, 2006, the stockholders of the Registrant’s predecessor, Potlatch Corporation, a Delaware corporation (Commission File No. 001-5313) (the “Predecessor Registrant”), approved a merger in connection with a restructuring of its business related to its conversion to a real estate investment trust (“REIT”). The restructuring included the formation of Potlatch Holdings, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Predecessor Registrant) and Potlatch Operating Company (the “Operating Company”). On February 3, 2006, the Predecessor Registrant merged with and into the Operating Company (the “Merger”). As a consequence of the Merger, each share of the Predecessor Registrant’s common stock was converted into one share of common stock of the Registrant. Potlatch Holdings, Inc., which immediately after the Merger changed its name to Potlatch Corporation (the “Registrant”), directly owns all of the outstanding capital stock of the Operating Company. As a result of the Merger, the Registrant became the publicly traded, New York Stock Exchange, Pacific Stock Exchange and Chicago Stock Exchange listed corporation in place of the Predecessor Registrant, and succeeded to and continues to operate, directly or indirectly, the business of the Predecessor Registrant. A copy of the press release announcing the Merger is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Among the requirements that the Registrant must meet to remain qualified as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), is that not more than 50% in value of the Registrant’s outstanding capital stock may be owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Code to include certain entities, during the last half of a taxable year, and the Registrant’s capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. To satisfy these ownership requirements and other requirements for continued qualification as a REIT, the Registrant restated its certificate of incorporation (the “Restated Charter”) prior to the effective time of the Merger on February 3, 2006. The Restated Charter contains provisions restricting the ownership or transfer of shares of the Registrant’s capital stock. For a summary description of the material terms of the ownership and transfer restrictions applicable to shares of the Registrant’s capital stock, refer to pages 99-101 (“Description of Potlatch Holdings Capital Stock – Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer”) of the proxy statement/prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (Registration No. 333-128403), filed by the Registrant. A copy of the Restated Charter is included as Annex B to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

On February 3, 2006 and prior to the effective time of the Merger, the Registrant filed the Restated Charter. The Restated Charter is substantially similar to the Predecessor Registrant’s restated certificate of incorporation, with the principal differences being that the Restated Charter provides for (i) 60 million additional authorized shares of common stock that will, among other things, provide additional authorized shares for issuance in connection with (a) the special E&P distribution described in Item 8.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, (b) any future stock

 

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splits, (c) any future acquisitions funded using shares, (d) equity offerings to raise capital for any future acquisitions or (e) other corporate purposes; and (ii) restrictions on ownership of the Registrant’s common stock described in Item 3.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

On February 3, 2006 and after the effective time of the Merger, the Registrant amended the Restated Charter to change the Registrant’s name from “Potlatch Holdings, Inc.” to “Potlatch Corporation.” A copy of the amendment to the Restated Charter is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.2.

 

On February 3, 2006 and upon the effective time of the Merger, the Registrant amended and restated its bylaws (the “Restated Bylaws”). The Restated Bylaws are substantially similar to the Predecessor Registrant’s amended and restated bylaws, except that the Restated Bylaws provide that physical certificates representing shares of the Registrant’s common stock will not be issued and instead shares will be issued electronically in book-entry form by way of direct registration. A copy of the Restated Bylaws is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.3.

 

For a summary description of the Restated Charter and the Restated Bylaws, refer to pages 102-106 (“Comparison of Rights of Stockholders of Potlatch and Potlatch Holdings”) of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

On February 3, 2006, the board of directors of the Registrant declared a special E&P distribution of $15.15 per share of common stock, payable on March 31, 2006 to stockholders of record on February 14, 2006. The special E&P distribution will be paid in the form of cash, shares of the Registrant’s common stock, or a combination of both, at the election of each stockholder. The amount of cash payable to stockholders will be limited to 20% of the total value of the special E&P distribution. Based on the approximately $445 million aggregate amount of the special E&P distribution, this means that the aggregate amount of cash payable to stockholders will be limited to approximately $89 million, before cash paid in lieu of fractional shares. If the aggregate amount of stockholder cash elections exceeds 20% of the total value of the special E&P distribution, then cash payments in excess of 20% will be prorated. The total number of shares of Potlatch common stock to be issued in the special E&P distribution will be determined by dividing (i) approximately $445 million, the aggregate value of the special E&P distribution, less the total amount of cash to be paid as part of the special E&P distribution, by (ii) the average of the closing sales price of the Registrant’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by The Wall Street Journal from and including March 21, 2006 through and including March 23, 2006.

 

On February 3, 2006, the board of directors of the Registrant also declared the first regular quarterly distribution as a REIT on the Registrant’s common stock. The distribution of $0.65 per share is payable on February 28, 2006 to stockholders of record on February 13, 2006.

 

A copy of the press release announcing the special E&P distribution and the first regular quarterly distribution is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

 

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Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

99.1    Potlatch Corporation Press Release, issued February 3, 2006.
99.2    Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, effective February 3, 2006.
99.3    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, effective February 3, 2006.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: February 6, 2006

     

POTLATCH CORPORATION

(formerly Potlatch Holdings, Inc.)

            By:  

/s/ Malcolm A. Ryerse

               

Name: Malcolm A. Ryerse

Title: Corporate Secretary

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description of Exhibit


99.1    Potlatch Corporation Press Release, issued February 3, 2006.
99.2    Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, effective February 3, 2006.
99.3    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, effective February 3, 2006.

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO       

Potlatch Corporation

 

601 W. Riverside Ave., Suite 1100

Spokane, WA 99201

509.835.1500

www.potlatchcorp.com

 

News Release

 

For release:    February 3, 2006               

Contact:

   (Media)    (Investors)          
     Michael D. Sullivan    Douglas D. Spedden          
     509.835.1516 (work)    509.835.1549          
     509.951.3405 (cell)               

 

BOARD DECLARES SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION OF $15.15 PER SHARE AND

A REGULAR QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTION OF $0.65 PER SHARE

Stockholders Approve Merger In Connection With Conversion To Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

 

Spokane, WA –Potlatch Corporation (NYSE: PCH) today announced the completion of its planned reorganization in connection with its conversion to a real estate investment trust, or REIT, on January 1, 2006. In separate action following the reorganization, the Potlatch Board of Directors declared the company’s first quarterly distribution to stockholders as a REIT as well as a special distribution of accumulated earnings and profits (E&P).

 

As required under REIT tax laws, Potlatch’s Board of Directors declared a special taxable E&P distribution to stockholders of earnings and profits accumulated prior to Potlatch’s conversion to a REIT on January 1, 2006. The E&P distribution of $15.15 per share, for a total distribution of approximately $445 million, will be paid on March 31, 2006, to stockholders of record on February 14, 2006. The ex-dividend date will be February 10, 2006. Stockholders will be able to elect to receive their E&P distribution in stock or cash or a combination of stock and cash, although the aggregated cash amount will be capped at 20 percent of the total distribution. Election forms will be mailed to all stockholders on or about February 15, 2006 and will be due on March 20, 2006.

 

The Board also declared the first regular quarterly distribution as a REIT on the company’s common stock. The distribution of $0.65 per share is payable February 28, 2006, to stockholders of record on February 13, 2006. The ex-dividend date will be February 9, 2006.

 

At a special meeting held today, Potlatch stockholders approved a merger of Potlatch Corporation with and into a wholly owned subsidiary for the purpose of

 

-MORE-


increasing the authorized common stock from 40 million to 100 million shares and imposing ownership restrictions on the number of shares a shareholder may own in order to facilitate compliance with the REIT tax rules. The increase in authorized shares will, among other things, assure sufficient shares are available for issuance to cover the special E&P distribution. The additional shares will also be available for issuance to cover any future stock splits, future acquisitions funded using shares, equity offerings to raise capital for any future acquisitions or other corporate purposes.

 

As a result of the merger, the stockholders of Potlatch automatically became stockholders of a new entity named Potlatch Corporation that is now the parent of the merged company, which is named Potlatch Forest Holdings, Inc. Potlatch Forest Holdings, Inc. now owns substantially all of Potlatch’s timberlands as well as the stock of Potlatch Forest Products Corporation, a taxable REIT subsidiary that now owns and operates the manufacturing facilities formerly owned by Potlatch Corporation prior to the conversion to a REIT.

 

Potlatch is a real estate investment trust with 1.5 million acres of timberlands in Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota and Oregon with a taxable REIT subsidiary that manufactures forest products.

 

This news release contains, in addition to historical information, certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s best estimates and assumptions regarding future events, and are therefore subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. The company’s actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include those risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

 

This press release does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale and is not a substitute for the prospectus covering the special E&P distribution.

 

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-END-

Exhibit 99.2

 

SECOND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

POTLATCH HOLDINGS, INC.

 

Potlatch Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

 

1. The date of the filing of the original Certificate of Incorporation of Potlatch Holdings, Inc. with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was September 9, 2005. A Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Potlatch Holdings, Inc. was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 3, 2006 (the “Restated Certificate”).

 

2. This Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation amends, restates and integrates the provisions of the Restated Certificate and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “GCL”), was duly adopted by the sole stockholder and the Board of Directors by written consent in accordance with Sections 228 and 141(f), respectively of the GCL.

 

3. Pursuant to Section 103(d) of the GCL, this Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective at 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on Friday, February 3, 2006.

 

4. The text of the Restated Certificate is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to provide as herein set forth in full.

 

First : The name of the corporation is Potlatch Corporation.

 

Second : The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware is located at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. Its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

Third : The nature of the business, or objects or purposes to be transacted, promoted or carried on are:

 

To engage in, do and transact a lumber, plywood, building materials, pulp, paper and forest products business in any and all its branches; to buy, or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of, and in any manner deal in, with, and process trees, logs, lumber, timber, wood, wood fibers, pulps, paper, bark and products of the forests, of any and all kinds, and the chemical components thereof in any and all states, in any form or condition, whether felled, standing or growing, and in any and all worked, built, manufactured or made shapes, articles or structures, and to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

Fourth : The total number of shares of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is one hundred four million (104,000,000). Of said shares, one hundred million (100,000,000) shall be common stock with a par value of one dollar ($1) per share and four million (4,000,000) shares shall be preferred stock without par value.

 

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I. AUTHORIZATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO ESTABLISH SERIES OF

PREFERRED STOCK

AND FIX CONSIDERATION THEREFOR.

 

The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized, within the limitations and restrictions stated herein from time to time, by resolution:

 

a. to divide the preferred stock into series;

 

b. to fix the consideration for which such preferred stock shall be issued;

 

c. to determine the voting powers of each such series;

 

d. to determine and fix the number of shares which will constitute any such series and the distinctive designation of each series;

 

e. to make any such series of stock subject to redemption at such time or times and at such price or prices as shall be stated and expressed in such resolution;

 

f. to determine whether or not the shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund, and, if so subject, the extent to and the manner in which it shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the shares of such series, and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;

 

g. to fix the rights of the holders of stock of each series of preferred stock to receive dividends at such rates, on such conditions and at such times as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution and whether payable in preference to, or in relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes of stock or other series of the same class and whether cumulative or noncumulative as shall be so stated and expressed;

 

h. to fix the rights of the holders of the stock of each series upon the dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the corporation;

 

i. to make any series of preferred stock convertible or automatically converted into or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of the stock of the corporation at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments as shall be stated and expressed in such resolution;

 

j. to determine whether or not the shares of any series shall be subject or entitled to any other preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions which shall be stated and expressed in such resolution and which shall not be inconsistent with the terms and provisions of this Section Fourth.

 

II. RANK.

 

Each series of preferred stock shall have such preferences as to dividends and assets and amounts distributable on liquidation, dissolution or winding up or otherwise as shall be declared by such resolution or resolutions establishing such series.

 

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III. DIVIDENDS.

 

a. The holders of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive cash dividends when and as declared by the Board of Directors at such rate per share per annum, cumulatively if so provided, and with such preferences, as shall have been fixed by the Board of Directors, and not more, before any dividends shall be declared or paid upon or set apart for, the common stock or any other class of stock ranking junior thereto and such dividends on each series of preferred stock shall cumulate, if at all, from and after the dates fixed by the Board of Directors with respect to such cumulation. Unpaid cumulated dividends shall bear no interest.

 

b. If dividends on any shares of preferred stock are not declared in full, then such dividends as are declared shall be declared ratably on all shares of stock of each series of equal preference in proportion to the respective unpaid cumulative dividends, if any, to the end of the then current dividend period. No ratable distribution shall be made with respect to any series until cumulative dividends in full have been declared and paid on any series standing senior in preference.

 

c. Unless dividends on all outstanding shares of preferred stock having cumulative dividend rights shall have been fully paid for all past quarterly dividend periods, and the full dividends thereon for the quarterly dividend period current at the time shall have been paid or declared and funds set apart therefor, and unless all required sinking fund payments, if any, shall have been made or provided for, no dividend (except a dividend payable in common stock) shall be paid upon or declared or set apart for the common stock.

 

d. Subject to the foregoing provisions, the Board of Directors may declare and pay dividends on the common stock, to the extent permitted by law.

 

IV. LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION.

 

a. In the event of any liquidation or dissolution or winding up of the corporation (hereafter referred to as “liquidation”) the holders of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive in cash, out of the assets of the corporation, full payment of the applicable liquidation preference fixed for each series pursuant to Section I above, together with unpaid cumulative dividends thereon to the date of liquidation, and no more.

 

b. If upon liquidation the assets of the corporation available for distribution to stockholders shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full of the preferential amounts payable to the holders of preferred stock, then all such assets shall be distributed ratably among the holders of all shares of stock of each series of equal preference in proportion to the respective amounts that would be payable per share if such assets were sufficient to permit payment in full. No ratable distribution shall be made with respect to any series until distributions in full have been paid to the holders of all series standing senior in preference.

 

c. After satisfaction of the preferential requirements of the preferred stock upon any liquidation of the corporation, the holders of common stock shall be entitled to share ratably in the distribution of all remaining assets of the corporation available for distribution.

 

d. A consolidation or merger of the corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations or the sale or conveyance (whether for cash, securities or other property) of all or

 

3


substantially all of the assets of the corporation as an entirety, shall not be deemed or construed to be a liquidation of the corporation for the purpose of the foregoing provisions of this Section IV.

 

V. VOTING RIGHTS.

 

a. A holder of the common stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders for each share of the common stock held of record by such holder as of the record date for such meeting.

 

b. The holders of each series of preferred stock shall have such voting rights, if any, as shall be provided for in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors establishing such class or series.

 

VI. RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF EQUITY STOCK

 

1. DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this Section VI and Article Thirteenth, the following terms shall have the following meanings (references to sections shall be to sections of this Section VI):

 

“Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” means not more than nine and eight-tenths percent (9.80%) of the aggregate value of the outstanding shares of any class or series of Capital Stock, with such percentage being subject to adjustment pursuant to Sections 2.7(c) and (d). In applying this Section VI, any questions as to value shall be resolved by the Board of Directors in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

 

“Beneficial Owner” means, with respect to any shares of Capital Stock, (i) any Person who owns such shares, whether directly or indirectly, (ii) any Person for whose benefit such shares are held through a nominee, (iii) any Person who would be treated as the owner of such shares through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h) of the Code, including, without limitation, interests that are issuable by the corporation pursuant to options, warrants or conversion rights, (iv) any Person who would be considered a beneficial owner of such shares for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and (v) any Person who exercises “investment discretion,” within the meaning of Rule 13f-1(b) under the Exchange Act, with respect to such shares. The terms “Beneficial Ownership,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have correlative meanings. All shares of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned by a Person, regardless of the form which such Beneficial Ownership takes, shall be aggregated in calculating the number of shares Beneficially Owned by such Person.

 

“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

“Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of stock of the corporation, including, without limitation, common stock and preferred stock.

 

“Charitable Beneficiary” means one or more beneficiaries of a Trust as determined pursuant to Section 3, provided that each such organization must be described in Section

 

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501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto. References herein to particular sections of the Code shall be deemed to include applicable successor provisions to such sections.

 

“Constructive Ownership” means ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including indirect ownership through a nominee), including, without limitation, interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

“Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(1).

 

“Excepted Holder” means any Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 2.7.

 

“Excepted Holder Limit” means the limit established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 2.7, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with any requirements established by the Board of Directors and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.7. An Excepted Holder Limit may be expressed, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, as one or more percentages or numbers of shares of Capital Stock of the corporation, and may apply with respect to one or more classes or series of Capital Stock, or to all classes or series of Capital Stock in the aggregate.

 

“Initial Date” shall mean the effective time of the merger of Potlatch Corporation with and into Potlatch Operating Company pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 19, 2005, by and among Potlatch Corporation, Potlatch Holdings, Inc. and Potlatch Operating Company.

 

“Market Price” on any date means, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” means the last sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted or trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is

 

5


available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

 

“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

 

“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, an association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity, and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Prohibited Owner” means, with respect to any purported Transfer or Event, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 2.1, would Beneficially or Constructively Own, additional shares of Capital Stock, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

 

“REIT” means a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code.

 

“Restriction Termination Date” means the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Directors determines pursuant to Article Thirteenth that it is no longer in the best interests of the corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT, or that compliance with each of the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock as set forth herein is no longer required.

 

“Transfer” means any direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition by a Person, other than the corporation, that causes any Person to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock including, without limitation (i) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (ii) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (iii) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial or Constructive Ownership, in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. For avoidance of doubt, the term Transfer shall not include the grant of an option by the corporation or the issuance of Capital Stock by the corporation and shall not include any Transfer which does not involve a transfer of securities within the meaning of the General Corporation Law of Delaware as in effect from time to time (“Delaware Law”). The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

“Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Treasury under the Code.

 

“Trust” means any charitable trust to which Sections 2.1(b) and 3 refer.

 

“Trustee” means a Person unaffiliated with the corporation and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the corporation to serve as trustee of a Trust.

 

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“Widely Held Investment Company” means (i) a corporation (a) that is a “publicly offered regulated investment company” within the definition of section 67(c)(2)(B)(i)(I) or (II) of the Code, and (b) that is not a “personal holding company” within the definition of section 542 of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) and (ii) any other Person to the extent that such Person Beneficially Owns shares of Capital Stock also Beneficially Owned by a corporation described in the preceding clause (i).

 

“Widely Held Investment Company Ownership Limit” means not more than twenty percent (20%) of the aggregate value of the outstanding shares of any class or series of Capital Stock, with such percentage being subject to adjustment pursuant to Sections 2.7(c) and (d).

 

2. RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP OF CAPITAL STOCK.

 

2.1 Ownership Limitations. During the period commencing on the Initial Date and ending on the Restriction Termination Date:

 

(a) Basic Restrictions.

 

(1) No Person other than an Excepted Holder or a Widely Held Investment Company shall Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock equal to or in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit.

 

(2) No Widely Held Investment Company that is not an Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock equal to or in excess of the Widely Held Investment Company Ownership Limit.

 

(3) No Person shall Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT.

 

(4) No Person shall Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Constructive Ownership would result in the corporation owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the corporation from such tenant would cause the corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code.

 

(5) No Person shall Transfer any Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock, if, as a result of such Transfer, the Capital Stock would be beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code).

 

(6) No Person shall Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent such Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the corporation not being a “domestically held REIT” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code.

 

(7) No Person shall Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent such Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the corporation being “pension-held” within the meaning of Section 856(h)(3)(D) of the Code.

 

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(b) Transfer in Trust.

 

(1) If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) or other event not constituting a Transfer (an “Event”) occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of any provision of Section 2.1(a): (i) then that number of shares of Capital Stock the Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of which would otherwise cause such violation (rounded to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to one or more Trusts for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer or Event, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or (ii) if the transfer to the Trust or Trusts described in clause (i) above would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 2.1(a), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause a violation of any provision of Section 2.1(a) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

 

(2) In determining which shares of Capital Stock are to be transferred to a Trust in accordance with this Section 2.1(b) and Section 3, shares shall be so transferred to a Trust in such manner as minimizes the aggregate value of the shares that are transferred to the Trust (except to the extent that the Board of Directors determines that the shares transferred to the Trust shall be those Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by a Person or Persons that caused or contributed to the application of this Section 2.1(b)), and to the extent not inconsistent therewith, on a pro rata basis.

 

(3) To the extent that, upon a transfer of shares of Capital Stock pursuant to this Section 2.1(b), a violation of any provision of Section 2.1(a) would nonetheless be continuing, then shares of Capital Stock shall be transferred to that number of Trusts, each having a distinct Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of Section 2.1(a).

 

2.2 Remedies for Breach. If the Board of Directors shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or Event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 2.1(a) or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 2.1(a) (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or Event, including, without limitation, causing the corporation to redeem shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the corporation, or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or Event; provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or Event in violation of Section 2.1(a) shall automatically result in the transfer to the Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer or Event shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors.

 

2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who, by way of either a Transfer or an Event, acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 2.1(a), and any Person

 

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who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1(b), shall in each such case immediately give written notice to the corporation of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction or Event, give at least 15 days’ prior written notice, and shall provide to the corporation such other information as the corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the corporation’s status as a REIT.

 

2.4 Owners Required to Provide Information. From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

 

(a) every Beneficial Owner of more than five percent (5%) (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations) of the outstanding shares of any class or series of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the corporation such additional information as the corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or the Widely Held Investment Company Ownership Limit, as applicable; and

 

(b) each Person who is a Beneficial or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner shall provide to the corporation such information as the corporation may request, in good faith, in order to determine the corporation’s status as a REIT or for other tax or compliance reasons.

 

2.5 Remedies Not Limited. Subject to Article Thirteenth and except as provided in Section 2.7(d), nothing contained in this Section 2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the corporation’s status as a REIT, including lowering the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit.

 

2.6 Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the interpretation of any of the provisions of this Section VI, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section VI with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event that this Section VI requires an action by the Board of Directors and this Restated Certificate of Incorporation fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken. Any references contained in this Section VI to the Board of Directors shall include any duly authorized committee thereof.

 

2.7 Exceptions.

 

(a) The Board of Directors may, subject to such terms, conditions, representations and undertakings as it shall determine in its sole discretion, except a Person (prospectively or retroactively) from the application of any one or more of the provisions of Section 2.1(a); or (ii) establish an Excepted Holder Limit applicable to such Person; in each case, provided that such exception does not (A) result in the corporation being “closely held”

 

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within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of the taxable year), or otherwise cause the corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT or (B) cause the Capital Stock to be beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code). Any violation or deemed violation of any such terms, conditions, representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary the restrictions contained in Sections 2.1 through 2.6) will result in such Person, and any Capital Stock that such Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own, or in which it may otherwise hold any direct or indirect interest, being subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(b).

 

(b) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 2.7(a), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable.

 

(c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.7(d), the Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of any agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit with respect to a class or series of Capital Stock shall be reduced to a percentage less than the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or Widely Held Investment Company Ownership Limit, as the case may be, that is then applicable.

 

(d) The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, (i) establish an Excepted Holder Limit applicable to one or more particular Excepted Holders in accordance with this Section 2.7, or (ii) increase (A) the Excepted Holder Limit then applicable to one or more particular Excepted Holders, (B) the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, or (C) the Widely Held Investment Company Ownership Limit. The Board of Directors also may reduce the Excepted Holder Limit then applicable to one or more particular Excepted Holders, the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, or the Widely Held Investment Company Ownership Limit if such reduction is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, necessary or desirable in enabling the corporation to qualify as a REIT; provided, however, that an appropriate exception is granted pursuant to this Section 2.7 in respect of the pre-existing Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock by any Person that would otherwise exceed the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, Widely Held Investment Company Ownership Limit, or applicable Excepted Holder Limit as so reduced, if such Person has complied with the terms of all previously applicable ownership limitations and information requirements prescribed herein.

 

2.8 Written Notice or Legend.

 

(a) Except as provided in the next sentence, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock of the corporation, the corporation shall send or cause to be sent to the registered owner thereof a written notice stating substantially the following:

 

The shares held in book-entry form evidenced by this statement are subject to certain ownership limitations and restrictions on transfer, as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, and subject to such terms, conditions and exceptions as set forth therein. A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of the

 

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Corporation may be obtained from the Corporation without charge. A violation of these provisions could result in the shares evidenced by this statement being transferred to a trust for the benefit of a charitable beneficiary, or in a purported sale or other transfer of these shares being void.

 

Instead of the foregoing statement, the written notice may state that the corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.

 

(b) Except as provided in the next sentence, each certificate issued after the Initial Date for shares of Capital Stock shall bear substantially the following legend, or such other form of legend as determined by the Board of Directors:

 

The shares represented by this certificate are subject to certain ownership limitations and restrictions on transfer, as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, and subject to such terms, conditions and exceptions as set forth therein. A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation may be obtained from the Corporation without charge. A violation of these provisions could result in the shares represented hereby being transferred to a trust for the benefit of a charitable beneficiary, or in a purported sale or other transfer of these shares being void.

 

Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate may state that the corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.

 

3. TRANSFER OF CAPITAL STOCK IN TRUST.

 

3.1 Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported Transfer or Event described in Section 2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to a Trustee as trustee of such Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or Event that results in the transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 2.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the corporation and the applicable Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Board of Directors as provided in Section 3.6.

 

3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. Except to the extent expressly provided herein, the Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions, and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Trust.

 

3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights. The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the corporation that the shares of Capital Stock

 

11


have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Trust and, subject to Delaware law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section VI, until the corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Trust, the corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.

 

3.4 Sale of Shares by Trustee. Within 90 days of receiving notice from the corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares held in the Trust to a Person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate any of the ownership restrictions set forth in Section 2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the Transfer or Event causing the shares to be held in a Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the Transfer or Event that caused the shares to be held in the Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Trustee (net any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

 

3.5 Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of an Event or if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the Transfer causing the shares to be held in trust, the Market Price at the time of such Event or Transfer) and (ii) the Market Price on the date that the corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 3.4. Upon such a sale to the corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and the Charitable Beneficiary in the manner provided in Section 3.4.

 

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3.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the Trustee, the corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in any Trust created pursuant to this Section 3 such that the shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary.

 

4. NYSE TRANSACTIONS. Nothing in this Section VI shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction is so permitted shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Section VI and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Section VI.

 

5. ENFORCEMENT. The corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Section VI.

 

6. NON-WAIVER. No delay or failure on the part of the corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

 

Fifth : Election of Directors need not be by written ballot unless the By-Laws of the corporation shall so provide.

 

Sixth : In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws of the corporation, without any action on the part of the stockholders, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the entire Board of Directors, which shall include the affirmative vote of at least one director from each class of the Board of Directors if the Board shall then be divided into classes. The By-Laws may also be altered, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing at least eighty percent (80%) of the shares of the corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as one class; provided, however, that the affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing only a majority of the shares of the corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as one class, shall be required if such alteration, amendment or repeal of the By-Laws has been previously approved by the affirmative vote of at least two thirds (2/3) of the entire Board of Directors of the corporation.

 

Seventh :

 

A. A director of the corporation shall not be liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except for liability which, by express provision of Delaware Law, cannot be eliminated.

 

B.

 

i. The corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law, indemnify any person (the “Indemnitee”) who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) in any threatened, pending or completed investigation, claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or

 

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investigative (including without limitation, any action, suit or proceeding brought by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) (a “Proceeding”) by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer or employee of the corporation, or is or was serving another entity in such capacity at the request of the corporation, against all expenses and liabilities actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding.

 

ii. The right to indemnification conferred by this Article Seventh shall be presumed to have been relied upon by Indemnitee and shall be enforceable as a contract right. The corporation may enter into contracts to provide individual Indemnitees with specific rights of indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law and may create trust funds, grant security interests, obtain letters of credit or use other means to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to effect the rights provided in this Article Seventh or in any such contract.

 

iii. Upon making a request for indemnification, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Article Seventh and the corporation shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in reaching any contrary determination. Such indemnification shall include the right to receive payment in advance of any expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding, consistent with the provisions of Delaware Law.

 

C. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article Seventh shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any director or any Indemnitee existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

D. The amendment or repeal of this Article Seventh shall require the approval of the holders of shares representing at least eighty percent (80%) of the shares of the corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as one class.

 

Eighth :

 

A. The affirmative vote of not less than eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote shall be required, except as otherwise expressly provided in paragraph B of this Article Eighth, in order for any of the following actions or transactions to be effected by the corporation, or approved by the corporation as stockholder of any subsidiary of the corporation, if, as of the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to vote thereon or consent thereto, any Prior Holder (as hereinafter defined) beneficially owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote:

 

(i) any merger or consolidation of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries with or into such Prior Holder, or

 

(ii) any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any substantial part of the assets of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries to or with such Prior Holder, or

 

(iii) the issuance or delivery of any voting securities of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries to such Prior Holder in exchange for cash, other assets or securities, or a combination thereof, or

 

14


(iv) any dissolution or liquidation of the corporation.

 

B. The vote of stockholders specified in paragraph A of this Article Eighth shall not apply to any action or transaction described in such paragraph, if the Board of Directors of the corporation shall have approved the action or transaction before direct or indirect beneficial ownership or control of five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of stock of the corporation entitled to vote is acquired by the Prior Holder.

 

C. For the purpose of this Article Eighth and guidance to the Board of Directors for the purpose of paragraph D hereof, (a) “Prior Holder” shall mean any corporation, person or entity other than the corporation or any of its subsidiaries; (b) a Prior Holder shall be deemed to own or control, directly or indirectly, any outstanding shares of stock of this corporation (i) which it has the right to acquire pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly (including shares deemed owned through application of clause (i) above), by any other corporation, person or other entity (x) with which it or its “affiliate” or “associate” (as defined below) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of stock of the corporation or (y) which is its “affiliate” or “associate” as those terms were defined on September 16, 2005 in the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (c) “outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote” and “voting securities” shall mean such shares as are entitled to vote in the election of directors, considered as one class; and (d) “subsidiary” or “subsidiaries” shall mean any corporation of which the corporation owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting stock.

 

D. The Board of Directors of the corporation shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article Eighth, on the basis of information then known to the Board of Directors, (i) who shall constitute a Prior Holder, (ii) whether any Prior Holder beneficially owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote, or is an “affiliate” or an “associate” (as defined above) of another, and (iii) whether any proposed sale, lease, exchange or other disposition involves a substantial part of the assets of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries. Any such determination by the Board shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

Ninth :

 

A. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of not less than seven (7) nor more than fifteen (15) persons. The exact number of directors within the minimum and maximum limitations specified in the preceding sentence shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors. The Board of Directors, other than those directors elected by the holders of any series of preferred stock as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article Fourth of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as possible, and the term of office of directors of one class shall expire at each annual meeting of stockholders, and in all cases as to each director until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify or until his earlier resignation, removal from office, death or

 

15


incapacity. One class of directors shall be initially elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2006, another class shall be initially elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2007, and another class shall be initially elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2008. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, a number of directors equal to the number of directors whose term expires at the time of such meeting (or, if less, the number of directors properly nominated and qualified for election) shall be elected to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election.

 

B. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled by a majority vote of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Directors chosen pursuant to any of the foregoing provisions shall hold office for a term expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders at which the term of the class to which they have been elected expires and until their successors are duly elected and have qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors pursuant to paragraph A of this Article Ninth shall be apportioned among the three classes as equally as possible. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

C. Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed only for cause.

 

Tenth : No action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the corporation may be taken without a meeting and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.

 

Eleventh : The Board of Directors of the corporation, when evaluating any offer of another party to (a) make a tender or exchange offer for any equity security of the corporation, (b) merge or consolidate the corporation with another corporation, or (c) purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the corporation, shall, in connection with the exercise of its judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the corporation and its stockholders, give due consideration to (i) all relevant factors, including without limitation the social, legal, environmental and economic effects on the employees, customers, suppliers and other affected persons, firms and corporations and on the communities and geographical areas in which the corporation and its subsidiaries operate or are located and on any of the businesses and properties of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries, as well as such other factors as the directors deem relevant, and (ii) not only the consideration being offered, in relation to the then current market price for the corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, but also in relation to the then current value of the corporation in a freely negotiated transaction and in relation to the Board of Directors’ estimate of the future value of the corporation (including the unrealized value of its properties and assets) as an independent going concern.

 

Twelfth : The amendment or repeal of Articles Sixth, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall require the approval of the holders of shares representing at least eighty percent (80%) of the shares of the corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as one class.

 

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Thirteenth : The corporation shall seek to elect and maintain status as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Code (as defined in Section VI of Article Fourth). The Board of Directors shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the corporation to satisfy the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, including, but not limited to, the ownership of its outstanding stock, the nature of its assets, the sources of its income, and the amount and timing of its distributions to its stockholders; however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the corporation to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board of Directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board of Directors also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Section VI of Article Fourth is no longer required for REIT qualification.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by L. Pendleton Siegel, its Chief Executive Officer, and attested by Malcolm A. Ryerse, its Corporate Secretary, this 3rd day of February, 2006.

 

By:

 

/s/ L. Pendleton Siegel

   

L. Pendleton Siegel,

Chief Executive Officer

 

ATTEST:

/s/ Malcolm A. Ryerse

Malcolm A. Ryerse,

Corporate Secretary

 

17

Exhibit 99.3

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

POTLATCH CORPORATION

(FORMERLY POTLATCH HOLDINGS, INC.)

 

(As amended through February 3, 2006)

 

Article I—Offices

 

Section 1 . The registered office of the corporation shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.

 

Section 2 . The corporation shall have an office in the City and County of Spokane, State of Washington, and may also have offices at such other places as the chairman of the board or the board of directors may from time to time determine, or as the business of the corporation may require.

 

Article II—Corporate Seal

 

The corporate seal of the corporation shall contain thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal” and “Delaware.”

 

Article III—Meetings of Stockholders

 

Section 1 . All meetings of the stockholders shall be held in the City and County of Spokane, State of Washington, at such place as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors, or at such other place either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 2 . Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held on the first Monday of May each year at 8:00 A.M., if not a legal holiday, or at such other date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. At such annual meeting, the stockholders of the corporation shall elect by majority vote a board of directors or, if the board of directors shall then be divided into classes, the members of that class of directors whose term of office expires at such meeting and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

Section 3 . Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, may be called by the chairman of the board and shall be called by the chairman of the board or secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the board of directors, or at the request in writing of stockholders owning shares which have a majority of the voting power of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.


Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.

 

Section 4 . At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the board of directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the secretary must have received written notice from the stockholder no later than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of the date the corporation’s proxy statement was released to the stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement, notice by the stockholder must be received by the secretary of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting and (y) the seventh (7th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such written notice to the secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and (d) any material interest of the stockholder in such business. Notwithstanding any other provision in these by-laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4.

 

Section 5 . Written notice stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.

 

Section 6 . A majority of the voting power of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business, provided, that one-third of the total number of shares of capital stock entitled to vote at such meeting are present in person or represented by proxy. If, however, there are insufficient shares to constitute a quorum, the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be formed. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be formed, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.

 

Section 7 . When a quorum is formed at any meeting, the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall decide any question brought before such

 

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meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of statute or of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern the decision of such questions.

 

Article IV—Directors

 

Section 1 . The business of the corporation shall be managed by its board of directors which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute, by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or by these by-laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

Section 2 . Each director elected pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall hold office until the director’s successor is elected and has qualified or until the director’s earlier resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders. No person shall continue to serve as a director after the expiration of the calendar year in which the age of 72 is attained.

 

Section 3 . The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.

 

Section 4 . The annual meeting of the board of directors shall be held immediately following each annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation at the place where such meeting of stockholders is held or at such other date, time and place as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 5 . The directors at each annual meeting shall elect a chairman of the board and also shall elect a vice chair of the board, each to hold such office until their successor is elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. In the absence or disability of both the chairman of the board and the vice chair of the board, a committee chair designated by the board of directors shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chairman of the board. The chairman of the board of the corporation shall if present preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the board of directors.

 

Section 6 . Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by the chairman of the board, the vice chair of the board, or by any officer who is a director. Each director shall be given not less than five days’ notice of such special meetings of the board, and such notice shall be deemed given once it has been conveyed to a director in person or by telephone or has been sent by mail or electronic means to a director’s last known address as shown in the secretary’s records; provided, however, that if a special meeting is called by the chairman of the board, the vice chair of the board, or by any officer who is a director because an attempt has been made or threatened to acquire the corporation or more than five percent of its shares, or because in the best judgment of the person calling the meeting some other emergency exists, then each director shall be given not less than three hours’ notice of any such meeting to be held in person or by means of conference telephone as provided in Section 9 of this Article, and such notice shall be deemed given once it has been conveyed to a director in person or by telephone or by electronic means or an attempt has been made to give such notice by telephoning a director at the

 

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director’s home telephone number and business office telephone number as such numbers are shown in the secretary’s records.

 

Special meetings of the board of directors shall be called by the chairman of the board or the secretary on the written request of one third of the entire board of directors (determined by rounding up to the next whole number in the event the board of directors is not then divisible by three) plus one director. Each director shall be given not less than five days’ notice of such special meetings of the board, and such notice shall be deemed given once it has been conveyed to a director in person or by telephone or has been sent by mail or electronic means to a director’s last known address as shown in the secretary’s records.

 

Notice may be waived in writing by any director entitled thereto, and attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting.

 

Section 7 . At all meetings of the board a majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of directors, the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.

 

Section 8 . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the consents are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.

 

Section 9 . Members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such board or committee, as the case may be, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participating in a meeting in such manner shall constitute presence at such meeting.

 

Section 10 . The board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.

 

Section 11 . Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the corporation, shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first-class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the secretary of the corporation no later than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of the date the corporation’s proxy statement was released to the stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement, notice by the stockholder must be received by the secretary of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the ninetieth

 

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(90th) day prior to such annual meeting and (y) the seventh (7th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.

 

Each notice shall set forth (i) the full name, age, business address and residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of each such nominee, (iii) the number of shares of stock of the corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee and by the nominating stockholder, (iv) any other information concerning the nominee that must be disclosed of nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to Rule 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (v) the nominee’s written consent to serve, if elected.

 

The chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if the chairman should so determine, the chairman shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

Article V—Committees

 

The board of directors may designate such committees with such powers and duties as it may prescribe by resolution.

 

Article VI—Officers

 

Section 1 . The board of directors of the corporation shall elect as officers of the corporation: a chief executive officer; one or more vice presidents; a secretary; a treasurer; a controller; and such additional officers, including one or more assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, as the board of directors may from time to time determine.

 

Section 2 . The term of office of the officers of the corporation shall expire at the annual meeting of the board of directors, and each officer shall hold office until the officer’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until the officer’s earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal by the board of directors.

 

Section 3 . The chief executive officer shall have general and active management of the business of the corporation and shall ensure that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect and shall have such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to the chief executive officer by the board of directors or prescribed by the by-laws.

 

The chief executive officer shall have the power to employ and discharge subordinates, agents and employees of the corporation and to fix their compensation and to delegate all or part of such power, subject to supervision by the board of directors.

 

In the absence or disability of the chief executive officer, the officers designated by the board of directors shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chief executive officer.

 

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Section 4 . The vice presidents shall have such powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by these by-laws, the board of directors or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 5 . The controller shall be the principal accounting officer in charge of the general accounting books, accounting and cost records and forms. The controller shall have such other powers and duties as the controller may from time to time be assigned or directed to perform by the board of directors or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 6 . The secretary shall have the care and custody of the records of the corporation and shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and the directors and shall record all votes and minutes of said meetings in a book or books kept for that purpose. The secretary shall sign such instruments on behalf of the corporation as the secretary may be authorized to sign by the board of directors or by law and shall countersign, attest and affix the corporate seal to all certificates and instruments where such countersigning or such sealing and attesting are necessary to their true and proper execution. The secretary shall see that proper notice is given to all meetings of the stockholders and the directors where notice is required and shall have such other powers and duties as the secretary may from time to time be assigned or directed to perform by the board of directors or the chief executive officer.

 

An assistant secretary shall have all of the powers and shall perform all of the duties of the secretary in case of the absence of the secretary or the secretary’s inability to act, and shall have such other powers and duties as the assistant secretary may from time to time be assigned or directed to perform.

 

Section 7 . The treasurer shall attend to the collection, receipt and disbursement of all moneys belonging to the corporation. The treasurer shall have authority to endorse, on behalf of the corporation, all checks, notes, drafts, warrants and orders, and shall have custody over all securities of the corporation. The treasurer shall have such additional powers and such other duties as the treasurer may from time to time be assigned or directed to perform by the board of directors or the chief executive officer.

 

An assistant treasurer shall have all of the powers and shall perform the duties of the treasurer in case of the absence of the treasurer or the treasurer’s inability to act, and shall have such other powers and duties as the treasurer may from time to time be assigned and directed to perform.

 

Article VII—Uncertificated Shares

 

Section 1 . Shares of stock in the corporation (“Stock”) shall be uncertificated and shall not be represented by certificates, except to the extent as may be required by applicable law or as may otherwise be authorized by the secretary or an assistant secretary. In the event shares of Stock are represented by certificates, such certificates shall be registered upon the books of the corporation and shall be signed by the chairman or vice chair of the board, or a vice-president, and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation, shall bear the seal of the corporation or a facsimile thereof, and shall be countersigned by a transfer agent and the registrar for the Stock each of whom shall by resolution of the board of directors be appointed with authority to act as such at the pleasure of the board of directors. No certificate for a fractional share of common stock shall be issued. Certificates of Stock signed by the chairman or vice chair of the board, or a vice-president, and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation, being such at the time of such signing, if properly countersigned as set forth above by a transfer agent and the registrar, and if regular in other respects, shall be valid, whether such officers hold their respective positions at the date of issue or not. Any signature or countersignature on certificates of Stock may be an actual signature or a printed or engraved facsimile thereof.

 

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Section 2 . The board of directors may designate certain persons to authorize the issuance of new certificates of Stock or uncertificated shares to replace certificates alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the filing with such designated persons of both an affidavit or affirmation of such loss or destruction and a bond of indemnity or indemnity agreement covering the issuance of such replacement certificates or uncertificated shares, as may be requested by and be satisfactory to such designated persons.

 

Section 3 . Transfer of shares of Stock represented by certificates shall be made on the books of the corporation only upon the surrender of a valid certificate or certificates for not less than such number of shares, duly endorsed by the person named in the certificate or by an attorney lawfully constituted in writing. Transfer of uncertificated shares of Stock shall be made on the books of the corporation upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of the uncertificated shares, an instruction from an approved source duly authorized by such owner or from an attorney lawfully constituted in writing. The corporation may impose such additional conditions to the transfer of its Stock as may be necessary or appropriate for compliance with applicable law or to protect the corporation, a transfer agent or the registrar from liability with respect to such transfer.

 

Section 4 . In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting, but the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

Section 5 . The corporation may recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of a share or shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

 

Article VIII—Dividends

 

Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to applicable provisions, if any, of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, may be declared by the board of directors at any

 

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regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to any such provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Article IX—General Provisions

 

Section 1 . The fiscal year of the corporation shall be from the first day of January each year until the last day of the succeeding December, both inclusive.

 

Section 2 . Whenever notice is required under these by-laws or by statute and such notice is given by mail, the time of giving such notice shall be deemed to be the time when the same is placed in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at the party’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation.

 

Article X—Amendments

 

These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed or new by-laws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the board of directors pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the board of directors or at any special meeting of the stockholders or of the board of directors if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new by-laws be contained in the notice of such special meeting.

 

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