UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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): May 15, 2006

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission File No.: 0-51952

 

Delaware   03-0573898

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1717 South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(918) 295-1415

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ 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 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

General. On May 9, 2006, Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. (the “Partnership”) entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Alliance GP, LLC (the “General Partner”) and Lehman Brothers Inc. and the other underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”) providing for the offer and sale in a firm commitment underwritten offering of 12,500,000 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“Common Units”). Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Partnership granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,875,000 Common Units to cover over-allotments, if any, on the same terms as those Common Units sold by the Partnership. The transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement were consummated on May 15, 2006.

Registration Rights. In connection with the Partnership’s initial public offering and the contribution agreement dated April 14, 2006 by the Partnership and the parties thereto, the Partnership has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated May 15, 2006 pursuant to which it agreed to register for sale under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws (subject to certain limitations) any common units proposed to be sold by the owners of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.’s (“ARLP”) managing general partner, ARLP’s special general partner or any of their respective affiliates. These registration rights require the Partnership to file one registration statement for each of these groups. The Partnership has also agreed to include any securities held by the owners of ARLP’s managing general partner, ARLP’s special general partner or any of their respective affiliates in any registration statement that the Partnership files to offer securities for cash, except an offering solely to an employee benefit plan and other similar exceptions. The Partnership is obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions. These registration rights are in addition to the registration rights that the Partnership has agreed to provide the General Partner and its affiliates pursuant to the Partnership’s limited partnership agreement.

Long-Term Incentive Plan. The Partnership adopted the Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan effective May 15, 2006 for the employees, directors and consultants of the General Partner and its affiliates, including ARLP, who perform services for the Partnership. The long-term incentive plan will consist of two components: restricted units and phantom units. The long-term incentive plan will limit the number of units that may be delivered pursuant to awards to 5,215,000 units. Units forfeited or withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations are available for delivery pursuant to other awards. The long-term incentive plan will be administered by the compensation committee of the board of directors of the General Partner.

The board of directors of the General Partner and the compensation committee of the board may terminate or amend the long-term incentive plan at any time with respect to any units for which a grant has not yet been made. The board of directors and the compensation committee of the board also have the right to alter or amend the long-term incentive plan or any part of the long-term incentive plan from time to time, including increasing the number of units that may be granted, subject to unitholder approval as may be required by the exchange upon which the common units are listed at that time, if any. However, no change in any outstanding grant may be made that would materially reduce the benefits of the participant without the consent of the participant. The long-term incentive plan will expire upon its termination by the board of directors


or the compensation committee or, if earlier, when no units remain available under the long-term incentive plan for awards. Upon termination of the long-term incentive plan, awards then outstanding will continue pursuant to the terms of their grants.

Credit Facility. On May 15, 2006, the Partnership entered into a $5.0 million revolving credit facility with C-Holdings, LLC, an entity controlled by Joseph W. Craft III, as the lender. The facility will be available exclusively to fund the Partnership’s working capital borrowings. Borrowings under the facility will mature on March 31, 2007 and will bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.0%. The Partnership will pay a commitment fee to C-Holdings, LLC on the unused portion of the working capital facility of 0.3% annually. The Partnership believes it has adequate financing capacity over the next twelve months to meet currently anticipated expenditures, and the Partnership currently has no plans for any other financing sources during that period. The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in the Partnership’s credit facility, if any, and any future financing agreements could adversely affect its ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage, expand or pursue its business activities. The Partnership’s credit facility will limit its ability to pay distributions in the event the Partnership is not in compliance with its terms.

Administrative Services Agreement. The General Partner will manage the Partnership’s operations and activities. On May 15, 2006, the Partnership entered into an administrative services agreement between Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, ARLP, Alliance Coal, LLC, Alliance GP, LLC, Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. and Alliance Resource Holdings II, Inc. Under the administrative services agreement, certain personnel of the Partnership and its affiliates, including the Partnership’s executive officers, will perform administrative and commercial services for the Partnership and for ARLP and Alliance Resource Holdings II, Inc. and their respective affiliates. The services performed by these personnel will include but not be limited to day-to-day operations, human resources, information technology and financial and accounting services. The Partnership will reimburse the General Partner for the Partnership’s pro rata portion of the services rendered by these employees on the Partnership’s behalf. The Partnership will adopt policies and procedures to protect and prevent inappropriate disclosure by shared personnel of commercial and other non-public information relating to us, ARLP and Alliance Resource Holdings II, Inc.

ARLP Omnibus Agreement. On May 15, 2006, the Partnership became party to an existing omnibus agreement currently among ARLP, its general partners and Alliance Resource Holdings, Inc., which governs potential competition among ARLP and the other parties to the agreement. This omnibus agreement was entered into in connection with ARLP’s August 1999 initial public offering and was first amended in May 2002. Pursuant to the terms of the amended omnibus agreement, the Partnership agreed and caused its controlled affiliates to agree, for so long as management controls ARLP’s managing general partner, not to engage in the business of mining, marketing or transporting coal in the United States, unless ARLP is first offered the opportunity to engage in the potential activity or acquire a potential business, and the board of directors of ARLP’s managing general partner, with the concurrence of its conflicts committee, elects to cause ARLP not to pursue such opportunity or acquisition. The ARLP omnibus agreement provides, among other things, that ARLP will be presumed to desire to acquire the assets until such time as it advises the Partnership that it has abandoned the pursuit of such business opportunity,


and the Partnership may not pursue the acquisition of such assets prior to that time. This restriction will not apply to:

 

    any business owned or operated by the Partnership and its affiliates at May 15, 2006;

 

    any acquisition by the Partnership or its affiliates, the majority value of which does not constitute a restricted business, provided ARLP is offered the opportunity to purchase the restricted business following its acquisition; or

 

    any business conducted by the Partnership or its affiliates with the approval of ARLP’s board of directors or its conflicts committee.

Except as provided above, the Partnership and its affiliates will not be prohibited from engaging in activities that directly compete with ARLP. In addition, the Partnership’s affiliates will not be prohibited from engaging in activities that compete directly with the Partnership.

 

Item 2.03  Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

Credit Facility. On May 15, 2006, the Partnership entered into a $5.0 million revolving credit facility with C-Holdings, LLC, an entity controlled by Mr. Craft, as the lender. The facility will be available exclusively to fund the Partnership’s working capital borrowings. Borrowings under the facility will mature on March 31, 2007 and will bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.0%. The Partnership will pay a commitment fee to C-Holdings, LLC on the unused portion of the working capital facility of 0.3% annually. The Partnership believes it has adequate financing capacity over the next twelve months to meet currently anticipated expenditures, and the Partnership currently has no plans for any other financing sources during that period. The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in the Partnership’s credit facility, if any, and any future financing agreements could adversely affect its ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage, expand or pursue its business activities. The Partnership’s credit facility will limit its ability to pay distributions in the event the Partnership is not in compliance with its terms.

 

Item 5.03 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Changes in Fiscal Year

On May 15, 2006, the Partnership amended and restated its Agreement of Limited Partnership in connection with the closing of its initial public offering. A description of the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement is contained in the section entitled “Description of our Partnership Agreement” of the Prospectus for the initial public offering of the Common Unit and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Partnership is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

On May 15, 2006, the General Partner amended and restated its Limited Liability Company Agreement in connection with the closing of the Partnership’s initial public offering. A description of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement is contained in the section


entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions-Our General Partner’s Limited Liability Company Agreement” of the Prospectus for the initial public offering of the Common Unit and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(c) Exhibits

 

  3.1    Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., dated as of May 15, 2006
  3.2    Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Alliance GP, LLC
10.1    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan
10.2    Revolving Credit Agreement dated May 15, 2006 between Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. and C-Holdings, LLC
10.3    Omnibus Agreement dated August 20, 1999 among Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., Alliance Resource Holdings, Inc., Alliance Resource GP, LLC, Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC and Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.
10.4    Amendment to Omnibus Agreement dated May 8, 2002 among Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., Alliance Resource Holdings, Inc., Alliance Resource GP, LLC, Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC and Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.
10.5    Second Amendment dated May 15, 2006 to the Omnibus Agreement among Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., Alliance Resource Holdings, Inc., Alliance Resource GP, LLC, Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, AMH II, LLC, Alliance Resource Holdings II, Inc., Alliance Management Holdings, LLC, Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. and Alliance GP, LLC
10.6    Administrative Services Agreement dated May 15, 2006 among Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, Alliance Resource Holdings II, Inc., Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. and Alliance GP, LLC


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, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.

By:

 

Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.

By:  

/s/ Joseph W. Craft III

 

Joseph W. Craft III

  President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 17, 2006

Exhibit 3.1

Execution Copy

AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P.

 

      Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I   
DEFINITIONS   
Section 1.1    Definitions    1
Section 1.2    Construction    14
ARTICLE II   
ORGANIZATION   
Section 2.1    Formation    14
Section 2.2    Name    14
Section 2.3    Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices    15
Section 2.4    Purpose and Business    15
Section 2.5    Powers    15
Section 2.6    Power of Attorney    16
Section 2.7    Term    17
Section 2.8    Title to Partnership Assets    17
Section 2.9    Certain Undertakings Relating to the Separateness of the Partnership    17
ARTICLE III   
RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS   
Section 3.1    Limitation of Liability    19
Section 3.2    Management of Business    19
Section 3.3    Outside Activities of the Limited Partners    19
Section 3.4    Rights of Limited Partners    19
ARTICLE IV   

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS;

REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

  
Section 4.1    Certificates    21
Section 4.2    Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates    21
Section 4.3    Record Holders    21
Section 4.4    Transfer Generally    22
Section 4.5    Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests    22
Section 4.6    Transfer of the General Partner Interest    23
Section 4.7    Restrictions on Transfers    23
Section 4.8    Citizenship Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees    24
Section 4.9    Redemption of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen Assignees    25
ARTICLE V   
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS   
Section 5.1    Organizational Issuances    26
Section 5.2    Contributions by the Underwriters    27
Section 5.3    Contributions by Initial Limited Partners    27

 

   - i -    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


Section 5.4    Interest and Withdrawal    27
Section 5.5    Capital Accounts    28
Section 5.6    Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities    30
Section 5.7    No Preemptive Right    31
Section 5.8    Splits and Combinations    31
Section 5.9    Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests    32
ARTICLE VI   
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS   
Section 6.1    Allocations for Capital Account Purposes    32
Section 6.2    Allocations for Tax Purposes    36
Section 6.3    Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders    38
ARTICLE VII   
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS   
Section 7.1    Management    39
Section 7.2    Certificate of Limited Partnership    42
Section 7.3    Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority    42
Section 7.4    Reimbursement of the General Partner    42
Section 7.5    Outside Activities    43
Section 7.6    Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership; Contracts with Affiliates; Certain Restrictions on the General Partner    44
Section 7.7    Indemnification    45
Section 7.8    Liability of Indemnitees    47
Section 7.9    Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties    47
Section 7.10    Other Matters Concerning the General Partner    49
Section 7.11    Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities    50
Section 7.12    Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates    50
Section 7.13    Reliance by Third Parties    53
ARTICLE VIII   
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS   
Section 8.1    Records and Accounting    54
Section 8.2    Fiscal Year    54
Section 8.3    Reports    54
ARTICLE IX   
TAX MATTERS   
Section 9.1    Tax Returns and Information    55
Section 9.2    Tax Elections    55
Section 9.3    Tax Controversies    55
Section 9.4    Withholding    55

 

   - ii -    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


ARTICLE X   
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS   
Section 10.1    Admission of Initial Limited Partners    56
Section 10.2    Admission of Successor General Partner    57
Section 10.3    Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership    57
ARTICLE XI   
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS   
Section 11.1    Withdrawal of the General Partner    57
Section 11.2    Removal of the General Partner    59
Section 11.3    Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner    59
Section 11.4    Withdrawal of Limited Partners    60
ARTICLE XII   
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION   
Section 12.1    Dissolution    61
Section 12.2    Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution    61
Section 12.3    Liquidator    62
Section 12.4    Liquidation    62
Section 12.5    Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership    63
Section 12.6    Return of Contributions    63
Section 12.7    Waiver of Partition    63
Section 12.8    Capital Account Restoration    63
ARTICLE XIII   
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE   
Section 13.1    Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner    64
Section 13.2    Amendment Procedures    65
Section 13.3    Amendment Requirements    66
Section 13.4    Special Meetings    66
Section 13.5    Notice of a Meeting    67
Section 13.6    Record Date    67
Section 13.7    Adjournment    67
Section 13.8    Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes    67
Section 13.9    Quorum    68
Section 13.10    Conduct of a Meeting    69
Section 13.11    Action Without a Meeting    69
Section 13.12    Voting and Other Rights    70
ARTICLE XIV   
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION   
Section 14.1    Authority    70
Section 14.2    Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion    70
Section 14.3    Approval by Limited Partners    72
Section 14.4    Certificate of Merger    73
Section 14.5    Amendment of Partnership Agreement    74

 

   - iii -    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


ARTICLE XV   
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS   
Section 15.1    Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests    74
ARTICLE XVI   
GENERAL PROVISIONS   
Section 16.1    Addresses and Notices    76
Section 16.2    Further Action    77
Section 16.3    Binding Effect    77
Section 16.4    Integration    77
Section 16.5    Creditors    77
Section 16.6    Waiver    77
Section 16.7    Counterparts    77
Section 16.8    Applicable Law    77
Section 16.9    Invalidity of Provisions    78
Section 16.10    Consent of Partners    78
Section 16.11    Facsimile Signatures    78

 

   - iv -    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P.

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. dated as of May 15, 2006 is entered into by and among Alliance GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner, together with any other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein. In consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions .

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

Additional Book Basis ” means the portion of any remaining Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property that is attributable to positive adjustments made to such Carrying Value as a result of Book-Up Events. For purposes of determining the extent that Carrying Value constitutes Additional Book Basis:

(i) Any negative adjustment made to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property as a result of either a Book-Down Event or a Book-Up Event shall first be deemed to offset or decrease that portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to any prior positive adjustments made thereto pursuant to a Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event.

(ii) If Carrying Value that constitutes Additional Book Basis is reduced as a result of a Book-Down Event and the Carrying Value of other property is increased as a result of such Book-Down Event, an allocable portion of any such increase in Carrying Value shall be treated as Additional Book Basis; provided that the amount treated as Additional Book Basis pursuant hereto as a result of such Book-Down Event shall not exceed the amount by which the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments after such Book-Down Event exceeds the remaining Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property after such Book-Down Event (determined without regard to the application of this clause (ii) to such Book-Down Event).

Additional Book Basis Derivative Items ” means any Book Basis Derivative Items that are computed with reference to Additional Book Basis. To the extent that the Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property as of the beginning of any taxable period exceeds the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the beginning of such period (the “ Excess Additional Book Basis ”), the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for

 

      Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


such period shall be reduced by the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items determined without regard to this sentence as the Excess Additional Book Basis bears to the Additional Book Basis as of the beginning of such period.

Additional Limited Partner ” means a Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 4.5 and who is shown as such on the books and records of the Partnership.

Adjusted Capital Account ” means the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end of each fiscal year of the Partnership, (a) increased by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is deemed obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and (b) decreased by (i) the amount of all losses and deductions that, as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be allocated to such Partner in subsequent years under Sections 704(e)(2) and 706(d) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all distributions that, as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be made to such Partner in subsequent years in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to the extent they exceed offsetting increases to such Partner’s Capital Account that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior to) the year in which such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other than increases as a result of a minimum gain chargeback pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or 6.1(d)(ii)). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The “ Adjusted Capital Account ” of a Partner in respect of a General Partner Interest, a Common Unit or any other Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such General Partner Interest, Common Unit or other Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by a Partner from and after the date on which such General Partner Interest, Common Unit or other Partnership Interest was first issued.

Adjusted Property ” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or 5.5(d)(ii).

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “ control ” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments ” means, as of the end of any taxable period, the sum of the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of all the Partners.

Agreed Allocation ” means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including, without limitation, a Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term “ Agreed Allocation ” is used).

 

   - 2 -    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


Agreed Value ” of any Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property or other consideration at the time of contribution as determined by the General Partner. The General Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to the Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed Property.

Agreement ” means this Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Associate ” means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.

Available Cash ” means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date,

(a) the sum of all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter, less

(b) the amount of any cash reserves established by the General Partner to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit needs of the Partnership Group) subsequent to such Quarter, (ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject, (iii) permit the MLP Managing General Partner to make capital contributions to the MLP to maintain its then current general partner interest in the MLP upon the issuance of additional partnership securities by the MLP or (iv) provide funds for distributions under Section 6.3 in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters; provided , however , that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “ Available Cash ” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to the Board of Directors of the General Partner, its board of directors or managers, as applicable, if a corporation or limited liability company, or if a limited partnership, the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of the General Partner.

 

   - 3 -    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


Book Basis Derivative Items ” means any item of income, deduction, gain or loss included in the determination of Net Income or Net Loss that is computed with reference to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property ( e.g. , depreciation, depletion, or gain or loss with respect to an Adjusted Property).

Book-Down Event ” means an event that triggers a negative adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d)

Book-Tax Disparity ” means with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles.

Book-Up Event ” means an event that triggers a positive adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).

Business Day ” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the states of New York or Oklahoma shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

Capital Account ” means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5. The “ Capital Account ” of a Partner in respect of a General Partner Interest, a Common Unit or any other Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such General Partner Interest, Common Unit or other Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by a Partner from and after the date on which such General Partner Interest, Common Unit or other Partnership Interest was first issued.

Capital Contribution ” means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

Carrying Value ” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in respect of such Contributed Property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Sections 5.4(d)(i) and 5.5(d)(ii) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.

Cause ” means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner liable for actual fraud or willful misconduct in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.

 

   - 4 -    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


Certificate ” means a certificate (i) substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Agreement, (ii) issued in global form in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Depositary or (iii) in such other form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Common Units, or a certificate, in such form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more other Partnership Securities.

Certificate of Limited Partnership ” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section 2.1, as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Citizenship Certification ” means a properly completed certificate in such form as may be specified by the General Partner by which a Limited Partner certifies that he (and if he is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, that to the best of his knowledge such other Person) is an Eligible Citizen.

Claim ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(d).

Closing Date ” means the first date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.

Closing Price ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.

Combined Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.3(a).

Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Unit ” means a Partnership Interest representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners, and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement.

Conflicts Committee ” means a committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner composed entirely of two or more directors who are not (a) security holders, officers or employees of the General Partner, (b) officers, directors or employees of any Affiliate of the General Partner, including the MLP Managing General Partner, or (c) holders of any ownership interest in the Partnership Group other than Common Units, or holders of any ownership interest in the MLP Group, other than common units representing limited partner interests in the MLP and who also meet the independence standards required to serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted for trading.

 

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Contributed Property ” means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), such property shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.

Contribution Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Contribution Agreement by and among the Partnership, the General Partner, Alliance Management Holdings, LLC, AMH II, LLC, Alliance Resource GP, LLC, the MLP Managing General Partner and ARM Holdings, Inc. dated as of April 14, 2006.

Curative Allocation ” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(ix).

Current Market Price ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).

Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. § 17-101, et seq. , as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

Departing General Partner ” means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2.

Depositary ” means, with respect to any Units issued in global form, The Depository Trust Company and its successors and permitted assigns.

Economic Risk of Loss ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).

Eligible Citizen ” means a Person qualified to own interests in real property in jurisdictions in which any Group Member does business or proposes to do business from time to time, and whose status as a Limited Partner the General Partner determines does not or would not subject such Group Member to a significant risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any of its properties or any interest therein.

Event of Withdrawal ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(a).

General Partner ” means Alliance GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and its successors and permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as general partner of the Partnership (except as the context otherwise requires).

General Partner Interest ” means the management and ownership interest, if any, of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it), and includes any and all benefits to which a General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of a General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

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Group ” means a Person that, with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates, has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons), exercising investment power or disposing of any Partnership Securities with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Interests.

Group Member ” means a member of the Partnership Group.

Holder ” as used in Section 7.12 has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(a).

Indemnified Persons ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(c).

Indemnitee ” means (a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a member, partner, officer, director, fiduciary or trustee of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner as an officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another Person; provided , that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services and (f) any Person the General Partner designates as an “ Indemnitee ” for purposes of this Agreement.

Initial Common Unit ” means the Common Units sold in the Initial Offering.

Initial Limited Partners ” means the Persons listed on Schedule 1 hereto, in each case upon being admitted to the Partnership in accordance with Section 10.1.

Initial Offering ” means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in the Registration Statement.

Issue Price ” means the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership, after taking into account any sales commission or underwriting discount charged to the Partnership.

Limited Partner ” means, unless the context otherwise requires, each Initial Limited Partner, each Limited Partner, each Additional Limited Partner and any Departing General Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3, in each case, in such Person’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership.

Limited Partner Interest ” means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units or other Partnership Securities or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

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Liquidation Date ” means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 12.2, the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.

Liquidator ” means one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the functions described in Section 12.3 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of the Delaware Act.

Management Investors” means Alliance Management Holdings, LLC, AMH II, LLC and Alliance Resource GP, LLC, their respective successors, assigns or their respective members.

Merger Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.1.

MLP ” means Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successors thereto.

“MLP Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

MLP Group ” means the MLP and its Subsidiaries.

MLP Managing General Partner ” means Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the managing general partner of the MLP, and any successor thereto.

National Securities Exchange ” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, and any successor to such statute, or the Nasdaq National Market or any successor thereto.

Net Agreed Value ” means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced by any liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed, and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any indebtedness either assumed by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution, in either case, as determined under Section 752 of the Code.

Net Income ” means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year. The items included in the

 

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calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made as if Section 6.1(d) were not in this Agreement.

Net Loss ” means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year over the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made as if Section 6.1(d) were not in this Agreement.

Net Positive Adjustments ” means, with respect to any Partner, the excess, if any, of the total positive adjustments over the total negative adjustments made to the Capital Account of such Partner pursuant to Book-Up Events and Book-Down Events.

Net Termination Gain ” means, for any taxable year, the sum, if positive, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction recognized by the Partnership after the Liquidation Date. The items included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of income, gain, loss or deduction specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

Net Termination Loss ” means, for any taxable year, the sum, if negative, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction recognized by the Partnership after the Liquidation Date. The items included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of income, gain, loss or deduction specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

Non-citizen Assignee ” means a Person whom the General Partner has determined does not constitute an Eligible Citizen and as to whose Partnership Interest the General Partner has become the Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 4.8.

Nonrecourse Built-in Gain ” means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Sections 6.2(b)(i)(A), 6.2(b)(ii)(A) and 6.2(b)(iii) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.

Nonrecourse Deductions ” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including, without limitation, any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.

Nonrecourse Liability ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

 

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Notice of Election to Purchase ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(b).

Omnibus Agreement ” means the Omnibus Agreement dated August 20, 1999 among the Partnership, the General Partners, the MLP, the MLP Managing General Partner, and Alliance Coal, LLC, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) in a form acceptable to the General Partner.

Option Closing Date ” means the date or dates on which any Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

Outstanding ” means, with respect to Partnership Securities, all Partnership Securities that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s books and records as of the date of determination; provided , however , that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner, its Affiliates or the Management Investors) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding, all Partnership Securities owned by such Person or Group shall not be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that Common Units so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section 11.1(b)(iv) (such Common Units shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Securities for purposes of this Agreement); provided , further , that the foregoing limitation shall not apply (i) to any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates, (ii) to any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i) provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply or (iii) to any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership with the prior approval of the Board of Directors.

Over-Allotment Option ” means the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

Partner Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions ” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including, without limitation, any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.

 

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Partners ” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

Partnership ” means Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

Partnership Group ” means the Partnership and its Subsidiaries treated as a single consolidated entity, but excluding the MLP Group.

Partnership Interest ” means an interest in the Partnership, which shall include the General Partner Interests and Limited Partner Interests.

Partnership Minimum Gain ” means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d).

Partnership Security ” means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership (but excluding any options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership), including without limitation, Common Units.

Percentage Interest ” means, as of any date of determination, (a) as to any Unitholder holding Units, the product obtained by multiplying (i) 100% less the percentage applicable to clause (b) by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of Units held by such Unitholder by (B) the total number of all Outstanding Units, and (b) as to the holders of additional Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.6, the percentage established as a part of such issuance.

Person ” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

Pro Rata ” means (a) when modifying Units or any class thereof, apportioned equally among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, and (b) when modifying Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders, as the case may be, in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests.

Purchase Date ” means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Units of a certain class (other than Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.

Quarter ” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, or with respect to the first fiscal quarter of the Partnership after the Closing Date the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date.

Recapture Income ” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.

 

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Record Date ” means the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.

Record Holder ” means the Person in whose name a Common Unit is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the opening of business on a particular Business Day, or with respect to other Partnership Interests, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Interest is registered on the books that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the opening of business on such Business Day.

Redeemable Interests ” means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.9.

Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-129883) as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Offering.

Remaining Net Positive Adjustments ” means as of the end of any taxable period, with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders holding Common Units, as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of those Partners’ Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior taxable period.

Required Allocations ” means (a) any limitation imposed on any allocation of Net Losses or Net Termination Losses under Section 6.1(b) or 6.1(c)(ii) and (b) any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(i), 6.1(d)(ii), 6.1(d)(iv), 6.1(d)(vii) or 6.1(d)(viii).

Residual Gain ” or “ Residual Loss ” means any item of gain or loss, as the case may be, of the Partnership recognized for federal income tax purposes resulting from a sale, exchange or other disposition of a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, to the extent such item of gain or loss is not allocated pursuant to Sections 6.2(b)(i)(A) or 6.2(b)(ii)(A), respectively, to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.

Securities Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.

Services Agreement ” means the Administrative Services Agreement dated May 15, 2006 among the Partnership, the General Partner, the MLP Managing General Partner and Alliance Coal, LLC, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

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Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items ” means in connection with any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for any taxable period, with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Unitholders’ Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time.

Special Approval ” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

Surviving Business Entity ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.2(b).

Trading Day ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).

transfer ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.4(a).

Transfer Agent ” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as shall be appointed from time to time by the Partnership to act as registrar and transfer agent for the Common Units; provided that if no Transfer Agent is specifically designated for any other Partnership Securities, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.

Underwriter ” means each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.

Underwriting Agreement ” means the Underwriting Agreement entered into in connection with the Initial Offering dated May 9, 2006 among the Underwriters, the Partnership and certain other parties, providing for the purchase of Common Units by such Underwriters.

Unit ” means a Partnership Interest that is designated as a “ Unit ” and shall include Common Units.

Unit Majority ” means at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units voting together as a single class.

 

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Unitholders ” means the holders of Units.

Unrealized Gain ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date).

Unrealized Loss ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)).

U.S. GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.

Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(b).

Section 1.2 Construction .

Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “ include ,” “ includes ” or “ including ” or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “ without limitation ;” and (d) the terms “ hereof ,” “ herein ” or “ hereunder ” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

Section 2.1 Formation .

The Partnership was formed on November 10, 2005 pursuant to the Certificate of Limited Partnership as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act. All Partnership Interests shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes.

Section 2.2 Name .

The name of the Partnership shall be “ Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. ” The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words “ Limited Partnership ,” “ LP ,”

 

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Ltd. ” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.

Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices .

Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 1717 South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner deems necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall be 1717 South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.

Section 2.4 Purpose and Business .

The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity; and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member, provided , however , that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve, and may decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business, free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to so propose or approve, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.

Section 2.5 Powers .

The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.

 

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Section 2.6 Power of Attorney .

(a) Each Limited Partner hereby constitutes and appoints the General Partner and, if a Liquidator (other than the General Partner) shall have been selected pursuant to Section 12.3, the Liquidator, severally (and any successor to either thereof by merger, transfer, assignment, election or otherwise) and each of their authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact, as the case may be, with full power of substitution, as his true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his name, place and stead, to:

(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments or restatements hereof or thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (B) all certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect, in accordance with its terms, any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement; (C) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including conveyances and a certificate of cancellation) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (D) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to, or other events described in, Article IV, X, XI or XII; (E) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges of any class or series of Partnership Securities issued pursuant to Section 5.6; and (F) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including agreements and a certificate of merger) relating to a merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to Article XIV; and

(ii) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to (A) make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or (B) effectuate the terms or intent of this Agreement; provided , that when required by Section 13.3 or any other provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of any class or series required to take any action, the General Partner and the Liquidator may exercise the power of attorney made in this Section 2.6(a)(ii) only after the necessary vote, consent or approval of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of such class or series, as applicable.

Nothing contained in this Section 2.6(a) shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article XIII or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.

(b) The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled with an interest, and it shall survive and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, not be affected by the subsequent death, incompetency, disability, incapacity, dissolution,

 

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bankruptcy or termination of any Limited Partner and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest and shall extend to such Limited Partner’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner or the Liquidator acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner, to the maximum extent permitted by law, hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken in good faith under such power of attorney. Each Limited Partner shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within 15 days after receipt of the request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator may request in order to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.

Section 2.7 Term .

The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII. The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.

Section 2.8 Title to Partnership Assets .

Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided , however , that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership as soon as reasonably practicable; provided , further , that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer to the Partnership of record title to all Partnership assets held by the General Partner or its Affiliates and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held.

Section 2.9 Certain Undertakings Relating to the Separateness of the Partnership .

(a) Separateness Generally . The Partnership shall conduct its business and operations separate and apart from those of any other Person (other than the General Partner) in accordance with this Section 2.9.

 

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(b) Separate Records . The Partnership shall maintain (i) its books and records, (ii) its accounts, and (iii) its financial statements, separate from those of any other Person, except its consolidated Subsidiaries.

(c) Separate Assets . The Partnership shall not commingle or pool its funds or other assets with those of any other Person, except its consolidated Subsidiaries, and shall maintain its assets in a manner that is not costly or difficult to segregate, ascertain or otherwise identify as separate from those of any other Person.

(d) Separate Name . The Partnership shall (i) conduct its business in its own name, (ii) use separate stationery, invoices, and checks, (iii) correct any known misunderstanding regarding its separate identity, and (iv) generally hold itself out as a separate entity.

(e) Separate Credit . The Partnership shall not (i) pay its own liabilities from a source other than its own funds, (ii) guarantee or become obligated for the debts of any other Person, except its Subsidiaries or the MLP Group, (iii) hold out its credit as being available to satisfy the obligations of any other Person, except its Subsidiaries or the MLP Group, (iv) acquire obligations or debt securities of the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than the Partnership or its Subsidiaries or the MLP Group), or (v) pledge its assets for the benefit of any Person or make loans or advances to any Person, except its Subsidiaries or the MLP Group; provided that the Partnership may engage in any transaction described in clauses (ii)–(v) of this Section 2.9(e) if prior Special Approval has been obtained for such transaction and either (A) the Conflicts Committee has determined, or has obtained reasonable written assurance from a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or a nationally recognized investment banking or valuation firm, that the borrower or recipient of the credit extension is not then insolvent and will not be rendered insolvent as a result of such transaction or (B) in the case of transactions described in clause (iv), such transaction is completed through a public auction or a National Securities Exchange.

(f) Separate Formalities . The Partnership shall (i) observe all partnership formalities and other formalities required by its organizational documents, the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, or other laws, rules, regulations and orders of governmental authorities exercising jurisdiction over it, (ii) engage in transactions with the General Partner and its Affiliates (other than another Group Member) in conformity with the requirements of Section 7.9, and (iii) promptly pay, from its own funds, and on a current basis, its allocable share of general and administrative expenses, capital expenditures, and costs for shared services performed by Affiliates of the General Partner (other than another Group Member). Each material contract between the Partnership or another Group Member, on the one hand, and the Affiliates of the General Partner (other than a Group Member), on the other hand, shall be in writing.

 

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(g) No Effect . Failure by the General Partner or the Partnership to comply with any of the obligations set forth above shall not affect the status of the Partnership as a separate legal entity, with its separate assets and separate liabilities.

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

Section 3.1 Limitation of Liability .

The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.

Section 3.2 Management of Business .

No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. Any action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall not be deemed to be participation in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.

Section 3.3 Outside Activities of the Limited Partners .

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.5 and the Omnibus Agreement, which shall continue to be applicable to the Persons referred to therein, regardless of whether such Persons shall also be Limited Partners, any Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group or the MLP Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner.

Section 3.4 Rights of Limited Partners .

(a) In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by applicable law, and except as limited by Section 3.4(b), each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:

(i) to obtain true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Partnership;

(ii) promptly after its becoming available, to obtain a copy of the Partnership’s federal, state and local income tax returns for each year;

 

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(iii) to obtain a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner;

(iv) to obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with a copy of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed;

(v) to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of the Net Agreed Value of any other Capital Contribution by each Partner and that each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Partner; and

(vi) to obtain such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as is just and reasonable.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner determines, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or its consolidated business or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 3.4).

ARTICLE IV

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS;

REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 4.1 Certificates .

Prior to the Closing Date, the Partnership Interests will not be evidenced by a Certificate. Effective on the Closing Date, upon the Partnership’s issuance of Common Units to any Person, the Partnership shall issue, upon the request of such Person, one or more Certificates in the name of such Person evidencing the number of such Units being so issued. Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chairman of the Board, President or any Vice President and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the General Partner. No Common Unit Certificate shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided , however , that if the General Partner elects to issue Common Units in global form, the Common Unit Certificates shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Common Units have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership.

Section 4.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates .

(a) If Certificates are issued and any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership

 

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shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Securities as the Certificate so surrendered.

(b) The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued if the Record Holder of the Certificate:

(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;

(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;

(iii) if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and

(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner.

(c) If a Limited Partner fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period of time after he has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited Partner shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.

(d) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.2, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.

Section 4.3 Record Holders .

The Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Limited Partner with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted for trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding

 

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Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such representative Person shall be the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest.

Section 4.4 Transfer Generally .

(a) The term “ transfer ,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns its General Partner Interest to another Person who becomes the General Partner, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange, or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.

(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be null and void.

(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or other owner of the General Partner of any or all of the issued and outstanding equity interests or other ownership interests in the General Partner, including through a merger or consolidation of the General Partner.

Section 4.5 Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests .

(a) The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the Partnership will provide for the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests. The Transfer Agent is hereby appointed registrar and transfer agent for the purpose of registering Common Units and transfers of such Common Units as herein provided. The Partnership shall not recognize transfers of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests unless such transfers are effected in the manner described in this Section 4.5. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Common Units, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.8, the Partnership shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer. No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided , that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.5, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum

 

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sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto.

(c) Subject to (i) the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5, (ii) Section 4.3, (iii) Section 4.7, (iv) with respect to any series of Limited Partner Interests, the provisions of any statement of designations or amendment to this Agreement establishing such series, (v) any contractual provisions binding on any Limited Partner and (vi) provisions of applicable law including the Securities Act, Limited Partnership Interests shall be freely transferable.

Section 4.6 Transfer of the General Partner Interest .

(a) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, prior to March 31, 2016, the General Partner shall not transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest to a Person unless such transfer (i) has been approved by the prior written consent or vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) or (ii) is of all, but not less than all, of its General Partner Interest to (A) an Affiliate of the General Partner (other than an individual) or (B) another Person (other than an individual) in connection with the merger or consolidation of the General Partner with or into another Person (other than an individual) or the transfer by the General Partner of all or substantially all of its assets to another Person (other than an individual).

(b) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, on or after March 31, 2016, the General Partner may transfer all or any of its General Partner Interest without Unitholder approval.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed). In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 10.2, be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.

Section 4.7 Restrictions on Transfers .

(a) Except as provided in Section 4.7(b) below, but notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, or (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

 

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(b) The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it receives Opinion of Counsel that such restrictions are necessary to avoid a significant risk of the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement; provided , however , that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted for trading must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.

(c) Nothing contained in this Article IV, or elsewhere in this Agreement, shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted for trading.

(d) In the event any Partnership Interest is evidenced in certificated form, each certificate evidencing Partnership Interests shall bear a conspicuous legend in substantially the following form:

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PARTNERSHIP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE THE PARTNERSHIP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). ALLIANCE GP, LLC, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF THE PARTNERSHIP, MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF THE PARTNERSHIP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.

Section 4.8 Citizenship Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees .

(a) If any Group Member is or becomes subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation that the General Partner determines would create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Group Member has an interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of a Limited Partner, the General Partner may

 

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request any Limited Partner to furnish to the General Partner, within 30 days after receipt of such request, an executed Citizenship Certification or such other information concerning his nationality, citizenship or other related status (or, if the Limited Partner is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, the nationality, citizenship or other related status of such Person) as the General Partner may request. If a Limited Partner fails to furnish to the General Partner within the aforementioned 30-day period such Citizenship Certification or other requested information or if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner is not an Eligible Citizen, the Partnership Interests owned by such Limited Partner shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.9. In addition, the General Partner may require that the status of any such Limited Partner be changed to that of a Non-citizen Assignee and, thereupon, the General Partner shall be substituted for such Non-citizen Assignee as the Limited Partner in respect of his Limited Partner Interests.

(b) The General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Limited Partner Interests held by it on behalf of Non-citizen Assignees, distribute the votes in the same ratios as the votes of Partners (including the General Partner) in respect of Limited Partner Interests other than those of Non-citizen Assignees are cast, either for, against or abstaining as to the matter.

(c) Upon dissolution of the Partnership, a Non-citizen Assignee shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 12.4 but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Non-citizen Assignee’s share of any distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for Partnership purposes as a purchase by the Partnership from the Non-citizen Assignee of his Limited Partner Interest (representing his right to receive his share of such distribution in kind).

(d) At any time after he can and does certify that he has become an Eligible Citizen, a Non-citizen Assignee may, upon application to the General Partner, request that with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Non-citizen Assignee not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.9, such Non-citizen Assignee be admitted as a Limited Partner, and upon approval of the General Partner, such Non-citizen Assignee shall be admitted as a Limited Partner and shall no longer constitute a Non-citizen Assignee and the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the Limited Partner in respect of the Non-citizen Assignee’s Limited Partner Interests.

Section 4.9 Redemption of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen Assignees .

(a) If at any time a Limited Partner fails to furnish a Citizenship Certification or other information requested within the 30-day period specified in Section 4.8(a), or if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification or other information the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Limited Partner is not an Eligible Citizen, the Partnership may, unless the Limited Partner establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Limited Partner is an Eligible Citizen or has transferred his Partnership Interests to a Person who is an Eligible Citizen and who furnishes a Citizenship Certification to the General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Limited Partner Interest of such Limited Partner as follows:

(i) The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for redemption, give notice of redemption to the Limited Partner, at his last address designated on the records of the Partnership or the Transfer Agent, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed. The notice shall specify the Redeemable Interests, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon surrender of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests and that on and after the date fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which the Limited Partner would otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or be made.

 

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(ii) The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Limited Partner Interests of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of Limited Partner Interests of each such class included among the Redeemable Interests. The redemption price shall be paid as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 10% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.

(iii) Upon surrender by or on behalf of the Limited Partner, at the place specified in the notice of redemption, of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank, the Limited Partner or his duly authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment therefor.

(iv) After the redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.

(b) The provisions of this Section 4.9 shall also be applicable to Limited Partner Interests held by a Limited Partner as nominee of a Person determined to be other than an Eligible Citizen.

(c) Nothing in this Section 4.9 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from transferring his Limited Partner Interest before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided the transferee of such Limited Partner Interest certifies to the satisfaction of the General Partner in a Citizenship Certification that he is an Eligible Citizen. If the transferee fails to make such certification, such redemption shall be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 5.1 Organizational Issuances .

Prior to the date hereof, the General Partner was admitted as the General Partner of the Partnership without any economic interest in the Partnership, and the Initial Limited Partners made certain Capital Contributions to the Partnership in exchange for cash and an interest in the Partnership and have been admitted as Limited Partners of the Partnership.

 

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Section 5.2 Contributions by the Underwriters .

(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each Underwriter shall contribute to Alliance Management Holdings, LLC and AMH II, LLC at the direction of the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit multiplied by the number of Common Units specified in the Underwriting Agreement to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership shall issue Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital Contribution is made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contribution to Alliance Management Holdings, LLC and AMH II, LLC by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit.

(b) Upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, each Underwriter shall contribute to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit, multiplied by the number of Common Units to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Option Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership shall issue Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital Contribution is made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contributions to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit. The Partnership shall use the proceeds from such Capital Contributions to redeem pro rata from the Initial Limited Partners that number of Common Units equal to the number of Common Units sold to the Underwriters in connection with the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

(c) Subject to Section 5.1, no Limited Partner Interests will be issued or issuable as of or at the Closing Date other than (i) the Common Units issuable pursuant to subparagraph (a) hereof in aggregate number equal to 12,500,000 Units and (ii) the “ Option Units ” as such term is used in the Underwriting Agreement issuable upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option pursuant to subparagraph (b) hereof in an aggregate number of up to 1,875,000 additional Units and (iii) the Common Units issued to the Initial Limited Partners in aggregate number as determined by the Contribution Agreement.

Section 5.3 Contributions by Initial Limited Partners .

Each payment, or contribution to fund a payment, that is made by any Initial Limited Partner or its successor, or any member of any Initial Limited Partner, with respect to the transfer of cash or other property to any employee or other service provider of the Partnership Group or the MLP Group shall be treated as a Capital Contribution to the Partnership by such Initial Limited Partner in the amount of such payment.

Section 5.4 Interest and Withdrawal .

No interest on Capital Contributions shall be paid by the Partnership. No Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have priority over any other Partner either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.

 

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Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.

Section 5.5 Capital Accounts .

(a) The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to this Agreement and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1.

(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction which is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided , that:

(i) Solely for purposes of this Section 5.5, the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the MLP Agreement) of all property owned by the MLP or any other Subsidiary that is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

(ii) All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.

(iii) Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code which may be made by the Partnership and, as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for federal income tax purposes. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into

 

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account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.

(iv) Any income, gain, loss or deduction attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Partnership’s Carrying Value with respect to such property as of such date.

(v) In accordance with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code, any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property on the date it was acquired by the Partnership were equal to the Agreed Value of such property. Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section 5.5(d) to the Carrying Value of any Partnership property subject to depreciation, cost recovery or amortization, any further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to such property shall be determined (A) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment and (B) using a rate of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization derived from the same method and useful life (or, if applicable, the remaining useful life) as is applied for federal income tax purposes; provided , however , that, if the asset has a zero adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, depreciation, cost recovery or amortization deductions shall be determined using any method that the General Partner may adopt.

(vi) If the Partnership’s adjusted basis in a depreciable or cost recovery property is reduced for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 48(q)(1) or 48(q)(3) of the Code, the amount of such reduction shall, solely for purposes hereof, be deemed to be an additional depreciation or cost recovery deduction in the year such property is placed in service and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1. Any restoration of such basis pursuant to Section 48(q)(2) of the Code shall, to the extent possible, be allocated in the same manner to the Partners to whom such deemed deduction was allocated.

(c) A transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a pro rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.

(d) (i) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, or the conversion of the General Partner’s Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section 11.3(b), the Capital Account of all Partners and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such issuance and had been allocated to the Partners at such time pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized during such period would have been allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt; provided ,

 

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however , that the General Partner, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully into account the fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such time. The General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value among the assets of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines) to arrive at a fair market value for individual properties.

(ii) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any actual or deemed distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Capital Accounts of all Partners and the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized in a sale of such property immediately prior to such distribution for an amount equal to its fair market value, and had been allocated to the Partners, at such time, pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized during such period would have been allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of an actual distribution that is not made pursuant to Section 12.4 or in the case of a deemed distribution, be determined and allocated in the same manner as that provided in Section 5.5(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined and allocated by the Liquidator using such method of valuation as it may adopt.

Section 5.6 Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities .

(a) The Partnership may issue additional Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Securities for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.

(b) Each additional Partnership Interest authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Securities), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share in Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which the Partnership may or shall be required to redeem the Partnership Security (including sinking fund provisions); (v) whether such Partnership Interest is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Interest will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Security; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Interest to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of such Partnership Interest.

 

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(c) The General Partner is hereby authorized and directed to take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 5.6, (ii) the admission of additional Limited Partners and (iii) all additional issuances of Partnership Securities. The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Securities being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Securities, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Securities are listed or admitted for trading.

(d) No fractional Partnership Securities shall be issued by the Partnership. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units pursuant to Section 5.6 would result in the issuance of fractional Units, each fractional Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).

Section 5.7 No Preemptive Right .

No Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Interest, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created.

Section 5.8 Splits and Combinations .

(a) Subject to Section 5.6(d), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Securities to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities so long as, after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis or stated as a number of Units are proportionately adjusted retroactive to the beginning of the Partnership.

(b) Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice. The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Securities to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.

(c) Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates to the Record Holders of Partnership Securities as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Securities held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be

 

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necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Securities Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.

Section 5.9 Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests .

All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act.

ARTICLE VI

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 6.1 Allocations for Capital Account Purposes .

For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) shall be allocated among the Partners in each taxable year (or portion thereof) as provided herein below.

(a) Net Income . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), and any allocations to other Partnership Securities, Net Income for each taxable year and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable year shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

(b) Net Losses . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), and any allocations to other Partnership Securities, Net Losses for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Losses for such taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests; provided that Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account), instead any such Net Losses shall be allocated to Partners with positive Adjusted Capital Account balances in accordance with their Percentage Interests until such positive Adjusted Capital Accounts are reduced to zero, and thereafter to the General Partner.

(c) Net Termination Gains and Losses . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss for such taxable period shall be allocated in the same manner as such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss is allocated hereunder. All allocations under this Section 6.1(c) shall be made after Capital Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Section 6.1 and after all distributions of Available Cash provided under Section 6.3 have been made; provided ,

 

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however , that solely for purposes of this Section 6.1(c), Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for distributions made pursuant to Section 12.4.

(i) If a Net Termination Gain is recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d)), such Net Termination Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in the following manner (and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be increased by the amount so allocated in each of the following subclauses, in the order listed, before an allocation is made pursuant to the next succeeding subclause):

 

  A. First, to each Partner having a deficit balance in its Capital Account, in the proportion that such deficit balance bears to the total deficit balances in the Capital Accounts of all Partners, until each such Partner has been allocated Net Termination Gain equal to any such deficit balance in its Capital Account; and

 

  B. Second, 100% to all Partners in accordance with their Percentage Interests;

(ii) If a Net Termination Loss is recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d)), such Net Termination Loss shall be allocated among the Partners in the following manner:

 

  A. First, 100% to all Partners holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; and

 

  B. Second, the balance, if any, to the General Partner.

(d) Special Allocations . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, the following special allocations shall be made for such taxable period:

(i) Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(v) and 6.1(d)(vi)). This Section 6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(ii) Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease

 

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in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d), other than Section 6.1(d)(i) and other than an allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(v) and 6.1(d)(vi), with respect to such taxable period. This Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(iii) Qualified Income Offset . In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible unless such deficit balance is otherwise eliminated pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or (ii).

(iv) Gross Income Allocations . In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any Partnership taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided , that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iv) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.1(d)(iv) were not in this Agreement.

(v) Nonrecourse Deductions . Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. If the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.

(vi) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions . Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner

 

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Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.

(vii) Nonrecourse Liabilities . For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

(viii) Code Section 754 Adjustments . To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.

(ix) Curative Allocation .

 

  A.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Required Allocations relating to (1) Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain and (2) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(ix)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners. Further, allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(ix)(A) shall be deferred with respect to allocations pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) hereof to the extent the

 

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General Partner determines that such allocations are likely to be offset by subsequent Required Allocations.

 

  B. The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(ix)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(ix)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.

(x) Corrective Allocations . In the event of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items or any Book-Down Event or any recognition of a Net Termination Loss , the following rules shall apply:

 

  A. In the case of any negative adjustments to the Capital Accounts of the Partners resulting from a Book-Down Event or from the recognition of a Net Termination Loss, such negative adjustment (1) shall first be allocated, to the extent of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments, in such a manner, as determined by the General Partner, that to the extent possible the aggregate Capital Accounts of the Partners will equal the amount that would have been the Capital Account balance of the Partners if no prior Book-Up Events had occurred, and (2) any negative adjustment in excess of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments shall be allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof.

 

  B. In making the allocations required under this Section 6.1(d)(ix), the General Partner may apply whatever conventions or other methodology it determines will satisfy the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(ix).

(xi) Allocation to Reverse Deemed Capital Contributions . Any items of loss or deduction resulting from or attributable to any payment, or contribution to fund a payment, that is made pursuant to Section 5.3 shall be allocated to any Initial Limited Partner or its successor, or any member of any Initial Limited Partner.

Section 6.2 Allocations for Tax Purposes .

(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, for federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “ book ” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.

(b) In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Partners as follows:

(i) (A) In the case of a Contributed Property, such items attributable thereto shall be allocated among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code that takes into account the variation between the Agreed Value of such property and its adjusted basis at the time of contribution; and (B) any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to a Contributed Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “ book ” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

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(ii) (A) In the case of an Adjusted Property, such items shall (1) first, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code to take into account the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such property and the allocations thereof pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or 5.4(d)(ii), and (2) second, in the event such property was originally a Contributed Property, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with Section 6.2(b)(i)(A); and (B) any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to an Adjusted Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “ book ” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.

(iii) The General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d) to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities, except as otherwise determined by the General Partner with respect to any goodwill in the Partnership.

(c) For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations for federal income tax purposes of income (including, without limitation, gross income) or deductions; and (iii) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.1(c) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests issued and Outstanding or the Partnership, and if such allocations are consistent with the principles of Section 704 of the Code.

(d) The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the Partnership’s common basis of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate

 

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method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.

(e) Any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section 6.2, be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.

(f) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided , however , that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

(g) Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction, shall for federal income tax purposes, be determined on an annual basis and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then traded on the first Business Day of each month; provided , however , that (i) such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the Option Closing Date or the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option occurs shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then traded on the first Business Day of the next succeeding month; and provided , further , that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income or loss realized and recognized other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then traded on the first Business Day of the month in which such gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.

(h) Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.

Section 6.3 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders .

(a) Except as described in Section 6.3(b), within 50 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on June 30, 2006, an amount equal to 100%

 

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of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner. All distributions required to be made under this Agreement shall be made subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act.

(b) With respect to the distribution for the Quarter ending on June 30, 2006, the amount of Available Cash distributed to the Partners in accordance with Section 6.3(a) shall equal 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on June 30, 2006 and of which the denominator is 91. Of the remaining Available Cash with respect to such Quarter, such amount shall be distributed to Alliance Management Holdings, LLC and AMH II, LLC, or to the members of Alliance Management Holdings, LLC and AMH II, LLC following their respective dissolutions, and Alliance Resource GP, LLC or its assigns, allocated among them as they may mutually agree.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all receipts received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.

(d) The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, or amounts withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as a distribution of Available Cash to such Partners.

(e) Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

Section 7.1 Management .

(a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.3, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:

(i) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into Partnership Securities, and the incurring of any other obligations;

 

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(ii) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;

(iii) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.3 and Article XIV);

(iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership, its Subsidiaries and the MLP; subject to Section 7.6(a), the lending of funds to other Persons; the repayment or guarantee of obligations of the Partnership, its Subsidiaries and the MLP and the making of capital contributions to any member of the Partnership, its Subsidiaries and the MLP;

(v) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);

(vi) the distribution of Partnership cash;

(vii) the selection and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as “ president ,” “ vice president ,” “ secretary ” and “ treasurer ”) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

(viii) the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership, the Partners and Indemnitees;

(ix) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies, corporations or other relationships (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, the MLP and its Subsidiaries from time to time) subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.4;

(x) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise

 

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engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;

(xi) the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

(xii) the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section 4.7);

(xiii) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Securities, or the issuance of options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities;

(xiv) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in the management of the MLP through its ownership of the MLP Managing General Partner;

(xv) the registering for resale under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, the Partnership Securities held by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner; provided, however , that such registration for resale of any Partnership Security shall be subject to certain restrictions and limitations, including but not limited to, those under the provisions hereof or the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws; and

(xvi) the approval and authorization of any action taken by the MLP Managing General Partner to limit or modify the incentive distribution rights in the MLP held by the MLP Managing General Partner, if the General Partner determines that such limitation or modification does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners and each other Person who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement; (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or through any officer of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them, of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV), shall not

 

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constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity.

Section 7.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership .

The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act and shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.

Section 7.3 Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority .

Except as provided in Articles XII and XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination) or approve on behalf of the Partnership or its Subsidiaries the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the MLP Group, without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided however that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance. Without the approval of holders of a majority of Outstanding Units, the General Partner shall not, on behalf of the Partnership, except as permitted under Sections 4.6, 11.1 and 11.2, elect or cause the Partnership to elect a successor general partner of the Partnership.

Section 7.4 Reimbursement of the General Partner .

(a) Except as provided in this Section 7.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as general partner or managing member of any Group Member.

(b) The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other reasonable basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person including Affiliates of the General

 

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Partner to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership Group’s business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7.

(c) The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership Group employee benefit plans, employee programs and employee practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Securities or options to purchase or rights, warrants or appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Securities in connection with, or pursuant to, any employee benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any one of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of employees of the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate, or any of them, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group or the MLP Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Securities that the General Partner or such Affiliate is obligated to provide to any employees pursuant to any such employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliate of Partnership Securities purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliate from the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.4(b). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest.

Section 7.5 Outside Activities .

(a) After the Closing Date, the General Partner, for so long as it is the general partner of the Partnership (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as the general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any other partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner or managing member and to undertake activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a limited partner in the Partnership) and (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or managing member of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt or equity securities in any Group Member.

(b) Except as specifically restricted by Section 7.5(a) or by the Omnibus Agreement, each Group Member and Indemnitee other than the General Partner shall have the

 

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right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member or any member of the MLP Group, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member or any member of the MLP Group, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty expressed or implied by law to any Group Member, any member of the MLP Group or any Partner. Neither any Group Member, any Limited Partner nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, the MLP Agreement or the partnership relationship established hereby or thereby in any business ventures of any Group Member or any Indemnitee.

(c) Subject to the terms of Sections 7.5(a) and 7.5(b) and the Omnibus Agreement, but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Group Member or any Indemnitee (other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.5 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any fiduciary duties or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of the General Partner for any Group Member or any Indemnitee (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership Group or the members of the MLP Group, and (iii) none of the General Partner, any Group Member nor any Indemnitee shall have any obligation hereunder or as a result of any duty expressed or implied by law to present business opportunities to the Partnership, any other Group Member, any member of the MLP Group or any Indemnitee.

(d) The General Partner and any of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Securities in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise all rights of a General Partner or Limited Partner, as applicable, relating to such Units or Partnership Securities.

(e) The term “ Affiliates ” when used in Section 7.5(d) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member or any Subsidiary of the Group Member.

(f) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, to the extent that any provision of this Agreement purports or is interpreted to have the effect of restricting the fiduciary duties that might otherwise, as a result of Delaware or other applicable law, be owed by the General Partner to the Partnership and its Limited Partners, or to constitute a waiver or consent by the Limited Partners to any such restriction, such provisions shall be inapplicable and have no effect in determining whether the General Partner has complied with its fiduciary duties in connection with determinations made by it under this Section 7.5.

Section 7.6 Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership; Contracts with Affiliates; Certain Restrictions on the General Partner .

(a) The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may, but shall be under no obligation to, lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by the Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided, however, that in any

 

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such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arm’s-length basis (without reference to the lending party’s financial abilities or guarantees) all as determined by the General Partner. The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds. For purposes of this Section 7.6(a) and Section 7.6(b), the term “ Group Member ” shall include any Affiliate of a Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member. No Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (other than another Group Member).

(b) The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions determined by the General Partner provided, however, that the Partnership may not charge the Group Member interest at a rate less than the rate that would be charged to the Group Member (without reference to the General Partner’s financial abilities or guarantees) by unrelated lenders on comparable loans. The foregoing authority shall be exercised by the General Partner in its sole discretion and shall not create any right or benefit in favor of any Group Member or any other Person.

Section 7.7 Indemnification .

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee; provided , that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct, or in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful; provided , further , no indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be available to the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than a Group Member) with respect to its or their obligations incurred pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement (other than obligations incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership). Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a determination that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such

 

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amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 7.7.

(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests entitled to vote on such matter, as a matter of law or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any capacity under the Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.

(d) The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities or such Person’s activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

(e) For purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “ fines” within the meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.

(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

(h) The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.

(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims

 

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arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

Section 7.8 Liability of Indemnitees .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners or any other Persons who have acquired interests in the Partnership Securities, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was criminal.

(b) Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 7.1(a), the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.

(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to the Partners, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.

(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted, and provided such Person became an Indemnitee hereunder prior to such amendment, modification or repeal.

Section 7.9 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties .

(a) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, on the other, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by Special Approval, (ii) approved by the vote of a majority of the Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), (iii) on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or

 

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available from unrelated third parties or (iv) fair and reasonable to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership). The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval of such resolution, and the General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval. If Special Approval is not sought and the Board of Directors of the General Partner determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Board of Directors acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or any other Limited Partner or the Partnership challenging such approval, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming such presumption. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or equity, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.

(b) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. In order for a determination or other action to be in “ good faith ” for purposes of this Agreement, the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action must believe that the determination or other action is in the best interests of the Partnership.

(c) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, are entitled to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner, and the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrase, “ at the option of the General Partner ,” or some variation of that phrase, is used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the General Partner votes or transfers its Partnership Units, or refrains from voting or transferring its Partnership Units, it shall be acting in its individual capacity.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of

 

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business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be at its option.

(e) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall have any duties or liabilities, including fiduciary duties, to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and the provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or otherwise modify the duties and liabilities, including fiduciary duties, of the General Partner or any other Indemnitee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of the General Partner or such other Indemnitee.

(f) The Unitholders hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner or member of a Group Member, to approve of actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.9.

Section 7.10 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner .

(a) The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(b) The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership. Each such attorney shall, to the extent provided by the General Partner in the power of attorney, have full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and duty that is permitted or required to be done by the General Partner hereunder.

 

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Section 7.11 Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities .

The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Securities, which shall be held by the Partnership as treasury securities unless they are expressly canceled by action of an appropriate officer of the General Partner. As long as Partnership Securities are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Securities shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Securities for their own account, subject to the provisions of Articles IV and X.

Section 7.12 Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates .

(a) If (i) the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner (including for purposes of this Section 7.12, any Person that is an Affiliate of the General Partner at the date hereof notwithstanding that it may later cease to be an Affiliate of the General Partner) holds Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and (ii) Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available to enable such holder of such Partnership Securities (the “ Holder ”) to dispose of the number of such Partnership Securities it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then at the option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective no later than 120 days after the date of filing of the registration statement and remain effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Partnership Securities covered by such registration statement have been sold, a registration statement under the Securities Act registering the offering and sale of the number of Partnership Securities specified by the Holder; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to this Section 7.12(a) and Section 7.12(b); and provided further, however, that if the Conflicts Committee determines in good faith that the requested registration would be materially detrimental to the Partnership and its Partners because such registration would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership or the MLP, (y) require premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render the Partnership unable to comply with requirements under applicable securities laws, then the Partnership shall have the right to postpone such requested registration for a period of not more than three months after receipt of the Holder’s request, such right pursuant to this Section 7.12(a) or Section 7.12(b) not to be utilized more than once in any twelve-month period. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Partnership shall be deemed not to have used all commercially reasonable efforts to keep the registration statement effective during the applicable period if it voluntarily takes any action that would result in Holders of Partnership Securities covered thereby not being able to offer and sell such Partnership Securities at any time during such period, unless such action is required by applicable law. In connection with any registration pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 7.12(a), the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such registration under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided , however , that no such

 

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qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the Partnership Securities subject to such registration on such National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii) do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Securities in such states. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.

(b) If any Holder holds Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available to enable such Holder to dispose of the number of Partnership Securities it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then at the option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective no later than 120 days after the date of filing of the registration statement and remain effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Partnership Securities covered by such shelf registration statement have been sold, a “ shelf ” registration statement covering the Partnership Securities specified by the Holder on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to Section 7.12(a) and this Section 7.12(b); and provided further, however, that if the Conflicts Committee determines in good faith that any offering under, or the use of any prospectus forming a part of, the shelf registration statement would be materially detrimental to the Partnership and its Partners because such offering or use would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership or the MLP, (y) require premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render the Partnership unable to comply with requirements under applicable securities laws, then the Partnership shall have the right to suspend such offering or use for a period of not more than three months after receipt of the Holder’s request, such right pursuant to Section 7.12(a) or this Section 7.12(b) not to be utilized more than once in any twelve-month period. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Partnership shall be deemed not to have used all commercially reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement effective during the applicable period if it voluntarily takes any action that would result in Holders of Partnership Securities covered thereby not being able to offer and sell such Partnership Securities at any time during such period, unless such action is required by applicable law. In connection with any shelf registration pursuant to this Section 7.12(b), the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such shelf registration under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided , however , that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such shelf registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list

 

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the Partnership Securities subject to such shelf registration on such National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii) do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Securities in such states. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any such shelf registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.

(c) If the Partnership shall at any time propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for an offering of equity securities of the Partnership for cash (other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan), the Partnership shall use all reasonable efforts to include such number or amount of securities held by the Holder in such registration statement as the Holder shall request; provided, that the Partnership is not required to make any effort or take an action to so include the securities of the Holder once the registration statement is declared effective by the Commission, including any registration statement providing for the offering from time to time of securities pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act. If the proposed offering pursuant to this Section 7.12(c) shall be an underwritten offering, then, in the event that the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of such offering advise the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in their opinion the inclusion of all or some of the Holder’s Partnership Securities would adversely and materially affect the success of the offering, the Partnership shall include in such offering only that number or amount, if any, of securities held by the Holder that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, will not so adversely and materially affect the offering. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.

(d) If underwriters are engaged in connection with any registration referred to in this Section 7.12, the Partnership shall provide indemnification, representations, covenants, opinions and other assurance to the underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters. Further, in addition to and not in limitation of the Partnership’s obligation under Section 7.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, “ Indemnified Persons ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section 7.12(d) as a “ claim ” and in the plural as “ claims ”) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which any Partnership Securities were registered under the Securities Act or any state securities or Blue Sky laws, in any preliminary prospectus (if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement), or in any summary or final prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Partnership is required to keep the registration statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any

 

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such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

(e) The provisions of Sections 7.12(a), 7.12(b) and 7.12(c) shall continue to be applicable with respect to the General Partner (and any of the General Partner’s Affiliates) after it ceases to be a Partner of the Partnership, during a period of two years subsequent to the effective date of such cessation and for so long thereafter as is required for the Holder to sell all of the Partnership Securities with respect to which it has requested during such two-year period inclusion in a registration statement otherwise filed or that a registration statement be filed; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not be required to file successive registration statements covering the same Partnership Securities for which registration was demanded during such two-year period. The provisions of Section 7.12(d) shall continue in effect thereafter.

(f) The rights to cause the Partnership to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 may be assigned (but only with all related obligations) by a Holder to a transferee or assignee of such Partnership Securities, provided (i) the Partnership is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the Partnership Securities with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned; and (ii) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms set forth in this Section 7.12.

(g) Any request to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall (i) specify the Partnership Securities intended to be offered and sold by the Person making the request, (ii) express such Person’s present intent to offer such Partnership Securities for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Partnership Securities, and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Person to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Partnership Securities.

Section 7.13 Reliance by Third Parties .

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other

 

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instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

ARTICLE VIII

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

Section 8.1 Records and Accounting .

The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders of Units or other Partnership Securities, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided , that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Section 8.2 Fiscal Year .

The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a calendar year ending December 31.

Section 8.3 Reports .

(a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be furnished or made available , by any reasonable means (including posting on the Partnership’s website), to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner.

(b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be furnished or made available, by any reasonable means (including posting on the Partnership’s website), to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which

 

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the Units are listed or admitted for trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

ARTICLE IX

TAX MATTERS

Section 9.1 Tax Returns and Information .

The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and a taxable year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal and state income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable year shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable year ends. The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes.

Section 9.2 Tax Elections .

(a) The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted for trading during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(g) without regard to the actual price paid by such transferee.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.

Section 9.3 Tax Controversies .

Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the Tax Matters Partner (as defined in the Code) and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the General Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the General Partner to conduct such proceedings.

Section 9.4 Withholding .

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including,

 

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without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner (including, without limitation, by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.

ARTICLE X

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

Section 10.1 Admission of Initial Limited Partners .

(a) By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with this Section 10.1 or the issuance of any Limited Partner Interests in a merger or consolidation pursuant to Article XIV, and except as provided in Section 4.8, each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred to such Person when any such transfer or admission is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership, with or without execution of this Agreement, (ii) shall become bound by the terms of, and shall be deemed to have executed, this Agreement, (iii) shall become the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (iv) represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, (v) grants the powers of attorney set forth in this Agreement and (vi) makes the consents and waivers contained in this Agreement. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement. A Person may become a Record Holder of a Limited Partner Interest without the consent or approval of any of the Partners. A Person may not become a Limited Partner without acquiring a Limited Partner Interest and until such Person is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest. The rights and obligations of a Person who is a Non-citizen Assignee shall be determined in accordance with Section 4.8 hereof.

(b) The name and mailing address of each Limited Partner shall be listed on the books and records of the Partnership maintained for such purpose by the Partnership or the Transfer Agent. The General Partner shall update the books and records of the Partnership from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable). A Limited Partner Interest may be represented by a Certificate, as provided in Section 4.1 hereof.

(c) Any transfer of a Limited Partner Interest shall not entitle the transferee to share in the profits and losses, to receive distributions, to receive allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit or any similar item or to any other rights to which the transferor was entitled until the transferee becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.1(a).

 

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Section 10.2 Admission of Successor General Partner .

A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner effective immediately prior to the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transfer of such General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6; provided , however , that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the Partnership without dissolution.

Section 10.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership .

To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership, and the General Partner may for this purpose, among others, exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6.

ARTICLE XI

WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

Section 11.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner .

(a) The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an “ Event of Withdrawal ”):

(i) the General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;

(ii) the General Partner transfers all of its rights as General Partner pursuant to Section 4.6;

(iii) the General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;

(iv) the General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(C) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;

 

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(v) a final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or

(vi) (A) in the event the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation; (B) in the event the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) in the event the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) in the event the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise in the event of the termination of the General Partner.

If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi)(A), (B), (C) or (E) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.

(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 12:00 midnight, Central Standard Time, on March 31, 2016, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel (“ Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ”) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or any Group Member or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated or taxed as such); (ii) at any time after 12:00 midnight, Central Standard Time, on March 31, 2016, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2; or (iv) notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the

 

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successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.

Section 11.2 Removal of the General Partner .

The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders holding at least 66  2 / 3 % of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a majority of Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 10.2. The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.2, automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.

Section 11.3 Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner .

(a) In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2, the Departing General Partner shall have the option exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing General Partner to require its successor to purchase (x) its General Partner Interest and (y) its general partner interest (or equivalent interest), if any, in the other Group Members ((x) and (y) collectively, the “ Combined Interest ”) in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its departure or, if there is not agreement as to the fair market value of such Combined Interest at the effective date of departure, within ten (10) days after such fair market value is determined pursuant to this Section 11.3(a). If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement, and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner), such successor shall have the option, exercisable prior

 

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to the effective date of the departure of such Departing General Partner (or, in the event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the business of the Partnership is continued), to purchase the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner for such fair market value of such Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner. In either event, the Departing General Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 7.4, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing General Partner for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.

For purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of a Departing General Partner’s Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing General Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing General Partner’s departure, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing General Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such departure, then the Departing General Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing General Partner’s successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert may consider the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed or admitted for trading, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing General Partner and other factors it may deem relevant.

(b) If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 11.3(a), the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) shall become a Limited Partner and its Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner to Common Units will be characterized as if such General Partner (or its transferee) contributed its Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.

Section 11.4 Withdrawal of Limited Partners .

No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided , however , that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.

 

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ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

Section 12.1 Dissolution .

The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:

(a) an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other than Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and an Opinion of Counsel is received as provided in Section 11.1(b) or 11.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.2;

(b) an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;

(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or

(d) at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.

Section 12.2 Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution .

Upon (a) dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(i) or (iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2, then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to continue the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as a the successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders of a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:

(i) the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;

(ii) if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and

 

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(iii) the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement; provided , that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner and (y) neither the Partnership nor the MLP would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

Section 12.3 Liquidator .

Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units voting as a single class. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days’ prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units voting as a single class. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units voting as a single class. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.3) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.

Section 12.4 Liquidation .

The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as the Liquidator determines to be in the best interest of the Partners, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:

(a) Disposition of Assets . The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnership’s

 

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assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnership’s assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.

(b) Discharge of Liabilities . Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI. With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.

(c) Liquidation Distributions . All property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable year of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable year (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).

Section 12.5 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership .

Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

Section 12.6 Return of Contributions .

The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.

Section 12.7 Waiver of Partition .

To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.

Section 12.8 Capital Account Restoration .

No Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership.

 

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ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

Section 13.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner .

Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:

(a) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;

(b) the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;

(c) a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for federal income tax purposes;

(d) a change that the General Partner determines (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect, (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Limited Partner Interests (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Limited Partner Interests) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Limited Partner Interests are or will be listed, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.8 or (iv) to be required to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;

(e) a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “ Quarter ” and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;

(f) an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “ plan asset ” regulations adopted under the

 

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Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;

(g) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 5.6;

(h) any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;

(i) an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved in accordance with Section 14.3;

(j) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4;

(k) an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by an amendment to the MLP Agreement that requires MLP unitholders to provide a statement, certificate or other proof of evidence to the MLP regarding whether such unitholder is subject to United States federal income tax on the income generated by the MLP;

(l) a merger or conveyance pursuant to Section 14.3(d); or

(m) any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.

Section 13.2 Amendment Procedures .

Except as provided in Sections 13.1 and 13.3, all amendments to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with the following requirements. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner; provided , however , that the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to propose an amendment to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. A proposed amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage is required under this Agreement or by Delaware law. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any such proposed amendments.

 

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Section 13.3 Amendment Requirements .

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13.1 and 13.2, no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing such voting percentage unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13.1 and 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c) or (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without the General Partner consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.

(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3, and without limitation of the General Partner’s authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement without the approval of any Partners as contemplated in Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable law.

(e) Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.

Section 13.4 Special Meetings .

All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Securities of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a

 

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meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the mailing of notice of the meeting. Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.

Section 13.5 Notice of a Meeting .

Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Limited Partner Interests for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 16.1. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.

Section 13.6 Record Date .

For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11 the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted for trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals. If the General Partner does not set a Record Date, then (a) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners shall be the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which notice is given, and (b) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to give approvals without a meeting shall be the date the first written approval is deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner in accordance with Section 13.11.

Section 13.7 Adjournment .

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.

Section 13.8 Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes .

The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and

 

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notice, if a quorum is present, either in person or by proxy. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at the meeting

Section 13.9 Quorum .

The holders of a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Securities of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Limited Partner Interests deemed owned by the General Partner) represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class or classes unless any such action by the Limited Partners requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of such Limited Partner Interests, in which case the quorum shall be such greater percentage. At any meeting of the Limited Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Partnership Securities that in the aggregate represent a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Securities entitled to vote and be present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Partnership Securities that in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required. The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by the required percentage of Outstanding Partnership Securities specified in this Agreement (including Outstanding Partnership Securities deemed owned by the General Partner). In the absence of a quorum any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Securities entitled to vote at such meeting (including Outstanding Partnership Securities deemed owned by the General Partner) represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in Section 13.7.

 

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Section 13.10 Conduct of a Meeting .

The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals, proxies and votes in writing.

Section 13.11 Action Without a Meeting .

If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests (including Limited Partner Interests deemed owned by the General Partner) that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted for trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Limited Partner Interests held by the Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Limited Partner Interests that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date sufficient approvals are deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners.

 

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Section 13.12 Voting and Other Rights .

(a) Only those Record Holders of the Limited Partner Interests on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of “ Outstanding ”) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.

(b) With respect to Limited Partner Interests that are held for a Person’s account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Limited Partner Interests are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Limited Partner Interests on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Limited Partner Interests in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.

ARTICLE XIV

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION

Section 14.1 Authority .

The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability partnership)) or convert into any such entity, whether such entity is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America, pursuant to a written agreement of merger or consolidation (“ Merger Agreement ”) or a written plan of conversion (“ Plan of Conversion ”), as the case may be, in accordance with this Article XIV.

Section 14.2 Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion .

(a) Merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner, provided , however , that, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner and, in declining to consent to a merger, consolidation or conversion, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.

(b) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:

(i) the names and jurisdictions of formation or organization of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;

 

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(ii) the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “ Surviving Business Entity ”);

(iii) the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;

(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;

(v) a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership, operating agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;

(vi) the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement ( provided , that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger and stated therein); and

(vii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

(c) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the conversion, the General Partner may approve and adopt a Plan of Conversion containing such terms and conditions that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

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Section 14.3 Approval by Limited Partners .

(a) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall direct that the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.

(b) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority.

(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or a certificate of conversion pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger, consolidation or conversion may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.

(d) Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnership’s assets to, another limited liability entity which shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such conversion, merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership or the MLP to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with the same rights and obligations as are herein contained.

(e) Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another entity if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes, (ii) the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to the Partnership Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section 13.1, (iii) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (iv) each Partnership Unit outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Partnership Unit of the Partnership after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, and (v) the number of Partnership Securities to be

 

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issued by the Partnership in such merger or consolidation do not exceed 20% of the Partnership Securities Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.

Section 14.4 Certificate of Merger .

(a) Upon the required approval, if any, by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement or a Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, a certificate of merger or certificate of conversion, as applicable, shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act.

(b) At the effective time of the certificate of merger:

(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;

(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;

(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and

(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.

(c) At the effective time of the certificate of conversion:

(i) the Partnership shall continue to exist, without interruption, but in the organizational form of the converted entity rather than in its prior organizational form;

(ii) all rights, title, and interests to all real estate and other property owned by the Partnership shall continue to be owned by the converted entity in its new organizational form without reversion or impairment, without further act or deed, and without any transfer or assignment having occurred, but subject to any existing liens or other encumbrances thereon;

(iii) all liabilities and obligations of the Partnership shall continue to be liabilities and obligations of the converted entity in its new organizational form without impairment or diminution by reason of the conversion;

(iv) all rights of creditors or other parties with respect to or against the prior interest holders or other owners of the Partnership in their capacities as such in existence as

 

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of the effective time of the conversion will continue in existence as to those liabilities and obligations and may be pursued by such creditors and obligees as if the conversion did not occur;

(v) a proceeding pending by or against the Partnership or by or against any of Partners in their capacities as such may be continued by or against the converted entity in its new organizational form and by or against the prior partners without any need for substitution of parties; and

(vi) the Partnership Securities that are to be converted into partnership interests, shares, evidences of ownership, or other securities in the converted entity as provided in the Plan of Conversion or certificate of conversion shall be so converted, and Partners shall be entitled only to the rights provided in the Plan of Conversion or certificate of conversion.

(d) A merger, consolidation or conversion effected pursuant to this Article shall not be deemed to result in a transfer or assignment of assets or liabilities from one entity to another.

Section 14.5 Amendment of Partnership Agreement .

Pursuant to Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with Section 17-211(b) of the Delaware Act may (a) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (b) effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for a limited partnership if it is the Surviving Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section 14.5 shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.

ARTICLE XV

RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

Section 15.1 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time less than 15% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then Outstanding is held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable at its option, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 15 is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by a General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed. As used in this Agreement, (i) ” Current Market Price ” as of any date of any class of Limited Partner Interests listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange means the average of the daily Closing Prices (as hereinafter defined) per limited partner interest of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days (as hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date; (ii) ” Closing Price ” for any day means the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated

 

   - 74 -    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted for trading on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests of such class are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market or any other system then in use, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner; and (iii) ” Trading Day ” means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests of any class are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if Limited Partner Interests of a class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.

(b) If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the “ Notice of Election to Purchase ”) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be published for a period of at least three consecutive days in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in the English language and published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted for trading. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate shall not have been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Articles IV, V, VI, and XII) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such

 

   - 75 -    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


Limited Partner Interests, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Articles IV, V, VI and XII).

(c) At any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon.

ARTICLE XVI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 16.1 Addresses and Notices .

Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the address described below. Any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Securities at his address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Securities by reason of any assignment or otherwise. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing on the books and records of the Transfer Agent or the Partnership is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice, payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) if they are available for the Partner at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.

 

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Section 16.2 Further Action .

The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 16.3 Binding Effect .

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

Section 16.4 Integration .

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

Section 16.5 Creditors .

None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

Section 16.6 Waiver .

No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

Section 16.7 Counterparts .

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner Interest pursuant to Section 10.1(a) without execution hereof.

Section 16.8 Applicable Law .

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.

 

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Section 16.9 Invalidity of Provisions .

If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.

Section 16.10 Consent of Partners .

Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.

Section 16.11 Facsimile Signatures . The use of facsimile signatures affixed in the name and on behalf of the transfer agent and Registrar of the Partnership on certificates representing Common Units is expressly permitted by this Agreement.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

   - 78 -    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
ALLIANCE GP, LLC
By:   /s/ Joseph W. Craft III
  Joseph W. Craft III
  President & Chief Executive Officer

 

LIMITED PARTNERS:
All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as Limited Partners of the Partnership, pursuant to powers of attorney now and hereafter executed in favor of, and granted and delivered to the General Partner or without execution hereof pursuant to Section 10.1(a) of this Agreement.
By:   ALLIANCE GP, LLC
General Partner, as attorney-in-fact for the Limited Partners pursuant to the Powers of Attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6 of this Agreement.
By:   /s/ Joseph W. Craft III
  Joseph W. Craft III
  President & Chief Executive Officer

 

   - 79 -    Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.


SCHEDULE 1

Initial Limited Partners

Alliance Management Holdings, LLC

AMH II, LLC

Alliance Resource GP, LLC

 

      Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.

Exhibit 3.2

 


AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

ALLIANCE GP, LLC

Dated as of May 15, 2006

 


The Membership Interests referred to in this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any other securities laws, and such Membership Interests may not be Transferred without appropriate registration or the availability of an exemption from such registration requirements.


Table of Contents

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS   
1.1    Terms Defined Herein    1
1.2    Other Definitional Provisions    5
ARTICLE II GENERAL   
2.1    Formation    5
2.2    Name    5
2.3    Purpose of the Company    6
2.4    Powers    6
2.5    Principal Office    6
2.6    Registered Office and Registered Agent    6
2.7    Effective Date    6
2.8    Liability of Members, Directors and Officers    6
2.9    Qualification and Authorization; Membership Interest Not Acquired for Resale    6
2.10    Foreign Qualification    7
2.11    Term    7
2.12    Members    7
2.13    No State Law Partnership    7
ARTICLE III CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS   
3.1    Initial Capital Contributions    7
3.2    Subsequent Capital Contributions    7
3.3    Return of Contributions    7
ARTICLE IV ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS   
4.1    Distributions    8
4.2    Liquidation Distributions    8
4.3    Limitations on Distributions    8
ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP   
5.1    Membership Interests; Additional Members    8
5.2    Voting Rights of Members    9
5.3    Access to Information    10
5.4    Liability    10
5.5    General Disposition Restriction    11
5.6    Admission of Assignee as a Member    11
5.7    Requirements Applicable to All Dispositions and Admissions    11
ARTICLE VI MANAGEMENT   
6.1    Management by Board of Directors and Executive Officers    12
6.2    Number; Qualification; Tenure    12
6.3    Regular Meetings    12
6.4    Special Meetings    12
6.5    Notice    13
6.6    Action by Consent of Board    13

 

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6.7    Conference Telephone Meetings    13
6.8    Quorum    13
6.9    Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors    13
6.10    Committees    13
6.11    Removal of Directors    14
6.12    Elected Officers    14
6.13    Election and Term of Office    14
6.14    Chief Executive Officer; Chairman of the Board    15
6.15    President    15
6.16    Chief Financial Officer    15
6.17    Vice Presidents    15
6.18    Treasurer    15
6.19    Secretary    16
6.20    Removal of Officers    16
6.21    Vacancies    16
ARTICLE VII LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION   
7.1    Limitation of Liability; Indemnification    16
7.2    Limitation of Liability    17
7.3    Right to Indemnification    17
7.4    Enforcement of Indemnification    17
7.5    Advancement of Expenses    18
7.6    Non-Exclusivity    18
7.7    Insurance    18
7.8    Amendment and Vesting of Rights    18
7.9    Definitions    19
7.10    Severability    19
ARTICLE VIII TAXES, BOOKS AND BANK ACCOUNTS   
8.1    Tax Returns    20
8.2    Tax Characterization    20
8.3    Maintenance of Books    20
8.4    Bank Accounts    20
ARTICLE IX DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION   
9.1    Events Causing Dissolution    20
9.2    Effect of Dissolution    21
9.3    Application of Proceeds    21
9.4    Certificate of Cancellation    21
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS   
10.1    Title to the Property    21
10.2    Nature of Interest in the Company    21
10.3    Organizational Expenses    21
10.4    Notices    21
10.5    Waiver of Default    22
10.6    No Third Party Rights    22

 

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10.7    Entire Agreement    22
10.8    Amendment    22
10.9    Severability    23
10.10    Binding Agreement    23
10.11    Headings    23
10.12    Counterparts    23
10.13    Governing Law    23
10.14    Remedies    23

 

Schedule A    Initial Schedule of Initial Capital and Percentage Interest    A-1
Schedule B    Names of Officers    B-1

 

iii


AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

ALLIANCE GP, LLC

a Delaware Limited Liability Company

This Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) of Alliance GP, LLC (the “ Company ”), dated the date of the Initial Public Offering, is adopted, executed and agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, by C-Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ C-Holdings ”), as the sole member (the “ Member ”).

RECITALS

1. The name of the Company is “Alliance GP, LLC” (the “ Company ”).

2. The Company was originally formed as a Delaware limited liability company by (i) the filing of a Certificate of Formation (the “ Certificate ”), dated as of November 10, 2005 (the “ Original Filing Date ”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to time (the “ Act ”), with C-Holdings as the sole member; and (ii) the executing of a limited liability company agreement dated November 10, 2005 (the “ Initial Limited Liability Company Agreement ”) with C-Holdings as the sole member.

3. C-Holdings desires to amend and restate the Initial Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company as set forth herein.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Terms Defined Herein . In addition to terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or in the Sections referred to below:

Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. Section 18-101, et seq ., as amended from time to time.

Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Alliance GP, LLC, dated the date of the Initial Public Offering, as amended from time to time.

AHGP ” means Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, or any successors thereto.

Applicable Law ” means (a) any United States Federal, state or local law, statute, rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction, judgment, decree or permit of any Governmental Authority and (b) any rule or listing requirement of any applicable national stock exchange, quotation system, over-the-counter market or Commission recognized trading market on which securities issued by AHGP are listed or quoted.


Assignee ” means any Person that acquires a Membership Interest or any portion thereof through a Disposition; provided, however, that, an Assignee shall have no right to be admitted to the Company as a Member except in accordance with Article V. The Assignee of a dissolved Member is the shareholder, partner, member or other equity owner or owners of the dissolved Member to whom such Member’s Membership Interest is assigned by the Person conducting the liquidation or winding up of such Member. The Assignee of a Bankrupt Member is (a) the Person or Persons (if any) to whom such Bankrupt Member’s Membership Interest is assigned by order of the bankruptcy court or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Bankruptcy, or (b) in the event of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, the creditor to which such Membership Interest assigned.

Audit Committee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(b).

Bankruptcy ” or “ Bankrupt ”, with respect to any Person, means the entry of an order for relief with respect to such Person under the United States Bankruptcy Code or the insolvency of such Person under any state insolvency act.

Board ” and “ Board of Directors ” have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

C-Holdings ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.

Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of money and the Fair Value of any Property (other than money) contributed to the Company with respect to the interests purchased by such Member pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, in return for which the Member contributing such capital shall receive a Membership Interest.

Certificate ” means the Certificate of Formation of the Company filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, as amended or restated from time to time.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or the corresponding provisions of future laws.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company ” means Alliance GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, except, for purposes of Article VII, as modified pursuant to Section 7.9(a).

Compensation Committee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(d).

Conflicts Committee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(c).

defense ”, for purposes of Article VII, has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(d).

Director ” means each of the individuals selected pursuant to Article VI to serve on the Board of Directors.

Dispose ,” “ Disposing ” or “ Disposition ” means with respect to any asset (including a Membership Interest or any portion thereof), a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, gift,

 

2


exchange or other disposition of such asset, whether such disposition be voluntary, involuntary or by operation of Applicable Law.

Disposing Member ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6.

Distributions ” means any distributions by the Company to the Members in respect of Membership Interests held by the Members.

electronic transmission ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4.

ERISA excise taxes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(c).

Fair Value ” of an asset means its fair market value.

Governmental Authority ” means any United States Federal, state or local court or governmental or regulatory agency or authority or any arbitration board, tribunal or mediator having jurisdiction over the Company or its assets or Members.

Holdings Common Units ” means common units representing limited partner interests in AHGP.

Independent Director ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(b).

Initial Limited Liability Company Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Initial Public Offering ” means the initial public offering of Holdings Common Units by AHGP.

Liquidation Proceeds ” means all Property at the time of liquidation of the Company and all proceeds thereof.

Majority in Interest ” means, with respect to the Members or to any specified group or class of Members, Members owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the total Percentage Interests held by all Members or such specified group or class of Members, as applicable.

Member ” means each Person executing this Agreement and each Person who is subsequently admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to this Agreement, so long as such Person continues to own, beneficially and of record, a Membership Interest.

Membership Interest ” means a Member’s limited liability company interest in the Company which refers to all of a Member’s rights and interests in the Company in such Member’s capacity as a Member, all as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate and the Act, including, but not limited to, the Member’s interest in the capital, income, gain, deductions, Distributions, losses and credits of the Company.

NASD ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(b).

NASDAQ ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(b).

 

3


Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4.

officer ”, for purposes of Article VII, has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(f).

Original Filing Date ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Other Enterprise ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(b).

Percentage Interest ” of each Member means the aggregate percentage of Membership Interests of such Member in the Company, as such percentage may be amended from time to time pursuant to this Agreement. The initial Percentage Interest of each Member is set forth on Schedule A. Each Percentage Interest will be adjusted as and when required by this Agreement. The Company will maintain a record of the Percentage Interest held by each Member, and such Percentage Interest reflected in such records of the Company will be the conclusive evidence of the Percentage Interest held by each Member, absent manifest error; provided , however , that the total of all Percentage Interests shall always equal 100%.

Person ” means any individual, partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, corporation, cooperative, estate, trust, association, joint-stock company, unincorporated organization, joint venture, court, governmental agency or any political subdivision thereof, firm or any other entity.

Property ” means all properties and assets, real or intangible, that the Company may own or otherwise have an interest in from time to time.

serving at the request of the Company ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(e).

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to a Person, any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of either (x) the partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof or (y) the stock or equity interest of such partnership, association or other business entity’s general partner, managing member or other similar controlling Person, is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.

Super Majority in Interest ” means Members owning Membership Interests with Percentage Interests aggregating at least 66  2 / 3 %.

Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

Transfer ” or “ Transferred ” means to give, sell, exchange, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, bequeath, devise or otherwise dispose of or encumber, voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise. When referring to a Membership Interest, “Transfer” shall

 

4


mean the Transfer of such Membership Interest whether of record, beneficially, by participation or otherwise.

Treasury Regulations ” means the regulations, including temporary regulations, promulgated by the United States Department of Treasury with respect to the Code, as such regulations are amended from time to time, or the corresponding provisions of future regulations.

1.2 Other Definitional Provisions .

(a) As used in this Agreement, accounting terms not defined in this Agreement, and accounting terms partly defined to the extent not defined, have the respective meanings given to them under generally accepted accounting principles.

(b) The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder” and “hereinafter” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires.

(c) Words of the singular number are deemed to include the plural number, and vice versa, where applicable, unless the context otherwise requires.

(d) The word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative expressions.

(e) When verbs are used as nouns, the nouns correspond to such verbs and vice versa.

(f) All references to Articles, Sections, Subsections, Schedules and Exhibits refer to articles, sections, subsections, schedules and exhibits in this Agreement, unless otherwise specified, each of which is made a part for all purposes.

(g) The gender of all words used in this Agreement includes the masculine, feminine and neuter.

ARTICLE II

GENERAL

2.1 Formation . C-Holdings formed the Company as a Delaware limited liability company by the filing of the Certificate, dated as of the Original Filing Date, with the Secretary of State of Delaware pursuant to the Act. The rights and liabilities of the Members shall be as provided in the Act for Members except as provided herein. To the extent that the rights or obligations of any Member are different by reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be in the absence of such provision, to the extent permitted by the Act, this Agreement shall control.

2.2 Name . The name of the Company is as stated in the Certificate, and all Company business must be conducted in that name or such other names that comply with Applicable Law as the Board may select.

 

5


2.3 Purpose of the Company . The purposes of the Company are to carry on any lawful business, purpose or activity permitted by the Act. The Company shall be authorized to engage in any and all other activities, whether or not related to the foregoing, which in the judgment of the Board may be beneficial or desirable. Subject to the limitations expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall have the power and authority to do any and all acts and things deemed necessary or desirable by the Board to further the Company’s purposes and carry on its business.

2.4 Powers . In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Company by law and those incidental thereto, the Company will have the same powers as a natural person to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out its business and affairs.

2.5 Principal Office . The principal office of the Company shall be located at 1717 South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 or such other place(s) as the Board may determine from time to time.

2.6 Registered Office and Registered Agent . The location of the registered office and the name of the registered agent of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be as stated in the Certificate or as determined from time to time by the Board.

2.7 Effective Date . This Agreement will be effective on the date of the Initial Public Offering. If the Initial Public Offering does not occur on or before December 31, 2006, this Agreement will terminate on such date.

2.8 Liability of Members, Directors and Officers . No Member, Director or officer, solely by reason of being a Member, Director or officer, will be liable, under a judgment, decree or order of a court, or in any other manner, for a debt, obligation or liability of the Company or AHGP, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, or for the acts or omissions of any other Member, Director, officer, agent or employee of the Company. The failure of the Company (acting in its own capacity or as the general partner of AHGP) to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its (or AHGP’s) business or affairs will not be grounds for imposing liability on any Member, Director or officer for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company or AHGP.

2.9 Qualification and Authorization; Membership Interest Not Acquired for Resale . Each Member hereby represents and warrants to the Company and to each other Member that: (a) in the case of a Member that is not a natural person, that the Member is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the law of its state of organization and that it has the requisite power and authority to execute this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; (b) the Member is acquiring a Membership Interest for such Member’s own account as an investment and without an intent to distribute such Membership Interest; and (c) the Member acknowledges that the Membership Interests have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any state securities laws, and such Member’s Membership Interest may not be resold or Transferred by the Member without appropriate registration or the availability of an exemption from such requirements.

 

6


2.10 Foreign Qualification . Prior to the Company’s conducting business in any jurisdiction other than Delaware, the proper officers shall cause the Company to comply, to the extent procedures are available and those matters are reasonably within the control of such officers, with all requirements necessary to qualify the Company as a foreign limited liability company in that jurisdiction. At the request of the proper officers, a Member shall execute, acknowledge, swear to, and deliver all certificates and other instruments conforming with this Agreement that are necessary or appropriate to qualify, continue, and terminate the Company as a foreign limited liability company in all such jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business.

2.11 Term . The period of existence of the Company (the “ Term ”) commenced on the Original Filing Date and shall end at such time as a certificate of cancellation is filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware in accordance with Section 9.4.

2.12 Members .

(a) Powers of Members . The Members shall have the power to exercise any and all rights or powers granted to the Members pursuant to the express terms of this Agreement.

(b) Partition . Each Member waives any and all rights that it may have to maintain an action for partition of the Company’s Property.

(c) Resignation . Except upon a Transfer of all of its Membership Interests in accordance with this Agreement, a Member may not resign from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company. A Member ceases to be a Member only upon: (i) a Disposition of such Member’s Membership Interest and the Assignee’s admission as a Member, all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) completion of dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to Article IX.

2.13 No State Law Partnership . Each Member intends that the Company not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member, for any purposes other than Federal and state income tax purposes, and this Agreement may not be construed to suggest otherwise.

ARTICLE III

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS

3.1 Initial Capital Contributions . Contemporaneously with the execution by such Member of this Agreement, the Member shall make the Capital Contributions described in Schedule A.

3.2 Subsequent Capital Contributions . The Member may make additional Capital Contributions, but no Member shall have any obligation to make any additional Capital Contributions.

3.3 Return of Contributions . Except as expressly provided herein, a Member is not entitled to the return of any part of its Capital Contributions. A Member is not entitled to be paid interest in respect of its Capital Contributions. An unrepaid Capital Contribution is not a liability

 

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of the Company or of any Member. A Member is not required to contribute or to lend any cash or assets to the Company to enable the Company to return any Member’s Capital Contributions.

ARTICLE IV

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

4.1 Distributions . Distributions to the Member shall be made in such aggregate amounts and at such time as shall be determined by the Board.

4.2 Liquidation Distributions . Liquidation Proceeds will be distributed in the following order of priority:

(a) To the payment of debts and liabilities of the Company (including to each Member to the extent permitted by law) and the expenses of liquidation.

(b) Next, to the setting up of such reserves as the Person required or authorized by law to wind up the Company’s affairs may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate for any disputed, contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company, provided that any such reserves will be paid over by such Person to an independent escrow agent, to be held by such agent or its successor for such period as such Person deems advisable for the purpose of applying such reserves to the payment of such liabilities or obligations and, at the expiration of such period, the balance of such reserves, if any, will be distributed as hereinafter provided.

(c) The remainder to the Member.

4.3 Limitations on Distributions .

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no Distributions shall be made except pursuant to this Article IV or Article IX.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no Distribution hereunder shall be permitted if such Distribution would violate Section 18-607 of the Act or other Applicable Law.

ARTICLE V

MEMBERSHIP

5.1 Membership Interests; Additional Members .

(a) Each Member owns Membership Interests in the Company as reflected in Schedule A attached hereto, as the same may be amended, modified or adjusted from time to time as provided herein. Each Member shall be entitled to receive a Membership Interest in exchange for a Capital Contribution with such Membership Interest and Capital Contribution set forth in Schedule A attached hereto, as the same may be amended, modified or adjusted from time to time as provided herein. Each Membership Interest shall correspond to a “limited liability company interest” as is provided in the Act. The Company shall be the owner of the Property. No Member shall have any ownership interest or right in the Property, including

 

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Property conveyed by a Member to the Company, except indirectly by virtue of a Member’s ownership of a Membership Interest.

(b) Persons may be admitted to the Company as Members on such terms and conditions as the Board determines at the time of admission. The terms of admission or issuance must specify the Membership Interest applicable thereto and may provide for the creation of different classes or groups of Members having different rights, powers, and duties. The Board may reflect the creation of any new class or group of Members in an amendment to this Agreement indicating the different rights, powers, and duties, and such an amendment shall be approved by the Board and executed by the proper officers. Any such admission is effective only after such new Member has executed and delivered to the Members and the Company an instrument containing the Notice address of the new Member, the Member’s ratification of this Agreement and agreement to be bound by it.

5.2 Voting Rights of Members .

(a) The Members shall have the right to vote on such matters as:

(i) set forth in the Act;

(ii) set forth in this Agreement; and

(iii) determined by the Board of Directors from time to time.

(b) For matters on which the Members have the right or are required to vote, each Member shall have the number of votes equal to their respective Percentage Interests.

(c) The presence, in person or by proxy, of a Majority in Interest of the Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Members. The affirmative vote of a Majority in Interest shall constitute a valid decision of the Members, except where a different vote is required by the Act or this Agreement. At any meeting of the Members, every Member having the right to vote thereat shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing signed by such Member and bearing a date not more than one year prior to the date of such meeting.

(d) Without the prior written consent of a Super Majority in Interest, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, effect any:

(i) merger, consolidation or share exchange into or with any other Person, or any other similar business combination transaction (other than any such transaction entered into solely between the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or among any of them) involving the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission, as amended) or financial restructuring of the Company or AHGP; provided , however , that in the event not all Members receive identical consideration, whether in their capacity as a Member or as a limited partner of AHGP, both in form and amount (in proportion to their Membership Interests or limited partner interests in AHGP, as the case may be) in such transaction,

 

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such transaction shall require the prior written consent of any Member receiving consideration that differs from the consideration to be received by a Majority in Interest;

(ii) voluntary filing for Bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any event that would cause a dissolution or winding up of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any consent by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any action brought by any other Person relating to any of the foregoing;

(iii) amendment or repeal of the Certificate;

(iv) sale, lease, transfer, pledge or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or the Company and any of its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than sales, leases, transfers, pledges or other dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of business.

(e) Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of Members of the Company may be taken without a meeting, without prior Notice and without a vote if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Members having not less than the minimum Percentage Interest that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting of the Members. Prompt Notice of the taking of any action taken pursuant to this Section 5.2(e) by less than the unanimous written consent of the Members shall be given to those Members who have not consented in writing.

5.3 Access to Information . Each Member shall be entitled to receive any information that it may request concerning the Company; provided , however , that this Section 5.3 shall not obligate the Company to create any information that does not already exist at the time of such request (other than to convert existing information from one medium to another, such as providing a printout of information that is stored in a computer database). Each Member shall also have the right, upon reasonable Notice, and at all reasonable times during usual business hours to inspect the properties of the Company and to audit, examine and make copies of the books of account and other records of the Company. Such right may be exercised through any agent or employee of such Member designated in writing by it or by an independent public accountant, engineer, attorney or other consultant so designated. All costs and expenses incurred in any inspection, examination or audit made on such Member’s behalf shall be borne by such Member.

5.4 Liability .

(a) No Member shall be liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company.

(b) The Company and the Members agree that the rights, duties and obligations of the Members in their capacities as members of the Company are only as set forth in this Agreement and as otherwise arise under the Act. Furthermore, the Members agree that the existence of any rights of a Member, or the exercise or forbearance from exercise of any such rights shall not create any duties or obligations of the Member in their capacities as members of the Company, nor shall such rights be construed to enlarge or otherwise alter in any manner the duties and obligations of the Members.

 

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5.5 General Disposition Restriction . A Member may not Dispose of all or any portion of its Membership Interests except in strict accordance with this Article V. References in this Article V to Dispositions of a Membership Interest shall also refer to Dispositions of a portion of a Membership Interest. Any attempted Disposition of a Membership Interest, other than in strict accordance with this Article V, shall be, and is hereby declared, null and void ab initio . Each Member agrees that a breach of the provisions of this Article V may cause irreparable injury to the Company and to the other Members for which monetary damages (or other remedy at law) are inadequate in view of (a) the complexities and uncertainties in measuring the actual damages that would be sustained by reason of the failure of a Member to comply with such provision and (b) the uniqueness of the business and the relationship among the Members. Accordingly, each Member agrees that the provisions of this Article V may be enforced by specific performance.

5.6 Admission of Assignee as a Member . An Assignee has the right to be admitted to the Company as a Member, with the Membership Interests (and attendant Percentage Interest) so Transferred to such Assignee, only if (a) the Member making the Disposition (a “ Disposing Member ”) has granted the Assignee either (i) all, but not less than all, of such Disposing Member’s Membership Interests or (ii) the express right to be so admitted; and (b) such Disposition is effected in strict compliance with this Article V.

5.7 Requirements Applicable to All Dispositions and Admissions . Any Disposition of Membership Interests and any admission of an Assignee as a Member shall also be subject to the following requirements, and such Disposition (and admission, if applicable) shall not be effective unless such requirements are complied with; provided , however , that the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, may waive any of the following requirements:

(a) Disposition Documents . The following documents must be delivered to the Board and must be satisfactory, in form and substance, to the Board:

(i) Disposition Instrument . A copy of the instrument pursuant to which the Disposition is effected.

(ii) Ratification of this Agreement . With respect to any Disposition, an instrument, executed by the Disposing Member and its Assignee, containing the following information and agreements, to the extent they are not contained in the instrument described in Section 5.7(a)(i): (A) the Notice address of the Assignee; (B) the Percentage Interests after the Disposition of the Disposing Member and its Assignee (which together must total the Percentage Interest of the Disposing Member before the Disposition); (C) the Assignee’s ratification of this Agreement and agreement to be bound by it; and (D) representations and warranties by the Disposing Member and its Assignee (1) that the Disposition and admission is being made in accordance with Applicable Laws, and (2) that the matters set forth in Section 5.7(a)(i) and this Section 5.7(a)(ii) are true and correct.

(iii) Opinions . With respect to any Disposition, such opinions of counsel regarding tax and securities law matters as the Board, in its sole discretion, may require.

 

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(b) Payment of Expenses . The Disposing Member and its Assignee shall pay, or reimburse the Company for, all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Disposition and admission of the Assignee as a Member, including the legal fees incurred in connection with the legal opinions referred to in Section 5.7(a)(iii).

(c) No Release . No Disposition of Membership Interest shall effect a release of the Disposing Member from any liabilities to the Company or the other Members arising from events occurring prior to the Disposition.

ARTICLE VI

MANAGEMENT

6.1 Management by Board of Directors and Executive Officers . The business and affairs of the Company shall be fully vested in, and managed by, a Board of Directors (the “ Board ” or the “ Board of Directors ”), subject to the executive officers elected pursuant to Article VI hereof. The Directors and executive officers shall collectively constitute “managers” of the Company within the meaning of the Act. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the authority and functions of the Board, on the one hand, and the executive officers, on the other hand, shall be identical to the authority and functions of the board of directors and officers, respectively, of a corporation organized under the General Corporate Law of the State of Delaware. The executive officers shall be vested with such powers and duties as are set forth in Article VI hereof and as are specified by the Board. Accordingly, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board, and the day-to-day activities of the Company shall be conducted on the Company’s behalf by the executive officers who shall be agents of the Company.

In addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred on the Board by this Agreement, the Board may exercise all such powers of the Company and do all such acts and things as are not restricted by the Act or Applicable Law.

6.2 Number; Qualification; Tenure . The number of Directors constituting the Board shall be four (each a “ Director ” and collectively, the “ Directors ”), unless otherwise fixed from time to time pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Directors. A Director need not be a Member. The Directors shall be elected or approved by the Members and shall serve as Directors of the Company until their death or removal from office or until their successors are elected and qualified.

The initial Directors of the Company shall be Joseph W. Craft III, Michael J. Hall, and Thomas M. Davidson.

6.3 Regular Meetings . The Board shall provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.

6.4 Special Meetings . A special meeting of the Board may be called at any time by or at the request of (a) the Chairman of the Board or (b) any three Directors. The Person or Persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them.

 

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6.5 Notice . Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors will be given not less than three days nor more than 60 days prior thereto. Any Director may waive Notice of any meeting. The attendance of a Director at any meeting will constitute a waiver of Notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business presented because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the Notice or waiver of Notice of such meeting. A meeting may be held at any time without Notice if all the Directors are present or if those not present waive Notice of the meeting either before or after such meeting.

6.6 Action by Consent of Board . Except as otherwise required by Applicable Law, all decisions of the Board shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum, as described in Section 6.8, is present. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board may act without a meeting so long as all Directors shall have executed a written consent with respect to any Board action taken in lieu of a meeting.

6.7 Conference Telephone Meetings . Directors or members of any committee of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

6.8 Quorum . A majority of Directors, present in person or participating in accordance with Section 6.7, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. Any act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. The Directors present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Directors to leave less than a quorum.

6.9 Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors . Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors may be filled by a majority of the Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or a sole remaining Director; and any Director so chosen shall hold office until his successor shall be duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced.

6.10 Committees .

(a) The Board may establish committees of the Board and may delegate certain of its responsibilities to such committees.

(b) The Board shall have an audit committee comprised of three Directors, all of whom shall be Independent Directors (the “ Audit Committee ”). Such Audit Committee shall establish a written audit committee charter in accordance with the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (the “ NASDAQ ”), as amended from time to time, the National Association of Securities Dealers (the “ NASD ”), as amended from time to time, and the rules of the Commission, as amended from time to time, as applicable. “ Independent Director ” shall mean

 

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Directors meeting the independence, financial literacy and experience requirements as set forth most recently by the NASDAQ and NASD, or any successor provisions.

(c) The Board shall have a conflicts committee comprised of two Directors, all of whom shall be Independent Directors (the “ Conflicts Committee ”). The Conflicts Committee shall review all that may involve conflicts of interest. The Conflicts Committee will determine if the resolution of any conflicts of interest submitted to it is fair and reasonable to the Company and AHGP.

(d) The Board shall have a compensation committee comprised of the Directors (the “ Compensation Committee ”). The Compensation Committee shall be charged with setting and overseeing compensation for officers of the Company and AHGP, as well as administering any incentive plans put in place by the Company.

(e) A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings unless the Board shall otherwise provide. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided for in Section 10.4. The Board shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board from appointing one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not Directors; provided , however , that no such committee shall have or may exercise any authority of the Board.

6.11 Removal of Directors . Any Director or the entire Board may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a Majority in Interest then entitled to vote at an election of Directors.

6.12 Elected Officers . The executive officers of the Company shall serve at the pleasure of, the Board. Such officers shall have the authority and duties delegated to each of them, respectively, by the Board from time to time. The elected officers of the Company shall be a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers (including, without limitation, Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents) as the Board from time to time may deem proper. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among the Directors. All officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. The Board or any committee thereof may from time to time elect such other officers (including one or more Vice Presidents, Controllers, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Company. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in this Agreement or as may be prescribed by the Board or such committee, as the case may be.

6.13 Election and Term of Office . The names and titles of the initial officers of the Company are set forth on Schedule B hereto. Thereafter, the officers of the Company shall be elected by the Board. Each officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall hold office until such person’s successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until such officer’s death, resignation or removal pursuant to Section 6.20.

 

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6.14 Chief Executive Officer; Chairman of the Board . The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Members and of the Board and shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Company and shall perform all duties incidental to such person’s office which may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer shall act as the principal executive officer of the Company (in its capacity as general partner of AHGP). The Chairman of the Board shall make reports to the Board and the Members and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board and of any committee thereof are carried into effect. The Directors also may elect a Vice-Chairman to act in the place of the Chairman upon his or her absence or inability to act.

6.15 President . The President shall assist the Chief Executive Officer in the administration and operation of the Company’s business and general supervision of its policies and affairs and shall perform all duties incidental to such person’s office which may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board. The President, if he is also a Director, shall, in the absence of or because of the inability to act of the Chairman of the Board, perform all duties of the Chairman of the Board and preside at all meetings of Members and of the Board.

6.16 Chief Financial Officer . The Chief Financial Officer shall act as the principal financial officer of the Company (in its capacity as general partner of AHGP) and shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of the Company’s funds and AHGP’s funds. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties incidental to such person’s office which may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board.

6.17 Vice Presidents . Each Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President and any Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

6.18 Treasurer .

(a) The Treasurer shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of corporate funds. The Treasurer shall cause the funds of the Company to be deposited in such banks as may be authorized by the Board, or in such banks as may be designated as depositories in the manner provided by resolution of the Board. The Treasurer shall, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of the Treasurer and shall have such further powers and duties and shall be subject to such directions as may be granted or imposed from time to time by the Board.

(b) Assistant Treasurers shall have such of the authority and perform such of the duties of the Treasurer as may be provided in this Agreement or assigned to them by the Board or the Treasurer. Assistant Treasurers shall assist the Treasurer in the performance of the duties assigned to the Treasurer, and in assisting the Treasurer, each Assistant Treasurer shall for such purpose have the powers of the Treasurer. During the Treasurer’s absence or inability, the

 

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Secretary’s authority and duties shall be possessed by such Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Treasurers as the Board may designate.

6.19 Secretary .

(a) The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, in one or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board, the committees of the Board and the Members. The Secretary shall see that all Notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and as required by law; shall be custodian of the records and the seal of the Company and affix and attest the seal to all documents to be executed on behalf of the Company under its seal; and shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general, shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the Secretary by the Board.

(b) Assistant Secretaries shall have such of the authority and perform such of the duties of the Secretary as may be provided in this Agreement or assigned to them by the Board or the Secretary. Assistant Secretaries shall assist the Secretary in the performance of the duties assigned to the Secretary, and in assisting the Secretary, each Assistant Secretary shall for such purpose have the powers of the Secretary. During the Secretary’s absence or inability, the Secretary’s authority and duties shall be possessed by such Assistant Secretary or Assistant Secretaries as the Board may designate.

6.20 Removal of Officers . Any officer elected, or agent appointed, by the Board may be removed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board whenever, in their judgment, the best interests of the Company would be served thereby. No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Company for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of such person’s successor, such person’s death, such person’s resignation or such person’s removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.

6.21 Vacancies . A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation or removal may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term at any meeting of the Board.

ARTICLE VII

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

7.1 Limitation of Liability; Indemnification . None of the Members, Directors or officers of the Company will be liable to the Members, the Company or AHGP for (a) any action or inaction except to the extent such Person acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct in the performance of such Person’s duties to the Company, the Members or AHGP, (b) any action or inaction arising from reliance upon the opinion or advice as to legal matters of legal counsel or as to accounting matters of accountants selected by any of them in good faith or (c) any action or inaction of any agent, contractor or consultant selected by any of them in good faith.

 

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7.2 Limitation of Liability . No Person will be liable to the Company, its Members or AHGP for any loss, damage, liability or expense suffered by the Company, its Members or AHGP on account of any action taken or omitted to be taken by such Person as a Director or an officer of the Company or by such Person while serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise, if such Person discharges such Person’s duties in good faith, and in a manner such Person reasonably believes to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or AHGP. The liability of a Director or an officer hereunder will be limited only for those actions taken or omitted to be taken by such Person in the discharge of such Person’s obligations in connection with the management of the business and affairs of the Company or any Other Enterprise. The foregoing limitation of liability will apply to all Directors and officers of the Company.

7.3 Right to Indemnification . The Company will indemnify each Person who has been or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate (regardless of whether such action, suit or proceeding is by or in the right of the Company or by third parties) by reason of the fact that such Person is or was a Member, Director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise, against all liabilities and expenses, including judgments, amounts paid in settlement, attorneys’ fees, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, fines and other expenses, actually and reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding (including the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such action, suit or proceeding); provided , however , that the Company will not be required to indemnify or advance expenses to any Person on account of such Person’s conduct that was finally adjudged to have been knowingly fraudulent, deliberately dishonest or willful misconduct; provided , further , that the Company will not be required to indemnify or advance expenses to any Person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding initiated by such Person unless the initiation of such action, suit or proceeding was authorized in advance by the Board of Directors; provided , further , that a Director or officer will be indemnified hereunder only for those actions taken or omitted to be taken by such Director or officer in the discharge of such Director’s or officer’s obligations in connection with the management of the business and affairs of the Company, AHGP or any Other Enterprise. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or under a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not, of itself, create a presumption that such Person’s conduct was finally adjudged to have been knowingly fraudulent, deliberately dishonest or willful misconduct. The foregoing right to indemnification will apply to all Persons serving as Directors or officers and to all Persons who serve as a representatives of the Company at any time or who serve at any time at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise. Nothing herein prevents one or more of the Members or AHGP from indemnifying their respective representatives or directors or officers under such Member’s or AHGP’s organizational documents or other agreements. If any Person is entitled to indemnification both from the Company, from a Member or from AHGP, then indemnification would come first from AHGP, then the Company and thereafter from the Member.

7.4 Enforcement of Indemnification . If the Company refuses to indemnify any Person who may be entitled to be indemnified or to have expenses advanced under this Article VII, such Person may maintain an action in any court of competent jurisdiction against the Company to

 

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determine whether or not such Person is entitled to such indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder. If such court action is successful and the Person is determined to be entitled to such indemnification or advancement of expenses, such Person will be reimbursed by the Company for all fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any such action (including the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such action).

7.5 Advancement of Expenses . Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred in defending an action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate, will be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Person to repay such amount if it is ultimately be determined that such Person is not entitled to indemnification by the Company. No advance will be made in instances where the Board of Directors acting on the advice of the Company’s General Counsel or independent legal counsel, or alternatively, independent legal counsel, for the Company reasonably determines in good faith that such Person would not be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

7.6 Non-Exclusivity . The indemnification and the advancement of expenses provided by this Article VII is not exclusive of any other rights to which those Persons seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any statute, or any agreement, vote of the Board of Directors, policy of insurance or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding their respective offices, and will not limit in any way any right that the Company may have to make additional indemnifications with respect to the same or different Persons or classes of Persons. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VII will continue as to a Person who has ceased to be a Member, Director, officer or representative of the Company or AHGP, and as to a Person who has ceased serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise and will inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such Person.

7.7 Insurance . The Board of Directors may cause the Company to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was a Member, Director, officer, agent, employee or representative of the Company or AHGP, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise, against any liability asserted against such Person and incurred by such Person in any such capacity, or arising out of such Person’s status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power, or the obligation, to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VII.

7.8 Amendment and Vesting of Rights . The rights granted or created hereby will be vested in each Person entitled to indemnification hereunder as a bargained-for, contractual condition of such Person’s being or serving or having served as a Director, officer or representative of the Company or serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise and, while this Article VII may be amended or repealed, no such amendment or repeal will release, terminate or adversely affect the rights of such Person under this Article VII with respect to any (a) act taken or the failure to take

 

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any act by such Person prior to such amendment or repeal or (b) action, suit or proceeding concerning such act or failure to act filed after such amendment or repeal.

7.9 Definitions . For purposes of this Article VII, references to:

(a) The “ Company ” includes, in addition to the resulting or surviving limited liability company, any constituent limited liability company (or other entity) (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger so that any Person who is or was a member, manager, director or officer of such constituent limited liability company (or other entity), or is or was serving at the request of such constituent limited liability company (or other entity) as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise will stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VII with respect to the resulting or surviving limited liability company (or other entity) as such Person would if such Person had served the resulting or surviving limited liability company (or other entity) in the same capacity;

(b) “ Other Enterprises ” or “ Other Enterprise ” includes any other limited liability company, limited partnership, partnership, corporation, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity, in which a Person is serving at the request of the Company;

(c) “ ERISA excise taxes ” include any excise taxes assessed against a Person with respect to an employee benefit plan;

(d) “ defense ” includes investigations of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding as well as appeals thereof and also includes any defensive assertion of a cross-claim or counterclaim;

(e) “ serving at the request of the Company ” includes any service as a director, officer, representative, agent or in any other comparable position that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a Person with respect to any Other Enterprise; and a Person who acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the interest of any Other Enterprise will be deemed to have acted “in the best interest of the Company” as referred to in this Article VII; and

(f) “ officer ” includes an “ authorized person ” who is authorized to act on behalf of the Company pursuant to the terms hereof, whether or not such Person has been designated an officer of the Company.

7.10 Severability . If any provision of this Article VII or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, the remaining provisions of this Article VII and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances will not be affected thereby and, to the fullest extent possible, the court finding such provision invalid, illegal or unenforceable must modify and construe the provision so as to render it valid and enforceable as against all Persons and to give the maximum possible protection to Persons subject to indemnification hereby within the bounds of validity, legality and enforceability. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if any Member, Director, officer or representative of the Company or any Person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise, is entitled under any provision of this Article VII to indemnification by the Company

 

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for some or a portion of the judgments, amounts paid in settlement, attorneys’ fees, penalties, ERISA excise taxes, fines or other expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any such Person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (including the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such action, suit or proceeding), whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate, but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the Company will nevertheless indemnify such Person for the portion thereof to which such Person is entitled.

ARTICLE VIII

TAXES, BOOKS AND BANK ACCOUNTS

8.1 Tax Returns . The Company shall prepare and timely file (on behalf of the Company) all state and local tax returns required to be filed by the Company. The Member shall bear the costs of the preparation and filing of its returns.

8.2 Tax Characterization . The Company and the Member acknowledge that for United States federal income tax purposes the Company will be disregarded as an entity separate from the Member pursuant to Treasury Regulation §301.7701-3 as long as all the Membership Interests of the Company are owned by the Member.

8.3 Maintenance of Books . The Board shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Company or at such other location the Board deems appropriate complete and accurate books and records of the Company, supporting documentation of the transactions with respect to the conduct of the Company’s business and minutes of the proceedings of its Board and Members, and any other books and records that are required to be maintained by Applicable Law.

8.4 Bank Accounts . Funds of the Company shall be deposited in such banks or other depositories as shall be designated from time to time by the Board or Member. All withdrawals from any such depository shall be made only as authorized by the Board or Member and shall be made only by check, wire transfer, debit memorandum or other written instruction.

ARTICLE IX

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

9.1 Events Causing Dissolution .

(a) The Company shall dissolve and its affairs shall be wound up on the first to occur of the following events:

(i) The affirmative vote of a Super Majority in Interest to dissolve;

(ii) The Transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the receipt and distribution of all the proceeds therefrom; or

(iii) entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Act.

 

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(b) No other event shall cause a dissolution of the Company.

9.2 Effect of Dissolution . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, upon the dissolution of the Company, the Board of Directors will take such actions as may be required pursuant to the Act and will proceed to wind up, liquidate and terminate the business and affairs of the Company. In connection with such winding up, the Board of Directors will have the authority to liquidate and reduce to cash (to the extent necessary or appropriate) the assets of the Company as promptly as is consistent with obtaining Fair Value therefor, to apply and distribute the proceeds of such liquidation and any remaining assets in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.3, and to do any and all acts and things authorized by, and in accordance with, the Act and other Applicable Laws for the purpose of winding up and liquidating.

9.3 Application of Proceeds . Upon dissolution and liquidation of the Company, the assets of the Company will be applied and distributed in the order of priority set forth in Section 4.2.

9.4 Certificate of Cancellation . On completion of the distribution of Company assets as provided herein, a Member (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to Section 2.10, and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Company. Upon the filing of such certificate of cancellation, the existence of the Company shall terminate (and the Term shall end), except as may be otherwise provided by the Act or by Applicable Law.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Title to the Property . Title to the Property will be held in the name of the Company. No Member will individually have any ownership interest or rights in the Property, except indirectly by virtue of such Member’s ownership of a Membership Interest. The Members agree that the Property is not and will not be suitable for partition. Accordingly, each of the Members hereby irrevocably waives any and all right such Member may have to maintain any action for partition of any of the Property. No Member will have any right to seek or obtain a partition of the Property, nor will any Member have the right to any specific assets of the Company upon the liquidation of or any Distribution from the Company.

10.2 Nature of Interest in the Company . A Member’s Membership Interest shall be personal property for all purposes.

10.3 Organizational Expenses . Each Member will pay such Member’s own expenses incurred in connection with the creation and formation of the Company and review and negotiation of this Agreement.

10.4 Notices . Any notice, demand, request or other communication (each a “ Notice ”) required or permitted to be given by this Agreement or the Act to the Company, any Member, any Director, any officer or any other Person must be (i) hand delivered, (ii) mailed by registered or certified mail, (iii) sent via overnight delivery service, or (iv) sent via electronic transmission, in each case to the Company at its principal office or to a Member, Director, officer or any other

 

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Person at the address of such Member or such other Person as it appears on the records of the Company. All Notices that are hand delivered are deemed to be given upon delivery. All Notices that are mailed are deemed to be given on the third day after having been deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid. All Notices that are sent via overnight deliver service are deemed to be given on the next day after having been deposited with such delivery service, postage or freight prepaid. All Notices that are sent via electronic transmission are deemed to be given on the day on which they were transmitted. The term “ electronic transmission ” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such recipient through an automated process.

10.5 Waiver of Default . No consent or waiver, express or implied, by the Company or a Member with respect to any breach or default by another Member hereunder will be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver with respect to any other breach or default by such Member of the same provision or any other provision of this Agreement. Failure on the part of the Company or a Member to complain of any act or failure to act of another Member or to declare such other Member in default will not be deemed or constitute a waiver by the Company or the Member of any rights hereunder.

10.6 No Third Party Rights . None of the provisions contained in this Agreement are for the benefit of or enforceable by any third parties, including creditors of the Company; provided , however , the Company may enforce any rights granted to the Company under the Act, the Certificate or this Agreement.

10.7 Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto and thereto and supersedes all prior writings or agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof.

10.8 Amendment .

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not be altered, modified or changed except by an amendment approved by a Super Majority in Interest; provided, however, that no modification of the terms of this Agreement that (i) increases or extends any financial obligation or liability of a Member, (ii) alters the method of division of profits and losses or a method of Distributions made to a Member, (iii) adversely affects a Member’s ability to designate Directors or (iv) otherwise adversely affects the obligations or rights of a Member (as a Member under this Agreement) in a manner different than a Majority in Interest shall be effective without the prior written consent of such Member; provided , further , that no amendment of Section 5.2(d)(iii) or this Section 10.8 that adversely affects the obligations or rights of a Member shall be effective as to any Member without the prior written consent of that Member.

(b) In addition to any amendments otherwise authorized herein, the Board may make any amendments to any of the Schedules to this Agreement from time to time to reflect transfers of Membership Interests and issuances of additional Membership Interests. Copies of such amendments shall be delivered to the Members upon execution thereof.

 

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(c) The Board shall cause to be prepared and filed any amendment to the Certificate that may be required to be filed under the Act as a consequence of any amendment to this Agreement.

(d) Any modification or amendment to this Agreement or the Certificate made in accordance with this Section 10.8 shall be binding on all Members and the Board.

10.9 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected thereby and will remain in full force and effect and will be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

10.10 Binding Agreement . Subject to the restrictions on the Disposition of Membership Interests herein contained, the provisions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

10.11 Headings . The headings of the articles and sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and may not be considered in construing or interpreting any of the terms or provisions hereof.

10.12 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one agreement that is binding upon all of the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all parties are not signatories to the same counterpart.

10.13 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws, with all rights and remedies being governed by said laws.

10.14 Remedies . In the event of a default by any party in the performance of any obligation undertaken in this Agreement, in addition to any other remedy available to the non-defaulting parties, the defaulting party will pay to each of the non-defaulting parties all costs, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the non-defaulting parties as a result of such default. If any dispute arises with respect to the enforcement, interpretation or application of this Agreement and court proceedings are instituted to resolve such dispute, the prevailing party in such court proceedings will be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing party all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the prevailing party in such court proceedings.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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The parties hereto have executed this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement on the date set forth in the introductory paragraph.

 

MEMBER:
C-Holdings, LLC
By:  

/s/ Joseph W. Craft III

 

Name:

 

Joseph W. Craft III

 

Title:

 

Sole Member

Signature Page to Amended and Restated

Limited Liability Company Agreement of Alliance GP, LLC


SCHEDULE A

Initial Schedule of Capital Contributions, Membership Interest

and Percentage Interest

 

Name and Address of Member

   Capital
Contribution
   Membership
Interest
    Percentage
Interest
 

Joseph W. Craft III

   $ 1,000.00    100 %   100 %

Totals:

   $ 1,000.00    100 %   100 %

 

A-1


SCHEDULE B

Initial Slate of Officers

 

Name

  

Title

Joseph W. Craft III

   Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President

Thomas L. Pearson

   Senior Vice President – Law and Administration, General Counsel and Secretary

Brian L. Cantrell

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

B-1

Exhibit 10.1

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. Purpose of the Plan .

The Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted by Alliance GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), the general partner of Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”). The Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Partnership and the Company by providing to Employees, Consultants and Directors incentive compensation awards based on Units to encourage superior performance. The Plan is also contemplated to enhance the ability of the Company and its Affiliates to attract and retain the services of individuals who are essential for the growth and profitability of the Company, the Partnership and their Affiliates and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to advancing the business of the Company, the Partnership and their Affiliates.

SECTION 2. Definitions .

As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“Award” means a Restricted Unit or Phantom Unit, and includes any tandem DERs granted with respect to a Phantom Unit.

“Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement by which an Award shall be evidenced.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Cause” means: (i) fraud or embezzlement on the part of the Participant; (ii) conviction of or the entry of a plea of nolo contendere by the Participant to any felony; (iii) gross insubordination or a material breach of, or the willful failure or refusal by the Participant to perform and discharge his duties, responsibilities or obligations (other than by reason of disability or death) that is not corrected within thirty (30) days following written notice thereof to the Participant, such notice to state with specificity the nature of the breach, failure or refusal; or (iv) any act of willful misconduct by the Participant which (A) is intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of the Participant at the expense of the Partnership, the Company or any of their affiliates or (B) has a material adverse impact on the business or reputation of the Partnership, the Company or any of their affiliates (such determination to be made by the Partnership, the Company or any of their affiliates in the good faith exercise of their reasonable judgment).


[“Change in Control” means, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon, the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Partnership or Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (“ARP”) to any Person and/or its Affiliates, other than to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, or (ii) a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than [Joseph Craft and his Affiliates], becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding equity interests in the general partner of the Partnership or the general partner of ARP.]

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, “Change in Control” shall mean a “change of control event” as defined in the regulations and guidance issued under Section 409A.

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee as may be appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.

“Consultant” means an individual who renders consulting services to the Company, the Partnership or an Affiliate of either.

“DER” means a contingent right, granted in tandem with a specific Phantom Unit, to receive with respect to each Unit subject to the Award an amount in cash equal to the cash distributions made by the Partnership with respect to a Unit during the period such Award is outstanding.

“Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee or a Consultant (other than in that individual’s capacity as a Director).

“Employee” means an employee of the Company, the Partnership or an Affiliate of either.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Fair Market Value” means the closing sales price of a Unit on the principal national securities exchange or other market in which trading in Units occurs on the applicable date (or, if there is no trading in the Units on such date, on the next preceding date on which there was trading) as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or other reporting service approved by the Committee). If Units are not traded on a national securities exchange or other market at the time a determination of fair market value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of fair market value shall be made in good faith by the Committee.

“Participant” means an Employee, Consultant or Director granted an Award under the Plan.

“Partnership Agreement” means the Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, as it may be amended or amended and restated from time to time.

 

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“Person” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, governmental agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

“Phantom Unit” means a notional unit granted under the Plan that upon vesting entitles the Participant to receive a Unit or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

“Restricted Period” means the period established by the Committee with respect to an Award during which the Award remains subject to forfeiture.

“Restricted Unit” means a Unit granted under the Plan that is subject to a Restricted Period.

“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.

“UDR” means a distribution made by the Partnership with respect to a Restricted Unit.

“Unit” means a Common Unit of the Partnership.

SECTION 3. Administration .

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of the members of the Committee who are present at any meeting thereof at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved by the members of the Committee in writing, shall be the acts of the Committee. Subject to the following and applicable law, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the Plan, including the power to grant Awards under the Plan, to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, subject to such limitations on such delegated powers and duties as the Committee may impose. Upon any such delegation all references in the Plan to the “Committee”, other than in Section 7, shall be deemed to include the Chief Executive Officer; provided, however, that such delegation shall not limit the Chief Executive Officer’s right to receive Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer may not grant Awards to, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to, a person who is an officer subject to Rule 16b-3 or a Director. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of Units to be covered by Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, or forfeited; (vi) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award made under the Plan; (vii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (viii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

 

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The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or an Award Agreement in such manner and to such extent as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, the General Partner, the Partnership, any Affiliate, any Participant, and any beneficiary of any Award.

SECTION 4. Units .

(a) Limits on Units Deliverable . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), the number of Units that may be delivered with respect to Awards under the Plan is 5,215,000. Units withheld from an Award to satisfy the Company’s or an Affiliate’s tax withholding obligations with respect to the Award shall not be considered to be Units delivered under the Plan for this purpose. If any Award is forfeited, cancelled, exercised, paid, or otherwise terminates or expires without the actual delivery of Units pursuant to such Award (the grant of Restricted Units is not the delivery of Units for this purpose), the Units subject to such Award shall again be available for Awards under the Plan. There shall not be any limitation on the number of Awards that may be paid in cash.

(b) Sources of Units Deliverable Under Awards . Any Units delivered pursuant to an Award shall consist, in whole or in part, of Units acquired in the open market, from any Affiliate, the Partnership or any other Person, or any combination of the foregoing, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

(c) Adjustments . In the event of any distribution (whether in the form of Units, other securities or property other than cash), recapitalization, split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Units or other securities of the Partnership, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Units or other securities of the Partnership, or other similar transaction or event, the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted (solely for the purpose of equating, to the extent reasonably possible, the Units subject to awards with those otherwise outstanding) and the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, provided, that the number of Units subject to any Award shall always be a whole number (rounded up when necessary).

SECTION 5. Eligibility .

Any Employee, Consultant or Director shall be eligible to be designated a Participant by the Committee and receive an Award under the Plan.

SECTION 6. Awards .

(a) Restricted Units and Phantom Units . The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Restricted Units and/or Phantom Units shall be granted, the number of Restricted Units or Phantom Units to be granted to each such Participant, the Restricted Period, the conditions under which the Restricted Units or

 

-4-


Phantom Units may become vested or forfeited and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may establish with respect to such Awards.

(i) DERs . To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of Phantom Units may include a tandem DER grant, which may provide that such DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the Committee) and be subject to the same vesting restrictions as the tandem Phantom Unit Award, or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion. Absent a contrary provision in the grant agreement, DERs shall be paid promptly to the Participant without vesting restrictions.

(ii) UDRs . To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of Restricted Units may provide that the distributions made by the Partnership with respect to the Restricted Units shall be subject to the same forfeiture and other restrictions as the Restricted Unit and, if restricted, such distributions shall be held, without interest, until the Restricted Unit vests or is forfeited with the UDR being paid or forfeited at the same time, as the case may be. Absent such a restriction on the UDRs in the grant agreement, UDRs shall be paid promptly to the holder of the Restricted Unit without vesting restrictions.

(iii) Forfeitures . Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Restricted Units or Phantom Units grant agreement, upon termination of a Participant’s employment with or consulting services to the Company and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding, unvested Restricted Units and Phantom Units awarded the Participant shall be automatically forfeited on such termination. The Committee may, in its discretion, waive in whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a Participant’s Restricted Units and/or Phantom Units.

(iv) Lapse of Restrictions .

(A) Phantom Units . Upon or as soon as reasonably practical following the vesting of each Phantom Unit, subject to the provisions of Section 8(b), the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company one Unit or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

(B) Restricted Units . Upon or as soon as reasonably practical following the vesting of each Restricted Unit, subject to satisfying the tax withholding obligations of Section 8(b), the Participant shall be entitled to have the restrictions removed from his or her Unit certificate so that the Participant then holds an unrestricted Unit.

(b) General .

(i) Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together . Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or

 

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in substitution for any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.

(ii) Limits on Transfer of Awards .

(A) Except as provided in Paragraph (B) below, no Award and no right under any such Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company, the Partnership or any Affiliate.

(B) To the extent specifically provided by the Committee with respect to an Award, an Award may be transferred by a Participant without consideration to immediate family members or related family trusts, limited partnerships or similar entities or on such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time establish.

(iii) Term of Awards . The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee.

(iv) Unit Certificates . All certificates for Units or other securities of the Partnership delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which such Units or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be inscribed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

(v) Consideration for Grants . Awards may be granted for such consideration, including services, as the Committee shall determine.

(vi) Delivery of Units or other Securities and Payment by Participant of Consideration . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any grant agreement to the contrary, delivery of Units pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an Award may be deferred for any period during which, in the good faith determination of the Committee, the Company is not reasonably able to obtain Units to deliver pursuant to such Award without violating applicable law or the applicable rules or regulations of any governmental agency or authority or securities exchange. No Units or other securities shall be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award grant agreement (including, without limitation, any exercise price or tax withholding) is received by the Company.

SECTION 7. Amendment and Termination .

Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law:

(a) Amendments to the Plan . Except as required by the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are traded and subject to Section 7(b) below, the Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan in any manner, including increasing the number of Units available for Awards under the Plan, without the consent of any partner, Participant, other holder or beneficiary of an Award, or any other Person.

 

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(b) Amendments to Awards . Subject to Section 7(a), the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter any Award theretofore granted, provided no change, other than pursuant to Section 7(c), in any Award shall materially reduce the benefit to a Participant without the consent of such Participant.

(c) Actions Upon the Occurrence of Certain Events . Upon the occurrence of any event described in Section 4(c) of the Plan, any change in applicable law or regulation affecting the Plan or Awards thereunder, or any change in accounting principles affecting the financial statements of the Partnership, the Committee, in its sole discretion, without the consent of any Participant or holder of the Award, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, may take any one or more of the following actions in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or an outstanding Award:

(A) provide for either (i) the termination of any Award in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of such transaction or event the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment) or (ii) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion;

(B) provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or be exchanged for similar awards covering the equity of the successor or survivor, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of equity interests and prices;

(C) make adjustments in the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding Awards or in the terms and conditions of (including the exercise price), and the vesting and performance criteria included in, outstanding Awards, or both;

(D) provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement; and

 

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(E) provide that the Award cannot be exercised or become payable after such event, i.e. , shall terminate upon such event.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless provided otherwise in a Participant’s Award Agreement, upon any event that constitutes a Change in Control (or such earlier time as the Committee may proscribe), all Awards shall automatically vest and become exercisable or payable, as the case may be, in full. In this regard, all Restricted Periods shall terminate and all performance criteria, if any, shall be deemed to have been achieved at the maximum level.

SECTION 8. General Provisions .

(a) No Rights to Award . No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

(b) Tax Withholding . Unless other arrangements have been made that are acceptable to the Company, the Company or any Affiliate is authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Units, Units that would otherwise be issued pursuant to such Award or other property) of any applicable taxes payable in respect of the grant of an Award, its exercise, the lapse of restrictions thereon, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy its withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes.

(c) No Right to Employment . The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate, continue consulting services or to remain on the Board, as applicable. Furthermore, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or consulting free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, any Award agreement or other agreement.

(d) Governing Law . The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

(e) Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Compensation Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable law or, if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(f) Other Laws . The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Units or other consideration under an Award if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Units or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation, the

 

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rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are then traded, or entitle the Partnership or an Affiliate to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.

(g) No Trust or Fund Created . Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any participating Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any participating Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or any participating Affiliate.

(h) No Fractional Units . No fractional Units shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Units or whether such fractional Units or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.

(i) Headings . Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

(j) Facility Payment . Any amounts payable hereunder to any person under legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to manage properly his financial affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such person, or may be applied for the benefit of such person in any manner that the Committee may select, and the Company shall be relieved of any further liability for payment of such amounts.

(k) Participation by Affiliates . In making Awards to Employees employed by an entity other than the Company, the Committee shall be acting on behalf of the Affiliate, and to the extent the Partnership has an obligation to reimburse the Company for compensation paid for services rendered for the benefit of the Partnership, such payments or reimbursement payments may be made by the Partnership directly to the Affiliate, and, if made to the Company, shall be received by the Company as agent for the Affiliate.

(l) Gender and Number . Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

(m) Compliance with Section 409A . Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall operate or be construed to cause the Plan or an Award to fail to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. The applicable provisions of Section 409A and the regulations thereunder are hereby incorporated by reference and shall control over any Plan or Award Agreement provision in conflict therewith.

SECTION 9. Term of the Plan .

The Plan shall be effective on the date of the initial public offering of Units and shall continue until the earlier of (i) the date terminated by the Board or (ii) all Units available under the Plan have been paid to Participants. However, any Award granted prior to such termination, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award, shall extend beyond such termination date.

 

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Exhibit 10.2

 


$5,000,000

REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

Between

Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.,

as Borrower

and

C-Holdings, LLC,

as Lender

 


Dated as of May 15, 2006

 


 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    

Page No.

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS; AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

   1

Section 1.1

   Definitions    1

Section 1.2

   Time Period Computations    3

ARTICLE II GENERAL PROVISIONS OF REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

   3

Section 2.1

   The Revolving Loans    3
   (a)    Revolving Loan Borrowings    3
   (b)    Recording of Loans    3
   (c)    Reduction in Revolving Loan Commitment    3

Section 2.2

   Revolving Loan Borrowing Procedures    3
   (a)    Notice of Revolving Borrowing    3
   (b)    Making of Revolving Loans    4
   (c)    Optional Termination or Reduction in Revolving Loan Commitment   

ARTICLE III INTEREST, FEES AND REPAYMENT

   4

Section 3.1

   Interest Rate on the Revolving Loans    4

Section 3.2

   Interest after Due Date    4

Section 3.3

   Payment and Computations    4
   (a)    Payments    4
   (b)    Computations of Interest    4
   (c)    Interest Payment Date    5

Section 3.4

   Payment at Termination Date    5

Section 3.5

   Optional Prepayments of Revolving Loans    5

Section 3.6

   Commitment Fee    5

ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO REVOLVING LOANS

   5

Section 4.1

   Conditions Precedent to Revolving Loans    5
   (i)    No Event of Default    5
   (ii)    Total Outstanding Revolving Loans    5
   (iii)    Borrowing Notice Certificate    5

ARTICLE V COVENANTS

   6

Section 5.1

   Proceeds    6

Section 5.2

   Seniority    6

ARTICLE VI EVENTS OF DEFAULT

   6

Section 6.1

   Events of Default    6

 

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ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS

   8

Section 7.1

   Amendments and Waivers; Cumulative Remedies    8

Section 7.2

   Notices    8

Section 7.3

   Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver    8

Section 7.4

   Successors and Assigns.    9
   (a)    Successors and Assigns    9
   (b)    Assignments    9

Section 7.5

   Affirmative Rate of Interest Permitted by Law    9

Section 7.6

   Costs and Expenses    9

Section 7.7

   Indemnification    9

Section 7.8

   Exculpation    10

Section 7.9

   Integration    10

Section 7.10

   Severability    10

Section 7.11

   Counterparts    10

Section 7.12

   Headings, Bold Type and Table of Contents    10

 

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REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

This REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 15, 2006 (the “ Agreement ”), is between ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), and C-HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Lender ”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to obtain a revolving credit facility from the Lender in an amount of up to $5,000,000, and the Lender desires to make available to the Borrower such revolving credit facility, in each case upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Borrower and the Lender hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS; AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

Section 1.1 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, and unless the context requires a different meaning, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated (such meanings to be, when appropriate, equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereof.

Bankruptcy Code ” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar or successor federal law for the relief of debtors, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Borrower ” has the meaning specified in the preamble of this Agreement.

Borrowing Notice ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a) hereof.

Business Day ” means any day on which commercial banks are open for business (and not required or authorized by law to close) in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Commitment Fee ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.6 hereof.

Default Rate ” means the rate of interest applicable from time to time as specified under Section 3.3 hereof.

Dollars ”, “U.S.$” and the sign “$” mean such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall constitute legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.


Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.1 hereof.

Funding Date ” shall mean the date on which any loan shall be made by a Lender to the Borrower hereunder.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.7 hereof.

Interest Rate ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1 hereof.

Lender ” has the meaning specified in the preamble of this Agreement.

LIBOR ” means, with respect to any calendar month while this Agreement remains in effect or any Obligations owing hereunder shall remain unpaid, the London interbank offered rate for Dollar deposits for a 30-day interest period as quoted on the first Business Day of such calendar month in the Wall Street Journal or, if not quoted therein on such date, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal on the immediately preceding Business Day; provided , however , that if LIBOR cannot be determined by reference to the Wall Street Journal , then LIBOR shall be determined by reference to another publicly available source or service (such as Bloomberg), as reasonably selected by the Lender, that displays LIBOR rates for comparable periods as of comparable dates. The LIBOR rate determined pursuant to this definition for any calendar month shall remain in effect for such calendar month from the first day of such calendar month to the last day of such calendar month.

Material Adverse Change ” shall mean any material adverse change in the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Borrower and any subsidiary thereof, taken as a whole.

Obligations ” shall mean all now existing or hereafter arising indebtedness, obligations, liabilities and covenants of the Borrower to the Lender arising under or in connection with or evidenced by this Agreement whether now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due, including, without limitation, all unpaid principal of and interest on, and all fees owing in respect of, the Revolving Loans.

Potential Event of Default ” means an event, condition or circumstance which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Revolving Loan(s) ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a) hereof.

Revolving Loan Commitment ” shall mean the commitment of the Lender to make Revolving Loans in an aggregate amount of up to Five Million and no/100 Dollars ($5,000,000), as such amount may be reduced from time to time in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1(c) hereof or pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof.

Termination Date ” shall mean the earlier of ( x ) March 31, 2007 and ( y ) the date that is 30 calendar days following the date on which the Lender shall have given written notice to the Borrower to the effect that, on (but not before) such 30th day (or such later

 

2


date which shall be not more than 90 calendar days from the date of the giving of such notice), the Lender shall cease to be the legal and beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of at least 50.1% of the outstanding equity voting interests of the sole or managing general partner of the Borrower.

Section 1.2 Time Period Computations . In the computation of a period of time specified in this Agreement from a specified date to a subsequent date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” mean “to but excluding”.

ARTICLE II

GENERAL PROVISIONS OF REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

Section 2.1 The Revolving Loans .

(a) Revolving Loan Borrowings . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lender agrees to make revolving loans (each, a “ Revolving Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Revolving Loans ”) to the Borrower from time to time on and after the date hereof until one Business Day prior to the Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time of up to, but not in excess of, the Revolving Loan Commitment. Within the limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow up to the Revolving Loan Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.1 and Section 2.2 hereof, may prepay pursuant to Section 3.5 hereof, and reborrow under this Section 2.1 hereof.

(b) Recording of Loans . The Lender is hereby authorized to record in its books and records, among other things, the amount and Funding Date of each Revolving Loan made by the Lender and the amount and date of each payment or prepayment of any Revolving Loan. No failure to so record nor any error in so recording shall affect the obligations of the Borrower to repay the actual outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans, with interest thereon, as provided in this Agreement.

(c) Optional Termination or Reduction in Revolving Loan Commitment . The Borrower shall have the right, upon not less than 3 Business Days’ notice to the Lender, to terminate the unused part of the Revolving Loan Commitment; provided that no such termination or reduction shall be permitted to the extent that after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of Revolving Loans made on the effective date thereof, the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans then outstanding would exceed the Revolving Loan Commitment then in effect. Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof, and shall reduce permanently the Revolving Loan Commitment then in effect.

Section 2.2 Revolving Loan Borrowing Procedures .

(a) Notice of Revolving Borrowing . Whenever the Borrower desires to borrow Revolving Loans under Section 2.1 hereof, the Borrower shall deliver to the Lender written notice (each such notice, a “ Borrowing Notice ”) no later than 5:00 p.m. (Central time) on the Business Day prior to the Funding Date of such Revolving Loan (or, in the sole discretion of the Lender, no later than 11:00 a.m. (Central time) on the Funding Date). The Borrowing Notice

 

3


shall specify ( i ) that the Borrower wishes to effect one or more Revolving Loans, ( ii ) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loan thereby requested (which shall not be less than $50,000.00 and shall be in multiples of $10,000, ( iii ) the requested Funding Date of such Revolving Loan, which date shall be a Business Day, and ( iv ) the total aggregate amount of the undrawn Revolving Loan Commitment then available. In lieu of delivering the above-described Borrowing Notice, the Borrower may give the Lender telephonic notice of any such proposed borrowing by the time period, as applicable, required under this Section 2.2(a); provided that such notice shall be confirmed in writing by delivery to the Lender promptly (but in no event later than 1:00 p.m. (Central time) on the Funding Date of the requested Revolving Loan) of a Borrowing Notice.

(b) Making of Revolving Loans . After receipt of a Borrowing Notice under clause (a) of this Section 2.2 (or telephonic notice, as the case may be), the Lender shall, subject to the provisions of Section 4.1 hereof, make the amount of the requested Revolving Loan available to the Borrower in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 3:00 P.M. (Central time) on the Funding Date applicable to the Revolving Loan specified in the Borrowing Notice.

ARTICLE III

INTEREST, FEES AND REPAYMENT

Section 3.1 Interest Rate on the Revolving Loans . The aggregate amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding from time to time shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus two (2.0%) (the “ Interest Rate ”).

Section 3.2 Interest after Due Date . In the event the Borrower fails to make any payment of the principal amount of or interest on any of the Revolving Loans or any other amount owing hereunder, in each case when due (whether by demand, acceleration or otherwise), the Borrower shall pay to the Lender interest on such unpaid amount, payable from time to time on demand, from the date such amount shall have become due to the date of payment thereof, accruing on a daily basis, at a per annum rate (the “ Default Rate ”) equal to the sum of ( x ) the Interest Rate plus ( y ) two percent (2%).

Section 3.3 Payment and Computations .

(a) Payments . All payments required or permitted to be made to the Lender under this Agreement shall be made in Dollars in immediately available funds to the Lender’s account, as designated, for credit to such account of the Lender as shall be specified from time to time by written notice to the Borrower, reference: AHGP Revolving Credit Agreement Payment.

(b) Computations of Interest . Interest on the unpaid portion of the Revolving Loans, and interest accruing at the Default Rate on any amount owing hereunder, shall each be calculated for the actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day) elapsed and shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days.

 

4


(c) Interest Payment Date . Interest on the Revolving Loans shall be payable quarterly in arrears commencing May 20, 2006 and on the 20 th day of each February, May, August and November thereafter up to the Termination Date, and on the Termination Date.

Section 3.4 Payment at Termination Date . Any outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans theretofore not repaid, together with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon and any other amounts due and payable hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof (including the accrued Commitment Fee), shall be due and payable in full on the Termination Date (unless sooner accelerated pursuant to the terms hereof), and this Agreement shall not terminate until all Obligations shall have been paid in full.

Section 3.5 Optional Prepayments of Revolving Loans . The Borrower may, at its sole option, prepay on any Business Day the principal amount of the Revolving Loans in whole or in part (in an amount of $10,000.00 or more and in multiples of $1,000.00) at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty by giving notice to Lender not later than 12:00 p.m. (Central time) on the Business Day of such prepayment.

Section 3.6 Commitment Fee . The Borrower shall pay to the Lender a commitment fee (the “ Commitment Fee ”), from the date hereof until the Termination Date, at a percentage per annum equal to 0.30% on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment ( i.e. , the Revolving Loan Commitment minus the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans). The Commitment Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, commencing with the calendar quarter ending June 30, 2006, and on the Termination Date, and shall be calculated for the actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day) elapsed and shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO REVOLVING LOANS

Section 4.1 Conditions Precedent to Revolving Loans . The obligation of the Lender to make any Revolving Loan shall be subject to the fulfillment to the satisfaction of the Lender of the conditions precedent that, on the Funding Date for such Revolving Loan:

(i) No Event of Default . No event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from such Revolving Loan after giving effect to the application of the proceeds therefrom, which constitutes an Event of Default or would constitute a Potential Event of Default;

(ii) Total Outstanding Revolving Loans . After giving effect to the making of such Revolving Loan on the Funding Date thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans then outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Loan Commitment; and

(iii) Borrowing Notice Certificate . The Lender shall have received from the Borrower a Borrowing Notice, together with a certificate of an authorized officer of the Borrower (or its sole or managing general partner), dated the date of the

 

5


Borrowing Notice, certifying that the matters contained in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.1 are true and correct and further setting forth the uses for the proceeds of such Revolving Loan and that such uses comply with the provisions of Section 5.1 hereof.

(iv) No Material Adverse Change . Before giving effect to such Revolving Loan, there shall have occurred no Material Adverse Change since the date of the Borrower’s initial public offering.

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS

The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect or any Obligation shall remain unpaid:

Section 5.1 Proceeds . The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Revolving Loans solely for the general partnership purposes of the Borrower.

Section 5.2 Seniority . Under applicable laws in force from time to time, the claims and rights of the Lender against the Borrower under this Agreement will not be subordinate to, and will rank pari passu with, the claims and rights of each other creditor of the Borrower.

ARTICLE VI

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Section 6.1 Events of Default . If one or more of the following events or conditions (each, an “ Event of Default ”) shall occur and be continuing:

(a) the Borrower defaults in the payment of principal in respect of any Revolving Loan when due; or

(b) the Borrower defaults in the payment of interest on any Revolving Loan, or the payment of any Commitment Fee or any other amount owing hereunder, after the same becomes due and payable for more than five (5) Business Days after notice thereof has been given by the Lender to the Borrower (which notice may be telephonic); or

(c) the Borrower shall default in the performance or observance of any other covenant, condition or provision hereof (other than as to the matters covered by clauses (a) and (b) hereof) and such default shall not be remedied within seven (5) calendar days, in the case of a default of Section 5.2 hereof, or thirty (30) calendar days, in the case of any such other provision hereof, after written notice thereof is received by the Borrower from the Lender; or

(d) a proceeding (other than a proceeding commenced by the Borrower) shall have been instituted in a court having jurisdiction in the premises seeking a decree or order for relief in respect of the Borrower (or any subsidiary thereof) in an involuntary case under any

 

6


applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Borrower or such subsidiary or for any substantial part of the Borrower’s or such subsidiary’s total assets, or for the winding-up or liquidation of the Borrower’s or such subsidiary’s affairs and such proceedings shall remain undismissed or unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive calendar days or such court shall enter a decree or order granting the relief sought in such proceeding; or

(e) the Borrower (or any subsidiary thereof) shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Borrower or such subsidiary or for any substantial part of the Borrower’s or such subsidiary’s total assets, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally or be unable (or shall admit in writing its inability) to pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

(f) any judgments or orders, either individually or in the aggregate, for the payment of money in excess of $5,000,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower (or any subsidiary thereof) and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; provided , however , that any such judgment or order shall not be an Event of Default under this Section 6.1(f) if and for so long as (i) the amount of such judgment or order is covered by a valid and binding policy of insurance between the defendant and the insurer covering payment thereof and (ii) such insurer, which shall be rated at least “A” by A.M. Best Company at the time such insurance policy is issued to the Borrower or subsidiary, such subsidiary, has been notified of, and has not disputed the claim made for payment of, the amount of such judgment or order; or

(g) the Lender determines in good faith that a Material Adverse Change has occurred since the date of the Borrower’s initial public offering;

then, and upon any such event, the Lender may ( 1 ) upon notice to the Borrower, declare the entire outstanding principal amount, if any, of the Revolving Loans any and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and any and all other amounts (including the Commitment Fee) payable by the Borrower to the Lender under this Agreement to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the entire outstanding principal amount, if any, of the Revolving Loans, together with any and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and any and all other such amounts (including the Commitment Fee), shall become and be forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; provided , however , that in the event of the entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code, any principal amount of the Revolving Loans then outstanding, together with any and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and any and all such other amounts (including the Commitment Fee) shall thereupon automatically become and be due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are

 

7


hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, and the Revolving Loan Commitment shall be automatically terminated; ( 2 ) terminate or reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment; and ( 3 ) exercise any rights and remedies available to it under this Agreement or under applicable laws.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1 Amendments and Waivers; Cumulative Remedies . No delay or failure of the Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall affect such right, power or privilege; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or privilege preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the Lender are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which it would otherwise have. Neither this Agreement nor any term or provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally but only by an instrument in writing executed by the party against whom such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character (whether involving a breach, default, provision, condition or term hereof or otherwise) on the part of the Lender or of the Borrower under this Agreement shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given and only to the extent set forth specifically in writing. No notice or demand given hereunder shall entitle the recipient thereof to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

Section 7.2 Notices . Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder to be in writing may be given by telecopy, email or other customary means of electronic communication or by any other customary means of mail delivery, including hand delivery, and shall be addressed as follows:

to the Borrower, to it at:

Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.

1717 South Boulder Avenue

Tulsa, OK 74119-4886

Attention: Brian L. Cantrell

to the Lender, to it at:

C-Holdings, LLC

1717 South Boulder Avenue

Tulsa, OK 74119-4886

Attention: Joseph W. Craft III

or such other address for notice as any party hereto may designate for itself in a notice to the other party.

Section 7.3 Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF

 

8


OKLAHOMA AND, FOR ALL PURPOSES, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES. EACH OF THE BORROWER AND THE LENDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 7.4 Successors and Assigns .

(a) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective permitted successors and assigns of the parties hereto, provided that the Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its interest hereunder without the prior written consent of the Lender.

(b) Assignments . The Lender may assign any or all of its rights or interests under this Agreement without the consent of the Borrower.

Section 7.5 Affirmative Rate of Interest Permitted by Law . Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Borrower to pay interest to the Lender at a rate exceeding the maximum rate permitted by applicable law to be charged or received by the Lender, it being understood that this Section 7.5 is not intended to make the criminal laws of any jurisdiction applicable in circumstances in which they would not otherwise apply. If the rate of interest specified herein or with respect to any Revolving Loan or fee would otherwise exceed the maximum rate so permitted to be charged or received with respect to any amounts outstanding hereunder, the rate of interest required to be paid to the Lender shall be automatically reduced to such maximum rate.

Section 7.6 Costs and Expenses . The Borrower shall, on demand, pay to the Lender, and reimburse the Lender for, and defend and hold harmless the Lender from, and indemnify the Lender against, all out-of-pocket costs and expenses, if any (including without limitation, reasonable counsel and advisor fees and expenses), of the Lender in connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of or exercise of remedies under this Agreement and any other document or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and expenses in connection with the enforcement of rights under this Section 7.6.

Section 7.7 Indemnification . The Borrower shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Lender and its affiliates and each of their members (or shareholders or partners or equivalent owners), officers, directors, employees and agents (each, an “ Indemnitee ”) from and against, and shall, on demand, pay and reimburse each Indemnitee for, any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party) arising out of, relating to or in connection with any investigation, proceeding (legal, arbitral or otherwise) or litigation (i) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other document entered into in connection herewith,

 

9


commitment of the Lender to make Revolving Loans, the making of any Revolving Loan, the use of any proceeds of any Revolving Loan made hereunder or any other transaction contemplated hereby or related hereto, including all fees and expenses of counsel incurred in connection with enforcing the Lender’s rights under this Section 7.7. Each Indemnitee, whether or not a party hereto, is an intended third party beneficiary of this Section 7.7 entitled to the benefits of this Section 7.7, and shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of this Section 7.7 as against the Borrower as though it were a party hereto.

Section 7.8 Exculpation . The Borrower agrees not to assert any claim against the Lender or any other Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to this Agreement or any other document entered into in connection herewith (or the breach of any provision hereof or thereof), the commitment of the Lender hereunder to make Revolving Loans, the making of any Revolving Loan, the use of the proceeds of any Revolving Loan or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and the Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any and releases the Lender and each other Indemnitee from any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in favor of the Borrower. Each Indemnitee, whether or not a party hereto, is an intended third party beneficiary of this Section 7.8.

Section 7.9 Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Lender and the Borrower with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Lender relative to the subject matter hereof or thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein. This Agreement, and the obligation of the Lender to make Revolving Loans as provided herein, is solely for the benefit of the Borrower and no other person has any rights hereunder against the Lender or with respect to the commitment of the Lender to make Revolving Loans as contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 7.10 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any clause or provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such clause or provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability of such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any jurisdiction.

Section 7.11 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each complete set of which, when so executed and delivered by all parties, shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 7.12 Headings, Bold Type and Table of Contents . The section headings, subsection headings, and bold type used herein and the Table of Contents hereto have been inserted for convenience of reference only and do not constitute matters to be considered in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their officers thereunto duly authorized, have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

BORROWER
 

Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.

 

By:

 

Alliance GP, LLC, its general partner

   

By:

 

/s/ Thomas L. Pearson

     

Name: Thomas L. Pearson

     

Title: Senior Vice President

LENDER
 

C-Holdings, LLC

 

By:

 

/s/ Joseph W. Craft III

   

Name: Joseph W. Craft III

   

Title: President

 

11

Exhibit 10.3

 


OMNIBUS AGREEMENT

among

ALLIANCE RESOURCE HOLDINGS, INC.

ALLIANCE RESOURCE GP, LLC

ALLIANCE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GP, LLC

and

ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P.

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I

  

Definitions

   1

1.1

  

Definitions

   1

ARTICLE II

  

Business Opportunities

   3

2.1

  

Restricted Businesses

   3

2.2

  

Permitted Exceptions

   3

2.3

  

Procedures

   4

2.4

  

Termination

   6

2.5

  

Scope of Restricted Business Prohibition

   6

2.6

  

Enforcement

   6

ARTICLE III

  

Indemnification

   7

3.1

  

Indemnification of MGP by SGP

   7

3.2

  

Indemnification of Partnership Entities by ARH

   7

3.3

  

Indemnification Procedures

   7

ARTICLE IV

  

Assignment

   8

4.1

  

Assignment of Rights by Partnership Entities to ARH

   8

ARTICLE V

  

Miscellaneous

   9

5.1

  

Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction

   9

5.2

  

Notice

   9

5.3

  

Entire Agreement; Supersedure

   9

5.4

  

Effect of Waiver or Consent

   9

5.5

  

Amendment or Modification

   9

5.6

  

Assignment

   10

5.7

  

Counterparts

   10

5.8

  

Severability

   10

5.9

  

Gender, Parts, Articles and Sections

   10

5.10

  

Further Assurances

   10

5.11

  

Withholding or Granting of Consent

   10

5.12

  

Laws and Regulations

   10

5.13

  

Negotiation of Rights of Limited Partners, Assignees, and Third Parties

   10

 

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OMNIBUS AGREEMENT

THIS OMNIBUS AGREEMENT is entered into on, and effective as of, the Closing Date by and among Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “MLP”), Alliance Resource Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ARH”), Alliance Resource GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and special general partner of the MLP (the “SGP”), Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and managing general partner of the MLP (the “MGP”).

RECITAL:

ARH, the MLP, the SGP, in its capacity as the special general partner of the MLP and Alliance Resource Operating Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “OLP”), and the MGP, in its capacity as the managing general partner of the MLP and the OLP, desire by their execution of this Agreement to evidence their understanding, (i) as more fully set forth in Article II of this Agreement, with respect to (a) those business opportunities that ARH will not pursue unless the MLP has declined to engage in such business opportunity for its own account and (b) the procedures whereby such business opportunities are to be offered to the MLP and accepted or declined and (ii) as more fully set forth in Article III of this Agreement, with respect to (a) the indemnification obligations of the SGP in favor of the MGP relating to the indebtedness incurred by the SGP and assumed by the OLP on the Closing Date and (b) the indemnification obligations of ARH in favor of the Partnership Entities relating to any liabilities associated with Martiki Coal Corporation, MAPCO Coal International, Inc. and Cari International Mining, Inc.

In consideration of the premises and the covenants, conditions, and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

1.1 Definitions . (a) Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the MLP Agreement.

(b) As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

Affiliate ” shall have the meaning attributed to such term in the MLP Agreement.

Agreement ” shall mean this Omnibus Agreement, as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

ARH ” shall mean Alliance Resource Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.


ARH Entities ” shall mean ARH and any of its Affiliates, other than the Partnership Entities and The Beacon Group, LP and its affiliated funds.

Bank Credit Agreement ” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 16, 1999, by and among the SGP, as Borrower, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Paying Agent thereunder, The Chase Manhattan Bank and Citicorp USA, Inc., as Co-Administrative Agents thereunder and the Initial Lenders and Swing Line Bank named as parties thereto.

Change of Control ” shall have the meaning attributed to such term in Section 2.4.

Closing Date ” shall mean the date of the closing of the initial public offering of common units representing limited partner interests in the MLP.

Conflicts Committee ” shall have the meaning attributed to such term in the MLP Agreement.

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Indemnified Party ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.3(a).

Indemnifying Party ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.3(a).

Losses ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1.

Martiki Sale Agreement ” shall mean the Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated November 6,1998 between MAPCO Coal Inc. and Coal Ventures Holding Company, Inc.

MGP ” shall mean Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and managing general partner of the MLP.

MLP ” shall mean Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successors thereto.

MLP Agreement ” shall mean the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the MLP, dated as of the Closing Date, as such agreement is in effect on the Closing Date, to which reference is hereby made for all purposes of this Agreement. No amendment or modification to the MLP Agreement subsequent to the Closing Date shall be given effect for the purposes of this Agreement unless consented to by each of the parties to this Agreement.

 

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Note Purchase Agreement ” means the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 16, 1999, between the SGP and the several purchasers listed in the Schedule A attached thereto.

OLP ” shall mean Alliance Resource Operating Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successors thereto.

Partnership Entities ” shall mean the SGP, the MGP and the MLP and any Affiliate controlled by the SGP, the MGP or the MLP.

Partnership Group ” shall mean the MLP and any of its subsidiaries.

Person ” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or any other entity.

SGP ” shall mean Alliance Resource GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and special general partner of the MLP.

Restricted Business ” shall have the meaning attributed to such term in Section 2.1.

Voting Stock ” means securities or membership interests of any class or series of either ARH or the MGP entitling the holders thereof to vote on a regular basis in the election of members of the board of directors, board of managers or other governing body of such entity.

ARTICLE II

Business Opportunities

2.1 Restricted Businesses . Subject to the terms of the MLP Agreement, for as long as the MGP (or any Affiliate of ARH) is the managing general partner of the MLP or the OLP, each of the ARH Entities shall be prohibited from engaging in the business of mining, marketing or transporting coal in any state in the United States (a “Restricted Business”).

2.2 Permitted Exceptions . Notwithstanding any provision of Section 2.1 to the contrary, an ARH Entity may pursue an opportunity to purchase or invest in, and may ultimately purchase, own and/or operate, a Restricted Business under any of the following circumstances:

(a) The Restricted Business was engaged in by the ARH Entity on the date of this Agreement; or

(b) The fair market value of the assets that comprise the Restricted Business represents less than a majority of the fair market value of the business being considered for purchase or investment, in the reasonable belief of a majority of the board of directors of the ARH Entity; or

 

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(c) The MGP (with the approval of the Conflicts Committee) has elected not to cause a member of the Partnership Group to pursue such opportunity in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.3.

2.3 Procedures.

(a) In the event that an ARH Entity becomes aware of an opportunity to purchase a Restricted Business, then, as soon as practicable, such ARH Entity shall notify the MGP of such opportunity and deliver to the MGP all information prepared by or on behalf of such ARH Entity relating to such potential purchase. As soon as practicable but in any event within 30 days after receipt of such notification and information, the MGP, on behalf of the Partnership, shall notify the ARH Entity that either (i) the MGP, on behalf of the Partnership, has elected, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee, not to cause a member of the Partnership Group to pursue the opportunity to acquire such Restricted Business, or (ii) the MGP, on behalf of the Partnership, has elected to cause a member of the Partnership Group to pursue the opportunity to acquire such Restricted Business. If, at any time, the MGP or its Affiliates abandons such opportunity (as evidenced in writing by the MGP or such Affiliates following the request of the ARH entity), the ARH Entity may pursue such opportunity. Any Restricted Business which is permitted to be purchased by an ARH Entity must be so purchased (i) within 12 months of the time the ARH Entity becomes able to pursue such acquisition in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.3 and (ii) on terms not materially more favorable to the ARH Entity than were offered to the Partnership. If either of these conditions are not satisfied, the opportunity must be reoffered to the Partnership.

(b) In the event that an ARH Entity acquires a Restricted Business as part of a larger transaction in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2(b), then, within 30 days of the consummation of such purchase, such ARH Entity shall notify the MGP of such purchase and offer the Partnership the opportunity to purchase the Restricted Business constituting a portion of such purchase and deliver to the MGP all information prepared by or on behalf of or in the possession of such ARH Entity relating to the Restricted Business. As soon as practicable but in any event within 30 days after receipt of such notification, the MGP shall notify the ARH Entity that either (i) the MGP, on behalf of the Partnership, has elected, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee, not to cause a member of the Partnership Group to purchase such Restricted Business, in which event the ARH Entity shall be free to continue to engage in such Restricted Business, or (ii) the MGP, on behalf of the Partnership, has elected to cause a member of the Partnership Group to purchase such Restricted Business, in which event the following procedures shall be followed:

(i) The ARH Entity shall submit a good faith offer to the MGP to sell the Restricted Business (the “Offer”) to any member of the Partnership Group designated by the MGP on the terms and for the consideration stated in the Offer.

(ii) The ARH Entity and the MGP shall negotiate in good faith, for 60 days after receipt of such Offer by the MGP, the terms on which the Restricted Business will be sold to a member of the Partnership Group. The ARH Entity shall provide all information concerning the

 

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business, operations and finances of such Restricted Business as may be reasonably requested by the MGP.

(A) If the ARH Entity and the MGP agree on such terms within 60 days after receipt by the MGP of the Offer, a member of the Partnership Group shall purchase the Restricted Business on such terms as soon as commercially practicable after such agreement has been reached.

(B) If the ARH Entity and the MGP are unable to agree on the terms of a sale during such 60-day period, the ARH Entity shall attempt to sell the Restricted Business to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the ARH Entity (a “NonAffiliate Purchaser”) within nine months of the termination of such 60-day period. Any such sale to a NonAffiliate Purchaser must be for a purchase price, as determined by the board of directors of ARH Resources, not less than 95% of the purchase price last offered by a member of the Partnership Group.

(iii) If, after the expiration of such nine-month period, the ARH Entity has not sold the Restricted Business to a NonAffiliate Purchaser, it shall submit another Offer (the “Second Offer”) to the MGP within seven days after the expiration of such nine-month period. The ARH Entity shall provide all information concerning the business, operations and finances of such Restricted Business as may be reasonably requested by the MGP.

(A) If the MGP, with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee, elects not to cause a member of the Partnership Group to pursue the Second Offer, the ARH Entity shall be free to continue to engage in such Restricted Business.

(B) If the MGP shall elect to cause a member of the Partnership Group to purchase such Restricted Business, then the MGP and the ARH Entity shall negotiate the terms of such purchase for 60 days. If the ARH Entity and the MGP agree on such terms within 60 days after receipt by the MGP of the Second Offer, a member of the Partnership Group shall purchase the Restricted Business on such terms as soon as commercially practicable after such agreement has been reached.

(C) If during such 60-day period, no agreement has been reached between the ARH Entity and the MGP or a member of the Partnership, the ARH Entity and the MGP will engage an independent investment banking firm with a national reputation to determine the value of the Restricted Business. Such investment banking firm will determine the value of the Restricted Business within 30 days and furnish the ARH Entity and the MGP its opinion of such value. The ARH Entity and the MGP shall share equally the fees and expenses of such investment banking firm. Upon receipt of such opinion, the MGP will have the option, subject to the approval of the Conflicts Committee, to (A) cause a member of the Partnership Group to purchase the Restricted Business for an amount equal to

 

-5-


the value determined by such investment banking firm or (B) decline to purchase such Restricted Business, in which event the ARH Entity will be free to continue to engage in such Restricted Business.

2.4 Termination . The provisions of this Article II may be terminated by ARH upon or at any time after a “Change of Control” of ARH or the MGP by written notice to the MLP. A Change of Control of ARH or the MGP shall be deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the ARH or the MGP to any Person or its Affiliates, unless immediately following such sale, lease, exchange or other transfer such assets are owned, directly or indirectly, by the ARH Entities, The Beacon Group, L.P. and its affiliated funds or the MGP; (ii) the consolidation or merger of ARH or the MGP with or into another Person pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP is changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (a) the outstanding Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP is changed into or exchanged for Voting Stock of the surviving corporation or its parent and (b) the holders of the Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving corporation or its parent immediately after such transaction; or (iii) a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) being or becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of all Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP then outstanding, other than (a) in a merger or consolidation which would not constitute a Change of Control under clause (ii) above and (b) The Beacon Group, LP and its affiliated funds.

2.5 Scope of Restricted Business Prohibition . Except as provided in this Article II and the Partnership Agreement, each ARH Entity shall be free to engage in any business activity whatsoever, including those that may be in direct competition with any Partnership Entity.

2.6 Enforcement . The ARH Entities agree and acknowledge that the Partnership Group does not have an adequate remedy at law for the breach by the ARH Entities of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Article II, and that any breach by the ARH Entities of the covenants and agreements set forth in Article II would result in irreparable injury to the Partnership Group. The ARH Entities further agree and acknowledge that any member of the Partnership Group may, in addition to the other remedies which may be available to the Partnership Group hereunder or under applicable law, file a suit in equity to enjoin the ARH Entities from such breach, and consent to the issuance of injunctive relief hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE III

Indemnification

3.1 Indemnification of MGP by SGP . The SGP shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the MGP from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) (collectively, “Losses”) relating to the indebtedness outstanding (including principal and interest) under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Bank Credit Agreement.

3.2 Indemnification of Partnership Entities by ARH . In addition to its indemnification obligations under the Contribution Agreement (as defined in the MLP Agreement), ARH shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Partnership Entities from and against any Losses that are caused by, arise out of or are attributable to:

(a) any and all liabilities associated with the former ownership by MAPCO Coal Inc. of Martiki Coal Corporation including, but not limited to any indemnification obligations of any of the Partnership Entities arising under Section 8.1 of the Martiki Sale Agreement; provided , however , that ARH shall not be obligated to indemnify the Partnership Entities against any such Losses unless and until (i) the Partnership Entities have sought to receive indemnification from Coal Ventures Holding Company, Inc. provided in Section 8.2 of the Martiki Sale Agreement and such relief has been denied by final adjudication of a court of competent jurisdiction or (ii) the MGP, on behalf of the MLP, reasonably determines that the Loss for which indemnification is sought is not within the scope of the indemnification provided in Section 8.2 of the Martiki Sale Agreement; and

(b) the former business and operations of MAPCO Coal International Inc., an entity formed under the laws of Barbados, and Cari International Mining, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and/or the dissolution of such entities and the related distribution of their respective assets to their respective shareholders.

3.3 Indemnification Procedures.

(a) As used in this Section 3.3: the term “Indemnifying Party” refers to SGP, in the case of any indemnification obligation arising under Section 3.1, and ARH, in the case of any indemnification obligation arising under Section 3.2; and the term “Indemnified Party” refers to the MGP, in the case of any indemnification obligation arising under Section 3.1, and the Partnership Entities, as applicable, in the case of any indemnification obligation arising under Section 3.2.

(b) If any action, suit or proceeding shall be brought against an Indemnified Party, or if the Indemnified Party should otherwise become aware of facts giving rise to a claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.2, as applicable, the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party in writing specifying the nature of and specific basis for such claim.

 

-7-


(c) The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to control all aspects of the defense of (and any counterclaims with respect to) any claims brought against the Indemnified Party that are covered by the indemnification set forth in Section 3.1 or 3.2, as applicable, including, without limitation, the selection of counsel, determination of whether to appeal any decision of any court and the settling of any such matter or any issues relating thereto; provided, however, that no such settlement shall be entered into without the consent of the Indemnified Party unless it includes a full release of the Indemnified Party from such matter or issues, as the case may be.

(d) The Indemnified Party agree, at their own cost and expense, to cooperate fully with the Indemnifying Party with respect to all aspects of the defense of any claims covered by the indemnification set forth in Section 3.1 or 3.2, as applicable, including, without limitation, the prompt furnishing to the Indemnifying Party of any correspondence or other notice relating thereto that the Indemnified Party may receive, permitting the name(s) of the Indemnified Party to be utilized in connection with such defense, the making available to the Indemnifying Party of any files, records or other information of the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party considers relevant to such defense and the making available to the Indemnifying Party of any employees of the Indemnified Party; provided, however, that in connection therewith the Indemnifying Party agrees to use reasonable efforts to minimize the impact thereof on the operations of such Indemnified Party. In no event shall the obligation of the Indemnified Party to cooperate with the Indemnifying Party as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence be construed as imposing upon the Indemnified Party an obligation to hire and pay for counsel in connection with the defense of any claims covered by the indemnification set forth in this Article III; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party may, at their own option, cost and expense, hire and pay for counsel in connection with any such defense. The Indemnifying Party agrees to keep any such counsel hired by the Indemnified Party reasonably informed as to the status of any such defense, but the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to retain sole control over such defense.

(e) In determining the amount of any loss, liability or expense for which any Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Article III, the gross amount thereof will be reduced by any insurance proceeds realized or to be realized by such Indemnified Party, and such correlative insurance benefit shall be net of any insurance premium that becomes due as a result of such claim.

ARTICLE IV

Assignment

4.1 Assignment of Rights by Partnership Entities to ARH . The Partnership Entities hereby irrevocably assign, transfer and convey to ARH:

(a) all rights, credits, claims, judgments and awards that may be received by the Partnership Entities under the pending litigation styled Arch Mineral Corporation ,et al. v. ICI Explosive USA, Inc., et al , U.S. District Court, S. D. Indiana, Indianapolis Division, Case No. IP96

 

-8-


– 0754 C – LT#C00376, in which case certain predecessors of the Partnership Entities are plaintiffs, as more completely identified in paragraph 1 of Schedule 2.1(a) of the Martiki Sale Agreement; and

(b) all right, title, benefits and interest of such Partnership Entities to any as of yet uncollected cash and receivables set forth as excluded assets in paragraphs 5(a), 5(b), 5(c) and 5(d) of Schedule 2.1(a) of the Martiki Sale Agreement.

ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

5.1 Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction . This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle that might refer the construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the laws of another state.

5.2 Notice . All notices or requests or consents provided for or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by depositing same in the United States mail, addressed to the Person to be notified, postpaid, and registered or certified with return receipt requested or by delivering such notice in person or by telecopier or telegram to such party. Notice given by personal delivery or mail shall be effective upon actual receipt. Notice given by telegram or telecopier shall be effective upon actual receipt if received during the recipient’s normal business hours, or at the beginning of the recipient’s next business day after receipt if not received during the recipient’s normal business hours. All notices to be sent to a party pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent to or made at the address set forth below such party’s signature to this Agreement, or at such other address as such party may stipulate to the other parties in the manner provided in this Section 5.2.

5.3 Entire Agreement; Supersedure . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the matters contained herein.

5.4 Effect of Waiver or Consent . No waiver or consent, express or implied, by any party to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by such Person of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by such Person of the same or any other obligations of such Person hereunder. Failure on the part of a party to complain of any act of any Person or to declare any Person in default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by such party of its rights hereunder until the applicable statute of limitations period has run.

5.5 Amendment or Modification . This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all the parties hereto; provided, however, that the MLP may not, without the prior approval of the Conflicts Committee, agree to any amendment or modification of this Agreement that, in the reasonable discretion of the MGP, will adversely affect the holders of

 

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Common Units. Each such instrument shall be reduced to writing and shall be designated on its face an “Amendment” or an “Addendum” to this Agreement.

5.6 Assignment . No party shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other parties hereto.

5.7 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signatory parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.

5.8 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

5.9 Gender, Parts, Articles and Sections . Whenever the context requires, the gender of all words used in this Agreement shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter, and the number of all words shall include the singular and plural. All references to Article numbers and Section numbers refer to Parts, Articles and Sections of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires.

5.10 Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each signatory party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.

5.11 Withholding or Granting of Consent . Each party may, with respect to any consent or approval that it is entitled to grant pursuant to this Agreement, grant or withhold such consent or approval in its sole and uncontrolled discretion, with or without cause, and subject to such conditions as it shall deem appropriate.

5.12 Laws and Regulations . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no party hereto shall be required to take any act, or fail to take any act, under this Agreement if the effect thereof would be to cause such party to be in violation of any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation.

5.13 Negotiation of Rights of Limited Partners, Assignees, and Third Parties . The provisions of this Agreement are enforceable solely by the parties to this Agreement, and no Limited Partner, Assignee or other Person shall have the right, separate and apart from the MLP, to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to compel any party to this Agreement to comply with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on, and effective as of, the Closing Date.

 

ALLIANCE RESOURCE HOLDINGS, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Thomas L. Pearson

 

Name:

 

Thomas L. Pearson

 

Title:

  Senior Vice President — Law and Administration, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Address for Notice:

 

1717 South Boulder Avenue

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119

Telecopy Number:

  (918) 295-7361

 

ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P.

By:

  ALLIANCE RESOURCE GP, LLC, its general partner

By:

 

/s/ Thomas L. Pearson

 

Name:

 

Thomas L. Pearson

 

Title:

 

Senior Vice President — Law and Administration, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Address for Notice:

 

1717 South Boulder Avenue

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119

Telecopy Number:

  (918) 295-7361

 

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ALLIANCE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GP, LLC

By:

 

/s/ Thomas L. Pearson

 

Name:

 

Thomas L. Pearson

 

Title:

 

Senior Vice President — Law and Administration, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Address for Notice:

 

1717 South Boulder Avenue

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119

Telecopy Number:

  (918) 295-7361

 

ALLIANCE RESOURCE GP, LLC

By:

 

/s/ Thomas L. Pearson

 

Name:

 

Thomas L. Pearson

 

Title:

 

Senior Vice President — Law and Administration, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Address for Notice:

 

1717 South Boulder Avenue

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119

Telecopy Number:

  (918) 295-7361

 

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Exhibit 10.4

AMENDMENT TO

OMNIBUS AGREEMENT

This Amendment (the “ Amendment ”) to the Omnibus Agreement is made and entered into as of May 8, 2002, by and among Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ MLP ”), Alliance Resource Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ ARH ”), Alliance Resource GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and special general partner of the MLP (the “ SGP ”) and Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and managing general partner of the MLP (the “ MGP ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the MLP, ARH, the SGP and the MGP entered into the Omnibus Agreement, dated as of August 20, 1999 (the “ Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of that certain Purchase Agreement (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) of even date herewith by and among Beacon-Alliance Limited Member, LLC (“ BALM ”), Beacon-Alliance Managing Member, LLC (“ BAMM ”), and Alliance Management Holdings-II (“ AMH-II ”). BALM is selling to AMH-II its 74.09% limited liability company interest in the MGP, and BAMM is selling to AMH-II its 0.01% limited liability company interest in the MGP; and

WHEREAS, immediately prior to the execution of this Amendment, (i) certain employee stockholders in ARH are exchanging their shares of common stock in ARH to Alliance Resource Holdings II, Inc. (“ ARH-II ”) in exchange for shares of common stock in ARH-II, and (ii) ARH-II is purchasing the shares of common stock in ARH owned by The Beacon Group Energy Investment Fund, L.P., MPC Partners, LP, John P. Neafsey, Michael L. Greenwood, and S. Paul Mackey in each case pursuant to the terms and conditions of that certain Exchange Agreement of even date herewith (the “ Exchange Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, concurrently with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the Exchange Agreement, the MLP, ARH, the SGP and the MGP desire to amend the Agreement as set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants made herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

Section 1. Amendments to Agreement .

The Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

(a) AMH-II, LLC and ARH-II shall be joined as parties to this Agreement and shall be bound by all of its terms.


(b) Section 2.4 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

2.4 Termination . The provisions of this Article II may be terminated by ARH upon or at any time after a “Change of Control” of ARH or the MGP by written notice to the MLP. A Change of Control of ARH or the MGP shall be deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of ARH or the MGP to any Person or its Affiliates, unless immediately following such sale, lease, exchange or other transfer such assets are owned, directly or indirectly, by the ARH Entities or the MGP; (ii) the consolidation or merger of ARH or the MGP with or into another Person pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP is changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (a) the outstanding Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP is changed into or exchanged for Voting Stock of the surviving corporation or its parent and (b) the holders of the Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving corporation or its parent immediately after such transaction; or (iii) a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) being or becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of all Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP then outstanding, other than in a merger or consolidation which would not constitute a Change of Control under clause (ii) above. None of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the Exchange Agreement shall constitute a Change of Control.

(c) The definition of “AHR Entities” in Article I is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

ARH Entities ” shall mean ARH and any of its Affiliates, including ARH-II.

Purchase Agreement ” shall mean that certain Purchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among Beacon-Alliance Limited Member, LLC (“ BALM ”), Beacon-Alliance Managing Member, LLC (“ BAMM ”), and Alliance Management Holdings-II (“ AMH-II ”). BALM is selling to AMH-II its 74.09% limited liability company interest in the MGP, and BAMM is selling to AMH-II its 0.01% limited liability company interest in the MGP.

Exchange Agreement ” shall mean that certain Exchange Agreement dated as of the date hereof by which (i) certain employee stockholders in ARH are exchanging their shares of common stock in ARH to Alliance Resource Holdings II, Inc. (“ ARH-II ”) in exchange for shares of common stock in ARH-II, and (ii) ARH-II is purchasing the shares of common stock in ARH owned by The Beacon Group Energy Investment Fund, L.P., MPC Partners, LP, John P. Neafsey, Michael L. Greenwood, and S. Paul Mackey.

Section 2. Definitions .

All capitalized terms used in this Amendment without definition have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

 

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Section 3. Governing Law .

This Amendment shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof.

Section 4. Force and Effect of Unmodified Provisions of the Agreement .

Except as expressly modified by this Amendment, the terms of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. The Agreement and this Amendment shall be considered one and the same agreement.

Section 5. Counterparts .

This Amendment may be signed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if the signatures on each such counterparts were on the same instrument.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed as of the date and year first above written.

 

ALLIANCE RESOURCE HOLDINGS, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Thomas L. Pearson

 

Name:

 

Thomas L. Pearson

 

Title:

 

Senior Vice President - Law and

Administration, General Counsel and Secretary

 

ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P.

By:

 

/s/ Thomas L. Pearson

 

Name:

 

Thomas L. Pearson

 

Title:

 

Senior Vice President - Law and

Administration, General Counsel and Secretary

 

ALLIANCE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GP, LLC

By:

 

/s/ Thomas L. Pearson

 

Name:

 

Thomas L. Pearson

 

Title:

 

Senior Vice President - Law and

Administration, General Counsel and Secretary

 

ALLIANCE RESOURCE GP, LLC

By:

 

/s/ Thomas L. Pearson

 

Name:

 

Thomas L. Pearson

 

Title:

 

Senior Vice President - Law and

Administration, General Counsel and Secretary

Amendment to Omnibus Agreement

Signature Page


AMH-II, LLC

By:

 

/s/ Thomas L. Pearson

 

Name:

 

Thomas L. Pearson

 

Title:

  Secretary
ALLIANCE RESOURCE HOLDINGS II, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Thomas L. Pearson

 

Name:

 

Thomas L. Pearson

 

Title:

  Secretary

Amendment to Omnibus Agreement

Signature Page

Exhibit 10.5

E XECUTION C OPY

SECOND AMENDMENT TO

OMNIBUS AGREEMENT

This Second Amendment (the “ Amendment ”) to the Omnibus Agreement is made and entered into as of May 15, 2006, by and among Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ MLP ”), Alliance Resource GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and special general partner of the MLP (the “ SGP ”), Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and managing general partner of the MLP (the “ MGP ”), Alliance Resource Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ ARH ”), Alliance Resource Holdings II, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ ARH II ”), AMH-II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ AMH-II ”), Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ AHGP ”), Alliance GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and general partner of AHGP (“ AGP ”) and Alliance Management Holdings, LLC (“ AMH ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the MLP, ARH, the SGP and the MGP entered into the Omnibus Agreement, dated as of August 20, 1999 (the “ Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, on May 8, 2002, the Agreement was amended to, among other things, join AMH-II and ARH II as parties;

WHEREAS, on April 14, 2006, AMH, AMH-II, the SGP, the MGP, AGP and AHGP entered into a Contribution Agreement, (the “ Contribution Agreement ”) pursuant to which at the closing of the AHGP initial public offering on the date hereof, AMH, AMH-II and the SGP collectively contributed a 1.98% general partner interest in ARLP, incentive distribution rights in ARLP and 15,550,628 common units representing limited partner interests in ARLP to AHGP in exchange substantially all of the proceeds AHGP receives from its initial public offering as well as common units representing limited partner interests in AHGP; and

WHEREAS, concurrently with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, the MLP, ARH, the SGP, the MGP,ARH II and AMH-II desire to amend the Agreement to join AHGP, AGP and AMH as parties hereto and as otherwise set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants made herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

Section 1. Amendments to Agreement .

The Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

(a) AHGP, AGP and AMH shall be joined as parties to this Agreement and shall be bound by all of its terms.

 

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(b) Section 2.4 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

2.4 Termination . The provisions of this Article II may be terminated by ARH with respect to the ARH Entities other than AHGP and AGP upon or at any time after a “Change of Control” of ARH or the MGP by written notice to the MLP. A Change of Control of ARH or the MGP shall be deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of ARH or the MGP to any Person or its Affiliates, unless immediately following such sale, lease, exchange or other transfer such assets are owned, directly or indirectly, by the ARH Entities or the MGP; (ii) the consolidation or merger of ARH or the MGP with or into another Person pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP is changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (a) the outstanding Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP is changed into or exchanged for Voting Stock of the surviving corporation or its parent and (b) the holders of the Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving corporation or its parent immediately after such transaction; or (iii) a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) or l4(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) being or becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules l3d-3 and l3d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of all Voting Stock of ARH or the MGP then outstanding, other than in a merger or consolidation which would not constitute a Change of Control under clause (ii) above. None of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Exchange Agreement and the Contribution Agreement shall constitute a Change of Control.

(c) The definition of “AHR Entities” in Article I is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

ARH Entities ” shall mean ARH and any of its Affiliates, including ARH-II, AHGP and AGP.

(d) The following definitions are hereby added to Article I:

AGP ” shall mean Alliance GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of AHGP.

AHGP ” shall mean Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

AMH ” shall mean Alliance Management Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

AMH-II ” shall mean AMH-II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

ARH II ” shall mean Alliance Resource Holdings II, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Contribution Agreement ” shall mean that Contribution Agreement dated November 18, 2005 by and among AMH, AMH-II, the SGP, AGP and AHGP as amended on April 13, 2006.

 

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Section 2. Definitions .

All capitalized terms used in this Amendment without definition have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

Section 3. Governing Law .

This Amendment shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof.

Section 4. Force and Effect of Unmodified Provisions of the Agreement .

Except as expressly modified by this Amendment, the terms of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. The Agreement and this Amendment shall be considered one and the same agreement.

Section 5. Counterparts .

This Amendment may be signed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if the signatures on each such counterparts were on the same instrument.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the date first above written.

 

Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.
By:   Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC
  its General Partner
  By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
    Thomas L. Pearson
    Senior Vice President – Law and Administration

 

Alliance Resource GP, LLC
  By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
    Thomas L. Pearson
    Senior Vice President – Law and Administration

 

Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC
  By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
    Thomas L. Pearson
    Senior Vice President – Law and Administration

 

Alliance Resource Holdings, Inc.
  By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
    Thomas L. Pearson
    Senior Vice President – Law and Administration

Signature Page to Second Amendment to Omnibus Agreement


Alliance Resource Holdings II, Inc.
  By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
    Thomas L. Pearson
    Senior Vice President – Law and Administration

 

Alliance Management Holdings, LLC
  By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
    Thomas L. Pearson
    Senior Vice President – Law and Administration

 

AMH-II, LLC
  By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
    Thomas L. Pearson
    Senior Vice President – Law and Administration

 

Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.
By:   Alliance GP, LLC
  By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
    Thomas L. Pearson
    Senior Vice President – Law and Administration

 

Alliance GP, LLC
  By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
    Thomas L. Pearson
    Senior Vice President – Law and Administration

Signature Page to Amendment No. 2

to Omnibus Agreement

Exhibit 10.6

Execution Copy

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

by and among

ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P.

ALLIANCE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GP, LLC

ALLIANCE RESOURCE OPERATING PARTNERS, L.P.

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P.

ALLIANCE GP, LLC

and

ALLIANCE RESOURCE HOLDINGS II, INC.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS
1.1    Definitions    1
1.2    Construction    1
ARTICLE 2: SERVICES
2.1    Services    1
2.2    Provision of Insurance    2
2.3    Payment for Services    2
2.4    Invoices    2
2.5    Annual Reallocation    3
2.6    Disputes    3
2.7    Representations Regarding Use of Services    3
2.8    Warranties; Limitation of Liability    4
2.9    Force Majeure    4
2.10    Affiliates    4
ARTICLE 3: OTHER AGREEMENTS
3.1    Adoption of Policies and Procedures    4
ARTICLE 4: MISCELLANEOUS
4.1    Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction    4
4.2    Termination    4
4.3    Notices    5
4.4    Entire Agreement; Supersedure    5
4.5    Effect of Waiver of Consent    5
4.6    Amendment or Modification    5
4.7    Assignment    5
4.8    Counterparts    5
4.9    Severability    5
4.10    Further Assurances    5
4.11    Withholding or Granting of Consent    6
4.12    U.S. Currency    6
4.13    Laws and Regulations    6
4.14    Negation of Rights of Third Parties    6

 

Exhibit A   Defined Terms   
Exhibit B   Conflicts Policies and Procedures   
Annex A   Personnel Allocation   

 

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ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “Agreement” ) is entered into this 15th day of May, 2006 (the “Effective Date” ) by and among Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ ARLP ”), Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the managing general partner of ARLP (“ MGP ”), Alliance Resource Operating Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ OLP ”), Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ AHGP ”), Alliance GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of AHGP (“ AGP ”), and Alliance Resource Holdings II, Inc. (“ ARH II ”).

RECITALS

The Parties hereto desire, by their execution of this Agreement, to evidence the terms and conditions upon which AGP will provide certain services to the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities.

AGREEMENTS

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants, conditions, and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions. The definitions listed on Exhibit A shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

1.2 Construction. Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include”, “includes”, “including” or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; and (d) the terms “hereof”, “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 2: SERVICES

2.1 Services. Beginning on the Effective Date, subject to the terms of this Article 2 and in exchange for the payment described in Section 2.3, AGP hereby agrees to provide each of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities with such general administrative and management services, including but not limited to human resources, information technology, financial and accounting services, legal services and other services (the “ Services ”) as may be necessary to manage the business of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities, as applicable, in accordance with the Services Standard; it being understood and agreed by the Parties that in connection with the provision of such Services, AGP shall employ or

 

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otherwise retain such personnel as may be necessary to provide the Services. The names of such personnel are set forth on Annex A hereto and will be updated on or about December 1 of each year in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.5.

2.2 Provision of Insurance. ARLP hereby agrees to cause each of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities to be named as additional insureds in ARLP’s insurance program, as in effect from time to time. Each of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities, as applicable, shall be allocated, and pay for, such insurance coverage in an amount equal to ARLP’s cost of insuring the assets and operations of such partnership entities.

2.3 Payment for Services. (a) As remuneration for the provision by AGP to each of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities of the Services, AGP shall be entitled to receive, and the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities, as applicable, agree to pay to AGP, an amount equal to the percentage of each employee’s compensation allocable to each of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities as the same are set forth on Annex A hereto. In addition, each of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities shall pay all sales, use, excise, value added or similar taxes, if any, that may be applicable from time to time in respect of the Services provided to such entities by AGP. The aggregate amount payable by the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities or the ARH II Entities to AGP pursuant to this Section 2.3(a) with respect to a given period of time shall be referred to herein as the “Administrative Services Fee.” It is the intention of the Parties that the Administrative Services Fee represents fair and reasonable compensation to AGP for the ARLP Entities’, the AHGP Entities’ or the ARH II Entities’, as applicable, allocable share of the base salaries, employer costs for employee benefits, bonuses paid and provided to such personnel by AGP, or any of its Affiliates. The amount of the Administrative Services Fee shall not be adjusted except in accordance with Section 2.5, notwithstanding any change in personnel or the Services provided to any of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities or the ARH II Entities, respectively.

(b) In addition, the AHGP Entities and ARH II Entities shall pay AGP an aggregate annual amount of $75,000 ($18,750 per quarter) for certain shared fixed costs including, but not limited to, office lease, telephone and office equipment leases (the “ Fixed Charges Fee ”). It is the intention of the Parties that the Fixed Charges Fee represents fair and reasonable remuneration to AGP for the AHGP Entities’ and the ARH II Entities’ use of the facilities and equipment of AGP and its Affiliates. The AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities shall each pay to AGP their respective pro rata portion of the Fixed Charges Fee based on the relative allocation of employee compensation as set forth on Annex A hereto to the AHGP Entities, on one hand and the ARH II Entities on the other hand. The amount of the Fixed Charges Fee shall not be adjusted except in accordance with Section 2.5.

2.4 Invoices. AGP shall invoice the applicable Billing Agent on or before ten days following the end of each fiscal quarter for the Administrative Services Fee and the Fixed Charges Fee for such quarter. All invoices shall be due and payable on the 45th day following the end of each fiscal quarter.

 

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2.5 Annual Reallocation. On or about December 1 of each year, AGP shall submit for approval a revised Annex A (the “ Proposed Annex A ”) and a new estimate of the Fixed Charges Fee (the “ Proposed Fixed Charges Fee ”) to the board of directors of each of MGP, AGP and ARH II. The Proposed Annex A will reflect any changes in personnel of AGP who are performing the Services, changes in each such employee’s compensation and AGP’s good faith estimate of the time each such employee will spend performing Services on behalf of each of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities, respectively, taking into account prior performance and future expectations. The Proposed Fixed Charges Fee shall reflect AGP’s good faith estimate of the amount of fixed costs allocable to the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities. Once approved by the board of directors of each of MGP, AGP and ARH II, or pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.6, the Proposed Annex A and the Proposed Fixed Charges Fee shall become part of this Agreement and replace the existing Annex A and the Fixed Charges Fee until such time as a new Proposed Annex A and the Proposed Fixed Charges Fee is approved in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.5 or Section 2.6.

In addition, AGP shall prepare a schedule detailing the variance between the estimated allocation of time spent by its personnel on behalf of each of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities in the past fiscal year (the “ Adjusted Administrative Services Fee ”) and submit such schedule for approval to the board of directors of each of MGP, AGP and ARH II. Upon approval by the board of directors of each of MGP, AGP and ARH II, or pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.6, the difference between the Administrative Services Fee paid and the Adjusted Administrative Services Fee shall be paid by or reimbursed to each Entity within 60 days of the fiscal year end.

2.6 Disputes. Should there be a dispute over the nature or quality of the Services, the calculation and allocation of the Administrative Services Fee in connection with a Proposed Annex A the allocation of fixed charge in connection with the Fixed Charges Fee or the Adjusted Administrative Services Fee, AGP and the applicable Entities shall first attempt to resolve such dispute, acting diligently and in good faith, using the past practices of such Parties and documentary evidence of costs as guidelines for such resolution. If AGP and the applicable Entities are unable to resolve any such dispute within thirty days, or such additional time as may be reasonable under the circumstances, the dispute shall be referred to the applicable Conflicts Committees (or in the case of ARH II, to its board of directors) for resolution. The Parties agree that the applicable Conflicts Committees and the board of directors of ARH II shall have the authority to settle any such dispute, in their sole discretion, recognizing that it is the intent of all Parties that all shared expenses, services and the fixed costs, as applicable, be allocated among AGP and its Affiliates, and the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities or the ARH II Entities, as applicable, on a fair and reasonable basis. If, following good faith negotiation, the applicable Conflicts Committee and/or the board of directors of ARH II cannot resolve any dispute, AGP shall have the right, but not the obligation, to withhold the provision of any Services until such time as the Entities resolve the dispute.

2.7 Representations Regarding Use of Services. Each of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities represent and agree that it will use the Services only in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, and in accordance with the reasonable conditions, rules, regulations, and specifications that may be set forth in any manuals, materials, documents, or instructions furnished from time to time by AGP to such

 

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entities. AGP reserves the right to take all actions, including, without limitation, termination of any portion of the Services, that it reasonably believes is required to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

2.8 Warranties; Limitation of Liability. The Services shall be provided in accordance with the Services Standard. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE, AGP MAKES NO (AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS AND NEGATES ANY AND ALL) WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES. IN NO EVENT SHALL AGP OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES BE LIABLE TO ANY OF THE PERSONS RECEIVING ANY SERVICES OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY ERROR IN THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE PERSON PROVIDING SUCH SERVICE, ITS AFFILIATES, OR OTHERS MAY BE WHOLLY, CONCURRENTLY, PARTIALLY, OR SOLELY NEGLIGENT OR OTHERWISE AT FAULT, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES ARE PAID BY THE PARTY INCURRING SUCH DAMAGES TO A THIRD PARTY.

2.9 Force Majeure. AGP shall have no obligation to perform the Services if its failure to do so is caused by or results from any act of God, governmental action, natural disaster, strike, failure of essential equipment, or any other cause or circumstance, whether similar or dissimilar to the foregoing causes or circumstances, beyond the reasonable control of AGP.

2.10 Affiliates. At its election, AGP may cause one or more of its Affiliates or third party contractors reasonably acceptable to the Party receiving any Services to provide such Services; provided, however , AGP shall remain responsible for the provision of such Services in accordance with this Agreement.

ARTICLE 3: OTHER AGREEMENTS

3.1 Adoption of Policies and Procedures. The Boards of Directors of MGP, AGP and ARH II have adopted the policies and procedures attached hereto as Exhibit B to govern their relationship with respect to this Agreement.

ARTICLE 4: MISCELLANEOUS

4.1 Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

4.2 Termination. Any party hereto may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice to the other Parties of its intention to terminate this Agreement, which notice must be provided at least 90 days prior to such termination. AGP may terminate this Agreement by providing 30 days’ prior written notice to any of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities at any time during which a Payment Default has occurred and is continuing for a period of more than 30 days.

 

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4.3 Notices. All notices or requests or consents provided for or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by depositing same in the United States mail, addressed to the Party to be notified, postpaid, and registered or certified with return receipt requested or by delivering such notice in person, by facsimile or electronic mail to such Party. Notice given by personal delivery or mail shall be effective upon actual receipt. Notice given by facsimile or by electronic mail shall be effective upon actual receipt if received during the recipient’s normal business hours, or at the beginning of the recipient’s next business day after receipt if not received during the recipient’s normal business hours. All notices to be sent to a Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent to or made at the address set forth below such Party’s signature to this Agreement, or at such other address as such Party may stipulate to the other Parties in the manner provided in this Section 4.3.

4.4 Entire Agreement; Supersedure. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the matters contained herein.

4.5 Effect of Waiver of Consent. No Party’s express or implied waiver of, or consent to, any breach or default by any Party in the performance by such Party of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by such Party of the same or any other obligations of such Party hereunder. Failure on the part of a Party to complain of any act of any Party or to declare any Party in default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by such Party of its rights hereunder until the applicable statute of limitations period has run.

4.6 Amendment or Modification. This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the agreement of all the Parties affected by any such amendment; provided, however, that ARLP and AHGP may not, without the prior approval of its respective Conflicts Committee, agree to any amendment or modification of this Agreement that, in the reasonable discretion of the MGP or AGP, as applicable, will materially and adversely affect the holders of units of ARLP or AHGP, as applicable.

4.7 Assignment. No Party shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other Parties.

4.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all Parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.

4.9 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Party or circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Parties or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

4.10 Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each Party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or

 

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appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.

4.11 Withholding or Granting of Consent. Unless the consent or approval of a Party is expressly required not to be unreasonably withheld (or words to similar effect), each Party may, with respect to any consent or approval that it is entitled to grant pursuant to this Agreement, grant or withhold such consent or approval in its sole and uncontrolled discretion, with or without cause, and subject to such conditions as it shall deem appropriate.

4.12 U.S. Currency. All sums and amounts payable or to be payable pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall be payable in coin or currency of the United States of America that, at the time of payment, is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts in the United States of America.

4.13 Laws and Regulations. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no Party hereto shall be required to take any act, or fail to take any act, under this Agreement if the effect thereof would be to cause such Party to be in violation of any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation.

4.14 Negation of Rights of Third Parties. The provisions of this Agreement are enforceable solely by the Parties, and no Limited Partner or other Person shall have the right to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to compel any Party to comply with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of May 15, 2006.

 

ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P.

ALLIANCE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GP, LLC

Individually and as Managing General Partner of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.

By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
Name:   Thomas L. Pearson
Title:   Senior Vice President – Law and Administration
Address for Notice :

1717 South Boulder Avenue

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119

Facsimile No.: (918) 295-1415

Signature Page to Administrative Services Agreement


ALLIANCE RESOURCE OPERATING PARTNERS L.P.

ALLIANCE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GP, LLC

Individually and as Managing General Partner of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.

By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
Name:   Thomas L. Pearson
Title:   Senior Vice President – Law and Administration
Address for Notice :

1717 South Boulder Avenue

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119

Facsimile No.: (918) 295-1415

 

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P.
ALLIANCE GP, LLC

Individually and as General Partner of Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.

By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
Name:   Thomas L. Pearson
Title:   Senior Vice President – Law and Administration
Address for Notice :

1717 South Boulder Avenue

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119

Facsimile No.: (918) 295-1415

Signature Page to Administrative Services Agreement


ALLIANCE RESOURCE HOLDINGS II, INC.
By:   /s/ Thomas L. Pearson
Name:   Thomas L. Pearson
Title:   Senior Vice President – Law and Administration
Address for Notice :

1717 South Boulder Avenue

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119

Facsimile No.: (918) 295-1415

Signature Page to Administrative Services Agreement


Exhibit A

DEFINED TERMS

Adjusted Administrative Services Fee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

Administrative Services Fee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).

Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Person shall only be considered an “Affiliate” of the general partner of ARLP or AHGP, as applicable, if such Person owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the voting securities of such general partner or otherwise possesses the sole power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such general partner; provided however , that for purposes of this Agreement none of the ARLP Entities, or the ARH II Entities, as applicable, shall be deemed to be Affiliates of AGP.

Agreement ” shall mean this Administrative Services Agreement, as it may be amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time.

Billing Agent ” shall mean ARH II, and in the case of ARLP, MGP, and in the case of AHGP, AGP.

AHGP ” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

AHGP Entities ” shall mean AHGP and AGP and any Affiliate controlled (and only so long as such Affiliates are controlled) by AHGP or AGP (as the term “control” is used in the definition of “Affiliate”) but excluding the ARLP Entities.

AGP ” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

ARH II ” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

ARH II Entities ” shall mean ARH II and any Affiliate controlled (and only so long as such Affiliates are controlled) by ARH II (as the term “control” is used in the definition of “Affiliate”) but excluding the ARLP Entities and the AHGP Entities.

ARLP ” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

ARLP Entities ” shall mean ARLP, MGP, OLP, Alliance Resource GP, LLC and any Affiliate controlled (and only so long as such Affiliates are controlled) by ARLP, MGP, OLP, Alliance Resource GP, LLC (as the term “control” is used in the definition of “Affiliate”).

 

A-1


Conflicts Committee ” when used in reference to ARLP or an ARLP Entity, shall have the meaning set forth in the partnership agreement of ARLP and when used in reference to AHGP or an AHGP Entity, shall have the meaning set forth in the partnership agreement of AHGP.

Effective Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Entities ” shall mean the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities.

Fixed Charges Fee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).

MGP ” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

OLP ” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Party ” shall mean any one of the Persons that executes this Agreement.

Payment Default ” shall mean the failure of an Entity to pay the invoices described in Section 2.4 on or before the 45th day following the end of each fiscal quarter

Person ” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

Proposed Annex A ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

Proposed Fixed Charges Fee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

Services ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

Services Standard ” shall mean, with respect to the performance of the Services, the good faith undertaking, on a commercially reasonable basis, to perform the Services in all material respects in compliance with applicable laws and prudent industry practices.

 

A-2


Exhibit B

CONFLICTS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit B shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in that certain Administrative Services Agreement, effective May 15, 2006, of which this Exhibit B forms a part.

This Exhibit B outlines the corporate governance structure and the policies and procedures that have been adopted by the boards of directors of AGP, MGP and ARH II to address potential conflicts among, protect the confidential information of, and govern the sharing of AGP personnel among, the Entities.

Shared Services

AGP employees may be assigned to perform Shared Services for all or any of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities. AGP employees performing Shared Services may be appointed to officer positions (including executive officer positions) at each of MGP, AGP and ARH II or their respective controlled Affiliates. As a result of their performance of Shared Services, Shared Employees may obtain Commercial Information that relates to more than one of the groups of Entities. To the extent that any Shared Employee has Commercial Information that relates to any two or more of the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities, such Shared Employee shall not engage in any activities to which such Commercial Information relates unless such activities are approved by the Screening Officer of each respective Entity.

Information Screening for Shared Employees

To the fullest extent possible, Shared Employees should avoid access to Commercial Information for any Entities for which they do not perform Commercial and Development Activities. To the extent that any Shared Employee who engages in Commercial and Development Activities becomes privy to Commercial Information of any Entities for which such employee does not perform Commercial and Development Activities, such Shared Employee must report that fact and the nature of the Confidential Information to the Screening Officers who will maintain a record of the name of the person, the date of the report, and the nature of the Commercial Information obtained by the Shared Employee.

Except as expressly permitted by the Screening Officers and to the extent required to effectively perform the Shared Services, (i) Shared Employees shall not disclose Commercial Information of the ARLP Entities to any director, officer or employee associated with the AHGP Entities or ARH II Entities; (ii) Shared Employees shall not disclose Commercial Information of the AHGP Entities to any director, officer or employee associated with the ARLP Entities or ARH II Entities and (iii) Shared Employees shall not disclose Commercial Information of the ARH II Entities to any director, officer or employee associated with the ARLP Entities or AHGP Entities.

Shared Employees should seek guidance on the foregoing restrictions from the Screening Officers to the extent that they are uncertain as to an appropriate course of action.

 

B-1


Definitions

For purposes of these policies and procedures, capitalized terms used but not defined above shall have the following meanings:

Commercial and Development Activities ” shall mean operations of the Entities relating to sales, marketing, or other services provided to customers; operation of or proposed changes to, such Entities’ assets; and the plans and strategies dealing with the business of such Entities.

Commercial Information ” shall mean information about Commercial and Development Activities or other competitively sensitive information of any Entities. Commercial Information includes information regarding prices, costs, margins, volumes and contractual terms for any particular customer; any method, tool or computer program used to determine prices for any asset; all plans or strategies used or adopted to negotiate, target or identify a particular customer for any asset; all information regarding plans and prospective budgets to expand or build a new facility; all information regarding a proposal to buy an existing facility; and capacity and capacity utilization of any facility.

Independent Director ” shall mean an individual director who meets the independence, qualification and experience requirements established by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and by the Nasdaq National Market.

Screening Officer ” shall mean the chief legal officer or general counsel for each of ARH II, AGP and MGP.

Shared Employees ” shall mean MGP employees providing Shared Services.

Shared Services ” shall mean services provided by AGP employees to more than one of the groups of Entities comprising the ARLP Entities, the AHGP Entities and the ARH II Entities and such services shall include, but not be limited to, human resources, information technology, financial and accounting services, legal services and such other services that do not involve Commercial and Development Activities.

 

B-2


ANNEX A

PERSONNEL ALLOCATION

 

Employee Name

  

Total Compensation

   Percentage of Total Compensation
Allocable to
      ARLP    AHGP    ARH II