As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2014

File No. 001-36181

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 3 to     

FORM 10

 

 

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland  

46-3999490

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450, Mission Viejo, CA   92691
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(949) 540-2000

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class to
be so registered

 

Name of each exchange on which
each class is to be registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

  The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
(NASDAQ Global Select Market)

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨     Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 


CareTrust REIT, Inc.

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN INFORMATION STATEMENT AND ITEMS OF FORM 10

Certain information required to be included in this Form 10 is incorporated by reference to specifically-identified portions of the body of the information statement filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1. None of the information contained in the information statement shall be incorporated by reference herein or deemed to be a part hereof unless such information is specifically incorporated by reference.

 

Item 1. Business .

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “The Spin-Off,” “Financing,” “Capitalization,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business,” “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions,” “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off,” “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Where You Can Find More Information.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors .

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2. Financial Information .

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data,” “CareTrust’s Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” “Ensign’s Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Selected Combined Historical Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3. Properties .

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management .

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Management” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers .

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Management.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 6. Executive Compensation .

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Management.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence .

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Management” and “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8. Legal Proceedings .

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Business—Legal Proceedings.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9. Market Price of, and Dividends on, the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters .

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary,” “The Spin-Off,” “Dividend Policy,” “Management” and “Description of Our Capital Stock.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities .

Not applicable.

 

Item 11. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered .

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary,” “The Spin-Off” and “Description of Our Capital Stock.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 12. Indemnification of Directors and Officers .

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Description of Our Capital Stock—Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data .

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data,” “CareTrust’s Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” “Ensign’s Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Selected Combined Historical Financial Data” and “Index to Financial Statements” (and the financial statements and related notes referenced therein). Those sections and the financial statements and related notes referenced therein are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure .

Not applicable.

 

Item 15. Financial Statements and Exhibits .

(a) Financial Statements

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “CareTrust’s Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” “Ensign’s Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Index to Financial Statements” (and the financial statements and related notes referenced therein). Those sections and the financial statements and related notes referenced therein are incorporated herein by reference.


(b) Exhibits

See below.

The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:

 

Exhibit
Number
 

Exhibit Description

2.1   Form of Separation and Distribution Agreement
3.1   Form of Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of CareTrust REIT, Inc.
3.2   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of CareTrust REIT, Inc.
4.1   Specimen Stock Certificate of CareTrust REIT, Inc.
10.1   Form of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CareTrust Partnership, L.P.
10.2   Form of Master Lease
10.3   Form of Guaranty of Master Lease
10.4   Form of Opportunities Agreement
10.5   Form of Transition Services Agreement
10.6   Form of Tax Matters Agreement
10.7   Form of Employee Matters Agreement
10.8   Form of Contribution Agreement
10.9   Form of Incentive Award Plan
21.1   List of Subsidiaries of CareTrust REIT, Inc.
99.1   Preliminary Information Statement of CareTrust REIT, Inc., subject to completion, dated April 14, 2014


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

By:  

 

/s/ Gregory K. Stapley

  Name:   Gregory K. Stapley
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 14, 2014

Exhibit 2.1

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

by and between

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

and

CARETRUST REIT, INC.

dated as of

                     , 2014


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1  

Definitions

     2   
Section 1.2  

Interpretation

     10   
 

ARTICLE II

 

THE REORGANIZATION

 

  
Section 2.1  

Transfers of Assets and Assumptions of Liabilities

     11   
Section 2.2  

CareTrust Assets and Ensign Assets

     14   
Section 2.3  

CareTrust Liabilities and Ensign Liabilities

     15   
Section 2.4  

Termination of Intercompany Agreements

     15   
Section 2.5  

Settlement of Intercompany Accounts

     16   
Section 2.6  

Replacement of Guarantees

     16   
 

 

ARTICLE III

 

CERTAIN ACTIONS PRIOR TO THE DISTRIBUTION

 

  
Section 3.1  

SEC and Other Securities Filings

     17   
Section 3.2  

NASDAQ Listing Application

     17   
Section 3.3  

Distribution Agent

     17   
Section 3.4  

Governmental Approvals and Consents

     17   
Section 3.5  

Ancillary Agreements

     18   
Section 3.6  

Governance Matters

     18   
 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

THE DISTRIBUTION

 

  
Section 4.1  

Distribution

     18   
 

ARTICLE V

 

CONDITIONS

 

  
Section 5.1  

Conditions Precedent to Consummation of the Distribution

     19   
Section 5.2  

Right Not to Close

     21   

 

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ARTICLE VI

 

NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES

 

  
Section 6.1  

Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties

     21   
Section 6.2  

As Is, Where Is

     22   
 

ARTICLE VII

 

CERTAIN COVENANTS AND ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

 

  
Section 7.1  

Insurance Matters

     22   
Section 7.2  

CareTrust REIT Status

     22   
Section 7.3  

No Restrictions on Post-Closing Competitive Activities; Corporate Opportunities

     22   
 

ARTICLE VIII

 

ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY; PRIVILEGE

 

  
Section 8.1  

Agreement for Exchange of Information

     24   
Section 8.2  

Ownership of Information

     25   
Section 8.3  

Compensation for Providing Information

     25   
Section 8.4  

Retention of Records

     25   
Section 8.5  

Limitation of Liability

     26   
Section 8.6  

Production of Witnesses

     26   
Section 8.7  

Confidentiality

     26   
Section 8.8  

Privileged Matters

     27   
Section 8.9  

Financial Information Certifications

     29   
 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

 

  
Section 9.1  

Release of Pre-Distribution Claims

     29   
Section 9.2  

Indemnification by CareTrust

     31   
Section 9.3  

Indemnification by Ensign

     32   
Section 9.4  

Procedures for Indemnification

     32   
Section 9.5  

Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds

     35   
Section 9.6  

Indemnification Obligations Net of Taxes

     36   
Section 9.7  

Contribution

     36   
Section 9.8  

Remedies Cumulative

     37   
Section 9.9  

Survival of Indemnities

     37   
Section 9.10  

Limitation of Liability

     37   

 

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ARTICLE X

 

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

  
Section 10.1  

Appointed Representative

     37   
Section 10.2  

Negotiation and Dispute Resolution

     37   
 

 

ARTICLE XI

 

TERMINATION

 

  
Section 11.1  

Termination

     39   
Section 11.2  

Effect of Termination

     39   
 

 

ARTICLE XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

  
Section 12.1  

Further Assurances

     40   
Section 12.2  

Payment of Expenses

     40   
Section 12.3  

Amendments and Waivers

     40   
Section 12.4  

Entire Agreement

     40   
Section 12.5  

Survival of Agreements

     41   
Section 12.6  

Third-Party Beneficiaries

     41   
Section 12.7  

Coordination with Tax Matters Agreement

     41   
Section 12.8  

Notices

     41   
Section 12.9  

Counterparts; Electronic Delivery

     42   
Section 12.10  

Severability

     42   
Section 12.11  

Assignability; Binding Effect

     42   
Section 12.12  

Governing Law

     42   
Section 12.13  

Construction

     42   
Section 12.14  

Performance

     43   
Section 12.15  

Title and Headings

     43   
Section 12.16  

Exhibits and Schedules

     43   

Exhibit A – CareTrust Subsidiaries

 

Schedules  
Schedule 2.2(a)   Certain CareTrust Assets
Schedule 2.3(a)   Certain CareTrust Liabilities

 

iii


SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

This SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of                      , 2014, by and between THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (“ Ensign ”), and CARETRUST REIT, INC., a Maryland corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign (“ CareTrust ”). Ensign and CareTrust are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “ Party ,” and collectively as the “ Parties .” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 1.1.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Ensign has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of Ensign and its stockholders to reorganize the assets and liabilities of Ensign into two companies: (i) Ensign which, following consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, will own and conduct a healthcare services business; and (ii) CareTrust which, following consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, will own and conduct a healthcare real estate business;

WHEREAS, in furtherance thereof, the board of directors of Ensign and the board of directors of CareTrust have approved the transfer by Ensign and its Subsidiaries of the CareTrust Assets to CareTrust and its Subsidiaries in actual or constructive exchange for (i) the assumption or incurrence, as applicable, by CareTrust and certain of its Subsidiaries of the CareTrust Liabilities, (ii) the issuance by CareTrust to Ensign of shares of CareTrust Common Stock, and (iii) the transfer by CareTrust, directly or indirectly, to Ensign of the CareTrust Cash Payment, all as more fully described in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (the “ Reorganization ”);

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Ensign has also determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of Ensign and its stockholders to effect a distribution (the “ Distribution ”) to the holders of the outstanding shares of Ensign Common Stock, on a pro rata basis, of all of the outstanding shares of CareTrust Common Stock, as of the Distribution Date, so that, following the Distribution, Ensign and CareTrust will be two independent, publicly traded companies;

WHEREAS, the Reorganization and the Distribution will, among other items, (i) enable CareTrust to expand into new geographic areas; (ii) enable CareTrust to acquire properties in different asset classes; (iii) enable CareTrust to diversify its tenant base; (iv) allow management, regulators, market analysts and investors to evaluate CareTrust as a stand-alone real estate company, and Ensign as a “pure play” healthcare operator, in each case, using appropriate industry metrics; (v) allow CareTrust to reduce its aggregate credit risk, regulatory risk and cost of capital; and (vi) make CareTrust and Ensign shares more attractive acquisition and compensation currency;

WHEREAS, CareTrust has been incorporated for these purposes and has not engaged in activities except in preparation for the Reorganization and the Distribution;


WHEREAS, Ensign has received a private letter ruling from the IRS (the “ IRS Ruling ”) to the effect that, among other things, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, certain aspects of the Reorganization and the Distribution qualify as (i) a transaction that is described in Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code (ii) a transaction in which the holders of Ensign Common Stock recognize no income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code, and (iii) a transaction in which the CareTrust Common Stock distributed is “qualified property” under Section 361(c) of the Code;

WHEREAS, this Agreement is intended to be, and is hereby adopted as, a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. 1.368-2(g); and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate and desirable to set forth the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Reorganization and the Distribution and to set forth certain other agreements that will, following the Distribution, govern certain matters relating to the Reorganization and the Distribution and the relationship between Ensign and/or its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and, CareTrust and/or its Subsidiaries, on the other hand.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants and agreements set forth below and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:

AAA ” and “ AAA Rules ” have the respective meanings set forth in Section 10.2(b).

Action ” means any demand, claim, action, suit, countersuit, arbitration, litigation, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal or authority.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person. For this purpose, “control” of a Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and includes all Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto or delivered pursuant hereto.

Ancillary Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5.

Appointed Representative ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

2


Appropriate Member of the Ensign Group ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3.

Appropriate Member of the CareTrust Group ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2.

Asset ” means all rights, properties or other assets, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, of any kind, nature and description, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and wherever situated and whether or not carried or reflected, or required to be carried or reflected, on the books of any Person.

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions located in the State of California are authorized or obligated by applicable Law or executive order to close.

California Courts ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(b)(iv).

CareTrust ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

CareTrust Assets ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

CareTrust Business ” means all business and operations conducted by any member of the CareTrust Group, as described in the Information Statement, including (i) the real estate business conducted by the CareTrust Group, (ii) the business of owning and operating independent living facilities conducted by the CareTrust Group, and (iii) any other business directly conducted by any member of the CareTrust Group as of or prior to the date of this Agreement.

CareTrust Cash Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(iii).

CareTrust Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of CareTrust.

CareTrust Contracts ” means any contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding listed or described in Schedule 2.2(a) (or any applicable licenses, leases, addenda and similar arrangements thereunder as described in Schedule 2.2(a)) and any other contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding, whether or not in writing, that relates primarily to the CareTrust Business.

CareTrust Group ” means CareTrust and the CareTrust Subsidiaries.

CareTrust Indemnitees ” means each member of the CareTrust Group and their Affiliates and each of their respective current or former stockholders, directors, officers, agents and employees (in each case, in such Person’s respective capacity as such) and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

CareTrust Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).

 

3


CareTrust Notes ” means the $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to be issued by CareTrust Partnership, L.P. and CareTrust Capital Corp. prior to the Effective Time.

CareTrust Revolver ” means the revolving credit facility to be entered into by CareTrust Partnership, L.P. prior to the Effective Time.

CareTrust Subsidiaries ” means the Subsidiaries of CareTrust as of the date of this Agreement, the entities listed on Exhibit A hereto, any Subsidiary of any such entities and any direct or indirect Subsidiary of CareTrust formed after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Distribution Date.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Confidential Information ” means any and all information:

(a) that is required to be maintained in confidence by any Law or under any Contract;

(b) concerning market studies, business plans, computer hardware, computer software (including all versions, source and object codes and all related files and data), software and database technologies, systems, structures and architectures, and other similar technical or business information;

(c) concerning any business and its affairs, which includes earnings reports and forecasts, macro-economic reports and forecasts, business and strategic plans, general market evaluations and surveys, litigation presentations and risk assessments, financing and credit-related information, financial projections, tax returns and accountants’ materials, business plans, strategic plans, Contracts, however documented, and other similar financial or business information;

(d) constituting communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), communications and materials otherwise related to or made or prepared in connection with or in preparation for any legal proceeding; or

(e) constituting notes, analyses, compilations, studies, summaries and other material that contain or are based, in whole or in part, upon any information included in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d).

Consent ” means any consent, waiver or approval from, or notification requirement to, any Person other than a member of either Group.

Contract ” means any written, oral, implied or other contract, agreement, covenant, lease, license, guaranty, indemnity, representation, warranty, assignment, sales order, purchase order, power of attorney, instrument or other commitment, assurance, undertaking or arrangement that is binding on any Person or entity or any part of its property under applicable Law.

 

4


Contribution Agreement ” means that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among CareTrust Partnership, L.P., CareTrust GP, LLC, CareTrust and Ensign.

Deferred Asset ,” “ Deferred Liability ” and “ Deferred Asset or Liability ” have the respective meanings set forth in Section 2.1(b)(ii).

Dispute ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

Dispute Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(a).

Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Distribution Agent ” means Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc.

Distribution Date ” means the date on which the Distribution occurs, such date to be determined by, or under the authority of, the board of directors of Ensign, in its sole and absolute discretion.

Effective Time ” means the time at which the Distribution is effective on the Distribution Date.

Employee Matters Agreement ” means that certain Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between Ensign and CareTrust.

Ensign ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Ensign Assets ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

Ensign Business ” means any business now or formerly conducted by Ensign and its present and former Affiliates, other than the CareTrust Business, including the healthcare services business conducted by the Ensign Group.

Ensign Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Ensign.

Ensign D&O Policies ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

Ensign Group ” means Ensign and the Subsidiaries of Ensign other than CareTrust and the CareTrust Subsidiaries.

Ensign Guarantee ” means any Guarantee issued, entered into or otherwise put in place by any member of the Ensign Group to support or facilitate, or otherwise in respect of, (a) the obligations of any member of the CareTrust Group or any of the CareTrust Business or (b) Contracts, commitments, Liabilities or permits of any member of the CareTrust Group or any of the CareTrust Business.

 

5


Ensign Indemnitees ” means each member of the Ensign Group and its Affiliates (other than CareTrust and the CareTrust Subsidiaries) and each of their respective current or former stockholders, directors, officers, agents and employees (in each case, in such Person’s respective capacity as such) and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

Ensign Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).

Escrow Account ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(h).

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

Expense Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(h).

Expense Amount Accountant’s Letter ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(h).

Expense Amount Tax Opinion ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(h).

Governmental Approval ” means any notice, report or other filing to be given to or made with, or any release, consent, substitution, approval, amendment, registration, permit or authorization from, any Governmental Authority.

Governmental Authority ” means any U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. court, government, department, commission, board, bureau, agency, official or other regulatory, administrative or governmental authority.

Group ” means the Ensign Group and/or the CareTrust Group, as the context requires.

Guarantee ” means any guarantee (including guarantees of performance or payment under Contracts, commitments, Liabilities and permits), letter of credit or other credit or credit support arrangement or similar assurance, including surety bonds, bid bonds, advance payment bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds, retention and/or warranty bonds or other bonds or similar instruments.

Indebtedness ” of any specified Person means (a) all obligations of such specified Person for borrowed money or arising out of any extension of credit to or for the account of such specified Person (including reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to surety bonds, letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar instruments), (b) all obligations of such specified Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such specified Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such specified Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to Assets purchased by such specified Person, (e) all obligations of such specified Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, (f) all Liabilities secured by (or for which any Person to which any such Liability is owed has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any mortgage, lien, pledge or other encumbrance on property owned or acquired by such specified Person (or upon any revenues, income or profits of such specified Person therefrom), whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed by the specified Person or otherwise become Liabilities of the specified Person, (g) all capital lease

 

6


obligations of such specified Person, (h) all securities or other similar instruments convertible or exchangeable into any of the foregoing, and (i) any Liability of others of a type described in any of the preceding clauses (a) through (h) in respect of which the specified Person has incurred, assumed or acquired a Liability by means of a Guarantee.

Indemnifiable Loss ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5.

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(a).

Indemnitee ” means any Ensign Indemnitee or any CareTrust Indemnitee.

Indemnity Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5.

Information Statement ” means the information statement, attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and any related documentation to be provided to holders of Ensign Common Stock in connection with the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

Insurance Policy ” means any insurance policies and insurance Contracts, including, without limitation, general liability, property and casualty, workers’ compensation, automobile, directors and officers liability, errors and omissions, employee dishonesty and fiduciary liability policies, whether, in each case, in the nature of primary, excess, umbrella or self-insurance coverage, together with all rights, benefits and privileges thereunder.

Insurance Proceeds ” means those monies (in each case, net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof):

(a) received by an insured Person from any insurer, insurance underwriter, mutual protection and indemnity club or other risk collective, excluding any proceeds received directly or indirectly (such as through reinsurance arrangements) from any captive insurance Subsidiary of the insured Person; or

(b) paid on behalf of an insured Person by any insurer, insurance underwriter, mutual protection and indemnity club or other risk collective, excluding any such payment made directly or indirectly (such as through reinsurance arrangements) from any captive insurance Subsidiary of the insured Person, on behalf of the insured.

Intercompany Account ” means any receivable, payable or loan between any member of the Ensign Group, on the one hand, and any member of the CareTrust Group, on the other hand, that exists prior to the Effective Time and is reflected in the records of the relevant members of the Ensign Group and the CareTrust Group, except for any such receivable, payable or loan that arises pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

Intercompany Agreement ” means any Contract between or among any member of the Ensign Group, on the one hand, and any member of the CareTrust Group, on the other hand, entered into prior to the Distribution Date, but excluding any Contract to which a Person other than any member of the Ensign Group or the CareTrust Group is also a party.

 

7


IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

IRS Ruling ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Law ” means any law, statute, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, writ, proclamation, judgment, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority.

Liabilities ” means any and all Indebtedness, liabilities and obligations, whether accrued, fixed or contingent, mature or inchoate, known or unknown, reflected on a balance sheet or otherwise, including those arising under any Law, Action or any judgment of any Governmental Authority or any award of any arbitrator of any kind, and those arising under any Contract.

Losses ” means any and all damages, losses, deficiencies, Liabilities, obligations, penalties, judgments, settlements, claims, payments, interest costs, Taxes, fines and expenses (including the costs and expenses of any and all Actions and demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises relating thereto and attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ and other professionals’ fees and expenses incurred in the investigation or defense thereof or the enforcement of rights hereunder).

Master Leases ” means those certain Master Leases, each dated as of the date hereof and entered into by and among members of the Ensign Group and members of the CareTrust Group.

NASDAQ ” means the The NASDAQ Global Select Market.

NASDAQ Listing Application ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).

Nonqualifying Income ” means any amount that is treated as gross income for purposes of Section 856 of the Code and which is not Qualifying Income.

Offering Memorandum ” means the offering memorandum related to the CareTrust Notes.

Opportunities Agreement ” means that certain Opportunities Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between Ensign and CareTrust.

Party ” or “ Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

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

Protected REIT ” means any entity that (i) has elected to be taxed as a REIT, and (ii) either (A) is an Indemnitee or (B) owns a direct or indirect equity interest in any Indemnitee and is treated for purposes of Section 856 of the Code as owning all or a portion of the assets of such Indemnitee or as receiving all or a portion of the Indemnitee’s income.

 

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Qualifying Income ” means gross income that is described in Section 856(c)(3) of the Code.

Record Date ” means the close of business on the date determined by the board of directors of Ensign as the record date for determining holders of Ensign Common Stock entitled to receive shares of CareTrust Common Stock in the Distribution.

Record Holders ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a)(i).

Registration Statement ” means the registration statement on Form 10 of CareTrust with respect to the registration under the Exchange Act of the CareTrust Common Stock to be distributed in the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

REIT ” means a real estate investment trust, as defined under the Code.

REIT Qualification Ruling ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(h).

REIT Requirements ” means the requirements imposed on REITs pursuant to Sections 856 through and including 860 of the Code.

Release Document ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(h).

Reorganization ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Security Interest ” means any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, indenture, right to acquire, right of first refusal, deed of trust, licenses to third parties, leases to third parties, security agreements, voting or other restriction, covenant, condition, encroachment, restriction on transfer, restriction or limitation on use of real or personal property or any other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever, imperfections in or failure of title or defect of title.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such specified Person or by any one or more of its subsidiaries, or by such specified Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

Tax Matters Agreement ” means that certain Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between Ensign and CareTrust.

Taxes ” means all taxes, charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts or other assessments imposed by any federal, state, local or foreign Taxing Authority, including, but not limited to, income, gross receipts, excise, property, sales, use, license, capital stock, transfer, franchise, payroll, withholding, social security, value added and other taxes, and any interest, penalties or additions attributable thereto.

 

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Taxing Authority ” means any Governmental Authority or any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof or any quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any Tax (including the IRS).

Third-Party Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(b).

Transactions ” means the Reorganization, the Distribution and any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

Transition Services Agreement ” means that certain Transition Services Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between Ensign and CareTrust.

Section 1.2 Interpretation . In this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) words used in the singular include the plural and words used in the plural include the singular;

(b) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(c) the word “or” shall have the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”;

(d) relative to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including,” “to” means “to but excluding” and “through” means “through and including”;

(e) accounting terms used herein shall have the meanings historically ascribed to them by Ensign and its Subsidiaries in their internal accounting and financial policies and procedures in effect immediately prior to the date of this Agreement;

(f) reference to any agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and by this Agreement;

(g) reference to any Law means such Law (including any and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect at the time of determining compliance or applicability;

(h) references to any Person include such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement; a reference to such Person’s “Affiliates” shall be deemed to mean such Person’s Affiliates following the Distribution and any reference to a third party shall be deemed to mean a Person who is not a Party or an Affiliate of a Party;

 

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(i) if there is any conflict between the provisions of the main body of this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto or thereto, the provisions of the main body of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreement, as applicable, shall control unless explicitly stated otherwise in such Exhibit or Schedule;

(j) if there is any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, the provisions of such Ancillary Agreement shall control (but only with respect to the subject matter thereof) unless explicitly stated otherwise therein; and

(k) any portion of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement obligating a Party to take any action or refrain from taking any action, as the case may be, shall mean that such Party shall also be obligated to cause its relevant Subsidiaries to take such action or refrain from taking such action, as the case may be.

ARTICLE II

THE REORGANIZATION

Section 2.1 Transfers of Assets and Assumptions of Liabilities .

(a) Transfers Prior to Effective Time . Subject to Section 2.1(b), Ensign and CareTrust agree to take all actions necessary so that, immediately prior to the Effective Time:

(i) Ensign shall, and shall cause its applicable Subsidiaries to, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to CareTrust or certain Persons designated by CareTrust who are or will become members of the CareTrust Group, and CareTrust or such Persons shall accept from Ensign and its applicable Subsidiaries, to the extent not already owned by the CareTrust Group, all of Ensign’s and such Subsidiaries’ respective direct or indirect right, title and interest in and to all CareTrust Assets;

(ii) CareTrust and certain Persons designated by CareTrust who are or will become members of the CareTrust Group shall accept and assume, to the extent the CareTrust Group is not already liable therefor, all the CareTrust Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, regardless of when or where such CareTrust Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to or subsequent to the Distribution Date, regardless of where or against whom such CareTrust Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any CareTrust Liabilities arising out of claims made by Ensign’s or CareTrust’s respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the Ensign Group or the CareTrust Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Ensign Group or the CareTrust Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates;

 

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(iii) CareTrust shall transfer, directly or indirectly, to the applicable member of the Ensign Group, a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the CareTrust Notes in an amount equal to $                (the “ CareTrust Cash Payment ”); and

(iv) CareTrust shall issue to Ensign shares of CareTrust Common Stock, which shares shall be fully paid and non-assessable under the Laws of the State of Maryland, of a sufficient number to effectuate the Distribution.

(b) Deferred Transfers and Assumptions .

(i) Nothing in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement will be deemed to require the transfer of any Assets or the assumption of any Liabilities that by their terms or by operation of Law cannot be transferred or assumed.

(ii) To the extent that any transfer of Assets or assumption of Liabilities contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement is not consummated prior to the Effective Time as a result of an absence or non-satisfaction of any required Consent, Governmental Approval and/or other condition (such Assets or Liabilities, a “ Deferred Asset ” or a “ Deferred Liability ,” as applicable, and, collectively, a “ Deferred Asset or Liability ”), the Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such transfers or assumptions as promptly following the Effective Time as practicable. If and when the Consents, Governmental Approvals and/or other conditions, the absence or non-satisfaction of which gave rise to a Deferred Asset or Liability, are obtained or satisfied, the transfer or assumption of such Deferred Asset or Liability will be effected in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreement.

(iii) From and after the Effective Time until such time as a Deferred Asset or Liability is transferred or assumed, as applicable, (A) the Party retaining such Deferred Asset will thereafter hold such Deferred Asset for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto (at the expense of the Party entitled thereto) and (B) the Party intended to assume such Deferred Liability will pay or reimburse the Party retaining such Deferred Liability for all amounts paid or incurred in connection with the retention of such Deferred Liability; it being agreed that the Party retaining such Deferred Asset or Liability will not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing clause (A) and clause (B), to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced or agreed in writing to be reimbursed by the Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or intended to assume such Deferred Liability. The Party retaining such Deferred Asset or Liability will use its commercially reasonable efforts to notify the Party entitled to or intended

 

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to assume, as applicable, such Deferred Asset or Liability of the need for such expenditure. In addition, the Party retaining such Deferred Asset or Liability will, insofar as reasonably practicable and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (A) treat such Deferred Asset or Liability in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (B) promptly take such other actions as may be requested by the Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or by the Party intended to assume such Deferred Liability in order to place such Party in the same position as if the Deferred Asset or Liability had been transferred or assumed, as applicable, as contemplated hereby, and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Deferred Asset or Liability, including possession, use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and control over such Deferred Asset or Liability, are to inure from and after the Effective Time to such Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or intended to assume such Deferred Liability, and (C) hold itself out to third parties as agent or nominee on behalf of the Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or intended to assume such Deferred Liability.

(iv) In furtherance of the foregoing, the Parties agree that, as of the Effective Time, each Party will be deemed to have acquired beneficial ownership of all of the Assets, together with all rights and privileges incident thereto, and will be deemed to have assumed all of the Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and responsibilities incident thereto, that such Party is entitled to acquire or intended to assume pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreement.

(v) The Parties agree to treat, for all tax purposes, any Asset or Liability that is not transferred or assumed prior to the Effective Time and which is subject to the provisions of this Section 2.1(b), as (A) owned by the Party to which such Asset was intended to be transferred or by the Party which was intended to assume such Liability, as the case may be, from and after the Effective Time, (B) having not been owned by the Party retaining such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, at any time from and after the Effective Time, and (C) having been held by the Party retaining such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, only as agent or nominee on behalf of the other Party from and after the Effective Time until the date such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, is transferred to or assumed by such other Party. The Parties will not take any position inconsistent with the foregoing unless otherwise required by applicable Law (in which case, the Parties will provide indemnification for any Taxes attributable to the Asset or Liability during the period beginning on the Distribution Date and ending on the date of the actual transfer).

(c) Misallocated Assets and Liabilities .

(i) In the event that, at any time from and after the Effective Time, either Party discovers that it or another member of its Group is the owner of, receives or otherwise comes to possess or benefit from any Asset (including the receipt of payments made pursuant to Contracts and proceeds from accounts receivable with respect to such Asset) that should have been allocated to

 

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a member of the other Group pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (except in the case of any deliberate acquisition of Assets from a member of the other Group for value subsequent to the Effective Time), such Party shall promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, such Asset to such member of the other Group, and such member of the other Group shall accept such Asset for no further consideration other than that set forth in this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement, as applicable. Prior to any such transfer, such Asset shall be held in accordance with Section 2.1(b).

(ii) In the event that, at any time from and after the Effective Time, either Party discovers that it or another member of its Group is liable for any Liability that should have been allocated to a member of the other Group pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (except in the case of any deliberate assumption of Liabilities from a member of the other Group for value subsequent to the Effective Time), such Party shall promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, such Liability to such member of the other Group and such member of the other Group shall assume such Liability for no further consideration other than that set forth in this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement, as applicable. Prior to any such assumption, such Liabilities shall be held in accordance with Section 2.1(b).

(d) Instruments of Transfer and Assumption . The Parties agree that (i) transfers of Assets that may be required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be effected by delivery by the transferor to the transferee of (A) with respect to those Assets that constitute stock or other equity interests, certificates endorsed in blank or evidenced or accompanied by stock powers or other instruments of transfer endorsed in blank, against receipt and (B) with respect to all other Assets, such good and sufficient instruments of contribution, conveyance, assignment and transfer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parties, as shall be necessary, in each case, to vest in the designated transferee all of the title and ownership interest of the transferor in and to any such Asset, and (ii) the assumptions of Liabilities required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be effected by delivery by the transferee to the transferor of such good and sufficient instruments of assumption, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parties, as shall be necessary, in each case, for the assumption by the transferee of such Liabilities.

(e) Plan of Reorganization . The Parties agree that this Agreement constitutes a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(g).

Section 2.2 CareTrust Assets and Ensign Assets .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, “ CareTrust Assets ” shall mean, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including the Tax Matters Agreement):

(i) all of the equity interests in the CareTrust Subsidiaries;

 

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(ii) all Assets of the CareTrust Subsidiaries;

(iii) all CareTrust Contracts;

(iv) the Assets listed or described in Schedule 2.2(a); and

(v) any and all Assets owned or held immediately prior to the Effective Time by Ensign or any of its Subsidiaries that are used primarily in, or that primarily relate to, the CareTrust Business.

For the avoidance of doubt, the CareTrust Assets shall include, but not be limited to, all Assets recorded on the consolidated balance sheet of CareTrust as of the date of this Agreement.

(b) For the purposes of this Agreement, “ Ensign Assets ” shall mean (without duplication), (i) any and all Assets owned, directly or indirectly, by Ensign or any of its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Time, other than the CareTrust Assets.

Section 2.3 CareTrust Liabilities and Ensign Liabilities .

(a) For the purposes of this Agreement, “ CareTrust Liabilities ” shall mean, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including the Tax Matters Agreement):

(i) all Liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the CareTrust Business, whether arising before, at or after the Effective Time;

(ii) all Liabilities to be assumed by CareTrust pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;

(iii) all Liabilities related to the CareTrust Notes;

(iv) all Liabilities related to the CareTrust Revolver; and

(v) those Liabilities set forth in Section 2.3(a) of the Schedules.

(b) For the purposes of this Agreement, “ Ensign Liabilities ” shall mean (without duplication) any and all Liabilities of Ensign and its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Time other than CareTrust Liabilities.

Section 2.4 Termination of Intercompany Agreements .

(a) Except as set forth in Section 2.4(a), Ensign, on behalf of itself and each of the other members of the Ensign Group, and CareTrust, on behalf of itself and each of the other members of the CareTrust Group, hereby terminate, effective as of the Effective Time, any and all Intercompany Agreements. No such terminated Intercompany Agreement will be of

 

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any further force or effect from and after the Effective Time and all Parties shall be released from all Liabilities thereunder other than the Liability to settle any Intercompany Accounts as provided in Section 2.5. Each Party shall take, or cause to be taken, any and all actions as may be reasonably necessary to effect the foregoing.

(b) The provisions of Section 2.4 shall not apply to any of the following agreements (which agreements shall continue to be outstanding after the Distribution Date and thereafter shall be deemed to be, for each relevant Party (or the member of such Party’s Group), an obligation to a third party and shall no longer be an Intercompany Agreement):

(i) this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (and each other agreement or instrument expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement); and

(ii) any confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements among any members of either Group.

Section 2.5 Settlement of Intercompany Accounts . Each Intercompany Account outstanding immediately prior to the Distribution Date, will be satisfied and/or settled in full in cash or otherwise cancelled and terminated or extinguished by the relevant members of the Ensign Group and the CareTrust Group prior to the Effective Time, in each case, in the manner agreed to by the Parties.

Section 2.6 Replacement of Guarantees .

(a) The Parties shall cooperate and use their reasonable best efforts to arrange, effective at or prior to the Effective Time, at CareTrust’s cost and expense, the replacement of all Ensign Guarantees with alternate arrangements that do not require any credit support from any member of the Ensign Group, and shall use their reasonable best efforts to obtain from the beneficiaries of such Ensign Guarantees written releases indicating that each applicable member of the Ensign Group will, effective as of the Effective Time, have no further Liability with respect to such Ensign Guarantees.

(b) If, following the Distribution Date, the Parties are unable to replace any Ensign Guarantee, (i) the Parties shall cooperate and continue to use their reasonable best efforts to replace such Ensign Guarantee with alternate arrangements that do not require any credit support from any member of the Ensign Group and (ii) CareTrust shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each member of the Ensign Group against, and reimburse each member of the Ensign Group for, any Losses incurred following the Distribution with respect to such Ensign Guarantee.

 

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ARTICLE III

CERTAIN ACTIONS PRIOR TO THE DISTRIBUTION

Section 3.1 SEC and Other Securities Filings .

(a) Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Parties caused the Registration Statement to be prepared and filed with the SEC.

(b) The Parties shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement.

(c) As soon as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective, Ensign shall cause the Information Statement to be mailed to the Record Holders.

(d) The Parties shall cooperate in preparing, filing with the SEC and causing to become effective any other registration statements or amendments or supplements thereto that are necessary or appropriate in order to effect the Transactions, or to reflect the establishment of, or amendments to, any employee benefit plans contemplated hereby.

(e) The Parties shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate under state and foreign securities or “blue sky” Laws in connection with the Transactions.

Section 3.2 NASDAQ Listing Application .

(a) Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Parties caused an application for the listing on NASDAQ of CareTrust Common Stock to be issued to the Record Holders in the Distribution (the “ NASDAQ Listing Application ”) to be prepared and filed.

(b) The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the NASDAQ Listing Application approved, subject to official notice of issuance, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement.

(c) Ensign shall give NASDAQ notice of the Record Date in compliance with Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act.

Section 3.3 Distribution Agent . On or prior to the date of this Agreement, Ensign shall, if requested by the Distribution Agent, enter into a distribution agent agreement and/or a paying agent agreement with the Distribution Agent.

Section 3.4 Governmental Approvals and Consents . To the extent that any of the Transactions require any Governmental Approval or Consent which has not been obtained prior to the date of this Agreement, the Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or cause to be obtained, such Governmental Approval or Consent prior to the Effective Time.

 

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Section 3.5 Ancillary Agreements . Prior to the Effective Time, each Party shall execute and deliver, and shall cause each applicable member of its Group to execute and deliver, as applicable, the following agreements (collectively, the “ Ancillary Agreements ”): (a) the Master Leases, (b) the Tax Matters Agreement, (c) the Transition Services Agreement, (d) the Employee Matters Agreement, (e) the Contribution Agreement, (f) the Opportunities Agreement, and (g) such other written agreements, documents or instruments as the Parties may agree are reasonably necessary or desirable and which specifically state that they are Ancillary Agreements within the meaning of this Agreement.

Section 3.6 Governance Matters .

(a) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws . On or prior to the Distribution Date, the Parties shall take all necessary actions to adopt each of the amended and restated articles of incorporation and the amended and restated bylaws of CareTrust, each substantially in the forms filed by CareTrust with the SEC as exhibits to the Registration Statement.

(b) Officers and Directors . On or prior to the Distribution Date, the Parties shall take all necessary action so that, as of the Distribution Date, the officers and directors of CareTrust will be as set forth in the Information Statement.

ARTICLE IV

THE DISTRIBUTION

Section 4.1 Distribution .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, including Section 4.1(b):

(i) on or prior to the Distribution Date, Ensign shall deliver or otherwise make available to the Distribution Agent, for the benefit of holders of record of Ensign Common Stock at the close of business on the Record Date (the “ Record Holders ”), such number of issued and outstanding shares of CareTrust Common Stock as is necessary to effect the Distribution; and

(ii) on the Distribution Date, Ensign will direct the Distribution Agent to distribute, effective as of the Effective Time, to each Record Holder, (A) one share of CareTrust Common Stock for each share of Ensign Common Stock held by such Record Holder on the Record Date and (B) cash, if applicable, in lieu of fractional shares, in an amount determined in accordance with Section 4.1(c) hereof. All such shares of CareTrust Common Stock to be so distributed shall be distributed as uncertificated shares registered in book-entry form through the direct registration system. No certificates therefor shall be distributed. Following the Distribution, Ensign shall cause the Distribution Agent to deliver an account statement to each holder of CareTrust Common Stock reflecting such holder’s ownership thereof. All of the shares of CareTrust Common Stock distributed in the Distribution will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Ensign, the Distribution Agent, or any Person that is a withholding agent under applicable Law shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration distributable or payable hereunder the amounts required to be deducted and withheld under the Code, or any provision of any U.S. federal, state, local or foreign Tax Law. Any amounts so withheld shall be paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority in the manner prescribed by Law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Persons in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no fractional shares of CareTrust Common Stock shall be issued in connection with the Distribution, and any such fractional share interests to which a Record Holder would otherwise be entitled shall not entitle such Record Holder to vote or to any other rights as a stockholder of CareTrust. In lieu of any such fractional shares, each Record Holder who, but for the provisions of this section, would be entitled to receive a fractional share interest of CareTrust Common Stock pursuant to the Distribution, shall be paid cash, without any interest thereon, as hereinafter provided. Ensign will direct the Distribution Agent to determine the number of whole shares and fractional shares of CareTrust Common Stock allocable to each Record Holder, to aggregate all such fractional shares into whole shares, to sell the whole shares obtained thereby in the open market at the then-prevailing prices on behalf of each Record Holder who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional share interests and to distribute to each such Record Holder his, her or its ratable share of the total proceeds of such sale, after making appropriate deductions of the amounts required for U.S. federal income tax withholding purposes and after deducting any applicable transfer Taxes and the costs and expenses of such sale and distribution, including brokers fees and commissions. The sales of fractional shares shall occur as soon after the Effective Time as practicable and as determined by the Distribution Agent. None of Ensign, CareTrust or the Distribution Agent shall guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional shares of Ensign Common Stock. Neither Ensign nor CareTrust shall pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares. The Distribution Agent shall have the sole discretion to select the broker-dealers through which to sell the aggregated fractional shares and to determine when, how and at what price to sell such shares. Neither the Distribution Agent nor the broker-dealers through which the aggregated fractional shares are sold shall be Affiliates of Ensign or CareTrust.

ARTICLE V

CONDITIONS

Section 5.1 Conditions Precedent to Consummation of the Distribution . The Distribution shall not be effected unless and until the following conditions have been satisfied or waived by Ensign, in its sole and absolute discretion, at or before the Effective Time:

(a) the board of directors of Ensign shall have declared the Distribution, which declaration may be made or withheld in its sole and absolute discretion;

 

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(b) the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC, with no stop order in effect with respect thereto, and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before, or threatened by, the SEC;

(c) Ensign shall have mailed the Information Statement (and such other information concerning CareTrust, the Distribution and such other matters as the Parties shall determine and as may otherwise be required by Law) to the Record Holders;

(d) the IRS Ruling shall not have been revoked or modified in any material respect;

(e) Ensign shall have received (i) an opinion of KPMG LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Ensign, substantially to the effect that, with respect to certain requirements for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code on which the IRS will not rule, such requirements will be satisfied, and (ii) an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Ensign, substantially to the effect that, with respect to certain requirements for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code on which the IRS will not rule, such requirements will be satisfied;

(f) CareTrust shall have received an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to CareTrust, substantially to the effect that, commencing with CareTrust’s taxable year ending December 31, 2014, CareTrust has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its proposed method of operation will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT;

(g) CareTrust and Ensign shall have received an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to CareTrust, substantially to the effect that the Master Leases will be respected as “true leases” for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to certain facilities;

(h) NASDAQ shall have approved the NASDAQ Listing Application, subject to official notice of issuance;

(i) Ensign shall have set a Record Date and provided notice thereof to NASDAQ, as provided in Section 3.2(c);

(j) CareTrust shall have completed the financing transactions described in the Information Statement and contemplated to occur on or prior to the Distribution Date, including the issuance of the CareTrust Notes, the entry into the CareTrust Revolver and the incurrence of additional mortgage indebtedness;

(k) CareTrust shall have made the CareTrust Cash Payment, and Ensign shall have used a portion of the CareTrust Cash Payment for the repayment of Indebtedness as described in the Information Statement;

 

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(l) no preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a Governmental Authority, and no statute (as interpreted through orders or rules of any Governmental Authority duly authorized to effectuate the statute), rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any Governmental Authority shall be in effect preventing the consummation of, or materially limiting the benefits of, the Transactions;

(m) no other event or development shall have occurred or failed to occur that, in the judgment of the board of directors of Ensign, in its sole discretion, would result in the Distribution having a material adverse effect on Ensign or its stockholders;

(n) CareTrust shall have adopted the amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as provided in Section 3.6(a);

(o) the Ancillary Agreements shall have been executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto and no party to any of the Ancillary Agreements will be in material breach of any such agreement;

(p) all other actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable federal or state securities Laws and state “blue sky” Laws in connection with the Transactions shall have been taken; and

(q) any material Governmental Approvals and Consents necessary to consummate the Transactions or any portion thereof shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect.

Section 5.2 Right Not to Close . Each of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 is for the benefit of Ensign, and the board of directors of Ensign may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine whether to waive any condition, in whole or in part. Any determination made by the board of directors of Ensign concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 will be conclusive and binding on the Parties. The satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 will not create any obligation on the part of Ensign to any other Person to effect any of the Transactions or in any way limit Ensign’s right to terminate this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements as set forth in Section 11.1 or alter the consequences of any termination from those specified in Section 11.2.

ARTICLE VI

NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES

Section 6.1 Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties . EACH PARTY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH OTHER MEMBER OF ITS GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, NO PARTY IS REPRESENTING OR WARRANTING IN ANY WAY AS TO (A) THE ASSETS, BUSINESSES OR LIABILITIES CONTRIBUTED, TRANSFERRED, DISTRIBUTED OR ASSUMED AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, (B) ANY CONSENTS OR GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH, (C) THE VALUE OR FREEDOM FROM ANY SECURITY INTERESTS OF, OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONCERNING, ANY ASSETS OF ANY PARTY, (D) THE

 

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ABSENCE OF ANY DEFENSES OR RIGHT OF SETOFF OR FREEDOM FROM COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR OTHER ASSET, INCLUDING ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, OF ANY PARTY, OR (E) THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF ANY CONTRIBUTION, DISTRIBUTION, ASSIGNMENT, DOCUMENT, CERTIFICATE OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER TO CONVEY TITLE TO ANY ASSET UPON THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND FILING HEREOF OR THEREOF.

Section 6.2 As Is, Where Is . EACH PARTY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH OTHER MEMBER OF ITS GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, ALL ASSETS TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT ARE BEING TRANSFERRED “AS IS, WHERE IS.”

ARTICLE VII

CERTAIN COVENANTS AND ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

Section 7.1 Insurance Matters . Following the Distribution Date, Ensign shall maintain its currently existing Insurance Policies related to director and officer liability (the “ Ensign D&O Policies ”). Prior to the Distribution Date, Ensign and CareTrust shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain separate Insurance Policies for CareTrust on substantially similar terms as the Ensign D&O Policies (it being understood that CareTrust shall be responsible for all premiums, costs and fees associated with any new insurance policies placed for the benefit of CareTrust pursuant to this Section 7.1, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall exclude any premiums, costs and fees associated with any run-off Insurance Policy obtained by Ensign in connection with the Distribution).

Section 7.2 CareTrust REIT Status .

(a) Ensign has no knowledge of any fact or circumstance that would cause CareTrust to fail to qualify as a REIT.

(b) Ensign shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with CareTrust as necessary to enable CareTrust to qualify for taxation as a REIT and receive customary legal opinions concerning CareTrust’s qualification and taxation as a REIT.

(c) CareTrust shall use its reasonable best efforts to qualify for taxation as a REIT for its taxable year ending December 31, 2014.

Section 7.3 No Restrictions on Post-Closing Competitive Activities; Corporate Opportunities .

(a) Each of the Parties agrees that this Agreement shall not include any non-competition or other similar restrictive arrangements with respect to the range of business activities that may be conducted, or investments that may be made, by the Groups. Accordingly, each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that nothing set forth in this Agreement shall be construed to create any explicit or implied restriction or other limitation on

 

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the ability of any Group to engage in any business or other activity that overlaps or competes with the business of the other Group, including investing in skilled nursing facilities and independent living facilities. Except as expressly provided herein, or in the Ancillary Agreements, each Group shall have the right to, and shall have no duty to abstain from exercising such right to, (i) engage or invest, directly or indirectly, in the same, similar or related business activities or lines of business as the other Group, (ii) make investments in the same or similar types of investments as the other Group, (iii) do business with any client, customer, vendor or lessor of any of the other Group or (iv) employ or otherwise engage any officer, director or employee of the other Group. Neither Party or Group, nor any officer or director thereof, shall be liable to the other Party or Group or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of any such activities of such Party or Group or of any such Person’s participation therein.

(b) Except as Ensign and each other member of the Ensign Group, on the one hand, and CareTrust and each other member of the CareTrust Group, on the other hand, may otherwise agree in writing, including the Ancillary Agreements, the Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that if any Person that is a member of a Group, including any officer or director thereof, acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for either or both Groups, neither the other Group nor its stockholder shall have an interest in, or expectation that, such corporate opportunity be offered to it or that it be offered an opportunity to participate therein, and any such interest, expectation, offer or opportunity to participate, and any other interest or expectation otherwise due to such Group with respect to such corporate opportunity, is hereby renounced by such Group on its behalf and on behalf of its stockholders. Accordingly, subject to Section 7.3(c) below, (i) neither Group nor any officer or director thereof will be under any obligation to present, communicate or offer any such corporate opportunity to the other Group and (ii) each Group has the right to hold any such corporate opportunity for its own account, or to direct, recommend, sell, assign or otherwise transfer such corporate opportunity to any Person or Persons other than the other Group, and, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, neither Group nor the officers or directors thereof shall have or be under any fiduciary duty, duty of loyalty or duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of the other Group and its stockholders and shall not be liable to the other Group and its stockholders for any breach or alleged breach thereof or for any derivation of personal economic gain by reason of the fact that such Group or any of its officers or directors pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity for itself, or directs, recommends, sells, assigns or otherwise transfers the corporate opportunity to another Person, or such Group and its officers or directors does not present, offer or communicate information regarding the corporate opportunity to the other Group.

(c) Except as Ensign and each other member of the Ensign Group, on the one hand, and CareTrust and each other member of the CareTrust Group, on the other hand, may otherwise agree in writing, including the Ancillary Agreements, the Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that in the event that a director or officer of either Group who is also a director or officer of the other Group acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity, if (i) such Person acts in good faith and (ii) such knowledge of such potential transaction or matter was not obtained solely in connection with, or such corporate opportunity was not offered to such Person solely in, such Person’s capacity as director or officer of either Group, then (A) such director or officer, to

 

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the fullest extent permitted by Law, (1) shall be deemed to have fully satisfied and fulfilled such Person’s fiduciary duty to each Group and their stockholders with respect to such corporate opportunity, (2) shall not have or be under any fiduciary duty to either Group or their stockholders and shall not be liable to either Group or their stockholders for any breach or alleged breach thereof by reason of the fact that the other Group pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity for itself, or directs, recommends, sells, assigns or otherwise transfers the corporate opportunity to another Person, or either Group or such director or officer does not present, offer or communicate information regarding the corporate opportunity to the other Group, (3) shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believes to be in, and not opposed to, the best interests of each Group and its stockholders and (4) shall not have any duty of loyalty to the other Group and its stockholders or any duty not to derive any personal benefit therefrom and shall not be liable to the other Group or its stockholders for any breach or alleged breach thereof and (B) such potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity, or the corporate opportunity, shall belong to the applicable Group (and not to the other Group).

For the purposes of this Section 7.3, “corporate opportunities” of a Group shall include business opportunities that members of such Group are financially able to undertake, that are, by their nature, in a line of business of such Group, are of practical advantage to it and are ones in which any member of the Group has an interest or a reasonable expectancy, and in which, by embracing the opportunities, the self-interest of a Person or any of its officers or directors will be brought into conflict with that of such Group.

ARTICLE VIII

ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY; PRIVILEGE

Section 8.1 Agreement for Exchange of Information .

(a) Subject to Section 8.1(b) and Section 8.8(f), for a period of three (3) years (the “ Access Period ”) following the Distribution Date, as soon as reasonably practicable after written request: (i) Ensign shall afford to any member of the CareTrust Group and their authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to, or, at the CareTrust Group’s expense, provide copies of, all books, records, Contracts, instruments, data, documents and other information in the possession or under the control of any member of the Ensign Group immediately following the Distribution Date that relates to any member of the CareTrust Group or the CareTrust Business, and (ii) CareTrust shall afford to any member of the Ensign Group and their authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to, or, at the Ensign Group’s expense, provide copies of, all books, records, Contracts, instruments, data, documents and other information in the possession or under the control of any member of the CareTrust Group immediately following the Distribution Date that relates to any member of the Ensign Group or the Ensign Business; provided , however , that in the event that CareTrust or Ensign, as applicable, determine that any such provision of or access to any information in response to a request under this Section 8.1(a) would be commercially detrimental in any material respect, violate any Law or agreement or waive any attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine or other applicable privilege, the Parties shall take all reasonable measures to

 

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permit compliance with such request in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence; provided , further , that to the extent specific information-sharing or knowledge-sharing provisions are contained in any of the Ancillary Agreements, such other provisions (and not this Section 8.1(a)) shall govern; provided , further , that the Access Period shall be extended with respect to requests related to any third-party litigation or other dispute filed prior to the end of the Access Period until such litigation or dispute is finally resolved.

(b) A request for information under Section 8.1(a) may be made: (i) to comply with reporting, disclosure, filing or other requirements imposed on the requesting party (including under applicable securities Laws) by a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such requesting party, (ii) for use in any other judicial, regulatory, administrative or other proceeding or in order to satisfy audit, accounting, claims defense, regulatory filings, litigation or other similar requirements (other than in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in which any member of a Group is adverse to any member of the other Group), (iii) for use in compensation, benefit or welfare plan administration or other bona fide business purposes, or (iv) to comply with any obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

(c) Without limiting the generality of Section 8.1(a), until the end of the first full fiscal year following the Distribution Date (and for a reasonable period of time thereafter as required for any party to prepare consolidated financial statements or complete a financial statement audit for the fiscal year during which the Distribution Date occurs), CareTrust shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with any requests from any member of the Ensign Group pursuant to Section 8.1(a) and Ensign shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with any requests from any member of the CareTrust Group pursuant to Section 8.1(a), in each case, to enable the requesting party to meet its timetable for dissemination of its earnings releases and financial statements and to enable such requesting party’s auditors to timely complete their audit of the annual financial statements and review of the quarterly financial statements.

Section 8.2 Ownership of Information . Any information owned by any Person that is provided pursuant to Section 8.1(a) shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing Person. Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to grant or confer rights of license or otherwise to the requesting Person with respect to any such information.

Section 8.3 Compensation for Providing Information . A Person requesting information pursuant to Section 8.1(a) agrees to reimburse the providing Person for the reasonable expenses, if any, of gathering and copying such information, to the extent that such expenses are incurred for the benefit of the requesting Person.

Section 8.4 Retention of Records . To facilitate the exchange of information pursuant to this Article VIII after the Distribution Date, for a period of three (3) years following the Distribution Date, except as otherwise required or agreed in writing, the Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to retain, or cause to be retained, all information in the possession or control of them or any member of their Group on the Distribution Date in accordance with the policies and procedures of Ensign as in effect on the Distribution Date.

 

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Section 8.5 Limitation of Liability . No Person required to provide information under this Article VIII shall have any Liability (a) if any historical information provided pursuant to this Article VIII is found to be inaccurate, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct by such Person, or (b) if any information is lost or destroyed despite using commercially reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of Section 8.4.

Section 8.6 Production of Witnesses . At all times from and after the Distribution Date, upon reasonable request:

(a) CareTrust shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available, or cause to be made available, to any member of the Ensign Group, the directors, officers, employees and agents of any member of the CareTrust Group as witnesses to the extent that the same may reasonably be required by the requesting party (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees and agents) in connection with any legal, administrative or other proceeding in which the requesting party may from time to time be involved, except in the case of any action, suit or proceeding in which any member of the CareTrust Group is adverse to any member of the Ensign Group; and

(b) Ensign shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available, or cause to be made available, to any member of the CareTrust Group, the directors, officers, employees and agents of any member of the Ensign Group as witnesses to the extent that the same may reasonably be required by the requesting party (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees and agents) in connection with any legal, administrative or other proceeding in which the requesting party may from time to time be involved, except in the case of any action, suit or proceeding in which any member of the Ensign Group is adverse to any member of the CareTrust Group.

Section 8.7 Confidentiality .

(a) CareTrust (on behalf of itself and each other member of its Group) and Ensign (on behalf of itself and each other member of its Group) shall hold, and shall cause each of their respective Affiliates to hold, and each of the foregoing shall cause their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants and advisors to hold, in strict confidence, and not disclose or release or use, without the prior written consent of such member of the other Group, for any purpose other than as expressly permitted pursuant to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, any and all Confidential Information concerning any member of the other Group; provided , that each Party and the members of its Group may disclose, or may permit disclosure of, such Confidential Information (i) to other members of their Group and their respective auditors, attorneys, financial advisors, bankers and other appropriate consultants and advisors who have a need to know such information for purposes of performing services for a member of such Group and who are informed of their obligation to hold such information confidential to the same extent as is applicable to the Parties and in respect of whose failure to comply with such obligations, such Party will be responsible, (ii) if it or any of its Affiliates are required or compelled to disclose any such Confidential Information by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of Law or stock exchange rule, or (iii) as necessary in order to permit such Party to prepare and disclose its financial statements, or other disclosures required by Law or such applicable stock exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any

 

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demand or request for disclosure of Confidential Information is made pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii) above, the Party requested to disclose Confidential Information concerning a member of the other Group, shall promptly notify such member of the other Group of the existence of such request or demand and, to the extent commercially practicable, shall provide such member of the other Group thirty (30) days (or such lesser period as is commercially practicable) to seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy, which the Parties will cooperate in obtaining. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the Party that is required to disclose Confidential Information about a member of the other Group shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be disclosed and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that confidential treatment is accorded such information.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Parties shall be deemed to have satisfied their obligations hereunder with respect to Confidential Information of any member of the other Group if they exercise the same degree of care (but no less than a reasonable degree of care) as they exercise to preserve confidentiality for their own similar Confidential Information.

(c) Upon the written request of a Party or a member of its Group, the other Party shall take, and shall cause the applicable members of such other Party’s Group to take, reasonable steps to promptly (i) deliver to the requesting Person all original copies of Confidential Information (whether written or electronic) concerning the requesting Person or any member of such requesting Person’s Group that is in the possession of such other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group and (ii) if specifically requested by the requesting Person, destroy any copies of such Confidential Information (including any extracts therefrom), unless such delivery or destruction would violate any Law; provided , that the other Party shall not be obligated to destroy Confidential Information that is required by or relates to such other Party’s business or the business of any member of such other Party’s Group. Upon the written request of the requesting Person, the other Party shall, or shall cause another member of its Group to cause, its duly authorized officers to certify in writing to the requesting party that the requirements of the preceding sentence have been satisfied in full.

Section 8.8 Privileged Matters .

(a) Pre-Distribution Services . The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to the Effective Time have been and will be rendered for the collective benefit of the Parties and their Affiliates, and that each of the Parties should be deemed to be the client with respect to such pre-Distribution services for the purposes of asserting all privileges that may be asserted under applicable Law.

(b) Post-Distribution Services . The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services will be provided following the Effective Time that will be rendered solely for the benefit of CareTrust and its Affiliates or Ensign and its Affiliates, as the case may be. With respect to such post-Distribution services, the Parties agree as follows:

(i) Ensign shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that

 

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relates solely to the Ensign Business, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Ensign or CareTrust. Ensign shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting Ensign Liabilities, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated by or against any member of the Ensign Group, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Ensign or CareTrust; and

(ii) CareTrust shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the CareTrust Business, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Ensign or CareTrust. CareTrust shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting CareTrust Liabilities, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated by or against any member of the CareTrust Group, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Ensign or CareTrust.

(c) The Parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege, with equal right to assert or waive, subject to the restrictions in this Section 8.8, with respect to all privileges not allocated pursuant to the terms of Section 8.8(b). Except as provided in Section 8.8(d), CareTrust may not waive, and shall cause each other member of the CareTrust Group not to waive, any privilege that could be asserted by a member of the Ensign Group under any applicable Law, and in which a member of the Ensign Group has a shared privilege, without the consent of Ensign, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Except as provided in Section 8.8(d), Ensign may not waive, and shall cause each other member of the Ensign Group not to waive, any privilege that could be asserted by a member of the CareTrust Group under any applicable Law, and in which a member of the CareTrust Group has a shared privilege, without the consent of CareTrust, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. If a dispute arises between or among CareTrust and Ensign, or any members of their respective Groups, regarding whether a privilege should be waived to protect or advance the interest of a Party, each Party agrees that it shall endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of such other Party and shall not unreasonably withhold consent to any request for waiver by such Party. Each Party agrees that it will not withhold consent to waiver for any purpose except to protect its own legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of any other member of its Group.

(d) Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Section 8.8, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event of any litigation or dispute between or among the Parties and/or any members of their respective Groups, any Party or any members of the Party’s respective Group may waive a privilege which it shares with another Party or any member of the other Group, without obtaining the consent from the other Party or the other member(s) of a Party’s Group which shares the privilege; provided , that such waiver of a shared privilege shall be effective only as to the use of information by the relevant Parties and/or the applicable members of their respective Groups in such litigation or dispute, and shall not operate as a

 

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waiver of the shared privilege with respect to any proceedings, disputes, or other matters involving third parties or with respect to any other actions. In the event of any such waiver, the Parties and the members of their respective Groups shall take all reasonable measures to ensure the confidentiality of the privileged information that is the subject of such waiver, including, as necessary, making any applications to an arbitral tribunal or court of law, as applicable, to preserve the confidentiality of such information; and any such privileged information shall otherwise be held confidential by the Parties and the members of their respective Groups and shall not be publicly disclosed. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 8.8(d) provides the only circumstances, and the only conditions, under which a Party or a member of its respective Group may unilaterally waive any shared applicable legal privilege.

(e) Upon receipt by either Party, or by any member of its Group, of any subpoena, discovery or other request which requires the production or disclosure of information which such Party knows is subject to a shared privilege or as to which a member of the other Group has the sole right hereunder to assert or waive a privilege, or if either Party obtains knowledge that any of its or any other member of its Group’s current or former directors, officers, agents or employees have received any subpoena, discovery or other requests which requires the production or disclosure of such privileged information, such Party shall promptly notify the other Party of the existence of the request and shall provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review the information and to assert any rights it or they may have under this Section 8.8 or otherwise to prevent the production or disclosure of such privileged information.

(f) The access to information being granted pursuant to Section 8.1, the agreement to provide witnesses and individuals pursuant to Section 8.6 hereof, and the transfer of privileged information between and among the Parties and the members of their respective Groups pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any privilege that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement, any of the Ancillary Agreements or otherwise.

Section 8.9 Financial Information Certifications . The Parties agree to cooperate with each other in such manner as is necessary to enable the principal executive officer or officers, principal financial officer or officers and controller or controllers of each of the Parties to make the certifications required of them under Sections 302, 404 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

ARTICLE IX

MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

Section 9.1 Release of Pre-Distribution Claims .

(a) Except as provided in Section 9.1(d), effective as of the Effective Time, CareTrust does hereby, for itself and each other member of the CareTrust Group, release and forever discharge each Ensign Indemnitee, from any and all Liabilities whatsoever to any member of the CareTrust Group, whether at law or in equity (including any right of contribution), whether arising under any Contract, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed at or before the Effective Time, including in connection with the Transactions.

 

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(b) Except as provided in Section 9.1(d), effective as of the Effective Time, Ensign does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Ensign Group, release and forever discharge each CareTrust Indemnitee from any and all Liabilities whatsoever to any member of the Ensign Group, whether at law or in equity (including any right of contribution), whether arising under any Contract, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed at or before the Effective Time, including in connection with the Transactions.

(c) The Parties expressly understand and acknowledge that it is possible that unknown losses or claims exist or might come to exist or that present losses may have been underestimated in amount, severity, or both. Accordingly, the Parties are deemed expressly to understand provisions and principles of law such as Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California (as well as any and all provisions, rights and benefits conferred by any law of any state or territory of the United States, or principle of common law, which is similar or comparable to Section 1542), which Section provides: A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR. The Parties are hereby deemed to agree that the provisions of Section 1542 and all similar federal or state Laws, rights, rules or legal principles of California or any other jurisdiction that may be applicable herein, are hereby knowingly and voluntarily waived and relinquished with respect to the releases in Section 9.1(a) and Section 9.1(b).

(d) Nothing contained in Section 9.1(a) or Section 9.1(b) shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings that are specified in, or contemplated to continue pursuant to, this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, nothing contained in Section 9.1(a) or Section 9.1(b) shall release any Person from:

(i) any Liability, contingent or otherwise, assumed by, or allocated to, such Person in accordance with this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;

(ii) any Liability that such Person may have with respect to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement for claims brought by third Persons, which Liability shall be governed by the provisions of this Article IX and, if applicable, the appropriate provisions of the Ancillary Agreements;

(iii) any unpaid accounts payable or receivable arising from or relating to the sale, provision, or receipt of goods, payment for goods, property or services purchased, obtained or used in the ordinary course of

 

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business by any member of the Ensign Group from any member of the CareTrust Group, or by any member of the CareTrust Group from any member of the Ensign Group from and after the Effective Time; or

(iv) any Liability the release of which would result in the release of any Person other than an Indemnitee; provided , that the Parties agree not to bring suit, or permit any other member of their respective Group to bring suit, against any Indemnitee with respect to such Liability.

(e) CareTrust shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the CareTrust Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or indemnification, against any Ensign Indemnitee with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 9.1(a). Ensign shall not make, and shall not permit any member of the Ensign Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against any CareTrust Indemnitee with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 9.1(b).

Section 9.2 Indemnification by CareTrust . Except as provided in Section 9.4 and Section 9.5, CareTrust shall, and, in the case of Section 9.2(a) or Section 9.2(b), shall in addition cause each Appropriate Member of the CareTrust Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless, the Ensign Indemnitees from and against any and all Losses of the Ensign Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following (without duplication):

(a) any CareTrust Liability, including the failure of any member of the CareTrust Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any CareTrust Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time;

(b) any breach by any member of the CareTrust Group of any provision of this Agreement or of any of the Ancillary Agreements, subject to any limitations of liability provisions and other provisions applicable to any such breach set forth therein; and

(c) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Information Statement, or the Offering Memorandum other than information that relates solely to the Ensign Business;

in each case, without regard to when or where the loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss took place, or whether any such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening is known or unknown, or reported or unreported and regardless of whether such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss existed prior to, on or after the Distribution Date or relates to, arises out of or results from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to, on or after the Distribution Date. As used in this Section 9.2, “ Appropriate Member of the CareTrust Group ” means the member or members of the CareTrust Group, if any, whose acts, conduct or omissions or failures to act caused, gave rise to or resulted in the Loss from and against which indemnity is provided.

 

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Section 9.3 Indemnification by Ensign . Except as provided in Section 9.4 and Section 9.5, Ensign shall, and, in the case of Section 9.3(a) or Section 9.3(b), shall in addition cause each Appropriate Member of the Ensign Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the CareTrust Indemnitees from and against any and all Losses of the CareTrust Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following (without duplication):

(a) any Ensign Liability, including the failure of any member of the Ensign Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Ensign Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time;

(b) any breach by any member of the Ensign Group of any provision of this Agreement or of any of the Ancillary Agreements, subject to any limitations of liability provisions and other provisions applicable to any such breach set forth therein; and

(c) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Information Statement, or the Offering Memorandum that relates solely to the Ensign Business;

in each case, without regard to when or where the loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss took place, or whether any such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening is known or unknown, or reported or unreported and regardless of whether such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss existed prior to, on or after the Distribution Date or relates to, arises out of or results from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to, on or after the Distribution Date. As used in this Section 9.3, “ Appropriate Member of the Ensign Group ” means the member or members of the Ensign Group, if any, whose acts, conduct or omissions or failures to act caused, gave rise to or resulted in the Loss from and against which indemnity is provided.

Section 9.4 Procedures for Indemnification .

(a) An Indemnitee shall give notice of any matter that such Indemnitee has determined has given or would reasonably be expected to give rise to a right of indemnification under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (other than a Third-Party Claim which shall be governed by Section 9.4(b)) to any Party that is or may be required pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to make such indemnification (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) promptly (and in any event within fifteen (15) days) after making such a determination. Such notice shall state the amount of the Loss claimed, if known, and method of computation thereof, and containing a reference to the provisions of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreement in respect of which such right of indemnification is claimed by such Indemnitee; provided , however , that the failure to provide such notice shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure.

 

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(b) If a claim or demand is made against an Indemnitee by any Person who is not a Party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a Party (a “ Third-Party Claim ”) as to which such Indemnitee is or reasonably expects to be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnitee shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing, and in reasonable detail, of the Third-Party Claim promptly (and in any event within thirty (30) days) after receipt by such Indemnitee of written notice of the Third-Party Claim; provided , however , that the failure to provide notice of any such Third-Party Claim pursuant to this sentence shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure (except that the Indemnifying Party or Parties shall not be liable for any expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in defending such Third-Party Claim during the period in which the Indemnitee failed to give such notice). Thereafter, the Indemnitee shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party, promptly (and in any event within ten (10) days) after the Indemnitee’s receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third-Party Claim.

(c) An Indemnifying Party shall be entitled (but shall not be required) to assume, control the defense of, and settle any Third-Party Claim, at such Indemnifying Party’s own cost and expense and by such Indemnifying Party’s own counsel, which counsel must be reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee, if it gives written notice of its intention to do so (including a statement that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Article IX) to the applicable Indemnitees within thirty (30) days of the receipt of notice from such Indemnitees of the Third-Party Claim (failure of the Indemnifying Party to respond within such thirty (30) day period shall be deemed to be an election by the Indemnifying Party not to assume the defense for such Third-Party Claim). After a notice from an Indemnifying Party to an Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, such Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise or settlement thereof, at its own expense and, in any event, shall reasonably cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in such defense and make available to the Indemnifying Party all witnesses and information in such Indemnitee’s possession or under such Indemnitee’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnifying Party; provided , however , that such access shall not require the Indemnitee to disclose any information the disclosure of which would, in the good faith judgment of the Indemnitee, result in the loss of any existing privilege with respect to such information or violate any applicable Law.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9.4, in the event that (i) an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, (ii) there exists a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnitee, (iii) any Third-Party Claim seeks an order, injunction or other equitable relief or relief for other than money damages against the Indemnitee, (iv) the Indemnitee’s exposure to Liability in connection with such Third-Party Claim is reasonably expected to exceed the Indemnifying Party’s exposure in respect of such Third-Party Claim taking into account the indemnification obligations hereunder, or (v) the Person making such

 

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Third- Party Claim is a Governmental Authority with regulatory authority over the Indemnitee or any of its material Assets, such Indemnitee shall be entitled to control the defense of such Third-Party Claim, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, with counsel of such Indemnitee’s choosing (such counsel to be reasonably acceptable to the Indemnifying Party). If the Indemnitee is conducting the defense against any such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall reasonably cooperate with the Indemnitee in such defense and make available to the Indemnitee all witnesses and information in such Indemnifying Party’s possession or under such Indemnifying Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnitee; provided , however , that such access shall not require the Indemnifying Party to disclose any information the disclosure of which would, in the good faith judgment of the Indemnifying Party, result in the loss of any existing privilege with respect to such information or violate any applicable Law.

(e) Unless the Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense of the Third-Party Claim in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, no Indemnitee may settle or compromise any Third-Party Claim without the consent of the Indemnifying Party (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). If an Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense of the Third-Party Claim, it shall not be a defense to any obligation to pay any amount in respect of such Third-Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party was not consulted in the defense thereof, that such Indemnifying Party’s views or opinions as to the conduct of such defense were not accepted or adopted, that such Indemnifying Party does not approve of the quality or manner of the defense thereof or that such Third-Party Claim was incurred by reason of a settlement rather than by a judgment or other determination of liability.

(f) In the case of a Third-Party Claim, no Indemnifying Party shall consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement of the Third-Party Claim without the consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of the Indemnitee if the effect thereof is to permit any injunction, declaratory judgment, other order or other non-monetary relief to be entered, directly or indirectly, against any Indemnitee, does not release the Indemnitee from all liabilities and obligations with respect to such Third-Party Claim or includes an admission of guilt or liability on behalf of the Indemnitee.

(g) Absent fraud or intentional misconduct by an Indemnifying Party, the indemnification provisions of this Article IX shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of an Indemnitee for any monetary or compensatory damages or Losses resulting from any breach of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and each Indemnitee expressly waives and relinquishes any and all rights, claims or remedies such Person may have with respect to the foregoing other than under this Article IX against any Indemnifying Party.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event that counsel or independent accountants for a Protected REIT determine that there exists a material risk that any indemnification payments due under this Agreement would be treated as Nonqualifying Income upon the payment of such amounts to the relevant Indemnitee, the amount paid to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement in any tax year shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be paid to the Indemnitee in such year without causing the Protected REIT to fail to meet the REIT Requirements for any tax year, determined as if the payment of such amount were Nonqualifying Income as determined by such counsel or independent accountants to the Protected REIT. If the amount payable for any tax year pursuant to the preceding sentence is less than the amount which the relevant Indemnifying Party would otherwise be obligated to

 

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pay to the relevant Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement (the “ Expense Amount ”), then: (1) the Indemnifying Party shall place the Expense Amount into an escrow account (the “ Escrow Account ”) using an escrow agent and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee and shall not release any portion thereof to the Indemnitee, and the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to any such amount, unless and until the Indemnitee delivers to the Indemnifying Party, at the sole option of the relevant Protected REIT, (i) an opinion (an “ Expense Amount Tax Opinion ”) of the Protected REIT’s tax counsel to the effect that such amount, if and to the extent paid, would not constitute Nonqualifying Income, (ii) a letter (an “ Expense Amount Accountant’s Letter ”) from the Protected REIT’s independent accountants indicating the maximum amount that can be paid at that time to the Indemnitee without causing the Protected REIT to fail to meet the REIT Requirements for any relevant taxable year, or (iii) a private letter ruling issued by the IRS to the Protected REIT indicating that the receipt of any Expense Amount hereunder will not cause the Protected REIT to fail to satisfy the REIT Requirements (a “ REIT Qualification Ruling ” and, collectively with an Expense Amount Tax Opinion and an Expense Amount Accountant’s Letter, a “ Release Document ”); and (2) pending the delivery of a Release Document by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnitee shall have the right, but not the obligation, to borrow the Expense Amount from the Escrow Account pursuant to a loan agreement reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee that (i) requires the Indemnifying Party to lend the Indemnitee immediately available cash proceeds in an amount equal to the Expense Amount, and (ii) provides for (A) a commercially reasonable interest rate and commercially reasonable covenants, taking into account the credit standing and profile of the Indemnitee or any guarantor of the Indemnitee, including the Protected REIT, at the time of such loan, and (B) a 15 year maturity with no periodic amortization.

Section 9.5 Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds . The Parties intend that any Loss subject to indemnification or reimbursement pursuant to this Article IX (an “ Indemnifiable Loss ”) will be net of Insurance Proceeds that actually reduce the amount of the Loss. Accordingly, the amount which an Indemnifying Party is required to pay to any Indemnitee will be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds actually recovered by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in reduction of the related Loss. If an Indemnitee receives a payment (an “ Indemnity Payment ”) required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Loss and subsequently receives Insurance Proceeds, the Indemnitee will pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the excess of the Indemnity Payments received over the amount of the Indemnity Payments that would have been due if the Insurance Proceeds recovery had been received, realized or recovered before the Indemnity Payments were made. The Indemnitee shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to recover any Insurance Proceeds to which the Indemnitee is entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss. The existence of a claim by an Indemnitee for insurance or against a third party in respect of any Indemnifiable Loss shall not, however, delay any payment pursuant to the indemnification provisions contained in this Article IX and otherwise determined to be due and owing by an Indemnifying Party; rather, the Indemnifying Party shall make payment in full of such amount so determined to be due and owing by it against a concurrent written assignment by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party of the portion of the claim of the Indemnitee for such insurance or against such third party equal to the amount of such payment. The Indemnitee shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Indemnifying Party in recovering or to recover on behalf of the Indemnifying Party, any Insurance Proceeds to which the Indemnifying Party is entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss as a result of such

 

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assignment. The Indemnitee shall make available to the Indemnifying Party and its counsel all employees, books and records, communications, documents, items or matters within its knowledge, possession or control that are necessary, appropriate or reasonably deemed relevant by the Indemnifying Party with respect to the recovery of such Insurance Proceeds; provided , however , that nothing in this sentence shall be deemed to require a Party to make available books and records, communications, documents or items which (i) in such Party’s good faith judgment could result in a waiver of any privilege even if the Parties cooperated to protect such privilege as contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) such Party is not permitted to make available because of any Law or any confidentiality obligation to a third party, in which case such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek a waiver of or other relief from such confidentiality restriction. Unless the Indemnifying Party has made payment in full of any Indemnifiable Loss, such Indemnifying Party shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to recover any Insurance Proceeds to which it or such Affiliate is entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss.

Section 9.6 Indemnification Obligations Net of Taxes . The Parties intend that any Indemnifiable Loss will be net of Taxes. Accordingly, the amount which an Indemnifying Party is required to pay to an Indemnitee will be adjusted to reflect any tax benefit to the Indemnitee from the underlying Loss and to reflect any Taxes imposed upon the Indemnitee as a result of the receipt of such payment. Such an adjustment will first be made at the time that the Indemnity Payment is made and will further be made, as appropriate, to take into account any change in the liability of the Indemnitee for Taxes that occurs in connection with the final resolution of an audit by a Taxing Authority. For purposes of this Section 9.6, the value of any tax benefit to the Indemnitee from the underlying Loss shall be an amount equal to the product of (a) the amount of any present or future deduction allowed or allowable to the Indemnitee by the Code, or other applicable Law, as a result of such Loss and (b) the highest statutory rate applicable under Section 11 of the Code, or other applicable Law. For all Tax purposes other than for purposes of Section 355(g) of the Code, Ensign and CareTrust agree to treat (i) any payment required by this Agreement (other than payments with respect to interest accruing after the Effective Time) as either a contribution by Ensign to CareTrust or a distribution by CareTrust to Ensign, as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the Effective Time or as a payment of an assumed or retained Liability, and (ii) any payment of interest as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in either case except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

Section 9.7 Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Article IX is unavailable to an Indemnitee in respect of any Indemnifiable Loss, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnitee, shall contribute to the Losses paid or payable by such Indemnitee as a result of such Indemnifiable Loss in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of CareTrust and each other member of the CareTrust Group, on the one hand, and Ensign and each other member of the Ensign Group, on the other hand, in connection with the circumstances which resulted in such Indemnifiable Loss.

 

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Section 9.8 Remedies Cumulative . The remedies provided in this Article IX shall be cumulative and, subject to the provisions of Article X, shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.

Section 9.9 Survival of Indemnities . The rights and obligations of each of the Parties and their respective Indemnitees under this Article IX shall survive the Distribution Date indefinitely, unless a specific survival or other applicable period is expressly set forth herein, and shall survive the sale or other transfer by any Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities.

Section 9.10 Limitation of Liability . EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, IN TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE AND STRICT LIABILITY) OR OTHERWISE, FOR ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES AS A RESULT OF ANY BREACH, PERFORMANCE OR NON-PERFORMANCE BY SUCH PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

ARTICLE X

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Section 10.1 Appointed Representative . Each Party shall appoint a representative who shall be responsible for administering the dispute resolution provisions in Section 10.2 (each, an “ Appointed Representative ”). Each Appointed Representative shall have the authority to resolve any Disputes on behalf of the Party appointing such representative.

Section 10.2 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution .

(a) Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the interpretation, performance, nonperformance, enforceability, validity, termination or breach of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby between or among the Parties or any members of their respective Groups (each, a “ Dispute ” and, collectively, “ Disputes ”) shall first be referred by either Party or any of the members of their respective Groups for amicable negotiations by the Appointed Representatives by providing written notice of such Dispute in the manner provided by Section 12.7 below (“ Dispute Notice ”). All documents, communications and information disclosed in the course of such negotiations that are not otherwise independently discoverable shall not be offered or received as evidence or used for impeachment or for any other purpose, but shall be considered as to have been disclosed for settlement purposes.

(b) If, for any reason, a satisfactory resolution of any Dispute is not achieved by the Appointed Representatives within thirty (30) days of the date of delivery of the Dispute Notice, such Dispute shall be referred for final and binding resolution by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (“ AAA ”) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules then in effect (the “ AAA Rules ”), except as modified herein:

 

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(i) The arbitration shall be held in Los Angeles, California. There shall be three arbitrators. Each Party shall appoint one arbitrator in the manner provided by the AAA Rules. The two Party-appointed arbitrators shall jointly appoint the third arbitrator, who shall chair the arbitral tribunal. Upon the written request of any party to the Dispute, any arbitrator not timely shall be appointed by the AAA in the manner provided in the AAA Rules.

(ii) By electing to proceed under the AAA Rules, the parties to the Dispute confirm that any dispute, claim or controversy concerning the arbitrability of a Dispute, including whether arbitration has been waived, whether an assignee of this Agreement is bound to arbitrate, or as to the interpretation or enforceability of this Section 10.2, shall be determined by the arbitrators.

(iii) The parties to the Dispute intend that the arbitrators shall apply the substantive Laws of the State of Delaware to any Dispute hereunder, without regard to any choice of law principles thereof that would mandate the application of the Laws of another jurisdiction. The parties further intend that this agreement to arbitrate shall be valid, enforceable and irrevocable, and any award rendered by the arbitrators shall be final and binding on all the parties to the Dispute. The parties to the Dispute agree to comply with any award made in any such arbitration proceedings and agree to enforcement of or entry of judgment upon such award, in any California state or federal court, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction.

(iv) By agreeing to arbitration, the parties to the Dispute do not intend to deprive any court of its jurisdiction to issue a pre-arbitral injunction, pre-arbitral attachment, or other order in aid of arbitration proceedings and the enforcement of any award. Without prejudice to such provisional remedies as may be available under the jurisdiction of a court, the arbitral tribunal shall have full authority to grant provisional remedies and to direct the parties to request that any court modify or vacate any temporary or preliminary relief issued by such court, and to award damages for the failure of any party to respect the arbitral tribunal’s orders to that effect. In any such action each of the parties to the Dispute irrevocably and unconditionally (i) consents and submits to the jurisdiction and venue of the Courts of the State of California and the Federal Courts of the United States of America located within the State of California (the “ California Courts ”); (ii) waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, any objection, including any objection to the laying of venue or based on the grounds of forum non conveniens or any right of objection to jurisdiction on account of its place of incorporation or domicile, which it may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such action or proceeding in any California Court; (iii) consents to service of process in the manner provided by Section 12.8 below or in any other manner permitted by law; and (iv)  WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY .

 

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(v) This arbitration, and all prior, subsequent or concurrent judicial proceedings related thereto and permitted herein, shall be conducted pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, found at Title 9 of the U.S. Code.

(vi) In order to facilitate the comprehensive resolution of related disputes, all claims between any of the parties to the Dispute that arise under or in connection with this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements may be brought in a single arbitration. Upon the request of any party to an arbitration proceeding constituted under this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreement(s), the arbitral tribunal shall consolidate such arbitration proceeding with any other arbitration proceeding relating to this Agreement and/or the Ancillary Agreement(s), if the arbitral tribunal determines that (i) there are issues of fact or law common to the proceedings so that a consolidated proceeding would be more efficient than separate proceedings, and (ii) no party to the Dispute would be unduly prejudiced as a result of such consolidation through undue delay or otherwise. In the event of different rulings on this question by the arbitral tribunal constituted hereunder and another arbitral tribunal constituted under this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreement(s), the ruling of the arbitral tribunal constituted first in time shall control, and such arbitral tribunal shall serve as the tribunal for any consolidated arbitration.

(vii) In the event of a Dispute, each party to the Dispute shall continue to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement in good faith during the resolution of such Dispute as if such Dispute had not arisen, unless and until this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement is terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof.

(c) The Parties agree that the provisions of this Section 10.2 bind themselves and any of the members of their respective Groups, and further agree to take all measures to lawfully cause the members of their respective Groups to abide and be bound by the terms of this Section 10.2.

ARTICLE XI

TERMINATION

Section 11.1 Termination . Upon written notice, this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole discretion of Ensign without the approval of CareTrust or any other party thereto.

Section 11.2 Effect of Termination . In the event of termination pursuant to Section 11.1, neither Party shall have any Liability of any kind to the other Party as a result of such termination.

 

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ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.1 Further Assurances . Subject to the limitations or other provisions of this Agreement, (a) each Party shall, and shall cause the other members of its Group to, use commercially reasonable efforts (subject to, and in accordance with applicable Law) to take promptly, or cause to be taken promptly, all actions, and to do promptly, or cause to be done promptly, and to assist and cooperate with the other Party in doing, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the Transactions and to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, including using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain satisfaction of the conditions precedent in Article V within its reasonable control and to perform all covenants and agreements herein applicable to such Party or any member of its Group and (b) neither Party will, nor will either Party allow any other member of its Group to, without the prior written consent of the other Party, take any action which would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with or delay any of the Transactions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, where the cooperation of third parties, such as insurers or trustees, would be necessary in order for a Party to completely fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such third parties to provide such cooperation.

Section 12.2 Payment of Expenses . All costs and expenses incurred and directly related to the Transactions shall: (i) to the extent incurred and payable on or prior to the Distribution Date, be paid by Ensign; and (ii) to the extent arising and payable following the Distribution Date, be paid by the Party incurring such cost or expense.

Section 12.3 Amendments and Waivers .

(a) Subject to Section 11.1, this Agreement may not be amended except by an agreement in writing signed by both Parties.

(b) Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived, or the time for its performance may be extended, by the Party entitled to the benefit thereof and any such waiver shall be validly and sufficiently given for the purposes of this Agreement if it is in writing signed by an authorized representative of such Party. No delay or failure in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall affect or operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or remedy. The rights and remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies that either Party would otherwise have.

Section 12.4 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Exhibits and Schedules referenced herein and therein and attached hereto or thereto, constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior negotiations, agreements, commitments, writings, courses of dealing and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

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Section 12.5 Survival of Agreements . Except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms.

Section 12.6 Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except (a) as provided in Article IX relating to Indemnitees and for the release of any Person provided under Section 9.1, (b) as provided in Section 7.1 relating to insured persons and (c) as provided in Section 8.1(a), this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

Section 12.7 Coordination with Tax Matters Agreement . Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement shall not apply to Taxes (which are covered by the Tax Matters Agreement). In the case of any conflict between this Agreement and the Tax Matters Agreement in relation to any matter addressed in the Tax Matters Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement shall prevail.

Section 12.8 Notices . All notices, requests, permissions, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) five (5) Business Days following sending by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (b) when sent, if sent by facsimile or e-mail of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient, (c) when delivered, if delivered personally to the intended recipient, and (d) one (1) Business Day following sending by overnight delivery via a national courier service and, in each case, addressed to a Party at the following address for such Party (as updated from time to time by notice in writing to the other Party):

 

  (a) If to Ensign:

The Ensign Group, Inc.

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Attention: Chad Keetch

E-mail: ckeetch@ensigngroup.net

Facsimile: (949) 540-3002

 

  (b) If to CareTrust:

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Attention: William M. Wagner

E-mail: wwagner@caretrustreit.com

Facsimile: (949) 540-1968

 

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Section 12.9 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other documents pursuant to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be deemed to be, and shall have the same legal effect as, execution by an original signature and delivery in person.

Section 12.10 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to affect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the Transactions are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.

Section 12.11 Assignability; Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns; provided , however , that the rights and obligations of each Party under this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, whether by operation of law or otherwise, by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement without such consent shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of their respective Affiliates provided that no such assignment shall release such assigning Party from any liability or obligation under this Agreement.

Section 12.12 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the substantive Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any conflicts of law provisions thereof that would result in the application of the Laws of any other jurisdiction.

Section 12.13 Construction . This Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Parties and no rule of construction or strict interpretation shall be applied against either Party. The Parties represent that this Agreement is entered into with full consideration of any and all rights which the Parties may have. The Parties have relied upon their own knowledge and judgment. The Parties have had access to independent legal advice, have conducted such investigations they thought appropriate, and have consulted with such other independent advisors as they deemed appropriate regarding this Agreement and their rights and asserted rights in connection therewith. The Parties are not relying upon any representations or statements made by the other Party, or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys, regarding this Agreement, except to the extent such representations are expressly set forth or incorporated in this Agreement. The Parties are not relying upon a legal duty, if one exists, on the part of the other Party (or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys) to disclose any information in connection with the execution of this Agreement or their preparation, it being expressly understood that neither Party shall ever assert any failure to disclose information on the part of the other Party as a ground for challenging this Agreement.

 

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Section 12.14 Performance . Each Party shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Party.

Section 12.15 Title and Headings . Titles and headings to Sections and Articles are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 12.16 Exhibits and Schedules . The Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference and shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers as of the date first set forth above.

 

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
By:     
  Name: Christopher R. Christensen
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

CARETRUST REIT, INC.
By:     
  Name: Gregory K. Stapley
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 3.1

CARETRUST REIT, INC.

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

CareTrust REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Corporation ”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “ SDAT ”) that:

FIRST : The Corporation desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

SECOND : The provisions of the charter of the Corporation, which are now in effect and as amended hereby in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “ MGCL ”), are as follows:

ARTICLE I

INCORPORATION

Jason C. Harmon, whose address is c/o DLA Piper LLP (US), 6225 Smith Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21209, being at least 18 years of age, formed a corporation under the general laws of the State of Maryland on October 29, 2013.

ARTICLE II

NAME

The name of the Corporation is CareTrust REIT, Inc.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a REIT (as hereinafter defined) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the “Code”)) for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force. For purposes of these Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Corporation (the “Charter”), “REIT” means a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

ARTICLE IV

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN MARYLAND AND RESIDENT AGENT

The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o National Registered Agents, Inc. of MD, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland are National Registered Agents, Inc. of MD, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.

 

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ARTICLE V

PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING

AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE

CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 5.1 Number and Classification of Directors . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) and, except as otherwise expressly provided for by law, the Charter or the bylaws of the Corporation, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time (the “Bylaws”), all of the powers of the Corporation shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation initially shall be five, which number may be increased or decreased by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL.

The directors (other than any director elected solely by holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock) shall be classified, with respect to the terms for which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible as determined by the Board of Directors, one class (“Class I”) to hold office initially for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, another class (“Class II”) to hold office initially for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and another class (“Class III”) to hold office initially for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, with the members of each class to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualify. At each annual meeting of the stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose term expires at such meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. The names of the directors currently in office are:

 

Name

 

Class

  I
  II
  II
  III
  III

These directors may increase the number of directors and may fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of directors or otherwise, on the Board of Directors occurring before the first annual meeting of stockholders in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

The Corporation elects, at such time as it becomes eligible to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(b) and Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of Preferred Stock (as defined in Section 6.1), (i) the number of directors of the Corporation may be increased or decreased only

 

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by the Board of Directors, and (ii) any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which such vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

Section 5.2 Extraordinary Actions . Except as specifically provided in Section 5.8 (relating to removal of directors) and in the last sentence of Article VIII, notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Section 5.3 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance . The Board of Directors, without approval of the stockholders of the Corporation, may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration, if any, as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.

Section 5.4 Preemptive Rights and Appraisal Rights . Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by a contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of shares of stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell. Holders of shares of stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any shares of all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Corporation is subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, holders of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to exercise rights of an objecting stockholder under Section 3-708(a) of the MGCL.

Section 5.5 Indemnification . (a) The Corporation shall have the power, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification to, (i) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation or (ii) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person

 

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may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in any of the foregoing capacities. The Corporation shall have the power, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (i) or (ii) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation.

(b) The Corporation may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person described in the preceding paragraph against any liability which may be asserted against such person.

(c) The indemnification provided herein shall not be deemed to limit the right of the Corporation to indemnify any other person for any such expenses to the maximum extent permitted by law, nor shall it be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification from the Corporation may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

Section 5.6 Determinations by Board . In addition to, and without limitation of, the general grant of power and authority to the Board of Directors under Section 5.1, the determination as to any of the following matters, made by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other net profit, cash flow, funds from operations, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation or resolution of any ambiguity with respect to any provision in the Charter (including any of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of stock of the Corporation) or of the Bylaws; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; the number of shares of stock of any class or series of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or the Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.7 REIT Qualification . The Board of Directors, without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, shall have the authority to cause the Corporation to elect to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Following any such election, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, the Board of Directors, without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. In addition, the Board of Directors, without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, shall have and may exercise, on behalf of the

 

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Corporation, without limitation, the power to determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article VII of the Charter is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

Section 5.8 Removal of Directors . Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock to elect or remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause, and then only by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.

Section 5.9 Stockholder Proposals and Nominations of Directors . Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

Section 5.10 Advisor Agreements . The Board of Directors may authorize the execution and performance by the Corporation of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, limited liability company, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization whereby, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Directors, any such other person, corporation, limited liability company, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization shall render or make available to the Corporation managerial, investment, advisory and/or related services, office space and other services and facilities (including, if deemed advisable by the Board of Directors, the management or supervision of the investments of the Corporation) upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in such agreement or agreements (including, if deemed fair and equitable by the Board of Directors, the compensation payable thereunder by the Corporation).

ARTICLE VI

STOCK

Section 6.1 Authorized Shares . The Corporation has authority to issue 600,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”), and 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $6,000,000. If shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class of stock pursuant to Sections 6.2, 6.3 or 6.4 of this Article VI, the number of authorized shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.

 

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Section 6.2 Common Stock . The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time into one or more classes or series of stock. Subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock, if any, and any other class of stock hereinafter created by the Corporation:

(a) the holders of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters requiring stockholder action, each share being entitled to one vote; provided , however , that cumulative voting for the election of directors is prohibited;

(b) dividends or other distributions may be declared and paid or set apart for payment upon the Common Stock out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of distributions, but only when, as, and if, authorized by the Board of Directors; and

(c) upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the net assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution shall, after the payment of or adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities, be distributed pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock.

Section 6.3 Preferred Stock . The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any series from time to time, into one or more classes or series of stock.

Section 6.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares . Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series of stock, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers (including voting rights exclusive to such class or series), restrictions (including, without limitation, restrictions on transferability), limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the SDAT. Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other Charter document.

Section 6.5 Distributions . The Board of Directors from time to time may authorize and the Corporation may pay to its stockholders such dividends or other distributions in cash or other property, including in shares of one class of the Corporation’s stock payable to holders of shares of another class of stock of the Corporation, as the Board of Directors in its discretion shall determine.

 

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Section 6.6 Stockholders’ Consent in Lieu of Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting by consent, in writing or by electronic transmissions by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter.

Section 6.7 Charter and Bylaws . The rights of all stockholders and the terms of all stock are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

Section 7.1 Definitions . For the purpose of this Article VII, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8 of the Charter. The value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, which determination shall be final and conclusive for all purposes hereof. For the purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Capital Stock by any Person, shares of Capital Stock that may be acquired upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any securities of the Corporation directly or constructively held by such Person, but not shares of Capital Stock issuable with respect to the conversion, exchange or exercise of securities for the Corporation held by other Persons, shall be deemed to be outstanding prior to conversion, exchange or exercise.

Beneficial Ownership . The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Sections 856(h)(1)(B) and 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

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

Capital Stock . The term “Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

Charitable Beneficiary . The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section 7.3.6, provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

Charitable Trust . The term “Charitable Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 7.3.1.

 

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Common Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Common Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8 of the Charter. The number and value of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, which determination shall be final and conclusive for all purposes hereof. For purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Common Stock by any Person, shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any securities of the Corporation directly or constructively held by such Person, but not shares of Common Stock issuable with respect to the conversion, exchange or exercise of securities for the Corporation held by other Persons, shall be deemed to be outstanding prior to conversion, exchange or exercise.

Constructive Ownership . The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Excepted Holder . The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean a Person for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Charter or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.

Excepted Holder Limit . The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Charter or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.2.8, the percentage limit established for an Excepted Holder by the Charter or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.

Initial Date . The term “Initial Date” shall mean the date upon which this Charter containing this Article VII is accepted for record by the SDAT.

Market Price . The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price (as defined in this paragraph) for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last reported sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq (as defined in this Section 7.1) or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors.

 

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Nasdaq . The term “Nasdaq” shall mean the NASDAQ Global Select Market or any successor stock exchange thereto.

Person . The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a “group” as that term is used for purposes of Rule 13d-5(b) or Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

Prohibited Owner . The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer (as defined in this Section 7.1) (or other event), any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 7.2.1, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in violation of the provisions of Section 7.2.1(a), and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares of Capital Stock that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

Restriction Termination Date . The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Directors determines pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

TRS . The term “TRS” shall mean a taxable REIT subsidiary (as defined in Section 856(l) of the Code) of the Corporation.

Transfer . The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire or change such Person’s percentage of Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote or receive dividends on Capital Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right, and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

Trustee . The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person, unaffiliated with both the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Charitable Trust.

 

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Section 7.2 Capital Stock .

Section 7.2.1 Ownership Limitations . During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date or as otherwise set forth below, and subject to Section 7.4:

(a) Basic Restrictions .

(i) Except as provided in Section 7.2.7 hereof, no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, and no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit. No Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

(ii) Except as provided in Section 7.2.7 hereof, no Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT.

(iii) Except as provided in Section 7.2.7 hereof, any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective, would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Capital Stock.

(iv) Except as provided in Section 7.2.7 hereof, no Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership would cause the Corporation to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own 9.9% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant (other than a TRS) of the Corporation’s real property within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code.

(v) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership would otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code, including, but not limited to, as a result of any “eligible independent contractor” (as defined in Section 856(d)(9)(A) of the Code) that operates a “qualified health care property” (as defined in Section 856(e)(6)(D)(i) of the Code), on behalf of a TRS failing to qualify as such.

(vi) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock could result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code.

(b) Transfer in Trust/Transfer Void Ab Initio . If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock (or other event) occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii), (iv), (v) or (vi),

(i) then that number of shares of the Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate

 

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Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii), (iv), (v) or (vi) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer (or other event), and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock; or

(ii) if the transfer to the Charitable Trust described in clause (i) of this Section 7.2.1(b) would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii), (iv), (v) or (vi), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii), (iv), (v) or (vi) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

Section 7.2.2 Remedies for Breach . If the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof shall at any time determine that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.2.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, or other designees if permitted by the MGCL, shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares of Capital Stock, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided , however , that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 7.2.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Charitable Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, or other designee if permitted by the MGCL.

Section 7.2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 7.2.1(a) or any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2.1(b) shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 7.2.4 Owners Required to Provide Information . From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(a) Every owner of more than five percent (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) in number or value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating (i) the name and address of such owner, (ii) the number of shares of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and (iii) a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit; and

 

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(b) Each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit.

Section 7.2.5 Remedies Not Limited . Nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to, subject to Section 5.7 of the Charter, protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 7.2.6 Ambiguity . In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Article VII, including any definition contained in Section 7.1 of this Article VII, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Article VII with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it at such time. In the event Section 7.2 or 7.3 requires an action by the Board of Directors and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors (which the Board of Directors may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Sections 7.2.1 and 7.2.2) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been actually owned by such Person, and second to shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Capital Stock based upon the relative number of the shares of Capital Stock held by each such Person.

Section 7.2.7 Exceptions .

(a) The Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the restrictions contained in Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii) or (iv), as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if the Board of Directors obtains such representations, covenants and undertakings as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate in order to conclude that granting the exemption and/or establishing or increasing the Excepted Holder Limit, as the case may be, will not cause the Corporation to lose its status as a REIT.

(b) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure that granting the exception will not cause the Corporation to lose its status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

 

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(c) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), (iv), (v) and (vi), an underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser that participates in a public offering, a private placement or other private offering of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering, private placement or immediate resale of such Capital Stock, and provided that the restrictions contained in Section 7.2.1(a) will not be violated following the distribution by such underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser of such shares of Capital Stock.

Section 7.2.8 Change in Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, Common Stock Ownership Limit and Excepted Holder Limits .

(a) The Board of Directors may from time to time increase or decrease the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or the Common Stock Ownership Limit; provided , however , that a decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership of Capital Stock is in excess of such decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit until such time as such Person’s percentage of Capital Stock equals or falls below the decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit, but until such time as such Person’s percentage of Capital Stock falls below such decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit, any further acquisition of Capital Stock will be in violation of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or Common Stock Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer individuals (taking into account all Excepted Holders) to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock.

(b) The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (i) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (ii) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the then-existing Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or Common Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable.

Section 7.2.9 Legend . Each certificate, if any, or any notice in lieu of any certificate, for shares of Capital Stock shall bear a legend summarizing the restrictions on ownership and transfer contained herein. Instead of a legend, the certificate, if any, may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.

 

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Section 7.3 Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust .

Section 7.3.1 Ownership in Trust . Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 7.2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Charitable Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 7.2.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 7.3.6.

Section 7.3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the Capital Stock held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Charitable Trust. The Prohibited Owner shall have no claim, cause of action or any other recourse whatsoever against the purported transferor of such Capital Stock.

Section 7.3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights . The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid to a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid with respect to such shares of Capital Stock by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividends or other distributions so paid over to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Charitable Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided , however , that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VII, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Charitable Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.

Section 7.3.4 Sale of Shares by Trustee . Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Trustee of the Charitable Trust shall sell the shares held in the Charitable Trust to a Person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 7.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to

 

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the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust ( e.g. , in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Charitable Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions paid to the Prohibited Owner and owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary, together with any distributions thereon. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

Section 7.3.5 Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Charitable Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions paid to the Prohibited Owner and owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. The Corporation may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 7.3.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner, and any dividends or other distributions held by the Trustee shall be paid to the Charitable Beneficiary.

Section 7.3.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries . By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable Trust such that (i) the shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under one of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code. Neither the failure of the Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the Corporation to appoint the Trustee before the automatic transfer provided for in Section 7.2.1(b)(i) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Corporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment.

Section 7.4 Nasdaq Transactions . Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the Nasdaq or any other national

 

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securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII, and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.

Section 7.5 Enforcement . The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VII.

Section 7.6 Non-Waiver . No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

Section 7.7 Severability . If any provision of this Article VII or any application of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other applications of such provisions shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except as otherwise provided in the Charter and except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, any amendment to Section 5.8 and Article VII or to this sentence of the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

ARTICLE IX

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or the Bylaws inconsistent with this Article IX, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

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THIRD : The amendment to and restatement of the Charter as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by a majority of the Board of Directors and approved by the sole stockholder of the Corporation, as required by law.

FOURTH : The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.

FIFTH : The name and address of the Corporation’s current resident agent are as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.

SIXTH : The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article V of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.

SEVENTH : The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue immediately prior to this amendment and restatement was 1,000 shares, consisting of 1,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all shares of stock having par value was $10.00.

EIGHTH : The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter is 600,000,000, consisting of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $6,000,000.

NINTH : The undersigned President and Chief Executive Officer acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President and Chief Executive Officer acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

[Signatures appear on the following page.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary on this      day of             , 2014.

 

ATTEST:     CARETRUST REIT, INC.  

 

    By  

 

  (SEAL)

Exhibit 3.2

CARETRUST REIT, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

(As amended and restated through             , 2014)

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. Principal Office.

The principal office of CareTrust REIT, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may designate from time to time.

Section 2. Additional Offices.

The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Place.

All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these bylaws (these “Bylaws”) and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2. Annual Meeting.

An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business as may properly be brought before the meeting and within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Directors. The Corporation shall hold its first annual meeting of stockholders beginning with the year 2015.

Section 3. Special Meetings.

(a) General . Each of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President and the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. Except as provided in Section 3(b)(4), a special meeting of stockholders shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by whoever has called the meeting. Subject to Section 3(b), a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the Secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a special meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.

 

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(b) Stockholder-Requested Special Meetings . (1) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation (the “Record Date Request Notice”) at the principal executive office of the Corporation by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). To be in proper form, the Record Date Request Notice shall (i) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, (ii) be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or his, her or their agent or agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), (iii) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and (iv) set forth all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the special meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation l4A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than 10 days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within 10 days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the 10th day after the first date on which such Record Date Request Notice is received by the Secretary, or, if such 10th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first succeeding Business Day.

(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a special meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the “Special Meeting Request”) in proper form and signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation. To be in proper form, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the Secretary), including the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration), (b) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (c) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such stockholder and (iii) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares of stock of the Corporation owned by each such stockholder beneficially but not of record, (d) be sent to the Secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the Secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the Secretary.

 

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(3) The Secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of the special meeting (including the Corporation’s proxy materials). The Secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by Section 3(b)(2), the Secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.

(4) In the case of any special meeting called by the Secretary upon the request of stockholders (a “Stockholder-Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided , however , that the date of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within 10 days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the Secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., local time, on the 90th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90th day is not a Business Day, on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting within 10 days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, the Board of Directors may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date, or, if such 30th day is not a Business Day, on the first succeeding Business Day. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder-Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of Section 3(b)(3). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may submit its own proposal or proposals for consideration at any such special meeting.

(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the Secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the Secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been sent to the stockholders of the Corporation, the Secretary shall refrain from sending the notice of the meeting and shall send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been sent to the stockholders of the Corporation, and if the Secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporation’s intention to revoke the notice of and to cancel the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, then (A) the Secretary may revoke the notice of and cancel the meeting at any time before 10 days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the Secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

 

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(6) The Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors may appoint independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the Secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the Secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days after actual receipt by the Secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the Secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

(7) The Secretary shall not accept, and the Secretary and the Corporation shall consider ineffective, any request from any stockholder to hold a special meeting or to establish a Request Record Date or Meeting Record Date that (a) does not comply with this Section 3 or (b) proposes or includes an item of business to be transacted at such special meeting that is not a proper subject for stockholder action under the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”), these Bylaws or applicable law.

(8) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York or the State of Maryland are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Section 4. Notice.

Not less than 10 nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the Secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the date, time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business or by any other means permitted by applicable law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless a stockholder at such address objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

 

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Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice of such special meeting. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than 10 days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.

Section 5. Organization and Conduct.

Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment or appointed individual, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, if there is one, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Vice Presidents in their order of rank and seniority, the Secretary, or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy at such meeting. The Secretary, or, in the Secretary’s absence, an Assistant Secretary, or, in the absence of both the Secretary and Assistant Secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary of the meeting. In the event that the Secretary presides at a meeting of stockholders, an Assistant Secretary, or, in the absence of all Assistant Secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting.

The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. Except to the extent not prohibited by any such rules, regulations and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of the meeting shall determine the order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders and shall have the authority to adopt rules, regulations and procedures and take such other actions as, in the discretion of the chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (e) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding a

 

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meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (i) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 6. Quorum.

At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the Charter for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter. If, however, such quorum is not established at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. Voting.

Directors of the Corporation shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected and at which a quorum is present. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted, without any right to cumulative voting. A majority of the votes cast in favor of a matter (other than the election of directors) at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any such matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by statute or by the Charter. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, voting on any question or in any election may be by voice vote rather than by ballot.

Section 8. Proxies.

A holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation may cast votes in person or by proxy executed or authorized by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than 11 months after its date, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

Section 9. Voting of Stock by Certain Holders.

Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, general partner, trustee or managing member thereof, as the case may be, or a

 

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proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person, who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or an agreement of the partners of a partnership, presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any director or fiduciary may vote stock registered in the name of such person in the capacity of such director or fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by the Corporation shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by the Corporation in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth: the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt by the Corporation of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.

Section 10. Inspectors.

The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. Except as otherwise provided by the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the validity of any proxies of ballots, (v) perform such tasks as may be required by applicable law and (vi) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of the inspectors if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority of the inspectors shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

Section 11. Advance Notice of Nominees for Director and Other Stockholder Proposals.

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders .

(1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may only be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation

 

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who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section 11(a). Clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be the sole and exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or other business proposals before an annual meeting of stockholders (other than matters properly brought under, and to the extent required by, Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting).

(2) Without qualification or limitation, subject to Section 11(c)(4), for any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders by a stockholder pursuant to Section 11(a)(1)(iii), the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and any such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 150th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided , however , that in connection with the Corporation’s first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, in order for notice by the stockholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(3) A stockholder’s notice described in Section 11(a)(2) shall set forth:

(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act;

(ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;

(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person: (A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the “Company Securities”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired

 

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and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person; (B) any derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, the purpose or effect of which is to give such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person economic risk similar to ownership of shares of any class or series of the Corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such derivative, swap, or other transactions are determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any shares of any class or series of the Corporation, or which derivative, swap or other transactions provide, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit from any increase in the price or value of shares of any class or series of the Corporation (“Synthetic Equity Interests”), which Synthetic Equity Interests shall be disclosed without regard to whether (x) the derivative, swap or other transactions convey any voting rights in such shares to such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, (y) the derivative, swap or other transactions are required to be, or are capable of being, settled through delivery of such shares or (z) such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person may have entered into other transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such derivative, swap or other transactions; (C) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or other relationship pursuant to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation; (D) any short interest in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of these Bylaws, a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security); (E) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation; (F) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Synthetic Equity Interests held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner; (G) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation, if any, as of the date of such notice, including, without limitation, any such interests held by members of such stockholder’s, Proposed Nominee’s or Stockholder Associated Person’s immediate family sharing the same household (which information required by this subsection (iii) shall be supplemented by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person and beneficial owner, if any, not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date); (H) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series; and (I) any other information relating to such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person and beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy

 

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statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) of the Exchange Act;

(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this Section 11(a)(3) and any Proposed Nominee: (A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee; and (B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person;

(v) the name and address of any person who contacted or was contacted by the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person about the Proposed Nominee or other business proposal prior to the date of such stockholder’s notice; and

(vi) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholder’s notice.

(4) A stockholder’s notice described in Section 11(a)(2) or Section 11(b), as the case may be, shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director of the Corporation that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Corporation are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Corporation are traded).

(5) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 11(a) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

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(6) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3 of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. Section 11(a)(1)(iii) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business to be brought before a special meeting of the stockholders. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by Section 11(a)(3) and (4), is delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(c) General . (1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Any such stockholder shall (A) notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information and (B) promptly update and supplement the information previously provided to the Corporation pursuant to this Section 11, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is 10 Business Days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation. Without limiting the foregoing, upon written request by the Secretary or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (x) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11, (y) a written update of any

 

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information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date and (z) any other information requested by the Corporation as may reasonably be required to determine the eligibility of any Proposed Nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that would be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such Proposed Nominee. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.

(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11 except as required pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or such similar rule promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that governs the inclusion of stockholder proposals in proxy materials or consideration at a stockholders’ meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or other business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that no action shall be taken on such nomination or other proposal, and such nomination or other proposal shall be disregarded.

(3) For purposes of this Section 11: (i) “the date of the proxy statement” shall have the same meaning as “the date of the company’s proxy statement released to shareholders” as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the SEC from time to time; and (ii) “public announcement” shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.

Section 12. Control Share Acquisition Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (or any successor statute) (the “MGCL”) shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

 

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Section 13. Telephone Meetings.

The Board of Directors or chairman of the meeting may permit one or more stockholders to participate by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

Section 14. Stockholders’ Consent in Lieu of Meeting.

Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent setting forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the stockholders.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers.

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.

Section 2. Number, Tenure and Resignation.

At any regular meeting of the Board of Directors or at any special meeting of the Board of Directors called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided , however , that the number thereof shall never be less than three nor more than nine, and provided further that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders, and each director shall hold office for the term for which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation in writing to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

Section 3. Annual and Regular Meetings.

An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, with no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary, or at such other date, time and place as may be determined by the Board of Directors and specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the date, time and place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

 

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Section 4. Special Meetings.

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the date, time and place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

Section 5. Notice.

Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

Section 6. Quorum.

A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such directors is present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that, if, pursuant to applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a particular group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group.

The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough directors to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. Voting.

The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is

 

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not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws.

Section 8. Organization.

At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, if a director, or, in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, the President, if a director, or, in the absence of the President, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The Secretary or, in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, or, in the absence of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 9. Telephone Meetings.

Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 10. Consent by Directors Without a Meeting.

Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

Section 11. Vacancies.

If for any reason any or all of the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the existence of the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

Section 12. Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall designate a Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate the Chairman of the Board of Directors as an executive or non-executive chairman. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.

Section 13. Compensation.

Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or

 

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activity they performed or engaged in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as directors. Nothing herein contained, however, shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 14. Reliance.

Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence; or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

Section 15. Certain Rights of Directors and Officers.

A director who is not also an officer of the Corporation shall have no responsibility to devote his or her full time to the affairs of the Corporation. Any director or officer, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to, in addition to or in competition with those of or relating to the Corporation.

Section 16. Ratification.

The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify and make binding on the Corporation any action or inaction by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and, if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

Section 17. Emergency Provisions.

Notwithstanding any other provision in the Charter or these Bylaws, this Section 17 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, (i) a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of

 

16


the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio; and (iii) the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Number, Tenure and Qualifications.

The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and other committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The exact composition of each committee, including the total number of directors and the number of independent directors on each such committee, shall at all times comply with any applicable listing requirements and rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Global Select Market or any other national securities exchange on which the Corporation’s common stock is then listed, as such rules and regulations may be modified or amended from time to time, and any applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, as such rules and regulations may be modified or amended from time to time.

Section 2. Powers.

The Board of Directors may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article IV any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law.

Section 3. Meetings.

Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of the committee meeting unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member.

Section 4. Telephone Meetings.

Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 5. Consent by Committees Without a Meeting.

Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.

 

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Section 6. Removal and Vacancies.

Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership or size of any committee (including the removal of any member of such committee), to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. General Provisions.

The officers of the Corporation shall include a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer and may include a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries and one or more Assistant Treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, except that the Chief Executive Officer or President may from time to time appoint one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or until his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except President and Vice President may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent. In the event of the absence or disability of any officer, the Board of Directors may designate another officer to act temporarily in place of such absent or disabled officer.

Section 2. Removal and Resignation.

Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation in writing to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.

 

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Section 3. Vacancies.

A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term of that office.

Section 4. Chief Executive Officer.

The Board of Directors may designate a Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of such designation, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed, and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 5. Chief Operating Officer.

The Board of Directors may designate a Chief Operating Officer. The Chief Operating Officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 6. Chief Financial Officer.

The Board of Directors may designate a Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the responsibilities and duties prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 7. President.

In the absence of a Chief Executive Officer, the President shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In the absence of a designation of a Chief Operating Officer by the Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief Operating Officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed, and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 8. Vice Presidents.

In the absence of the President or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, Vice Presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President, and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such Vice President by the Board of Directors, the President or Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors may designate one or more Vice Presidents as Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or as Vice President for particular areas of responsibility.

 

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Section 9. Secretary.

The Secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the Secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors.

Section 10. Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall (a) have custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, (b) keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, (c) deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and (d) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a Chief Financial Officer by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation.

The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and Board of Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors or whenever the Board of Directors may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

Section 11. Assistant Secretaries; Assistant Treasurers.

The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or Treasurer, respectively, or by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors.

Section 12. Compensation.

The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors. No officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation in his or her capacity as an officer by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director.

ARTICLE VI

CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

Section 1. Contracts.

The Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors acting within the scope of its delegated authority may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when duly authorized or ratified, generally or specifically, by action of the Board of Directors or such other committee and executed by an authorized person.

 

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Section 2. Checks and Drafts.

All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Deposits.

All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Corporation as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors may determine.

ARTICLE VII

STOCK

Section 1. Certificates.

Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in the manner required by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.

Section 2. Transfers.

All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation and the books of the transfer agent of the Corporation, if applicable, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney, in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe. If such shares are certificated, then, upon surrender to the Corporation or, if authorized by the Corporation, to the transfer agent of the Corporation, of certificates duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, the Corporation, or, if authorized by the Corporation, the transfer agent of the Corporation, shall issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction on its books. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of any uncertificated shares, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.

 

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The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof, and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland. Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the Charter and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

Section 3. Replacement Certificate.

Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however , that if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate or certificates shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors has determined that such certificate or certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as the Corporation may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.

Section 4. Fixing of Record Date.

Subject to the provisions of Article II, Section 3, the Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of stockholders or of determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten 10 days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.

When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if adjourned or postponed, except if the meeting is adjourned or postponed to a date more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting may be determined as set forth herein.

Section 5. Stock Ledger.

The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.

 

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Section 6. Fractional Stock; Issuance of Units.

The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue fractional stock or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may issue units consisting of different securities of the Corporation. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Corporation, except that the Board of Directors may provide that, for a specified period, securities of the Corporation issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Corporation only in such unit.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. Fiscal Year.

The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

Section 2. Severability.

If any provision of these Bylaws shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such holding shall apply only to the extent of any such invalidity or unenforceability and shall not in any manner affect, impair or render invalid or unenforceable any other provision of the Bylaws in any jurisdiction.

ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 1. Authorization.

Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter.

Section 2. Contingencies.

Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside (but there is no duty to set aside) out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends or other distributions, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine to be in the best interests of the Corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

ARTICLE X

INVESTMENT POLICIES

Subject to the provisions of the Charter, the Board of Directors may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Corporation as the Board of Directors shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.

 

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ARTICLE XI

SEAL

Section 1. Seal.

The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall be in such form as approved from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

Section 2. Affixing Seal.

Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE XII

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse all reasonable costs, fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses) in advance of a final disposition of any Proceeding (as defined below) to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who was or is made or threatened to be made a party to any pending or contemplated action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who was or is made or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and to be paid or reimbursed expenses in advance of a final disposition of any Proceeding provided by the Charter and these Bylaws shall vest immediately upon election of a director or officer.

In addition to and not in limitation of the provisions of this Article XII, the Corporation may, with the approval of the Board of Directors, provide such indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses in advance to (i) an individual who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and (ii) any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation.

Subject to the terms of any agreement between the Corporation and any present and future directors and officers of the Corporation, if a claim under this Article XII is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation from a present or former director or officer of the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for payment

 

24


or reimbursement of expenses in advance of the final disposition of a Proceeding, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the present or former director or officer making such claim may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, to the extent successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be indemnified for the costs, fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in prosecuting such suit.

The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses in advance provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, charter, resolution, insurance, agreement, vote of directors or stockholders, or otherwise, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of and payment and reimbursement of expenses in advance to all present and former directors and officers of the Corporation shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article XII, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws inconsistent with this Article XII, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

In addition to any indemnification permitted by these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall, in its sole discretion, have the power to grant such indemnification as it deems in the interest of the Corporation to the full extent permitted by law. This Article XII shall not limit the Corporation’s power to indemnify against liabilities not arising from a person’s serving the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent.

ARTICLE XIII

WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to the Charter or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.

ARTICLE XIV

EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LITIGATION

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland (the “Court”) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a

 

25


claim arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, and any record or beneficial stockholder of the Corporation who commences such an action shall cooperate in a request that the action be assigned to the Court’s Business & Technology Case Management Program.

ARTICLE XV

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws.

 

26

Exhibit 4.1

 

Number *0*      Shares *0*   
    

 

 

SEE REVERSE FOR IMPORTANT

NOTICE ON TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

AND OTHER INFORMATION

  

  

  

 

  THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE    CUSIP            
  IN THE CITIES OF                        

CARETRUST REIT, INC.

a Corporation Formed Under the Laws of the State of Maryland

THIS CERTIFIES THAT **Specimen** is the owner of **Zero (0)** fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

(the “Corporation”) transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by its duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the Charter of the Corporation and the Bylaws of the Corporation and any amendments thereto. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officers this      day of             ,         .

 

Countersigned and Registered:      
Transfer Agent and Registrar    

 

  (SEAL)
      President and Chief Executive Officer  
By:  

 

   

 

 
  Authorized Signature     Secretary  

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The Corporation will furnish to any stockholder, on request and without charge, a full statement of the information required by Section 2-211(b) of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland with respect to the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other


distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of the stock of each class which the Corporation has authority to issue and, if the Corporation is authorized to issue any preferred or special class in series, (i) the differences in the relative rights and preferences between the shares of each series to the extent set, and (ii) the authority of the Board of Directors to set such rights and preferences of subsequent series. The foregoing summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Charter of the Corporation, a copy of which will be sent without charge to each stockholder who so requests. Such request must be made to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.

The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Corporation’s maintenance of its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporation’s Charter, (i) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable), may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, and no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit; (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT; (iii) no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons; (iv) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock that would cause the Corporation to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own 9.9% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant (other than a TRS) of the Corporation’s real property within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code; (v) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock that would otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT, including, but not limited to, as a result of any “eligible independent contractor” (as defined in Section 856(d)(9)(A) of the Code) that operates a “qualified health care property” (as defined in Section 856(e)(6)(D)(i) of the Code) on behalf of a TRS failing to qualify as such; and (vi) no Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation that would result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” (as defined in Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code).

Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock which causes or may cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice to the Corporation. If any of the restrictions on transfer or ownership provided in (i), (ii), (iv), (v) or (vi) above are violated, the shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Charitable Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may redeem shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, if the ownership restriction provided in (iii) above would be violated, or upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio . All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings given to them in the Charter of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.

 

 

KEEP THIS CERTIFICATE IN A SAFE PLACE. IF IT IS LOST, DESTROYED, STOLEN OR MUTILATED, THE CORPORATION

MAY REQUIRE A BOND OF INDEMNITY AS A CONDITION TO THE ISSUANCE OF A REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE.

 

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

      UNIF GIFT MIN ACT  

 

  Custodian  

 

TEN COM   -   as tenants in common       (Custodian)     (Minor)
TEN ENT   -   as tenants by the entireties          
JT TEN   -  

as joint tenants with right

of survivorship and not as

    under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act of
    tenants in common    

 

        (State)
      Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.


FOR VALUE RECEIVED,                      HEREBY SELLS, ASSIGNS AND TRANSFERS UNTO

 

 

(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address, Including Zip Code, of Assignee)

 

 

(Please Insert Social Security or other Identifying Number of Assignee)

                     (            ) shares of Common Stock of the Corporation represented by this Certificate and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                      attorney to transfer the said shares of Common Stock on the books of the Corporation, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated  

 

   

 

      NOTICE: The Signature to This Assignment Must Correspond with the Name as Written upon the Face of the Certificate in Every Particular, Without Alteration or Enlargement or Any Change Whatsoever.

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

CARETRUST PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION, UNLESS THE TRANSFEROR DELIVERS TO THE PARTNERSHIP AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE PARTNERSHIP, TO THE EFFECT THAT THE PROPOSED SALE, TRANSFER OR OTHER DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES OR “BLUE SKY” LAWS.

dated as of             , 2014

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE 1 DEFINED TERMS

     1   

ARTICLE 2 ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

     15   

Section 2.1

 

Formation

     15   

Section 2.2

 

Name

     15   

Section 2.3

 

Principal Office and Resident Agent

     15   

Section 2.4

 

Power of Attorney

     15   

Section 2.5

 

Term

     16   

ARTICLE 3 PURPOSE

     16   

Section 3.1

 

Purpose and Business

     16   

Section 3.2

 

Powers

     17   

Section 3.3

 

Partnership Only for Purposes Specified

     17   

Section 3.4

 

Representations and Warranties by the Partners

     17   

ARTICLE 4 CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

     19   

Section 4.1

 

Capital Contributions of the Partners

     19   

Section 4.2

 

Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests

     19   

Section 4.3

 

Additional Funds and Capital Contributions

     20   

Section 4.4

 

Stock Option Plans

     21   

Section 4.5

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan

     22   

Section 4.6

 

No Interest; No Return

     22   

Section 4.7

 

Conversion or Redemption of Preferred Shares; Redemption of REIT Shares

     23   

Section 4.8

 

Other Contribution Provisions

     23   

Section 4.9

 

Excluded Properties

     23   

ARTICLE 5 DISTRIBUTIONS

     23   

Section 5.1

 

Requirement and Characterization of Distributions

     23   

Section 5.2

 

Distributions in Kind

     24   

Section 5.3

 

Amounts Withheld

     24   

Section 5.4

 

Distributions upon Liquidation

     24   

Section 5.5

 

Distributions to Reflect Additional Partnership Units

     24   

Section 5.6

 

Restricted Distributions

     24   

ARTICLE 6 ALLOCATIONS

     24   

Section 6.1

 

Timing and Amount of Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss

     24   

Section 6.2

 

General Allocations

     24   

Section 6.3

 

Additional Allocation Provisions

     25   

Section 6.4

 

Tax Allocations

     27   

ARTICLE 7 MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS

     27   

Section 7.1

 

Management

     27   

Section 7.2

 

Certificate of Limited Partnership

     28   

Section 7.3

 

Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority

     29   

Section 7.4

 

Reimbursement of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner

     31   

Section 7.5

 

Outside Activities of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner

     31   

Section 7.6

 

Transactions with Affiliates

     32   

Section 7.7

 

Indemnification

     32   

Section 7.8

 

Liability of the General Partner

     34   

Section 7.9

 

Title to Partnership Assets

     35   

Section 7.10

 

Reliance by Third Parties

     35   

 

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ARTICLE 8 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

     36   

Section 8.1

 

Limitation of Liability

     36   

Section 8.2

 

Management of Business

     36   

Section 8.3

 

Outside Activities of Limited Partners

     36   

Section 8.4

 

Return of Capital

     36   

Section 8.5

 

Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership

     36   

Section 8.6

 

Partnership Right to Call Partnership Interests

     37   

Section 8.7

 

No Rights as Objecting Partner

     37   

Section 8.8

 

No Right to Certificate Evidencing Units; Article 8 Securities

     37   

ARTICLE 9 BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

     37   

Section 9.1

 

Records and Accounting

     37   

Section 9.2

 

Partnership Year

     37   

Section 9.3

 

Reports

     38   

ARTICLE 10 TAX MATTERS

     38   

Section 10.1

 

Preparation of Tax Returns

     38   

Section 10.2

 

Tax Elections

     38   

Section 10.3

 

Tax Matters Partner

     38   

Section 10.4

 

Withholding

     39   

Section 10.5

 

Organizational Expenses

     40   

ARTICLE 11 PARTNER TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS

     40   

Section 11.1

 

Transfer

     40   

Section 11.2

 

Transfer of General Partner’s Partnership Interest

     40   

Section 11.3

 

Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer

     41   

Section 11.4

 

Substituted Limited Partners

     42   

Section 11.5

 

Assignees

     43   

Section 11.6

 

General Provisions

     43   

Section 11.7

 

Restrictions on Termination Transactions

     44   

ARTICLE 12 ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

     45   

Section 12.1

 

Admission of Successor General Partner

     45   

Section 12.2

 

Admission of Additional Limited Partners

     45   

Section 12.3

 

Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

     46   

Section 12.4

 

Limit on Number of Partners

     46   

Section 12.5

 

Admission

     46   

ARTICLE 13 DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION

     46   

Section 13.1

 

Dissolution

     46   

Section 13.2

 

Winding Up

     46   

Section 13.3

 

Deemed Contribution and Distribution

     47   

Section 13.4

 

Rights of Holders

     48   

Section 13.5

 

Notice of Dissolution

     48   

Section 13.6

 

Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

     48   

Section 13.7

 

Reasonable Time for Winding-Up

     48   

ARTICLE 14 PROCEDURES FOR ACTIONS AND CONSENTS OF PARTNERS; AMENDMENTS; MEETINGS

     48   

Section 14.1

 

Actions and Consents of Partners

     48   

Section 14.2

 

Amendments

     48   

Section 14.3

 

Procedures for Meetings and Actions of the Partners

     49   

 

ii


ARTICLE 15 GENERAL PROVISIONS

     49   

Section 15.1

 

Redemption Rights of Qualifying Parties

     49   

Section 15.2

 

Addresses and Notice

     54   

Section 15.3

 

Titles and Captions

     55   

Section 15.4

 

Pronouns and Plurals

     55   

Section 15.5

 

Further Action

     55   

Section 15.6

 

Binding Effect

     55   

Section 15.7

 

Waiver

     55   

Section 15.8

 

Counterparts

     55   

Section 15.9

 

Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial

     55   

Section 15.10

 

Entire Agreement

     56   

Section 15.11

 

Invalidity of Provisions

     56   

Section 15.12

 

Limitation to Preserve REIT Status

     56   

Section 15.13

 

REIT Restrictions

     57   

Section 15.14

 

No Partition

     57   

Section 15.15

 

No Third-Party Rights Created Hereby

     57   

Section 15.16

 

No Rights as Stockholders

     57   

 

Exhibit A  

EXAMPLES REGARDING ADJUSTMENT FACTOR

     A-1   
Exhibit B  

NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

     B-1   

 

iii


AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF

CARETRUST PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF CARETRUST PARTNERSHIP, L.P., dated as of             , 2014, is entered into by and among CareTrust GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (the “ Initial General Partner ”), CareTrust REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Special Limited Partner ”), and any additional partner that is admitted from time to time to the Partnership.

WHEREAS, a Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on             , 2014 (the “ Formation Date ”);

WHEREAS, the Initial General Partner and the Special Limited Partner entered into an original Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership effective as of             , 2014 (the “ Initial Partnership Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, the Initial General Partner and the Special Limited Partner now desire to amend and restate the Initial Partnership Agreement to read in its entirety as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINED TERMS

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

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

Actions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.7 hereof.

Additional Funds ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.A hereof.

Additional Limited Partner ” means a Person who is admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to the Act and Section 12.2 hereof, who is shown as such on the books and records of the Partnership, and who has not ceased to be a Limited Partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement.

Adjusted Available Cash ” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of Available Cash and REIT Available Cash.

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit ” means, with respect to any Partner, the deficit balance, if any, in such Partner’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Partnership Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments:

(i) decrease such deficit by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore pursuant to this Agreement or by operation of law upon liquidation of such Partner’s Partnership Interest or that such Partner is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentence of each of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and

(ii) increase such deficit by the items described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6).

 

1


The foregoing definition of “Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” is intended to comply with the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

Adjustment Factor ” means 1.0; provided , however , that in the event that:

(i) the Special Limited Partner (a) declares or pays a dividend on its outstanding REIT Shares wholly or partly in REIT Shares or makes a distribution to all holders of its outstanding REIT Shares wholly or partly in REIT Shares, (b) splits or subdivides its outstanding REIT Shares or (c) effects a reverse stock split or otherwise combines its outstanding REIT Shares into a smaller number of REIT Shares, the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Adjustment Factor previously in effect by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination (assuming for such purposes that such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination has occurred as of such time) and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the actual number of REIT Shares (determined without the above assumption) issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination;

(ii) the Special Limited Partner distributes any rights, options or warrants to all holders of its REIT Shares to subscribe for or to purchase or to otherwise acquire REIT Shares, or other securities or rights convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for REIT Shares (other than REIT Shares issuable pursuant to a Qualified DRIP), at a price per share less than the Value of a REIT Share on the record date for such distribution (each a “ Distributed Right ”), then, as of the distribution date of such Distributed Rights or, if later, the time such Distributed Rights become exercisable, the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Adjustment Factor previously in effect by a fraction (a) the numerator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date (or, if later, the date such Distributed Rights become exercisable) plus the maximum number of REIT Shares purchasable under such Distributed Rights and (b) the denominator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date (or, if later, the date such Distributed Rights become exercisable) plus a fraction (1) the numerator of which is the maximum number of REIT Shares purchasable under such Distributed Rights, multiplied by the minimum purchase price per REIT Share under such Distributed Rights and (2) the denominator of which is the Value of a REIT Share as of the record date (or, if later, the date such Distributed Rights become exercisable); provided , however , that, if any such Distributed Rights expire or become no longer exercisable, then the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted, effective retroactive to the date of distribution (or, if later, the time the Distributed Rights become exercisable) of the Distributed Rights, to reflect a reduced maximum number of REIT Shares or any change in the minimum purchase price for the purposes of the above fraction; and

(iii) the Special Limited Partner shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its REIT Shares evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including securities, but excluding any dividend or distribution referred to in subsection (i) or (ii) above), which evidences of indebtedness or assets relate to assets not received by the General Partner and/or any Special Limited Partner pursuant to a pro rata distribution by the Partnership, then the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted to equal the amount determined by multiplying the Adjustment Factor in effect immediately prior to the close of business as of the record date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution by a fraction (a) the numerator of which shall be such Value of a REIT Share on such record date and (b) the denominator of which shall be the Value of a REIT Share as of such record date less the then fair market value (as determined by the General Partner, whose determination shall be conclusive) of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness or assets so distributed applicable to one REIT Share.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any of the events in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above occur, no adjustments will be made to the Adjustment Factor for any class or series of Partnership Interests to the extent that the Partnership concurrently makes or effects a correlative distribution or payment to all of the Partners holding Partnership Interests of such class or series, or effects a correlative split, subdivision, reverse split or combination in respect of the Partnership Interests of such class or series. If the Special Limited Partner effects a dividend that allows holders of REIT Shares to elect to

 

2


receive cash or additional REIT Shares, the Partnership may effect a correlative distribution by distributing to all Partners holding Partnership Interests of such class or series a combination of cash and additional Partnership Interests in the same ratio as the ratio of cash and REIT Shares paid by the Special Limited Partner, without offering Partners an opportunity to elect to receive cash or additional Partnership Interests. Any adjustments to the Adjustment Factor shall become effective immediately after such event, retroactive to the record date, if any, for such event. For illustrative purposes, examples of adjustments to the Adjustment Factor are set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “ control ” when used with respect to any Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Affiliated REIT ” means the Special Limited Partner and any Affiliate of the Special Limited Partner that has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code.

Agreement ” means this Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CareTrust Partnership, L.P., as now or hereafter amended, restated, modified, supplemented or replaced.

Applicable Percentage ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.B hereof.

Appraisal ” means, with respect to any assets, the written opinion of an independent third party experienced in the valuation of similar assets, selected by the General Partner. Such opinion may be in the form of an opinion by such independent third party that the value for such property or asset as set by the General Partner is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Partnership.

Assignee ” means a Person to whom a Partnership Interest has been Transferred but who has not become a Substituted Limited Partner, and who has the rights set forth in Section 11.5 hereof.

Available Cash ” means, with respect to any period for which such calculation is being made,

(i) the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) the Partnership’s Net Income or Net Loss (as the case may be) for such period,

(2) Depreciation and all other noncash charges to the extent deducted in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period,

(3) the amount of any reduction in reserves of the Partnership established by the General Partner (including, without limitation, reductions resulting because the General Partner determines such amounts are no longer necessary),

(4) the excess, if any, of the net cash proceeds from the sale, exchange, disposition, financing or refinancing of Partnership property for such period over the gain (or loss, as the case may be) recognized from such sale, exchange, disposition, financing or refinancing during such period, and

(5) all other cash received (including amounts previously accrued as Net Income and amounts of deferred income) or any net amounts borrowed by the Partnership for such period that was not included in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period;

(ii) less the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) all principal debt payments made during such period by the Partnership,

 

3


(2) capital expenditures made by the Partnership during such period,

(3) investments in any entity (including loans made thereto) to the extent that such investments are not otherwise described in clause (ii)(1) or clause (ii)(2) above,

(4) all other expenditures and payments not deducted in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period (including amounts paid in respect of expenses previously accrued),

(5) any amount included in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period that was not received by the Partnership during such period,

(6) the amount of any increase in reserves (including, without limitation, working capital reserves) established by the General Partner during such period, and

(7) any amount distributed or paid in redemption of any Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest or Partnership Units, including, without limitation, any Cash Amount paid.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Available Cash shall not include (a) any cash received or reductions in reserves, or take into account any disbursements made, or reserves established, after dissolution and the commencement of the liquidation and winding up of the Partnership or (b) any Capital Contributions, whenever received or any payments, expenditures or investments made with such Capital Contributions.

Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Special Limited Partner.

Business Day ” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Capital Account ” means, with respect to any Partner, the Capital Account maintained by the General Partner for such Partner on the Partnership’s books and records in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) To each Partner’s Capital Account, there shall be added such Partner’s Capital Contributions, such Partner’s distributive share of Net Income and any items in the nature of income or gain that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof, and the amount of any Partnership liabilities assumed by such Partner or that are secured by any property distributed to such Partner.

(b) From each Partner’s Capital Account, there shall be subtracted the amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value of any property distributed to such Partner pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, such Partner’s distributive share of Net Losses and any items in the nature of expenses or losses that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof, and the amount of any liabilities of such Partner assumed by the Partnership or that are secured by any property contributed by such Partner to the Partnership (except to the extent already reflected in the amount of such Partner’s Capital Contribution).

(c) In the event any interest in the Partnership is Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the transferee shall succeed to the Partner’s Capital Account of the transferor to the extent that it relates to the Transferred interest.

(d) In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of subsections (a) and (b) hereof, there shall be taken into account Code Section 752(c) and any other applicable provisions of the Code and Regulations.

(e) The provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulations promulgated under Section 704 of the Code, and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. The General Partner

 

4


may modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts are maintained in order to comply with such Regulations, provided that the General Partner determines that such modification is not reasonably likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributable to any Partner without such Person’s consent. The General Partner also may (i) make any adjustments to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Partners and the amount of Partnership capital reflected on the Partnership’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q), and (ii) make any appropriate modifications in the event that unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) or Section 1.704-2; provided , however , that the General Partner determines that such changes are not reasonably likely to materially reduce amounts otherwise distributable to the Partner as current cash distributions or as distributions on termination of the Partnership.

Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Partner, the amount of money and the initial Gross Asset Value of any Contributed Property that such Partner contributes to the Partnership or is deemed to contribute pursuant to Article 4 hereof.

Capital Share ” means a share of any class or series of stock of the Special Limited Partner now or hereafter authorized, other than a REIT Share.

Cash Amount ” means an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) the Value of a REIT Share and (ii) the REIT Shares Amount determined as of the applicable Valuation Date.

Certificate ” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and the Act.

Charity ” means an entity described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, or any trust all the beneficiaries of which are such entities.

Charter ” means the charter of the Special Limited Partner, within the meaning of Section 1-101(e) of the Maryland General Corporation Law.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time or any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the applicable Regulations thereunder. Any reference herein to a specific Section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of future law.

Consent ” means the consent to, approval of, or vote in favor of a proposed action by a Partner given in accordance with Article 14 hereof.

Consent of the Limited Partners ” means the Consent of a Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners, which Consent shall be obtained before the taking of any action for which it is required by this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, may be given or withheld by Partners in their discretion.

Consent of the Partners ” means the Consent of a Majority in Interest of the Partners, which Consent shall be obtained before the taking of any action for which it is required by this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, may be given or withheld by Partners in their discretion.

Contributed Property ” means each Property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Act, but excluding cash, contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership (or deemed contributed by the Partnership to a “new” partnership pursuant to Code Section 708).

Controlled Entity ” means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned by such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates, (b) any trust, whether or not revocable, of which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates are the sole beneficiaries, (c) any partnership of which such Person or an Affiliate of such Person is the managing partner and in which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates hold partnership interests representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of such partnership’s capital and profits and (d) any limited liability company of which such

 

5


Person or an Affiliate of such Person is the manager or managing member and in which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates hold membership interests representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of such limited liability company’s capital and profits.

Cut-Off Date ” means the fifth (5th) Business Day after the General Partner’s receipt of a Notice of Redemption.

Debt ” means, as to any Person, as of any date of determination, (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (ii) all amounts owed by such Person to banks or other Persons in respect of reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments guaranteeing payment or other performance of obligations by such Person; (iii) all indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services secured by any lien on any property owned by such Person, to the extent attributable to such Person’s interest in such property, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment thereof; and (iv) lease obligations of such Person that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, should be capitalized.

Declination ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Depreciation ” means, for each Partnership Year or other applicable period, an amount equal to the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such year or other period, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for Federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such year or period, Depreciation shall be in an amount that bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such year or other period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided , however , that if the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such year or period is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the General Partner.

Distributed Right ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Adjustment Factor.”

Equity Plan ” means any stock or equity purchase plan, restricted stock or equity plan or other similar equity compensation plan now or hereafter adopted by the Partnership, the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Excess Units ” means Tendered Units, the issuance of REIT Shares in exchange for which would result in a violation of the Ownership Limit.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Excluded Property ” means any asset now or hereafter held directly by the Special Limited Partner or any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner (other than the equity of any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner and interests in the Partnership), in each case, to the extent such asset has not theretofore been contributed to the Partnership.

Family Members ” means, as to a Person that is an individual, such Person’s spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood or by adoption), brothers and sisters and inter vivos or testamentary trusts of which only such Person and his spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood or by adoption), brothers and sisters are beneficiaries.

Funding Debt ” means any Debt incurred by or on behalf of the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner for the purpose of providing funds to the Partnership.

General Partner ” means the Initial General Partner or any other Person that is, from time to time, admitted to the Partnership as a general partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement, and, in each case, that has not ceased to be a general partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement, in such Person’s capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.

 

6


General Partner Loan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.D hereof.

Gross Asset Value ” means, with respect to any asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for Federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

(i) The initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Partner to the Partnership shall be the gross fair market value of such asset as determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

(ii) The Gross Asset Values of all Partnership assets immediately prior to the occurrence of any event described below shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross fair market values, as determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt, as of the following times:

(1) the acquisition of an additional interest in the Partnership (other than in connection with the execution of this Agreement but including, without limitation, acquisitions pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof or contributions or deemed contributions by the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof) by a new or existing Partner in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution, if the General Partner reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners in the Partnership;

(2) the distribution by the Partnership to a Partner of more than a de minimis amount of Partnership property as consideration for an interest in the Partnership if the General Partner reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners in the Partnership;

(3) the liquidation of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g);

(4) upon the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof; and

(5) at such other times as the General Partner shall reasonably determine necessary or advisable in order to comply with Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2.

(iii) The Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset distributed to a Partner shall be the gross fair market value of such asset on the date of distribution as determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

(iv) The Gross Asset Values of Partnership assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m); provided , however , that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this subsection (iv) to the extent that the General Partner reasonably determines that an adjustment pursuant to subsection (ii) above is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subsection (iv).

(v) If the Gross Asset Value of a Partnership asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to subsection (i), subsection (ii) or subsection (iv) above, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Net Income and Net Losses.

Holder ” means either (a) a Partner or (b) an Assignee that owns a Partnership Unit.

 

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Incapacity ” or “ Incapacitated ” means, (i) as to any Partner who is an individual, death, total physical disability or entry by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating such Partner incompetent to manage his or her person or his or her estate; (ii) as to any Partner that is a corporation or limited liability company, the filing of a certificate of dissolution, or its equivalent, for the corporation or the revocation of its charter; (iii) as to any Partner that is a partnership, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the partnership; (iv) as to any Partner that is an estate, the distribution by the fiduciary of the estate’s entire interest in the Partnership; (v) as to any trustee of a trust that is a Partner, the termination of the trust (but not the substitution of a new trustee); or (vi) as to any Partner, the bankruptcy of such Partner. For purposes of this definition, bankruptcy of a Partner shall be deemed to have occurred when (a) the Partner commences a voluntary proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief of or against such Partner under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (b) the Partner is adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a final and nonappealable order for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect has been entered against the Partner, (c) the Partner executes and delivers a general assignment for the benefit of the Partner’s creditors, (d) the Partner files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the Partner in any proceeding of the nature described in clause (b) above, (e) the Partner seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator for the Partner or for all or any substantial part of the Partner’s properties, (f) any proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect has not been dismissed within one hundred twenty (120) days after the commencement thereof, (g) the appointment without the Partner’s consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver or liquidator has not been vacated or stayed within ninety (90) days of such appointment, or (h) an appointment referred to in clause (g) above is not vacated within ninety (90) days after the expiration of any such stay.

Indemnitee ” means (i) any Person made, or threatened to be made, a party to a proceeding by reason of its status as (A) the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner or (B) a manager, member, officer or employee of the General Partner, a director, officer or employee of the Special Limited Partner or an employee of the Partnership and (ii) such other Persons (including Affiliates, employees or agents of the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner or the Partnership) as the General Partner may designate from time to time (whether before or after the event giving rise to potential liability).

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Lead Tendering Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

Limited Partner ” means the Special Limited Partner and any other Person that is, from time to time, admitted to the Partnership as a limited partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement, and any Substituted Limited Partner or Additional Limited Partner, each shown as such in the books and records of the Partnership, in each case, that has not ceased to be a limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to the Act and this Agreement, in such Person’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership.

Liquidating Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1 hereof.

Liquidator ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.A hereof.

Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners ” means Partners (excluding the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to any matter holding more than fifty percent (50%) of all outstanding Partnership Units held by all Partners (excluding the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to such matter .

Majority in Interest of the Partners ” means Partners (including the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to any matter holding more than fifty percent (50%) of all outstanding Partnership Units held by all Partners (including the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to such matter.

Net Income ” or “ Net Loss ” means, for each Partnership Year of the Partnership, an amount equal to the Partnership’s taxable income or loss for such year, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:

(i) any income of the Partnership that is exempt from Federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income (or Net Loss) pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss” shall be added to (or subtracted from, as the case may be) such taxable income (or loss);

 

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(ii) any expenditure of the Partnership described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as a Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditure pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income (or Net Loss) pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss,” shall be subtracted from (or added to, as the case may be) such taxable income (or loss);

(iii) in the event the Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset is adjusted pursuant to subsection (ii) or subsection (iii) of the definition of “Gross Asset Value,” the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss;

(iv) gain or loss resulting from any disposition of property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for Federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Gross Asset Value;

(v) in lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions that would otherwise be taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Partnership Year;

(vi) to the extent that an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Partner’s interest in the Partnership, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the asset) from the disposition of the asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss; and

(vii) notwithstanding any other provision of this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss,” any item that is specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof shall not be taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss. The amounts of the items of Partnership income, gain, loss or deduction available to be specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss.”

Net Proceeds ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

New Securities ” means (i) any rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities that entitle the holder thereof to subscribe for or purchase, convert such securities into or exchange such securities for, REIT Shares or Preferred Shares, excluding Preferred Shares and grants under the Stock Option Plans, or (ii) any Debt issued by the Special Limited Partner that provides any of the rights described in clause (i).

Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1), and the amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a Partnership Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(c).

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

Notice of Redemption ” means a Notice of Redemption substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached to this Agreement.

Offered Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof

 

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Offering Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

Optionee ” means a Person to whom a stock option is granted under any Stock Option Plan.

Ownership Limit ” means the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock of the Special Limited Partner imposed under the Charter.

Partner ” means the General Partner or a Limited Partner, and “Partners” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

Partner Minimum Gain ” means an amount, with respect to each Partner Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Partnership Minimum Gain that would result if such Partner Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).

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

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1), and the amount of Partner Nonrecourse Deductions with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt for a Partnership Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1).

Partnership ” means CareTrust Partnership, L.P., the limited partnership formed and continued under the Act and pursuant to this Agreement, and any successor thereto.

Partnership Common Unit ” means a fractional share of the Partnership Interests of all Partners issued pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2 hereof, but does not include any Partnership Junior Unit, Partnership Preferred Unit or any other Partnership Unit specified in a Partnership Unit Designation as being other than a Partnership Common Unit.

Partnership Employee ” means an employee of the Partnership or an employee of a Subsidiary of the Partnership, if any.

Partnership Equivalent Units ” means, with respect to any class or series of Capital Shares, Partnership Units with preferences, conversion and other rights (other than voting rights), restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption that are substantially the same as (or correspond to) the preferences, conversion and other rights, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of such Capital Shares as appropriate to reflect the relative rights and preferences of such Capital Shares as to the REIT Shares and the other classes and series of Capital Shares as such Partnership Equivalent Units would have as to Partnership Common Units and the other classes and series of Partnership Units corresponding to the other classes of Capital Shares, but not as to matters such as voting for members of the Board of Directors that are not applicable to the Partnership. For the avoidance of doubt, the voting rights, redemption rights and rights to Transfer Partnership Equivalent Units need not be similar to the rights of the corresponding class or series of Capital Shares, provided , however , with respect to redemption rights, the terms of Partnership Equivalent Units must be such so that the Partnership complies with Section 4.7.B of this Agreement.

Partnership Interest ” means an ownership interest in the Partnership held by either a Limited Partner or the General Partner and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such a Partnership Interest may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. There may be one or more classes or series of Partnership Interests; however, notwithstanding that the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and any other Limited Partner may have different rights and privileges as specified in this Agreement (including differences in rights and privileges with respect to their Partnership Interests), the Partnership Interest held by the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner or any other Partner and designated as being of a particular class or series shall not be deemed to be a separate class or series of Partnership Interest from a Partnership Interest having the same designation as to class and series that is held by any other Partner solely because such Partnership Interest is held by the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner or any other Partner having different rights and privileges as specified under this Agreement. A Partnership Interest may be expressed as a number of Partnership Common Units, Partnership Preferred Units or other Partnership Units.

 

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Partnership Junior Unit ” means a fractional share of the Partnership Interests of a particular class or series that the General Partner has authorized pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof that has distribution rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are inferior or junior to the Partnership Common Units.

Partnership Minimum Gain ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(2), and the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain, as well as any net increase or decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain, for a Partnership Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).

Partnership Preferred Unit ” means a fractional share of the Partnership Interests of a particular class or series that the General Partner has authorized pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 hereof that has distribution rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are superior or prior to the Partnership Common Units.

Partnership Record Date ” means the record date established by the General Partner for the purpose of determining the Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of Partners or to consent to any matter, or to receive any distribution or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of Partners for any other proper purpose, which, in the case of a record date fixed for the determination of Partners entitled to receive any distribution, shall (unless otherwise determined by the General Partner) generally be the same as the record date established by the Special Limited Partner for a distribution to its stockholders of some or all of its portion of such distribution.

Partnership Unit ” means a Partnership Common Unit, a Partnership Preferred Unit, a Partnership Junior Unit or any other fractional share of the Partnership Interests that the General Partner has authorized pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 hereof.

Partnership Unit Designation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 hereof.

Partnership Year ” means the fiscal year of the Partnership, which shall be the calendar year.

Percentage Interest ” means, with respect to each Partner, as to any class or series of Partnership Interests, the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate number of Partnership Units of such class or series held by such Partner and the denominator of which is the total number of Partnership Units of such class or series held by all Partners. If not otherwise specified, “ Percentage Interest ” shall be deemed to refer to Partnership Common Units.

Permitted Lender Transferee ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Permitted Transferee.

Permitted Transfer ” means (i) a Transfer by a Limited Partner of all or part of its Partnership Interest to any Family Member, Controlled Entity or Affiliate of such Partner, or to a Charity, or (ii) a Pledge and any Transfer of a Partnership Interest to a Permitted Transferee pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge.

Permitted Transferee ” means (i) any lender or lenders secured by a Pledge, or agents acting on their behalf, to whom any Partnership Interest is transferred pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge and any special purpose entities owned and used by such lenders or agents for the purpose of holding any such Partnership Interest (each a “ Permitted Lender Transferee ”), and (ii) any Person, including any Third-Party Pledge Transferee designated by any lender or lenders secured by a Pledge, or agents acting on their behalf, to whom a Partnership Interest is transferred pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge, whether before or after one or more Permitted Lender Transferees take title to such Partnership Interest.

Person ” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated organization, association, limited liability company or other entity.

Pledge ” means a pledge by a Limited Partner of all or any portion of its Partnership Interest to one or more banks or lending institutions, or agents acting on their behalf, which are not Affiliates of such Limited Partner, as collateral or security for a bona fide loan or other extension of credit.

 

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Preferred Share ” means a share of stock of the Special Limited Partner now or hereafter authorized, designated or reclassified that has dividend rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are superior or prior to the REIT Shares.

Pricing Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

Properties ” means any assets and property of the Partnership such as, but not limited to, interests in real property and personal property, including, without limitation, fee interests, interests in ground leases, easements and rights of way, interests in limited liability companies, joint ventures or partnerships, interests in mortgages, and Debt instruments as the Partnership may hold from time to time and “ Property ” means any one such asset or property.

Publicly Traded ” means having common equity securities listed or admitted to trading on any U.S. national securities exchange.

Qualified DRIP ” means a dividend reinvestment plan of the Special Limited Partner that permits participants to acquire REIT Shares using the proceeds of dividends paid by the Special Limited Partner; provided , however , that if such shares are offered at a discount, such discount must (i) be designed to pass along to the stockholders of the Special Limited Partner the savings enjoyed by the Special Limited Partner in connection with the avoidance of stock issuance costs, and (ii) not exceed 5% of the value of a REIT Share as computed under the terms of such dividend reinvestment plan.

Qualified Transferee ” means an “accredited investor,” as defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Qualifying Party ” means (a) a Limited Partner, (b) an Additional Limited Partner, (c) an Assignee who is the transferee of a Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest in a Permitted Transfer, or (d) a Person, including a lending institution as the pledgee of a Pledge, who is the transferee of a Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest in a Permitted Transfer; provided , however , that a Qualifying Party shall not include the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner.

Redemption ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

Regulations ” means the income tax regulations under the Code, whether such regulations are in proposed, temporary or final form, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

Regulatory Allocations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3B(viii) hereof.

REIT ” means a real estate investment trust qualifying under Code Section 856.

REIT Available Cash ” means, as of any date of determination, all amounts which would be available for distribution to the holders of REIT Shares (calculated in a manner substantially similar to the manner in which the Partnership calculates Available Cash and without regard to any distributions from the Partnership to be made, or which have been made, to the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner hereunder and without regard to any restriction on distribution imposed on the General Partner by any third party).

REIT Partner ” means (a) the Special Limited Partner or any Affiliate of the Special Limited Partner to the extent such Person has in place an election to qualify as a REIT and (b) any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) of any such Person.

REIT Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.12 hereof.

REIT Requirements ” means the requirements for qualifying as a REIT under the Code and Regulations (the “ REIT Requirements ”).

 

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REIT Share ” means a share of common stock of the Special Limited Partner, par value $0.01 per share (but shall not include any additional series or class of the Special Limited Partner’s common stock created after the date of this Agreement).

REIT Shares Amount ” means a number of REIT Shares equal to the product of (a) the number of Tendered Units and (b) the Adjustment Factor; provided , however , that, in the event that the Special Limited Partner issues to all holders of REIT Shares as of a certain record date rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the Special Limited Partner’s stockholders to subscribe for or purchase REIT Shares, or any other securities or property (collectively, the “ Rights ”), with the record date for such Rights issuance falling within the period starting on the date of the Notice of Redemption and ending on the day immediately preceding the Specified Redemption Date, which Rights will not be distributed before the relevant Specified Redemption Date, then the REIT Shares Amount shall also include such Rights that a holder of that number of REIT Shares would be entitled to receive, expressed, where relevant hereunder, as a number of REIT Shares determined by the General Partner.

Related Party ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person to whom ownership of shares of the Special Limited Partner’s stock would be attributed by the first such Person under Code Section 544 (as modified by Code Section 856(h)(1)(B)).

Rights ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “REIT Shares Amount.”

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Single Funding Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

Special Redemption ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Specified Partnership Units ” means with respect to each Excluded Property, the amount of Partnership Common Units and/or Partnership Preferred Units (as the case may be) which would have been issued to the Special Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 4.3.B and Section 4.2 hereof, if the Special Limited Partner had contributed such Excluded Property on the date that such asset was acquired by the Special Limited Partner or a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner, in exchange for Partnership Units equal in value to the fair market value of such Excluded Property as of such date.

Specified Redemption Date ” means the tenth (10th) Business Day after the receipt by the General Partner of a Notice of Redemption; provided , however , that no Specified Redemption Date with respect to any Partnership Common Units shall occur during the Twelve-Month Period applicable to such Partnership Common Units (except pursuant to a Special Redemption); and provided , further , that, if the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner elect a Stock Offering Funding pursuant to Section 15.1.H, such Specified Redemption Date shall be deferred until the next Business Day following the date of the closing of the Stock Offering Funding.

Stock Offering Funding ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof

Stock Offering Funding Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

Stock Option Plans ” means any stock option plan now or hereafter adopted by the Partnership or the Special Limited Partner.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

Substituted Limited Partner ” means a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to the Partnership pursuant to Section 11.4 hereof.

 

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Successor Shares Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7 hereof.

Surviving Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7 hereof.

Tax Items ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.A hereof.

Tendered Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Tendering Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Termination Transaction ” means any direct or indirect Transfer of all or any portion of the Special Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest or its interest in the General Partner in connection with, or the other occurrence of, (a) a merger, consolidation or other combination involving the Special Limited Partner or the General Partner, on the one hand, and any other Person, on the other, (b) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Special Limited Partner not in the ordinary course of its business, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, (c) a reclassification, recapitalization or change of the outstanding REIT Shares (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar subdivision), (d) the adoption of any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Special Limited Partner or the General Partner, or (e) a direct or indirect Transfer of all or any portion of the Special Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest or its interest in the General Partner, other than a Transfer effected in accordance with Section 11.2.B.

Third-Party Pledge Transferee ” means a Qualified Transferee, other than a Permitted Lender Transferee, that acquires a Partnership Interest pursuant to the exercise of remedies by Permitted Lender Transferees under a Pledge and that agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Transaction Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7 hereof.

Transfer ” means any sale, assignment, bequest, conveyance, devise, gift (outright or in trust), Pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange, transfer or other disposition or act of alienation, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law; provided , however , that when the term is used in Article 11 and Section 13.7 hereof, “ Transfer ” does not include (a) any Redemption of Partnership Common Units by the Partnership, or acquisition of Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof, or (b) any redemption of Partnership Units pursuant to any Partnership Unit Designation. The terms “Transferred” and “Transferring” have correlative meanings.

Twelve-Month Period ” means, as to any Partnership Interest, a twelve-month period ending on the day before the first (1st) anniversary of a Qualifying Party’s first becoming a Holder of such Partnership Interest; provided , however , that the General Partner may, by written agreement with a Qualifying Party, shorten or lengthen the first Twelve-Month Period to a period that is shorter or longer than twelve (12) months with respect to a Qualifying Party.

Valuation Date ” means the date of receipt by the General Partner of a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 15.1 herein, or such other date as specified herein, or, if such date is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day.

Value ” means, on any Valuation Date with respect to a REIT Share, the average of the daily Market Prices for ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately preceding the Valuation Date (except that the Market Price for the trading day immediately preceding the date of exercise of a stock option under any Stock Option Plans shall be substituted for such average of daily market prices for purposes of Section 4.4 hereof). The term “Market Price” on any date means, with respect to any class or series of outstanding REIT Shares, the last sale price for such REIT Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such REIT Shares, in either case, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market or, if such REIT Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such REIT Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if such REIT Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter

 

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market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such REIT Shares are not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such REIT Shares selected by the General Partner or, in the event that no trading price is available for such REIT Shares, the fair market value of the REIT Shares, as determined in good faith by the General Partner. In the event that the REIT Shares Amount includes Rights (as defined in the definition of “REIT Shares Amount”) that a holder of REIT Shares would be entitled to receive, then the Value of such Rights shall be determined by the General Partner acting in good faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as it considers, in its reasonable judgment, appropriate.

Vesting Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4 hereof.

Withdrawing Partners ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

ARTICLE 2

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

Section 2.1 Formation . The Partnership is a limited partnership previously formed, and continued pursuant to the provisions of the Act and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, the rights and obligations of the Partners and the administration and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Act. The Partnership Interest of each Partner shall be personal property for all purposes.

Section 2.2 Name . The name of the Partnership is “CareTrust Partnership, L.P.” The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names deemed advisable by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner or any Affiliate thereof. The words “Limited Partnership,” “L.P.,” “LP,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purposes 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.

Section 2.3 Principal Office and Resident Agent . The address of the principal office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware is located at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801, and the name and address of the resident agent of the Partnership in the State of Delaware are The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801, or such other principal office and resident agent as the General Partner may from time to time designate. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner may approve.

Section 2.4 Power of Attorney .

A. Each Limited Partner and Assignee hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the General Partner, any Liquidator, and authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact of each, and each of those acting singly, in each case with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in its name, place and stead to:

(1) execute, swear to, seal, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (a) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including, without limitation, this Agreement and the Certificate and all amendments, supplements or restatements thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary 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 to the extent provided by applicable law) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (b) all instruments that the General Partner or any Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (c) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the General Partner or the

 

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Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, a certificate of cancellation; (d) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the distribution or exchange of assets of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (e) all instruments relating to the admission, acceptance, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Capital Contribution of any Partner; and (f) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges relating to Partnership Interests; and

(2) execute, swear to, acknowledge and file all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates and other instruments the General Partner or any Liquidator determines are necessary or desirable to 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.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner or any Liquidator to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Section 14.2 hereof 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 special power coupled with an interest, in recognition of the fact that each of the Limited Partners and Assignees will be relying upon the power of the General Partner or the Liquidator to act as contemplated by this Agreement in any filing or other action by it on behalf of the Partnership, and it shall survive and not be affected by the subsequent Incapacity of any Limited Partner or Assignee and the Transfer of all or any portion of such Person’s Partnership Units or Partnership Interest (as the case may be) and shall extend to such Person’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner and Assignee 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 and Assignee 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 and Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the General Partner’s or the Liquidator’s request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator (as the case may be) deems necessary to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership. Notwithstanding anything else set forth in this Section 2.4.B, no Limited Partner shall incur any personal liability for any action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken under such power of attorney.

Section 2.5 Term . The term of the Partnership commenced on             , 2014, the date that the original Certificate was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Act, and shall continue indefinitely unless the Partnership is dissolved sooner pursuant to the provisions of Article 13 hereof or as otherwise provided by law.

ARTICLE 3

PURPOSE

Section 3.1 Purpose and Business . The purpose and nature of the Partnership is to conduct any business, enterprise or activity permitted by or under the Act, including, but not limited to, (i) to conduct the business of ownership, construction, reconstruction, development, redevelopment, alteration, improvement, maintenance, operation, sale, leasing, transfer, encumbrance, conveyance and exchange of the Properties, (ii) to acquire and invest in any securities and/or loans relating to the Properties, (iii) to enter into any partnership, joint venture, business trust arrangement, limited liability company or other similar arrangement to engage in any business permitted by or under the Act, or to own interests in any entity engaged in any business permitted by or under the Act, (iv) to conduct the business of providing property and asset management and brokerage services, whether directly or through one or more partnerships, joint ventures, Subsidiaries, business trusts, limited liability companies or similar arrangements, and (v) to do anything necessary or incidental to the foregoing. The Partnership shall have all powers necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes enumerated. In connection with the foregoing, the Partnership shall have full power and authority to enter into, perform and carry out contracts of any kind, to borrow and lend money and to issue evidence of indebtedness, whether or not secured by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien and, directly or indirectly, to acquire and construct additional Properties necessary, useful or desirable in connection with its business.

 

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Section 3.2 Powers . The Partnership shall have the power 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 herein and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership, including, without limitation, full power and authority, directly or through its ownership interest in other entities, to enter into, perform and carry out contracts of any kind, to borrow and lend money and to issue evidence of indebtedness, whether or not secured by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien, to acquire, own, manage, improve and develop real property and lease, sell, transfer and dispose of real property.

Section 3.3 Partnership Only for Purposes Specified . The Partnership is a limited partnership formed pursuant to the Act, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a company, venture or partnership between or among the Partners or any other Persons with respect to any activities whatsoever other than the activities specified in Section 3.1 hereof. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have any authority to act for, bind, commit or assume any obligation or responsibility on behalf of the Partnership, its properties or any other Partner. No Partner, in its capacity as a Partner under this Agreement, shall be responsible or liable for any indebtedness or obligation of another Partner, nor shall the Partnership be responsible or liable for any indebtedness or obligation of any Partner, incurred either before or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Partner, except as to those responsibilities, liabilities, indebtedness or obligations incurred pursuant to and as limited by the terms of this Agreement and the Act.

Section 3.4 Representations and Warranties by the Partners .

A. Each Partner that is an individual (including, without limitation, each Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner as a condition to becoming an Additional Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner) represents and warrants to, and covenants with, each other Partner that (i) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by such Partner will not result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, any material agreement by which such Partner or any of such Partner’s property is bound, or any statute, regulation, order or other law to which such Partner is subject, (ii) such Partner is neither a “foreign person,” within the meaning of Code Section 1445(f) nor a “foreign partner,” within the meaning of Code Section 1446(e), (iii) such Partner does not, and for so long as it is a Partner will not, own, directly or indirectly, (a) five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or five percent (5%) or more of the total number of shares of all classes of stock, of any corporation that is a tenant of either (I) the Special Limited Partner or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture or limited liability company of which the Special Limited Partner, any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to the Special Limited Partner, or the Partnership is a member, or (b) an interest of five percent (5%) or more in the assets or net profits of any tenant of either (I) the Special Limited Partner or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture, or limited liability company of which the Special Limited Partner, any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to the Special Limited Partner, or the Partnership is a member, and (iv) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Partner in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Partner may exceed any of the five percent limits (5%) set forth in clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence; provided that the Partner obtains the written consent of the General Partner prior to exceeding any such limits; provided , further , that in no event shall the Partner own, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the stock described in clause (iii)(a) of the immediately preceding sentence or more than ten percent (10%) of the assets or net profits described in clause (iii)(b) of the immediately preceding sentence.

B. Each Partner that is not an individual (including, without limitation, each Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner as a condition to becoming an Additional Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner) represents and warrants to, and covenants with, each other Partner that (i) all transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by it have been duly authorized by all necessary action, including, without limitation, that of its general partner(s), committee(s), trustee(s), beneficiaries, directors and/or stockholder(s) (as the case may be) as required, (ii) the consummation of such transactions shall not result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, its partnership or operating agreement, trust agreement, charter or bylaws (as the case may be), any material agreement by which such Partner or any of such Partner’s properties or any of its partners, members, beneficiaries, trustees or stockholders (as the case may be) is or are bound, or any statute, regulation, order or other law to which such Partner or any of its partners, members, trustees, beneficiaries or stockholders (as the case may be) is or are subject, (iii) such Partner is neither a “foreign person,” within the meaning of Code Section 1445(f), nor a “foreign

 

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partner,” within the meaning of Code Section 1446(e), (iv) such Partner does not, and for so long as it is a Partner will not, own, directly or indirectly, (a) five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or five percent (5%) or more of the total number of shares of all classes of stock, of any corporation that is a tenant of either (I) the Special Limited Partner or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to the Special Limited Partner, (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture or limited liability company of which the Special Limited Partner, any Special Limited Partner, any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to the Special Limited Partner, or the Partnership is a member, or (b) an interest of five percent (5%) or more in the assets or net profits of any tenant of either (I) the Special Limited Partner, or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) with respect to the Special Limited Partner, (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture or limited liability company for which the Special Limited Partner, any Special Limited Partner, any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to the Special Limited Partner, or the Partnership is a member, and (v) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Partner in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Partner may exceed any of the five percent limits (5%) set forth in clause (iv) of the immediately preceding sentence; provided that any Partner other than a Permitted Transferee obtains the written consent of the General Partner prior to exceeding any such limits; provided , further , that in no event shall any Partner (including any Permitted Transferee) own, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the stock described in clause (iv)(a) of the immediately preceding sentence or more than ten percent (10%) of the assets or net profits described in clause (iv)(b) of the immediately preceding sentence.

C. Each Partner (including, without limitation, each Substituted Limited Partner, as a condition to becoming a Substituted Limited Partner) represents and warrants that it is an “accredited investor,” as defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act, and represents, warrants and agrees that it has acquired and continues to hold its interest in the Partnership for its own account for investment purposes only and not for the purpose of, or with a view toward, the resale or distribution of all or any part thereof, and not with a view toward selling or otherwise distributing such interest or any part thereof at any particular time or under any predetermined circumstances. Each Partner further represents and warrants that it is a sophisticated investor, able and accustomed to handling sophisticated financial matters for itself, particularly real estate investments, and that it has a sufficiently high net worth that it does not anticipate a need for the funds that it has invested in the Partnership in what it understands to be a highly speculative and illiquid investment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations and warranties contained in the first sentence of this Section 3.4.C shall not apply to any Permitted Lender Transferee, it being understood that a Permitted Lender Transferee may be subject to a legal obligation to sell, distribute or otherwise dispose of any Partnership Interest acquired pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge; provided , however , that such Permitted Lender Transferee must be a Qualified Transferee.

D. The representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.4.A, 3.4.B and 3.4.C hereof shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each Partner (and, in the case of an Additional Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner, the admission of such Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner as a Limited Partner in the Partnership) and the dissolution, liquidation and termination of the Partnership.

E. Each Partner (including, without limitation, each Substituted Limited Partner as a condition to becoming a Substituted Limited Partner) hereby acknowledges that no representations as to potential profit, cash flows, funds from operations or yield, if any, in respect of the Partnership or the General Partner have been made by any Partner or any employee or representative or Affiliate of any Partner, and that projections and any other information, including, without limitation, financial and descriptive information and documentation, that may have been in any manner submitted to such Partner shall not constitute any representation or warranty of any kind or nature, express or implied.

F. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner may permit the modification of any of the representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.4.A, 3.4.B and 3.4.C above as applicable to any Partner (including, without limitation any Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner or any transferee of either) provided that such representations and warranties, as modified, shall be set forth in either (i) a Partnership Unit Designation applicable to the Partnership Units held by such Partner or (ii) a separate writing addressed to the Partnership and the General Partner.

 

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ARTICLE 4

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Section 4.1 Capital Contributions of the Partners . The Special Limited Partner has previously made Capital Contributions to the Partnership. Except as provided by law or in Section 4.2, 4.3, or 10.4 hereof, the Partners shall have no obligation or, except with the prior written consent of the General Partner, right to make any Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership. The General Partner shall cause to be maintained in the principal business office of the Partnership, or such other place as may be determined by the General Partner, the books and records of the Partnership, which shall include, among other things, a register containing the name, address, and number of Partnership Units of each Partner, and such other information as the General Partner may deem necessary or desirable (the “ Register ”). The Register shall not be deemed part of this Agreement. The General Partner shall from time to time update the Register as necessary to accurately reflect the information therein, including as a result of any sales, exchanges or other Transfers, or any redemptions, issuances or similar events involving Partnership Units. Any reference in this Agreement to the Register shall be deemed a reference to the Register as in effect from time to time. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the General Partner may take any action authorized hereunder in respect of the Register without any need to obtain the consent of any other Partner. No action of any Limited Partner shall be required to amend or update the Register. Except as required by law, no Limited Partner shall be entitled to receive a copy of the information set forth in the Register relating to any Partner other than itself.

Section 4.2 Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests . Subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation:

A. General . The General Partner is hereby authorized to cause the Partnership to issue additional Partnership Interests, in the form of Partnership Units, for any Partnership purpose, at any time or from time to time, to the Partners (including the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner) or to other Persons, and to admit such Persons as Additional Limited Partners, for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the General Partner, all without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person. Without limiting the foregoing, the General Partner is expressly authorized to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Units (i) upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of any Debt, Partnership Units or other securities issued by the Partnership, (ii) for less than fair market value, (iii) for no consideration, (iv) in connection with any merger of any other Person into the Partnership, or (v) upon the contribution of property or assets to the Partnership. Any additional Partnership Interests may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any of such classes, with such designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption (including, without limitation, rights that may be senior or otherwise entitled to preference over existing Partnership Interests) as shall be determined by the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person, and set forth in a written document thereafter attached to and made an exhibit to this Agreement, which exhibit shall be an amendment to this Agreement and shall be incorporated herein by this reference (each, a “ Partnership Unit Designation ”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the General Partner shall have authority to specify the allocations of items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each such class or series of Partnership Interests. Except to the extent specifically set forth in any Partnership Unit Designation, a Partnership Interest of any class or series other than a Partnership Common Unit shall not entitle the holder thereof to vote on, or consent to, any matter. Upon the issuance of any additional Partnership Interest, the General Partner shall amend the Register and the books and records of the Partnership as appropriate to reflect such issuance.

B. Issuances to the General Partner or Special Limited Partner . No additional Partnership Units shall be issued to the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner unless (i) the additional Partnership Units are issued to all Partners holding Partnership Common Units in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests in the Partnership Common Units, (ii) (a) the additional Partnership Units are (x) Partnership Common Units issued in connection with an issuance of REIT Shares, or (y) Partnership Equivalent Units (other than Partnership Common Units) issued in connection with an issuance of Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests in the Special Limited Partner (other than REIT Shares), and (b) the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner (as the case may be) contributes to the Partnership the cash proceeds or other consideration received in connection with the issuance of such REIT Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests in the Special Limited Partner, (iii) the additional Partnership Units are issued upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of Debt, Partnership Units or other securities issued by the Partnership, or (iv) the additional Partnership Units are issued pursuant to Section 4.3.B, Section 4.3.E, Section 4.4, Section 4.5 or Section 4.9.

 

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C. No Preemptive Rights . Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or in any Partnership Unit Designation, no Person, including, without limitation, any Partner or Assignee, shall have any preemptive, preferential, participation or similar right or rights to subscribe for or acquire any Partnership Interest.

Section 4.3 Additional Funds and Capital Contributions .

A. General . The General Partner may, at any time and from time to time, determine that the Partnership requires additional funds (“ Additional Funds ”) for the acquisition or development of additional Properties, for the redemption of Partnership Units or for such other purposes as the General Partner may determine. Additional Funds may be obtained by the Partnership, at the election of the General Partner, in any manner provided in, and in accordance with, the terms of this Section 4.3 without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person.

B. Additional Capital Contributions . The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may obtain any Additional Funds by accepting Capital Contributions from any Partners or other Persons. In connection with any such Capital Contribution (of cash or property), the General Partner is hereby authorized to cause the Partnership from time to time to issue additional Partnership Units (as set forth in Section 4.2 above) in consideration therefor, and the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and the Limited Partners shall be adjusted to reflect the issuance of such additional Partnership Units.

C. Loans by Third Parties . The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may obtain any Additional Funds by causing the Partnership to incur Debt to any Person (other than, except as contemplated in Section 4.3.D, the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner) upon such terms as the General Partner determines appropriate, including making such Debt convertible, redeemable or exchangeable for Partnership Units; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not incur any such Debt if any Partner would be personally liable for the repayment of such Debt (unless such Partner otherwise agrees).

D. General Partner and Special Limited Partner Loans . The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may obtain any Additional Funds by causing the Partnership to incur Debt with the General Partner and/or the Special Limited Partner (each, a “ General Partner Loan ”) if (i) such Debt is, to the extent permitted by law, on substantially the same terms and conditions (including interest rate, repayment schedule, and conversion, redemption, repurchase and exchange rights) as Funding Debt incurred by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, as applicable, the net proceeds of which are loaned to the Partnership to provide such Additional Funds, or (ii) such Debt is on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Partnership than would be available to the Partnership from any third party; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not incur any such Debt if any Limited Partner would be personally liable for the repayment of such Debt (unless such Partner otherwise agrees).

E. Issuance of Securities by the Special Limited Partner . The Special Limited Partner shall not issue any additional REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities unless the Special Limited Partner contributes the cash proceeds or other consideration received from the issuance of such additional REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities (as the case may be), and from the exercise of the rights contained in any such additional New Securities, to the Partnership in exchange for (x) in the case of an issuance of REIT Shares, Partnership Common Units, or (y) in the case of an issuance of Preferred Shares or New Securities, Partnership Equivalent Units; provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Special Limited Partner may issue REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities (a) pursuant to Section 4.4 or Section 15.1.B hereof, (b) pursuant to a dividend or distribution (including any stock split) of REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities to all holders of REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities (as the case may be), (c) upon a conversion, redemption or exchange of Preferred Shares, (d) upon a conversion, redemption, exchange or exercise of New Securities, or (e) in connection with an acquisition of Partnership Units or a property or other asset to be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Special Limited Partner. In the event of any issuance of additional REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities by the Special Limited Partner, and the contribution to the Partnership, by the Special Limited Partner, of the cash proceeds or other consideration received from such issuance, the Partnership shall pay the Special Limited Partner’s expenses associated with such issuance, including any underwriting discounts or commissions. In the event that the Special Limited Partner issues any additional REIT Shares, Capital Shares or New Securities and contributes the cash proceeds or other consideration received from the issuance thereof to the Partnership, the Partnership is authorized to issue a number of Partnership Common Units or Partnership Equivalent Units to the Special Limited Partner equal to the number of REIT Shares, Capital Shares or New Securities so issued, divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect, in accordance with this Section 4.3.E without any further act, approval or vote of any Partner or any other Persons.

 

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Section 4.4 Stock Option Plans .

A. Options Granted to Persons other than Partnership Employees . If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Option Plan, an option to purchase REIT Shares granted to a Person other than a Partnership Employee is duly exercised:

(1) The Special Limited Partner, shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in an amount equal to the exercise price paid to the Special Limited Partner by such exercising party in connection with the exercise of such stock option.

(2) Notwithstanding the amount of the Capital Contribution actually made pursuant to Section 4.4.A(1) hereof, the Special Limited Partner shall be deemed to have contributed to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution an amount equal to the Value of a REIT Share as of the date of exercise, multiplied by the number of REIT Shares then being issued in connection with the exercise of such stock option. In exchange for such Capital Contribution, the Partnership shall issue a number of Partnership Common Units to the Special Limited Partner equal to the quotient of (a) the number of REIT Shares issued in connection with the exercise of such stock option, divided by (b) the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

B. Options Granted to Partnership Employees . If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Option Plan, an option to purchase REIT Shares granted to a Partnership Employee is duly exercised:

(1) The Special Limited Partner shall sell to the Partnership, and the Partnership shall purchase from the Special Limited Partner, the number of REIT Shares as to which such stock option is being exercised. The purchase price per REIT Share for such sale of REIT Shares to the Partnership shall be the Value of a REIT Share as of the date of exercise of such stock option.

(2) The Partnership shall sell to the Optionee (or if the Optionee is an employee of a Partnership Subsidiary, the Partnership shall sell to such Partnership Subsidiary, which in turn shall sell to the Optionee), for a cash price per share equal to the Value of a REIT Share at the time of the exercise, a number of REIT Shares equal to (a) the exercise price paid to the Special Limited Partner by the exercising party in connection with the exercise of such stock option, divided by (b) the Value of a REIT Share at the time of such exercise.

(3) The Partnership shall transfer to the Optionee (or if the Optionee is an employee of a Partnership Subsidiary, the Partnership shall transfer to such Partnership Subsidiary, which in turn shall transfer to the Optionee) at no additional cost, as additional compensation, a number of REIT Shares equal to the number of REIT Shares described in Section 4.4.B(1) hereof, less the number of REIT Shares described in Section 4.4.B(2) hereof.

(4) The Special Limited Partner shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Partnership of an amount equal to all proceeds received (from whatever source, but excluding any payment in respect of payroll taxes or other withholdings) by the Special Limited Partner in connection with the exercise of such stock option. In exchange for such Capital Contribution, the Partnership shall issue a number of Partnership Common Units to the Special Limited Partner equal to the quotient of (a) the number of REIT Shares issued in connection with the exercise of such stock option, divided by (b) the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

C. Restricted Stock Granted to Partnership Employees . If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan (other than a Stock Option Plan), any REIT Shares are issued to a Partnership Employee (including any REIT Shares that are subject to forfeiture in the event such Partnership Employee terminates his employment by the Partnership or a Partnership Subsidiary) in consideration for services performed for the Partnership or a Partnership Subsidiary:

(1) the Special Limited Partner shall issue such number of REIT Shares as are to be issued to the Partnership Employee in accordance with the Equity Plan;

 

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(2) the following events will be deemed to have occurred: (a) the Special Limited Partner shall be deemed to have sold such shares to the Partnership (or if the Partnership Employee is an employee or other service provider of a Partnership Subsidiary, to such Partnership Subsidiary) for a purchase price equal to the Value of such shares, (b) the Partnership (or such Partnership Subsidiary) shall be deemed to have delivered the shares to the Partnership Employee, (c) the Special Limited Partner shall be deemed to have contributed the purchase price to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution, and (d) if the Partnership Employee is an employee of a Partnership Subsidiary, the Partnership shall be deemed to have contributed such amount to the capital of the Partnership Subsidiary; and

(3) the Partnership shall issue to the Special Limited Partner a number of Partnership Common Units equal to the number of newly issued REIT Shares, divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect, in consideration for a deemed Capital Contribution in an amount equal to (x) the number of newly issued Partnership Common Units, multiplied by (y) a fraction the numerator of which is the Value of a REIT Share, and the denominator of which is the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

D. Restricted Stock Granted to Persons other than Partnership Employees . If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan (other than a Stock Option Plan), any REIT shares are issued to a Person other than a Partnership Employee in consideration for services performed for the Special Limited Partner, the General Partner, the Partnership or a Partnership Subsidiary:

(1) the Special Limited Partner shall issue such number of REIT Shares as are to be issued to such Person in accordance with the Equity Plan; and

(2) the Special Limited Partner shall be deemed to have contributed the Value of such REIT Shares to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution, and the Partnership shall issue to the Special Limited Partner a number of newly issued Partnership Common Units equal to the number of newly issued REIT Shares, divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

E. Future Stock Incentive Plans . Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or applied to preclude or restrain the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner from adopting, modifying or terminating stock incentive plans for the benefit of employees, directors or other business associates of the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates. The Partners acknowledge and agree that, in the event that any such plan is adopted, modified or terminated by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, amendments to this Section 4.4 may become necessary or advisable and that any approval or Consent to any such amendments requested by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner shall be deemed granted.

F. Issuance of Partnership Common Units . The Partnership is expressly authorized to issue Partnership Common Units in the numbers specified in this Section 4.4 without any further act, approval or vote of any Partner or any other Persons.

Section 4.5 Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan . Except as may otherwise be provided in this Article 4, all amounts received by the Special Limited Partner in respect of any dividend reinvestment plan, stock incentive or other stock or subscription plan or agreement, either (a) shall be utilized by the Special Limited Partner to effect open market purchases of REIT Shares, or (b) if the Special Limited Partner elects instead to issue new REIT Shares with respect to such amounts, shall be contributed by the Special Limited Partner to the Partnership in exchange for additional Partnership Common Units. Upon such contribution, the Partnership will issue to the Special Limited Partner a number of Partnership Common Units equal to the number of newly issued REIT Shares, divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

Section 4.6 No Interest; No Return . No Partner shall be entitled to interest on its Capital Contribution or on such Partner’s Capital Account. Except as provided herein or by law, no Partner shall have any right to demand or receive the return of its Capital Contribution from the Partnership.

 

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Section 4.7 Conversion or Redemption of Preferred Shares; Redemption of REIT Shares .

A. Conversion of Preferred Shares . If, at any time, any Preferred Shares are converted into REIT Shares, in whole or in part, then an equal number of Partnership Equivalent Units held by the Special Limited Partner that correspond to the class or series of Preferred Shares so converted shall automatically be converted into a number of Partnership Common Units equal to the quotient of (i) the number of REIT Shares issued upon such conversion, divided by (ii) the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

B. Redemption of Preferred Shares . If, at any time, any Preferred Shares are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired (whether by exercise of a put or call, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by the Special Limited Partner for cash, then, immediately prior to such redemption of Preferred Shares, the Partnership shall redeem an equal number of Partnership Equivalent Units held by the Special Limited Partner that correspond to the class or series of Preferred Shares so redeemed, repurchased or acquired upon the same terms and for the same price per Partnership Equivalent Unit, as such Preferred Shares are redeemed, repurchased or acquired.

C. Redemption, Repurchase or Forfeiture of REIT Shares . If, at any time, any REIT Shares are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired (whether by exercise of a put or call, upon forfeiture of any award granted under any Equity Plan, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by the Special Limited Partner, then, immediately prior to such redemption, repurchase or acquisition of REIT Shares, the Partnership shall redeem a number of Partnership Common Units held by the Special Limited Partner equal to the quotient of (i) the number of REIT Shares so redeemed, repurchased or acquired, divided by (ii) the Adjustment Factor then in effect, such redemption, repurchase or acquisition to be upon the same terms and for the same price per Partnership Common Unit (after giving effect to application of the Adjustment Factor) as such REIT Shares are redeemed, repurchased or acquired.

Section 4.8 Other Contribution Provisions . In the event that any Partner is admitted to the Partnership and is given a Capital Account in exchange for services rendered to the Partnership, such transaction shall be treated by the Partnership and the affected Partner as if the Partnership had compensated such Partner in cash and such Partner had contributed the cash to the capital of the Partnership. In addition, with the consent of the General Partner, one or more Partners (including the Special Limited Partner) may enter into contribution agreements with the Partnership which have the effect of providing a guarantee of certain obligations of the Partnership.

Section 4.9 Excluded Properties . The Special Limited Partner shall contribute each Excluded Property (or, if applicable, the net proceeds (after payment of all transfer taxes and other transaction costs) received by the Special Limited Partner from the sale, transfer or other disposition of an Excluded Property to a Person who is not a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner) to the Partnership upon the earlier of (i) such time as it is commercially practicable to contribute such property to the Partnership without adverse tax or other economic consequence to the Special Limited Partner, and (ii) any sale, transfer or other disposition of an Excluded Property to a Person who is not a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner. Upon any such contribution of an Excluded Property or the proceeds therefrom, the Special Limited Partner shall receive in exchange for such contribution, notwithstanding the actual value of such Excluded Property or the amount of such proceeds (as the case may be), the Specified Partnership Units applicable to such Excluded Property. The Partnership is expressly authorized to issue the Specified Partnership Units in the numbers specified in this Section 4.9 without any further act, approval or vote of any Partner or any other Persons.

ARTICLE 5

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 5.1 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions . Subject to the terms of any Partnership Unit Designation that provides for a class or series of Partnership Preferred Units with a preference with respect to the payment of distributions, the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to distribute quarterly all, or such portion as the General Partner may determine, of the Available Cash generated by the Partnership during such quarter to the Holders of Partnership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests of Partnership Common Units on such Partnership Record Date. Distributions payable with respect to any Partnership Units that were not outstanding during the entire quarterly period in respect of which any distribution is made (other than any Partnership Units issued to the Special Limited Partner in connection with the issuance of REIT Shares or Capital Shares by the Special Limited Partner) shall be prorated based on the portion of the period that such Partnership Units

 

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were outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may cause the Partnership to distribute Available Cash to the Holders on a more or less frequent basis than quarterly. The General Partner shall make reasonable efforts to cause the Partnership to distribute sufficient amounts to enable the Special Limited Partner, for so long as the Special Limited Partner has determined to qualify as a REIT, to pay stockholder dividends that will (a) satisfy the REIT Requirements, and (b) eliminate any U.S. federal income or excise tax liability of the Special Limited Partner.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Excluded Property (or the proceeds therefrom) has not been contributed to the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.9, the distributions provided for above shall be calculated, to the extent possible, based on Adjusted Available Cash as if each Excluded Property had been contributed to the Partnership in exchange for Partnership Common Units pursuant to Section 4.9; provided , however , that if any Excluded Property (or the proceeds therefrom) has not been contributed to the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.9, any distributions to be made with respect to the Special Limited Partner’s Partnership Units shall in the aggregate be reduced to the extent of any REIT Available Cash.

Section 5.2 Distributions in Kind . No Holder may demand to receive property other than cash as provided in this Agreement. The General Partner may cause the Partnership to make a distribution in kind of Partnership assets or Partnership Interests to the Holders, and such assets or Partnership Interests shall be distributed in such a fashion as to ensure that the fair market value is distributed and allocated in accordance with Articles 5, 6 and 10 hereof.

Section 5.3 Amounts Withheld . All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or any provisions of any state or local tax law and Section 10.4 hereof with respect to any allocation, payment or distribution to any Holder shall be treated as amounts paid or distributed to such Holder pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof for all purposes under this Agreement.

Section 5.4 Distributions upon Liquidation . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article 5, upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the assets of the Partnership shall be distributed to the Holders in accordance with Section 13.2 hereof.

Section 5.5 Distributions to Reflect Additional Partnership Units . In the event that the Partnership issues additional Partnership Units pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 hereof, subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, the General Partner is hereby authorized to make such revisions to this Article 5 and to Article 6 as it determines are necessary or desirable to reflect the issuance of such additional Partnership Units, including, without limitation, making preferential distributions to certain classes of Partnership Units.

Section 5.6 Restricted Distributions . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither the Partnership nor the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, shall make a distribution to any Holder if such distribution would violate the Act or other applicable law.

ARTICLE 6

ALLOCATIONS

Section 6.1 Timing and Amount of Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss . Net Income and Net Loss of the Partnership shall be determined and allocated with respect to each Partnership Year as of the end of each such year. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 6, and subject to Section 11.6.C hereof, an allocation to a Holder of a share of Net Income or Net Loss shall be treated as an allocation of the same share of each item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss.

Section 6.2 General Allocations .

A. In General . Subject to Section 11.6.C hereof, Net Income and Net Loss shall be allocated to each of the Holders as follows:

(i) Net Income will be allocated to Holders of Partnership Preferred Units in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Partnership Unit Designation applicable to such Partnership Preferred Units;

 

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(ii) remaining Net Income will be allocated to the Holders of Partnership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests at the end of each Partnership Year;

(iii) subject to the terms of any Partnership Unit Designation, Net Loss will be allocated to the Holders of Partnership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests at the end of each Partnership Year; and

(iv) for purposes of this Section 6.2.A, the Percentage Interests of the Holders of Partnership Common Units shall be calculated based on a denominator equal to the aggregate Partnership Common Units outstanding as of the date of determination.

Section 6.3 Additional Allocation Provisions . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 6:

A. Special Allocations Regarding Partnership Preferred Units . If any Partnership Preferred Units are redeemed pursuant to Section 4.7.B hereof (treating a full liquidation of the General Partner’s Partnership Interest or of such Special Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest for purposes of this Section 6.3.A as including a redemption of any then outstanding Partnership Preferred Units pursuant to Section 4.7.B hereof), for the Partnership Year that includes such redemption (and, if necessary, for subsequent Partnership Years) (a) gross income and gain (in such relative proportions as the General Partner shall determine) shall be allocated to the holder(s) of such Partnership Preferred Units to the extent that the Redemption Amounts paid or payable with respect to the Partnership Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) exceeds the aggregate Capital Account Balances (net of liabilities assumed or taken subject to by the Partnership) per Partnership Preferred Unit allocable to the Partnership Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) and (b) deductions and losses (in such relative proportions as the General Partner shall determine) shall be allocated to the holder(s) of such Partnership Preferred Units to the extent that the aggregate Capital Account Balances (net of liabilities assumed or taken subject to by the Partnership) per Partnership Preferred Unit allocable to the Partnership Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) exceeds the Redemption Amount paid or payable with respect to the Partnership Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed).

B. Regulatory Allocations .

(i) Minimum Gain Chargeback . Except as otherwise provided in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f), notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.2 hereof, or any other provision of this Article 6, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership Year, each Holder shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Holder’s share of the net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain, as determined under Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Holder pursuant thereto. The items to be allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.3.B(i) is intended to qualify as a “minimum gain chargeback” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(ii) Partner Minimum Gain Chargeback . Except as otherwise provided in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) or in Section 6.3.B(i) hereof, if there is a net decrease in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt during any Partnership Year, each Holder who has a share of the Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5), shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Holder’s respective share of the net decrease in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Holder pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in

 

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accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.3.B(ii) is intended to qualify as a “chargeback of partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain,” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i), and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(iii) Nonrecourse Deductions and Partner Nonrecourse Deductions . Any Nonrecourse Deductions for any Partnership Year shall be specially allocated to the Holders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. Any Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any Partnership Year shall be specially allocated to the Holder(s) who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i).

(iv) Qualified Income Offset . If any Holder unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be allocated, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), to such Holder in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by such Regulations, the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of such Holder as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.3.B(iv) shall be made if and only to the extent that such Holder would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided in this Article 6 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.3.B(iv) were not in the Agreement. It is intended that this Section 6.3.B(iv) qualify and be construed as a “qualified income offset,” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(v) Gross Income Allocation . If any Holder has a deficit Capital Account at the end of any Partnership Year that is in excess of the sum of (1) the amount (if any) that such Holder is obligated to restore to the Partnership upon complete liquidation of such Holder’s Partnership Interest (including the Holder’s interest in outstanding Partnership Preferred Units and other Partnership Units), and (2) the amount that such Holder is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5), each such Holder shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain in the amount of such excess to eliminate such deficit as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.3.B(v) shall be made if and only to the extent that such Holder would have a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided in this Article 6 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.3.B(v) and Section 6.3.B(iv) hereof were not in the Agreement.

(vi) Limitation on Allocation of Net Loss . To the extent that any allocation of Net Loss would cause or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as to any Holder, such allocation of Net Loss shall be reallocated (x) first, among the other Holders of Partnership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, and (y) thereafter, among the Holders of other Partnership Units, as determined by the General Partner, subject to the limitations of this Section 6.3.B(vi).

(vii) Section 754 Adjustment . To the extent that an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required, pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to a Holder of Partnership Common Units in complete liquidation of its interest in the Partnership, 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 gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Holders of Partnership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests in the event that Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies, or to the Holder(s) to whom such distribution was made in the event that Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.

(viii) Curative Allocations . The allocations set forth in Sections 6.3.B(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) hereof (the “ Regulatory Allocations ”) are intended to comply with certain regulatory requirements, including the requirements of Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2.

 

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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1 hereof, the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating other items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Holders of Partnership Common Units so that, to the extent possible without violating the requirements giving rise to the Regulatory Allocations, the net amount of such allocations of other items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Holder of a Partnership Common Unit shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each such Holder if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred.

C. Special Allocations Upon Liquidation . Notwithstanding any provision in this Article 6 to the contrary, if the Partnership disposes of all or substantially all of its assets in a transaction that will lead to a liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to Article 13 hereof, then any Net Income or Net Loss realized in connection with such transaction and thereafter (and, if necessary, constituent items of income, gain, loss and deduction) shall be specially allocated for such Partnership Year (and to the extent permitted by Section 761(c) of the Code, for the immediately preceding Partnership Year) among the Holders as required so as to cause liquidating distributions pursuant to Section 13.2.A(4) hereof to be made in the same amounts and proportions as would have resulted had such distributions instead been made pursuant to Article 5 hereof.

D. Allocation of Excess Nonrecourse Liabilities . For purposes of determining a Holder’s proportional share of the “excess nonrecourse liabilities” of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), each Holder’s respective interest in Partnership profits shall be equal to such Holder’s Percentage Interest with respect to Partnership Common Units.

Section 6.4 Tax Allocations .

A. In General . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6.4, for income tax purposes under the Code and the Regulations, each Partnership item of income, gain, loss and deduction (collectively, “ Tax Items ”) shall be allocated among the Holders in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Sections 6.2 and 6.3 hereof.

B. Section 704(c) Allocations . Notwithstanding Section 6.4.A hereof, Tax Items with respect to Property that is contributed to the Partnership with a Gross Asset Value that varies from its basis in the hands of the contributing Partner immediately preceding the date of contribution shall be allocated among the Holders for income tax purposes pursuant to Regulations promulgated under Code Section 704(c) so as to take into account such variation. The Partnership shall account for such variation under any method approved under Code Section 704(c) and the applicable Regulations as chosen by the General Partner. If the Gross Asset Value of any partnership asset is adjusted pursuant to subsection (b) of the definition of “Gross Asset Value,” subsequent allocations of Tax Items with respect to such asset shall take account of the variation, if any, between the adjusted basis of such asset and its Gross Asset Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c) and the applicable Regulations and using the method chosen by the General Partner.

ARTICLE 7

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS

Section 7.1 Management .

A. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, including any Partnership Unit Designation, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership are and shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner shall have any right to participate in or exercise control or management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. No General Partner may be removed by the Partners, with or without cause, except with the consent of the General Partner. 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 the other provisions hereof, including Section 7.3 and the terms of any Partnership Unit Designation, shall have full and exclusive power and authority, without the consent of any Limited Partner, to conduct or authorize the conduct of the business of the Partnership, to exercise or direct the exercise of all powers of the Partnership and the General Partner under the Act and this Agreement and to effectuate the purposes of the Partnership, including, without limitation, to cause the Partnership to enter into agreements or engage in transactions with affiliates of the Partnership or the General Partner, issue additional Partnership Interests, make

 

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distributions, sell, pledge, lease, mortgage or otherwise dispose of its assets, form and conduct all or any portion of its business and affairs through subsidiaries or joint ventures of any form, incur or guarantee debt for any purpose and obtain and maintain casualty, liability and other insurance on the Properties and liability insurance for the Indemnitees hereunder.

B. Except as provided in Section 7.3 hereof and subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, the General Partner is authorized to execute and deliver any affidavit, agreement, certificate, consent, instrument, notice, power of attorney, waiver or other writing or document in the name and on behalf of the Partnership and to otherwise exercise any power of the General Partner under this Agreement and the Act without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or any other Persons and, in the absence of any specific action on the part of the General Partner to the contrary, the taking of any action or the execution of any such document or writing by a manager, member, director or officer of the General Partner, in the name and on behalf of the General Partner, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, shall conclusively evidence (1) the approval thereof by the General Partner, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, (2) the General Partner’s determination that such action, document or writing is necessary or desirable to conduct the business and affairs of the Partnership, exercise the powers of the Partnership under the Act and this Agreement or effectuate the purposes of the Partnership, or any other determination by the General Partner required by this Agreement in connection with the taking of such action or execution of such document or writing, and (3) the authority of such manager, member, director or officer with respect thereto.

C. The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or at the direction of the General Partner consistent with the Act and this Agreement, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Partnership and every Limited Partner: the amount of assets at any time available for distribution or the redemption of Common Units or Preferred Units; the amount and timing of any distribution; any determination to redeem Tendered Units; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Partnership; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Partnership; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Partnership or required or permitted by applicable law, this Agreement or otherwise to be determined by the General Partner.

D. At all times from and after the date hereof, the General Partner may cause the Partnership to establish and maintain working capital and other reserves in such amounts as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems appropriate and reasonable from time to time.

E. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the Act, any action of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or any decision of the General Partner to refrain from acting on behalf of the Partnership, undertaken in the belief that such action or omission is necessary or advisable in order (i) to protect the ability of the Special Limited Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT, (ii) for the Special Limited Partner otherwise to satisfy the REIT Requirements, (iii) for the Special Limited Partner to avoid incurring any taxes under Code Section 857 or Code Section 4981, or (iv) for any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner to continue to qualify as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), is expressly authorized under this Agreement and is deemed approved by all of the Limited Partners.

Section 7.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership . To the extent that such action is determined by the General Partner to be reasonable and necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate and do all the things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware and each other state, the District of Columbia or any other jurisdiction, in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 8.5.A hereof, the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents as may be reasonable and 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 to the extent provided by applicable law) in the State of Delaware and any other state, or the District of Columbia or other jurisdiction, in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property.

 

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Section 7.3 Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority .

A. The General Partner may not take any action in contravention of this Agreement, including, without limitation:

(1) any action that would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the Partnership, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement;

(2) admitting a Person as a Partner, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement;

(3) performing any act that would subject a Limited Partner to liability, except as provided herein or under the Act;

(4) entering into any contract, mortgage, loan or other agreement that expressly prohibits or restricts (a) the Special Limited Partner or the Partnership from performing its specific obligations under Section 15.1 hereof, or (b) a Limited Partner from exercising its rights under Section 15.1 hereof to effect a Redemption, except, in either case, with the written consent of such Limited Partner affected by the prohibition or restriction.

B. The General Partner shall not, without the Consent of the Partners, undertake on behalf of the Partnership, or enter into any transaction that would have the effect of, any of the following actions:

(1) except as provided in Section 7.3.C hereof, amend, modify or terminate this Agreement;

(2) except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, or in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7, Transfer any portion of the Partnership Interest of the General Partner or admit into the Partnership any additional or successor General Partner;

(3) except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, or in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7, voluntarily withdraw as a general partner of the Partnership;

(4) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or appoint or acquiesce in the appointment of a custodian, receiver or trustee for all or any part of the assets of the Partnership;

(5) institute any proceeding for bankruptcy on behalf of the Partnership;

(6) a merger or consolidation of the Partnership with or into any other Person, or a conversion of the Partnership into any other entity, other than in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7; or

(7) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership not in the ordinary course of business, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, other than in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7.

C. Notwithstanding Section 7.3.B hereof but subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation and Section 7.3.D, the General Partner shall have the power, without the Consent of the Partners or the consent or approval of any Limited Partner, to amend this Agreement as may be required to facilitate or implement any of the following purposes:

(1) to add to the obligations of the General Partner or surrender any right or power granted to the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner for the benefit of the Limited Partners;

 

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(2) to reflect the admission, substitution or withdrawal of Partners, the Transfer of any Partnership Interest or the termination of the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement, and to amend the Register in connection with such admission, substitution, withdrawal or Transfer;

(3) to reflect a change that is of an inconsequential nature or does not adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect, or to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement not inconsistent with law or with other provisions, or make other changes with respect to matters arising under this Agreement that will not be inconsistent with law or with the provisions of this Agreement;

(4) to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any order, directive, opinion, ruling or regulation of a Federal or state agency or contained in Federal or state law;

(5) to reflect such changes as are reasonably necessary for the Special Limited Partner to maintain its status as a REIT or to satisfy the REIT Requirements;

(6) to modify either or both of the manner in which items of Net Income or Net Loss are allocated pursuant to Article 6 or the manner in which Capital Accounts are adjusted, computed or maintained (but in each case only to the extent set forth in the definition of “Capital Account” or Section 5.5 or as contemplated by the Code or the Regulations);

(7) to reflect the issuance of additional Partnership Interests in accordance with Article 4;

(8) to set forth or amend the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any additional Partnership Units issued pursuant to Article 4;

(9) if the Partnership is the Surviving Partnership in any Termination Transaction, to modify Section 15.1 or any related definitions to provide the holders of interests in such Surviving Partnership rights that are consistent with Section 11.7C(v); and

(10) to reflect any other modification to this Agreement that is reasonably necessary for the business or operations of the Partnership or the Special Limited Partner and that does not violate Section 7.3.D.

D. Notwithstanding Sections 7.3.B, 7.3.C and Article 14 hereof, this Agreement shall not be amended, and no action may be taken by the General Partner, without the consent of each Partner, if any, adversely affected thereby, if such amendment or action would (i) convert a Limited Partner into a general partner of the Partnership (except as a result of the Limited Partner becoming the General Partner pursuant to Section 12.1 or 13.1.A of this Agreement), (ii) modify the limited liability of a Limited Partner, (iii) adversely alter the rights of any Partner to receive the distributions to which such Partner is entitled pursuant to Article 5 or Section 13.2.A(4) hereof, or alter the allocations specified in Article 6 hereof (except, in any case, as permitted pursuant to Sections 4.2, 5.5 and 7.3.C hereof), (iv) alter or modify in a manner that adversely affects any Partner the Redemption rights, Cash Amount or REIT Shares Amount as set forth in Section 15.1 hereof, or amend or modify any related definitions (except for amendments to this Agreement or other actions that provide rights consistent with Section 11.7C(v)), or (v) amend this Section 7.3.D; provided , however , that the consent of any individual Partner adversely affected shall not be required for any amendment or action that affects all Partners holding the same class or series of Partnership Units on a uniform or pro rata basis, if approved by a Majority in Interest of the Partners of such class or series. Further, no amendment may alter the restrictions on the General Partner’s authority set forth elsewhere in this Section 7.3 without the consent specified therein. Any such amendment or action consented to by any Partner shall be effective as to that Partner, notwithstanding the absence of such consent by any other Partner.

 

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Section 7.4 Reimbursement of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner .

A. The General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as general partner of the Partnership except as provided in this Agreement (including the provisions of Articles 5 and 6 hereof regarding distributions, payments and allocations to which it may be entitled in its capacity as the General Partner).

B. Subject to Section 7.4.C and Section 15.12, the Partnership shall be liable for, and shall reimburse the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner, as applicable, on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for all sums expended in connection with the Partnership’s business, including, without limitation, (i) expenses relating to the ownership of interests in and management and operation of, or for the benefit of, the Partnership, (ii) compensation of officers and employees, including, without limitation, payments under future compensation plans of the Special Limited Partner, the General Partner, or the Partnership that may provide for stock units, or phantom stock, pursuant to which employees of the Special Limited Partner, the General Partner or the Partnership will receive payments based upon dividends on or the value of REIT Shares, (iii) director fees and expenses, and (iv) all costs and expenses of the Special Limited Partner being a public company, including costs of filings with the SEC, reports and other distributions to its stockholders; provided , however , that the amount of any reimbursement shall be reduced by any interest earned by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner with respect to bank accounts or other instruments or accounts held by it on behalf of the Partnership as permitted pursuant to Section 7.5. Such reimbursements shall be in addition to any reimbursement of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7 hereof.

C. To the extent practicable, Partnership expenses shall be billed directly to and paid by the Partnership and, subject to Section 15.12 hereof, reimbursements to the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner or any of their respective Affiliates by the Partnership pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be treated as “guaranteed payments,” within the meaning of Code Section 707(c) (unless otherwise required by the Code and the Regulations).

Section 7.5 Outside Activities of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner . Neither the General Partner nor the Special Limited Partner shall directly or indirectly enter into or conduct any business, other than in connection with, (a) as to the General Partner, the ownership, acquisition and disposition of Partnership Interests, (b) as to the General Partner, the management of the business of the Partnership, (c) as to the Special Limited Partner, its operation as a reporting company with a class (or classes) of securities registered under the Exchange Act, (d) as to the Special Limited Partner, its operations as a REIT, (e) as to the Special Limited Partner, the offering, sale, syndication, private placement or public offering of stock, bonds, securities or other interests, (f) financing or refinancing of any type related to the Partnership or its assets or activities, and (g) such activities as are incidental thereto; provided , however , that each of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner may from time to time hold or acquire assets in its own name or otherwise other than through the Partnership so long as each of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner takes commercially reasonable measures to insure that the economic benefits and burdens of such Property are otherwise vested in the Partnership, whether by electing to treat such asset as an “Excluded Property” hereunder, through assignment, mortgage loan or otherwise or, if it is not commercially reasonable to vest such economic interests in the Partnership, the Partners shall negotiate in good faith to amend this Agreement, including, without limitation, the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” to reflect such activities and the direct ownership of assets by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, as applicable. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prohibit the General Partner from executing guarantees of Partnership debt for which it would otherwise be liable in its capacity as General Partner. Subject to Section 7.3.B hereof, the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and all “qualified REIT subsidiaries” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), taken as a group, shall not own any assets or take title to assets (other than temporarily in connection with an acquisition prior to contributing such assets to the Partnership) other than (i) Excluded Properties, (ii) interests in “qualified REIT subsidiaries” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), (iii) Partnership Interests as the General Partner or Special Limited Partner, and (iv) such cash and cash equivalents, bank accounts or similar instruments or accounts as such group deems reasonably necessary, taking into account Section 7.1.D hereof and the requirements necessary for the Special Limited Partner to qualify as a REIT and for the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner to carry out their respective responsibilities contemplated under this Agreement and the Charter. The General Partner and any Affiliates of the General Partner may acquire Partnership Interests and shall be entitled to exercise all rights of a Limited Partner relating to such Partnership Interests.

 

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Section 7.6 Transactions with Affiliates .

A. The Partnership may lend or contribute funds or other assets to the Special Limited Partner and its Subsidiaries or other Persons in which the Special Limited Partner has an equity investment, and such Persons may borrow funds from the Partnership, on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Partnership in the aggregate than would be available from unaffiliated third parties, as determined by the General Partner. The foregoing authority shall not create any right or benefit in favor of any Subsidiary or any other Person. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed by each Partner that the Special Limited Partner may (i) borrow funds from the Partnership in order to redeem, at any time or from time to time, options or warrants previously or hereafter issued by the Special Limited Partner, (ii) put to the Partnership, for cash, any rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities that the Special Limited Partner may desire or be required to purchase or redeem, or (iii) borrow funds from the Partnership to acquire assets that become Excluded Properties or will be contributed to the Partnership for Partnership Units. If the Special Limited Partner acquires a corporation in which the Partnership does not hold an interest, in whole or in part, with the proceeds (whether comprised of cash or other assets) of a loan from the Partnership to the Special Limited Partner, the Partnership shall issue to such corporation an interest in the Partnership that (i) entitles the holder thereof to receive distributions in amounts and at the same times as interest payments on such loan (with appropriate reductions in such distributions if any portion of the loan is repaid), (ii) entitles the holder thereof to receive, if and to the extent that any portion of such loan is repaid, a number of Partnership Units equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the principal amount of the loan repaid by the Value of REIT Shares at the date of repayment (it being understood and agreed that if the loan is repaid with funds contributed to such corporation by the Special Limited Partner from the proceeds of a sale of REIT Shares, the Value of REIT Shares at the date of repayment shall be deemed to be the net price per share at which such shares were sold), and (iii) is automatically redeemed for no consideration upon the repayment in full of such loan.

B. Except as provided in Section 7.5 hereof and subject to Section 3.1 hereof, the Partnership may transfer assets to joint ventures, limited liability companies, partnerships, corporations, business trusts or other business entities in which it is or thereby becomes a participant upon such terms and subject to such conditions consistent with this Agreement and applicable law.

C. The General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and their respective Affiliates may sell, transfer or convey any property to the Partnership, directly or indirectly, on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Partnership, in the aggregate, than would be available from unaffiliated third parties, as determined by the General Partner.

D. The General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, without the approval of the Partners or any of them or any other Persons, may propose and adopt, on behalf of the Partnership, employee benefit plans funded by the Partnership for the benefit of employees of the General Partner, the Partnership, the Special Limited Partner, Subsidiaries of the Partnership or any Affiliate of any of them in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner, the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s Subsidiaries.

Section 7.7 Indemnification .

A. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Partnership shall indemnify each Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and other legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that relate to the operations of the Partnership (“ Actions ”), as set forth in this Agreement, in which such Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not indemnify an Indemnitee (i) for any Action if it is established by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that the actions or omissions of the Indemnitee were material to the matter giving rise to the Action and were committed in bad faith, constituted fraud or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty on the part of the Indemnitee, (ii) for an Action initiated by the Indemnitee (other than an Action to enforce such Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification or advance of expenses under this Section 7.7), or (iii) for a criminal proceeding if the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that the Indemnitee’s act or omission was unlawful. Without limitation, the foregoing indemnity shall extend to any liability of any Indemnitee, pursuant to a loan guaranty or otherwise, for any indebtedness of the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership (including, without limitation, any indebtedness which the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership has assumed or taken subject to), and the General Partner is hereby authorized and empowered, on

 

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behalf of the Partnership, to enter into one or more indemnity agreements consistent with the provisions of this Section 7.7 in favor of any Indemnitee having or potentially having liability for any such indebtedness. It is the intention of this Section 7.7.A that the Partnership indemnify each Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order or settlement does not create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct set forth in this Section 7.7.A. The termination of any proceeding by conviction of an Indemnitee or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent by an Indemnitee, or an entry of an order of probation against an Indemnitee prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that such Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified in this Section 7.7.A with respect to the subject matter of such proceeding. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, and neither the General Partner nor any other Holder shall have any obligation to contribute to the capital of the Partnership or otherwise provide funds to enable the Partnership to fund its obligations under this Section 7.7.

B. To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses incurred by an Indemnitee who is a party to a proceeding or otherwise subject to or the focus of or is involved in any Action shall be paid or reimbursed by the Partnership as incurred by the Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of the Action upon receipt by the Partnership of (i) a written affirmation by the Indemnitee of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Partnership, as authorized in Section 7.7.A, has been met, and (ii) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met, provided that such undertaking need not be secured and shall be without reference to the financial ability for repayment.

C. The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee or any other Person may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the Partners, as a matter of law or otherwise, 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 unless otherwise provided in a written agreement with such Indemnitee or in the writing pursuant to which such Indemnitee is indemnified.

D. The Partnership may, but shall not be obligated to, purchase and maintain insurance, on behalf of any of the Indemnitees and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against or expenses that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

E. Any liabilities which an Indemnitee incurs as a result of acting on behalf of the Partnership, the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner (whether as a fiduciary or otherwise) in connection with the operation, administration or maintenance of an employee benefit plan or any related trust or funding mechanism (whether such liabilities are in the form of excise taxes assessed by the IRS, penalties assessed by the Department of Labor, restitutions to such a plan or trust or other funding mechanism or to a participant or beneficiary of such plan, trust or other funding mechanism, or otherwise) shall be treated as liabilities or judgments or fines under this Section 7.7, unless such liabilities arise as a result of fraud, intentional harm or gross negligence on the part of the Indemnitee.

F. In no event may an Indemnitee subject any of the Holders 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. Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the Partnership’s liability to any Indemnitee under this Section 7.7 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.

 

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I. It is the intent of the parties that any amounts paid by the Partnership to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be treated as “guaranteed payments,” within the meaning of Code Section 707(c).

Section 7.8 Liability of the General Partner .

A. To the maximum extent permitted under the Act, the only duties that the General Partner owes to the Partnership, any Partner or any other Person (including any creditor of any Partner or assignee of any Partnership Interest), fiduciary or otherwise, are to perform its contractual obligations as expressly set forth in this Agreement consistently with the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The General Partner, in its capacity as such, shall have no other duty, fiduciary or otherwise, to the Partnership, any Partner or any other Person (including any creditor of any Partner or any assignee of Partnership Interest). The provisions of this Agreement shall create contractual obligations of the General Partner only, and no such provisions shall be interpreted to create any fiduciary duties of the General Partner.

B. The Limited Partners agree that: (i) the General Partner is acting for the benefit of the Partnership, the Limited Partners and the Special Limited Partner’s stockholders, collectively; and (ii) in the event of a conflict between the interests of the Partnership or any Partner, on the one hand, and the separate interests of the Special Limited Partner or its stockholders, on the other hand, the General Partner may give priority to the separate interests of the Special Limited Partner and its stockholders (including, without limitation, with respect to the tax consequences to Limited Partners, Assignees or the Special Limited Partner’s stockholders) and, in the event of such a conflict, any action or failure to act on the part of the General Partner that gives priority to the separate interests of the Special Limited Partner or its stockholders that does not result in a violation of the contract rights of the Limited Partners under this Agreement does not violate any duty owed by the General Partner to the Partnership or the Partners.

C. In exercising its authority under this Agreement, the General Partner may, but shall be under no obligation to, take into account the tax consequences to any Partner of any action taken (or not taken) by it. Except as otherwise agreed by the Partnership, the General Partner and the Partnership shall not have liability to a Limited Partner under any circumstances as a result of any income tax liability incurred by such Limited Partner as a result of an action (or inaction) by the General Partner or the Partnership pursuant to the General Partner’s authority under this Agreement.

D. Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in this Agreement and applicable law, 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 employees or agents. The General Partner shall not be responsible to the Partnership or any Partner for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such employee or agent appointed by it in good faith.

E. In performing its duties under this Agreement and the Act, the General Partner shall be entitled to rely on the provisions of this Agreement and on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data or the records or books of account of the Partnership or any subsidiary of the Partnership, prepared or presented by an officer, employee or agent of the General Partner or any agent of the Partnership or any such subsidiary, or by a lawyer, certified public accountant, appraiser or other person engaged by the Partnership as to any matter within such person’s professional or expert competence, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon any such information, opinion, report or statement 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. 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 in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

F. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the Act, any action of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or any decision of the General Partner to refrain from acting on behalf of the Partnership, undertaken in the good faith belief that such action or omission is necessary or advisable in order (i) to protect the ability of the Special Limited Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT, (ii) for the Special Limited Partner otherwise to satisfy the REIT Requirements, (iii) to avoid the Special Limited Partner incurring any taxes under Code Section 857 or Code Section 4981, or (iv) for any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner to continue to qualify as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), is expressly authorized under this Agreement, is deemed approved by all of the Limited Partners and does not violate any duty of the General Partner to the Partnership or any other Partner.

 

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G. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except for fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence, or pursuant to any express indemnities given to the Partnership by the General Partner pursuant to any other written instrument, the General Partner shall not have any personal liability whatsoever, to the Partnership or to the other Partners, for any action or omission taken in its capacity as the General Partner or for the debts or liabilities of the Partnership or the Partnership’s obligations hereunder except pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof. Without limitation of the foregoing, and except for fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence, or pursuant Section 15.1 hereof or any such express indemnity, no property or assets of the General Partner, other than its interest in the Partnership, shall be subject to levy, execution or other enforcement procedures for the satisfaction of any judgment (or other judicial process) in favor of any other Partner(s) and arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement.

H. No manager, member, officer or agent of the General Partner, and no director, officer or agent of the Special Limited Partner shall have any duties directly to the Partnership or any Partner. No manager, member, officer or agent of the General Partner or any director, officer, or agent of the Special Limited Partner shall be directly liable to the Partnership for money damages by reason of their service as such.

I. 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 General Partner, or its managers, members, directors, officers or agents, to the Partnership and the Limited Partners 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.

Section 7.9 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 with other Partners or Persons, 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 or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine, including Affiliates of the General Partner. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which legal title is held in the name of the General Partner or any nominee or Affiliate of the General Partner shall be held by the General Partner for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such Partnership assets is held.

Section 7.10 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 has full power and authority, without the consent or approval of any other Partner, or Person, to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and take any and all actions on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner 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 in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expediency of any act or action of the General Partner or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (i) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (ii) 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 (iii) 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.

 

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ARTICLE 8

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability . No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall have any duties or liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 10.4 hereof) or under the Act. To the maximum extent permitted by law, no Limited Partner, including the Special Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall have any personal liability whatsoever, to the Partnership or to the other Partners, for any action or omission taken in its capacity as a limited partner or for the debts or liabilities of the Partnership or the Partnership’s obligations hereunder except pursuant to any express indemnities given to the Partnership by such Limited Partner pursuant to any other written instrument and except for liabilities of the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof. Without limitation of the foregoing, and except pursuant to any such express indemnity (and, in the case of the Special Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof), no property or assets of a Limited Partner, other than its interest in the Partnership, shall be subject to levy, execution or other enforcement procedures for the satisfaction of any judgment (or other judicial process) in favor of any other Partner(s) and arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement.

Section 8.2 Management of Business . No Limited Partner or Assignee (other than in its separate capacity as the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, director, manager, member, employee, partner, agent, representative or trustee of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such) shall take part in the operations, management or control (within the meaning of the 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. The transaction of any such business by the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, director, manager, member, employee, partner, agent, representative or trustee of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such, shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners or Assignees under this Agreement.

Section 8.3 Outside Activities of Limited Partners . Subject to any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof and any other agreements entered into by a Limited Partner or any of its Affiliates with the General Partner, the Partnership or a Subsidiary (including, without limitation, any employment agreement), any Limited Partner and any Assignee, officer, director, employee, agent, representative, trustee, Affiliate, manager, member or stockholder of 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 that are in direct or indirect competition with the Partnership or that are enhanced by the activities of the Partnership. Neither the Partnership nor any Partner shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or Assignee. Subject to such agreements, none of the Limited Partners nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any other Person (other than the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, to the extent expressly provided herein), and such Person shall have no obligation pursuant to this Agreement, subject to Section 7.6 hereof and any other agreements entered into by a Limited Partner or its Affiliates with the General Partner, the Partnership or a Subsidiary, to offer any interest in any such business ventures to the Partnership, any Limited Partner, or any such other Person, even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or such other Person, could be taken by such Person.

Section 8.4 Return of Capital . Except pursuant to the rights of Redemption set forth in Section 15.1 hereof or in any Partnership Unit Designation, no Limited Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent of distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon dissolution of the Partnership as provided herein. Except to the extent provided in Article 5 or Article 6 hereof or otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or in any Partnership Unit Designation, no Limited Partner or Assignee shall have priority over any other Limited Partner or Assignee either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.

Section 8.5 Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership .

A. In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by the Act, and subject to Section 8.5C, the General Partner shall deliver to each Limited Partner a copy of any information mailed to all of the common stockholders of the Special Limited Partner as soon as practicable after such mailing.

 

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B. The Partnership shall notify any Limited Partner that is a Qualifying Party, on request, of the then current Adjustment Factor or any change made to the Adjustment Factor.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8.5, the General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners (or any of them), for such period of time as the General Partner determines to be reasonable, any information that (i) the General Partner believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes is not in the best interests of the Partnership or the Special Limited Partner or (ii) the Partnership or the General Partner is required by law or by agreement to keep confidential.

Section 8.6 Partnership Right to Call Partnership Interests . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, on and after the date on which the aggregate Percentage Interests of the Limited Partners (other than the Special Limited Partner) are less than one percent (1%), the Partnership shall have the right, but not the obligation, from time to time and at any time to redeem any and all outstanding Partnership Common Units (other than Partnership Common Units held by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner) by treating any Limited Partner as a Tendering Party who has delivered a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof for the amount of Partnership Common Units to be specified by the General Partner by notice to such Limited Partner that the Partnership has elected to exercise its rights under this Section 8.6. Such notice given by the General Partner to a Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 8.6 shall be treated as if it were a Notice of Redemption delivered to the General Partner by such Limited Partner. For purposes of this Section 8.6, (a) any Limited Partner (whether or not otherwise a Qualifying Party) may be treated as a Qualifying Party that is a Tendering Party and (b) the provisions of Sections 15.1.D(1), 15.1.F(1) and 15.1.F(2) hereof shall not apply, but the remainder of Section 15.1 hereof shall apply, mutatis mutandis .

Section 8.7 No Rights as Objecting Partner . No Limited Partner and no Holder of a Partnership Interest shall be entitled to exercise any appraisal rights in connection with a merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership.

Section 8.8 No Right to Certificate Evidencing Units; Article 8 Securities . Partnership Units shall not be certificated. No Limited Partner shall be entitled to a certificate evidencing the Partnership Units held by such Limited Partner. Any certificate evidencing Partnership Units issued prior to the date hereof shall no longer evidence Partnership Units. The Partnership shall not elect to treat any Partnership Unit as a “security” governed by (x) Article 8 of the Delaware Uniform Commercial Code or (y) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction.

ARTICLE 9

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

Section 9.1 Records and Accounting .

A. The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal business office of the Partnership those records and documents, if any, required to be maintained by the Act and other books and records deemed by the General Partner to be appropriate with respect to the Partnership’s business, including, without limitation, all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information, lists and copies of documents required to be provided pursuant to Section 8.5.A, Section 9.3 or Article 13 hereof. Any records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business may be kept on any information storage device, provided that the records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time.

B. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial and tax reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or on such other basis as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. To the extent permitted by sound accounting practices and principles, the Partnership and the General Partner may operate with integrated or consolidated accounting records, operations and principles.

Section 9.2 Partnership Year . The Partnership Year of the Partnership shall be the calendar year.

 

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Section 9.3 Reports .

A. As soon as practicable, but in no event later than one hundred five (105) days after the close of each Partnership Year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner of record as of the close of the Partnership Year, financial statements of the Partnership, or of the Special Limited Partner if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with the Special Limited Partner, for such Partnership Year, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, such statements to be audited by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner.

B. As soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the close of each calendar quarter (except the last calendar quarter of each year), the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner of record as of the last day of the calendar quarter, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership, or of the Special Limited Partner if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with the Special Limited Partner, for such calendar quarter, and such other information as may be required by applicable law or regulation or as the General Partner determines to be appropriate.

C. The General Partner may satisfy its obligations under Section 9.3.A and Section 9.3.B by posting or making available the reports specified in such sections on a website maintained by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner.

ARTICLE 10

TAX MATTERS

Section 10.1 Preparation of Tax Returns . The General Partner shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all returns with respect to Partnership income, gains, deductions, losses and other items required of the Partnership for Federal and state income tax purposes and shall use all reasonable effort to furnish, within ninety (90) days of the close of each taxable year, the tax information reasonably required by Limited Partners and for Federal and state income tax and any other tax reporting purposes. The Limited Partners shall promptly provide the General Partner with such information relating to the Contributed Properties, including tax basis and other relevant information, as may be reasonably requested by the General Partner from time to time.

Section 10.2 Tax Elections . Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether to make any available election pursuant to the Code, including, but not limited to, the election under Code Section 754 and the election to use the “recurring item” method of accounting provided under Code Section 461(h) with respect to property taxes imposed on the Partnership’s Properties; provided , however , that, if the “recurring item” method of accounting is elected with respect to such property taxes, the Partnership shall pay the applicable property taxes prior to the date provided in Code Section 461(h) for purposes of determining economic performance. The General Partner shall have the right to seek to revoke any such election (including, without limitation, any election under Code Sections 461(h) and 754).

Section 10.3 Tax Matters Partner .

A. The General Partner shall be the “tax matters partner” of the Partnership for Federal income tax purposes. The tax matters partner shall receive no compensation for its services. All third-party costs and expenses incurred by the tax matters partner in performing its duties as such (including legal and accounting fees and expenses) shall be borne by the Partnership in addition to any reimbursement pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof. Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict the Partnership from engaging an accounting firm to assist the tax matters partner in discharging its duties hereunder. At the request of any Limited Partner, the General Partner agrees to inform such Limited Partner regarding the preparation and filing of any returns and with respect to any subsequent audit or litigation relating to such returns; provided , however , that the General Partner shall have the exclusive power to determine whether to file, and the content of, such returns.

B. The tax matters partner is authorized, but not required:

(1) to enter into any settlement with the IRS with respect to any administrative or judicial proceedings for the adjustment of Partnership items required to be taken into account by a

 

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Partner for income tax purposes (such administrative proceedings being referred to as a “ tax audit ” and such judicial proceedings being referred to as “ judicial review ”), and in the settlement agreement the tax matters partner may expressly state that such agreement shall bind all Partners, except that such settlement agreement shall not bind any Partner (i) who (within the time prescribed pursuant to the Code and Regulations) files a statement with the IRS providing that the tax matters partner shall not have the authority to enter into a settlement agreement on behalf of such Partner (as the case may be) or (ii) who is a “notice partner” (as defined in Code Section 6231) or a member of a “notice group” (as defined in Code Section 6223(b)(2));

(2) in the event that a notice of a final administrative adjustment at the Partnership level of any item required to be taken into account by a Partner for tax purposes (a “ final adjustment ”) is mailed to the tax matters partner, to seek judicial review of such final adjustment, including the filing of a petition for readjustment with the United States Tax Court or the United States Claims Court, or the filing of a complaint for refund with the District Court of the United States for the district in which the Partnership’s principal place of business is located;

(3) to intervene in any action brought by any other Partner for judicial review of a final adjustment;

(4) to file a request for an administrative adjustment with the IRS at any time and, if any part of such request is not allowed by the IRS, to file an appropriate pleading (petition or complaint) for judicial review with respect to such request;

(5) to enter into an agreement with the IRS to extend the period for assessing any tax that is attributable to any item required to be taken into account by a Partner for tax purposes, or an item affected by such item; and

(6) to take any other action on behalf of the Partners or any of them in connection with any tax audit or judicial review proceeding to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulations.

The taking of any action and the incurring of any expense by the tax matters partner in connection with any such proceeding, except to the extent required by law, is a matter in the sole and absolute discretion of the tax matters partner and the provisions relating to indemnification of the General Partner set forth in Section 7.7 hereof shall be fully applicable to the tax matters partner in its capacity as such.

Section 10.4 Withholding . Each Limited Partner hereby authorizes the Partnership to withhold from or pay on behalf of or with respect to such Limited Partner any amount of Federal, state, local or foreign taxes that the General Partner determines that the Partnership is required to withhold or pay with respect to any amount distributable or allocable to such Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Partnership pursuant to Code Section 1441, Code Section 1442, Code Section 1445 or Code Section 1446. Any amount paid on behalf of or with respect to a Limited Partner shall constitute a loan by the Partnership to such Limited Partner, which loan shall be repaid by such Limited Partner within fifteen (15) days after notice from the General Partner that such payment must be made unless (i) the Partnership withholds such payment from a distribution that would otherwise be made to the Limited Partner or (ii) the General Partner determines that such payment may be satisfied out of the Available Cash of the Partnership that would, but for such payment, be distributed to the Limited Partner. Each Limited Partner hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants to the Partnership a security interest in such Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest to secure such Limited Partner’s obligation to pay to the Partnership any amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 10.4. In the event that a Limited Partner fails to pay any amounts owed to the Partnership pursuant to this Section 10.4 when due, the General Partner may elect to make the payment to the Partnership on behalf of such defaulting Limited Partner, and in such event shall be deemed to have loaned such amount to such defaulting Limited Partner and shall succeed to all rights and remedies of the Partnership as against such defaulting Limited Partner (including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions). Any amounts payable by a Limited Partner hereunder shall bear interest at the base rate on corporate loans at large United States money center commercial banks, as published from time to time in the Wall Street Journal , plus four (4) percentage points (but not higher than the maximum lawful rate) from the date such amount is due (i.e., fifteen (15) days after demand) until such amount is paid in full. Each Limited Partner shall take such actions as the Partnership or the General Partner shall request in order to perfect or enforce the security interest created hereunder.

 

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Section 10.5 Organizational Expenses . The General Partner may cause the Partnership to elect to deduct expenses, if any, incurred by it in organizing the Partnership ratably over a 180-month period as provided in Section 709 of the Code.

ARTICLE 11

PARTNER TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS

Section 11.1 Transfer .

A. No part of the interest of a Partner shall be subject to the claims of any creditor, to any spouse for alimony or support, or to legal process, and may not be voluntarily or involuntarily alienated or encumbered except as may be specifically provided for in this Agreement.

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 11. Any Transfer or purported Transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article 11 shall be null and void ab initio .

C. No Transfer of any Partnership Interest may be made to a lender to the Partnership or any Person who is related (within the meaning of Section 1.752-4(b) of the Regulations) to any lender to the Partnership whose loan constitutes a Nonrecourse Liability, without the consent of the General Partner; provided that as a condition to such consent, the lender will be required to enter into an arrangement with the Partnership and the General Partner to redeem or exchange for the REIT Shares Amount any Partnership Units in which a security interest is held by such lender simultaneously with the time at which such lender would be deemed to be a partner in the Partnership for purposes of allocating liabilities to such lender under Section 752 of the Code.

Section 11.2 Transfer of General Partner’s Partnership Interest .

A. Except as provided in Section 11.2.B, and subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, the General Partner may not Transfer all or any portion of its Partnership Interest without the Consent of the Partners.

B. Subject to compliance with the other provisions of this Article 11, the General Partner may Transfer all of its Partnership Interest at any time to the Special Limited Partner or any Person that is, at the time of such Transfer, a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner, including any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), without the Consent of any Partner, and may designate the transferee to become the new General Partner under Section 12.1.

C. The General Partner may not voluntarily withdraw as a general partner of the Partnership without the Consent of the Limited Partners, except in connection with a Transfer of the General Partner’s entire Partnership Interest permitted in this Article 11 and the admission of the Transferee as a successor General Partner of the Partnership pursuant to the Act and this Agreement.

D. It is a condition to any Transfer of the entire Partnership Interest of a sole General Partner otherwise permitted hereunder that (i) coincident or prior to such Transfer, the transferee is admitted as a General Partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement; (ii) the transferee assumes by operation of law or express agreement all of the obligations of the transferor General Partner under this Agreement with respect to such Transferred Partnership Interest; and (iii) the transferee has executed such instruments are may be necessary to effectuate such admission and to confirm the agreement of such transferee to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement applicable to the General Partner and the admission of such transferee as a General Partner.

 

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Section 11.3 Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer .

A. General . Prior to the end of the Twelve-Month Period applicable to any Partnership Interest and except as provided below and in Section 11.1.C hereof, no Limited Partner shall Transfer all or any portion of such Partnership Interest to any transferee without the consent of the General Partner. After the expiration of the Twelve-Month Period applicable to any Partnership Interest, each Limited Partner, and each transferee of such Partnership Interest or Assignee pursuant to a Permitted Transfer, shall have the right to Transfer all or any portion of such Partnership Interest to any Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Limited Partner may, at any time, without the consent of the General Partner, Transfer all or any portion of its Partnership Interest pursuant to a Permitted Transfer (including, in the case of a Limited Partner that is a Permitted Lender Transferee, any Transfer of a Partnership Interest to a Third-Party Pledge Transferee). Any Transfer of a Partnership Interest by a Limited Partner or an Assignee is subject to Section 11.4 and to satisfaction of the following conditions:

(1) Special Limited Partner Right of First Refusal . The transferring Partner (or the Partner’s estate in the event of the Partner’s death) shall give written notice of the proposed Transfer to the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner, which notice shall state (i) the identity and address of the proposed transferee and (ii) the amount and type of consideration proposed to be received for the Transferred Partnership Units. The Special Limited Partner shall have ten (10) Business Days upon which to give the Transferring Partner notice of its election to acquire the Partnership Units on the terms set forth in such notice. If it so elects, it shall purchase the Partnership Units on such terms within ten (10) Business Days after giving notice of such election; provided , however , that in the event that the proposed terms involve a purchase for cash, the Special Limited Partner may at its election deliver in lieu of all or any portion of such cash a note from the Special Limited Partner payable to the Transferring Partner at a date as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than one hundred eighty (180) days after such purchase, and bearing interest at an annual rate equal to the total dividends declared with respect to one (1) REIT Share for the four (4) preceding fiscal quarters of the Special Limited Partner, divided by the Value of a REIT Share as of the closing of such purchase; provided , further , that such closing may be deferred to the extent necessary to effect compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, if applicable, and any other applicable requirements of law. If it does not so elect, the Transferring Partner may Transfer such Partnership Units to a third party, on terms no more favorable to the transferee than the proposed terms, subject to the other conditions of this Section 11.3.

(2) Qualified Transferee . Any Transfer of a Partnership Interest shall be made only to a single Qualified Transferee; provided , however , that, for such purposes, all Qualified Transferees that are Affiliates, or that comprise investment accounts or funds managed by a single Qualified Transferee and its Affiliates, shall be considered together to be a single Qualified Transferee; provided , further , that each Transfer meeting the minimum Transfer restriction of Section 11.3A(4) hereof may be to a separate Qualified Transferee.

(3) Opinion of Counsel . The Transferor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the General Partner an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it to the effect that the proposed Transfer may be effected without registration under the Securities Act and will not otherwise violate the registration provisions of the Securities Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder or violate any state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Interests Transferred; provided , however , that the General Partner may waive this condition upon the request of the Transferor. If, in the opinion of such counsel, such Transfer would require the filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act or would otherwise violate any Federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Units, the General Partner may prohibit any Transfer otherwise permitted under this Section 11.3 by a Limited Partner of Partnership Interests.

(4) Minimum Transfer Restriction . Any Transferring Partner must Transfer not less than the lesser of (i) five hundred (500) Partnership Units or (ii) all of the remaining Partnership Units owned by such Transferring Partner; provided , however , that, for purposes of determining compliance with the foregoing restriction, all Partnership Units owned by Affiliates of a Limited Partner shall be considered to be owned by such Limited Partner.

 

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(5) No Further Transfers . The transferee shall not be permitted to effect any further Transfer of the Partnership Units, other than to the Special Limited Partner.

(6) Exception for Permitted Transfers . The conditions of Section 11.3A(1) and Section 11.3A(3) through Section 11.3A(5) hereof shall not apply in the case of a Permitted Transfer.

It is a condition to any Transfer otherwise permitted hereunder (whether or not such Transfer is effected during or after the applicable Twelve-Month Period) that the transferee assumes by operation of law or express agreement all of the obligations of the transferor Limited Partner under this Agreement with respect to such Transferred Partnership Interest, and no such Transfer (other than pursuant to a statutory merger or consolidation wherein all obligations and liabilities of the transferor Partner are assumed by a successor corporation by operation of law) shall relieve the transferor Partner of its obligations under this Agreement without the approval of the General Partner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transferee of any Transferred Partnership Interest shall be subject to any and all ownership limitations (including, without limitation, the Ownership Limit) contained in the Charter that may limit or restrict such transferee’s ability to exercise its Redemption rights, including, without limitation, the Ownership Limit. Any transferee, whether or not admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner, shall take subject to the obligations of the transferor hereunder. Unless admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner, no transferee, whether by a voluntary Transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, shall have any rights hereunder, other than the rights of an Assignee as provided in Section 11.5 hereof.

B. Incapacity . If a Limited Partner is subject to Incapacity, the executor, administrator, trustee, committee, guardian, conservator or receiver of such Limited Partner’s estate shall have all the rights of a Limited Partner, but not more rights than those enjoyed by other Limited Partners, for the purpose of settling or managing the estate, and such power as the Incapacitated Limited Partner possessed to Transfer all or any part of its interest in the Partnership. The Incapacity of a Limited Partner, in and of itself, shall not dissolve or terminate the Partnership.

C. Adverse Tax Consequences . No Transfer by a Limited Partner of its Partnership Interests (including any Redemption, any other acquisition of Partnership Units by the General Partner or any acquisition of Partnership Units by the Partnership and including any Permitted Transfer) may be made to or by any Person if in the opinion of legal counsel for the Partnership, (i) such Transfer would create a material risk of the Partnership being treated as an association taxable as a corporation or would result in a termination of the Partnership under Code Section 708, or (ii) there would be a material risk that such Transfer would be treated as effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof),” within the meaning of Code Section 7704.

Section 11.4 Substituted Limited Partners .

A. No Limited Partner shall have the right to substitute a transferee other than a Permitted Transferee as a Limited Partner in its place. A transferee of the interest of a Limited Partner may be admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner only with the consent of the General Partner; provided , however , that a Permitted Transferee may be admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner pursuant to a Permitted Transfer without the consent of the General Partner. The failure or refusal by the General Partner to permit a transferee of any such interests to become a Substituted Limited Partner shall not give rise to any cause of action against the Partnership or the General Partner. Subject to the foregoing, an Assignee shall not be admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner until and unless it furnishes to the General Partner (i) evidence of acceptance, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, of all the terms, conditions and applicable obligations of this Agreement, (ii) a counterpart signature page to this Agreement executed by such Assignee and (iii) such other documents and instruments as the General Partner may require to effect such Assignee’s admission as a Substituted Limited Partner.

B. Concurrently with, and as evidence of, the admission of a Substituted Limited Partner, the General Partner shall amend the Register and the books and records of the Partnership to reflect the name, address and number of Partnership Units of such Substituted Limited Partner and to eliminate or adjust, if necessary, the name, address and number of Partnership Units of the predecessor of such Substituted Limited Partner.

C. A transferee who has been admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner in accordance with this Article 11 shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of a Limited Partner under this Agreement.

 

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Section 11.5 Assignees . If the General Partner’s consent is required for the admission of any transferee under Section 11.3 hereof as a Substituted Limited Partner, as described in Section 11.4 hereof, and the General Partner withholds such consent, such transferee shall be considered an Assignee for purposes of this Agreement. An Assignee shall be entitled to all the rights of an assignee of a limited partnership interest under the Act, including the right to receive distributions from the Partnership and the share of Net Income, Net Losses and other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Partnership attributable to the Partnership Units assigned to such transferee and the rights to Transfer the Partnership Units provided in this Article 11, but shall not be deemed to be a holder of Partnership Units for any other purpose under this Agreement (other than as expressly provided in Section 15.1 hereof with respect to a Qualifying Party that becomes a Tendering Party), and shall not be entitled to effect a Consent or vote with respect to such Partnership Units on any matter presented to the Limited Partners for approval (such right to Consent or vote, to the extent provided in this Agreement or under the Act, fully remaining with the transferor Limited Partner). In the event that any such transferee desires to make a further assignment of any such Partnership Units, such transferee shall be subject to all the provisions of this Article 11 to the same extent and in the same manner as any Limited Partner desiring to make an assignment of Partnership Units.

Section 11.6 General Provisions .

A. No Limited Partner may withdraw from the Partnership other than: (i) as a result of a permitted Transfer of all of such Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest in accordance with this Article 11 with respect to which the transferee becomes a Substituted Limited Partner; (ii) pursuant to a redemption (or acquisition by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner) of all of its Partnership Interest pursuant to a Redemption under Section 15.1 hereof and/or pursuant to any Partnership Unit Designation; or (iii) as a result of the acquisition by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner of all of such Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest, whether or not pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof.

B. Any Limited Partner who shall Transfer all of its Partnership Units in a Transfer (i) permitted pursuant to this Article 11 where such transferee was admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner, (ii) pursuant to the exercise of its rights to effect a redemption of all of its Partnership Units pursuant to a Redemption under Section 15.1 hereof and/or pursuant to any Partnership Unit Designation, or (iii) to the Special Limited Partner, whether or not pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, shall cease to be a Limited Partner.

C. If any Partnership Unit is Transferred in compliance with the provisions of this Article 11, or is redeemed by the Partnership, or acquired by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof, on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit attributable to such Partnership Unit for such Partnership Year shall be allocated to the transferor Partner or the Tendering Party (as the case may be) and, in the case of a Transfer or assignment other than a Redemption, to the transferee Partner, by taking into account their varying interests during the Partnership Year in accordance with Code Section 706(d), using the “interim closing of the books” method or another permissible method selected by the General Partner. Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such items for the calendar month in which a Transfer occurs shall be allocated to the transferee Partner and none of such items for the calendar month in which a Transfer or a Redemption occurs shall be allocated to the transferor Partner, or the Tendering Party (as the case may be) if such Transfer occurs on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the month, otherwise such items shall be allocated to the transferor. All distributions of Available Cash attributable to such Partnership Unit with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such Transfer, assignment or Redemption shall be made to the transferor Partner or the Tendering Party (as the case may be) and, in the case of a Transfer other than a Redemption, all distributions of Available Cash thereafter attributable to such Partnership Unit shall be made to the transferee Partner.

D. In addition to any other restrictions on Transfer herein contained, in no event may any Transfer or assignment of a Partnership Interest by any Partner (including any Redemption, any acquisition of Partnership Units by the Special Limited Partner or any other acquisition of Partnership Units by the Partnership) be made (i) to any person or entity who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own a Partnership Interest; (ii) in violation of applicable law; (iii) of any component portion of a Partnership Interest, such as the Capital Account, or rights to distributions, separate and apart from all other components of a Partnership Interest; (iv) in the event that such Transfer would cause either the Special Limited Partner to cease to comply with the REIT Requirements or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner to cease to qualify as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)); (v) if such Transfer would, in the opinion of counsel to the Partnership or the

 

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General Partner, cause a termination of the Partnership for Federal or state income tax purposes (except as a result of the Redemption (or acquisition by the Special Limited Partner) of all Partnership Units held by all Limited Partners); (vi) if such Transfer would, in the opinion of legal counsel to the Partnership, cause the Partnership to cease to be classified as a partnership for Federal income tax purposes (except as a result of the Redemption (or acquisition by the Special Limited Partner) of all Partnership Units held by all Limited Partners (other than the Special Limited Partner)); (vii) if such Transfer would cause the Partnership to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a “party-in-interest” (as defined in ERISA Section 3(14)) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Code Section 4975(c)); (viii) if such Transfer would, in the opinion of legal counsel to the Partnership, cause any portion of the assets of the Partnership to constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to Department of Labor Regulations Section 2510.2-101; (ix) if such Transfer requires the registration of such Partnership Interest pursuant to any applicable Federal or state securities laws; (x) if such Transfer would create a material risk that the Partnership would become a “publicly traded partnership,” as such term is defined in Code Section 469(k)(2) or Code 7704(b); (xi) if such Transfer would cause the Partnership to have more than one hundred (100) partners for tax purposes (including as partners those persons indirectly owning an interest in the Partnership through a partnership, limited liability company, subchapter S corporation or grantor trust); (xii) if such Transfer causes the Partnership to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act; or (xiii) if such Transfer subjects the Partnership to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 or ERISA, each as amended.

E. Transfers pursuant to this Article 11, other than a Permitted Transfer to a Permitted Transferee pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge, may only be made on the first day of a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, unless the General Partner otherwise agrees.

Section 11.7 Restrictions on Termination Transactions . Neither the Special Limited Partner nor the General Partner shall engage in, or cause or permit, a Termination Transaction, unless:

A. the Consent of the Limited Partners is obtained;

B. in connection with any such Termination Transaction, each holder of Partnership Common Units (other than the Special Limited Partner and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, for each Partnership Common Unit, an amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the product of the Adjustment Factor and the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid to a holder of one REIT Share in consideration of one REIT Share pursuant to the terms of such Termination Transaction; provided , that if, in connection with such Termination Transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of a majority of the outstanding REIT Shares, each holder of Partnership Common Units (other than the Special Limited Partner and its wholly owned subsidiaries) will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property which such holder of Partnership Common Units would have received had it exercised its right to Redemption pursuant to Article 15 hereof and received REIT Shares in exchange for its Partnership Common Units immediately prior to the expiration of such purchase, tender or exchange offer and had thereupon accepted such purchase, tender or exchange offer and then such Termination Transaction shall have been consummated (the fair market value, at the time of the Termination Transaction, of the amount specified herein with respect to each Partnership Common Unit is referred to as the “ Transaction Consideration ”); or

C. all of the following conditions are met: (i) substantially all of the assets directly or indirectly owned by the Partnership prior to the announcement of the Termination Transaction are, immediately after the Termination Transaction, owned directly or indirectly by the Partnership or another limited partnership or limited liability company which is the survivor of a merger, consolidation or combination of assets with the Partnership (in each case, the “ Surviving Partnership ”); (ii) the Surviving Partnership is classified as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes; (iii) the Limited Partners (other than the Special Limited Partner) that held Partnership Common Units immediately prior to the consummation of such Termination Transaction own a percentage interest of the Surviving Partnership based on the relative fair market value of the net assets of the Partnership and the other net assets of the Surviving Partnership immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction; (iv) the rights of such Limited Partners with respect to the Surviving Partnership include: (x) if the Special Limited Partner or its successor is a REIT with a single class of Publicly Traded common equity securities, the right to redeem their interests in the Surviving Partnership at any time for either: (1) a number of such REIT’s Publicly Traded common equity securities with a fair market value, as of the date of consummation of such Termination Transaction, equal to the Transaction Consideration, subject to antidilution adjustments comparable to those set forth in the definition of “Adjustment Factor” herein (the “ Successor Shares Amount ”); or (2) cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Successor Shares Amount at

 

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the time of such redemption, determined in a manner consistent with the definition of “Value” herein; or (y) if the Special Limited Partner or its successor is not a REIT with a single class of Publicly Traded common equity securities, the right to redeem their interests in the Surviving Partnership at any time for cash in an amount equal to the Transaction Consideration; and (v) the General Partner determines, in good faith, that the other rights of such Limited Partners with respect to the Surviving Partnership, in the aggregate, are not materially less favorable than those of Limited Partners holding Partnership Common Units immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction.

ARTICLE 12

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

Section 12.1 Admission of Successor General Partner . A successor to all or a portion of the General Partner’s Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 11.2.B hereof who the General Partner has designated to become a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately upon the Transfer of such Partnership Interest to it. Upon any such Transfer and the admission of any such transferee as a successor General Partner in accordance with this Section 12.1, the transferor General Partner shall be relieved of its obligations under this Agreement and shall cease to be a general partner of the Partnership without any separate Consent of the Partners or the consent or approval of any Partner. Any such successor shall carry on the business of the Partnership without dissolution. In each case, the admission shall be subject to the successor General Partner executing and delivering to the Partnership an acceptance of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect the admission. In the event that the General Partner withdraws from the Partnership, or transfers its entire Partnership Interest, in violation of this Agreement, or otherwise dissolves or terminates or ceases to be the general partner of the Partnership, a Majority in Interest of the Partners may elect to continue the Partnership by selecting a successor General Partner in accordance with Section 13.1.A hereof.

Section 12.2 Admission of Additional Limited Partners .

A. A Person (other than an existing Partner) who makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in exchange for Partnership Units and in accordance with this Agreement shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only upon furnishing to the General Partner (i) evidence of acceptance, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the power of attorney granted in Section 2.4 hereof, (ii) a counterpart signature page to this Agreement executed by such Person, and (iii) such other documents or instruments as may be required by the General Partner in order to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Limited Partner. Concurrently with, and as evidence of, the admission of an Additional Limited Partner, the General Partner shall amend the Register and the books and records of the Partnership to reflect the name, address, number and type of Partnership Units of such Additional Limited Partner.

B. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12.2, no Person shall be admitted as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner. The admission of any Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded on the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission and the satisfaction of all the conditions set forth in Section 12.2.A.

C. If any Additional Limited Partner is admitted to the Partnership on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable among Holders for such Partnership Year shall be allocated among such Additional Limited Partner and all other Holders by taking into account their varying interests during the Partnership Year in accordance with Code Section 706(d), using the “interim closing of the books” method or another permissible method selected by the General Partner. Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such items for the calendar month in which an admission of any Additional Limited Partner occurs shall be allocated among all the Holders including such Additional Limited Partner, in accordance with the principles described in Section 11.6.C hereof. All distributions of Available Cash with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such admission shall be made solely to Partners and Assignees other than the Additional Limited Partner, and all distributions of Available Cash thereafter shall be made to all the Partners and Assignees including such Additional Limited Partner.

 

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Section 12.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership . For the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate under the Act to amend the Register and the books and records of the Partnership and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practical an amendment of this Agreement and, if required by law, shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate and may for this purpose exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof.

Section 12.4 Limit on Number of Partners . Unless otherwise permitted by the General Partner, no Person shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner if the effect of such admission would be to cause the Partnership to have a number of Partners (including as Partners for this purpose those Persons indirectly owning an interest in the Partnership through another partnership, a limited liability company, a subchapter S corporation or a grantor trust) that would cause the Partnership to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act.

Section 12.5 Admission . A Person shall be admitted to the Partnership as a limited partner of the Partnership or a general partner of the Partnership only upon strict compliance, and not upon substantial compliance, with the requirements set forth in this Agreement for admission to the Partnership as a Limited Partner or a General Partner.

ARTICLE 13

DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION

Section 13.1 Dissolution . The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Limited Partners or Additional Limited Partners, or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the withdrawal of the General Partner, any successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership without dissolution. However, the Partnership shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon the first to occur of any of the following (each a “ Liquidating Event ”):

A. an event of withdrawal, as defined in the Act, with respect to a General Partner, unless (i) at the time of the occurrence of such event, there is at least one remaining General Partner of the Partnership who is authorized to and shall carry on the business of the Partnership, or (ii) within ninety (90) days after the withdrawal, a Majority in Interest of the Partners agree in writing to continue the Partnership and to the appointment, effective as of the date of withdrawal, of a successor General Partner;

B. an election to dissolve the Partnership made by the General Partner, with or without the Consent of the Partners; or

C. entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Act.

Section 13.2 Winding Up .

A. Upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the Partnership shall continue solely for the purposes of winding up its affairs in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets and satisfying the claims of its creditors and the Holders. After the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, no Holder shall take any action that is inconsistent with, or not necessary to or appropriate for, the winding up of the Partnership’s business and affairs. The General Partner (or, in the event that there is no remaining General Partner or the General Partner has dissolved, become bankrupt or ceased to operate, any Person elected by a Majority in Interest of the Partners (the General Partner or such other Person being referred to herein as the “ Liquidator ”)) shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and dissolution of the Partnership and shall take full account of the Partnership’s liabilities and property, and the Partnership property shall be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof, and the proceeds therefrom (which may, to the extent determined by the General Partner, include shares of stock in the Special Limited Partner) shall be applied and distributed in the following order:

(1) First, to the satisfaction of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to creditors other than the Holders (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof);

 

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(2) Second, to the satisfaction of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof), including, but not limited to, amounts due as reimbursements under Section 7.4 hereof;

(3) Third, to the satisfaction of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to the other Holders (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof); and

(4) Subject to the terms of any Partnership Unit Designation, the balance, if any, to the Holders in accordance with and in proportion to their positive Capital Account balances, after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all periods.

The General Partner shall not receive any additional compensation for any services performed pursuant to this Article 13.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.2.A hereof that require liquidation of the assets of the Partnership, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if prior to or upon dissolution of the Partnership, the Liquidator determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Holders, the Liquidator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy liabilities of the Partnership (including to those Holders as creditors) and/or distribute to the Holders, in lieu of cash, as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.2.A hereof, undivided interests in such Partnership assets as the Liquidator deems not suitable for liquidation. Any such distributions in kind shall be made only if, in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator, such distributions in kind are in the best interest of the Holders, and shall be subject to such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such properties as the Liquidator deems reasonable and equitable and to any agreements governing the operation of such properties at such time. The Liquidator shall determine the fair market value of any property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

C. In the event that the Partnership is “liquidated,” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), distributions shall be made pursuant to this Article 13 to the Holders that have positive Capital Accounts in compliance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2) to the extent of, and in proportion to, positive Capital Account balances. If any Holder has a deficit balance in its Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all taxable years, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), such Holder shall have no obligation to make any contribution to the capital of the Partnership with respect to such deficit, and such deficit shall not be considered a debt owed to the Partnership or to any other Person for any purpose whatsoever. In the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or the Liquidator, a pro rata portion of the distributions that would otherwise be made to the Holders pursuant to this Article 13 may be:

(1) distributed to a trust established for the benefit of the General Partner and the Holders for the purpose of liquidating Partnership assets, collecting amounts owed to the Partnership, and paying any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Partnership or of the General Partner arising out of or in connection with the Partnership and/or Partnership activities. The assets of any such trust shall be distributed to the Holders, from time to time, in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner, in the same proportions and amounts as would otherwise have been distributed to the Holders pursuant to this Agreement; or

(2) withheld or escrowed to provide a reasonable reserve for Partnership liabilities (contingent or otherwise) and to reflect the unrealized portion of any installment obligations owed to the Partnership, provided that such withheld or escrowed amounts shall be distributed to the Holders in the manner and order of priority set forth in Section 13.2.A hereof as soon as practicable.

Section 13.3 Deemed Contribution and Distribution . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 13, in the event that the Partnership is liquidated within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), but no Liquidating Event has occurred, the Partnership’s Property shall not be liquidated, the Partnership’s liabilities shall not be paid or discharged and the Partnership’s affairs shall not be wound up. Instead, for Federal income tax purposes the Partnership shall be deemed to have contributed all of its assets and liabilities to a new partnership in

 

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exchange for an interest in the new partnership; and immediately thereafter, distributed Partnership Units to the Partners in the new partnership in accordance with their respective Capital Accounts in liquidation of the Partnership, and the new partnership is deemed to continue the business of the Partnership. Nothing in this Section 13.3 shall be deemed to have constituted any Assignee as a Substituted Limited Partner without compliance with the provisions of Section 11.4 hereof.

Section 13.4 Rights of Holders . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, (a) each Holder shall look solely to the assets of the Partnership for the return of its Capital Contribution, (b) no Holder shall have the right or power to demand or receive property other than cash from the Partnership, and (c) no Holder shall have priority over any other Holder as to the return of its Capital Contributions, distributions or allocations.

Section 13.5 Notice of Dissolution . In the event that a Liquidating Event occurs or an event occurs that would, but for an election or objection by one or more Partners pursuant to Section 13.1 hereof, result in a dissolution of the Partnership, the General Partner or Liquidator shall, within thirty (30) days thereafter, provide written notice thereof to each of the Holders and, in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or the Liquidator, or as required by the Act, to all other parties with whom the Partnership regularly conducts business (as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or Liquidator), and the General Partner or Liquidator may, or, if required by the Act, shall, publish notice thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in each place in which the Partnership regularly conducts business (as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or Liquidator).

Section 13.6 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership . Upon the completion of the liquidation of the Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 13.2 hereof, the Partnership shall be terminated, a certificate of cancellation shall be filed with the State of Delaware, all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership or association in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be cancelled, and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

Section 13.7 Reasonable Time for Winding-Up . A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding-up of the business and affairs of the Partnership and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 13.2 hereof, in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding-up, and the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect between and among the Partners during the period of liquidation.

ARTICLE 14

PROCEDURES FOR ACTIONS AND CONSENTS

OF PARTNERS; AMENDMENTS; MEETINGS

Section 14.1 Actions and Consents of Partners . The actions requiring Consent of any Partner pursuant to this Agreement, including Section 7.3 hereof, or otherwise pursuant to applicable law, are subject to the procedures set forth in this Article 14.

Section 14.2 Amendments . Except as otherwise required or permitted by this Agreement (including Section 7.3 and Section 4.4E), amendments to this Agreement must be approved by the Consent of the General Partner and the Consent of the Partners, and may be proposed only by (a) the General Partner, or (b) Limited Partners holding a majority of the Partnership Common Units then held by Limited Partners (excluding the Special Limited Partner and any Controlled Entity of the Special Limited Partner). Following such proposal, the General Partner shall submit to the Partners any proposed amendment that, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, requires the Consent of the Partners. The General Partner shall seek the Consent of the Partners entitled to vote thereon on any such proposed amendment in accordance with Section 14.3 hereof. Upon obtaining any such Consent, or any other Consent required by this Agreement, and without further action or execution by any other Person, including any Limited Partner, (i) any amendment to this Agreement may be implemented and reflected in a writing executed solely by the General Partner, and (ii) the Limited Partners shall be deemed a party to and bound by such amendment of this Agreement. Within thirty days after the effectiveness of any amendment to this Agreement that does not receive the Consent of all Partners, the General Partner shall deliver a copy of such amendment to all Partners that did not Consent to such amendment. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, this Agreement may not be amended without the Consent of the General Partner.

 

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Section 14.3 Procedures for Meetings and Actions of the Partners .

A. Meetings of the Partners may be called only by the General Partner. The call shall state the nature of the business to be transacted. Notice of any such meeting shall be given to all Partners entitled to act at the meeting not less than ten (10) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of such meeting. Partners may vote in person or by proxy at such meeting. Unless approval by a different number or proportion of the Partners is required by this Agreement, or any Partnership Unit Designation, the affirmative vote of a Majority in Interest of the Partners shall be sufficient to approve such proposal at a meeting of the Partners. Whenever the Consent of any Partners is permitted or required under this Agreement, such Consent may be given at a meeting of Partners or in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Section 14.3.B hereof.

B. Any action requiring the Consent of any Partner or a group of Partners pursuant to this Agreement, or that is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Partners may be taken without a meeting if a Consent in writing or by electronic transmission setting forth the action so taken or consented to is given by Partners whose affirmative vote would be sufficient to approve such action or provide such Consent at a meeting of the Partners. Such Consent may be in one instrument or in several instruments, and shall have the same force and effect as the affirmative vote of such Partners at a meeting of the Partners. Such Consent shall be filed with the General Partner. An action so taken shall be deemed to have been taken at a meeting held on the effective date so certified. For purposes of obtaining a Consent in writing or by electronic transmission, the General Partner may require a response within a reasonable specified time, but not less than fifteen (15) days, and failure to respond in such time period shall constitute a Consent that is consistent with the General Partner’s recommendation with respect to the proposal; provided , however , that an action shall become effective at such time as requisite Consents are received even if prior to such specified time.

C. Each Partner entitled to act at a meeting of Partners may authorize any Person or Persons to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Partner is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. Each proxy must be signed by the Partner or its attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy (or there is receipt of a proxy authorizing a later date). Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Partner executing it, such revocation to be effective upon the Partnership’s receipt of written notice of such revocation from the Partner executing such proxy, unless such proxy states that it is irrevocable and is coupled with an interest.

D. The General Partner may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining the Partners (i) entitled to Consent to any action, (ii) entitled to receive notice of or vote at any meeting of the Partners or (iii) in order to make a determination of Partners for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than ninety (90) days and, in the case of a meeting of the Partners, not less than ten (10) days, before the date on which the meeting is to be held. If no record date is fixed, the record date for the determination of Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Partners shall be at the close of business on the day on which the notice of the meeting is sent, and the record date for any other determination of Partners shall be the effective date of such Partner action, distribution or other event. When a determination of the Partners entitled to vote at any meeting of the Partners has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

E. Each meeting of Partners shall be conducted by the General Partner or such other Person as the General Partner may appoint pursuant to such rules for the conduct of the meeting as the General Partner or such other Person deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion. Without limitation, meetings of Partners may be conducted in the same manner as meetings of the Special Limited Partner’s stockholders and may be held at the same time as, and as part of, the meetings of the Special Limited Partner’s stockholders.

ARTICLE 15

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 15.1 Redemption Rights of Qualifying Parties .

A. After the Twelve-Month Period applicable to such Partnership Common Units, a Qualifying Party shall have the right (subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein) to require the Partnership to redeem all or a portion of the Partnership Common Units held by such Tendering Party (Partnership Common Units that have in fact

 

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been tendered for redemption being hereafter referred to as “ Tendered Units ”) in exchange (a “ Redemption ”) for the Cash Amount payable on the Specified Redemption Date. The Partnership may, in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion, redeem Tendered Units at the request of the Holder thereof prior to the end of the applicable Twelve-Month Period (subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein) (a “ Special Redemption ”); provided that, unless waived by the Special Limited Partner, the General Partner first receives a legal opinion to the same effect as the legal opinion described in Section 15.1G(4) of this Agreement. Any Redemption shall be exercised pursuant to a Notice of Redemption delivered to the General Partner by the Qualifying Party when exercising the Redemption right (the “ Tendering Party ”). The Partnership’s obligation to effect a Redemption, however, shall not arise or be binding against the Partnership (i) until and unless the Special Limited Partner declines or fails to exercise its purchase rights pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof following receipt of a Notice of Redemption (a “ Declination ”) and (ii) until the Business Day following the Cut-Off Date. In the event of a Redemption, the Cash Amount shall be delivered as a certified or bank check payable to the Tendering Party or, in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion, in immediately available funds on or before the Specified Redemption Date.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.1.A hereof, on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date, the Special Limited Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to acquire some or all (such percentage being referred to as the “ Applicable Percentage ”) of the Tendered Units from the Tendering Party in exchange for the REIT Shares Amount calculated based on the portion of Tendered Units it elects to acquire in exchange for REIT Shares. If the Special Limited Partner so elects, on the Specified Redemption Date the Tendering Party shall sell such number of the Tendered Units to the Special Limited Partner in exchange for a number of REIT Shares equal to the product of the REIT Shares Amount and the Applicable Percentage. The Tendering Party shall submit (i) such information, certification or affidavit as the Special Limited Partner may reasonably require in connection with the application of the Ownership Limit to any such acquisition and (ii) such written representations, investment letters, legal opinions or other instruments necessary, in the Special Limited Partner’s view, to effect compliance with the Securities Act. In the event of a purchase of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, the Tendering Party shall no longer have the right to cause the Partnership to effect a Redemption of such Tendered Units, and, upon notice to the Tendering Party by the Special Limited Partner, given on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date, that the Special Limited Partner has elected to acquire some or all of the Tendered Units pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, the obligation of the Partnership to effect a Redemption of the Tendered Units as to which the Special Limited Partner’s notice relates shall not accrue or arise. A number of REIT Shares equal to the product of the Applicable Percentage and the REIT Shares Amount, if applicable, shall be delivered by the Special Limited Partner as duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable REIT Shares and, if applicable, Rights, free of any pledge, lien, encumbrance or restriction, other than the Ownership Limit and other restrictions provided in the Charter, the Securities Act and relevant state securities or “blue sky” laws. Neither any Tendering Party whose Tendered Units are acquired by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, any Partner, any Assignee nor any other interested Person shall have any right to require or cause the Special Limited Partner to register, qualify or list any REIT Shares owned or held by such Person, whether or not such REIT Shares are issued pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, with the SEC, with any state securities commissioner, department or agency, under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or with any stock exchange; provided , however , that this limitation shall not be in derogation of any registration or similar rights granted pursuant to any other written agreement between the Special Limited Partner and any such Person. Notwithstanding any delay in such delivery, the Tendering Party shall be deemed the owner of such REIT Shares and Rights for all purposes, including, without limitation, rights to vote or consent, receive dividends, and exercise rights, as of the Specified Redemption Date. REIT Shares issued upon an acquisition of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 15.1.B may contain such legends regarding restrictions under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws as the Special Limited Partner in good faith determines to be necessary or advisable in order to ensure compliance with such laws.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 15.1.A, 15.1.B and 15.1.H hereof, (i) no Person shall be entitled to effect a Redemption for cash or an exchange for REIT Shares to the extent the ownership or right to acquire REIT Shares pursuant to such exchange on the Specified Redemption Date could cause such Person (or any other Person) to violate the restrictions on ownership and transfer of REIT Shares set forth in the Charter, after giving effect to any waivers or modifications of such restrictions by the Board of Directors, and (ii) no Person shall have any rights under this Agreement to acquire REIT Shares which would otherwise be prohibited under the Charter, after giving effect to any waivers or modifications of such restrictions by the Board of Directors. To the extent that any attempted Redemption or acquisition of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof would be in violation of this Section 15.1.C, it shall be null and void ab initio , and the Tendering Party shall not acquire any rights or economic interests in the Cash Amount otherwise payable upon such Redemption or the REIT Shares otherwise issuable by the Special Limited Partner under Section 15.1.B hereof.

 

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D. In the event of a Declination:

(1) The Special Limited Partner shall give notice of such Declination to the Tendering Party on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date. The failure of the Special Limited Partner to give notice of such Declination by the close of business on the Cut-Off Date shall be deemed to be an election by the Special Limited Partner to acquire the Tendered Units in exchange for REIT Shares.

(2) The Partnership may elect to raise funds for the payment of the Cash Amount either (a) by requiring that the Special Limited Partner contribute to the Partnership funds from the proceeds of a registered public offering by the Special Limited Partner of REIT Shares sufficient to purchase the Tendered Units or (b) from any other sources (including, but not limited to, the sale of any Property and the incurrence of additional Debt) available to the Partnership.

(3) If the Cash Amount is not paid on or before the Specified Redemption Date, interest shall accrue with respect to the Cash Amount from the day after the Specified Redemption Date to and including the date on which the Cash Amount is paid at a rate equal to the Applicable Federal Short-Term Rate as published monthly by the IRS.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.1.B hereof or Section 15.1.H hereof, if the Special Limited Partner’s acquisition of Tendered Units in exchange for the REIT Shares Amount would be prohibited under the Charter, then (i) the Special Limited Partner shall not elect to acquire such Tendered Units, and (ii) the Partnership shall not be obligated to effect a Redemption of such Tendered Units.

F. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (but subject to Section 15.1.C hereof), with respect to any Redemption (or any tender of Partnership Common Units for Redemption if the Tendered Units are acquired by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof) pursuant to this Section 15.1:

(1) Without the consent of the General Partner, no Tendering Party may effect a Redemption for less than two thousand (2,000) Partnership Common Units or, if such Tendering Party holds less than two thousand (2,000) Partnership Common Units, all of the Partnership Common Units held by such Tendering Party.

(2) If (i) a Tendering Party surrenders Tendered Units during the period after the Partnership Record Date with respect to a distribution payable to Holders of Partnership Common Units, and before the record date established by the Special Limited Partner for a dividend to its stockholders of some or all of its portion of such Partnership distribution, and (ii) the Special Limited Partner elects to acquire any of such Tendered Units in exchange for REIT Shares pursuant to Section 15.1.B, then such Tendering Party shall pay to the Special Limited Partner on the Specified Redemption Date an amount in cash equal to the Partnership distribution paid or payable in respect of such Tendered Units.

(3) The consummation of such Redemption (or an acquisition of Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, as the case may be) shall be subject to the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period, if any, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

(4) The Tendering Party shall continue to own (subject, in the case of an Assignee, to the provisions of Section 11.5 hereof) all Partnership Common Units subject to any Redemption, and be treated as a Limited Partner or an Assignee, as applicable, with respect to such Partnership Common Units for all purposes of this Agreement, until the Specified Redemption Date and until such Tendered Units are either paid for by the Partnership pursuant to Section 15.1.A hereof or transferred to the Special Limited Partner and paid for, by the issuance of REIT Shares, pursuant to Section 15.1.B. Until a Specified Redemption Date and an acquisition of the Tendered Units by the

 

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Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, the Tendering Party shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Special Limited Partner with respect to the REIT Shares issuable in connection with such acquisition.

G. In connection with an exercise of Redemption rights pursuant to this Section 15.1, unless waived by the Special Limited Partner, the Tendering Party shall submit the following to the Special Limited Partner, in addition to the Notice of Redemption:

(1) A written affidavit, dated the same date as the Notice of Redemption, (a) disclosing the actual and constructive ownership, as determined for purposes of Code Sections 856(a)(6) and 856(h), of REIT Shares by (i) such Tendering Party and (ii) to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, and (b) representing that, after giving effect to an acquisition of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, neither the Tendering Party nor, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, will own REIT Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit;

(2) A written representation that neither the Tendering Party nor, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, has any intention to acquire any additional REIT Shares prior to the Specified Redemption Date; and

(3) An undertaking to certify, at and as a condition to the closing of (i) the Redemption or (ii) the acquisition of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof on the Specified Redemption Date, that either (a) the actual and constructive ownership of REIT Shares by the Tendering Party and, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, remain unchanged from that disclosed in the affidavit required by Section 15.1.G(1), or (b) after giving effect to the Redemption or an acquisition of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, neither the Tendering Party nor, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, shall own REIT Shares in violation of the Ownership Limit.

(4) In connection with any Special Redemption, the Special Limited Partner shall have the right to receive an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it to the effect that the proposed Special Redemption will not cause the Partnership, the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner to violate any Federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Special Redemption or the issuance and sale of REIT Shares to the Tendering Party pursuant to Section 15.1.B of this Agreement.

H. Stock Offering Funding Option

(1) (a) Notwithstanding Sections 15.1.A or 15.1.B hereof (but subject to Sections 15.1.C and 15.1.E hereof), if (i) a Limited Partner has delivered to the General Partner a Notice of Redemption with respect to a number of Excess Units that, together with any other Tendered Units that such Limited Partner agrees to treat as Excess Units (collectively, the “ Offering Units ”), exceeds $50,000,000 gross value, based on a Partnership Common Unit price equal to the Value of a REIT Share, and (ii) the Special Limited Partner is eligible to file a registration statement under Form S-3 (or any successor form similar thereto), then either: (x) the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner may cause the Partnership to redeem the Offering Units with the proceeds of an offering, whether registered under the Securities Act or exempt from such registration, underwritten, offered and sold directly to investors or through agents or other intermediaries, or otherwise distributed (a “ Stock Offering Funding ”) of a number of REIT Shares (“ Offered Shares ”) equal to the REIT Shares Amount with respect to the Offering Units pursuant to the terms of this Section 15.1.H; (y) the Partnership shall pay the Cash Amount with respect to the Excess Units pursuant to the terms of Section 15.1.A; or (z) the Special Limited Partner shall acquire the Excess Units in exchange for the REIT Shares Amount pursuant to the terms of Section 15.1.B, but only if the Tendering Party provides the General Partner with any representations or undertakings which the Special Limited Partner has determined, in its sole and absolute discretion, are sufficient to prevent a violation of the Charter. The General Partner and the Special Limited Partner must provide notice of their exercise of the election described in clause (x) above to purchase the Tendered Units through a Stock Offering Funding on or before the Cut-Off Date.

 

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(b) If the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner elect a Stock Offering Funding with respect to a Notice of Redemption, the General Partner may give notice (a “ Single Funding Notice ”) of such election to all Limited Partners and require that all Limited Partners elect whether or not to effect a Redemption to be funded through such Stock Offering Funding. If a Limited Partner elects to effect such a Redemption, it shall give notice thereof and of the number of Common Units to be made subject thereto in writing to the General Partner within 10 Business Days after receipt of the Single Funding Notice, and such Limited Partner shall be treated as a Tendering Party for all purposes of this Section 15.1.H.

(2) If the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner elect a Stock Offering Funding, on the Specified Redemption Date, the Partnership shall redeem each Offering Unit that is still a Tendered Unit on such date for cash in immediately available funds in an amount (the “ Stock Offering Funding Amount ”) equal to the net proceeds per Offered Share received by the Special Limited Partner from the Stock Offering Funding, determined after deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions but no other expenses of the Special Limited Partner or any other Limited Partner related thereto, including without limitation, legal and accounting fees and expenses, SEC registration fees, state blue sky and securities laws fees and expenses, printing expenses, FINRA filing fees, exchange listing fees and other out of pocket expenses (the “ Net Proceeds ”).

(3) If the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner elect a Stock Offering Funding, the following additional terms and conditions shall apply:

(a) As soon as practicable after the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner elect to effect a Stock Offering Funding, the Special Limited Partner shall use its reasonable efforts to effect as promptly as possible a registration, qualification or compliance (including, without limitation, the execution of an undertaking to file post-effective amendments, appropriate qualifications under applicable blue sky or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance with applicable regulations issued under the Securities Act and any other governmental requirements or regulations) as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of the Offered Shares; provided , that, if the Special Limited Partner shall deliver a certificate to the Tendering Party stating that the Special Limited Partner has determined in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Special Limited Partner that such filing, registration or qualification would require disclosure of material non-public information, the disclosure of which would have a material adverse effect on the Special Limited Partner, then the Special Limited Partner may delay making any filing or delay the effectiveness of any registration or qualification for the shorter of (a) the period ending on the date upon which such information is disclosed to the public or ceases to be material or (b) an aggregate period of ninety (90) days in connection with any Stock Offering Funding.

(b) The Special Limited Partner shall advise each Tendering Party, regularly and promptly upon any request, of the status of the Stock Offering Funding process, including the timing of all filings, the selection of and understandings with underwriters, agents, dealers and brokers, the nature and contents of all communications with the SEC and other governmental bodies, the expenses related to the Stock Offering Funding as they are being incurred, the nature of marketing activities, and any other matters reasonably related to the timing, price and expenses relating to the Stock Offering Funding and the compliance by the Special Limited Partner with its obligations with respect thereto. The Special Limited Partner will have reasonable procedures whereby the Tendering Party with the largest number of Offered Units (the “ Lead Tendering Party ”) may represent all the Tendering Parties in connection with the Stock Offering Funding by allowing it to participate in meetings with the underwriters of the Stock Offering Funding. In addition, the Special Limited Partner and each Tendering Party may, but shall be under no obligation to, enter into understandings in writing (“ Pricing Agreements ”) whereby the Tendering Party will agree in advance as to the acceptability of a Net Proceeds amount at or below a specified amount. Furthermore, the Special Limited Partner shall establish pricing notification procedures with each such Tendering Party, such that the Tendering Partner will have the maximum opportunity practicable to determine whether to become a Withdrawing Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.H(3)(c) below.

 

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(c) The Special Limited Partner will permit the Lead Tendering Party to participate in the pricing discussions for the Stock Offering Funding and, upon notification of the price per REIT Share in the Stock Offering Funding from the managing underwriter(s), in the case of a registered public offering, or lead placement agent(s), in the event of an unregistered offering, engaged by the Special Limited Party in order to sell the Offered Shares, shall immediately use its reasonable efforts to notify each Tendering Party of the price per REIT Share in the Stock Offering Funding and resulting Net Proceeds. Each Tendering Party shall have one hour from the receipt of such written notice (as such time may be extended by the Special Limited Partner) to elect to withdraw its Redemption (a Tendering Party making such an election being a “ Withdrawing Partner ”), and Partnership Common Units with a REIT Shares Amount equal to such excluded Offered Shares shall be considered to be withdrawn from the related Redemption; provided , however , that the Special Limited Partner shall keep each of the Tendering Parties reasonably informed as to the likely timing of delivery of its notice. If a Tendering Party, within such time period, does not notify the Special Limited Partner of such Tendering Party’s election not to become a Withdrawing Partner, then such Tendering Party shall, except as otherwise provided in a Pricing Agreement, be deemed not to have withdrawn from the Redemption, without liability to the Special Limited Partner. To the extent that the Special Limited Partner is unable to notify any Tendering Party, such unnotified Tendering Party shall, except as otherwise provided in any Pricing Agreement, be deemed not to have elected to become a Withdrawing Partner. Each Tendering Party whose Redemption is being funded through the Stock Offering Funding who does not become a Withdrawing Partner shall have the right, subject to the approval of the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) and restrictions of any applicable securities laws, to submit for Redemption additional Partnership Common Units in a number no greater than the number of Partnership Common Units withdrawn. If more than one Tendering Party so elects to redeem additional Partnership Common Units, then such Partnership Common Units shall be redeemed on a pro rata basis, based on the number of additional Partnership Common Units sought to be so redeemed.

(d) The Special Limited Partner shall take all reasonable action in order to effectuate the sale of the Offered Shares including, but not limited to, the entering into of an underwriting or placement agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) selected for such underwriting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) advises the Special Limited Partner in writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be offered, then the Special Limited Partner shall so advise all Tendering Parties and the number of Partnership Common Units to be sold to the Special Limited Partner pursuant to the Redemption shall be allocated among all Tendering Parties in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective number of Partnership Common Units as to which each Tendering Party elected to effect a Redemption. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Special Limited Partner is also offering to sell shares for purposes other than to fund the redemption of Offering Units and to pay related expenses, then those other shares may in the Special Limited Partner’s sole discretion be given priority over any shares to be sold in the Stock Offering Funding, and any shares to be sold in the Stock Offering Funding shall be removed from the offering prior to removing shares the proceeds of which would be used for other purposes of the Special Limited Partners. No Offered Shares excluded from the underwriting by reason of the managing underwriter’s or placement agent’s marketing limitation shall be included in such offering.

Section 15.2 Addresses and Notice . Any notice, demand, request or report required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee 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 or electronic communication (including by telecopy, facsimile, electronic mail or commercial courier service) to the Partner, or Assignee at the address for such Partner set forth in the Register, or such other address of which the Partner shall notify the General Partner in accordance with this Section 15.2.

 

54


Section 15.3 Titles and Captions . All article or Section titles or captions in this Agreement are for convenience only. They shall not be deemed part of this Agreement and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof. Except as specifically provided otherwise, references to “Articles” or “Sections” are to Articles and Sections of this Agreement.

Section 15.4 Pronouns and Plurals . Whenever the context may require, any pronouns 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.

Section 15.5 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 15.6 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 15.7 Waiver .

A. 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 or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

B. The restrictions, conditions and other limitations on the rights and benefits of the Limited Partners contained in this Agreement, and the duties, covenants and other requirements of performance or notice by the Limited Partners, are for the benefit of the Partnership and, except for an obligation to pay money to the Partnership, may be waived or relinquished by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, on behalf of the Partnership in one or more instances from time to time and at any time; provided , however , that any such waiver or relinquishment may not be made if it would have the effect of (i) creating liability for any other Limited Partner, (ii) causing the Partnership to cease to qualify as a limited partnership, (iii) reducing the amount of cash otherwise distributable to the Limited Partners (other than any such reduction that affects all of the Limited Partners holding the same class or series of Partnership Units on a uniform or pro rata basis, if approved by a Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners holding such class or series of Partnership Units), (iv) resulting in the classification of the Partnership as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation or (v) violating the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state “blue sky” or other securities laws; provided , further , that any waiver relating to compliance with the Ownership Limit or other restrictions in the Charter shall be made and shall be effective only as provided in the Charter.

Section 15.8 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one 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.

Section 15.9 Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial .

A. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any non-mandatory provision of the Act, the provisions of this Agreement shall control and take precedence.

B. Each Partner hereby (i) submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the State of Delaware (collectively, the “ Delaware Courts ”), with respect to any dispute arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby to the extent such courts would have subject matter jurisdiction with respect to such dispute, (ii) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense, or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of any of the Delaware Courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the action is brought in an inconvenient forum, or that the venue of the action is improper, (iii) agrees that notice or the service of process in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be properly served or delivered if delivered to such Partner at such Partner’s last known address as set forth in the Partnership’s books and records, and

 

55


(iv) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 15.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains all of the understandings and agreements between and among the Partners with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and the rights, interests and obligations of the Partners with respect to the Partnership. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any Partnership Unit Designation to the contrary, including any provisions relating to amending this Agreement, the Partners hereby acknowledge and agree that the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partner, may enter into side letters or similar written agreements with Limited Partners that are not Affiliates of the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, executed contemporaneously with the admission of such Limited Partner to the Partnership, which may have the effect of establishing rights under, or altering or supplementing the terms of, this Agreement or any Partnership Unit Designation, as negotiated with such Limited Partner and which the General Partner in its sole discretion deems necessary, desirable or appropriate. The parties hereto agree that any terms, conditions or provisions contained in such side letters or similar written agreements with a Limited Partner shall govern with respect to such Limited Partner notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 15.11 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 15.12 Limitation to Preserve REIT Status . Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, with respect to any period in which the Special Limited Partner has elected to be treated as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes, to the extent that the amount paid, credited, distributed or reimbursed by the Partnership to any REIT Partner or its officers, directors, employees or agents, whether as a reimbursement, fee, expense or indemnity (a “ REIT Payment ”), would constitute gross income to the REIT Partner for purposes of Code Section 856(c)(2) or Code Section 856(c)(3), then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of such REIT Payments, as selected by the General Partner in its discretion from among items of potential distribution, reimbursement, fees, expenses and indemnities, shall be reduced for any Partnership Year so that the REIT Payments, as so reduced, for or with respect to such REIT Partner shall not exceed the lesser of:

(i) an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) four and nine-tenths percent (4.9%) of the REIT Partner’s total gross income (but excluding the amount of any REIT Payments) for the Partnership Year that is described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(2) over (b) the amount of gross income (within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(2)) derived by the REIT Partner from sources other than those described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(2) (but not including the amount of any REIT Payments); or

(ii) an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) twenty-four percent (24%) of the REIT Partner’s total gross income (but excluding the amount of any REIT Payments) for the Partnership Year that is described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(3) over (b) the amount of gross income (within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(3)) derived by the REIT Partner from sources other than those described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(3) (but not including the amount of any REIT Payments);

provided , however , that REIT Payments in excess of the amounts set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above may be made if the General Partner, as a condition precedent, obtains an opinion of tax counsel that the receipt of such excess amounts should not adversely affect the REIT Partner’s ability to qualify as a REIT. To the extent that REIT Payments may not be made in a Partnership Year as a consequence of the limitations set forth in this Section 15.12, such REIT Payments shall carry over and shall be treated as arising in the following Partnership Year if such carry over does not adversely affect the REIT Partner’s ability to qualify as a REIT. The purpose of the limitations contained in this Section 15.12 is to prevent any REIT Partner from failing to qualify as a REIT under the Code by reason of such REIT Partner’s share of items, including distributions, reimbursements, fees, expenses or indemnities, receivable directly or indirectly from the Partnership, and this Section 15.12 shall be interpreted and applied to effectuate such purpose.

 

56


Section 15.13 REIT Restrictions . Each Affiliated REIT is a REIT and is subject to the provisions of Sections 856 through and including 860 of the Code. So long as an Affiliated REIT owns, directly or indirectly, any interest in the Partnership, then notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:

(i) any services that would otherwise cause any rents from a lease to be excluded from treatment as rents from real property pursuant to Section 856(d)(2)(C) of the Code shall be provided by either (1) an independent contractor (as described in Section 856(d)(3) of the Code) with respect to such Affiliated REIT and from whom neither the Partnership nor such Affiliated REIT derives or receives any income or (2) a taxable REIT subsidiary of such Affiliated REIT as described in Section 856(l) of the Code;

(ii) except for a taxable REIT subsidiary of an Affiliated REIT, the Partnership shall not own, directly or indirectly or by attribution (in accordance with attribution rules referred to in Section 856(d)(5) of the Code), in the aggregate more than 10% of the total value of all classes of stock or more than 10% of the total voting power (or, with respect to any such person which is not a corporation, an interest of 10% or more in the assets or net profits of such person) of a lessee or sublessee of all or any part of the Property or of any other assets of the Partnership except in each case with the specific written approval of each Affiliated REIT;

(iii) except for securities of a taxable REIT subsidiary of an Affiliated REIT, the Partnership shall not own or acquire, directly or indirectly or by attribution, more than 10% of the total value or the total voting power of the outstanding securities of any issuer or own any other asset (including a security) which would cause the Affiliated REIT to fail the asset test of Section 856(c)(4)(B) of the Code; and

(iv) leases entered into by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiary partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies shall provide for rents that qualify as “rents from real property” within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code with respect to each Affiliated REIT.

Section 15.14 No Partition . No Partner nor any successor-in-interest to a Partner shall have the right while this Agreement remains in effect to have any property of the Partnership partitioned, or to file a complaint or institute any proceeding at law or in equity to have such property of the Partnership partitioned, and each Partner, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns hereby waives any such right. It is the intention of the Partners that the rights of the parties hereto and their successors-in-interest to Partnership property, as among themselves, shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement, and that the rights of the Partners and their respective successors-in-interest shall be subject to the limitations and restrictions as set forth in this Agreement.

Section 15.15 No Third-Party Rights Created Hereby . The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the purpose of defining the interests of the Holders, inter se ; and no other person, firm or entity ( i.e. , a party who is not a signatory hereto or a permitted successor to such signatory hereto) shall have any right, power, title or interest by way of subrogation or otherwise, in and to the rights, powers, title and provisions of this Agreement. No creditor or other third party having dealings with the Partnership (other than as expressly set forth herein with respect to Indemnitees) shall have the right to enforce the right or obligation of any Partner to make Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership or to pursue any other right or remedy hereunder or at law or in equity. None of the rights or obligations of the Partners herein set forth to make Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership shall be deemed an asset of the Partnership for any purpose by any creditor or other third party, nor may any such rights or obligations be sold, Transferred or assigned by the Partnership or pledged or encumbered by the Partnership to secure any debt or other obligation of the Partnership or any of the Partners.

Section 15.16 No Rights as Stockholders . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring upon the Holders of Partnership Units any rights whatsoever as stockholders of the Special Limited Partner, including without limitation any right to receive dividends or other distributions made to stockholders of the Special Limited Partner or to vote or to consent or receive notice as stockholders in respect of any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of the Special Limited Partner or any other matter.

 

57


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
CARETRUST GP, LLC
By:   CARETRUST REIT, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: Gregory K. Stapley
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
SPECIAL LIMITED PARTNER:
CARETRUST REIT, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: Gregory K. Stapley
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT A: EXAMPLES REGARDING ADJUSTMENT FACTOR

For purposes of the following examples, it is assumed that (a) the Adjustment Factor in effect on December 31, 2014 is 1.0 and (b) on January 1, 2015 (the “ Partnership Record Date ” for purposes of these examples), prior to the events described in the examples, there are 100 REIT Shares issued and outstanding.

Example 1

On the Partnership Record Date, the Special Limited Partner declares a dividend on its outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares. The amount of the dividend is one REIT Share paid in respect of each REIT Share owned. Pursuant to Paragraph (i) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted on the Partnership Record Date, effective immediately after the stock dividend is declared, as follows:

1.0 * 200/100 = 2.0

Accordingly, the Adjustment Factor after the stock dividend is declared is 2.0.

Example 2

On the Partnership Record Date, the Special Limited Partner distributes options to purchase REIT Shares to all holders of its REIT Shares. The amount of the distribution is one option to acquire one REIT Share in respect of each REIT Share owned. The strike price is $4.00 a share. The Value of a REIT Share on the Partnership Record Date is $5.00 per share. Pursuant to Paragraph (ii) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted on the Partnership Record Date, effective immediately after the options are distributed, as follows:

1.0 * (100 + 100)/(100 + [100 * $4.00/$5.00]) = 1.1111

Accordingly, the Adjustment Factor after the options are distributed is 1.1111. If the options expire or become no longer exercisable, then the retroactive adjustment specified in Paragraph (ii) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor” shall apply.

Example 3

On the Partnership Record Date, the Special Limited Partner distributes assets to all holders of its REIT Shares. The amount of the distribution is one asset with a fair market value (as determined by the General Partner) of $1.00 in respect of each REIT Share owned. It is also assumed that the assets do not relate to assets received by the General Partner pursuant to a pro rata distribution by the Partnership. The Value of a REIT Share on the Partnership Record Date is $5.00 a share. Pursuant to Paragraph (iii) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted on the Partnership Record Date, effective immediately after the assets are distributed, as follows:

1.0 * $5.00/($5.00 – $1.00) = 1.25

Accordingly, the Adjustment Factor after the assets are distributed is 1.25.

 

59


EXHIBIT B: NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

CareTrust GP, LLC

27101 Puerta Real, Ste. 450

Mission Viejo, California 92691

The undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee hereby irrevocably tenders for Redemption Partnership Common Units in CareTrust Partnership, L.P. in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CareTrust Partnership, L.P., dated as of             , 2014, as amended (the “ Agreement ”), and the Redemption rights referred to therein. All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement. The undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee:

(a) undertakes (i) to surrender such Partnership Common Units at the closing of the Redemption and (ii) to furnish to the Special Limited Partner, prior to the Specified Redemption Date, the documentation, instruments and information required under Section 15.1.G of the Agreement;

(b) directs that the certified check representing the Cash Amount, or the REIT Shares Amount, as applicable, deliverable upon the closing of such Redemption be delivered to the address specified below;

(c) represents, warrants, certifies and agrees that: (i) the undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee is a Qualifying Party; (ii) the undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee has, and at the closing of the Redemption will have, good, marketable and unencumbered title to such Partnership Common Units, free and clear of the rights or interests of any other person or entity; (iii) the undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee has, and at the closing of the Redemption will have, the full right, power and authority to tender and surrender such Common Units as provided herein; (iv) the undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee, and the tender and surrender of such Common Units for Redemption as provided herein complies with all conditions and requirements for redemption of Partnership Common Units set forth in the Agreement; and (v) the undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee has obtained the consent or approval of all persons and entities, if any, having the right to consent to or approve such tender and surrender; and

(d) acknowledges that the undersigned will continue to own such Partnership Common Units unless and until either (1) such Partnership Common Units are acquired by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B of the Agreement or (2) such redemption transaction closes.

 

Dated:  

 

 

 

Name of Limited Partner or Assignee:

 

Signature of Limited Partner or Assignee

 

Street Address

 

City, State and Zip Code

 

Social security or identifying number
Signature Medallion Guaranteed by:

 

Issue Check Payable to (or shares in the name of):

 

 

60

Table of Contents

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

MASTER LEASE

Between

THE ENTITIES IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE 1 HERETO,

collectively, as “Landlord”

and

THE ENTITIES IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE 2 HERETO,

collectively, as “Tenant”

                 , 2013

 

 

[Facility Address/Description of Lease Pool]


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page No .  

Article I MASTER LEASE; DEFINITIONS; PREMISES; TERM

     1   

1.1

 

Recognition of Master Lease; Irrevocable Waiver of Certain Rights

     1   

1.2

 

Definitions

     2   

1.3

 

Lease of Premises; Ownership

     2   

1.4

 

Term

     2   

1.5

 

Net Lease

     2   

Article II RENT

     3   

2.1

 

Base Rent

     3   

2.2

 

Additional Rent

     3   

2.3

 

Method of Payment

     3   

2.4

 

Late Payment of Rent

     3   

2.5

 

Guaranty

     4   

Article III IMPOSITIONS AND OTHER CHARGES

     4   

3.1

 

Impositions

     4   

3.2

 

Utilities; CC&Rs

     5   

3.3

 

Insurance

     5   

3.4

 

Other Charges

     5   

3.5

 

Real Property Imposition Impounds

     5   

3.6

 

Insurance Premium Impounds

     6   

Article IV ACCEPTANCE OF PREMISES; NO IMPAIRMENT

     6   

4.1

 

Acceptance of Premises

     6   

4.2

 

No Impairment

     6   

Article V OPERATING COVENANTS

     7   

5.1

 

Tenant Personal Property

     7   

5.2

 

Landlord Personal Property

     7   

5.3

 

Primary Intended Use

     7   

5.4

 

Compliance with Legal Requirements and Authorizations

     7   

5.5

 

Preservation of Business

     8   

5.6

 

Maintenance of Books and Records

     8   

5.7

 

Financial, Management and Regulatory Reports

     8   

5.8

 

Estoppel Certificates

     9   

5.9

 

Furnish Information

     9   

5.10

 

    Affiliate Transactions

     9   

5.11

 

    Waste

     9   

5.12

 

    Additional Covenants

     9   

5.13

 

    No Liens

     10   

Article VI MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

     10   

6.1

 

Tenant’s Maintenance Obligation

     10   

 

(i)


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page No .  

6.2

 

Premises Condition Report

     10   

6.3

 

Notice of Non-Responsibility

     11   

6.4

 

Permitted Alterations

     11   

6.5

 

Capital and Material Alterations

     12   

6.6

 

Maintenance and Repairs

     12   

6.7

 

Additional Improvement Funds

     13   

6.8

 

Encroachments

     14   

Article VII PERMITTED CONTESTS

     15   

Article VIII INSURANCE

     15   

8.1

 

Required Policies

     15   

8.2

 

General Insurance Requirements

     16   

8.3

 

Replacement Costs

     17   

8.4

 

Claims-Made Policies

     18   

8.5

 

Non-Renewal

     18   

8.6

 

Deductibles

     18   

8.7

 

Increase in Limits; Types of Coverages

     18   

8.8

 

No Separate Insurance

     19   

Article IX REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     19   

9.1

 

General

     19   

9.2

 

Anti-Terrorism Representations

     19   

9.3

 

Additional Representations and Warranties

     20   

Article X DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION

     20   

10.1

 

Notice of Damage or Destruction

     20   

10.2

 

Restoration

     21   

10.3

 

Insufficient or Excess Proceeds

     21   

10.4

 

Facility Mortgagee

     21   

Article XI CONDEMNATION

     22   

Article XII DEFAULT

     23   

12.1

 

Events of Default

     23   

12.2

 

Remedies

     25   

Article XIII OBLIGATIONS OF TENANT ON EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF LEASE

     28   

13.1

 

Surrender

     28   

13.2

 

Transition

     28   

13.3

 

Tenant Personal Property

     30   

13.4

 

Facility Trade Name

     30   

13.5

 

Holding Over

     30   

Article XIV INDEMNIFICATION

     30   

 

(ii)


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page No .  

Article XV LANDLORD’S FINANCING

     31   

15.1

 

Grant Lien

     31   

15.2

 

Attornment

     31   

15.3

 

Cooperation; Modifications

     31   

15.4

 

Compliance with Facility Mortgage Documents

     32   

Article XVI ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING

     33   

16.1

 

Prohibition

     33   

16.2

 

Landlord Consent

     33   

16.3

 

Transfers to Affiliates

     34   

16.4

 

Permitted Occupancy Agreements

     34   

16.5

 

Costs

     34   

Article XVII CERTAIN RIGHTS OF LANDLORD

     34   

17.1

 

Right of Entry

     34   

17.2

 

Conveyance by Landlord

     34   

17.3

 

Granting of Easements, etc

     34   

Article XVIII ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

     35   

18.1

 

Hazardous Materials

     35   

18.2

 

Notices

     35   

18.3

 

Remediation

     35   

18.4

 

Indemnity

     35   

18.5

 

Environmental Inspections

     35   

Article XIX RESERVED

     36   

Article XX QUIET ENJOYMENT

     36   

Article XXI REIT RESTRICTIONS

     36   

21.1

 

General REIT Provisions

     36   

21.2

 

Characterization of Rents

     36   

21.3

 

Prohibited Transactions

     36   

21.4

 

Personal Property REIT Requirements

     37   

Article XXII NOTICES

     37   

Article XXIII DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     37   

Article XXIV MISCELLANEOUS

     38   

24.1

 

Memorandum of Lease

     38   

24.2

 

No Merger

     38   

24.3

 

No Waiver

     38   

24.4

 

Acceptance of Surrender

     38   

24.5

 

Attorneys’ Fees

     38   

24.6

 

Brokers

     38   

 

(iii)


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page No .  

24.7

 

Severability

     38   

24.8

 

Non-Recourse

     38   

24.9

 

Successors and Assigns

     38   

24.10

 

Governing Law; Jury Waiver

     39   

24.11

 

Entire Agreement

     39   

24.12

 

Headings

     39   

24.13

 

Counterparts

     39   

24.14

 

Joint and Several

     39   

24.15

 

Interpretation

     39   

24.16

 

Time of Essence

     39   

24.17

 

Further Assurances

     40   

24.18

 

California Specific Provisions

     40   

 

EXHIBITS/SCHEDULES

  
Exhibit A  

Defined Terms

     Exhibit A-1   
Exhibit B  

Description of the Land

     Exhibit B-1   
Exhibit C  

The Landlord Personal Property

     Exhibit C   
Exhibit D  

Financial, Management and Regulatory Reports

     Exhibit D   
Exhibit E  

Fair Market Value

     Exhibit E-1   
Schedule 1  

LANDLORD ENTITIES

     Schedule 1   
Schedule 2  

TENANT ENTITIES; FACILITY INFORMATION

     Schedule 2   
Schedule 3  

TENANT OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE

     Schedule 3   
Schedule 4  

FORM OF REQUEST FOR ADVANCE

     Schedule 4   

 

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MASTER LEASE

THIS MASTER LEASE (this “ Lease ”) is entered into as of              , 20      , by and among each of the entities identified on Schedule 1 (collectively, “ Landlord ”), and each of the entities identified as “Tenant” on Schedule 2 (individually and collectively, “ Tenant ”).

RECITALS

A. Landlord desires to lease the Premises to Tenant and Tenant desires to lease the Premises from Landlord upon the terms set forth in this Lease.

B. Pursuant to that certain Guaranty of Master Lease dated of even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Guaranty ”), Guarantor has agreed to guaranty the obligations of each of the entities comprising Tenant under this Lease.

C. A list of the Facilities covered by this Lease is attached hereto as Schedule 2 .

NOW, THEREFORE , for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

MASTER LEASE; DEFINITIONS; PREMISES; TERM

1.1 Recognition of Master Lease; Irrevocable Waiver of Certain Rights . Tenant and Landlord each acknowledges and agrees that this Lease constitutes a single, indivisible lease of the entire Premises, and the Premises constitutes a single economic unit. The Base Rent, Additional Rent, other amounts payable hereunder and all other provisions contained herein have been negotiated and agreed upon based on the intent to lease the entirety of the Premises as a single and inseparable transaction, and such Base Rent, Additional Rent, other amounts and other provisions would have been materially different had the parties intended to enter into separate leases or a divisible lease. Any Event of Default under this Lease shall constitute an Event of Default as to the entire Premises. Each of the entities comprising Tenant and Guarantor, in order to induce Landlord to enter into this Lease, to the extent permitted by law:

(a) Agrees, acknowledges and is forever estopped from asserting to the contrary that the statements set forth in the first sentence of this Section are true, correct and complete;

(b) Agrees, acknowledges and is forever estopped from asserting to the contrary that this Lease is a new and de novo lease, separate and distinct from any other lease between any of the entities comprising Tenant and any of the entities comprising Landlord that may have existed prior to the date hereof;

(c) Agrees, acknowledges and is forever estopped from asserting to the contrary that this Lease is a single lease pursuant to which the collective Premises are demised as a whole to Tenant;

(d) Agrees, acknowledges and is forever estopped from asserting to the contrary that if, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, this Lease were to be determined or found to be in any proceeding, action or arbitration under state or federal bankruptcy, insolvency, debtor-relief or other applicable laws to constitute multiple leases demising multiple properties, such multiple leases could not, by the debtor, trustee, or any other party, be selectively or individually assumed, rejected or assigned; and

 

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(e) Forever knowingly waives and relinquishes any and all rights under or benefits of the provisions of the Federal Bankruptcy Code Section 365 (11 U.S.C. § 365), or any successor or replacement thereof or any analogous state law, to selectively or individually assume, reject or assign the multiple leases comprising this Lease following a determination or finding in the nature of that described in the foregoing Section  1.1(d).

1.2 Definitions . Certain initially-capitalized terms used in this Lease are defined in Exhibit A . All accounting terms not otherwise defined in this Lease have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP.

1.3 Lease of Premises; Ownership .

1.3.1 Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Lease, Landlord hereby leases to Tenant and Tenant leases from Landlord all of Landlord’s rights and interest in and to the Premises.

1.3.2 Tenant acknowledges that the Premises are the property of Landlord and that Tenant has only the right to the possession and use of the Premises upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Lease. Tenant will not, at any time during the Term, take any position, whether in any tax return, public filing, contractual arrangement, financial statement or otherwise, other than that Landlord is the owner of the Premises for federal, state and local income tax purposes and that this Lease is a “true lease”.

1.4 Term . The initial term of this Lease (the “Initial Term” ) shall be for the period commencing as of                      (the “Commencement Date” ) and expiring at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the calendar month in which the                      (          ) anniversary of the Commencement Date occurs (the “Initial Expiration Date” ). The term of this Lease may be extended for                      (          ) separate terms of five (5) years each (each, an “Extension Term” ) if: (a) at least twelve (12), but not more than twenty-four (24) months prior to the end of the then current Term, Tenant delivers to Landlord a written notice (an “Extension Notice” ) that it desires to exercise its right to extend the Term for one (1) Extension Term; and (b) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date Landlord receives the Extension Notice or on the last day of the then current Term. During any such Extension Term, except as otherwise specifically provided for herein, all of the terms and conditions of this Lease shall remain in full force and effect. Once delivered to Landlord, an Extension Notice shall be irrevocable.

1.5 Net Lease . This Lease is intended to be and shall be construed as an absolutely net lease, commonly referred to as a “net, net, net” or “triple net” lease, pursuant to which Landlord shall not, under any circumstances or conditions, whether presently existing or hereafter arising, and whether foreseen or unforeseen by the parties, be required to make any payment or expenditure of any kind whatsoever or be under any other obligation or liability whatsoever, except as expressly set forth herein, in connection with the Premises. All Rent payments shall be absolutely net to Landlord, free of all Impositions, utility charges, operating expenses, insurance premiums or any other charges or expenses in connection with the Premises, all of which shall be paid by Tenant.

 

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ARTICLE II

RENT

2.1 Base Rent . During the Term, Tenant will pay to Landlord as base rent hereunder (the “ Base Rent ”), an annual amount equal to                      Dollars ($                      ). Notwithstanding the foregoing, on the first day of the third (3 rd ) Lease Year and the first day of each Lease Year thereafter during the Term (including, without limitation, during any Extension Term), the Base Rent shall increase to an annual amount equal to the sum of (a) the Base Rent for the immediately preceding Lease Year, and (b) the Base Rent for the immediately preceding Lease Year multiplied by the Adjusted CPI Increase. The Base Rent shall be payable in advance in twelve (12) equal monthly installments on or before the first (1 st ) Business Day of each calendar month; provided, however, the Base Rent attributable to the first (1 st ) full calendar month of the Term and the calendar month in which the Commencement Date occurs, which may be a partial month, shall be payable on the Commencement Date. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Base Rent shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 6.7.

2.2 Additional Rent . In addition to the Base Rent, Tenant shall also pay and discharge as and when due and payable all other amounts, liabilities and obligations which Tenant assumes or agrees to pay under this Lease. In the event of any failure on the part of Tenant to pay any of those items referred to in the previous sentence, Tenant will also promptly pay and discharge every fine, penalty, interest and cost which may be added for non-payment or late payment of the same. Collectively, the items referred to in the first two sentences of this Section 2.2 are referred to as “ Additional Rent .” Except as may otherwise be set forth herein, any costs or expenses paid or incurred by Landlord on behalf of Tenant that constitute Additional Rent shall be reimbursed by Tenant to Landlord within ten (10) days after the presentation by Landlord to Tenant of invoices therefor.

2.3 Method of Payment . All Rent payable hereunder shall be paid in lawful money of the United States of America. Except as may otherwise be specifically set forth herein, Rent shall be prorated as to any partial months at the beginning and end of the Term. Rent to be paid to Landlord shall be paid by electronic funds transfer debit transactions through wire transfer of immediately available funds and shall be initiated by Tenant for settlement on or before the Payment Date; provided , however , if the Payment Date is not a Business Day, then settlement shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day. If Landlord directs Tenant to pay any Base Rent to any party other than Landlord, Tenant shall send to Landlord, simultaneously with such payment, a copy of the transmittal letter or invoice and a check whereby such payment is made or such other evidence of payment as Landlord may reasonably require.

2.4 Late Payment of Rent . Tenant hereby acknowledges that the late payment of Rent will cause Landlord to incur costs not contemplated hereunder, the exact amount of which is presently anticipated to be extremely difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, if any installment of Rent other than Additional Rent payable to a Person other than Landlord (or a Facility Mortgagee) shall not be paid within five (5) days of its Payment Date, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, on demand, a late charge equal to the lesser of (a) five percent (5%) of the amount of such installment or (b) the maximum amount permitted by law. The parties agree that this late charge represents a fair and reasonable estimate of the costs that Landlord will incur by reason of late payment by Tenant. The parties further agree that such late charge is Rent and not interest and such assessment does not constitute a lender or borrower/creditor relationship between Landlord and Tenant. In addition, if any installment of Rent other than Additional Rent payable to a Person other than Landlord (or a Facility Mortgagee) shall not be paid within ten (10) days after its Payment Date, the amount unpaid, including any late charges, shall bear interest at the Agreed Rate compounded monthly from such Payment Date to the date of payment thereof, and Tenant shall pay such interest to Landlord on demand. The payment of such late charge or such interest shall neither constitute waiver of nor excuse or cure any default under this Lease, nor prevent Landlord from exercising any other rights and remedies available to Landlord.

 

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2.5 Guaranty . Tenant’s obligations under this Lease are guaranteed by The Ensign Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such guarantor, together with its successors and assigns, are herein referred to, individually and collectively, as “ Guarantor ”) pursuant to the Guaranty.

ARTICLE III

IMPOSITIONS AND OTHER CHARGES

3.1 Impositions .

3.1.1 Subject to Section 3.5, Tenant shall pay all Impositions attributable to a tax period, or portion thereof, occurring during the Term (irrespective of whether the Impositions for such tax period are due and payable after the Term), when due and before any fine, penalty, premium, interest or other cost may be added for non-payment. Where feasible, such payments shall be made directly to the taxing authorities. If any such Imposition may, at the option of the taxpayer, lawfully be paid in installments (whether or not interest shall accrue on the unpaid balance of such Imposition), Tenant may exercise the option to pay same (and any accrued interest on the unpaid balance of such Imposition) in installments (provided no such installments shall extend beyond the Term) and, in such event, shall pay such installments during the Term before any fine, penalty, premium, further interest or cost may be added thereto. Tenant shall deliver to Landlord, not less than five (5) days prior to the due date of each Imposition, copies of the invoice for such Imposition, the check delivered for payment thereof and an original receipt evidencing such payment or other proof of payment satisfactory to Landlord.

3.1.2 Notwithstanding Section 3.1.1 to the contrary, Landlord may elect to pay those Impositions, if any, based on Landlord’s net income, gross receipts, franchise taxes and taxes on its capital stock directly to the taxing authority and within ten (10) Business Days of Landlord delivering to Tenant notice and evidence of such payment, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for such paid Impositions. In connection with such Impositions, Tenant shall, upon request of Landlord, promptly provide to Landlord such data as is maintained by Tenant with respect to any Facility as may be necessary to prepare any returns and reports to be filed in connection therewith.

3.1.3 Tenant shall prepare and file all tax returns and reports as may be required by Legal Requirements with respect to or relating to all Impositions (other than those Impositions, if any, based on Landlord’s net income, gross receipts, franchise taxes and taxes on its capital stock).

3.1.4 Tenant may, upon notice to Landlord, at Tenant’s option and at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, protest, appeal or institute such other proceedings as Tenant may deem appropriate to effect a reduction of real estate or personal property assessments and Landlord, at Tenant’s expense, shall reasonably cooperate with Tenant in such protest, appeal or other action; provided, however, that upon Landlord’s request in connection with any such protest or appeal, Tenant shall post an adequate bond or deposit sufficient sums with Landlord to insure payment of any such real estate or personal property assessments during the pendency of any such protest or appeal.

3.1.5 Landlord or Landlord’s designee shall use reasonable efforts to give prompt notice to Tenant of all Impositions payable by Tenant hereunder of which Landlord at any time has knowledge, provided, however, that any failure by Landlord to provide such notice to Tenant shall in no way relieve Tenant of its obligation to timely pay the Impositions.

3.1.6 Impositions imposed or assessed in respect of the tax-fiscal period during which the Term terminates shall be adjusted and prorated between Landlord and Tenant, whether or not such Imposition is imposed or assessed before or after such termination, and Tenant’s obligation to pay its prorated share thereof shall survive such termination.

 

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3.2 Utilities; CC&Rs . Tenant shall pay any and all charges for electricity, power, gas, oil, water and other utilities used in connection with each Facility during the Term. Tenant shall also pay all costs and expenses of any kind whatsoever which may be imposed against Landlord during the Term by reason of any of the covenants, conditions and/or restrictions affecting any Facility or any portion thereof, or with respect to easements, licenses or other rights over, across or with respect to any adjacent or other property which benefits any Facility, including any and all costs and expenses associated with any utility, drainage and parking easements. If Landlord is billed directly for any of the foregoing costs, Landlord shall send Tenant the bill and Tenant shall pay the same before it is due.

3.3 Insurance . Subject to Section 3.6, Tenant shall pay or cause to be paid all premiums for the insurance coverage required to be maintained by Tenant hereunder.

3.4 Other Charges . Tenant shall pay all other amounts, liabilities, obligations, costs and expenses paid or incurred with respect to the ownership, repair, replacement, restoration, maintenance and operation of each Facility ( “Other Charges” ).

3.5 Real Property Imposition Impounds .

3.5.1 If required under the terms of any Facility Mortgage Document, or at Landlord’s option (to be exercised by thirty (30) days’ written notice to Tenant) following (i) the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, or (ii) following the occurrence of more than one (1) Event of Default in any twelve (12) month period and for the remainder of the Term, and provided Tenant is not already being required to impound such payments in accordance with the requirements of Section 15.4 below, Tenant shall be required to deposit, at the time of any payment of Base Rent, an amount equal to one-twelfth of Tenant’s estimated annual real and personal property taxes required pursuant to Section 3.1. Such amounts shall be applied to the payment of the obligations in respect of which said amounts were deposited in such order of priority as Landlord shall reasonably determine, on or before the respective dates on which the same or any of them would become delinquent. The reasonable cost of administering such impound account shall be paid by Tenant. Nothing in this Section 3.5.1 shall be deemed to affect any right or remedy of Landlord hereunder. If Landlord elects (to the extent permitted pursuant to this Section 3.5.1), to require Tenant to impound Real Property Impositions hereunder, Tenant shall, as soon as they are received, deliver to Landlord copies of all notices, demands, claims, bills and receipts in relation to the Real Property Impositions.

3.5.2 The sums deposited by Tenant under this Section 3.5 shall be held by Landlord, shall not bear interest nor be held by Landlord in trust or as an agent of Tenant, and may be commingled with the other assets of Landlord. Provided no Event of Default then exists and is continuing under this Lease, and provided that Tenant has timely delivered to Landlord copies of any bills, claims or notices that Tenant has received, the sums deposited by Tenant under this Section 3.5 shall be used by Landlord to pay Real Property Impositions as the same become due. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, Landlord may apply any funds held by it under this Section 3.5 to cure such Event of Default or on account of any damages suffered or incurred by Landlord in connection therewith or to any other obligations of Tenant arising under this Lease, in such order as Landlord in its discretion may determine.

3.5.3 If Landlord transfers this Lease, it shall transfer all amounts then held by it under this Section 3.5 to the transferee, and Landlord shall thereafter have no liability of any kind with respect thereto. As of the Expiration Date, any sums held by Landlord under this Section 3.5 shall be returned to Tenant provided that there is no Event of Default and provided that any and all Real Property Impositions due and owing hereunder have been paid in full.

 

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3.5.4 Notwithstanding anything herein which may be construed to the contrary, if Landlord elects (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 3.5.1) to require Tenant to impound Real Property Impositions hereunder, Landlord shall have no liability to Tenant for failing to pay any Real Property Impositions to the extent that: (a) any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) insufficient deposits under this Section 3.5 are held by Landlord at the time such Real Property Impositions become due and payable, or (c) Tenant has failed to provide Landlord with copies of the bills, notices, and claims for such Real Property Impositions as required pursuant to Section  3.5.1.

3.6 Insurance Premium Impounds . Without limiting or expanding Tenant’s obligation pursuant to Article 15, if required under the terms of any Facility Mortgage Document, or at Landlord’s option (to be exercised by thirty (30) days’ written notice to Tenant) following (i) the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, or (ii) following the occurrence of more than one (1) Event of Default in any twelve (12) month period and for the remainder of the Term, and provided Tenant is not already being required to impound such payments in accordance with the requirements of Section 15.4 below, Tenant shall be required to deposit, at the time of any payment of Base Rent, an amount equal to one-twelfth of Tenant’s estimated annual insurance premiums required pursuant to Section 3.6 and Article VIII. Such amounts shall be applied to the payment of the obligations in respect of which said amounts were deposited in such order of priority as Landlord shall reasonably determine, on or before the respective dates on which the same or any of them would become delinquent. The reasonable cost of administering such impound account shall be paid by Tenant. Nothing in this Section 3.6 shall be deemed to affect any right or remedy of Landlord hereunder. As applicable, the terms of Section 3.5 shall govern the amounts deposited under this Section  3.6.

ARTICLE IV

ACCEPTANCE OF PREMISES; NO IMPAIRMENT

4.1 Acceptance of Premises . Tenant acknowledges receipt and delivery of possession of the Premises and confirms that Tenant has examined and otherwise has knowledge of the condition of the Premises prior to the execution and delivery of this Lease and has found the same to be in good order and repair, free from Hazardous Materials not in compliance with applicable Hazardous Materials Laws and satisfactory for its purposes hereunder. Regardless, however, of any examination or inspection made by Tenant and whether or not any patent or latent defect or condition was revealed or discovered thereby, Tenant is leasing the Premises “as is” in its present condition. Tenant waives any claim or action against Landlord in respect of the condition of the Premises including any defects or adverse conditions not discovered or otherwise known by Tenant as of the Commencement Date. LANDLORD MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN RESPECT OF THE PREMISES, EITHER AS TO ITS FITNESS FOR USE, DESIGN OR CONDITION FOR ANY PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE, OR AS TO THE NATURE OR QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP THEREIN, OR THE EXISTENCE OF ANY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, IT BEING AGREED THAT ALL SUCH RISKS, LATENT OR PATENT, ARE TO BE BORNE SOLELY BY TENANT.

4.2 No Impairment . The respective obligations of Landlord and Tenant shall not be affected or impaired by reason of (a) any damage to, or destruction of, any Facility, from whatever cause, or any Condemnation of any Facility (except as otherwise expressly and specifically provided in Article X or Article XI); (b) the interruption or discontinuation of any service or utility servicing any Facility; (c) the lawful or unlawful prohibition of, or restriction upon, Tenant’s use of any Facility due to the interference with such use by any Person or eviction by paramount title; (d) any claim that Tenant has or might have against Landlord on account of any breach of warranty or default by Landlord under this Lease or any other agreement by which Landlord is bound; (e) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or other proceedings affecting Landlord or any assignee

 

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or transferee of Landlord; (f) any Licensing Impairment; or (g) for any other cause whether similar or dissimilar to any of the foregoing. Tenant hereby specifically waives all rights, arising from any occurrence whatsoever, which may now or hereafter be conferred upon it by law or equity (x) to modify, surrender or terminate this Lease or quit or surrender any Facility, or (y) that would entitle Tenant to any abatement, reduction, offset, suspension or deferment of Rent. The obligations of Landlord and Tenant hereunder shall be separate and independent covenants and agreements and Rent shall continue to be payable in all events until the termination of this Lease, other than by reason of an Event of Default. Tenant’s sole right to recover damages against Landlord under this Lease shall be to prove such damages in a separate action.

ARTICLE V

OPERATING COVENANTS

5.1 Tenant Personal Property . Tenant shall obtain and install all items of furniture, fixtures, supplies and equipment not included as Landlord Personal Property as shall be necessary or reasonably appropriate to operate each Facility in compliance with this Lease (the “ Tenant Personal Property ”).

5.2 Landlord Personal Property . Consistent with Tenant’s maintenance obligations hereunder, Tenant may, from time to time, in Tenant’s reasonable discretion, without notice to or approval of Landlord, sell or dispose of any item of the Landlord Personal Property; provided, however, that, unless such item is functionally obsolete, Tenant shall promptly replace such item with an item of similar or superior quality, use and functionality, and any such replacement item shall, for all purposes of this Lease, continue to be treated as part of the “Landlord Personal Property.” Tenant shall, promptly upon Landlord’s request from time to time, provide such information as Landlord may reasonably request relative to any sales, dispositions or replacements of the Landlord Personal Property pursuant to this Section 5.2 and shall provide to Landlord with an updated inventory of the Landlord Personal Property.

5.3 Primary Intended Use . During the entire Term, Tenant shall continually use each Facility for its Primary Intended Use (subject to Articles X and XI) and for no other use or purposes, and shall operate each Facility in a manner consistent with the Ordinary Course of Business.

5.4 Compliance with Legal Requirements and Authorizations .

5.4.1 Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall promptly (a) comply in all material respects with all Legal Requirements and Insurance Requirements regarding the use, condition and operation of each Facility and the Tenant Personal Property, and (b) procure, maintain and comply in all material respects with all Authorizations. The Authorizations for any Facility shall, to the maximum extent permitted by Legal Requirements, relate and apply exclusively to such Facility, and Tenant acknowledges and agrees that, subject to all applicable Legal Requirements, the Authorizations are appurtenant to the Facilities to which they apply, both during and following the termination or expiration of the Term.

5.4.2 Tenant and the Premises shall comply in all material respects with all licensing and other Legal Requirements applicable to the Premises and the business conducted thereon and, to the extent applicable, all Third Party Payor Program requirements. Further, Tenant shall not commit any act or omission that would in any way violate any certificate of occupancy affecting any Facility, result in closure of the Facility, result in the termination or suspension of Tenant’s ability to operate any Facility for its Primary Intended Use or result in the termination, suspension, non-renewal or other limitation of any Authorization, including, but not limited to, the authority to admit residents to any Facility or right to receive reimbursement for items or services provided at any Facility from any Third Party Payor Program.

 

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5.4.3 Tenant shall not transfer any Authorizations to any location other than the Facility operated by such Tenant or as otherwise required by the terms of this Lease nor pledge any Authorizations as collateral security for any loan or indebtedness except as required by the terms of this Lease.

5.5 Preservation of Business . Tenant acknowledges that the diversion of management or supervisory personnel, residents, patients or patient care activities from any Facility to other facilities owned or operated by Tenant, Guarantor, or any of their respective Affiliates will have a material adverse effect on the value and utility of such Facility. Therefore, Tenant agrees that during the Term and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, none of Tenant, Guarantor, nor any of their respective Affiliates shall, without the prior written consent of Landlord (which may not be unreasonably withheld), and except as is necessary for medically appropriate reasons: (i) recommend or solicit the removal or transfer of any resident or patient from any Facility to any other nursing, health care, senior housing, or retirement housing facility (excluding, however, any such facilities that are owned by Landlord (or any of its Affiliates) and leased to Tenant, Guarantor, or any of their respective Affiliates); or (ii) divert actual personnel, residents, patients or patient care activities of any Facility to any other facilities owned or operated by Tenant, Guarantor, or any of their respective Affiliates (excluding, however, any such facilities that are owned by Landlord (or any of its Affiliates) and leased to Tenant, Guarantor, or any of their respective Affiliates) or from which Tenant, Guarantor, or any of their respective Affiliates receive any type of referral fees or other compensation for transfers. In addition to the foregoing, during the Nonsolicitation Period, none of Tenant, Guarantor, nor any of their respective Affiliates shall directly or indirectly, induce any management or supervisory personnel working on or in connection with any Facility or the operations thereof to accept employment at any other nursing, health care, senior housing, or retirement housing facility that is operated, owned, developed, leased, managed, controlled, or invested in by Tenant, Guarantor, or any of their respective Affiliates or in which Tenant, Guarantor, or any of their respective Affiliates otherwise participates in or receives revenues from; provided that advertisements and similar announcements by Tenant seeking employees that are not directed solely to the Facility’s management and supervisory personnel but rather to the public at large or to members of a trade organization or industry or through advertisements in newspapers, periodicals or the media in general shall not be deemed to be an inducement or prohibited hereunder. The obligations of Tenant and Guarantor under this Section 5.5 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

5.6 Maintenance of Books and Records . Tenant shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, proper and accurate books and records in accordance with GAAP, and a standard modern system of accounting, in all material respects reflecting the financial affairs of Tenant and the results from operations of each Facility, individually and collectively. Landlord shall have the right, from time to time during normal business hours after three (3) Business Days prior oral or written notice to Tenant, itself or through any of Landlord’s Representatives, to examine and audit such books and records at the office of Tenant or other Person maintaining such books and records and to make such copies or extracts thereof as Landlord or Landlord’s Representatives shall request and Tenant hereby agrees to reasonably cooperate with any such examination or audit at Tenant’s cost and expense.

5.7 Financial, Management and Regulatory Reports . Tenant shall provide Landlord with the reports listed in Exhibit D within the applicable time specified therein. All financial information provided shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP and shall be submitted electronically using the applicable template provided by Landlord from time to time or, if no such template is provided by Landlord, in the form of unrestricted, unlocked “.xls” spreadsheets created using Microsoft Excel (2003 or newer editions) or in such other form as Landlord may reasonably require from time to time. For so long as Tenant or any Guarantor is or becomes subject to any reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) during the Term, the timely filing of any such reports with the SEC and publication thereof by the SEC shall be deemed delivery to Landlord hereunder.

 

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5.7.1 In addition to the reports required under Section 5.7 above, upon Landlord’s request from time to time, Tenant shall provide Landlord with such additional information and unaudited quarterly financial information concerning each Facility, the operations thereof and Tenant and Guarantor as Landlord may require for purposes of securing financing for the Premises or its ongoing filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under both the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to, 10-Q Quarterly Reports, 10-K Annual Reports and registration statements to be filed by Landlord during the Term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Tenant nor Guarantor shall be required to disclose information that is material non-public information or is subject to the quality assurance immunity or is subject to attorney-client privilege or the attorney work product doctrine.

5.7.2 Tenant specifically agrees that Landlord may include Tenant’s financial information and such information concerning the operation of any Facility which does not violate the confidentiality of the facility-patient relationship and the physician-patient privilege under applicable laws, in Landlord’s public filings and informational publications, as necessary or prudent to comply with any reporting requirements under applicable federal or state laws, including those of any successor to Landlord.

5.8 Estoppel Certificates . Tenant shall, at any time upon not less than five (5) days prior written request by Landlord, have an authorized representative execute, acknowledge and deliver to Landlord or its designee a written statement certifying (a) that this Lease, together with any specified modifications, is in full force and effect, (b) the dates to which Rent and additional charges have been paid, (c) that no default by either party exists or specifying any such default and (d) as to such other matters as Landlord may reasonably request.

5.9 Furnish Information . Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord of any condition or event that constitutes a breach of any term, condition, warranty, representation, or provision of this Lease and of any adverse change in the financial condition of any Tenant or Guarantor and of any Event of Default.

5.10 Affiliate Transactions . No Tenant shall enter into, or be a party to, any transaction with an Affiliate of any Tenant or any of the partners, members or shareholders of any Tenant except in the Ordinary Course of Business and on terms that are fully disclosed to Landlord in advance and are no less favorable to any Tenant or such Affiliate than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with an unrelated third party; provided that this covenant shall not apply to or restrict guarantees by Tenant of debt financing issued or incurred by the Guarantor.

5.11 Waste . No Tenant shall commit or suffer to be committed any waste on any of the Premises, nor shall any Tenant cause or permit any nuisance thereon.

5.12 Additional Covenants . Tenant shall satisfy and comply with the following covenants throughout the Term:

5.12.1 Tenant shall not, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to (i) any Debt except for Permitted Debt; or (ii) any Contingent Obligations except for Permitted Contingent Obligations. Tenant shall not default on the payment of any Permitted Debt or Permitted Contingent Obligations.

5.12.2 Tenant shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) acquire or enter into any agreement to acquire any assets other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, or (ii) engage or enter into any agreement to engage in any joint venture or partnership with any other Person.

 

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5.12.3 Tenant shall not cancel or otherwise forgive or release any material claim or material debt owed to any Tenant by any Person, except for adequate consideration and in the Ordinary Course of Business. If any proceedings are filed seeking to enjoin or otherwise prevent or declare invalid or unlawful Tenant’s occupancy, maintenance, or operation of a Facility or any portion thereof for its Primary Intended Use, Tenant shall cause such proceedings to be vigorously contested in good faith, and shall, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, use all reasonable commercial efforts to bring about a favorable and speedy disposition of all such proceedings and any other proceedings.

5.12.4 Tenant shall maintain a Portfolio Coverage Ratio equal to or greater than the Minimum Rent Coverage Ratio.

5.12.5 After the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 12.1.1 or Section 12.1.16 arising as a result of a breach of Section 5.12.4 or, upon written notice from the Landlord, after the occurrence of any other Event of Default, and, in each case, until such Event of Default is cured, no Tenant shall make any payments or distributions (including salaries, bonuses, fees, principal, interest, dividends, liquidating distributions, management fees, cash flow distributions or lease payments) to any Guarantor or any Affiliate of any Tenant or any Guarantor, or any shareholder, member, partner or other equity interest holder of any Tenant, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of any Tenant or any Guarantor.

5.13 No Liens . Subject to the provisions of Article VII relating to permitted contests and excluding the applicable Permitted Encumbrances, Tenant will not directly or indirectly create or allow to remain and will promptly discharge at its expense any lien, encumbrance, attachment, title retention agreement or claim upon any Facility, this Lease or Tenant’s interest in any Facility or any attachment, levy, claim or encumbrance in respect of the Rent.

ARTICLE VI

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

6.1 Tenant’s Maintenance Obligation . Tenant shall (a) keep and maintain each Facility in good appearance, repair and condition, and maintain proper housekeeping, (b) promptly make all repairs (interior and exterior, structural and nonstructural, ordinary and extraordinary, foreseen and unforeseen) necessary to keep each Facility in good and lawful order and condition and in compliance with all Legal Requirements, Insurance Requirements and Authorizations and to maintain each Facility in a high quality operating and structural condition for use for its Primary Intended Use, and (c) keep and maintain all Landlord Personal Property and Tenant Personal Property in good condition and repair and replace such property consistent with prudent industry practice. All repairs performed by Tenant shall be done in a good and workmanlike manner. Landlord shall under no circumstances be required to repair, replace, build or rebuild any improvements on any Facility, or to make any repairs, replacements, alterations, restorations or renewals of any nature or description to any Facility, whether ordinary or extraordinary, structural or non-structural, foreseen or unforeseen, or to make any expenditure whatsoever with respect thereto, or to maintain any Facility in any way. Tenant hereby waives, to the extent permitted by law or any equitable principle, the right to make repairs at the expense of Landlord pursuant to any law currently in effect or hereafter enacted.

6.2 Premises Condition Report . Landlord, may from time to time and at Tenant’s sole expense (but, no more than once every twenty-four (24) months at Tenant’s expense, and in no event at a cost to Tenant in excess of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500) per inspection, with such amount to escalate annually during the Term and any Extension by the same method and at the same rate of increase as the Base Rent as set forth in Section 2.1), cause an engineer designated by Landlord, in its sole discretion, to inspect any Facility and issue a report (a “ Premises Condition Report ”) with respect to such Facility’s condition. Tenant shall, at its own expense, make any and all repairs or replacements that are recommended by such Premises Condition Report that relate to life safety or are otherwise required to be performed by Tenant under Section 6.1 above.

 

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6.3 Notice of Non-Responsibility . Nothing contained in this Lease and no action or inaction by Landlord shall be construed as (a) constituting the consent or request of Landlord, expressed or implied, to any contractor, subcontractor, laborer, materialman or vendor to or for the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property for the construction, alteration, addition, repair or demolition of or to any Facility or any part thereof; or (b) giving Tenant any right, power or permission to contract for or permit the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property in such fashion as would permit the making of any claim against Landlord in respect thereof or to make any agreement that may create, or in any way be the basis for, any right, title, interest, lien, claim or other encumbrance upon the estate of Landlord in any Facility or any portion thereof. Landlord may post, at Tenant’s sole cost, such notices of non-responsibility upon, or of record against, any Facility to prevent the lien of any contractor, subcontractor, laborer, materialman or vendor providing work, services or supplies to Tenant from attaching against such Facility. Tenant agrees to promptly execute and record any such notice of non-responsibility at Tenant’s sole cost.

6.4 Permitted Alterations . Without Landlord’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, Tenant shall not make any Capital Alterations or Material Alterations. Tenant may, without Landlord’s consent, make any other Alterations provided the same (a) do not decrease the value of the applicable Facility, (b) do not adversely affect the exterior appearance of such Facility and (c) are consistent in terms of style, quality and workmanship to the original Leased Improvements and Fixtures of such Facility, and provided further that the same are constructed and performed in accordance with the following:

6.4.1 Such construction shall not commence until Tenant shall have procured and paid for all municipal and other governmental permits and authorizations required therefor (as well as any permits or approvals required in connection with any Permitted Encumbrance of such Facility); provided, however, that any Plans and Specifications required to be filed in connection with any such permits or authorizations that require the approval of Landlord shall have been so approved by Landlord.

6.4.2 During and following completion of such construction, the parking that is located on the Land of such Facility shall remain adequate for the operation of such Facility for its Primary Intended Use and in no event shall such parking be less than what is required by any applicable Legal Requirements or was located on such Land prior to such construction.

6.4.3 All work done in connection with such construction shall be done promptly and in a good and workmanlike manner using materials of appropriate grade and quality consistent with the existing materials and in conformity with all Legal Requirements.

6.4.4 If, by reason of the construction of any Alteration, a new or revised certificate of occupancy for any component of such Facility is required, Tenant shall obtain such certificate in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements and furnish a copy of the same to Landlord promptly upon receipt thereof.

6.4.5 Upon completion of any Alteration, Tenant shall promptly deliver to Landlord final lien waivers from each and every general contractor and, with respect to Alterations costing in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), each and every subcontractor that provided goods or services costing in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in connection with such Alterations indicating that such contractor or subcontractor has been paid in full for such goods or services, together with such other evidence as Landlord may reasonably require to satisfy Landlord that no liens have been or may be created in connection with such Alteration.

 

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6.5 Capital and Material Alterations . If Landlord consents to the making of any Capital Alterations or Material Alterations, Landlord may impose commercially reasonable conditions thereon in connection with its approval thereof. In addition to any such imposed conditions, all such Alterations shall be constructed and performed in accordance with Sections 6.4.1 through 6.4.5 above, together with the following:

6.5.1 Prior to commencing any such Alterations, Tenant shall have submitted to Landlord a written proposal describing in reasonable detail such proposed Alteration and shall provide to Landlord for approval such plans and specifications, permits, licenses, construction budgets and other information (collectively, the “ Plans and Specifications ”) as Landlord shall request, showing in reasonable detail the scope and nature of the proposed Alteration.

6.5.2 Such construction shall not, and prior to commencement of such construction Tenant’s licensed architect or engineer (to the extent the services of a licensed architect or engineer are required in connection with such Alterations) shall certify to Landlord that such construction shall not, impair the structural strength of such Facility or overburden or impair the operating efficiency of the electrical, water, plumbing, HVAC or other building systems of such Facility.

6.5.3 Prior to commencing any such Alterations, Tenant’s licensed architect or engineer (to the extent the services of a licensed architect or engineer are required in connection with such Alterations) shall certify to Landlord that the Plans and Specifications conform to and comply with all applicable Legal Requirements and Authorizations.

6.5.4 Promptly following the completion of the construction of any such Alterations, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord: (a) “as built” drawings of any such Alterations included therein, if applicable, certified as accurate by the licensed architect or engineer selected by Tenant to supervise such work; and (b) a certificate from Tenant’s licensed architect or engineer certifying to Landlord that such Alterations have been completed in compliance with the Plans and Specifications and all applicable Legal Requirements.

6.6 Maintenance and Repairs .

6.6.1 With respect to each Facility, and without limiting Tenant’s obligations to maintain the Premises under this Lease, within sixty (60) days following the end of each Lease Year, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord a report (a “ Maintenance Expenditures Report ”), certified as true, correct and complete by an officer of Tenant, summarizing and describing in reasonable detail all of the Maintenance Expenditures made by Tenant during the preceding Lease Year on each Facility, and such receipts and other information as Landlord may reasonably request relative to the Maintenance Expenditures made by Tenant during the applicable Lease Year, in form and content satisfactory to Landlord in the reasonable exercise of Landlord’s discretion, confirming that Tenant has in such Lease Year spent, with respect to the Premises, at least an aggregate amount of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) per operational bed or unit, as applicable (the “Minimum Aggregate Maintenance Amount” ), minus the Overage Amount (as hereinafter defined), for repair and maintenance of the Facilities excluding normal janitorial and cleaning but including such expenditures to the Facilities and replacements to Landlord’s Personal Property at the Facilities as Tenant deems to be necessary in the exercise of its reasonable discretion. If Tenant fails in any Lease Year to expend the Minimum Aggregate Maintenance Amount minus the Overage Amount, and fails to either (i) cure such default within sixty (60) days after receipt of a written demand from Landlord, or (ii) obtain Landlord’s written approval, in its reasonable discretion, of a repair and maintenance program satisfactory to cure such deficiency, then the same shall be deemed an Event of Default hereunder. As used herein “Overage Amount” means the sum of amounts expended by Tenant pursuant to this Section 6.6.1 in the two (2) immediately preceding Lease Years in excess, if any, of the Minimum Aggregate Maintenance Amount for such prior Lease Years (excluding any such amounts that are financed by Tenant and secured by a lien on the personal property relating thereto).

 

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6.6.2 Tenant’s obligation to deliver the Maintenance Expenditures Report applicable to the last Lease Year shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease.

6.7 Additional Improvement Funds . In the event Tenant elects to make Capital Alterations at a Facility during a Lease Year in which Tenant has, for such Lease Year, made Maintenance Expenditures in excess of the applicable Minimum Aggregate Maintenance Amount minus the Overage Amount for such Facility, then Tenant may request, in writing, for Landlord to provide Tenant with funds (the “ Improvement Funds ”) for the cost to complete the Alterations to which said additional Capital Alterations apply. Landlord shall provide Tenant with such Improvement Funds subject to the following terms and conditions:

6.7.1 Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Landlord shall have no obligation to disburse Improvement Funds with respect to a Facility to the extent that disbursement of any such Improvement Funds would result in Landlord having disbursed Improvement Funds during the Term and with respect to such Facility in an aggregate amount exceeding the Facility Improvement Fund Cap applicable to such Facility.

6.7.2 In connection with any Alterations for which Improvement Funds are or may be requested by Tenant, Tenant shall comply with the provisions of Section 6.4 and, to the extent any such Alterations would constitute Capital Alterations or Material Alterations, Tenant shall comply with the provisions of Section 6.5. Prior to commencing any capital repairs or improvements for which Tenant will request disbursement of Improvement Funds, Tenant shall provide Landlord with such written documentation as may be reasonably requested by Landlord with respect to such capital repairs or improvements, which may include, without limitation, plans and specifications, budgets, a work completion schedule, copies of all permits required in connection with such capital repairs or improvements and the names of all contractors to be engaged by Tenant in connection therewith, together with evidence of insurance for each (in form, substance and amount reasonably required by Landlord), and Landlord shall have a reasonable period of time to review and approve the same. Landlord shall not be obligated to disburse the Improvement Funds for any Alterations until Landlord has approved such Alterations in writing, which approval: (i) with respect to any Alterations that are not Material Alterations or Capital Alterations, may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and (ii) with respect to any Alterations which are Capital Alterations or Material Alterations, may be granted, withheld or conditioned in Landlord’s sole and absolute discretion.

6.7.3 Tenant shall have the right to request disbursement of the Improvement Funds not more than once per calendar month, in increments of not less than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) (unless the disbursement is the final one for a particular project, in which case the full amount of such disbursement may be requested). All such disbursement requests shall be in writing and in the form of the request for advance contained in Schedule 4 attached hereto (“ Request for Advance ”) and shall be accompanied with (i) the following supporting documentation: (A) an itemized account of expenditures to be paid or reimbursed from the requested disbursement, certified by Tenant to be true and correct expenditures which have already been paid or are due and owing and for which no previous disbursement was made hereunder, and (B) copies of invoices or purchase orders from each payee with an identifying reference to the applicable vendor or supplier, which invoices or purchase orders shall support the full amount of costs contained in the requested disbursement; and (ii) mechanic’s lien waivers (conditional and unconditional, as applicable), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Landlord, in connection with any repairs, renovations or improvements in excess of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000)

 

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for which a mechanic’s lien may be filed. Landlord shall have the right to make payment directly to any or all applicable vendors or suppliers if so desired by Landlord. No failure by Landlord to insist on Tenant’s strict compliance with the provisions of this Section 6.7 with respect to any request for advance or disbursement of the Improvement Funds shall constitute a waiver or modification of such provisions with respect to any future or other request for advance or disbursement.

6.7.4 Landlord shall, within twenty (20) calendar days of Tenant’s delivery of a Request for Advance and compliance with the conditions for disbursement set forth in this Section 6.7, make disbursements of the requested Improvement Funds to pay or reimburse Tenant for the costs of the applicable capital repairs or improvements.

6.7.5 No Event of Default or event which, with the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default, including, without limitation, the recordation of any mechanic’s or other lien against the Premises (or any portion thereof) in connection with the capital repairs or improvements to be funded by the Improvement Funds, shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of any request for disbursement (or the date of disbursement) of the Improvement Funds.

6.7.6 All repairs or improvements funded with the Improvement Funds shall be completed in a good, workmanlike and lien-free manner pursuant to Plans and Specifications or other similar documents provided to and approved by Landlord as set forth above, subject to change orders made in the ordinary course of a project of the size and scope of the applicable capital repair or improvement and approved by Landlord (with respect to change orders in excess of $10,000). If any of such repairs or improvements is completed in a manner not in compliance with this Section 6.7 and the other applicable provisions of this Lease, Tenant shall, promptly after obtaining knowledge thereof or Landlord’s demand therefor, repair or remediate the applicable work to the extent necessary to attain such compliance at its sole cost and expense.

6.7.7 Each and every renovation or improvement funded by Landlord under this Section 6.7 shall immediately become a part of the Premises and shall belong to Landlord subject to the terms and conditions of this Lease.

6.7.8 No disbursement of the Improvement Funds shall be used to remedy any condition which constitutes a default by Tenant under the provisions of this Lease.

6.7.9 In connection with any request for Improvement Funds delivered to Landlord during the last five (5) years of the then Term, Landlord shall have no obligation to disburse any Improvement Funds with respect to any such request unless and until Tenant shall have delivered to Landlord an Extension Notice for the next applicable Extension Term, if any.

6.7.10 From and after the date of disbursement of any Improvement Funds by Landlord, the annual amount of Base Rent then payable under this Lease shall be increased by the product of: (i) the amount of the Improvement Funds disbursed by Landlord, and (ii) the then Improvement Fund Rate. Such increased Base Rent shall commence to be payable on the next Payment Date following disbursement of such Improvement Funds (together with any prorated portion of the Base Rent payable with respect to the month in which such Improvement Funds were advanced).

6.8 Encroachments . If any of the Leased Improvements of any Facility shall, at any time, encroach upon any property, street or right-of-way adjacent to such Facility, then, promptly upon the request of Landlord, Tenant shall, at its expense, subject to its right to contest the existence of any encroachment and, in such case, in the event of any adverse final determination, either (a) obtain valid waivers or settlements of all claims, liabilities and damages resulting from each such encroachment,

 

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whether the same shall affect Landlord or Tenant, or (b) make such changes in such Leased Improvements, and take such other actions, as Tenant, in the good faith exercise of its judgment, deems reasonably practicable, to remove such encroachment, including, if necessary, the alteration of any of such Leased Improvements, and in any event take all such actions as may be necessary to be able to continue the operation of such Leased Improvements for the Primary Intended Use of such Facility substantially in the manner and to the extent such Leased Improvements were operated prior to the assertion of such encroachment. Any such alteration shall be made in conformity with the applicable requirements of Sections 6.4 and 6.5.

ARTICLE VII

PERMITTED CONTESTS

Tenant, upon prior written notice to Landlord and at Tenant’s expense, may contest, by appropriate legal proceedings conducted in good faith and with due diligence, the amount, validity or application, in whole or in part, of any licensure or certification decision, Imposition, Legal Requirement, Insurance Requirement, lien, attachment, levy, encumbrance, charge or claim; provided, however, that (a) in the case of an unpaid Imposition, lien, attachment, levy, encumbrance, charge, or claim, the commencement and continuation of such proceedings shall suspend the collection thereof from Landlord and from the applicable Facility, (b) neither the applicable Facility nor any Rent therefrom nor any part thereof or interest therein would be reasonably likely to be in danger of being sold, forfeited, attached or lost pending the outcome of such proceedings, (c) in the case of a Legal Requirement, neither Landlord nor Tenant would be in any danger of civil or criminal liability for failure to comply therewith pending the outcome of such proceedings; (d) Tenant shall give such security as may be demanded by Landlord to insure ultimate payment of, or compliance with, the same and to prevent any sale or forfeiture (or risk thereof) of the applicable Facility or the Rent by reason of such non-payment or non-compliance; (e) in the case of the contest of an Insurance Requirement, the coverage required by Article VIII shall be maintained, and (f) if such contest is resolved against Landlord or Tenant, Tenant shall pay to the appropriate payee the amount required to be paid, together with all interest and penalties accrued thereon, and otherwise comply with the applicable Legal Requirement or Insurance Requirement. Landlord, at Tenant’s expense, shall execute and deliver to Tenant such authorizations and other documents as may reasonably be required in any such contest, and, if reasonably requested by Tenant or if Landlord so desires, shall join as a party therein. The provisions of this Article VII shall not be construed to permit Tenant to contest the payment of Rent or any other amount payable by Tenant to Landlord hereunder. Tenant shall indemnify, defend, protect and hold harmless Landlord from and against any Losses of any kind that may be imposed upon Landlord in connection with any such contest and any Losses resulting therefrom and the provisions of this Article VII shall survive the termination or expiration of this Lease.

ARTICLE VIII

INSURANCE

8.1 Required Policies . During the Term, Tenant shall maintain the following insurance with respect to each Facility at its sole cost and expense:

8.1.1 Fire and Extended Coverage against loss or damage by fire, vandalism and malicious mischief, extended coverage perils commonly known as “Special Risk,” and all physical loss perils normally included in such Special Risk insurance, including but not limited to sprinkler leakage and windstorm, all with an aggregate loss limit per occurrence of not less than Four Hundred Million Dollars ($400,000,000) and coverage for flood (only if such Facility is located in whole or in part within a designated 100-year flood plain area and such coverage is available at commercially reasonable premiums) with an aggregate loss limit per occurrence of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000);

 

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8.1.2 If such Facility contains steam boilers, pressure vessels or similar apparatus, insurance with an agreed amount endorsement (such that the insurance carrier has accepted the amount of coverage and has agreed that there will be no co-insurance penalty), covering the major components of the central heating, air conditioning and ventilating systems, boilers, other pressure vessels, high pressure piping and machinery, elevators and escalators, if any, and other similar equipment installed in such Facility, which policy shall insure against physical damage to and loss of occupancy and use of such Facility arising out of an accident, explosion, or breakdown covered thereunder all with an aggregate loss limit per occurrence of not less than Four Hundred Million Dollars ($400,000,000);

8.1.3 If there is any storage tank, whether above ground or below ground, located at such Facility, whether or not in use, Storage Tank Insurance affording the parties protection of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence and in the annual aggregate;

8.1.4 Business Interruption and Extra Expense Coverage for loss of business income on an actual loss sustained basis for no less than twelve (12) months, including either an agreed amount endorsement or a waiver of any co-insurance provisions, so as to prevent Tenant, Landlord and any other insured thereunder from being a co-insurer, and containing an extended period indemnity endorsement that provides that the continued loss of business income will be insured until such income returns to the same level it was prior to the loss or the expiration of not fewer than six (6) months after the date of the completed repairs all with an aggregate loss limit per occurrence of not less than Four Hundred Million Dollars ($400,000,000);

8.1.5 Commercial General Liability Coverage (including products and completed operations liability and broad form coverage, broad form property damage, blanket contractual liability, independent contractors liability, personal injury and advertising injury coverage) against claims for bodily injury, death, medical expenses, property damage occurring on, in or about such Facility, affording the parties protection of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per claim and Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) in the annual aggregate;

8.1.6 Professional Liability Coverage for damages for injury, death, loss of service or otherwise on account of professional services rendered or which should have been rendered, in a minimum amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per claim and Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) in the annual aggregate;

8.1.7 Worker’s Compensation Coverage for injuries sustained by Tenant’s employees in the course of their employment and otherwise consistent with all applicable Legal Requirements and employer’s liability coverage with limits of not less than $1,000,000 each accident, One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) bodily injury due to disease each employee and One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) policy limit; and

8.1.8 During such time as Tenant is constructing any improvements, Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall carry, or cause to be carried (a) a completed operations endorsement to the commercial general liability insurance policy referred to above, (b) builder’s risk insurance, completed value form, covering all physical loss, in an amount and subject to policy conditions satisfactory to Landlord, and (c) such other insurance, in such amounts, as Landlord deems necessary to protect Landlord’s interest in the Premises from any act or omission of Tenant’s contractors or subcontractors.

8.2 General Insurance Requirements .

8.2.1 All of the policies of insurance required to be maintained by Tenant under this Article VIII shall (a) be written in form satisfactory to Landlord and any Facility Mortgage and issued by

 

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insurance companies (i) with a policyholder and financial rating of not less than “A-”/“X” in the most recent version of Best’s Key Rating Guide and (ii) authorized to do insurance business in the applicable Situs State; (b) include a waiver of all rights of subrogation and recovery against Landlord.

8.2.2 All liability type policies (with the exception of Tenant’s workers’ compensation/employer’s liability insurance and professional liability insurance) must name Landlord as an “additional insured.” All property policies shall name Landlord as “loss payee.” All business interruption policies shall name Landlord as “loss payee” with respect to Rent only. Losses shall be payable to Landlord and/or Tenant as provided herein. In addition, the policies, as appropriate, shall name as an “additional insured” or “loss payee” any Facility Mortgagee by way of a standard form of mortgagee’s loss payable endorsement. Any loss adjustment shall require the written consent of Landlord, Tenant, and each Facility Mortgagee unless the amount of the loss is less than $100,000 in which event no consent shall be required.

8.2.3 Tenant shall provide Landlord copies of the original policies or a satisfactory ACORD evidencing the existence of the insurance required by this Lease and showing the interest of Landlord (and any Facility Mortgagee(s)) prior to the commencement of the Term or, for a renewal policy, not less than ten (10) days prior to the expiration date of the policy being renewed. If Landlord is provided with an ACORD certificate, it may demand that Tenant provide a complete copy of the related policy within ten (10) days of the later of Landlord’s written request or the date of the issuance of the policy.

8.2.4 Tenant’s obligations to carry the insurance provided for herein may be brought within the coverage of a so-called “blanket” policy or policies of insurance carried and maintained by Tenant; provided, however, that the coverage afforded Landlord will not be reduced or diminished or otherwise be materially different from that which would exist under a separate policy meeting all other requirements hereof by reason of the use of the blanket policy, and provided further that the requirements of this Article VIII (including satisfaction of the Facility Mortgagee’s requirements and the approval of the Facility Mortgagee) are otherwise satisfied, and provided further that Tenant maintains specific allocations acceptable to Landlord.

8.2.5 Each insurer under the insurance policies maintained by Tenant pursuant to this Article VIII shall agree, by endorsement on the policy or policies issued by it, or by independent instrument furnished to Landlord, that it will give to Landlord thirty (30) days’ written notice before the policy or policies in question shall be altered or cancelled except in the event of nonpayment of premiums in which case each insurer shall provide ten (10) days’ written notice before the policy or policies in question shall be altered or cancelled.

8.3 Replacement Costs . The term “replacement cost” shall mean the actual replacement cost of the insured property from time to time with new materials and workmanship of like kind and quality (including the cost of compliance with changes in zoning and building codes and other laws and regulations, demolition and debris removal and increased cost of construction). If Landlord believes that the replacement cost has increased at any time during the Term, it shall have the right to have such replacement cost redetermined by an impartial national insurance company reasonably acceptable to both parties (the “impartial appraiser”). The determination of the impartial appraiser shall be final and binding, and, as necessary, Tenant shall increase, but not decrease, the amount of the insurance carried pursuant to this Article VIII to the amount so determined by the impartial appraiser. Each party shall pay one-half (1/2) of the fee, if any, of the impartial appraiser. If Tenant has made Alterations, Landlord may at Tenant’s expense have the replacement cost redetermined at any time after such Alterations are made.

 

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8.4 Claims-Made Policies . If Tenant obtains and maintains the commercial general liability coverage and/or professional liability coverage described in Sections 8.1.5 and 8.1.6 above on a “claims-made” basis, Tenant shall provide continuous liability coverage for claims arising during the Term and providing for an extended reporting period reasonably acceptable to Landlord for a minimum of two (2) years after expiration of the Term. If such policy is canceled or not renewed for any reason whatsoever, Tenant must provide evidence of a replacement policy reflecting coverage with retroactive coverage back to the commencement date of the term and maintain such coverage for a period of at least two (2) years beyond the expiration of the Term or Tenant must obtain tail coverage for the length of the remaining term plus at least two (2)  years beyond the expiration of the Term.

8.5 Non-Renewal . If Tenant fails to cause the insurance required under Article VIII to be issued in the names herein called for, fails to pay the premiums therefor or fails to deliver such policies or certificates thereof to Landlord, at the times required, Landlord shall be entitled, but shall have no obligation, to obtain such insurance and pay the premiums therefor, in which event the cost thereof, together with interest thereon at the Agreed Rate, shall be repayable to Landlord upon demand therefor.

8.6 Deductibles . Deductibles/self-insured retentions for the insurance policies required under this Article VIII shall not be greater than $2,000,000;.

8.7 Increase in Limits; Types of Coverages . If, from time to time after the Commencement Date, Landlord determines in the exercise of its commercially reasonable judgment that the limits of the insurance required to be maintained by Tenant hereunder are no longer commensurate to the limits being regularly required by institutional landlords of similar properties in the applicable Situs State or their institutional lenders or that a particular type of insurance coverage is being regularly required by institutional landlords of similar properties in the applicable Situs State or their institutional lenders and is not then required hereunder, Landlord may notify Tenant of the same, indicating the particular limit or type of coverage that Landlord has determined should be increased or carried by Tenant, as applicable. Unless Tenant, in the exercise of its commercially reasonable judgment, objects to Landlord’s determination, then within thirty (30) days after the receipt of such notice, Tenant shall thereafter increase the particular limit or obtain the particular coverage, as applicable, unless and until further modified pursuant to the provisions of this Section 8.7. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Landlord shall not request a modification of the insurance requirements of this Lease more frequently than once every three (3) years. If Tenant, in the exercise of its commercially reasonable judgment, objects to Landlord’s determination made under this Section 8.7 and Landlord and Tenant are unable to agree upon the matter within fifteen (15) days of Tenant’s receipt of the applicable notice from Landlord, such determination shall be made by a reputable insurance company, consultant or expert (an “ Insurance Arbitrator ”) with experience in the skilled nursing and/or assisted living insurance industry as mutually identified by Landlord and Tenant in the exercise of their reasonable judgment. As a condition to a determination of commercial reasonableness with respect to any particular matter, the Insurance Arbitrator shall be capable of providing, procuring or identifying particular policies or coverages that would be available to Tenant and would satisfy the requirement in issue. The determinations made by any such experts shall be binding on Landlord and Tenant for purposes of this Section 8.7, and the costs, fees and expenses of the same shall be shared equally by Tenant and Landlord. If Tenant and Landlord are unable to mutually agree upon an Insurance Arbitrator, each party shall within ten (10) days after written demand by the other select one Insurance Arbitrator. Within ten (10) days of such selection, the Insurance Arbitrators so selected by the parties shall select a third (3 rd ) Insurance Arbitrator who shall be solely responsible for rendering a final determination with respect to the insurance requirement in issue. If either party fails to select an Insurance Arbitrator within the time period set forth above, the Insurance Arbitrator selected by the other party shall alone render the final determination with respect to the insurance requirement in issue in accordance with the foregoing provisions and such final determination shall be binding upon the parties. If the Insurance Arbitrators selected by the parties are unable to agree upon a third (3 rd ) Insurance Arbitrator within the time period set

 

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forth above, either party shall have the right to apply at Tenant’s and Landlord’s joint expense to the presiding judge of the court of original trial jurisdiction in the county in which any Facility is located to name the third (3 rd )  Insurance Arbitrator.

8.8 No Separate Insurance . Tenant shall not, on Tenant’s own initiative or pursuant to the request or requirement of any third party, (a) take out separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required in this Article VIII to be furnished by, or which may reasonably be required to be furnished by, Tenant or (b) increase the amounts of any then existing insurance by securing an additional policy or additional policies, unless all parties having an insurable interest in the subject matter of the insurance, including in all cases Landlord and all Facility Mortgagees, are included therein as additional insureds and the loss is payable under such insurance in the same manner as losses are payable under this Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit Tenant from insuring against risks not required to be insured hereby, and as to such insurance, Landlord and any Facility Mortgagee need not be included therein as additional insureds, nor must the loss thereunder be payable in the same manner as losses are payable hereunder except to the extent required to avoid a default under the Facility Mortgage.

ARTICLE IX

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

9.1 General . Each party represents and warrants to the other that: (a) this Lease and all other documents executed or to be executed by it in connection herewith have been duly authorized and shall be binding upon it; (b) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its formation and is duly authorized and qualified to perform this Lease within the applicable Situs State; and (c) neither this Lease nor any other document executed or to be executed in connection herewith violates the terms of any other agreement of such party.

9.2 Anti-Terrorism Representations .

9.2.1 Tenant hereby represents and warrants that neither Tenant, nor any persons or entities holding any legal or beneficial interest whatsoever in Tenant, are (a) the target of any sanctions program that is established by Executive Order of the President or published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury (“ OFAC ”); (b) designated by the President or OFAC pursuant to the Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. § 5, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701-06, the Patriot Act, Public Law 107-56, Executive Order 13224 (September 23, 2001) or any Executive Order of the President issued pursuant to such statutes; or (c) named on the following list that is published by OFAC: “List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” (collectively, “ Prohibited Persons ”). Tenant hereby represents and warrants to Landlord that no funds tendered to Landlord by Tenant under the terms of this Lease are or will be directly or indirectly derived from activities that may contravene U.S. federal, state or international laws and regulations, including anti-money laundering laws. If the foregoing representations are untrue at any time during the Term, an Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred, without the necessity of notice to Tenant.

9.2.2 Tenant will not during the Term of this Lease engage in any transactions or dealings, or be otherwise associated with, any Prohibited Persons in connection with the use or occupancy of the Premises. A breach of the representations contained in this Section 9.2 by Tenant shall constitute a material breach of this Lease and shall entitle Landlord to any and all remedies available hereunder, or at law or in equity.

 

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9.3 Additional Representations and Warranties . To induce Landlord to execute this Lease and perform its obligations hereunder, Tenant hereby represents and warrants to Lender that the following are true and correct as of the Commencement Date:

9.3.1 No consent or approval of, or filing, registration or qualification with any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained or completed by Tenant or any Affiliate in connection with the execution, delivery, or performance of this Lease that has not already been obtained or completed.

9.3.2 The identity of the holders of the partnership or membership interests or shares of stock, as applicable, in Tenant and their respective percentage of ownership as of the Commencement Date are set forth on Schedule 3 . No partnership or limited liability company interests, or shares of stock, in Tenant, other than those described above, are issued and outstanding. There are no preemptive or other outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion rights or similar agreements or understandings for the purchase or acquisition from Tenant of any partnership or limited liability company interest of or shares of stock in Tenant except as may be set forth in Tenant’s organizational and formation documents, complete, true and accurate copies of which have been provided to Landlord.

9.3.3 Neither Tenant nor Guarantor is insolvent and there has been no Bankruptcy Action by or against any of them. Tenant’s assets do not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry out its business as conducted or as proposed to be conducted.

9.3.4 All financial statements and other documents and information previously furnished by or on behalf of any Tenant or Guarantor to Landlord in connection with the Facilities and this Lease are true, complete and correct in all material respects and fairly present on a consistent basis with the financial conditions of the subjects thereof for the immediately prior periods as of the respective dates thereof and do not fail to state any material fact necessary to make such statements or information not misleading, and no material adverse change with respect to any Facility, Tenant or Guarantor has occurred since the respective dates of such statements and information. Neither Tenant nor any Guarantor has any material liability, contingent or otherwise, not disclosed in such financial statements and which is required to be disclosed in such financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

9.3.5 Tenant has each Authorization and other rights from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all applicable Governmental Authorities, all self-regulatory authorities and all courts and other tribunals necessary to engage in the management and operation of the Facilities for the Primary Intended Use. No Governmental Authority is, to Tenant’s knowledge, considering limiting, suspending or revoking any such Authorization. All such Authorizations are valid and in full force and effect and Tenant is in material compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Authorizations.

ARTICLE X

DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION

10.1 Notice of Damage or Destruction . Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord of any damage or destruction of any Facility in excess of $250,000. Said notification shall include: (a) the date of the damage or destruction and the Facility or Facilities damaged, (b) the nature of the damage or destruction together with a description of the extent of such damage or destruction, (c) a preliminary estimate of the cost to repair, rebuild, restore or replace the Facility, and (d) a preliminary estimate of the schedule to complete the repair, rebuilding, restoration or replacement of the Facility. Damage or destruction shall not terminate this Lease.

 

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10.2 Restoration . Tenant shall diligently repair or reconstruct any Facility that has been damaged or destroyed to a like or better condition than existed prior to such damage or destruction in accordance with Section 6.5; provided however, that in the event any Capital Alterations made and funded solely by Tenant are damaged or destroyed, Tenant shall have the option to either repair or replace such Capital Alterations or to remove the same and restore the Facility to substantially the same condition as existed prior to the making of such Capital Alterations. Any net insurance proceeds payable with respect to such damage or destruction shall be paid directly to Landlord and; provided Tenant is diligently performing the restoration and repair work with respect to such Facility and no Event of Default has occurred hereunder, shall be used for the repair or reconstruction of such Facility. Landlord shall disburse any such net insurance proceeds as and when required by Tenant in accordance with normal and customary practice for the payment of a general contractor in connection with construction projects similar in scope and nature to the work being performed by or on behalf of Tenant, including, without limitation, the withholding of ten percent (10%) of each disbursement until the required work is completed as evidenced by a certificate of occupancy or similar evidence issued upon an inspection by the applicable Governmental Authority and proof has been furnished to Landlord that no lien has attached or will attach to the applicable Facility in connection with the restoration and repair work.

10.3 Insufficient Proceeds . If the net insurance proceeds paid to Landlord in connection with any such damage or destruction are insufficient to restore the affected Facilit(ies), Tenant shall nevertheless remain responsible, at its sole cost and expense, to repair and reconstruct the applicable Facilit(ies) as required in this Article X and Tenant shall provide the required additional funds. Tenant expressly assumes all risk of loss in connection with any damage or destruction to a Facility, whether or not such damage or destruction is insurable or insured against. Tenant shall pay any insurance deductible and any other uninsured Losses. Proceeds of business interruption or similar insurance, if any, shall belong to Tenant, provided that such proceeds shall be used in the first instance to timely pay Base Rent and otherwise satisfy Tenant’s obligations under this Lease, and notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, Tenant shall not have any right under this Lease, and hereby waives all rights under applicable law, to abate, reduce, or offset rent by reason of any damage or destruction of any Facility by reason of an insured or uninsured casualty.

10.4 Facility Mortgagee . Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, Tenant hereby acknowledges and agrees that any Facility Mortgagee may retain and disburse any net insurance proceeds payable in connection with any damage or destruction to a Facility. In such event, Tenant shall comply with the requests and requirements of such Facility Mortgagee in connection with the performance of the repair and restoration work and the disbursement of the net insurance proceeds in connection therewith. If, in connection with any damage or destruction to a Facility that results in the loss of fifty percent (50%) or more of the licensed beds (in the case of a skilled nursing facility) or units (in the case of an assisted or independent living facility) at the affected Facility or that would cost more than fifty percent (50%) of the value of such Facility to restore, any Facility Mortgagee elects to require that any net insurance proceeds payable in connection with such damage or destruction to a Facility be applied by Landlord to reduce the outstanding principal balance of any Facility Mortgage, Landlord may elect, in its sole discretion and by notice to Tenant delivered promptly after the receipt by Landlord of notice of such election from Facility Mortgagee, to terminate this Lease as to the affected Facility, in which event the current Rent shall be equitably abated as of the effective date of such termination based on the allocable share of Landlord’s initial investment in the Premises to the affected Facility. Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, Tenant shall remain liable for any uninsured portion of any damage or destruction if this Lease is so terminated as to the applicable Facility. If Landlord elects not to terminate this Lease as to the affected Facility (despite the applicable Facility Mortgagee having made the election to require that any net insurance proceeds payable in connection with such damage or destruction to a Facility be applied by Landlord to reduce the outstanding principal balance of such Facility Mortgage), Landlord’s own funds shall be disbursed to Tenant from time to time as, when, and subject to the satisfaction of the same terms, conditions and requirements as would have governed the disbursement of net insurance proceeds that Landlord’s funds replace.

 

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10.5 Impossibility; Tenant’s Obligations Following Casualty. Following a casualty loss, if Tenant cannot within a reasonable time after diligent efforts obtain the necessary government approvals needed to restore such Facility to substantially the same condition which existed prior to such damage (the “Required Reconstruction Approvals” ), then Tenant shall pay to Landlord an amount (the “Compensatory Payment” ) equal to the greater of (a) the sum of: (i) the Fair Market Value of the affected Facility immediately before such damage or destruction less (ii) the Fair Market Value of the affected Facility immediately after such damage or destruction (the “Post-Casualty Facility” ) less (iii) any insurance proceeds received by Landlord, or (b) (i) 89.95% of the Fair Market Value of the Premises as of the Commencement Date less (B) the sum of the present value of (1) the Base Rent and (2) Additional Rent paid to Landlord and not passed through to a third party, received by Landlord as of the Occurrence Date (determined using a discount rate of              percent (      %) per annum) less (iii) any insurance proceeds received by Landlord. Unless, within nine (9) months following the date of any applicable casualty, Tenant has provided Landlord with satisfactory evidence that it has obtained, or is in the process of and continuing to diligently obtain, the Required Reconstruction Approvals, Tenant shall be deemed to be unable to secure the Required Reconstruction Approvals and to be obligated to make the Compensatory Payment to Landlord (the “Compensatory Payment Date” ). Landlord shall have a period of three (3) months after the Compensatory Payment Date to attempt to sell the affected Facility to an independent third party in an arms-length transaction and the gross purchase price payable to Landlord in connection with such transaction shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the Post-Casualty Facility (a “Casualty Sale” ). In the event a Casualty Sale occurs within such three (3) month period, Landlord shall provide Tenant with notice of the closing thereof and a written demand for the Compensatory Payment setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation thereof (the “Compensatory Payment Statement” ). In the event a Casualty Sale does not occur within such three (3) month period, then the Fair Market Value of the Post-Casualty Facility shall be determined in the manner otherwise set forth in this Lease. The Compensatory Payment shall be due and payable thirty (30) days after the later of (i) Tenant’s receipt of the Compensatory Payment Statement or (ii) the date of determination of the Fair Market Value of the Post-Casualty Facility. Upon Landlord’s receipt of the Compensatory Payment (or upon the occurrence of a Casualty Sale, if earlier), this Lease shall terminate as to the affected Facility and Tenant shall have no further rights or obligations with respect thereto.

ARTICLE XI

CONDEMNATION

Except as provided to the contrary in this Article XI, a Condemnation of any Facility or any portion thereof shall not terminate this Lease, which shall remain in full force and effect, and Tenant hereby waives all rights under applicable law to abate, reduce or offset Rent by reason of any such Condemnation. Following a Complete Taking of any Facility, Tenant may at its election, made within thirty (30) days of the effective date of such Complete Taking, terminate this Lease with respect to such Facility and the current Rent shall be equitably abated as of the effective date of such termination based on the allocable share of Landlord’s initial investment in the Premises to the Facility subject to the Complete Taking. Following a Partial Taking of any Facility, the Rent shall be abated to the same extent as the resulting diminution in the Fair Market Value of such Facility and, as necessary (as reasonably determined by Landlord), Tenant at its sole cost shall restore such Facility in accordance with Section 6.5. Landlord alone shall be entitled to receive and retain any award for a Condemnation other than a Temporary Taking; provided , however , Tenant shall be entitled to submit its own claim in the event of any such Condemnation with respect to the relocation costs incurred by Tenant as a result thereof. In the event of a Temporary Taking of any Facility, Tenant shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all awards for the Temporary Taking; provided, however, that Base Rent shall not be abated during the period of such Temporary Taking.

 

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ARTICLE XII

DEFAULT

12.1 Events of Default . The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an “ Event of Default ” and there shall be no cure period therefor except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 12.1:

12.1.1 Tenant shall fail to pay any installment of Rent within five (5) calendar days of its Payment Date;

12.1.2 (a) The revocation or termination of any Authorization that would have a material adverse effect on the operation of any Facility for its Primary Intended Use; (b) except as permitted pursuant to the terms of Article X or Article XI in connection with a casualty or Condemnation, the voluntarily cessation of operations at any Facility for a period in excess of 30 days; (c) the sale or transfer of all or any portion of any Authorization; or (d) the use of any Facility other than for its Primary Intended Use;

12.1.3 Any material suspension, limitation or restriction placed upon Tenant, any Authorization, any Facility, the operations at any Facility or Tenant’s ability to admit residents or patients at the Premises (e.g., an admissions ban or non-payment for new admissions by any Thirty Party Payor Program resulting from an inspection survey); provided, however, if any such material suspension, limitation or restriction is curable by Tenant under the applicable Authorization or Legal Requirement, it shall not constitute an Event of Default if Tenant promptly commences to cure such breach and thereafter diligently pursues such cure to the completion thereof within the greater of: (a) the time period in which the applicable governmental agency has given Tenant to undertake corrective action, including the additional time allotted under any appeal right so long as (i) Tenant has duly and timely filed an appeal and preserved such appeal right, and (ii) any adverse governmental action is stayed pending appeal, up to the moment such appeal is granted, withdrawn or denied, or (b) thirty (30) days after the occurrence of any such material suspension, limitation or restriction;

12.1.4 an “Event of Default” (as defined in the applicable agreement) shall occur and is continuing under any other lease or agreement between Landlord or an Affiliate of Landlord and Tenant (or Guarantor) or an Affiliate of Tenant (or Guarantor) where the default is not cured within any applicable grace period set forth therein;

12.1.5 an “Event of Default” (as defined in the applicable agreement) shall occur and is continuing under any letter of credit, guaranty, mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument executed by Tenant (or Guarantor) or an Affiliate of Tenant (or Guarantor) in favor of Landlord or an Affiliate of Landlord, in every case, whether now or hereafter existing, where the default is not cured within any applicable grace period set forth therein;

12.1.6 an “Event of Default” (as defined in the applicable agreement) by Tenant, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of Tenant or any Guarantor shall occur and is continuing under any lease, guaranty, loan or financing agreement with any other party that is not cured within any applicable cure period provided for therein;

12.1.7 Tenant, any Guarantor, or any Affiliate of Tenant or any Guarantor shall (a) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (b) file a petition in

 

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bankruptcy or a petition to take advantage of any insolvency act; (c) make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors; (d) consent to the appointment of a receiver of itself or of the whole or any substantial part of its property; or (e) file a petition or answer seeking reorganization or arrangement under the Federal bankruptcy laws or any other applicable law or statute of the United States of America or any state thereof;

12.1.8 Any petition is filed by or against any Tenant, any Guarantor, or any Affiliate of any Tenant or any Guarantor under federal bankruptcy laws, or any other proceeding is instituted by or against any Tenant, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of any Tenant or any Guarantor seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for any Tenant, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of any Tenant or any Guarantor, or for any substantial part of the property of any Tenant, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of any Tenant or any Guarantor, and Tenants fails to notify Landlord of such proceeding within three (3) Business Days of the institution thereof and such proceeding is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after institution thereof;

12.1.9 Any Tenant, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of any Tenant or any Guarantor shall take any action to authorize or effect any of the actions set forth above in the preceding Section 12.1.8, or fails thereafter to vigorously oppose such actions;

12.1.10 The estate or interest of Tenant in the Premises or any part thereof shall be levied upon or attached in any proceeding and the same shall not be vacated or discharged within the later of ninety (90) days after commencement thereof or thirty (30) days after receipt by Tenant of notice thereof from Landlord (unless, in either case, Tenant is in the process of contesting such lien in a good faith manner in accordance to Article VII); provided, however, that such notice shall be in lieu of and not in addition to any notice required under applicable law;

12.1.11 Tenant, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of Tenant or any Guarantor shall be liquidated or dissolved, or begins proceedings towards liquidation or dissolution, or has filed against it a petition or other proceeding to cause it to be liquidated or dissolved and the proceeding is not dismissed within thirty (30) days thereafter, or, in any manner, permits the sale or divestiture of substantially all of its assets except in connection with a dissolution or liquidation following or related to a merger or transfer of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Tenant with or to its parent corporation or with or to another direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of its parent corporation;

12.1.12 Tenant fails to (a) maintain or protect the Premises and Landlord’s interest therein as required under this Lease, including without limitation the obligations to maintain, repair and restore the Premises under this Lease and any such failure in this clause (a) is not cured by Tenant within thirty (30) days after notice thereof from Landlord, (b) maintain in force at any time during the Term or any extensions thereof the insurance coverages required under Article VIII and any such failure in this clause (b) is not cured by Tenant within five (5) Business Days after notice thereof from Landlord, or (c) fails to return the Premises to Landlord or its designee at the expiration or earlier termination of the Lease, as required by Article XIII, whether or not such failure is due to a casualty and any such failure in this clause (c) is not cured by Tenant within thirty (30) days after notice thereof from Landlord;

12.1.13 Any of the representations or warranties made by Tenant in this Lease or by Guarantor in the Guaranty proves to be untrue when made that would result in a material adverse effect of Tenant’s ability to perform its obligations under this Lease;

12.1.14 Tenant fails to observe or perform any term, covenant or other obligation of Tenant set forth in Section 5.7 and such failure is not cured within ten (10) days after receipt of notice of such failure from Landlord;

 

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12.1.15 Any local, state or federal agency having jurisdiction over the operation of any Facility removes ten percent (10%) or more of the patients or residents located in such Facility other than during any period of repair or restoration following damage, destruction or a Partial Taking;

12.1.16 Tenant fails to perform or comply with the provisions of Section 5.4.3, Section 5.5, Section 5.11, Section 5.12 or Article XVI, and any such failure is not cured by Tenant within thirty (30) days after notice thereof from Landlord; provided further that upon any failure by Tenant to perform or comply with the provisions of Section 5.12.4, if Tenant submits to Landlord a plan of correction for Landlord’s review and approval within fifteen (15) days of the end of the second consecutive quarter in which the Portfolio Coverage Ratio is less than the Minimum Rent Coverage Ratio, and uses commercially reasonable efforts to comply with any a plan of correction approved by Landlord, which shall set forth a period of time not to exceed 90 days in which Tenant shall succeed in achieving a Portfolio Coverage Ratio that meets the applicable Minimum Rent Coverage Ratio, then Tenant’s failure shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default under the Lease;

12.1.17 Tenant fails to observe or perform Tenant’s obligations under Article XV where the default is not cured within the shorter of (i) thirty (30) days after notice thereof from Landlord or the Facility Mortgagee and (ii) the any applicable grace period set forth in the Facility Mortgage Documents;

12.1.18 Tenant fails to observe or perform any other term, covenant or condition of this Lease not previously enumerated in this Section 12.1 and such failure is not cured by Tenant within thirty (30) days after notice thereof from Landlord, unless such failure cannot with due diligence be cured within a period of thirty (30) days or failure to cure after such thirty (30) day period will not have a material adverse effect upon the Facility, in which case such failure shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default if Tenant proceeds promptly and with due diligence to cure the failure and diligently completes the curing thereof; provided, however, that such notice shall be in lieu of and not in addition to any notice required under applicable law.

12.2 Remedies . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Landlord may exercise all rights and remedies under this Lease and the laws of the applicable Situs State that are available to a lessor of real and personal property in the event of a default by its lessee, and as to the Lease Collateral, all remedies granted under the laws of the applicable Situs State to a secured party under its Uniform Commercial Code. Landlord shall have no duty to mitigate damages unless required by applicable law and shall not be responsible or liable for any failure to relet any Facility or to collect any rent due upon any such reletting. Tenant shall pay Landlord, immediately upon demand, all expenses incurred by it in obtaining possession and reletting any Facility, including fees, commissions and costs of attorneys, architects, agents and brokers.

12.2.1 Without limiting the foregoing, Landlord shall have the right (but not the obligation) to do any of the following upon an Event of Default: (a) sue for the specific performance of any covenant of Tenant as to which it is in breach, including without limitation a Limited Remedy Event of Default (as defined below); (b) enter upon any Facility, terminate this Lease, dispossess Tenant from any Facility and/or collect money damages by reason of Tenant’s breach, including the acceleration of all Rent which would have accrued after such termination and all obligations and liabilities of Tenant under this Lease which survive the termination of the Term; (c) elect to leave this Lease in place and sue for Rent and other money damages as the same come due; (d) (before or after repossession of a Facility pursuant to clause (b) above and whether or not this Lease has been terminated) relet such Facility to such tenant, for such term (which may be greater or less than the remaining balance of the Term), rent, conditions (which may include concessions or free rent) and uses as it may determine in its sole discretion and collect and receive any rents payable by reason of such reletting; and (e) sell any Lease Collateral in a non-judicial foreclosure sale.

 

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12.2.2 Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and upon commencement of proceedings to enforce the rights of Landlord hereunder, Landlord shall be entitled, as a matter of right, to appoint a receiver to take possession of the Premises, pending the outcome of such proceedings, to manage the operation of the Premises, to collect and disburse all rents, issues, profits and income generated thereby and to the extent applicable and possible, to preserve or replace any Authorization or to otherwise substitute the licensee or provider thereof. If a receiver is appointed pursuant hereto, the receiver shall be paid a reasonable fee for its services and all such fees and other expenses incurred by Landlord in connection with the appointment of the receiver shall be paid in addition to, and not in limitation of, the Rent otherwise due to Landlord hereunder. Tenant irrevocably consents to the appointment of a receiver following an Event of Default and thus stipulates to and agrees not to contest the appointment of a receiver under such circumstances and for such purposes.

12.2.3 If Tenant at any time shall fail to make any payment or perform any act on its part required to be made or performed under this Lease, then Landlord may, without waiving or releasing Tenant from any obligations or default hereunder, make such payment or perform such act for the account and at the expense of Tenant, and enter upon the applicable Facility for the purpose of taking all such action as may be reasonably necessary. No such entry shall be deemed an eviction of Tenant. All sums so paid by Landlord and all necessary and incidental costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with the performance of any such act by it, together with interest at the Agreed Rate from the date of the making of such payment or the incurring of such costs and expenses, shall be payable by Tenant to Landlord upon Landlord’s written demand therefor.

12.2.4 No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to Landlord is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and each and every right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity. Any notice or cure period provided herein shall run concurrently with any provided by applicable law.

12.2.5 If Landlord initiates judicial proceedings or if this Lease is terminated by Landlord pursuant to this Article XII, Tenant waives, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (a) any right of redemption, re-entry, or repossession; and (b) the benefit of any laws now or hereafter in force exempting property from liability for rent or for debt.

12.2.6 Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, and without limiting any of the other rights or remedies conferred upon Landlord under this Lease or at law or in equity, upon the occurrence of a Facility Default, Landlord may, at its option and by notice to Tenant, terminate this Lease immediately as to any one or more of the Facilities (selected in Landlord’s discretion and by notice to Tenant) to which such Facility Default relates (a termination of this Lease as to less than all of the Facilities as provided in this Section 12.2.6 is herein referred to as a “ Limited Termination Election ”) (the Facility or Facilities as to which Landlord elects to terminate this Lease as provided in this Section 12.2.6 are herein referred to as “ Terminated Facilities ”). Upon delivery of a termination notice as provided in this12.2.6, Tenant shall have no right to cure the Facility Default in question, all rights of Tenant under this Lease shall cease as to the Terminated Facilities so specified and the provisions of this Section 12.2.6 shall apply. Without limitation of the foregoing, if Landlord makes a Limited Termination Election, the deletion of the applicable Terminated Facilities from this Lease shall be absolutely without limitation of each Tenant’s continuing obligation (on a joint and several basis) for the damages and other amounts owing on account of the Event of Default giving rise to the deletion from this Lease of such Terminated Facilities or the termination of this Lease as to such Terminated Facilities.

(a) If this Lease is terminated as to one or more Terminated Facilities pursuant to this Section 12.2.6, then without necessity of any further action of the parties, this Lease shall terminate as to the Terminated Facility or Terminated Facilities, and the Terminated

 

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Facility or Terminated Facilities shall be separated and removed herefrom, at such time (such date, the “ Facility Removal Date ”) as Landlord delivers notice to Tenant exercising its termination rights pursuant to this Section 12.2.6 (such notice, a “ Termination Notice ”). As of the applicable Facility Removal Date, this Lease shall be automatically and ipso facto amended to:

 

  (i) Delete and eliminate the Terminated Facility or Terminated Facilities herefrom;

 

  (ii) Exclude the applicable Terminated Facility or Terminated Facilities from the definition of “Premises”; and

 

  (iii) The current Rent shall be equitably reduced as of the Facility Removal Date based on the allocable share of Landlord’s initial investment in the Premises to the Terminated Facility or Terminated Facilities.

(b) Promptly (and in any event within ten (10) days after delivery of Landlord’s request therefor, Tenant shall execute and deliver to Landlord such instrument(s) as Landlord may from time to time request reflecting the elimination of any Terminated Facility or Terminated Facilities herefrom on the terms described above.

12.3 ASC 840 Savings Clause; Limited Remedy Events of Default.

Subject to Section 12.2.1(a), notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained or in any other transaction document executed concurrently herewith, or any other provision of this Lease or any other concurrent transaction document, and pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Section 840 governing the accounting classification of operating leases, as amended or replaced from time to time (collectively the “Operating Lease Accounting Rules”), if Landlord is exercising remedies due solely to the Events of Default described in Sections 12.1.2(a), 12.1.3, 12.1.4, 12.1.5, 12.1.6, 12.1.8, 12.1.10, 12.1.13, 12.1.15, 12.1.17 or 12.1.18, or upon the occurrence, for reasons other than the acts or omissions of Tenant, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of any Tenant or any Guarantor, of an Event of Default under Section 12.1.11 (each a “Limited Remedy Event of Default” ), the aggregate amount Tenant shall be required to pay to Landlord from and after the date of the occurrence of such Limited Remedy Event of Default (the “Occurrence Date” ) shall be limited to the sum of (i) (A) 89.95% of the Fair Market Value of the Premises as of the Commencement Date less (B) the sum of the present value of (1) the Base Rent and (2) Additional Rent paid to Landlord and not passed through to a third party, received by Landlord as of the Occurrence Date (determined using a discount rate of      percent (      %) per annum), (ii) any Impositions, Other Charges and other sums which are due and payable or have accrued under this Lease through the Occurrence Date after any Limited Remedy Event of Default that relates to insurance, utilities, repairs, maintenance, environmental maintenance, remediation and compliance and other customary costs and expenses of operating and maintaining the Premises in substantial compliance with the terms of this Lease, and (iii) any amounts of Impositions, Other Charges and other sums due to third parties which are due and payable or have accrued under this Lease after the Occurrence Date while the Tenant remains in possession of the Premises after any Limited Remedy Event of Default that relates to insurance, utilities, repairs, maintenance, environmental maintenance, remediation and compliance and other customary costs and expenses of operating and maintaining the Premises in substantial compliance with the terms of this Lease (collectively, the “LRED Damages” ). Landlord and Tenant hereby agree that the damages available to Landlord as a result of a Limited Remedy Event of Default shall be strictly limited to the LRED Damages and that nothing contained herein or in any other transaction document executed concurrently herewith shall entitle Landlord to additional reimbursement or monetary damages with respect to any such Limited Remedy Event of Default.

 

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ARTICLE XIII

OBLIGATIONS OF TENANT ON EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF LEASE

13.1 Surrender . On the Expiration Date or earlier termination or cancellation of this Lease (or the earlier dispossession of Tenant from any Facility), Tenant shall deliver to Landlord or Landlord’s designee (a) possession of each Facility in a neat and clean condition, with each Facility being fully operational as of such date and in compliance with all Authorizations, and (b) all business records (other than corporate financial records or proprietary materials), data, patient and resident records, and patient and resident trust accounts, which may be necessary, desirable or advisable for the operation of each Facility for its Primary Intended Use. Tenant shall have no obligation to perform any Alterations necessitated by, or imposed in connection with, a change of ownership inspection survey for the transfer of operation of such Facility to Landlord or Landlord’s designee unless such Alterations were previously required hereunder or by the applicable licensing authorities to be undertaken by Tenant prior to the Expiration Date (or earlier termination date or cancellation of this Lease or earlier dispossession of Tenant from any Facility) and Tenant failed to do so.

13.2 Transition .

13.2.1 In connection with the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease with respect to any Facility, or the earlier dispossession of Tenant from any Facility, Landlord shall have the right to require an Operational Transfer with respect to such Facility by delivery to Tenant of a Transition Notice (as defined below). As used in this Lease, “ Operational Transfer ” shall mean the transfer and transition, practically and legally, of the day-to-day operations of a Facility for the Primary Intended Use of such Facility to Landlord and/or Landlord’s designee without interruption of the business activities therein, regulatory or otherwise. Landlord may exercise its right to require an Operational Transfer by delivering written notice to Tenant of Landlord’s election to require an Operational Transfer (a “ Transition Notice ”) at any time.

13.2.2 In connection with an Operational Transfer, or at the time of Tenant’s surrender of a Facility to Landlord or its designee, Tenant shall cooperate fully with Landlord or its designee in transferring (or obtaining) all Authorizations and Governmental Payors’ certifications and shall take all necessary actions, including, without limitation, filing such applications, petitions and transfer notices and making such assignments, conveyances and transfers as are necessary, desirable or advisable to accomplish an Operational Transfer. In connection therewith, Tenant shall transfer, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to Landlord or Landlord’s designee all contracts, including contracts with Governmental Authorities, which may be necessary, desirable or advisable for the operation of each Facility for its Primary Intended Use. Subject to all applicable Legal Requirements, Tenant hereby assigns, effective upon the Expiration Date or earlier termination or cancellation of this Lease (or the earlier dispossession of Tenant from any Facility), all rights to operate the Facility to Landlord or its designee, including all required Authorizations and all rights to apply for or otherwise obtain them. In furtherance of the foregoing, Tenant agrees to enter into a commercially reasonable operations transfer agreement with Landlord or Landlord’s designee, which agreement shall provide, inter alia, for the proration of operational revenues and liabilities based on when Landlord or its designee actually takes possession of the applicable Facility or Facilities.

13.2.3 Tenant agrees to enter into interim sublease agreements or management agreements as may be necessary to effect a transfer of the operations of the Facility or Facilities for their Primary Intended Use prior to the time that Landlord or its designee, as applicable, holds all

 

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Authorizations from all applicable Governmental Authorities necessary to so operate such Facility or Facilities, and (b) Tenant shall remain as licensee and participating provider in any payment programs with Governmental Payors or third party payors in which a Facility participates until such time as Landlord or its designee has received all Authorizations necessary to operate any Facility. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as a condition to Tenant remaining as licensee and participating provider as set forth above, Landlord or its designee shall, except in connection with a termination of this Lease resulting from an Event of Default (or the earlier dispossession of Tenant from any Facility as a result of an Event of Default), indemnify, defend, protect and hold harmless Tenant from and against any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by Tenant on account of any third party claim to the extent directly caused by the acts or omissions of Landlord or its designee and during the period while relying on Tenant’s status as licensee or participating provider in any payment programs with Governmental Payors or third party payment programs in which a Facility participates.

13.2.4 Notwithstanding anything in this Lease which may be construed to the contrary, if (i) Landlord delivers a Transition Notice as to a particular Facility or Facilities, (ii) the Term expires prior to the delivery of a Transition Notice but Landlord has not delivered a Closure Notice, or (iii) this Lease is terminated as a result of an Event of Default and Landlord has not delivered a Closure Notice, then in all such cases Tenant shall thereafter continue to operate the Facility or Facilities in accordance with all of the requirements of this Lease until the earliest to occur of the following: (a) the date on which a successor operator assumes operation of such Facility, (b) the date that is one hundred eighty (180) days after the Expiration Date, or (c) the date on which such Facility is closed by Tenant in accordance with and pursuant to the requirements of this Lease and in connection with a Closure Notice delivered by Landlord.

13.2.5 If Tenant operates one or more Facilities after the Expiration Date or earlier termination of this Lease (either pursuant to Landlord’s request or pursuant to Section 13.2.4, then, from and after the expiration of this Lease and until the earliest to occur of the dates described in Section 13.2.4 (the “ Reimbursement Period ”), (a) Landlord shall provide Tenant with an operating budget, (b) Landlord shall include in the aforesaid operating budget, and Tenant shall continue to pay during the Reimbursement Period, all Rent that would have been owing under this Lease if this Lease had not expired (equitably prorated if Tenant operates less than all of the Facilities), and (c) Landlord shall reimburse Tenant for any operating deficits that Tenant may be required to fund out-of-pocket on account of operating losses and expenses incurred by Tenant by reason of, or arising out of compliance with, such budget with respect to the Reimbursement Period. Any such reimbursement shall be due from Landlord to Tenant within thirty (30) days after request by Tenant, provided that Tenant shall furnish such documentation of any operating deficits, losses and expenses as Landlord may reasonably request.

13.2.6 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Lease, Tenant shall not, prior to delivery of a Closure Notice by Landlord to Tenant, commence to wind up and terminate the operations of any Facility or relocate the patients or occupants of any Facility to any other health care facility (a “ Facility Termination ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Landlord has not delivered a Closure Notice or a Transition Notice to Tenant prior to the day that is one hundred twenty (120) days following the Expiration Date, then Tenant may commence the Facility Termination as to such Facility or Facilities and, upon the closure of such Facility or Facilities in accordance with this Lease and all applicable Legal Requirements, Tenant shall vacate such Facility or Facilities and surrender possession thereof to Landlord in accordance with all applicable requirements of this Lease. If, prior to the day that is one hundred twenty (120) days following the Expiration Date, Landlord delivers a Transition Notice to Tenant; Tenant shall not commence or otherwise engage in a Facility Termination with respect to the applicable Facility or Facilities. If Landlord delivers a Closure Notice and elects to institute a Facility Termination, Tenant shall, upon the prior written approval of Landlord, take all commercially reasonable steps necessary, in compliance with all Legal Requirements and Authorizations, to timely effectuate the same, all at Tenant’s sole cost and expense.

 

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13.2.7 The terms of this Section 13.2 shall survive the expiration or sooner termination of this Lease.

13.3 Tenant Personal Property . Provided that no Event of Default then exists, in connection with the surrender of the Premises, Tenant may upon at least five (5) Business Days prior notice to Landlord remove from the Premises in a workmanlike manner all Tenant Personal Property, leaving the Premises in good and presentable condition and appearance, including repairing any damage caused by such removal; provided that Landlord shall have the right and option to purchase for itself or its designee the Tenant Personal Property for its then fair market value during such five (5) Business Day notice period, in which case Tenant shall so convey the Tenant Personal Property to Landlord or its designee by executing a bill of sale in a form reasonably required by Landlord. If there is any Event of Default then existing, Tenant will not remove any Tenant Personal Property from the Premises and instead will, on demand from Landlord, convey it to Landlord or its designee for no additional consideration by executing a bill of sale in a form reasonably required by Landlord. Title to any Tenant Personal Property which is not removed by Tenant as permitted above upon the expiration of the Term shall, at Landlord’s election, vest in Landlord or its designee; provided, however, that Landlord may remove and store or dispose at Tenant’s expense any or all of such Tenant Personal Property which is not so removed by Tenant without obligation or accounting to Tenant.

13.4 Facility Trade Name . If this Lease is terminated by reason of an Event of Default or Landlord exercises its option to purchase or is otherwise entitled to retain the Tenant Personal Property pursuant to Section 13.3 above, Landlord or its designee shall be permitted to use the name under which each Facility has done business during the Term in connection with the continued operation of such Facility for its Primary Intended Use, but for no other use and not in connection with any other property or facility.

13.5 Holding Over . If Tenant shall for any reason remain in possession of any Facility after the Expiration Date, such possession shall be a month-to-month tenancy during which time Tenant shall pay as rental on the first (1 st ) Business Day of each month one and one-half (1  1 2 ) times the total of the monthly Base Rent payable with respect to the last Lease Year, plus all Additional Rent accruing during the month and all other sums, if any, payable by Tenant pursuant to this Lease. Nothing contained herein shall constitute the consent, express or implied, of Landlord to the holding over of Tenant after the Expiration Date, nor shall anything contained herein be deemed to limit Landlord’s remedies.

ARTICLE XIV

INDEMNIFICATION

In addition to the other indemnities contained in this Lease, and notwithstanding the existence of any insurance carried by or for the benefit of Landlord or Tenant, and without regard to the policy limits of any such insurance, Tenant shall protect, indemnify, save harmless and defend Landlord and the Landlord Indemnified Parties from and against all Losses imposed upon or incurred by or asserted against Landlord or any Landlord Indemnified Parties by reason of: (a) any accident, injury to or death of Persons or loss of or damage to property occurring on or about any Facility; (b) any use, misuse, non-use, condition, maintenance or repair of any Facility by Tenant; (c) any failure on the part of Tenant to perform or comply with any of the terms of this Lease or the breach of any representation or warranty made by Tenant herein; and (d) any claim for malpractice, negligence or misconduct committed by any Person on or working from any Facility. Any amounts which become payable by Tenant under this Article XIV shall be paid within ten (10) days after demand by Landlord, and if not timely paid, shall bear interest at the Agreed Rate from the date of such demand until paid. Tenant, at its expense, shall contest,

 

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resist and defend any such claim, action or proceeding asserted or instituted against Landlord or any Landlord Indemnified Parties with counsel acceptable to Landlord in its sole discretion and shall not, under any circumstances, compromise or otherwise dispose of any suit, action or proceeding without obtaining Landlord’s written consent. Landlord, at its election and sole cost and expense, shall have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in the defense of any claim for which Landlord or any Landlord Indemnified Parties are indemnified hereunder. If Tenant does not act promptly and completely to satisfy its indemnification obligations hereunder, Landlord may resist and defend any such claims or causes of action against Landlord or any Landlord Indemnified Party at Tenant’s sole cost. The terms of this Article XIV shall survive the expiration or sooner termination of this Lease. For purposes of this Article XIV, any acts or omissions of Tenant, or by employees, agents, assignees, contractors, subcontractors or others acting for or on behalf of Tenant (whether or not they are negligent, intentional, willful or unlawful), shall be strictly attributable to Tenant.

ARTICLE XV

LANDLORD’S FINANCING

15.1 Grant Lien . Without the consent of Tenant, Landlord may from time to time, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause to exist any Facility Mortgage upon any Facility or interest therein. This Lease is and at all times shall be subject and subordinate to any such Facility Mortgage which may now or hereafter affect any Facility or interest therein and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements, restatements and extensions thereof or any parts or portions thereof; provided, however, so long as no Event of Default has occurred, no Facility Mortgagee shall have the right to disturb Tenant’s leasehold interest or possession of any Facility or interfere with any other rights of Tenant accorded by the terms of this Lease. This provision shall be self-operative and no further instrument of subordination shall be required to give it full force and effect; provided, however, that in confirmation of such subordination, Tenant shall execute promptly any certificate or document that Landlord or any Facility Mortgagee may request for such purposes so long as the same contains commercially reasonable non-disturbance and attornment provisions.

15.2 Attornment . If Landlord’s interest in any Facility or interest therein is sold, conveyed or terminated upon the exercise of any remedy provided for in any Facility Mortgage Documents (or in lieu of such exercise), or otherwise by operation of law: (a) at the request and option of the new owner or superior lessor, as the case may be, Tenant shall attorn to and recognize the new owner or superior lessor as Tenant’s “landlord” under this Lease or enter into a new lease substantially in the form of this Lease with the new owner or superior lessor, and Tenant shall take such actions to confirm the foregoing within ten (10) days after request; and (b) the new owner or superior lessor shall not be (i) liable for any act or omission of Landlord under this Lease occurring prior to such sale, conveyance or termination; (ii) subject to any offset, abatement or reduction of rent because of any default of Landlord under this Lease occurring prior to such sale, conveyance or termination; (iii) bound by any previous modification or amendment to this Lease or any previous prepayment of more than one month’s rent, unless such modification, amendment or prepayment shall have been approved in writing by such Facility Mortgagee or, in the case of such prepayment, such prepayment of rent has actually been delivered to such new owner or superior lessor; or (iv) liable for any security deposit or other collateral deposited or delivered to Landlord pursuant to this Lease unless such security deposit or other collateral has actually been delivered to such new owner or superior lessor.

15.3 Cooperation; Modifications . Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, Tenant hereby agrees that in connection with obtaining any Facility Mortgage for any Facility or interest therein, including, without limitation, where the Facility Mortgagee is an Agency Lender, Tenant shall: (i) execute and deliver to such Agency Lender or other Facility Mortgagee (on the form required by such Agency Lender or other Facility Mortgagee) any tenant regulatory agreements (including, without limitation, the form of regulatory agreement typically required by Agency Lenders), subordination agreements (including, without

 

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limitation, the form of subordination, assignment and security agreement typically required by Agency Lenders), or other similar agreements customarily required by Agency Lenders and other Facility Mortgagees in connection with a mortgage relating to a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility, and (ii) modify this Lease as necessary to incorporate the provisions and requirements generally imposed by an Agency Lender or other Facility Mortgagee in connection with a facility lease relating to a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility encumbered with a Facility Mortgage by an Agency Lender or other Facility Mortgagee, provided however this section shall not be deemed to (A)  impose on Tenant obligations which (i)  increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Lease, (ii)  materially and adversely increase Tenant’s non-monetary obligations under this Lease or (B)  diminish Tenant’s rights under this Lease. For purposes of the foregoing, any proposed implementation of new occupancy or financial covenants or requirements with respect to payor mix shall be deemed to materially diminish Tenant’s rights under this Lease. Tenant hereby acknowledges and agrees, however, that an obligation under the applicable Facility Mortgage Documents to post impounds for property taxes with respect to any period not more than one (1) month in advance (whether now existing or later created) shall not be deemed or construed to increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Lease. If any new Facility Mortgage Documents to be executed by Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord would impose on Tenant any obligations under this Section, Landlord shall provide copies of the same to Tenant for informational purposes (but not for Tenant’s approval) prior to the execution and delivery thereof by Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord. In the event any Agency Lender or other Facility Mortgagee requires, as a condition to making a Facility Mortgage, an intercreditor agreement with any receivables lender of Tenant, Tenant shall enter into any such intercreditor agreement and shall take all commercially reasonable efforts to cause said receivables lender to enter into such intercreditor agreement with said Agency Lender or other Facility Mortgagee on terms acceptable to Tenant, Tenant’s receivables lender, said Agency Lender or other Facility Mortgagee.

15.4 Compliance with Facility Mortgage Documents . Tenant acknowledges that any Facility Mortgage Documents executed by Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord may impose certain obligations on the “borrower” or other counterparty thereunder to comply with or cause the operator and/or lessee of any Facility to comply with all representations, covenants and warranties contained therein relating to such Facility and the operator and/or lessee of such Facility, including, covenants relating to (a) the maintenance and repair of such Facility; (b) maintenance and submission of financial records and accounts of the operation of such Facility and related financial and other information regarding the operator and/or lessee of such Facility and such Facility itself; (c) the procurement of insurance policies with respect to such Facility; (d) periodic inspection and access rights in favor of the Facility Mortgagee; and (e) without limiting the foregoing, compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements relating to such Facility and the operations thereof. For so long as any Facility Mortgages encumber any Facility or interest therein, Tenant covenants and agrees, at its sole cost and expense and for the express benefit of Landlord, to operate such Facility in strict compliance with the terms and conditions of the Facility Mortgage Documents (other than payment of any indebtedness evidenced or secured thereby) and to timely perform all of the obligations of Landlord relating thereto, or to the extent that any of such duties and obligations may not properly be performed by Tenant, Tenant shall cooperate with and assist Landlord in the performance thereof (other than payment of any indebtedness evidenced or secured thereby); provided however this section shall not be deemed to (A)  impose on Tenant obligations which (i)  increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Lease, (ii)  materially and adversely increase Tenant’s non-monetary obligations under this Lease or (B)  diminish Tenant’s rights under this Lease. If any new Facility Mortgage Documents to be executed by Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord would impose on Tenant any obligations under this Section 15.4, Landlord shall provide copies of the same to Tenant for informational purposes (but not for Tenant’s approval) prior to the execution and delivery thereof by Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord.

 

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15.5 Limitations. Without limiting or expanding Tenant’s obligations pursuant to Sections 15.3 and 15.4, during the Term of this Lease, Tenant acknowledges and agrees that, except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Lease, it shall undertake at its own cost and expense the performance of any and all repairs, replacements, capital improvements, maintenance items and all other requirements relating to the condition of a Facility that are required by any Facility Mortgage Documents or by Facility Mortgagee; provided, however, this Section 15.5 shall not (i) increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Lease, (ii) materially and adversely increase Tenant’s non-monetary obligations under this Lease, or (iii) diminish Tenant’s rights under this Lease, except to the extent that, with respect to any Facility, such obligations were provided for in a Facility Mortgage, or otherwise required by the Facility Mortgagee, secured by such Facility on the Commencement Date; and provided, further, that any amounts which Tenant is required to fund into a Facility Mortgage Reserve Account with respect to satisfying any repair or replacement reserve requirements imposed by a Facility Mortgagee shall be credited on a dollar-for-dollar basis against the mandatory expenditure obligations of Tenant for such applicable Facility(ies) under Section              . During the Term of this Lease and provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing hereunder, Tenant shall, subject to the terms and conditions of such Facility Mortgage Reserve Account and the requirements of the Facility Mortgagee(s) thereunder, have access to and the right to apply or use (including for reimbursement), to the same extent as Landlord, all monies held in each such Facility Mortgage Reserve Account for the purposes and subject to the limitations for which such Facility Mortgage Reserve Account is maintained, and Landlord agrees to reasonably cooperate with Tenant in connection therewith. Landlord hereby acknowledges that funds deposited by Tenant in any Facility Mortgage Reserve Account are the property of Tenant and Landlord is obligated to return the portion of such funds not previously released to Tenant within fifteen (15) days following the earlier of (x) the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease with respect to such applicable Facility, (y) the maturity or earlier prepayment of the applicable Facility Mortgage, or (z) an involuntary prepayment or deemed prepayment arising out of the acceleration of the amounts due to a Facility Mortgagee as a result of the exercise of its remedies under the applicable Facility Mortgage; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be deemed or construed to limit or prohibit Landlord’s right to bring any damage claim against Tenant for any breach of its obligations under this Lease that may have resulted in the loss of any impound funds held by a Facility Mortgagee.

ARTICLE XVI

ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING

16.1 Prohibition . Without the prior written consent of Landlord, which may be withheld or conditioned in its sole and absolute discretion, Tenant shall not suffer or permit any Transfer (including, without limitation, a Transfer of this Lease or any interest herein) other than a Transfer that is expressly permitted pursuant to the terms of this Lease. Any such purported Transfer without Landlord’s prior written consent (each an “ Unapproved Transfer ”) shall be void and shall, at Landlord’s sole option, constitute an Event of Default giving rise to Landlord’s right, among other things, to terminate this Lease. If Landlord elects to waive its right to terminate this Lease as a result of any such Unapproved Transfer, this Lease shall continue in full force and effect; provided, however, that as of the date of such Unapproved Transfer, the Base Rent shall be increased by five percent (5%).

16.2 Landlord Consent . If Landlord consents to a Transfer, such Transfer shall not be effective and valid unless and until the applicable transferee executes and delivers to Landlord any and all documentation reasonably required by Landlord. Any consent by Landlord to a particular Transfer shall not constitute consent or approval of any subsequent Transfer, and Landlord’s written consent shall be required in all such instances. No consent by Landlord to any Transfer shall be deemed to release Tenant from its obligations hereunder and Tenant shall remain fully liable for payment and performance of all obligations under this Lease. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in connection with any sublease arrangement that has been approved by Landlord, as a condition precedent to any such approval, any such sublease agreement shall include provisions required by Landlord pertaining to protecting its status as a real estate investment trust.

 

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16.3 Transfers to Affiliates . Notwithstanding Section 16.1 to the contrary, but subject to the rights of any Facility Mortgagee, Tenant may, without Landlord’s prior written consent, assign this Lease or sublease any Facility to an Affiliate of Tenant or Guarantor if all of the following are first satisfied: (a) such Affiliate fully assumes Tenant’s obligations hereunder; (b) Tenant remains fully liable hereunder and Guarantor remains fully liable under the Guaranty; (c) the use of such Facility remains unchanged; (d) Landlord in its reasonable discretion shall have approved the form and content of all documents for such assignment or sublease and received an executed counterpart thereof; (e) Tenant delivers evidence to Landlord that such assignment or subletting is permissible under all applicable Authorizations or that all necessary consents have been obtained to consummate such assignment or subletting; and (f) Tenant and/or such Affiliate executes and delivers such other documents as may be reasonably required by Landlord to effectuate the assignment and continue the security interests and other rights of Landlord pursuant to this Lease or any other documents executed in connection herewith.

16.4 Permitted Occupancy Agreements . Notwithstanding Section 16.1 to the contrary, Tenant may enter into an occupancy agreement with residents of each Facility without the prior written consent of Landlord provided that (a) the agreement does not provide for life care services; (b) all residents of each Facility are accurately shown in accounting records for such Facility. Without the prior written consent of Landlord, Tenant shall not materially change the form of resident occupancy agreement that was submitted to Landlord prior to the Commencement Date; provided, however, no consent will be required for changes required by applicable law, including applicable licensure laws, but all changes to the form of resident occupancy agreement will be provided to Landlord as and when such changes are made.

16.5 Costs . Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for Landlord’s reasonable costs and expenses incurred in conjunction with the processing and documentation of any assignment, master subletting or management arrangement, including reasonable attorneys’ or other consultants’ fees whether or not such assignment, master sublease or management agreement is ultimately consummated or executed.

ARTICLE XVII

CERTAIN RIGHTS OF LANDLORD

17.1 Right of Entry . Landlord and its representatives may enter on any Facility at any reasonable time after reasonable notice to Tenant to inspect such Facility for compliance to this Lease, to exhibit such Facility for sale, lease or mortgaging, or for any other reason; provided, however, that no such notice shall be required in the event of an emergency, upon an Event of Default or to post notices of non-responsibility under any mechanic’s or materialman’s lien law. No such entry shall unreasonably interfere with residents, patients, patient care or the operations of such Facility.

17.2 Conveyance by Landlord . If Landlord or any successor owner of any Facility shall convey such Facility other than as security for a debt, Landlord or such successor owner, as the case may be, shall thereupon be released from all future liabilities and obligations of the Landlord under this Lease arising or accruing from and after the date of such conveyance or other transfer and, subject to Section 15.2, all such future liabilities and obligations shall thereupon be binding upon the new owner.

17.3 Granting of Easements, etc . Landlord may, from time to time, with respect to each Facility: (a) grant easements, covenants and restrictions, and other rights in the nature of easements, covenants and restrictions, (b) release existing easements, covenants and restrictions, or other rights in the nature of easements, covenants or restrictions, that are for the benefit of such Facility, (c) dedicate or transfer unimproved portions of such Facility for road, highway or other public purposes, (d) execute

 

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petitions to have such Facility annexed to any municipal corporation or utility district, (e) execute amendments to any easements, covenants and restrictions affecting such Facility and (f) execute and deliver to any Person any instrument appropriate to confirm or effect such grants, releases, dedications and transfers (to the extent of its interests in such Facility) without the necessity of obtaining Tenant’s consent provided that such easement or other instrument or action contemplated by this Section 17.3 does not unreasonably interfere with Tenant’s operations at such Facility.

ARTICLE XVIII

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

18.1 Hazardous Materials . Tenant shall not allow any Hazardous Materials to be located in, on, under or about any Facility or incorporated in any Facility; provided, however, that Hazardous Materials may be brought, kept, used or disposed of in, on or about a Facility in quantities and for purposes similar to those brought, kept, used or disposed of in, on or about similar facilities used for purposes similar to such Facility’s Primary Intended Use and which are brought, kept, used and disposed of in strict compliance with all Hazardous Materials Laws.

18.2 Notices . Tenant shall immediately advise Landlord in writing of (a) any Environmental Activities in violation of any Hazardous Materials Laws; (b) any Hazardous Materials Claims against Tenant or any Facility; (c) any remedial action taken by Tenant in response to any Hazardous Materials Claims or any Hazardous Materials on, under or about any Facility in violation of any Hazardous Materials Laws; (d) Tenant’s discovery of any occurrence or condition on or in the vicinity of any Facility that materially increase the risk that such Facility will be exposed to Hazardous Materials; and (e) all communications to or from Tenant, any governmental authority or any other Person relating to Hazardous Materials Laws or Hazardous Materials Claims with respect to any Facility, including copies thereof.

18.3 Remediation . If Tenant becomes aware of a violation of any Hazardous Materials Laws relating to any Hazardous Materials in, on, under or about any Facility or any adjacent property, or if Tenant, Landlord or any Facility becomes subject to any order of any federal, state or local agency to repair, close, detoxify, decontaminate or otherwise remediate any Facility or any property adjacent thereto, Tenant shall immediately notify Landlord of such event and, at its sole cost and expense, cure such violation or effect such repair, closure, detoxification, decontamination or other remediation in accordance with all applicable Legal Requirements and subject to Landlord’s prior approval as to scope, process, content and standard for completion. If Tenant fails to implement and diligently pursue any such cure, repair, closure, detoxification, decontamination or other remediation, Landlord shall have the right, but not the obligation, to carry out such action and to recover from Tenant all of Landlord’s costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith.

18.4 Indemnity . Tenant shall indemnify, defend, protect, save, hold harmless and reimburse Landlord for, from and against any and all Losses and Environmental Costs (whether or not arising out of third-party claims and regardless of whether liability without fault is imposed, or sought to be imposed, on Landlord) incurred in connection with, arising out of, resulting from or incident to, directly or indirectly, before or during (but not after) the Term, (a) Environmental Activities, including the effects of such Environmental Activities on any Person or property within or outside the boundaries of the Land of any Facility, (b) the presence of any Hazardous Materials in, on, under or about any Facility and (c) the violation of any Hazardous Material Laws.

18.5 Environmental Inspections . Landlord shall have the right, from time to time, during normal business hours and upon not less than five (5) days written notice to Tenant, except in the case of an emergency in which event no notice shall be required, to conduct an inspection of any Facility to determine Tenant’s compliance with this Article XVIII. Such inspection may include such testing, sampling and

 

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analyses as Landlord deems reasonably necessary and may be performed by experts retained by Landlord. All costs and expenses incurred by Landlord under this 18.5 shall be paid on demand by Tenant; provided, however, absent reasonable grounds to suspect Tenant’s breach of its obligations under this Article XVIII, Tenant shall not be required to pay for more than one (1) such inspection in any two (2) year period with respect to each Facility. The obligations set forth in this Article XVIII shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

ARTICLE XIX

RESERVED

ARTICLE XX

QUIET ENJOYMENT

So long as Tenant shall pay the Rent as the same becomes due and shall fully comply with all of the terms of this Lease and fully perform its obligations hereunder, Tenant shall peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy each Facility for the Term, free of any claim or other action by Landlord or anyone claiming by, through or under Landlord, but subject to all liens and encumbrances of record as of the Commencement Date or thereafter provided for in this Lease or consented to by Tenant.

ARTICLE XXI

REIT RESTRICTIONS

21.1 General REIT Provisions . Tenant understands that, in order for Landlord’s Affiliate, REIT Parent, or any successor Affiliate that is a real estate investment trust to qualify as a real estate investment trust, certain requirements must be satisfied, including the provisions of Section 856 of the Code. Accordingly, Tenant agrees, and agrees to cause its Affiliates, permitted subtenants, if any, and any other parties subject to its control by ownership or contract, to reasonably cooperate with Landlord to ensure that such requirements are satisfied, including providing Landlord or any of its Affiliates with information about the ownership of Tenant and its Affiliates. Tenant agrees, and agrees to cause its Affiliates, upon request by Landlord or any of its Affiliates, to take all action reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with such requirements.

21.2 Characterization of Rents . The parties hereto intend that Rent and other amounts paid by Tenant hereunder will qualify as “rents from real property” within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code, or any similar or successor provision thereto and this Agreement shall be interpreted consistent with this intent.

21.3 Prohibited Transactions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Tenant shall not (a) sublet, assign or enter into a management arrangement for any Facility on any basis such that the rental or other amounts to be paid by the subtenant, assignee or manager thereunder would be based, in whole or in part, on either (x) the income or profits derived by the business activities of the subtenant, assignee or manager or (y) any other formula such that any portion of any amount received by Landlord would fail to qualify as “rents from real property” within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code, or any similar or successor provision thereto; (b) furnish or render any services to the subtenant, assignee or manager or manage or operate any Facility so subleased, assigned or managed; (c) sublet, assign or enter into a management arrangement for any Facility to any Person (other than a taxable REIT subsidiary of Landlord) in which Tenant or Landlord owns an interest, directly or indirectly (by applying constructive ownership rules set forth in Section 856(d)(5) of the Code); or (d) sublet, assign or enter into a management arrangement for any Facility in any other manner which could cause any portion of the amounts received by

 

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Landlord pursuant to this Lease or any sublease to fail to qualify as “rents from real property” within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code, or any similar or successor provision thereto, or which could cause any other income of Landlord to fail to qualify as income described in Section 856(c)(2) of the Code. The requirements of this Section 21.3 shall likewise apply to any further subleasing by any subtenant.

21.4 Personal Property REIT Requirements . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, upon request of Landlord, Tenant shall cooperate with Landlord in good faith and provide such documentation and/or information as may be in Tenant’s possession or under Tenant’s control and otherwise readily available to Tenant regarding the valuation of the Premises to assist Landlord in its determination that Rent allocable for purposes of Section 856 of the Code to the Landlord Personal Property at the beginning and end of a calendar year does not exceed 15% of the total Rent due hereunder (the “ Personal Property REIT Requirement ”). Tenant shall take such reasonable action as may be requested by Landlord from time to time to ensure compliance with the Personal Property REIT Requirement as long as such compliance does not (a) increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Lease, (b) materially and adversely increase Tenant’s non-monetary obligations under this Lease or (c) materially diminish Tenant’s rights under this Lease. Accordingly, if requested by Landlord and at Landlord’s expense, Tenant shall cooperate with Landlord as may be necessary from time to time to more specifically identify and/or value the Landlord Personal Property in connection with the compliance with the Personal Property REIT Requirement.

ARTICLE XXII

NOTICES

All notices and demands, certificates, requests, consents, approvals and other similar instruments under this Lease shall be in writing and sent by personal delivery, U. S. certified or registered mail (return receipt requested, postage prepaid) or FedEx or similar generally recognized overnight carrier regularly providing proof of delivery, addressed as follows:

 

If to Tenant:    If to Landlord:

c/o Ensign Services, Inc.

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

  

c/o CareTrust REIT, Inc.

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 400

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

A party may designate a different address by notice as provided above. Any notice or other instrument so delivered (whether accepted or refused) shall be deemed to have been given and received on the date of delivery established by U.S. Post Office return receipt or the carrier’s proof of delivery or, if not so delivered, upon its receipt. Delivery to any officer, general partner or principal of a party shall be deemed delivery to such party. Notice to any one co-Tenant shall be deemed notice to all co-Tenants.

ARTICLE XXIII

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

23.1 Dispute Resolution . The provisions of Article X of that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Separation Agreement ”), entered into by and between REIT Parent and Guarantor, shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to all disputes, controversies or claims (whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise) that may arise out of or relate to, or arise under or in connection with this Lease or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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ARTICLE XXIV

MISCELLANEOUS

24.1 Memorandum of Lease . Landlord and Tenant shall, promptly upon the request of either, enter into a short form memorandum of this Lease, in form suitable for recording under the laws of the applicable Situs State. Tenant shall pay all costs and expenses of recording any such memorandum and shall fully cooperate with Landlord in removing from record any such memorandum upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Term.

24.2 No Merger . There shall be no merger of this Lease or of the leasehold estate created hereby by reason of the fact that the same Person may acquire, own or hold, directly or indirectly, (a) this Lease or the leasehold estate created hereby or any interest in this Lease or such leasehold estate and (b) the fee estate in the Premises.

24.3 No Waiver . No failure by Landlord to insist upon the strict performance of any term hereof or to exercise any right, power or remedy hereunder and no acceptance of full or partial payment of Rent during the continuance of any Event of Default shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or of any such term. No waiver of any breach shall affect or alter this Lease, which shall continue in full force and effect with respect to any other then existing or subsequent breach.

24.4 Acceptance of Surrender . No surrender to Landlord of this Lease or any Facility, or of any interest therein, shall be valid or effective unless agreed to and accepted in writing by Landlord, and no act by Landlord or any representative or agent of Landlord, other than such a written acceptance by Landlord, shall constitute an acceptance of any such surrender.

24.5 Attorneys’ Fees . If Landlord or Tenant brings an action or other proceeding against the other to enforce any of the terms, covenants or conditions hereof or any instrument executed pursuant to this Lease, or by reason of any breach or default hereunder or thereunder, the party prevailing in any such action or proceeding and any appeal thereupon shall be paid all of its costs and reasonable outside attorneys’ fees incurred therein.

24.6 Brokers . Landlord and Tenant each warrants to the other that it has not had any contact or dealings with any Person which would give rise to the payment of any fee or brokerage commission in connection with this Lease, and each shall indemnify, protect, hold harmless and defend the other from and against any liability for any fee or brokerage commission arising out of any act or omission of such indemnifying party.

24.7 Severability . If any term or provision of this Lease or any application thereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Lease and any other application of such term or provision shall not be affected thereby.

24.8 Non-Recourse . Tenant specifically agrees to look solely to the Premises for recovery of any judgment from Landlord; provided, however, the foregoing is not intended to, and shall not, limit any right that Tenant might otherwise have to obtain injunctive relief against Landlord, or any action not involving the personal liability of Landlord. Furthermore, in no event shall Landlord be liable to Tenant for any indirect or consequential damages suffered by Tenant from whatever cause.

24.9 Successors and Assigns . This Lease shall be binding upon Landlord and its successors and assigns and, subject to the provisions of Article XVI, upon Tenant and its successors and assigns.

 

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24.10 Governing Law; Jury Waiver . This Lease shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of California, without regard to the conflict of laws rules thereof; provided that that the law of the applicable Situs State shall govern procedures for enforcing, in the respective Situs State, provisional and other remedies directly related to such Facility and related personal property as may be required pursuant to the law of such Situs State, including without limitation the appointment of a receiver; and, further provided that the law of the Situs State also applies to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to create, perfect and foreclose the security interests and liens created under this Lease. EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY EITHER PARTY AGAINST THE OTHER IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS LEASE, INCLUDING RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES, TENANT’S USE AND OCCUPANCY OF THE PREMISES, OR ANY CLAIM OF INJURY OR DAMAGE RELATING TO THE FOREGOING OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY REMEDY.

24.11 Entire Agreement . This Lease constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be changed or modified except by an agreement in writing signed by the parties. Landlord and Tenant hereby agree that all prior or contemporaneous oral understandings, agreements or negotiations relative to the leasing of the Premises are merged into and revoked by this Lease. All exhibits and schedules to this Lease are hereby incorporated herein by this reference. This Lease is an Ancillary Agreement under the Separation Agreement and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith.

24.12 Headings . All titles and headings to sections, articles or other subdivisions of this Lease are for convenience of reference only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision.

24.13 Counterparts . This Lease may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be a valid and binding original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Executed copies hereof may be delivered by telecopier, email or other electronic means and upon receipt will be deemed originals and binding upon the parties hereto, regardless of whether originals are delivered thereafter.

24.14 Joint and Several . If more than one Person is the Tenant under this Lease, the liability of such Persons under this Lease shall be joint and several.

24.15 Interpretation . Both Landlord and Tenant have been represented by counsel and this Lease and every provision hereof has been freely and fairly negotiated. Consequently, all provisions of this Lease shall be interpreted according to their fair meaning and shall not be strictly construed against any party. Whenever the words “including”, “include” or “includes” are used in this Lease, they shall be interpreted in a non-exclusive manner as though the words “without limitation” immediately followed. Whenever the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import are used in this Lease, they shall be interpreted to refer to this Lease as a whole and not to any particular article, section or other subdivision. Whenever the words “day” or “days” are used in this Lease, they shall mean “calendar day” or “calendar days” unless expressly provided to the contrary. All references in this Lease to designated “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and other subdivisions of this Lease.

24.16 Time of Essence . Time is of the essence of this Lease and each provision hereof in which time of performance is established and whenever action must be taken (including the giving of notice or the delivery of documents) hereunder during a certain period of time or by a particular date that ends or occurs on a day that is not a Business Day, then such period or date shall be extended until the immediately following Business Day.

 

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24.17 Further Assurances . The parties agree to promptly sign all documents reasonably requested by the other party to give effect to the provisions of this Lease.

24.18 Certain Changes . In no way waiving or modifying the provisions of Article XVI above, Tenant shall give Landlord at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of any change in Tenant’s principal place of business, name, identity, jurisdiction of organization or corporate structure.

24.19 California Specific Provisions .

24.19.1 In addition to and not in limitation of any other waiver contained herein, Tenant hereby voluntarily waives the provisions of California Civil Code §§1941 and 1942 and all other provisions of law now in force or that become in force hereafter that provide Tenant the right to make repairs at Landlord’s expense and to deduct the expense of such repairs from Rent owing hereunder.

24.19.2 In addition to and not in limitation of any other waiver contained herein, Tenant hereby voluntarily waives any and all rights that Tenant may have under Legal Requirements to terminate this Lease prior to the Expiration Date, including, without limitation:

(a) the provisions of California Civil Code §1932(1) and all other provisions of law now in force or that become in force hereafter that provide Tenant the right to terminate this Lease if Landlord breaches its obligation, if any, as to placing and securing Tenant in the quiet possession of the Premises, putting the Premises in good condition or repairing the Premises;

(b) the provisions of California Civil Code §§1932(2) and 1933(4) and all other provisions of law now in force or that become in force hereafter that would permit or cause a termination of this Lease or an abatement of Rent upon damage to or destruction of the Premises, it being agreed and acknowledged that Article X constitutes an express agreement between Landlord and Tenant that applies in the event of any such damage to or destruction of the Premises; and

(c) the provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure §1265.130 and all other provisions of law now in force or that become in force hereafter that would allow Tenant to petition the courts to terminate this Lease in the event of a Partial Taking.

24.19.3 Landlord and Tenant hereby agree and acknowledge that Article XI provides for Landlord’s and Tenant’s respective rights and obligations in the event of a Condemnation of any Facility and, in addition to and not in limitation of any other waiver contained herein, each hereby voluntarily waives the application of the provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure §§1265.110-1265.160 to this Lease.

24.19.4 In addition to and not in limitation of any other waiver contained herein, Tenant hereby voluntarily waives the provisions of any and all rights conferred by California Civil Code §3275 and California Code of Civil Procedure §§473, 1174 and 1179 and all other provisions of law now in force or that become in force hereafter that provide Tenant the right to redeem, reinstate or restore this Lease following its termination by reason of Tenant’s breach.

 

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24.19.5 Landlord and Tenant hereby agree that when this Lease requires service of a notice, that notice shall replace rather than supplement any equivalent or similar statutory notice, including any notices required by California Code of Civil Procedure §1161 or any similar or successor statute. When a statute requires service of a notice in a particular manner, service of that notice (or a similar notice required by this Lease) in the manner required by Article XXII shall replace and satisfy the statutory service-of-notice procedures, including those required by California Code of Civil Procedure §1162 or any similar or successor statute.

24.19.6 In addition to, and not in substitution of, any of the remedies otherwise available to Landlord under this Lease following the occurrence of an Event of Default, Landlord shall have the remedy described in California Civil Code §1951.4, which provides that Landlord may continue this Lease in full force and effect after Tenant’s breach and abandonment and enforce all of its rights and remedies under this Lease, including the right to recover Rent as it becomes due. Notwithstanding Landlord’s exercise of the remedy described in California Civil Code §1951.4, Landlord may thereafter elect, in its sole discretion, to exercise any other remedy provided for in this Lease, including, without limitation, the right to terminate this Lease as provided in Section 12.2.1 above.

24.19.7 If Landlord elects to terminate this Lease pursuant to Section 12.2.1 above following the occurrence of an Event of Default, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Landlord shall be entitled to recover from Tenant all of the following:

(a) The worth at the time of award (defined below) of the unpaid Rent earned at the time of such termination;

(b) The worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent which would have been earned after termination until the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss which Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided;

(c) The worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent for the balance of the Term after the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that Tenant proves could reasonably be avoided;

(d) Any other amount necessary to compensate Landlord for all detriment proximately caused by Tenant’s failure to perform its obligations under this Lease, or which, in the ordinary course of things, would likely result therefrom, including brokers’ commission, cost of tenant improvements, and attorneys’ fees; and

(e) Any other amounts, in addition to or in lieu of those listed above, that may be permitted under the applicable Legal Requirements.

The “worth at the time of the award” of the amount(s) referred to in (x) Sections 24.19.7(a) and 24.19.7(b) shall be computed by allowing interest at the Agreed Rate and (y) Section 24.19.7(c) shall be computed by discounting such amount at the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco at the time of award, plus one percent (1%).

24.19.8 As of the date of this Lease, no Facility has undergone inspection by a “Certified Access Specialist” in connection with California Civil Code §1938.

24.19.9 Tenant agrees to reasonably cooperate with Landlord in connection with any energy usage reporting requirements to which Landlord is subject under applicable Legal Requirements with respect to the Facilities.

 

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24.19.10 In connection with any Alterations or other modifications, capital repairs, or improvements made by or on behalf of Tenant to any Facility, Tenant shall (and all such Alterations, modifications, capital repairs, or improvements shall) comply with all permitting, preapproval, standards, rules, regulations, and requirements imposed by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (“ OSHPD ”) together with all other Legal Requirements imposed by OSHPD or any other Governmental Authority. Tenant shall indemnify, defend, protect and hold harmless Landlord from and against any Losses of any kind that may be imposed upon Landlord in connection with Tenant’s failure to comply with any rules, regulations, permits or other approvals of OSHPD or any other Governmental Authority in connection with any Alterations, modifications, capital repairs, or improvements made by or on behalf of Tenant to any Facility.

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Lease has been executed by Landlord and Tenant as of the date first written above.

 

TENANT :

                                                                  ,

a(n)                                                          

By:                                                                         

Name:                                                                  

Title:                                                                    

[Signatures continue on next page]


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LANDLORD :

                                                                  ,

a(n)                                                          

By:                                                                         

Name:                                                                  

Title:                                                                    

 

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JOINDER

The Ensign Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby joins in this Lease for the limited purpose of assuming and agreeing to be bound by the obligations contained in Section 5.5.

 

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:                                                                         

Name:                                                                  

Title:                                                                    

 

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EXHIBIT A

DEFINED TERMS

For all purposes of this Lease, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Lease or unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms have the meanings assigned to them in this exhibit and include the plural as well as the singular:

Additional Rent ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

Adjusted CPI Increase ” means the actual CPI Increase as of the date of determination, not to exceed two and one-half percent (2.5%). In no event shall the CPI Increase be a negative number.

Affiliate ” means with respect to any Person, any other Person which Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with the first Person.

Agency Lender ” means any of: (i) the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, (ii) the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), or (iii) the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), or any designees, agents, originators, or servicers of any of the foregoing.

Agreed Rate ” means, on any date, a rate equal to five percent (5%) per annum above the Prime Rate, but in no event greater than the maximum rate then permitted under applicable law. Interest at the aforesaid rates shall be determined for actual days elapsed based upon a 360 day year .

Alterations ” means, with respect to each Facility, any alteration, improvement, exchange, replacement, modification or expansion of the Leased Improvements or Fixtures at such Facility.

Authorization ” means, with respect to each Facility, any and all licenses, permits, certifications, accreditations, Provider Agreements, CONs, certificates of exemption, approvals, waivers, variances and other governmental or “quasi-governmental” authorizations necessary or advisable for the use of such Facility for its Primary Intended Use and receipt of reimbursement or other payments under any Third Party Payor Program in which such Facility participates.

Bankruptcy Action ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) such Person filing a voluntary petition under the Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency law; (ii) the filing of an involuntary petition against such Person under the Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency law which is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of the filing thereof, or soliciting or causing to be solicited petitioning creditors for any involuntary petition against such Person; (iii) such Person filing an answer consenting to or otherwise acquiescing in or joining in any involuntary petition filed against it, by any other Person under the Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency law, or soliciting or causing to be solicited petitioning creditors for any involuntary petition from any Person; (iv) such Person seeking, consenting to or acquiescing in or joining in an application for the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee, or examiner for such Person or any portion of the Facility; (v) such Person making an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (vi) such Person taking any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

“Bankruptcy Code” means 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq ., as the same may be amended from time to time.

Base Rent ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

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Business Day ” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which national banks in the City of New York, New York, are authorized, or obligated, by law or executive order, to close.

Capital Alterations ” means any Alteration for which the budgeted cost exceeds Two Hundred Fifty-Thousand Dollars ($250,000).

Cash Flow ” shall mean the aggregate net income of Tenant attributable to the operation of the Facilities as reflected on the income statement of Tenant, plus (i) the provision for depreciation and amortization in such income statement, plus (ii) the provision for management fees in such income statement, plus (iii) the provision for income taxes in such income statement, plus (iv) the provision for Base Rent payments and interest and lease payments, if any, relating to the Facilities in such income statement, plus (v) the provision for any other non-operating items in such income statement, and minus (vi) an imputed management fee equal to five percent (5%) of gross revenues of the Facilities (net of contractual allowances).

“Casualty Sale” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.5.

Change in Control ” means, as applied to any Person, a change in the Person that ultimately exerts effective Control over the first Person.

Closure Notice ” means a written notice delivered by Landlord to Tenant pursuant to which Landlord notifies Tenant that Tenant may commence a Facility Termination as to a particular Facility or Facilities.

CMS ” means the United States Department of Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or any successor agency thereto.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and, to the extent applicable, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, each as amended from time to time.

Commencement Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.

Compensatory Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.5.

“Compensatory Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.5.

“Compensatory Payment Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.5.

Complete Taking ” means the Condemnation of all or substantially all of a Facility or a Condemnation that results in a Facility no longer being capable of being operated for its Primary Intended Use.

CON ” means, with respect to each Facility, a certificate of need or similar permit or approval (not including conventional building permits) from a Governmental Authority related to (i) the construction and/or operation of such Facility for the use of a specified number of beds in a nursing facility, assisted living facility, senior independent living facility and/or rehabilitation hospital, or (ii) the alteration of such Facility or (iii) the modification of the services provided at such Facility used as a nursing facility, assisted living facility, senior independent living facility and/or rehabilitation hospital.

 

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Condemnation ” means the exercise of any governmental power, whether by legal proceedings or otherwise, by a Condemnor or a voluntary sale or transfer by Landlord to any Condemnor, either under threat of condemnation or while legal proceedings for condemnation are pending.

Condemnor ” means any public or quasi-public authority, or private corporation or individual, having the power of condemnation.

Contingent Obligation ” means any direct or indirect liability of Tenant: (i) with respect to any Debt of another Person; (ii) with respect to any undrawn portion of any letter of credit issued for the account of Tenant as to which Tenant is otherwise liable for the reimbursement of any drawing; (iii) to make take-or-pay or similar payments if required regardless of nonperformance by any other party or parties to an agreement; (iv) claims, liabilities and damages arising in the Ordinary Course of Business; or (v) for any obligations of another Person pursuant to any guaranty or pursuant to any agreement to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire any obligation or any property constituting security therefor, to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation or to preserve the solvency, financial condition or level of income of another Person. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be equal to the amount of the obligation so guarantied or otherwise supported or, if not a fixed and determinable amount, the maximum amount so guarantied or otherwise supported.

Control ”, together with the correlative terms “ Controlled ” and “ Controls ,” means, as applied to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of that Person, whether through ownership, voting control, by contract or otherwise.

CPI ” means the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, United States Average, Subgroup “All Items” (1982 - 1984 = 100). If the foregoing index is discontinued or revised during the Term, the governmental index or computation with which it is replaced shall be used to obtain substantially the same result as if such index had not been discontinued or revised.

CPI Increase ” means the percentage increase (but not decrease) in (i) the CPI published for the beginning of each Lease Year, over (ii) the CPI published for the beginning of the immediately preceding Lease Year.

Debt ” For any Person, without duplication: (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, for amounts drawn under a letter of credit or for the deferred purchase price of property for which such Person or its assets is liable; (ii) all unfunded amounts under a loan agreement, letter of credit or other credit facility for which such Person would be liable if such amounts were advanced thereunder; (iii) all amounts required to be paid by such Person as a guaranteed payment to partners or a preferred or special dividend, including any mandatory redemption of shares or interests; (iv) all indebtedness guaranteed by such Person, directly or indirectly; (v) all obligations under leases that constitute capital leases for which such Person is liable; (vi) all obligations of such Person under interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and other interest hedge agreements, in each case whether such Person is liable contingently or otherwise, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, or in respect of which obligations such Person otherwise assures a creditor against loss; (vii) off-balance sheet liabilities of such Person; and (viii) obligations arising under bonus, deferred compensation, incentive compensation or similar arrangements, other than those arising in the Ordinary Course of Business.

Environmental Activities ” mean, with respect to each Facility, the use, generation, transportation, handling, discharge, production, treatment, storage, release or disposal of any Hazardous Materials at any time to or from such Facility or located on or present on or under such Facility.

 

Exhibit A-3


Table of Contents

“Environmental Costs” include interest, costs of response, removal, remedial action, containment, cleanup, investigation, design, engineering and construction, damages (including actual and consequential damages) for personal injuries and for injury to, destruction of or loss of property or natural resources, relocation or replacement costs, penalties, fines, charges or expenses, attorney’s fees, expert fees, consultation fees, and court costs, and all amounts paid in investigating, defending or settling any of the foregoing.

Event of Default ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

Excess Capital Expenditures Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6.

Expiration Date ” means the Initial Expiration Date, as may be extended pursuant to Section 1.4.

Extension Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.

Extension Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.

Facility ” means each healthcare facility located on the Premises, as identified on Schedule 2 attached hereto, including, where the context requires, the Land, Leased Improvements, Intangibles and Landlord Personal Property associated with such healthcare facility.

Facility Default ” means an Event of Default that relates directly to one or more of the Facilities (such as, for example only and without limitation, an Event of Default arising from a failure to maintain or repair, or to operate for the Primary Intended Use, or to maintain the required Authorizations for, one or more of the Facilities), as opposed to an Event of Default that, by its nature, does not relate directly to any of the Facilities.

Facility Improvement Fund Cap ” means, with respect to any Facility, the amount equal to the product of: (i) the amount of Landlord’s initial investment in such Facility, and (ii) twenty percent (20%).

Facility Mortgage ” means any mortgage, deed of trust or other security agreement or lien encumbering any Facility and securing an indebtedness of Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord or any ground, building or similar lease or other title retention agreement to which any Facility are subject from time to time.

Facility Mortgage Documents ” means with respect to each Facility Mortgage and Facility Mortgagee, the applicable Facility Mortgage, loan or credit agreement, lease, note, collateral assignment instruments, guarantees, indemnity agreements and other documents or instruments evidencing, securing or otherwise relating to the loan made, credit extended, lease or other financing vehicle pursuant thereto. Facility Mortgage Documents shall also include, without limitation, any documents typically required by any Agency Lender in connection with a Facility Mortgage, including, but not limited to: (i) tenant regulatory agreements, (ii) intercreditor agreements with any receivables lender of Tenant, and (iii) any subordination, assignment, and security agreements.

Facility Mortgagee ” means the holder or beneficiary of a Facility Mortgage and any other rights of the lender, credit party or lessor under the applicable Facility Mortgage Documents, including, without limitation, any Agency Lender.

Facility Removal Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.6.

 

Exhibit A-4


Table of Contents

Facility Termination ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.6.

Fair Market Value ” means the fair market value of a Facility as determined pursuant to Exhibit E .

Fixtures ” means all equipment, machinery, fixtures and other items of real and/or personal property, including all components thereof, now and hereafter located in, on, or used in connection with and permanently affixed to or incorporated into the Leased Improvements, including all furnaces, boilers, heaters, electrical equipment, heating, plumbing, lighting, ventilating, refrigerating, incineration, air and water pollution control, waste disposal, air-cooling and air-conditioning systems, apparatus, sprinkler systems, fire and theft protection equipment and built-in oxygen and vacuum systems, all of which, to the greatest extent permitted by law, are hereby deemed to constitute real estate, together with all replacements, modifications, alterations and additions thereto.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

Governmental Authority ” means any court, board, agency, commission, bureau, office or authority or any governmental unit (federal, state, county, district, municipal, city or otherwise) and any regulatory, administrative or other subdivision, department or branch of the foregoing, whether now or hereafter in existence, including, without limitation, CMS, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, any state licensing agency or any accreditation agency or other quasi-governmental authority.

Governmental Payor ” means any state or federal health care program providing medical assistance, health care insurance or other coverage of health care items or services for eligible individuals, including but not limited to the Medicare program more fully described in Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 1395 et seq. ) and the Medicaid program more fully described in Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 1396 et seq. ) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Guarantor ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5, together with any and all permitted successors and assigns of the Guarantor originally named herein and any additional Person that guaranties the obligations of Tenant hereunder, from time to time.

Guaranty ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

Hazardous Materials ” mean (i) any petroleum products and/or by-products (including any fraction thereof), flammable substances, explosives, radioactive materials, hazardous or toxic wastes, substances or materials, known carcinogens or any other materials, contaminants or pollutants which pose a hazard to any Facility or to Persons on or about any Facility or cause any Facility to be in violation of any Hazardous Materials Laws; (ii) asbestos in any form which is friable; (iii) urea formaldehyde in foam insulation or any other form; (iv) transformers or other equipment which contain dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of fifty (50) parts per million or any other more restrictive standard then prevailing; (v) medical wastes and biohazards; (vi) radon gas; and (vii) any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any governmental authority or may or could pose a hazard to the health and safety of the occupants of any Facility or the owners and/or occupants of property adjacent to or surrounding any Facility, including, without limitation, any materials or substances that are listed in the United States Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101) as amended from time to time.

 

Exhibit A-5


Table of Contents

Hazardous Materials Laws ” mean any laws, ordinances, regulations, rules, orders, guidelines or policies relating to the environment, health and safety, Environmental Activities, Hazardous Materials, air and water quality, waste disposal and other environmental matters.

Hazardous Materials Claims ” mean any and all enforcement, clean-up, removal or other governmental or regulatory actions or orders threatened, instituted or completed pursuant to any Hazardous Material Laws, together with all claims made or threatened by any third party against any Facility, Landlord or Tenant relating to damage, contribution, cost recovery compensation, loss or injury resulting from any Hazardous Materials.

Impositions ” means any property (real and personal) and other taxes and assessments levied or assessed with respect to this Lease, any Facility, Tenant’s interest therein or Landlord, with respect to any Facility, including, without limitation, any state or county occupation tax, transaction privilege, franchise taxes, margin taxes, business privilege, rental tax or other excise taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Impositions shall not include any local, state or federal income tax based upon the net income of Landlord and any transfer tax or stamps arising from Landlord’s transfer of any interest in any Facility.

Improvement Funds ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7.

Improvement Funds Rate ” means a percentage rate equal to the sum of: (i) REIT Parent’s Weighted Average Cost of Capital on the date of determination, plus (ii) a market supported minimum spread reasonably and mutually acceptable to both Landlord and Tenant.

Initial Expiration Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.

Initial Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.

Insurance Requirements ” mean all terms of any insurance policy required by this Lease and all requirements of the issuer of any such policy, together with all fire underwriters’ regulations promulgated from time to time.

Intangibles ” means the interest, if any, of Landlord in and to any of the following intangible property owned by Landlord in connection with the Land and the Leased Improvements: (i) the identity or business of each Facility as a going concern, including, without limitation, any names or trade names by which each Facility may be known, and all registrations for such names, if any; (ii) to the extent assignable or transferable, the interest, if any, of Landlord in and to each and every guaranty and warranty concerning the Leased Improvements or Fixtures, including, without limitation, any roofing, air conditioning, heating, elevator and other guaranty or warranty relating to the construction, maintenance or repair of the Leased Improvements or Fixtures; and (iii) the interest, if any, of Landlord in and to all Authorizations to the extent the same can be assigned or transferred in accordance with applicable law; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not include any CON issued to or held by Landlord which shall only be licensed to Tenant on a temporary basis, which license shall be revocable at any time by Landlord.

Land ” means, individually and collectively, the real property described in Exhibit B attached to this Lease.

Landlord ” has the meaning set forth in the opening preamble, together with any and all successors and assigns of the Landlord originally named herein.

 

Exhibit A-6


Table of Contents

Landlord Personal Property ” means the machinery, equipment, furniture and other personal property described in Exhibit C attached to this Lease, together with all replacements, modifications, alterations and substitutes thereof (whether or not constituting an upgrade).

Landlord Indemnified Parties ” means Landlord’s Affiliates and Landlord’s and its Affiliates’ agents, employees, owners, partners, members, managers, contractors, representatives, consultants, attorneys, auditors, officers and directors.

Landlord’s Representatives ” means Landlord’s agents, employees, contractors, consultants, attorneys, auditors, architects and other representatives.

Lease ” has the meaning set forth in the opening preamble.

Lease Year ” means each successive period of twelve (12) calendar months during the Term, commencing as of the same day and month (but not year, except in the case of the first (1 st ) Lease Year) as the Commencement Date.

Leased Improvements ” means all buildings, structures and other improvements of every kind now or hereafter located on the Land including, alleyways and connecting tunnels, sidewalks, utility pipes, conduits, and lines (on-site and off-site to the extent Landlord has obtained any interest in the same), parking areas and roadways appurtenant to such buildings and structures.

Legal Requirements ” means all federal, state, county, municipal and other governmental statutes, laws (including common law and Hazardous Materials Laws), rules, policies, guidance, codes, orders, regulations, ordinances, permits, licenses, covenants, conditions, restrictions, judgments, decrees and injunctions applicable to Tenant or affecting any Facility or the applicable Tenant Personal Property or the maintenance, construction, use, condition, operation or alteration thereof, whether now or hereafter enacted and in force, including, any and all of the foregoing that relate to the use of each Facility for its Primary Intended Use.

Licensing Impairment ” means, with respect to each Facility, (i) the revocation, suspension or non-renewal of any Authorization, (ii) any material withholding, non-payment, reduction or other adverse change respecting any Provider Agreement, (iii) any admissions hold under any Provider Agreement, or (iv) any other act or outcome similar to the foregoing that would have a material adverse effect on Tenant’s ability to continue to operate such Facility for its Primary Intended Use or to receive any rents or profits therefrom.

“Limited Remedy Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.6.

Limited Termination Election ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.6.

Losses ” mean all claims, demands, expenses, actions, judgments, damages, penalties, fines, liabilities, losses of every kind and nature (including without limitation losses of use or economic benefit or diminution in value), suits, administrative proceedings, costs and fees, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ and reasonable consultants’ fees and expenses.

“LRED Damages” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.6.

Material Alterations ” mean any Alterations that (i) would materially enlarge or reduce the size of the applicable Facility, (ii) would tie in or connect with any improvements on property adjacent to the applicable Land, or (iii) would affect the structural components of the applicable Facility or the main electrical, mechanical, plumbing, elevator or ventilating and air conditioning systems for such Facility in any material respect.

 

Exhibit A-7


Table of Contents

Maintenance Expenditures ” means, with respect to each Facility, repairs, replacements and improvements to such Facility (other than the Landlord Personal Property) that have been completed in a good, workmanlike and lien free fashion and in compliance with all Legal Requirements and the terms of Sections 6.4 and 6.5 applicable to any Alterations.

Maintenance Expenditures Report ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6.1.

Minimum Aggregate Maintenance Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6.1.

Minimum Rent Coverage Ratio ” shall mean a Portfolio Coverage Ratio of 1.20 to 1.00.

Nonsolicitation Period ” means the period commencing on the date this lease is terminated and ending the date that is six (6) months following the expiration of the Term.

“Occurrence Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.6.

OFAC ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2.1.

Operational Transfer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.1.

Ordinary Course of Business ” means in respect of any transaction involving Tenant, the ordinary course of business of Tenant, as conducted by Tenant in accordance with past practices. In respect of any transaction involving a Facility or the operations thereof, the ordinary course of operations for such Facility, as conducted by Tenant in accordance with past practices.

Overage Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6.1.

Partial Taking ” means any Condemnation of a Facility or any portion thereof that is not a Complete Taking.

Payment Date ” means any due date for the payment of the installments of Base Rent or any other sums payable under this Lease.

Permitted Contingent Obligations ” means each of the following: (i) Contingent Obligations arising in respect of Tenant’s obligations under this Lease; (ii) Contingent Obligations resulting from endorsements for collection or deposit in the Ordinary Course of Business; (iii) Contingent Obligations incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business, including, without limitation, Contingent Obligations with respect to debt financing issued or incurred by the Guarantor; (iv) Contingent Obligations arising with respect to customary indemnification obligations in favor of purchasers in connection with dispositions of personal property assets permitted under this Lease; and (v) other Contingent Obligations not permitted by clauses (i) through (iv) above, not to exceed, with respect to each Tenant, $100,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

Permitted Debt ” means of the following: (i) the obligations of Tenant under this Lease, and (ii), any financing arising and paid on a timely basis in the Ordinary Course of Business other than leasehold financing, including, without limitation, Permitted Contingent Obligations.

Permitted Encumbrances ” means, with respect to each Facility, collectively, (i) all easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions, agreements and other matters with respect to such Facility that (a) are

 

Exhibit A-8


Table of Contents

of record as of the Commencement Date, (b) Landlord entered into after the Commencement Date (subject to the terms hereof); or (c) are specifically consented to in writing by Landlord, (ii) any liens for Impositions that are not yet due and payable; (iii) occupancy rights of residents and patients of such Facility; and (iv) liens of mechanics, laborers, materialman, suppliers or vendors for sums not yet due, provided that such reserve or other appropriate provisions as shall be required by law or GAAP or pursuant to prudent commercial practices shall have been made therefor.

Person ” means any individual, partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company or other entity.

Plans and Specifications ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.1.

Portfolio Coverage Ratio ” means, as determined on a Testing Date based on the applicable period of determination or measurement, the ratio of (i) the Cash Flow for all of the Facilities for the applicable period to (ii) Base Rent payments relating to such Facilities payable under this Lease for the applicable period.

“Post-Casualty Facility” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.5.

Premises ” means, collectively, the Land, Leased Improvements, Related Rights, Fixtures, Intangibles and Landlord Personal Property.

Premises Condition Report ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

Primary Intended Use ” means, as to each Facility, the type of healthcare facility corresponding to such Facility as shown on Schedule 2 attached hereto, with no less than the number of [licensed beds] [units] as shown on Schedule 2 and for ancillary services relating thereto.

Prime Rate ” means, on any date, a rate equal to the annual rate on such date reported in The Wall Street Journal to be the “prime rate.”

Prohibited Persons ” has the meanings set forth in Section 9.2.1.

Provider Agreements ” means any agreements issued to or held by Tenant pursuant to which any Facility is licensed, certified, approved or eligible to receive reimbursement under any Third Party Payor Program.

Real Property Impositions ” mean any real property Impositions secured by a lien encumbering any Facility or any portion thereof.

Reimbursement Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.5.

Related Rights ” means all easements, rights and appurtenances relating to the Land and the Leased Improvements.

REIT Parent ” means CareTrust REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation.

REIT Parent Weighted Average Cost of Capital ” means the weighted average cost of the debt and equity capital of REIT Parent for the ninety (90) day period immediately preceding the date of determination. Such weighted average cost of capital shall be determined by taking into account the proportional relevance of each of the following components based upon the targeted capital structure of

 

Exhibit A-9


Table of Contents

REIT Parent as of the date of determination: (i) the cost of common equity, which is equal to the twelve (12) month forward funds from operation per share consensus estimate divided by the average common stock price for the period of determination, divided by ninety-five percent (95%); (ii) the cost of preferred equity, which is equal to the weighted average dividend yield of all outstanding series of preferred stock; (iii) the cost of debt, which is equal to the ten (10) year Treasury Rate plus a spread equal to the indicative spread on REIT Parent’s largest outstanding note plus thirty (30) basis points; and (iv) the cost of internally generated cash, which is equal to the all-in drawn rate on REIT Parent’s revolving credit facility.

Rent ” means, collectively, Base Rent and Additional Rent.

Request for Advance ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7.

Required Per Bed Annual Capital Expenditures Amount ” means an amount per licensed bed per Lease Year that Tenant is required to expend on Capital Expenditures with respect to each Facility, which amount shall be Four Hundred Dollars ($400).

“Required Reconstruction Approvals” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.5.

Situs State ” means the state or commonwealth where a Facility is located.

Temporary Taking ” means any Condemnation of a Facility or any portion thereof, whether the same would constitute a Complete Taking or a Partial Taking, where the Condemnor or its designee uses or occupies such Facility, or any portion thereof, for no more than twelve consecutive (12) months.

Tenant ” has the meaning set forth in the opening preamble, together with any and all permitted successors and assigns of the Tenant originally named herein.

Tenant Personal Property ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

Tenant Sublessees ” mean Tenant, and any direct or indirect subtenants or operator of any Facility, together with their successors and assigns and any additions thereto or replacements thereof.

Term ” means the Initial Term, plus any duly authorized Extension Terms.

Terminated Facilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.6.

Termination Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.6.

Testing Date ” means the date as of which the Portfolio Coverage Ratio shall be determined for the applicable measurement period, which date shall be the last day of each calendar quarter during the Term. Upon each Testing Date, the Portfolio Coverage Ratio shall be determined based upon the twelve trailing calendar months ending on such Testing Date.

Third Party Payor Programs ” shall mean any third party payor programs pursuant to which healthcare facilities qualify for payment or reimbursement for medical or therapeutic care or other goods or services rendered, supplied or administered to any admittee, occupant, resident or patient by or from any Governmental Authority, Governmental Payor, bureau, corporation, agency, commercial insurer, non-public entity, “HMO,” “PPO” or other comparable party.

 

Exhibit A-10


Table of Contents

Transfer ” means any of the following, whether effectuated directly or indirectly, through one or more step transactions or tiered transactions, voluntarily or by operation of law, (i) assigning, conveying, selling, pledging, mortgaging, hypothecating or otherwise encumbering, transferring or disposing of all or any part of this Lease or Tenant’s leasehold estate hereunder, (ii) subletting of all or any part of any Facility; (iii) engaging the services of any Person for the management or operation of all or any part of any Facility; (iv) conveying, selling, assigning, transferring, pledging, hypothecating, encumbering or otherwise disposing of any stock, partnership, membership or other interests (whether equity or otherwise) in Tenant, Guarantor or any Person that Controls Tenant or any Guarantor, if such conveyance, sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance or disposition results, directly or indirectly, in a Change in Control of Tenant or Guarantor (or of such controlling Person); (v) merging or consolidating Tenant, Guarantor, or any Person that Controls Tenant or Guarantor with or into any other Person, if such merger or consolidation, directly or indirectly, results in a Change in Control of Tenant or Guarantor (or in such controlling Person); (vi) dissolving Tenant or Guarantor or any Person that Controls Tenant or Guarantor; (vii) selling, conveying, assigning, or otherwise transferring all or substantially all of the assets of Tenant, Guarantor or any Person that Controls Tenant or Guarantor; (viii) selling, conveying, assigning or otherwise transferring any of the assets of Tenant or Guarantor, if the consolidated net worth of Tenant or Guarantor immediately following such transaction is not at least equal to the consolidated net worth of Tenant or Guarantor, as applicable, as of the Commencement Date; (ix) assigning, conveying, selling, pledging, mortgaging, hypothecating or otherwise encumbering, transferring or disposing of any Authorization; or (ix) entering into or permitting to be entered into any agreement or arrangement to do any of the foregoing or granting any option or other right to any Person to do any of the foregoing, other than to Landlord under this Lease. For purposes hereof, Guarantor shall be deemed a Person that Controls Tenant, whether or not the same is true.

Transition Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.1.

 

Exhibit A-11


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT B

DESCRIPTION OF THE LAND

[see attached]

 

Exhibit B-1


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT C

THE LANDLORD PERSONAL PROPERTY

All machinery, equipment, furniture and other personal property located at or about any Facility and that is necessary to own, operate or maintain any Facility in accordance with the terms of this Lease, together with all replacements, modifications, alterations and substitutes thereof (whether or not constituting an upgrade) but excluding the following:

(a) all office supplies, medical supplies, food supplies, housekeeping supplies, laundry supplies, and inventories and supplies physically on hand at the Facility;

(b) all customer lists, patient files, and records related to patients (subject to patient confidentiality privileges) and all books and records with respect to the operation of the Facility;

(c) all employee time recording devices, proprietary software and discs used in connection with the operation of the Facility by Tenant or any Person who manages the operations of any Facility, all employee pagers, employee manuals, training materials, policies, procedures, and materials related thereto with respect to the operation of the Facilities; and

(d) all telephone numbers, brochures, pamphlets, flyers, mailers, and other promotional materials related to the marketing and advertising of the Tenant’s business at the Facility.

 

Exhibit C


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT D

FINANCIAL, MANAGEMENT AND REGULATORY REPORTS

F INANCIAL R EPORTING

 

 

    Quarterly Financial Reporting :

 

    No later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of Tenant, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord, presented on a consolidated, quarterly and year-to-date unaudited financial statements prepared for the applicable quarter with respect to Guarantor. Such reports shall include:

 

    A consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal quarter;

 

    Related consolidated statements of income;

 

    A consolidated statement setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation and Tenant’s compliance with each of the covenants set forth in Section 5.12 of this Lease for the applicable fiscal quarter; and

 

    A consolidating Facility-by-Facility basis statement of income and related operating status (including occupancy and skilled mix).

 

    Together with its delivery to Landlord of the quarterly financial reports and statements required hereunder, Tenant shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Landlord, an Officer’s Certificate (for Tenant and a separate Officer’s Certificate (from an officer of any Guarantor) for any financial reports of statements of Guarantor) certifying that the foregoing statements and reports are true and correct and were prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

    Annual Financial Reporting : As soon as available, and in any event within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of Tenant, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord, presented on a consolidated basis, financial statements prepared for such fiscal year with respect to Guarantor, including a balance sheet and operating statement as of the end of such fiscal year, together with related statements of income and members’, partners’, or owners’ capital for such fiscal year.

 

    The annual financial statements delivered by Guarantor hereunder, shall have been audited by an independent certified public accounting firm reasonably satisfactory to Landlord, whose opinion shall be to the effect that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis, and shall not be qualified as to the scope of the audit or as to the status of any Tenant or Guarantor as a going concern.

 

   

Audit and Other Inspection Rights : Without limitation of Tenant’s other obligations as set forth in this Lease or this Exhibit D, Landlord shall have the right, from time to time and at its expense (unless an Event of Default exists, in which case Tenant shall, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, reimburse Landlord for any and all costs and expenses incurred by Landlord in connection with exercising its rights under this paragraph), to audit and inspect the books, records and accounts of Tenant or any Guarantor and/or relative to any Facility(ies) designated by

 

Exhibit D


Table of Contents
 

Landlord from time to time, provided , however , that, (a) if no Event of Default exists, Landlord shall give Tenant not less than thirty (30) days advance written notice of the commencement of any such inspection and (b) Landlord shall not require or perform any act that would cause Tenant or any Guarantor to violate any laws, regulations or ordinances relating to employment records or that protect the privacy rights of Tenant’s or Guarantor’s employees, healthcare patients or residents. Tenant shall reasonably cooperate (and shall cause its independent accountants and other financial advisors to reasonably cooperate) with all such inspections. Such inspections shall be conducted in a manner that does not materially interfere with Tenant’s business operations or the business operations relative to any affected Facility(ies). Unless otherwise agreed in writing by Landlord and Tenant, such inspections shall occur during normal business hours.

 

    Method of Delivery : All financial statements, reports, data and other information required to be delivered by Tenant (or Guarantor) pursuant hereto shall be delivered via email to such email address as Landlord may designate from time to time and shall be in the format and otherwise in the form required pursuant to Section 5.7; provided that the timely filing of any such reports with the SEC shall be deemed delivery to Landlord hereunder.

R EGULATORY R EPORTING

 

 

    Regulatory Reports with respect to each Facility : Within thirty (30) days after Tenant’s receipt, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord by written notice the following regulatory reports with respect to each Facility:

 

    If applicable, and upon request of Landlord, Medicaid cost reports for the Facility within ten days after filing of the report with the State agency, and with respect to surveys with a G tag or higher, any State and federal health care survey and inspection reports, inspector exit interview notes and report, plans of correction, re-survey reports, evidence of annual license renewal, HIPDB adverse action report, notice of any investigation, inspection or survey by licensing authorities, notice of licensure deficiencies or admissions ban, issuance of a provisional or temporary license and all correspondence regarding any of the foregoing for each Facility – within thirty (30) days after receipt by Tenant.

 

    Reports of Regulatory Violations : Within two (2) Business Days after Tenant’s receipt of any of the following, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord by written notice copies of the same along with all related documentation:

 

    Any suspension, termination or restriction (including immediate jeopardy) placed upon Tenant (or Guarantor) or any Facility, the operation of any Facility or the ability to admit residents or patients; or

 

    The inclusion of any Facility on the “Special Focus List” maintained by CMS.

A NNUAL B UDGETS

 

 

    Annual Budgets : At least sixty (60) days after commencement of each calendar year of Tenant during the Term, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord an annual operating budget (on an EBITDAR basis) covering the operations of each Facility for the forthcoming calendar year, which budget shall include month-to-month projections.

 

Exhibit D


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT E

FAIR MARKET VALUE

If it becomes necessary to determine the Fair Market Value of the Premises or any individual Facility for any purpose under this Lease, Landlord and Tenant shall first attempt to agree on such Fair Market Value. If Landlord and Tenant are unable to so agree within a reasonable period of time not to exceed thirty (30) days, then Landlord and Tenant shall have twenty (20) days to attempt to agree upon a single Appraiser to make such determination. If the parties so agree upon a single Appraiser, such Appraiser shall, within forty-five (45) days of being engaged, determine the Fair Market Value as of the relevant date (giving effect to the impact, if any, of inflation from the date of its decision to the relevant date), and such determination shall be final and binding upon the parties.

If Landlord and Tenant are unable to agree upon a single Appraiser within such twenty (20) days, then each party shall have ten (10) days in which to provide the other with the name of a person selected to act as Appraiser on its behalf. Each such Appraiser shall, within forty-five (45) days of being engaged, determine the Fair Market Value as of the relevant date (giving effect to the impact, if any, of inflation from the date of its decision to the relevant date). If the difference between the amounts so determined does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the lesser of such amounts, then the Fair Market Value shall be the average of the amounts so determined, and such average shall be final and binding upon the parties. If the difference between the amounts so determined exceeds ten percent (10%) of the lesser of such amounts, then such two Appraisers shall have twenty (20) days to appoint a third Appraiser. If the first Appraisers fail to appoint a third Appraiser within such twenty (20) days, either Landlord or Tenant may apply to any court having jurisdiction to have such appointment made by such court. Such third Appraiser, shall, within forty-five (45) days of being selected or appointed, determine the Fair Market Value as of the relevant date (giving effect to the impact, if any, of inflation from the date of its decision to the relevant date). The determination of the Appraiser which differs most in terms of dollar amount from the determinations of the other two Appraisers shall be excluded, and the Fair Market Value shall be the average of the amounts of the two remaining determinations, and such average shall be final and binding upon the parties.

If either party fails to select an Appraiser within such ten (10) days or a selected Appraiser fails to make its determination within such forty-five (45) days, the Appraiser selected by the other party or the Appraiser that makes its determination with such forty-five (45) days, as applicable, shall alone determine the Fair Market Value as of the relevant date (giving effect to the impact, if any, of inflation from the date of its decision to the relevant date) and such determination shall be final and binding upon the parties.

Landlord and Tenant shall each pay the fees and expenses of the Appraiser appointed by it and each shall pay one-half (  1 2 ) of the fees and expenses of the third Appraiser.

For purposes of determining the Fair Market Value, the Premises or the applicable Facility, as applicable, shall be valued at its highest and best use which shall be presumed to be as a fully-permitted facility operated in accordance with the provisions of this Lease. In addition, the following specific matters shall be factored in or out, as appropriate, in determining the Fair Market Value:

1. The negative value of (a) any deferred maintenance or other items of repair or replacement of the Premises or the applicable Facility, (b) any then current or prior licensure or certification violations and/or admissions holds and (c) any other breach or failure of Tenant to perform or observe its obligations hereunder shall not be taken into account; rather, the Premises or the applicable Facility, and every part thereof shall be deemed to be in the condition required by this Lease (i.e., in good order and repair and fully licensed) and Tenant shall at all times be deemed to have operated the same in compliance with and to have performed all obligations of the Tenant under this Lease.

 

Exhibit E-1


Table of Contents

2. The occupancy level of the Premises shall be deemed to be the average occupancy during the period commencing on that date which is eighteen (18) months prior to the date of the initial request for the determination of the Fair Market Value, and ending on the date which is six (6) months prior to the date of the initial request for the determination of the Fair Market Value, as the case may be.

As used herein, “ Appraiser ” means an appraiser licensed or otherwise qualified to do business in the applicable Situs State and who has substantial experience in performing appraisals of facilities similar to the Premises and holds the Appraisal Institute’s MAI designation, or, if such organization no longer exists or certifies appraisers, such successor organization or such other organization as is approved by Landlord.

 

Exhibit E-2


Table of Contents

SCHEDULE 1

LANDLORD ENTITIES

 

Schedule 1


Table of Contents

SCHEDULE 2

TENANT ENTITIES; FACILITY INFORMATION

 

Tenant

  

Facility Name

  

Facility Address

  

Primary Intended Use

  

No. of Beds/Units

           
           

Defined Terms

 

   “SNF”      Skilled Nursing Facility   
   “ALF”      Assisted Living Facility   
   “ILF”      Independent Living Facility   
   “ALZ”      Alzheimer’s Care/Memory Care Facility   

 

Schedule 2


Table of Contents

SCHEDULE 3

TENANT OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE

 

Schedule 3


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SCHEDULE 4

FORM OF REQUEST FOR ADVANCE

Request for Advance

 

c/o [ LANDLORD ENTITY NAME ]

 

 

Attention: Lease Administration
Reference: [ TENANT NAME ]; Improvement Funds

To Whom It May Concern:

Reference is hereby made to that certain Master Lease dated effective as of [                  ], by and among [                  ], as “ Tenant ”, and [                  ], as “ Landlord ” (as amended, modified or revised, the “ Lease ”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Lease.

1. Pursuant to Section 6.7 of the Lease, Tenant hereby submits this request for advance (“ Request for Advance ”) and requests that Landlord make an advance (an “ Advance ”) to Tenant of the Improvement Funds in an amount equal to $                  .

2. Tenant requests that such Advance be made available on                  , 201      .

3. The aggregate amount of all outstanding Advances as of the date hereof and as of the date of the making of the requested Advance (after taking into account the amount of such Advance) does not exceed the Facility Improvement Fund Cap for the applicable Facility.

4. Attached hereto are true, correct, and complete copies of the items required pursuant to Section 6.7 of the Lease to be submitted by Tenant to Landlord in connection with the requested Advance.

5. Tenant hereby certifies to Landlord as of the date hereof and as of the date of making of the requested Advance (after taking into effect such Advance) that:

(A) No Event of Default exists or will exist under the Lease and no default beyond any applicable cure period exists or will exist under any of the documents executed by Tenant in connection with the Lease.

(B) Tenant has complied in all material respects with all duties and obligations required to date to be carried out and performed by it pursuant to the terms of the Section 6.7 of the Lease. All conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.7 to the making of the Advance have been satisfied.

(C) All Advances previously disbursed have been used for the purposes set forth in Section 6.7 of the Lease and in the Request for Advance applicable to any such Advance.

(D) All outstanding claims for labor, materials, and/or services furnished prior to the period covered by this Request for Advance have been paid or will be paid from the proceeds of this Advance, except to the extent the same are being duly contested in accordance with the terms of the Lease.

 

Schedule 4


Table of Contents

(E) The Advance requested hereby will be used solely for the purpose of paying costs of the Capital Alterations as shown on the attached report and no portion of the Advance requested hereunder has been the basis for any prior Advance.

(F) There are no liens outstanding against the Premises (or any portion thereof) or its equipment other than liens, if any, which have been disclosed in writing to Landlord that are being duly contested in accordance with the terms of the Lease.

(G) All representations and warranties of Tenant contained in the Lease are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof.

The undersigned certifies that the statements made in this Request for Advance and any documents submitted herewith are true and correct.

 

TENANT :

                                                                               ,

a(n)                                                                         

By:                                                                                          

Name:                                                                                     

Title:                                                                                       

 

Schedule 4

Exhibit 10.3

GUARANTY OF MASTER LEASE

GUARANTY OF MASTER LEASE (this “ Guaranty ”) made as of             , 2014, by THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC. , a Delaware corporation (“ Guarantor ”), to each of the entities identified as “Landlord” on Schedule 1 attached hereto (collectively, “ Landlord ”).

R E C I T A L S

A. Landlord has been requested by each of the entities identified as “Tenant” on Schedule 1 attached hereto (collectively, “ Tenant ”), to enter into a Master Lease dated as of the date hereof (the “ Lease ”), whereby Landlord would lease to Tenant, and Tenant would rent from Landlord, those certain skilled nursing and senior-housing facilities described on Schedule 1 attached hereto and made a part hereof, as more particularly described in the Lease (the “ Premises ”).

B. Tenant is an indirect subsidiary of Guarantor and Guarantor will derive substantial economic benefit from the execution and delivery of the Lease.

C. Guarantor acknowledges that Landlord would not enter into the Lease unless this Guaranty accompanied the execution and delivery of the Lease.

D. Guarantor hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Lease.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the execution and delivery of the Lease and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Guarantor covenants and agrees as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS . Defined terms used in this Guaranty and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Lease.

2. COVENANTS OF GUARANTOR .

(a) Guarantor absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety: (i) the full and prompt payment of all Base Rent and Additional Rent and all other rent, sums and charges of every type and nature payable by Tenant under the Lease, whether due by acceleration or otherwise, including costs and expenses of collection (collectively, the “ Monetary Obligations ”), and (ii) the full, timely and complete performance of all covenants, terms, conditions, obligations, indemnities and agreements to be performed by Tenant under the Lease, including any indemnities or other obligations of Tenant that survive the expiration or earlier termination of the Lease (all of the obligations described in clauses (i) and (ii), are collectively referred to herein as the “ Obligations ”). If Tenant defaults under the Lease, Guarantor will, without notice or demand, promptly pay and perform all of the Obligations, and pay to Landlord, when and as due, all Monetary Obligations payable by Tenant under the Lease, together with all damages, costs and expenses to which Landlord is entitled pursuant to any or all of the Lease, this Guaranty and applicable Legal Requirements.

(b) Guarantor agrees with Landlord that (i) any action, suit or proceeding of any kind or nature whatsoever (an “ Action ”) commenced by Landlord against Guarantor to collect Base Rent and Additional Rent and any other rent, sums and charges due under the Lease for any month or months shall not prejudice in any way Landlord’s rights to collect any such amounts due for any subsequent month or months throughout the Term in any subsequent Action, (ii) Landlord may, at its option, without prior notice or demand, join Guarantor in any Action against Tenant in connection with or based upon either or both of the Lease and any of the Obligations, (iii) Landlord may seek and obtain recovery against Guarantor in an Action against Tenant or in any independent Action against Guarantor without Landlord first asserting, prosecuting, or exhausting any remedy or claim against Tenant or any other guarantor or against any security of Tenant held by Landlord under the Lease, (iv) Landlord may (but shall not be required to) exercise its rights against each of Guarantor and Tenant concurrently, and (v) Guarantor

 

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will be conclusively bound by a judgment entered in any Action in favor of Landlord against Tenant, as if Guarantor were a party to such Action, irrespective of whether or not Guarantor is entered as a party or participates in such Action.

(c) Any default or failure by Guarantor to perform any of its Obligations under this Guaranty shall be deemed an immediate Event of Default by Tenant under the Lease.

(d) Guarantor agrees that, in the event of the rejection or disaffirmance of the Lease by Tenant or Tenant’s trustee in bankruptcy, pursuant to bankruptcy law or any other law affecting creditors’ rights, Guarantor will, if Landlord so requests, assume all obligations and liabilities of Tenant under the Lease, to the same extent as if Guarantor was a party to such document and there had been no such rejection or disaffirmance; and Guarantor will confirm such assumption, in writing, at the request of Landlord upon or after such rejection or disaffirmance. Guarantor, upon such assumption, shall have all rights of Tenant under the Lease to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(e) If Landlord proposes to grant a mortgage on, or refinance any mortgage encumbering the Premises, Guarantor shall make reasonable efforts to cooperate in the process, and shall permit Landlord and the proposed mortgagee to meet with Guarantor or, if applicable, officers of Guarantor and to discuss Guarantor’s business and finances; provided that so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing such meetings shall not occur more frequently than reasonably necessary, and in any event no more than once per year with respect to any particular loan or financing. On request of Landlord, Guarantor agrees to provide any such prospective mortgagee the information to which Landlord is entitled hereunder, provided that if any such information is not publicly available, such nonpublic information shall be made available on a confidential basis. Guarantor agrees to execute, acknowledge and deliver documents requested by the prospective mortgagee (such as a consent to the financing, without further encumbering Guarantor’s or Tenant’s assets, a consent to a collateral assignment of the Lease and of this Guaranty, estoppel certificate, and a subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement), customary for tenants and their guarantors to sign in connection with mortgage loans to landlords, so long as such documents are in form then customary among institutional (including, without limitation, agency) lenders (provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary the same do not (A)  impose on Tenant or Guarantor obligations which (i)  increase Tenant’s or Guarantor’s monetary obligations under this Lease or the Guaranty, (ii)  materially and adversely increase Tenant’s or Guarantor’s non-monetary obligations under this Lease or the Guaranty, (B)  diminish Tenant’s or Guarantor’s rights under this Lease or the Guaranty or (C)  require any actions that are not allowed under the terms of the Existing Financings).

3. GUARANTOR’S OBLIGATIONS UNCONDITIONAL .

(a) This Guaranty is an absolute and unconditional guaranty of payment and of performance, and not of collection, and shall be enforceable against Guarantor without the necessity of the commencement by Landlord of any Action against Tenant or any additional guarantor, and without the necessity of any notice of nonpayment, nonperformance or nonobservance, or any notice of acceptance of this Guaranty, or of any other notice or demand to which Guarantor might otherwise be entitled, all of which Guarantor hereby expressly waives in advance. The obligations of Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of Tenant.

(b) This Guaranty shall apply notwithstanding any extension or renewal of the Lease, or any holdover following the expiration or termination of the Term or any renewal or extension of the Term.

(c) This Guaranty is a continuing guarantee and will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding, and the liability of Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of any or all of the following: (i) any renewals, extensions, modifications, alterations or amendments of the Lease (regardless of whether Guarantor consented to or had notice of same); (ii) any releases or discharges of Tenant or any additional guarantor other than the full release and complete discharge of all of the Obligations; (iii) Landlord’s failure or delay to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any of its rights against Tenant or any additional guarantor; (iv) any extension of time that may be granted by Landlord to Tenant or any additional guarantor; (v) any assignment or transfer of all of any part of Tenant’s interest under the Lease (whether by Tenant, by operation of law, or otherwise); (vi) any subletting, concession, franchising, licensing or permitting of the Premises; (vii) any changed or different use of the Premises; (viii) any other dealings or matters occurring between Landlord and Tenant; (ix) the

 

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taking by Landlord of any additional guarantees, or the receipt by Landlord of any collateral, from Tenant or any other persons or entities; (x) the release by Landlord of any other guarantor; (xi) Landlord’s release of any security provided under the Lease; (xii) Landlord’s failure to perfect any landlord’s lien or other lien or security interest available under applicable Legal Requirements; (xiii) any assumption by any person of any or all of Tenant’s obligations under the Lease, or Tenant’s assignment of any or all of its rights and interests under the Lease, (xiv) the power or authority or lack thereof of Tenant to execute, acknowledge or deliver the Lease; (xv) the existence, non-existence or lapse at any time of Tenant as a legal entity or the existence, non-existence or termination of any corporate, ownership, business or other relationship between Tenant and Guarantor; (xvi) any sale or assignment by Landlord of either or both of this Guaranty and the Lease (including, but not limited to, any direct or collateral assignment by Landlord to any mortgagee); (xvii) the solvency or lack of solvency of Tenant at any time or from time to time; or (xviii) any other cause, whether similar or dissimilar to any of the foregoing, that might constitute a legal or equitable discharge of Guarantor (whether or not Guarantor shall have knowledge or notice thereof) other than payment and performance in full of the Obligations. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, Guarantor specifically agrees that (A) if Tenant’s obligations under the Lease are modified or amended with the express written consent of Landlord, this Guaranty shall extend only to such obligations as so amended or modified without notice to, consideration to, or the consent of, Guarantor, and (B) this Guaranty shall be applicable to any obligations of Tenant arising in connection with a termination of the Lease, whether voluntary or otherwise. Guarantor hereby consents, prospectively, to Landlord’s taking or entering into any or all of the foregoing actions or omissions. For purposes of this Guaranty and the obligations and liabilities of Guarantor hereunder, “Tenant” shall be deemed to include any and all concessionaires, licensees, franchisees, department operators, assignees, subtenants, permittees or others directly or indirectly operating or conducting a business in or from the Premises, as fully as if any of the same were the named Tenant under the Lease.

(d) Guarantor hereby expressly agrees that the validity of this Guaranty and the obligations of Guarantor hereunder shall in no way be terminated, affected, diminished or impaired by reason of the assertion or the failure to assert by Landlord against Tenant or any additional guarantor, of any of the rights or remedies reserved to Landlord pursuant to the provisions of the Lease or any additional guaranty or by relief of Tenant from any of Tenant’s obligations under the Lease or otherwise by (i) the release or discharge of Tenant or any additional guarantor in any state or federal creditors’ proceedings, receivership, bankruptcy or other proceeding; (ii) the impairment, limitation or modification of the liability of Tenant or the estate of Tenant in bankruptcy, or of any remedy for the enforcement of Tenant’s liability under the Lease, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq., as amended), or from other statute, or from the order of any court; or (iii) the rejection, disaffirmance or other termination of the Lease in any such proceeding. This Guaranty shall continue to be effective if at any time the payment of any amount due under the Lease or this Guaranty is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by Landlord for any reason, including, without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of Tenant, Guarantor or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made, and, in such event, Guarantor shall pay to Landlord an amount equal to any such payment that has been rescinded or returned.

4. WAIVERS OF GUARANTOR .

(a) Without limitation of the foregoing, Guarantor waives (i) notice of acceptance of this Guaranty, protest, demand and dishonor, presentment, and demands of any kind now or hereafter provided for by any statute or rule of law, (ii) notice of any actions taken by Landlord or Tenant under the Lease or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto, (iii) notice of any and all defaults by Tenant in the payment of Base Rent and Additional Rent or other rent, charges or amounts, or of any other defaults by Tenant under the Lease, (iv) all other notices, demands and protests, and all other formalities of every kind in connection with the enforcement of the Obligations, omission of or delay in which, but for the provisions of this Section 4 , might constitute grounds for relieving Guarantor of its obligations hereunder, (v) any requirement that Landlord protect, secure, perfect, insure or proceed against any security interest or lien, or any property subject thereto, or exhaust any right or take any action against Tenant or any other person or entity (including any additional guarantor or Guarantor) or against any collateral, and (vi) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting Guarantor’s liability under this Guaranty.

(b) GUARANTOR HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH: THIS GUARANTY;

 

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THE LEASE; ANY LIABILITY OR OBLIGATION OF TENANT IN ANY MANNER RELATED TO THE PREMISES; ANY CLAIM OF INJURY OR DAMAGE IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE LEASE AND/OR THE PREMISES; ANY ACT OR OMISSION OF TENANT, ITS AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, SUPPLIERS, SERVANTS, CUSTOMERS, CONCESSIONAIRES, FRANCHISEES, PERMITTEES OR LICENSEES; OR ANY ASPECT OF THE USE OR OCCUPANCY OF, OR THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS IN, ON OR FROM THE PREMISES. GUARANTOR SHALL NOT IMPOSE ANY COUNTERCLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIMS OR CLAIMS FOR SET-OFF, RECOUPMENT OR DEDUCTION OF RENT IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT BY LANDLORD AGAINST GUARANTOR UNDER THIS GUARANTY. GUARANTOR SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO MAKE, AND HEREBY WAIVES, ANY AND ALL DEFENSES AGAINST ANY CLAIM ASSERTED BY LANDLORD OR IN ANY SUIT OR ACTION INSTITUTED BY LANDLORD TO ENFORCE THIS GUARANTY OR THE LEASE. IN ADDITION, GUARANTOR HEREBY WAIVES, BOTH WITH RESPECT TO THE LEASE AND WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY, ANY AND ALL RIGHTS WHICH ARE WAIVED BY TENANT UNDER THE LEASE, IN THE SAME MANNER AS IF ALL SUCH WAIVERS WERE FULLY RESTATED HEREIN. THE LIABILITY OF GUARANTOR UNDER THIS GUARANTY IS PRIMARY AND UNCONDITIONAL.

(c) Guarantor expressly waives any and all rights to defenses arising by reason of (i) any “one-action” or “anti-deficiency” law or any other law that may prevent Landlord from bringing any action, including a claim for deficiency, against Guarantor before or after Landlord’s commencement or completion of any action against Tenant; (ii) ANY ELECTION OF REMEDIES BY LANDLORD (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY TERMINATION OF THE LEASE) THAT DESTROYS OR OTHERWISE ADVERSELY AFFECTS GUARANTOR’S SUBROGATION RIGHTS OR GUARANTOR’S RIGHTS TO PROCEED AGAINST TENANT FOR REIMBURSEMENT; (iii) any disability, insolvency, bankruptcy, lack of authority or power, death, insanity, minority, dissolution, or other defense of Tenant, of any other guarantor (or any other Guarantor), or of any other person or entity, or by reason of the cessation of Tenant’s liability from any cause whatsoever, other than full and final payment in legal tender and performance of the Obligations; (iv) any right to claim discharge of any or all of the Obligations on the basis of unjustified impairment of any collateral for the Obligations; (v) any change in the relationship between Guarantor and Tenant or any termination of such relationship; (vi) any irregularity, defect or unauthorized action by any or all of Landlord, Tenant, any other guarantor (or Guarantor) or surety, or any of their respective officers, directors or other agents in executing and delivering any instrument or agreements relating to the Obligations or in carrying out or attempting to carry out the terms of any such agreements; (vii) any assignment, endorsement or transfer, in whole or in part, of the Obligations, whether made with or without notice to or consent of Guarantor; (viii) the recovery from Tenant or any other Person (including without limitation any other guarantor) becomes barred by any statute of limitations or is otherwise prevented; (ix) the benefits of any and all statutes, laws, rules or regulations applicable in the State of [California] which may require the prior or concurrent joinder of any other party to any action on this Guaranty; (x) any release or other reduction of the Obligations arising as a result of the expansion, release, substitution, deletion, addition, or replacement (whether or not in accordance with the terms of the Lease) of the Premises; or (xi) any neglect, delay, omission, failure or refusal of Landlord to take or prosecute any action for the collection or enforcement of any of the Obligations or to foreclose or take or prosecute any action in connection with any lien or right of security (including perfection thereof) existing or to exist in connection with, or as security for, any of the Obligations, it being the intention hereof that Guarantor shall remain liable as a principal on the Obligations notwithstanding any act, omission or event that might, but for the provisions hereof, otherwise operate as a legal or equitable discharge of Guarantor. Guarantor hereby waives all defenses of a surety to which it may be entitled by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision hereof, Guarantor hereby expressly waives any and all benefits which might otherwise be available to Guarantor under California Civil Code Sections 2809, 2810, 2819, 2939, 2845, 2848, 2849, 2850,2855, 2899 and 3433.

5. SUBORDINATION; SUBROGATION .

(a) Guarantor subordinates to and postpones in favor of the Obligations (i) any present and future debts and obligations of Tenant to Guarantor (the “ Indebtedness ”), including: (A) salary, bonuses, and other payments pursuant to any employment arrangement; (B) fees, reimbursement of expenses and other payments pursuant to any independent contractor arrangement; (C) principal and interest pursuant to any Indebtedness; (D) distributions payable to any partners, members or shareholders of Guarantor or Affiliates of Guarantor; (E) lease payments pursuant to any leasing arrangement; (F) any management fees; and (G) all rights, liens and security interests of Guarantor, whether now or hereafter arising, in any assets of the Tenant, and (ii) any liens or security interests securing payment of the Indebtedness. Guarantor shall have no right to possession of any assets of Tenant or to foreclose upon any such asset, whether by judicial action or otherwise, unless and until the Obligations have

 

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been paid and performed in full. Guarantor agrees that Landlord shall be subrogated to Guarantor with respect to Guarantor’s claims against Tenant and Guarantor’s rights, liens and security interest, if any, in any of Tenant’s assets and proceeds thereof until all of the Obligations have been paid and performed in full.

(b) After the occurrence of an Event of Default and until such Event of Default is cured or after the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding by or against Tenant and until such proceeding is dismissed, Guarantor shall not: (i) make any distributions or other payments to any partners, parent entities, or Affiliates of Guarantor (other than to Tenant); or (ii) directly or indirectly ask for, sue for, demand, take or receive any payment, by setoff or in any other manner, including the receipt of a negotiable instrument, for all or any part of the Indebtedness owed by Tenant, or any successor or assign of Tenant, including a receiver, trustee or debtor in possession (the term “Tenant” shall include any such successor or assign of Tenant) until the Obligations have been paid in full; however, if Guarantor receives such a payment, Guarantor shall immediately deliver the payment to Landlord for credit against the then outstanding balance of the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5 to the contrary, after an Event of Default has occurred and is outstanding, Guarantor may make cash contributions to Tenant.

(c) Guarantor shall not be subrogated, and hereby waives and disclaims any claim or right against Tenant by way of subrogation or otherwise, to any of the rights of Landlord under the Lease or otherwise, or in the Premises, which may arise by any of the provisions of this Guaranty or by reason of the performance by Guarantor of any of its Obligations hereunder. Guarantor shall look solely to Tenant for any recoupment of any payments made or costs or expenses incurred by Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty. If any amount shall be paid to Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Obligations shall not have been paid and performed in full, Guarantor shall immediately deliver the payment to Landlord for credit against the then outstanding balance of the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured.

(d) Without limiting the foregoing, Guarantor hereby waives any and all benefits, rights and defenses it may have to subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification, and contribution and any other rights and defenses that are or may become available to Guarantor, in each case, by reason of California Civil Code Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive.

6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GUARANTOR . Guarantor represents and warrants that:

(a) Guarantor is a corporation; has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Guaranty; and this Guaranty is valid and binding upon and enforceable against Guarantor without the requirement of further action or condition.

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by Guarantor of this Guaranty does not and will not (i) contravene any applicable Legal Requirements, the organizational documents of Guarantor, if applicable, any order, writ, injunction, decree applicable to Guarantor, or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting Guarantor or any of its properties or assets, or (ii) result in or require the creation of any lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance upon or with respect to any of its properties or assets.

(c) No approval, consent, exemption, authorization or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any governmental authority is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, Guarantor of this Guaranty or any other instrument or agreement required hereunder.

(d) There is no action, suit or proceeding pending or threatened against or otherwise affecting Guarantor before any court or other governmental authority or any arbitrator that may materially adversely affect Guarantor’s ability to perform its obligations under this Guaranty.

(e) Guarantor’s principal place of business is 27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450, Mission Viejo, California 92691.

(f) Tenant is indirectly owned and controlled by Guarantor.

(g) Guarantor has derived or expects to derive financial and other advantages and benefits directly or indirectly, from the making of the Lease and the payment and performance of the Obligations. Guarantor hereby acknowledges that Landlord will be relying upon Guarantor’s guarantee, representations, warranties and covenants contained herein.

 

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(h) All reports, statements (financial or otherwise), certificates and other data furnished by or on behalf of Guarantor to Landlord in connection with this Guaranty or the Lease are: true and correct, in all material respects, as of the applicable date or period provided therein; do not omit to state any material fact or circumstance necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading; and fairly represent the financial condition of Guarantor as of the respective date thereof; and no material adverse change has occurred in the financial condition of Guarantor since the date of the most recent of such financial statements.

7. NOTICES . Any consents, notices, demands, requests, approvals or other communications given under this Guaranty shall be in writing and shall be given as provided in the Lease, as follows or to such other addresses as either Landlord or Guarantor may designate by notice given to the other in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7 :

 

If to Guarantor:    If to Landlord:

The Ensign Group, Inc.

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450

Mission Viejo, California 92691

Attn: [              ]

   c/o CareTrust REIT, Inc.

 

With a copy to:

   With a copy to:

8. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION . Guarantor hereby (a) consents and submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of [California] and the federal courts sitting in the State of [California] with respect to any dispute arising, directly or indirectly, out of this Guaranty, (b) waives any objections which the undersigned may have to the laying of venue in any such suit, action or proceeding in either such court, (c) agrees to join Landlord in any petition for removal to either such court, and (d) irrevocably designates and appoints Tenant as its authorized agent to accept and acknowledge on its behalf service of process with respect to any disputes arising, directly or indirectly, out of this Guaranty. The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that Landlord may obtain personal jurisdiction and perfect service of process through Tenant as the undersigned agent, or by any other means now or hereafter permitted by applicable law. Nothing above shall limit Landlord’s choice of forum for purposes of enforcing this Guaranty.

9. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL COVENANTS .

(a) Financial Deliveries . Guarantor shall deliver the following information to Landlord:

(i) As soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the close of each calendar year, in hard copy and electronic format, in form satisfactory to Landlord, and presented on a consolidated, complete financial statements prepared for such year with respect to Guarantor and, if applicable, its Consolidated Subsidiaries (as defined below), including a balance sheet as of the end of such year, together with related statements of operations, cash flows and changes in equity for such calendar year, prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. Such financial statements shall be audited by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG or such other nationally-recognized accounting firm. Together with Guarantor’s financial statements, Guarantor shall furnish to Landlord a certificate, executed by Guarantor or, if applicable, Guarantor’s CEO (or equivalent) (a) certifying as of the date thereof whether to the best of Guarantor’s knowledge there exists an event or circumstance which constitutes an Event of Default under the Lease and if such Event of

 

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Default exists, the nature thereof, the period of time it has existed and the action then being taken to remedy the same, and (b) certifying that the information contained in such financial statements is true and correct in all material respects and complies with the provisions of this Section 9 . As used herein, “ Consolidated Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to Guarantor, any subsidiary or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of Guarantor in its consolidated financial statements if such statements were prepared as of such date.

(ii) As soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of each calendar quarter, in form satisfactory to Landlord, an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Guarantor and, if applicable, its Consolidated Subsidiaries, together with the related consolidated and consolidating statements of operations for such quarter and for the portion of the calendar year ended at such quarter and a consolidated statement of cash flows for the portion of the year at the end of such quarter, all of which shall be prepared on a comparative basis with the same periods of the previous year (to the extent available) in accordance with GAAP. Together with Guarantor’s interim financial statements, Guarantor shall furnish to Landlord a certificate, executed by Guarantor or, if applicable, Guarantor’s CFO (or equivalent) (a) certifying as of the date thereof whether to the best of Guarantor’s knowledge there exists an event or circumstance which constitutes a default or Event of Default under the Lease and if such default or Event of Default exists, the nature thereof, the period of time it has existed and the action then being taken to remedy the same, (b) and certifying that the information contained in such financial statements is true and correct in all material respects.

Upon the delivery of any financial information by or on behalf of Guarantor pursuant to this Section 9 from time to time during the Term, Guarantor shall be deemed (unless Guarantor specifically states otherwise in writing) to automatically represent and warrant to Landlord that the financial information delivered to Landlord is true, accurate and complete, presents fairly the results of operations of Guarantor for the respective periods covered thereby, reflects accurately the books and records of account of Guarantor as of such dates and for such periods, and that there has been no adverse change in the financial condition of Guarantor since the date of the then applicable financial information.

So long as Guarantor is required to file periodic reports under Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9 , if Guarantor is required to deliver to Landlord a particular financial statement by a specified date under the terms of this Guaranty and Guarantor files such financial statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission by such specified date, Guarantor shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligation to deliver such financial statement to Landlord upon its filing thereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(b) Disclosure . Guarantor agrees that any financial statements of Guarantor and, if applicable, its Consolidated Subsidiaries required to be delivered to Landlord may, without the prior consent of, or notice to, Guarantor, be included and disclosed, to the extent required by applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, in offering memoranda or prospectuses, or similar publications in connection with syndications, private placements or public offerings of Landlord’s (or the entities directly or indirectly controlling Landlord) securities or interests, and in any registration statement, report or other document permitted or required to be filed under applicable federal and state laws, including those of any successor to Landlord, and may also be disclosed to any Facility Mortgagee and to lenders under credit facilities of Landlord or the entities directly or indirectly controlling Landlord. Guarantor agrees to provide such other reasonable financial and other information necessary to facilitate a private placement or a public offering or to satisfy the SEC or regulatory disclosure requirements.

(c) Review Right . Landlord shall have the right, from time to time during normal business hours after three (3) Business Days prior oral or written notice to Guarantor, itself or through any attorney, accountant or other agent or representative retained by Landlord (“ Landlord’s Representatives ”), to examine and audit all financial and other records and pertinent corporate documents of Guarantor at the office of Guarantor or such other Person that maintains such records and documents and to make such copies or extracts thereof as Landlord or Landlord’s Representatives may request and Guarantor hereby agrees to reasonably cooperate with any such examination or audit; provided, however, the cost of such examination or audit shall be borne by Landlord, except during the continuation of an Event of Default, in which case, the cost of any such examination or audit shall be borne by Guarantor and shall be payable within fifteen (15) days of Landlord’s written demand therefor; provided further that, except during the continuation of an Event of Default, any such examination shall not occur more than once in any calendar year.

 

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(d) Assignment; Sale of Assets; Change in Control . Without the prior consent of Landlord, which consent may be withheld or granted in Landlord’s sole discretion, Guarantor shall not assign (whether directly or indirectly), in whole or in part, this Guaranty or any obligation hereunder or, through one or more step transactions or tiered transactions, do, or permit to be done, any activity, transaction or Transfer prohibited under Section 16.1 of the Lease, if any. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein or in the Lease, any transfer of stock, partnership, membership or other equity interests of Guarantor, transfer of assets, merger or other transaction, whether through one or more step transactions or tiered transactions, in which management of Guarantor retains at least 5% of the outstanding stock, partnership, membership or other equity interests of Guarantor or its successor, shall not require Landlord’s consent.

(e) Payment Method; Default Interest . Guarantor shall make any payments due hereunder in immediately available funds by wire transfer to Landlord’s bank account as notified by Landlord, unless Landlord agrees to another method of payment of immediately available funds. If Guarantor does not pay an amount due hereunder on its due date, Guarantor shall pay, on demand, interest at the Agreed Rate on the amount due for a period ending on the full payment of such amount, including the day of repayment, whether before or after any judgment or award, to the extent permitted under applicable law.

10. FINANCIAL COVENANTS . Until the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, Guarantor shall cause Tenant to comply with the terms of Section 5.12.4 of the Lease.

11. MISCELLANEOUS .

(a) Guarantor further agrees that Landlord may, without notice, assign this Guaranty in whole or in part. If Landlord disposes of its interest in the Lease, “ Landlord ,” as used in this Guaranty, shall mean Landlord’s successors and assigns.

(b) Guarantor promises to pay all costs of collection or enforcement incurred by Landlord in exercising any remedies provided for in the Lease or this Guaranty whether at law or in equity. If any legal action or proceeding is commenced to interpret or enforce the terms of, or obligations arising out of, this Guaranty, or to recover damages for the breach thereof, the party prevailing in any such action or proceedings shall be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing party all attorneys’ fees and reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the prevailing party. As used herein, “attorneys’ fees” shall mean the fees and expenses of counsel to the parties hereto, which may include printing, photocopying, duplicating and other expenses, air freight charges, and fees billed for law clerks, paralegals, librarians and others not admitted to the bar but performing services under the supervision of an attorney. The term “attorneys’ fees” shall also include, without limitation, all such fees and expenses incurred with respect to appeals, arbitrations and bankruptcy proceedings.

(c) Guarantor shall, from time to time within ten (10) days after receipt of Landlord’s request, execute, acknowledge and deliver to Landlord a statement certifying (i) that this Guaranty is unmodified and in full force and effect (or if there have been modifications, that the same is in full force and effect as modified and stating such modifications), (ii) the address of Guarantor to which all notices and communications under this Guaranty shall be sent, and (iii) to such other matters as may be reasonably requested by Landlord. Such certificate may be relied upon by any prospective purchaser, lessor or lender of the Premises.

(d) If any portion of this Guaranty shall be deemed invalid, unenforceable or illegal for any reason, such invalidity, unenforceability or illegality shall not affect the balance of this Guaranty, which shall remain in full force and effect to the maximum permitted extent.

(e) The provisions, covenants and guaranties of this Guaranty shall be binding upon Guarantor and its heirs, successors, legal representatives and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Landlord and its successors and assigns, and shall not be deemed waived or modified unless such waiver or modification is specifically set forth in writing, executed by Landlord or its successors and assigns, and delivered to Guarantor.

(f) Whenever the words “include”, “includes”, or “including” are used in this Guaranty, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”, and, whenever the circumstances or the context

 

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requires, the singular shall be construed as the plural, the masculine shall be construed as the feminine and/or the neuter and vice versa . This Guaranty shall be interpreted and enforced without the aid of any canon, custom or rule of law requiring or suggesting construction against the party drafting or causing the drafting of the provision in question.

(g) Each of the rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law or in the Lease or this Guaranty.

(h) The provisions of this Guaranty, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement, shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (including Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law, but otherwise without regard to conflicts of law principles).

(i) The execution of this Guaranty prior to execution of the Lease shall not invalidate this Guaranty or lessen the Obligations of Guarantor hereunder.

(j) The Recitals set forth above are hereby incorporated by this reference and made a part of this Guaranty. Guarantor hereby represents and warrants that the Recitals are true and correct.

(k) Each entity or individual comprising Guarantor shall be jointly and severally liable to Landlord for the faithful performance of this Guaranty.

(l) Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, this Guaranty shall terminate and Guarantor shall automatically be released from its guaranty hereunder upon the earlier to occur of (i) payment in full of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations that are not yet due and payable) and (ii) one year of the termination of the Lease, whether following the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term or otherwise; provided that such termination and release shall not apply to this clause (ii) with respect to Obligations for which claims or demands have been made under this Guaranty prior to the end of such one year period, and which Obligations have not been satisfied.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor has executed this Guaranty as of the day and year first above written.

 

GUARANTOR:

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Its:  

 

Exhibit 10.4

OPPORTUNITIES AGREEMENT

This OPPORTUNITIES AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of                      , 2014, by and between THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (“ Ensign ”), and CARETRUST REIT, INC., a Maryland corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign (“ CareTrust ”). Ensign and CareTrust are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “ Party ,” and collectively as the “ Parties .” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Separation Agreement ”), by and between Ensign and CareTrust.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Ensign, through its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, owns the Ensign Business and the CareTrust Business;

WHEREAS, Ensign and CareTrust have entered into the Separation Agreement, pursuant to which Ensign will be separated into two independent, publicly-traded companies: (a) CareTrust, which, following consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, will own the CareTrust Business, and (b) Ensign, which, following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, will own and conduct the Ensign Business;

WHEREAS, this Agreement is intended to be an Ancillary Agreement, as such term is used in the Separation Agreement;

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, CareTrust and Ensign desire to grant each other certain rights of first refusal during a transition period commencing on the Distribution Date, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the execution of this Agreement by the Parties is a condition precedent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

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ARTICLE I

RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL

Section 1.1 CareTrust’s ROFR . Ensign hereby grants to CareTrust a right of first refusal to provide the financing for any ROFR Transaction (as defined below). If, at any time or from time to time during the term of this Agreement, Ensign is prepared or elects to enter into a ROFR Transaction, Ensign shall comply with the provisions of this Section 1.1 Additionally, CareTrust shall have the right to nominate one or more of its Affiliates to provide the financing for any ROFR Transaction under this Section 1.1 for which CareTrust is entitled to provide such financing.

(a) “ ROFR Transaction ” means a transaction whereby: (i) Ensign or any of its Affiliates would acquire any skilled nursing facility, assisted living/personal care facility, memory care/Alzheimer’s care facility, long term acute care hospital, rehabilitation hospital, or other senior-restricted independent living facility, existing or to be constructed (a “ Health Care Facility ”) from a third party where the cost thereof, or a material portion of such cost, would be financed by a third party lender, (ii) a third party financing source such as a real estate investment trust or other similar source of financing would acquire a Health Care Facility from a third party seller (whether by cash, the assumption of existing debt, or a combination thereof) and concurrently lease such Health Care Facility to Ensign or any of its Affiliates as operator or any transaction substantively similar thereto, or (iii) a transaction whereby Ensign or any of its Affiliates would develop a Health Care Facility and where the cost thereof, or a material portion of such cost, would be financed by a third party lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a ROFR Transaction shall not include: (i) the acquisition of a Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities by Ensign or any of its Affiliates pursuant to which the third-party seller has offered Ensign or its Affiliate, as the case may be, to finance the acquisition of such Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities through seller-backed financing or the assignment and assumption of existing seller financing, including without limitation any financing with an Agency Lender (as defined in the Master Leases), (ii) a transaction where the proposed financing source for such acquisition or development (whether a real estate investment trust or other financing source) identified, pursued, sourced or presented such transaction to Ensign or any of its Affiliates or assisted Ensign or any of its Affiliates in the identification of such transaction under a master developer agreement or other similar arrangement, as the case may be, or with an expectation that such transaction be financed through such financing source, or (iii) a transaction financed with borrowings under any revolving credit facility of Ensign.

(b) Upon Ensign’s subsequent receipt of a written financing proposal from a third party with respect to any such ROFR Transaction that Ensign is prepared to accept (an “ Alternative Financing Proposal ”), Ensign shall provide to, or shall cause to be provided to, CareTrust a written summary describing in detail all of the economic, business and monetary terms of such Alternative Financing Proposal (together with any additional information reasonably requested by CareTrust) and CareTrust will have a right of first refusal for ten (10) business days after CareTrust’s receipt of such written summary to match the terms of the Alternative Financing Proposal (the “ ROFR Period ”). If CareTrust elects to match the terms of the Alternative Financing Proposal within the ROFR Period, then CareTrust and Ensign shall have a period of fifteen (15) days (the “ Negotiation Period ”) to negotiate in good faith and execute the documentation necessary to reflect the financing being provided by CareTrust (the “ Financing Documentation ”). The ROFR Period and the Negotiation Period may, at Ensign’s option, be extended for an additional fifteen (15) business days if at the end of the scheduled expiration of either or both of such periods, CareTrust and Ensign are actively engaged in good faith negotiations with respect to the financing terms or the Financing Documentation, as applicable, and, in such event, any and all references herein to the ROFR Period and/or the Negotiation Period shall be deemed to be references to the ROFR Period and/or the Negotiation Period as so extended.

 

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(c) If (i) CareTrust fails to match the terms of the Alternative Financing Proposal within the ROFR Period, or (ii) CareTrust elects to match the terms of the Alternative Financing Proposal within the ROFR Period but thereafter CareTrust and Ensign are unable to agree upon the Financing Documentation within the Negotiation Period for any reason other than a default by Ensign of its obligations under this Agreement, then Ensign may proceed to consummate such ROFR Transaction pursuant to the Alternative Financing Proposal (without any additional or modified terms materially more favorable to the third-party financing source than those provided in the Alternative Financing Proposal), provided that the closing of such ROFR Transaction occurs within the earlier to occur of (i) six (6) months after the date that the Alternative Financing Proposal is delivered to CareTrust and (ii) the Termination Date (as defined below). Prior to (i) executing binding documentation to consummate such ROFR Transaction during such applicable period on any terms materially more favorable to the third-party financing source than those provided in the Alternative Financing Proposal or (b) closing on the applicable ROFR Transaction after the end of the applicable period, Ensign must reoffer such ROFO Transaction to CareTrust pursuant to this Section 1.1.

Section 1.2 Ensign’s ROFR . If CareTrust becomes aware of, identifies, pursues or sources a Small Portfolio Transaction (as defined below) during the term of this Agreement, Ensign shall have a right of first refusal to (i) purchase and operate all of the Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities that are the subject of such Small Portfolio Transaction or (ii) operate all of the Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities that are the subject of such Small Portfolio Transaction on substantially the same terms and conditions as are set forth in the Master Leases. Within ten (10) days following CareTrust’s becoming aware of, identifying, pursuing or sourcing a Small Portfolio Transaction, CareTrust shall deliver, or cause to be delivered to Ensign, written notice of such Small Portfolio Transaction, together with a summary of the information CareTrust possesses (including all updates subsequently received by CareTrust) with respect to the subject Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities. During the term of this Agreement, CareTrust shall include Ensign or its Affiliates in any confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements it enters into with any prospective seller or its brokers, agents or authorized representatives.

(a) “ Small Portfolio Transaction ” means a single transaction involving the potential acquisition of five (5) or fewer Health Care Facilities but excluding (i) any transaction involving only the sale and purchase of a Healthcare Facility or Healthcare Facilities that are subject to an existing lease with a healthcare operator with a lease term expiring more than one (1) year from the date CareTrust became aware of such transaction, and (ii) any transaction involving the purchase and/or lease of a Healthcare Facility or Healthcare Facilities where the proposed owner or tenant identified, pursued, sourced or presented such transaction to CareTrust or any of its Affiliates or assisted CareTrust or any of its Affiliates in the identification of such transaction under a joint venture, RIDEA arrangement, management agreement or other similar arrangement, as the case may be, or with an expectation that such transaction be facilitated by CareTrust on behalf of such proposed owner or tenant.

 

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(b) Ensign shall have ten (10) days after receipt of such written notice to notify CareTrust by written notice of its desire to (i) enter into negotiations, on its own behalf, for the purchase and operation of all or some of the Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities that are the subject of such Small Portfolio Transaction pursuant to Section 1.2 or (ii) to operate all or some of the Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities that are the subject of such Small Portfolio Transaction on the terms and conditions described herein. Ensign’s failure to deliver such written notice within such ten (10)-day period shall be deemed Ensign’s election to not seek to purchase and operate or only operate such Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities. If Ensign elects (or is deemed to have elected) to not purchase and operate or only operate such Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities in accordance with this Section 1.2, CareTrust may proceed to consummate the applicable Small Portfolio Transaction and Ensign shall have no further right to purchase or operate such Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities (other than the rights set forth in Section 1.2 hereof). If Ensign elects to purchase and operate such Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities as provided in Section 1.2 herein, then Ensign shall proceed in good faith to diligently negotiate and enter into a purchase agreement with respect to such Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities and shall take commercially reasonable efforts to successfully consummate any such Small Portfolio Transaction. If Ensign elects to operate such Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities as provided in Section 1.2 herein, then Ensign shall proceed in good faith to diligently negotiate and enter into a lease agreement with CareTrust with respect to such Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities (on substantially the same terms and conditions as contained in the Master Lease) and shall cooperate and take commercially reasonable efforts to successfully consummate any such Small Portfolio Transaction. Ensign’s obligation to cooperate in connection with the consummation of such Small Portfolio Transaction shall include, without limitation, entering into a commercially reasonable operations transfer agreement with the then-current operator(s) of the applicable Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities and diligently pursuing any and all licensing necessary to operate such Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities under applicable Legal Requirements (as defined in the Master Leases). With respect to any Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities that Ensign elects to operate under this Section 1.2, CareTrust may elect, rather than having the same operated under a new lease, to have such facilities added as part of the Premises under an existing Master Lease, in which case, CareTrust and Ensign shall diligently, and in good faith, negotiate the applicable amendment to the Master Lease.

(c) Ensign’s rights and obligations and CareTrust’s rights and obligations under this Section 1.2 shall extinguish on the Termination Date; provided, however, that if CareTrust delivered notice of a Small Portfolio Transaction to Ensign prior to the Termination Date, Ensign’s rights and obligations and CareTrust’s rights and obligations under this Section 1.2 shall survive with respect to that Small Portfolio Transaction until the earlier of Ensign’s election (or deemed election) to not purchase or operate the applicable Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities, the abandonment of such Small Portfolio Transaction by CareTrust or the consummation of such Small Portfolio Transaction. If Ensign elects not to purchase and operate the applicable Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities and CareTrust does not consummate a transaction with respect to such facilities within six (6) months of Ensign’s election (or deemed election), CareTrust’s obligations under this Section 1.2 shall renew and survive with respect to such Small Portfolio Transaction until Ensign’s rights under this Section 1.2 shall expire. Additionally, Ensign shall have the right to nominate one or more of its Affiliates to operate the applicable Health Care Facility or Health Care Facilities under this Section 1.2 for which Ensign is entitled to provide such operations.

 

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ARTICLE II

TERM AND TERMINATION

Section 2.1 Term and Termination of Services .

(a) This Agreement shall terminate upon the first anniversary (the “ Termination Date ”) of the Distribution Date (as defined in the Separation Agreement).

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) the Parties may terminate this Agreement by mutual written consent and (ii) the Parties each reserve the right to immediately terminate this Agreement by written notice to the other Party in the event that such other Party shall have (A) applied for or consented to the appointment of a receiver, trustee or liquidator; (B) admitted in writing an inability to pay debts as they mature; (C) made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (D) filed a voluntary petition, or have filed against it a petition, for an order of relief under Title 11 of the United States Code Section 101 et seq. , as the same may be amended from time to time.

ARTICLE III

CONFIDENTIALITY

Section 3.1 Confidentiality . Each Party agrees that the specific terms and conditions of this Agreement and any information conveyed or otherwise received by or on behalf of a Party in conjunction herewith shall be Confidential Information subject to the confidentiality provisions (and exceptions thereto) set forth in Section 8.7 of the Separation Agreement.

ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 4.1 Dispute Resolution . The provisions of Article X of the Separation Agreement shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to all disputes, controversies or claims (whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise) that may arise out of or relate to, or arise under or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 4.2 Amendments and Waivers .

(a) Subject to Section 11.1 of the Separation Agreement, this Agreement may not be amended except by an agreement in writing signed by both Parties.

(b) Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived, or the time for its performance may be extended, by the Party entitled to the benefit thereof and any such waiver shall be validly and sufficiently given for the purposes of this Agreement if it is in

 

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writing signed by an authorized representative of such Party. No delay or failure in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall affect or operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or remedy. The rights and remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies that either Party would otherwise have.

Section 4.3 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Separation Agreement, the other Ancillary Agreements, and the exhibits and schedules referenced herein and therein and attached hereto or thereto, constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior negotiations, agreements, commitments, writings, courses of dealing and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 4.4 Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and shall not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

Section 4.5 Notices . All notices, requests, permissions, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.8 of the Separation Agreement.

Section 4.6 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other documents pursuant to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be deemed to be, and shall have the same legal effect as, execution by an original signature and delivery in person.

Section 4.7 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the exhibits attached hereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

Section 4.8 Assignability; Binding Effect . The rights and obligations of each Party under this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, whether by operation of law or otherwise, by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or

 

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delayed) and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement without such consent shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of their respective Affiliates provided that no such assignment shall release such assigning Party from any liability or obligation under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns.

Section 4.9 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any conflicts of law provisions thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

Section 4.10 Construction . This Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Parties and no rule of construction or strict interpretation shall be applied against either Party. The Parties represent that this Agreement is entered into with full consideration of any and all rights which the Parties may have. The Parties have relied upon their own knowledge and judgment. The Parties have had access to independent legal advice, have conducted such investigations they thought appropriate, and have consulted with such other independent advisors as they deemed appropriate regarding this Agreement and their rights and asserted rights in connection therewith. The Parties are not relying upon any representations or statements made by the other Party, or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys, regarding this Agreement, except to the extent such representations are expressly set forth or incorporated in this Agreement. The Parties are not relying upon a legal duty, if one exists, on the part of the other Party (or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys) to disclose any information in connection with the execution of this Agreement or its preparation, it being expressly understood that neither Party shall ever assert any failure to disclose information on the part of the other Party as a ground for challenging this Agreement.

Section 4.11 Performance . Each Party shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Party.

Section 4.12 Title and Headings . Titles and headings to Sections and Articles are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers as of the date first set forth above.

 

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

CARETRUST REIT, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Exhibit 10.5

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

by and between

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

and

CARETRUST REIT, INC.

dated as of

                     , 2014


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

  

 

  

 

Section 1.1  

Certain Definitions

     1   
Section 1.2  

Interpretation

     3   

 

ARTICLE II

 

SERVICES

 

 

  

 

  

 

    
Section 2.1  

Services

     4   
Section 2.2  

Additional Services

     4   
Section 2.3  

No Violations

     5   
Section 2.4  

Third-Party Providers

     5   
Section 2.5  

Independent Contractor

     5   
Section 2.6  

Employees and Representatives

     5   
Section 2.7  

Access

     6   
Section 2.8  

Service Coordinators; Disputes

     6   

 

ARTICLE III

 

PAYMENT

 

 

  

 

  

 

Section 3.1  

Pricing

     6   
Section 3.2  

Taxes

     6   
Section 3.3  

Billing and Payment

     7   
Section 3.4  

Budgeting and Accounting

     7   

 

ARTICLE IV

 

DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

 

  

 

  

 

Section 4.1  

Disclaimer

     7   
Section 4.2  

As Is; Where Is

     8   

 

ARTICLE V

 

INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

 

  

 

  

 

Section 5.1  

Indemnification by Ensign

     8   
Section 5.2  

Limitation of Liability

     8   
Section 5.3  

Indemnification Procedure; Other Rights

     8   

 

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ARTICLE VI

 

FORCE MAJEURE

 

  

 

  

 

Section 6.1  

General

     8   
Section 6.2  

Notice

     9   
Section 6.3  

Subcontractors; Fees

     9   
Section 6.4  

Limitations

     9   

 

ARTICLE VII

 

TERM AND TERMINATION

 

 

  

 

  

 

Section 7.1  

Term and Termination of Services

     9   
Section 7.2  

Effect of Termination

     10   

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

 

  

 

  

 

Section 8.1  

Confidentiality

     11   
Section 8.2  

System Security

     11   

 

ARTICLE IX

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

  

 

  

 

Section 9.1  

Further Assurances

     11   
Section 9.2  

Amendments and Waivers

     12   
Section 9.3  

Entire Agreement

     12   
Section 9.4  

Third-Party Beneficiaries

     12   
Section 9.5  

Notices

     12   
Section 9.6  

Counterparts; Electronic Delivery

     12   
Section 9.7  

Severability

     12   
Section 9.8  

Assignability; Binding Effect

     13   
Section 9.9  

Governing Law

     13   
Section 9.10  

Construction

     13   
Section 9.11  

Performance

     13   
Section 9.12  

Title and Headings

     13   
Section 9.13  

Exhibits

     14   

Exhibit A  – Ensign Transitional Services

  

 

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TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of                      , 2014, by and between The Ensign Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Ensign ”), and CareTrust REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“ CareTrust ”). Ensign and CareTrust are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “ Party ,” and collectively as the “ Parties .” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 1.1.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Ensign, through its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, owns the Ensign Business and the CareTrust Business;

WHEREAS, Ensign and CareTrust have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Separation Agreement ”), pursuant to which Ensign will be separated into two independent publicly-traded companies: (a) CareTrust, which, following consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, will own the CareTrust Business, and (b) Ensign, which, following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, will own and conduct the Ensign Business;

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, CareTrust desires to procure certain services from Ensign, and Ensign is willing to provide such services to CareTrust, during a transition period commencing on the Distribution Date, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

WHEREAS, each Party desires to set forth in this Agreement the principal terms and conditions pursuant to which it will provide or receive such services; and

WHEREAS, the execution of this Agreement by the Parties is a condition precedent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Certain Definitions . Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Separation Agreement. As used in this Agreement (including in Exhibit A ), the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings, applicable both to the singular and the plural forms of the terms described:

 

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Additional Interest ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b).

Additional Services ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

Additional Third-Party Providers ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b).

Adjusted Hourly Rate ” for an employee means such employee’s Hourly Rate multiplied by              .

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Bankruptcy Code ” means 11 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq., as amended.

CareTrust ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Ensign ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Hourly Rate ” for an employee during a given pay period means such employee’s salary (including bonus) and fully burdened benefits for such pay period divided by the number of hours in such pay period assuming no holidays or other work absences occur during such pay period.

Known Third-Party Providers ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b).

Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Payment Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b).

Sales Taxes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

Security Regulations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(a).

Separation Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

Service Coordinator ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

Service Costs ” means the amounts to be paid by CareTrust to Ensign for Services provided pursuant to this Agreement.

Services ” means the services identified in Exhibit A .

Systems ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(a).

Term ” means the period from the Distribution Date to the date of termination of Services under this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(b) or (c).

Third-Party Products and Services ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).

Third-Party Providers ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).

 

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Section 1.2 Interpretation . In this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) words used in the singular include the plural and words used in the plural include the singular;

(b) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(c) the word “or” shall have the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”;

(d) relative to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including,” “to” means “to but excluding” and “through” means “through and including”;

(e) accounting terms used herein shall have the meanings historically ascribed to them by Ensign and its Subsidiaries in its and their internal accounting and financial policies and procedures in effect immediately prior to the date of this Agreement;

(f) reference to any agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and by this Agreement;

(g) reference to any Law means such Law (including any and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect at the time of determining compliance or applicability;

(h) references to any Person include such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement; a reference to such Person’s “Affiliates” shall be deemed to mean such Person’s Affiliates following the Distribution and any reference to a third party shall be deemed to mean a Person who is not a Party or an Affiliate of a Party;

(i) if there is any conflict between the provisions of the main body of this Agreement and Exhibit A , the provisions of the main body of this Agreement shall control unless explicitly stated otherwise in Exhibit A ;

(j) if there is any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the Separation Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control (but only with respect to the subject matter hereof) unless explicitly stated otherwise herein; and

(k) any portion of this Agreement obligating a Party to take any action or to refrain from taking any action, as the case may be, shall mean that such Party shall also be obligated to cause its relevant Subsidiaries to take such action or to refrain from taking such action, as the case may be.

 

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ARTICLE II

SERVICES

Section 2.1 Services .

(a) Except as set forth in Exhibit A , Ensign shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide (or to cause another applicable member of the Ensign Group to provide) to CareTrust (or another applicable member of the CareTrust Group) the Services in a manner, scope, nature, timeliness and quality consistent with the manner, scope, nature, timeliness and quality in which such Services (i) were provided to CareTrust (or such other applicable member of the CareTrust Group) prior to the Distribution Date by Ensign (or such other applicable member of the Ensign Group) and (ii) are provided after the Distribution Date by Ensign (or such other applicable member of the Ensign Group) for its own business.

(b) For those Services provided to CareTrust prior to the Distribution Date, CareTrust shall use the Services for substantially the same purposes and in substantially the same manner (including as to volume, amount, level or frequency, as applicable) as such Services have been used immediately prior to the Distribution Date; provided that Exhibit A shall control the scope of and any limitation on the Services to be provided (to the extent set forth therein) including any Services that were not previously provided to CareTrust prior to the Distribution Date, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

(c) The Parties acknowledge the transitional nature of the Services and agree to cooperate in good faith and to use commercially reasonable efforts to effectuate a smooth transition of the Services from Ensign to CareTrust (or its designee).

Section 2.2 Additional Services . If CareTrust reasonably determines that additional transition services not listed in Exhibit A are necessary after the Distribution Date, CareTrust shall provide written notice to Ensign requesting Ensign (i) to provide additional (including as to volume, amount, level or frequency, as applicable) or different services that Ensign is not expressly obligated to provide under this Agreement, if such services are of the type and scope provided by any member of the Ensign Group (including any employee of any member of the Ensign Group) for CareTrust prior to the Distribution Date, or (ii) expand the scope of any Service (such additional or expanded services, the “ Additional Services ”). Ensign shall consider such request in good faith and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any such Additional Service; provided that no member of the Ensign Group shall be obligated to perform any Additional Services if such member, in its reasonable judgment, does not have adequate resources to perform such Additional Services or if the provision of such Additional Services would interfere with the operation of the Ensign Business. Ensign shall notify CareTrust within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of such request as to whether it will or will not provide the Additional Services. If Ensign agrees to provide Additional Services pursuant to this Section 2.2, then the Parties shall in good faith negotiate the terms of a supplement to Exhibit A which will describe in reasonable detail the Additional Services, project scope, term, price and payment terms to be charged for such Additional Services. Once agreed to in writing, the supplement to Exhibit A shall be deemed part of this Agreement as of such date, and the Additional Services shall be deemed “Services” provided hereunder, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

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Section 2.3 No Violations . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither Party (nor any member of its respective Group) shall be required to perform Services hereunder or to take any actions relating thereto that conflict with or violate any applicable Law or any material Contract, sublicense, authorization, certification or permit.

Section 2.4 Third-Party Providers .

(a) Each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any required consents, licenses or approvals of the providers (“ Third-Party Providers ”) of any products or services required to be used in providing any Services pursuant to this Agreement (“ Third-Party Products and Services ”). The Parties understand and agree that provision of any Services requiring the use of any Third-Party Products and Services shall be subject to receipt of any required consents, licenses or approvals of the applicable Third-Party Providers.

(b) With respect to the Services, (i) CareTrust hereby consents to Ensign’s use of any Third-Party Provider(s) named in Exhibit A with respect to such Services (“ Known Third-Party Providers ”) and (ii) if, after the date of this Agreement, Ensign reasonably determines that it requires the use of Third-Party Providers in addition to the Known Third-Party Providers (“ Additional Third-Party Providers ”) in providing such Services, the use of such Additional Third-Party Providers shall require the written consent of CareTrust’s Service Coordinator and, subject to Section 2.4(c), such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in those instances in which the use of Third-Party Products and Services will require payment of additional consideration by CareTrust and the payment of such additional consideration is not contemplated by this Agreement (including Exhibit A ) or has not been previously agreed by the Parties, then (i) Ensign will provide CareTrust with thirty (30) calendar days’ prior written notice detailing the amount of such additional consideration and (ii) CareTrust will then have the option to (A) procure its own Third-Party Products and Services at its own expense or (B) authorize Ensign to incur the required additional consideration on its behalf and at CareTrust’s expense and such additional consideration will be deemed a Service Cost under this Agreement.

Section 2.5 Independent Contractor . Ensign (and each applicable member of the Ensign Group) shall act under this Agreement solely as an independent contractor, and not as an agent, of CareTrust (and each applicable member of the CareTrust Group).

Section 2.6 Employees and Representatives . Unless otherwise agreed in writing, each employee and representative of Ensign (or a member of the Ensign Group) that provides Services to CareTrust (or a member of the CareTrust Group) pursuant to this Agreement (a) shall be deemed for all purposes to be an employee or representative of Ensign (or such member of the Ensign Group) and not an employee or representative of CareTrust (or such member of the CareTrust Group) and (b) shall be under the direction, control and supervision of Ensign (or such member of the Ensign Group), and Ensign (or such member of the Ensign Group)

 

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shall have the sole right to exercise all authority with respect to the employment (including termination of employment) and assignment of such employee or representative and shall have the sole responsibility to pay for all personnel and other related expenses, including salary or wages, of such employee or representative.

Section 2.7 Access . CareTrust shall provide (or cause any applicable member of the CareTrust Group to provide) Ensign (or any applicable member of the Ensign Group) such reasonable access to the employees, representatives, facilities and books and records of CareTrust (or such member of the CareTrust Group) as Ensign (or such member of the Ensign Group) shall reasonably request in order to enable Ensign (or such member of the Ensign Group) to provide any Services required under this Agreement. Any member of the Ensign Group receiving access pursuant to this Section 2.7 must conform with the confidentiality and security provisions in Article VIII, as applicable.

Section 2.8 Service Coordinators; Disputes . Each Party shall appoint a representative to act as the primary contact with respect to the provision of the Services (each such person, a “ Service Coordinator ”). The initial Service Coordinator for CareTrust shall be Suzanne Snapper, and the initial Service Coordinator for Ensign shall be William M. Wagner. The Service Coordinators shall meet as expeditiously as possible to resolve any dispute under this Agreement (including, but not limited to, any disputes relating to payments under Article III), and any dispute that is not resolved by the Service Coordinators within thirty (30) calendar days shall be deemed a Dispute under the Separation Agreement and shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Article X of the Separation Agreement. Each Party may treat an act of the other Party’s Service Coordinator as being authorized by such other Party without inquiring whether such Service Coordinator had authority to so act; provided that no Service Coordinator shall have authority to amend this Agreement. Each Party shall advise the other Party promptly in writing of any change in its respective Service Coordinator, setting forth the name of the replacement Service Coordinator, and stating that the replacement Service Coordinator is authorized to act for such Party in accordance with this Section 2.8.

ARTICLE III

PAYMENT

Section 3.1 Pricing . All Services provided by Ensign (or another applicable member of the Ensign Group) shall be charged to CareTrust at the fees for such Services determined in accordance with Exhibit A , and the Service Costs shall be payable by CareTrust in the manner set forth in Section 3.3.

Section 3.2 Taxes . The Parties acknowledge that fees charged for Services may be subject to goods and service taxes, value added taxes, sales taxes or similar taxes (collectively, “ Sales Taxes ”). With respect to all Services provided under this Agreement, (a) Ensign shall be liable for reporting and paying the Sales Taxes or any other applicable taxes imposed on fees received for providing such Services and (b) CareTrust shall reimburse Ensign for the amount of such taxes paid on fees received for providing such Services. CareTrust shall be liable for any applicable use taxes imposed on Services received.

 

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Section 3.3 Billing and Payment .

(a) Within fifteen (15) calendar days after the end of each month, Ensign will invoice CareTrust for the applicable Service Costs on a monthly basis, in arrears, for the prior month just ended. The invoice shall set forth in reasonable detail for the period covered by such invoice (i) the Services rendered, (ii) the Service Costs for each type of Service provided and (iii) such additional information as may be reasonably requested by CareTrust.

(b) CareTrust agrees to pay all of the Service Costs on or before thirty (30) calendar days after the date on which an invoice for Service Costs is delivered to CareTrust (the “ Payment Date ”) by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing from time to time by Ensign. If CareTrust fails to pay any monthly payment on or before the Payment Date, CareTrust shall be obligated to pay, in addition to the amount due pursuant to such invoice, interest on such amount at a rate per annum equal to 5% (“ Additional Interest ”). Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Parties, all payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in U.S. dollars.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if CareTrust in good faith disputes any invoiced charge, payment of such charge shall be made only after mutual resolution of such dispute. CareTrust agrees to notify Ensign promptly, and in no event later than the relevant Payment Date, of any disputed charge. Additional Interest shall not accrue on any amount in dispute, and no default shall be alleged until after the relevant Payment Date.

(d) During the term of this Agreement, each Party shall keep such books, records and accounts as are reasonably necessary to verify the calculation of the fees and related expense for Services provided hereunder. Ensign shall provide documentation supporting any amounts invoiced pursuant to this Section 3.3 as CareTrust may from time to time reasonably request. CareTrust shall have the right to review such books, records and accounts at any time during normal business hours upon reasonable written notice, and CareTrust agrees to conduct any such review in a manner so as not to unreasonably interfere with Ensign’s normal business operations.

Section 3.4 Budgeting and Accounting . Upon reasonable request, each Party will cooperate with the other Party with respect to budgeting and accounting matters relating to the Services.

ARTICLE IV

DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 4.1 Disclaimer . EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN SECTION 2.1, CARETRUST ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ENSIGN (AND EACH MEMBER OF THE ENSIGN GROUP) MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES (INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) OR GUARANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERVICES PROVIDED HEREUNDER.

 

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Section 4.2 As Is; Where Is . EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE SERVICES (AND ANY RELATED PRODUCTS) TO BE PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT ARE FURNISHED AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS.

ARTICLE V

INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Section 5.1 Indemnification by Ensign . Ensign hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the CareTrust Indemnitees from and against any and all Losses relating to, arising out of or resulting from Ensign’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its obligations hereunder, or material breach of this Agreement, other than to the extent such Losses are attributable to the gross negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of this Agreement by any member of the CareTrust Group.

Section 5.2 Limitation of Liability .

(a) IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY MEMBER OF THE ENSIGN GROUP, NOR ANY DIRECTOR, OFFICER, MANAGER, EMPLOYEE OR AGENT THEREOF, BE LIABLE, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, IN TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE AND STRICT LIABILITY) OR OTHERWISE TO CARETRUST (OR ANY CARETRUST INDEMNITEES) FOR ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES AS A RESULT OF ANY BREACH, PERFORMANCE OR NON-PERFORMANCE BY SUCH PERSON UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH PERSON HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT ANY SUCH AMOUNT IS PAID TO A THIRD PARTY BY CARETRUST OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES.

(b) ENSIGN’S TOTAL LIABILITY TO CARETRUST UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL NOT EXCEED, IN THE AGGREGATE, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY CARETRUST FOR SERVICES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 5.3 Indemnification Procedure; Other Rights . All claims for indemnification pursuant to Section 5.1 shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 9.4 of the Separation Agreement and shall be subject to Sections 9.5 through 9.10 of the Separation Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

FORCE MAJEURE

Section 6.1 General . If Ensign (or any member of the Ensign Group) is prevented from or delayed in complying, in whole or in part, with any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement by reason of fire, flood, storm, earthquake, strike, walkout, lockout or other labor trouble or shortage, delays by unaffiliated suppliers or carriers, shortages of fuel, power, raw materials or components, equipment failure, any law, order, proclamation, regulation,

 

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ordinance, demand, seizure or requirement of any Governmental Authority, riot, civil commotion, war, rebellion, act of terrorism, nuclear or other accident, explosion, casualty, pandemic, act of God, or act, omission or delay in acting by any Governmental Authority or by CareTrust (or any member of the CareTrust Group) or any other cause, whether or not of a class or kind listed in this sentence, which is beyond the reasonable control of Ensign (or any other applicable member of the Ensign Group), then upon notice to CareTrust pursuant to Section 6.2, the affected provisions and/or other requirements of this Agreement shall be suspended during the period of such disability and, unless otherwise set forth herein to the contrary, Ensign (and any applicable member of the Ensign Group) shall have no liability to CareTrust (or any member of the CareTrust Group) in connection therewith.

Section 6.2 Notice . Upon becoming aware of a disability causing a delay in the performance or preventing performance of any Services to be provided by Ensign (or another member of the Ensign Group) under this Agreement, Ensign shall promptly notify CareTrust in writing of the existence of such disability and the anticipated duration of the disability.

Section 6.3 Subcontractors; Fees . CareTrust shall have the right, but not the obligation, to hire or engage one or more subcontractors to perform the Services affected by the disability for the duration of the period during which such disability delays or prevents the performance of such Services by Ensign, it being agreed that the fees paid or payable under this Agreement with respect to the Services affected by the disability shall be reduced (or refunded, if applicable) on a dollar-for-dollar basis for all amounts paid by CareTrust to such subcontractors; provided that Ensign shall not be responsible for the amount of fees charged by any such subcontractors to perform such Services to the extent they exceed the fees payable under this Agreement for such Services.

Section 6.4 Limitations . Each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly remove any disability under Section 6.1 as soon as possible; provided that nothing in this Article VI will be construed to require the settlement of any lawsuit or other legal proceeding, strike, walkout, lockout or other labor dispute on terms which, in the reasonable judgment of the affected Party, are contrary to its interest. It is understood that the settlement of a lawsuit or other legal proceeding, strike, walkout, lockout or other labor dispute will be entirely within the discretion of the affected Party.

ARTICLE VII

TERM AND TERMINATION

Section 7.1 Term and Termination of Services .

(a) Subject to Section 7.1(c) and except as otherwise set forth in Exhibit A , each of the Services shall be provided for the term specified in Section 7.1(b); provided that CareTrust shall have the right to terminate one or more of the Services that it receives under this Agreement at the end of a designated month by giving Ensign at least thirty (30) calendar days’ prior written notice of such termination. Except as otherwise agreed, each Service may only be terminated as a whole, and partial termination of a Service shall not be permitted without the prior approval of Ensign, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or

 

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delayed. The Parties shall cooperate with each other in good faith in their efforts to reasonably effect early termination of Services, including, where applicable, partial termination, and to agree in good faith upon appropriate reduction of the charges hereunder in connection with such early termination.

(b) Except as set otherwise forth in Exhibit A , the provision of Services under this Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) the cessation of all Services pursuant to Section 7.1(a), or (b) the first anniversary of the Distribution Date; provided that CareTrust shall have the one-time right to extend the provision of Services under this Agreement until the second anniversary of the Distribution Date by providing Ensign with written notice thereof at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the Distribution Date. This Agreement, except for Section 2.1 and Section 2.2, shall survive the termination of Services, and any such termination shall not affect any payment obligation for Services rendered prior to termination.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) the Parties may terminate the provision of Services under this Agreement by mutual written consent and (ii) the Parties each reserve the right to immediately terminate the provision of Services under this Agreement by written notice to the other Party in the event that such other Party shall have (A) applied for or consented to the appointment of a receiver, trustee or liquidator; (B) admitted in writing an inability to pay debts as they mature; (C) made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (D) filed a voluntary petition, or have filed against it a petition, for an order of relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

Section 7.2 Effect of Termination .

(a) Termination or expiration of Services under this Agreement shall not release a Party from any liability or obligation which already has accrued as of the effective date of such termination or expiration, and shall not constitute a waiver or release of, or otherwise be deemed to adversely affect, any rights, remedies or claims, which a Party may have hereunder at law, equity or otherwise or which may arise out of or in connection with such termination or expiration.

(b) As promptly as practicable following termination of any Service, and the payment by CareTrust of all amounts owing hereunder, Ensign shall return all reasonably available material, inventory and other property of the CareTrust Group held by the Ensign Group and shall deliver copies of all of the CareTrust Group’s records maintained by the Ensign Group with regard to such Service in Ensign’s standard format and media. Ensign shall deliver such property and records to such location or locations as reasonably requested by CareTrust. Arrangements for shipping, including the cost of freight and insurance, and the reasonable cost of packing incurred by Ensign shall be borne by CareTrust.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

CONFIDENTIALITY

Section 8.1 Confidentiality . Each Party agrees that the specific terms and conditions of this Agreement and any information conveyed or otherwise received by or on behalf of a Party in conjunction herewith shall be Confidential Information subject to the confidentiality provisions (and exceptions thereto) set forth in Section 8.7 of the Separation Agreement.

Section 8.2 System Security .

(a) If Ensign (or a member of the Ensign Group) is given access to the computer systems or software (collectively, “ Systems ”) of CareTrust (or a member of the CareTrust Group) in connection with the provision of any Services, Ensign shall comply (or cause such member of the Ensign Group to comply) with all of the system security policies, procedures and requirements (collectively, “ Security Regulations ”) of CareTrust (or such member of the CareTrust Group), and shall not (or shall cause such member the Ensign Group not to) tamper with, compromise or circumvent any security or audit measures employed by CareTrust (or such member of the CareTrust Group). Ensign shall (or shall cause such member of the Ensign Group to) access and use only those Systems of CareTrust (or such member of the CareTrust Group) for which it has been granted the right to access and use.

(b) Ensign shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that only those of its personnel (or the personnel of such member of the Ensign Group) who are specifically authorized to have access to the Systems of CareTrust (or such member of the CareTrust Group) gain such access, and use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent unauthorized access, use, destruction, alteration or loss of information contained therein, including notifying its personnel (or the personnel of such member of its Group) of the restrictions set forth in this Agreement and of the Security Regulations.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1 Further Assurances . Subject to the limitations or other provisions of this Agreement, (a) each Party shall, and shall cause the other members of its Group to, use commercially reasonable efforts (subject to, and in accordance with applicable Law) to take promptly, or cause to be taken promptly, all actions, and to do promptly, or cause to be done promptly, and to assist and cooperate with the other Party in doing, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, including using commercially reasonable efforts to perform all covenants and agreements herein applicable to such Party or any member of its Group and (b) neither Party will, nor will either Party allow any other member of its Group to, without the prior written consent of the other Party, take any action which would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with or delay the provision of any Services hereunder during the Term. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, where the cooperation of third parties would be necessary in order for a Party to completely fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such third parties to provide such cooperation.

 

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Section 9.2 Amendments and Waivers .

(a) Subject to Section 11.1 of the Separation Agreement and Section 2.2 of this Agreement, this Agreement may not be amended except by an agreement in writing signed by both Parties.

(b) Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived, or the time for its performance may be extended, by the Party entitled to the benefit thereof and any such waiver shall be validly and sufficiently given for the purposes of this Agreement if it is in writing signed by an authorized representative of such Party. No delay or failure in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall affect or operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or remedy. The rights and remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies that either Party would otherwise have.

Section 9.3 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Separation Agreement, the other Ancillary Agreements, and the Exhibits and Schedules referenced herein and therein and attached hereto or thereto, constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior negotiations, agreements, commitments, writings, courses of dealing and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 9.4 Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except as provided in Article V relating to CareTrust Indemnitees, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and shall not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

Section 9.5 Notices . All notices, requests, permissions, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.8 of the Separation Agreement.

Section 9.6 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other documents pursuant to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be deemed to be, and shall have the same legal effect as, execution by an original signature and delivery in person.

Section 9.7 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the Exhibits attached hereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party. Upon such determination

 

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that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

Section 9.8 Assignability; Binding Effect . The rights and obligations of each Party under this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, whether by operation of law or otherwise, by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement without such consent shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of their respective Affiliates provided that no such assignment shall release such assigning Party from any liability or obligation under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns.

Section 9.9 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any conflicts of law provisions thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

Section 9.10 Construction . This Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Parties and no rule of construction or strict interpretation shall be applied against either Party. The Parties represent that this Agreement is entered into with full consideration of any and all rights which the Parties may have. The Parties have relied upon their own knowledge and judgment. The Parties have had access to independent legal advice, have conducted such investigations they thought appropriate, and have consulted with such other independent advisors as they deemed appropriate regarding this Agreement and their rights and asserted rights in connection therewith. The Parties are not relying upon any representations or statements made by the other Party, or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys, regarding this Agreement, except to the extent such representations are expressly set forth or incorporated in this Agreement. The Parties are not relying upon a legal duty, if one exists, on the part of the other Party (or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys) to disclose any information in connection with the execution of this Agreement or its preparation, it being expressly understood that neither Party shall ever assert any failure to disclose information on the part of the other Party as a ground for challenging this Agreement.

Section 9.11 Performance . Each Party shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Party.

Section 9.12 Title and Headings . Titles and headings to Sections and Articles are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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Section 9.13 Exhibits . Exhibit A attached hereto is incorporated herein by reference and shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers as of the date first set forth above.

 

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
By:    
  Name: Christopher R. Christensen
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

CARETRUST REIT, INC.
By:    
  Name: Gregory K. Stapley
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT A

ENSIGN TRANSITIONAL SERVICES

Ensign agrees to provide (or to cause another applicable member of the Ensign Group to provide) to CareTrust (or another applicable member of the CareTrust Group), upon request and within a reasonable time, the following transitional period services (the “ Services ”). Ensign shall be entitled to receive reimbursement from CareTrust for such Services as set forth below.

Services

 

1. Human Resource Services .

 

  a. Standard Services . The human resource services to be provided by Ensign to CareTrust (the “ HR Services ”) will consist primarily of supporting the transition of CareTrust employees to CareTrust’s contracted Professional Employer Organization (“ PEO ”). Such transition of responsibilities would include, for example and not by way of limitation, supporting employee transition management tasks, providing records and information relative to current and historical employee benefits, payroll and workers’ compensation, recruiting, risk/safety management, training and development. All employee files and records of continuing CareTrust employees will be transferred to CareTrust on the effective date of this Agreement.

 

  b. Special Requirements . The planned provision of the HR Services is based on current facts and circumstances and what Ensign and CareTrust know about CareTrust’s continuing employees, programs and policies today, and the planned transition to the PEO in the future. Any changes or modifications such as (but not limited to) new pay programs, designs, benefits, acquisitions, dispositions, collectively bargained changes, and changes to eligible compensation that are implemented should be communicated to Ensign’s Human Resources Department as soon as possible (and in advance if possible).

 

  c. Term . From the Distribution Date to the date that CareTrust files its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with respect to the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

2. Accounting Services .

 

  a. Standard Services . The accounting services to be provided by Ensign to CareTrust are as follows:

 

  i. Provide accounting for the three independent living facilities that CareTrust will retain in the Spin-Off until such time these locations convert to CareTrust’s systems.


  ii. Certain reconciliations, subledger maintenance procedures related to the fixed asset accounting function until such time the tracking of assets is converted to CareTrust systems.

 

  iii. Processing and maintenance accounts payable function until such time the conversion of CareTrust’s new accounting system is complete.

 

  b. Conversion Support . Ensign personnel will provide a reasonable level of assistance to CareTrust, and will facilitate the support of third-party software providers, as reasonably required during the conversion to standalone CareTrust financial systems. During this financial systems conversion process, CareTrust will have access to CareTrust data in all accounting and related modules, including, but not limited to, accounts receivable; accounts payable; and fixed assets.

 

  c. Term : From the Distribution Date to the date that CareTrust files its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with respect to the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

3. Legal & Compliance Services .

 

  a. Legal Services . Ensign will provide information, required documentation and support in the event of any litigation. Support for litigation arising from or in connection with events that occurred prior to the Effective Time shall be covered by the indemnification provisions of the Separation Agreement and not by this Agreement. Ensign will also provide access to historical documentation, books and records needed to prosecute, defend or avoid litigation, defaults or other adverse events, upon request.

 

  b. Compliance Services . Ensign’s Chief Compliance Officer shall serve as CareTrust’s Chief Compliance Officer. Ensign shall provide CareTrust with full access to its compliance and training programs and systems to the extent necessary for CareTrust to comply with the terms and conditions of Ensign’s Corporate Integrity Agreement (“ CIA ”), for so long as, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, CareTrust remains subject to the CIA, unless such service is earlier terminated by CareTrust. Ensign shall provide periodic reports regarding CareTrust employees relative to compliance testing and reporting obligations, and shall include CareTrust’s compliance statistics in its regular reports to the government and its agents so as to timely fulfill CareTrust’s reporting requirements.

 

4. Information Systems Services .

 

  a. Standard Services . The information systems services (“ IS Services ”) to be provided by Ensign to CareTrust will consist primarily of:

 

  i. Coordinating with the third-party vendor, which will maintain and administer CareTrust’s computer and data storage systems, office and mobile telephones, email and other technology tools and resources, and providing technical support therefor while CareTrust and its personnel and systems remain housed, in whole or part, in the Ensign offices;


  ii. Coordinating with the third-party vendor, which will assist in the orderly procurement, setup and installation of network equipment, communication lines, Internet connectivity, computers, servers, peripherals, phones, copiers and other technology equipment and systems for CareTrust’s new offices;

 

  iii. Coordinating with the third party vendor to setup of CareTrust’s new information technology (“ IT ”) network and systems and the transitioning of all CareTrust IT data to the new IT network, including supporting the following: systems administration, network administration, application support, email, and electronic records maintenance.

 

  b. Special Requirements . Ensign and CareTrust have agreed to the following special requirements concerning the IS Services:

 

  i. Ensign will provide access to historical data relating to acquisition and improvement of the properties comprising CareTrust’s initial portfolio through data extracts.

 

  ii. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Ensign will maintain the email addresses “gstapley@ensigngroup.net” and “dsedgwick@ensigngroup.net” and “wwagner@ensigngroup.net” and agrees to automatically forward all emails received to CareTrust for one (1) year from the Distribution Date. In the event Ensign ever wishes to abandon the ensigngroup.net domain it will instead assign such domain to CareTrust.

 

5. Office Facilities . Ensign shall continue to make available office space in its Service Center offices at 27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450, Mission Viejo, CA for employees and visitors of CareTrust. Such space shall include Internet and phone service and support, regular receptionist services (e.g., answering phones), use of office networks, copiers, peripherals and systems, and the use of conference and meeting rooms on a reasonably available basis.

Fees and Expenses

 

1. Services . CareTrust shall reimburse Ensign for the Services based on time spent by Ensign employees on such services at each such employee’s Adjusted Hourly Rate.

 

2. Expenses . Any expenses related to the rendition of the Services, including without limitation costs billed to Ensign by its regular third-party providers whose assistance may be required to the render the Services, will be billed to CareTrust and reimbursed at cost.

 

3. Office Facilities . CareTrust shall reimburse Ensign for its pro rata share of the office space it uses during its continued occupancy

 

4. Billing . Ensign will provide CareTrust with an itemized invoice for all Services rendered on a monthly basis.

Exhibit 10.6

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

THIS TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT is dated as of             , 2014, by and among The Ensign Group, Inc. (“Ensign”), a Delaware corporation, by and on behalf of itself and each Affiliate of Ensign (as determined after the Distribution), and CareTrust REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and currently a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign (“PropCo”), by and on behalf of itself and each Affiliate of PropCo (as determined after the Distribution). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of             , 2014.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Ensign is the common parent of an affiliated group whose includible corporations join in the filing of a consolidated U.S. federal income Tax Return (the “Ensign Consolidated Group”);

WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, PropCo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign and a member of the Ensign Consolidated Group;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Ensign has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of Ensign and its stockholders to reorganize the assets and liabilities of Ensign into two companies: (i) Ensign which, following consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, will own and conduct a healthcare services business; and (ii) PropCo which, following consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, will own and conduct a healthcare real estate business;

WHEREAS, on the Distribution Date, Ensign will distribute all of the issued and outstanding shares of PropCo to the holders of Ensign common stock pursuant to the Distribution;

WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Parties that the Contribution and the Distribution qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code;

WHEREAS, in contemplation of the Reorganization and the Distribution, Ensign and PropCo desire to set forth their agreement as to the rights and obligations of Ensign, PropCo, and their respective Affiliates with respect to the responsibility, handling and allocation of federal, state and local Taxes, and various other Tax matters.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the terms, conditions, covenants, and provisions of this Agreement, Ensign, PropCo, and their respective Affiliates (as determined after the Distribution) mutually covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

“Adjustment” means an adjustment of any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit or any other item affecting Taxes of a taxpayer pursuant to a Final Determination.

 

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“Affiliate” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity directly or indirectly Controlled by the entity in question.

“After Tax Amount” means any additional amount necessary to reflect (through a gross-up mechanism) the hypothetical Tax consequences of the receipt or accrual of any payment required to be made under this Agreement (including payment of an additional amount or amounts hereunder and the effect of the deductions available for interest paid or accrued and for Taxes such as state and local income Taxes), determined by using the highest marginal corporate Tax rate (or rates, in the case of an item that affects more than one Tax) for the relevant taxable period (or portion thereof).

“Agreement” means this Tax Matters Agreement, including any schedules, exhibits, and appendices attached hereto.

“Benefited Party” has the meaning prescribed in Section 2.05(c).

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Contribution” means the contribution by Ensign of the assets described in Article II of the Separation and Distribution Agreement to PropCo in exchange for (i) the assumption or incurrence, as applicable, by PropCo and certain of its Subsidiaries of the PropCo Liabilities, (ii) the issuance by PropCo to Ensign or its Subsidiaries of shares of PropCo Common Stock, and (iii) the distribution by PropCo, directly or indirectly, to Ensign of the PropCo Cash Payment, all as more fully described in the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

“Control” means the ownership of stock or other securities possessing at least 50 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities entitled to vote.

“Deferred Tax Assets” means, as of a given date, the amount of deferred Tax benefits that would be recognized as assets on a business enterprise’s balance sheet computed in accordance with GAAP.

“Deferred Tax Liabilities” means, as of a given date, the amount of deferred Tax liabilities that would be recognized as liabilities on a business enterprise’s balance sheet computed in accordance with GAAP.

“Deferred Taxes” means, as of a given date, the amount of Deferred Tax Assets, less the amount of Deferred Tax Liabilities.

“Distribution” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“Ensign Consolidated Group” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

“Ensign Group” means all entities that are Affiliates of Ensign immediately after the Distribution, and entities that become Affiliates thereafter.

 

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“Ensign Representation Letter” means an officer’s certificate in which certain representations, warranties and covenants are made on behalf of Ensign and its Affiliates in connection with the issuance of the Tax Opinions or Tax Ruling.

“Equity Award” means employee restricted stock, employee stock options, or deferred compensation granted, awarded or otherwise paid to a service provider by Ensign or a member of the PropCo Group, as the case may be.

“FIN 48” means Financial Accounting Standard Board Interpretation Number 48: Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.

“Final Determination” shall mean the final resolution of liability for any Tax for a taxable period, including any related interest, penalties or other additions to tax, (i) by a decision, judgment, decree, or other order by a court of competent jurisdiction, which has become final and unappealable; (ii) by a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Section 7121 or Section 7122 of the Code, or comparable agreements under the laws of other jurisdictions; (iii) by any allowance of a Refund in respect of an overpayment of Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such Refund may be recovered (including by way of offset) by the jurisdiction imposing such Tax; or (iv) by any other final resolution, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or the execution of a pre-filing agreement with the IRS or other Taxing Authority.

“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the Distribution Date.

“Income Taxes” means any Taxes based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to: (i) net income or profits or net receipts (including, but not limited to, any capital gains, minimum Tax or any Tax on items of Tax preference, but not including sales, use, real or personal property, or transfer or similar Taxes) or (ii) multiple bases (including corporate or franchise, doing business and occupation taxes) if one or more bases upon which such Tax may be based, measured by, or calculated with respect to, is described in clause (i).

“Indemnified Party” has the meaning prescribed in Section 6.02.

“Indemnifying Party” has the meaning prescribed in Section 6.02.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“Liability Issue” has the meaning prescribed in Section 5.03(e).

“Non-Income Taxes” means any Taxes other than Income Taxes.

“Notified Action” has the meaning prescribed in Section 4.03(a).

“Party” means each of Ensign and PropCo.

“Person” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

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“Post-Distribution Period” means any tax year or other taxable period beginning after the Distribution Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, that part of the tax year or other taxable period that begins at the beginning of the day after the Distribution Date.

“Pre-Distribution Period” means any tax year or other taxable period that ends on or before the Distribution Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, that part of the tax year or other taxable period through the end of the day on the Distribution Date.

“PropCo Group” means PropCo and Affiliates of PropCo immediately after the Distribution, and entities that become Affiliates thereafter.

“PropCo Representation Letter” means an officer’s certificate in which certain representations, warranties, and covenants are made on behalf of PropCo and its Affiliates in connection with the issuance of Tax Opinions or a Tax Ruling.

“Refunds” has the meaning prescribed in Section 2.05(a).

“REIT” has the meaning prescribed in Section 4.02(e).

“Representation Letters” means the Ensign Representation Letter (or Letters) and the PropCo Representation Letter (or Letters).

“Responsible Party” has the meaning prescribed in Section 5.03(a).

“Ruling Documents” means the Ruling Request, the appendices, attachments and exhibits thereto, and any additional or supplemental information submitted to the IRS in connection with the Ruling Request and the Tax Ruling.

“Ruling Request” means the private letter ruling request filed by Ensign with the IRS dated August 22, 2013, pertaining to certain Tax aspects of the Reorganization and the Distribution, and any supplemental submissions related thereto.

“Separation and Distribution Agreement” means that Separation and Distribution Agreement by and between Ensign and PropCo, dated as of [            ], 2014.

“Separation Taxes” means any federal, state, and local Income Tax imposed on or assessed against Ensign or the Ensign Consolidated Group in connection with the Contribution and Distribution that would not have occurred had the Contribution and Distribution not occurred.

“Straddle Period” means any taxable period beginning on or before the Distribution Date and ending after the Distribution Date.

“Tax” and “Taxes” means any income, gross income, gross receipts, profits, capital stock, franchise, withholding, payroll, social security, workers’ compensation, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem, value added, stamp, excise, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer, import, export, alternative minimum, estimated or other tax (including any fee, assessment, or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any tax), imposed by any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof, and any interest, penalty, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

 

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“Tax Attributes” means net operating losses, capital losses, investment tax credit carryovers, earnings and profits, foreign tax credit carryovers, overall foreign losses, previously taxed income, separate limitation losses, deductions, credits or other comparable items, and assets basis, that could affect a Tax liability for a past or future taxable period.

“Taxing Authority” means any national, municipal, governmental, state, federal or other body, or any quasi-governmental or private body, having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any Tax (including the IRS).

“Tax Controversy” has the meaning prescribed in Section 5.01(a).

“Tax Detriment” means, without double counting, the sum of (i) the amount of the increase in the Tax liability of an entity (or of the consolidated or combined group of which it is a member), whether temporary or permanent, for any taxable period that arises, or may arise in the future, as a result of any adjustment to, or addition or deletion of, a Tax Item in the computation of the Tax liability of the entity (or the consolidated or combined group of which it is a member), and (ii) the amount by which the entity’s (or consolidated or combined group of which it is a member) Deferred Taxes are increased as a result of such adjustment, addition, or deletion.

“Tax-Free Status of the Transactions” means the tax-free treatment accorded to certain of the Transactions as set forth in the Tax Ruling and the Tax Opinions.

“Tax Item” means any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit, recapture of credit, or any other item (including the basis or adjusted basis of property) which increases or decreases Income Taxes paid or payable in any taxable period.

“Tax Opinions” means the opinions rendered by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and KPMG LLP, respectively, with respect to certain Tax aspects of the Distribution.

“Tax Proceeding” means any audit, assessment of Taxes, pre-filing agreement, other examination by any Taxing Authority, proceeding, appeal of a proceeding or litigation relating to Taxes, whether administrative or judicial, including proceedings relating to competent authority determinations.

“Tax Return” means any return, filing, questionnaire or other document required to be filed, including requests for extensions of time, filings made with estimated Tax payments, claims for Refund or amended returns, that may be filed for any taxable period with any Taxing Authority in connection with any Tax or Taxes (whether or not a payment is required to be made with respect to such filing).

“Tax Ruling” means the IRS private letter ruling issued to Ensign on February 12, 2014 in connection with the Ruling Request.

 

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“Treasury Regulations” means the final and temporary (but not proposed) income tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

“Unqualified Tax Opinion” means a “will” opinion, without substantive qualifications, of a nationally recognized law or accounting firm, which firm is reasonably acceptable to Ensign, to the effect that a transaction will not affect the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.

ARTICLE II. RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAXES

2.01 Responsibility and Indemnification for Taxes.

(a) From and after the Distribution Date, without duplication, each of Ensign and PropCo shall be responsible for, and shall pay its respective share of the liability for Taxes of Ensign, PropCo, and their respective Affiliates, as provided in this Agreement. Ensign and its Affiliates shall indemnify and hold harmless PropCo and its Affiliates from and against any Taxes for which Ensign is responsible pursuant to this Agreement, and PropCo and its Affiliates shall indemnify and hold harmless Ensign and its Affiliates from and against any Taxes for which PropCo is responsible pursuant to this Agreement.

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, all references to Taxes or Tax liabilities in this Agreement refer to the actual amounts of Taxes paid or due and do not apply to items or adjustments to items shown solely on a Party’s balance sheet or other financial statement. There shall be no adjustments, payments, or obligations among the Parties made pursuant to this agreement for any gains or losses with respect to amounts shown on a Party’s balance sheet or other financial statements and not specifically allocated herein, including but not limited to FIN 48 reserves, Deferred Tax Assets, Deferred Tax Liabilities, and other Tax accounting entries.

(c) Payments to Taxing Authorities and between the Parties, as the case may be, shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

2.02 Indemnification.

(a) Generally

(i) Ensign .

Except as set forth in Sections 2.02(a)(ii) and 2.02(b), Ensign shall be responsible for and shall indemnify and hold PropCo and its Affiliates harmless from and against

(A) all Tax liability imposed on members of the Ensign Group or the PropCo Group for all Pre-Distribution Periods, and

(B) all Tax liability imposed on members of the Ensign Group for all Post-Distribution Periods.

(ii) PropCo .

 

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Except as set forth in Sections 2.02(a)(i) and 2.02(b), PropCo shall be responsible for and shall indemnify and hold Ensign and its Affiliates harmless from and against

(A) all Tax liability imposed on members of the PropCo Group for all Post-Distribution Periods, and

(B) Subject to Section 2.03, the responsibility for any Tax incurred in a Straddle Period by any member of the PropCo Group shall be allocated between the Pre-Distribution Period and the Post-Distribution Period as if such member closed its financial accounting records as of the Distribution Date and determined the Tax attributable to the Pre-Distribution Period by applying the method of tax accounting that has historically been used for the business of such member.

(b) Separation Taxes

(i) Ensign .

Ensign shall be responsible for and shall indemnify and hold PropCo and its Affiliates harmless from and against

(A) 50% of all Separation Taxes not due to any act, failure to act, or omission identified in this subsection (b) on the part of any member of the PropCo Group or the Ensign Group, or any Separation Tax liability arising out of or in connection with the accuracy of any description of events, facts, or circumstances on or prior to the Distribution Date as contained in or made in connection with the Ruling Request, the Ruling Documents, the Tax Ruling, the Tax Opinions, or other Ancillary Agreements, including any misrepresentation or omission by Ensign or PropCo contained in any such document with respect to any period prior to the Distribution, but excluding in each case for this purpose any statement concerning a Party’s plan or intention with respect to actions or operations after the Distribution Date,

(B) 100% of all Separation Taxes arising out of, based upon, or relating or attributable to any breach by Ensign of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation contained in this Agreement, any other Ancillary Agreement, the Ruling Request, the Ruling Documents, the Tax Opinions, any Ensign Representation Letter, or otherwise made by Ensign in connection with the Distribution, but excluding for this purpose the breach of any representations (including those described in Section 4.01(b)(i)) not concerning a Party’s plan or intention with respect to actions or operations after the Distribution Date, and

(C) 100% of all Separation Taxes arising from any event following the Distribution involving the stock or assets of Ensign or any of its Affiliates which causes the Distribution to be a Taxable event to Ensign as a result of the application of Section 355(e) of the Code or a similar provision of state or local Tax law.

(ii) PropCo .

 

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PropCo shall be responsible for and shall indemnify and hold Ensign and its Affiliates harmless from and against

(A) 50% of any Separation Taxes that are not due to any act, failure to act, or omission identified in this subsection (b) on the part of any member of the PropCo Group or the Ensign Group, or any Separation Tax liability arising out of or in connection with the accuracy of any description of events, facts, or circumstances on or prior to the Distribution Date as contained in or made in connection with the Ruling Request, the Ruling Documents, the Tax Ruling, the Tax Opinions, or other Ancillary Agreements, including any misrepresentation or omission by Ensign or PropCo contained in any such document with respect to any period prior to the Distribution, but excluding in each case for this purpose any statement concerning a Party’s plan or intention with respect to actions or operations after the Distribution Date,

(B) 100% of all Separation Taxes arising out of, based upon, or relating or attributable to any breach by PropCo of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation contained in this Agreement, any other Ancillary Agreement, the Ruling Request, the Ruling Documents, the Tax Opinions, any PropCo Representation Letter, or otherwise made by PropCo in connection with the Distribution, but excluding for this purpose the breach of any representations (including those described in Section 4.01(a)(i)) not concerning a Party’s plan or intention with respect to actions or operations after the Distribution Date, and

(C) 100% of all Separation Taxes arising from any event post-Distribution involving the stock or assets of PropCo or any of its Affiliates which causes the Distribution to be a Taxable event to Ensign as a result of the application of Section 355(e) of the Code or a similar provision of state or local Tax law.

(c) Transfer Taxes . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other such similar Taxes, and all conveyance fees, recording charges and other fees and charges (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (“Transfer Taxes”) shall be paid by PropCo, and PropCo will file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to all such Transfer Taxes, and, if required by applicable law, Ensign will, and will cause its Affiliates to, join in the execution of any such Tax Returns and other documentation; provided, however, if the Ensign fails to join in the execution of any such Tax Returns and other documentation then PropCo shall be authorized to execute such Tax Returns and other documentation on behalf of Ensign.

2.03 Allocation of Certain Income Taxes and Income Tax Items.

(a) If Ensign, PropCo, or any of their respective Affiliates is permitted but not required under applicable federal, state, or local Tax laws to treat the Distribution Date as the last day of a taxable period, then, in accordance with Section 2.02(a)(ii)(B), the parties shall treat such day as the last day of a taxable period under such applicable Tax law, and shall file any elections necessary or appropriate to such treatment; provided that this Section 2.03(a) shall not be construed to require Ensign or PropCo to change its taxable year.

 

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(b) If applicable Law does not require Ensign, PropCo, or any of their respective Affiliates, as the case may be, to close its taxable year on the Distribution Date, then the allocation of income or deductions required to determine any Taxes or other amounts attributable to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on, or beginning after, the Distribution Date shall be made by means of a closing of the books and records of the PropCo Group as of the close of the Distribution Date; provided that (i) exemptions, allowances, or deductions that are calculated on an annual or periodic basis shall be allocated between such portions in proportion to the number of days in each such portion, and (ii) property Taxes or other Non-Income Taxes that are calculated on an annual or periodic basis and not assessed with respect to a transaction or series of transactions shall be allocated to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Distribution Date and the portion of the Straddle Period beginning after the Distribution Date in proportion to the number of days in each such portion; provided, however, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Ensign and its Affiliates will remain solely responsible for any and all Taxes for which they are responsible for under any lease of property from PropCo or any of its Affiliates.

(c) Tax Attributes arising in a Pre-Distribution Period shall be allocated to the Ensign Group and PropCo Group in accordance with the Code and Treasury Regulations (and any applicable state, local, and foreign Laws). Ensign and PropCo shall jointly determine the allocation of such Tax Attributes arising in Pre-Distribution Periods as soon as reasonably practicable following the Distribution Date, and hereby agree to compute all Taxes for Post-Distribution Periods consistently with that determination unless otherwise required by a Final Determination.

(d) The Parties agree that, in connection with the Distribution, Ensign’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be allocated between Ensign and PropCo based on their relative fair market values at the time of the Distribution in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 1.312-10.

2.04 Treatment of Equity Awards.

(a) To the extent permitted by law, Ensign (or the appropriate Ensign Affiliate) shall be entitled to and shall claim all federal income Tax deductions or other Tax benefits resulting from the grant of any Equity Awards prior to the Distribution, including with respect to any PropCo Restricted Stock Award (as defined in the Employee Matters Agreement) issued pursuant to Section 5.2(b) of the Employee Matters Agreement between the Parties, entered into as of the date hereof (the “Employee Matters Agreement”) due to an individual holding an Ensign Restricted Stock Award (as defined in the Employee Matters Agreement).

(b) To the extent permitted by law, with respect to Equity Awards granted after the Distribution Date, the Party that grants the award shall be entitled to claim any Tax deduction or other benefit resulting from the grant and/or vesting of the award.

(c) If, pursuant to a Final Determination, all or any part of a Tax deduction claimed by Ensign pursuant to Section 2.04(a) is disallowed, then, to the extent permitted by law, PropCo (or the appropriate PropCo Affiliate) shall claim such Tax deduction. If PropCo (or its Affiliate) realizes a Tax benefit from the claiming of such Tax deduction, PropCo shall pay the amount of such Tax benefit to Ensign net of any Tax Detriment suffered by PropCo or its Affiliate in connection therewith.

 

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(d) Ensign shall withhold applicable Taxes and satisfy applicable Tax reporting obligations with respect to the taxation of the Equity Awards referred to in Section 2.04(a). The Party granting the award and claiming the deduction shall withhold applicable Taxes and satisfy applicable Tax reporting obligations with respect to the taxation of the Equity Awards referred to in Section 2.04(b). The Parties to this Agreement shall cooperate so as to permit the party initially claiming such deduction to discharge any applicable Tax withholding and Tax reporting obligations.

2.05 Tax Refunds.

(a) Except as provided in Section 2.04(c), the benefit of any Tax credits, Tax Attributes, and any refund or credit of any overpayment of Taxes or estimated Tax liabilities (“Refunds”), including any corresponding benefit arising out of or related to any Tax liability that is the subject of this Agreement, will remain with the party entitled to the benefit under applicable Tax law, as modified by any applicable audit agreements or past practice of Ensign and its Affiliates. No payments shall be made between the Parties to account for such adjustment.

(b) Except as provided in Section 2.06, Ensign shall be entitled to all Refunds for Taxes for which Ensign is responsible pursuant to Article II, and PropCo shall be entitled to all Refunds for Taxes for which PropCo is responsible pursuant to Article II. A Party receiving a Refund to which the other Party is entitled pursuant to this Agreement shall pay the amount to which such other Party is entitled within ten (10) days after the receipt of the Refund.

(c) In the event of an Adjustment relating to Taxes for which one Party is responsible pursuant to Article II which would have given rise to a Refund but for an offset against the Taxes for which the other Party is or may be responsible pursuant to Article II (the “Benefited Party”), then the Benefited Party shall pay to the other Party, within ten (10) days of the Final Determination of such Adjustment an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the amount of such hypothetical Refund or (ii) the amount of such reduction in the Taxes of the Benefited Party, in each case, plus interest at the rate set forth in Section 6621(a)(1) of the Code on such amount for the period from the filing date of the Tax Return that would have given rise to such Refund to the payment date.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 2.05(a), to the extent that a Party applies or causes to be applied an overpayment of Taxes as a credit toward or a reduction in Taxes otherwise payable (or a Taxing Authority requires such application in lieu of a Refund) and such overpayment of Taxes, if received as a Refund, would have been payable by such Party to the other Party pursuant to this Section 2.05, such Party shall pay such amount to the other Party no later than the due date of the Tax Return for which such overpayment is applied to reduce Taxes otherwise payable.

(e) To the extent that the amount of any Refund under this Section 2.05 or Section 2.06(b), as applicable, is later reduced by a Taxing Authority or in a Tax Proceeding,

 

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such reduction shall be allocated to the Party to which such Refund was allocated pursuant to this Section 2.05 or Section 4.02(b), as applicable, and an appropriate adjusting payment shall be made.

2.06 Carrybacks.

(a) The carryback of any loss, credit, or other Tax Attribute from any Post-Distribution Period shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations (and any applicable state, local, or foreign Laws).

(b) (i) Subject to Section 2.06(c) and (d), in the event that any member of the PropCo Group realizes any loss, credit, or other Tax Attribute in a Post-Distribution Period of such member, such member may elect to carry back such loss, credit, or other Tax Attribute to a Pre-Distribution Period or Straddle Period of Ensign. Ensign shall cooperate with PropCo and such member in seeking from the appropriate Taxing Authority any Refund that reasonably would result from such carryback (including by filing an amended Tax Return) at PropCo’s cost and expense; provided, that Ensign shall not be required to seek such Refund, and PropCo and such member shall not be permitted to seek such Refund, in each case to the extent that such Refund would reasonably be expected to materially adversely impact Ensign (including through an increase in Taxes or a loss or reduction of a Tax Attribute regardless of whether or when such Tax Attribute otherwise would have been used), in each case without the prior written consent of Ensign, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. PropCo (or such member) shall be entitled to any Refund realized by any member of the Ensign Group or the PropCo Group resulting from such carryback.

(ii) Subject to Section 2.06(c) and (d), in the event that any member of the Ensign Group realizes any loss, credit or other Tax Attribute in a Post-Distribution Period of such member, such member may elect to carry back such loss, credit or other Tax Attribute to a Pre-Distribution Period or Straddle Period of such member. PropCo shall cooperate with Ensign and such member in seeking from the appropriate Taxing Authority any Refund that reasonably would result from such carryback (including by filing an amended Tax Return) at Ensign’s cost and expense; provided, that PropCo shall not be required to seek such Refund and Ensign and such member shall not be permitted to seek such Refund, in each case to the extent that such Refund would reasonably be expected to materially adversely impact PropCo (including through an increase in Taxes or a loss or reduction of a Tax Attribute regardless of whether or when such Tax Attribute otherwise would have been used), in each case without the prior written consent of PropCo, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Ensign (or such member) shall be entitled to any Refund realized by any member of the PropCo Group or the Ensign Group resulting from such carryback.

(c) Except as otherwise provided by applicable Law, if any loss, credit or other Tax Attribute of the Ensign Business and the PropCo Business both would be eligible to be carried back or carried forward to the same Pre-Distribution Period (had such carryback been the only carryback to such taxable period), any Refund resulting therefrom shall be allocated between Ensign and PropCo proportionately based on the relative amounts of the Refunds to which the Ensign Business and the PropCo Business, respectively, would have been entitled had such carryback been the only carryback to such taxable period.

 

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(d) To the extent the amount of any Refund under this Section 2.06 is later reduced by a Taxing Authority or a Tax Proceeding, such reduction shall be allocated to the Party to which such Refund was allocated pursuant to this Section 2.06.

ARTICLE III. TAX RETURNS AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE

3.01 Tax Return Preparation Responsibility; Payment of Taxes Shown Thereon.

(a) Except as provided in Section 3.01(c), Ensign shall prepare and timely file all Tax Returns for Pre-Distribution Periods for Ensign and its Affiliates, including PropCo and its Affiliates, and all Tax Returns for Straddle Periods for all members of the Ensign Group. In connection with each federal, state, and local Tax Return that is required under this Agreement to be filed by Ensign for taxable periods ending in 201[4], PropCo shall timely furnish to Ensign Tax information and documents as Ensign may reasonably request.

(b) To the extent that there are separate state or local Tax Returns attributable to a member of the Ensign Group required to be filed by members of the PropCo Group with respect to Pre-Distribution Periods, PropCo and Ensign shall cooperate to ensure that such returns are correctly filed by the party required to file such Tax Returns under applicable law.

(c) PropCo and its Affiliates shall prepare and timely file all Tax Returns for Straddle Periods for all members of the PropCo Group. If Ensign is responsible under Section 2.02(a) for a portion of any Tax reported on a Straddle Period Tax Return for any member of the PropCo Group, PropCo shall provide Ensign with a copy of such Tax Return at least thirty (30) days prior to its due date. Ensign shall notify PropCo of any disagreement within 20 days of Ensign’s receipt of such Tax Return. Any dispute shall be resolved pursuant to the procedures provided by this Agreement.

(d) Subject to the written direction of Ensign, after the date of the Distribution, PropCo shall not file (or allow any PropCo Affiliate to file) any amended Tax Return or refund claim for any Pre-Distribution Periods.

(e) Ensign (and its Affiliates) shall be responsible for remitting payment of any Taxes shown on a Tax Return which Ensign (or any of its Affiliates) is responsible for filing. PropCo (and its Affiliates) shall be responsible for remitting payment of any Taxes shown on a Tax Return which PropCo (or any of its Affiliates) is responsible for filing.

(f) If Ensign remits a Tax payment, but PropCo is responsible pursuant to Article II for all or a portion of the Tax shown on the applicable Tax Return, then PropCo shall timely pay to Ensign that portion of the Tax for which PropCo is responsible. If PropCo remits a Tax payment, but Ensign is responsible pursuant to Article II for all or a portion of the Tax shown on the applicable Tax Return, then Ensign shall timely pay to PropCo that portion of the Tax for which Ensign is responsible. Such payments shall be requested and made in accordance with the notice and payment provisions contained in Article VI. Nothing in this Section 3.01 shall affect the allocation of responsibility for Taxes as set forth in Article II.

 

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3.02 Certain Items Related to Tax Return Preparation.

(a) All Tax Returns relating to a Pre-Distribution Tax Period shall be prepared and filed by the specified party in a manner consistent with past Tax reporting practices of the Ensign Group.

(b) Unless otherwise required by a Taxing Authority, the Parties hereby agree to prepare and file all Tax Returns, and to take all other actions, in a manner consistent with this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, applicable Law, the Tax Ruling, Ruling Documents, the Ruling Request, the Tax Opinions, and any Representation Letter. All Tax Returns shall be filed on a timely basis (taking into account applicable extensions) by the party responsible for filing such Tax Returns under this Agreement; provided, that if a Tax Return is to be signed by an officer of an entity different from the party responsible for filing such Tax Return, the appropriate Party shall have (or cause its Affiliate to have) the appropriate officer sign such Tax Return promptly after presentation thereof for signature.

(c) Except as otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement, Ensign shall have the exclusive right, in its reasonable discretion, with respect to any Tax Return for which it is responsible for the filing thereof pursuant to this Agreement, to determine (i) the manner in which such Tax Return shall be prepared and filed, including the accounting methods, positions, conventions and principles of taxation to be used and the manner in which any Tax Item shall be reported; (ii) whether any extensions may be requested; (iii) the election(s) that will be made by Ensign, PropCo, or any of their Affiliates on such Tax Return; (iv) whether any amended Tax Return shall be filed; (v) whether any claim for Refund shall be made; (vi) whether any Refund shall be paid by way of refund or credited against any liability for the related Tax; and (vii) whether to retain outside firms to prepare or review such Tax Returns; provided, that Ensign shall prepare all Tax Returns for which it has filing responsibility, to the extent such Tax Returns reflect activities of the PropCo Group, in a manner consistent with past Tax reporting practices with respect to such activities of the PropCo Group, except as required by law or regulation.

(d) As soon as reasonably practicable following the Distribution Date, and in any event within 90 calendar days after filing the federal income Tax Return for the Ensign Consolidated Group for the tax year that includes the Distribution Date, Ensign shall notify PropCo of the Tax Attributes associated with PropCo and each of its Affiliates, and the Tax bases of the assets and liabilities transferred to PropCo in connection with the Distribution. Ensign shall advise PropCo with respect to any Final Determination of Tax Adjustments relating to the Ensign Consolidated Group if such Final Determination of Tax Adjustments may affect any Tax Attribute of any member of the PropCo Group after the Distribution Date within 90 calendar days after such change is made or there is a Final Determination of such change.

(e) Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a guarantee or representation of the existence or amount of any loss, credit, carryforward, basis, or other Tax Item or Tax Attribute, whether past, present, or future, of Ensign, PropCo, or their respective Affiliates.

 

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ARTICLE IV. TAX TREATMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTION

4.01 Representations.

(a) PropCo .

(i) Ruling Documents . PropCo hereby represents and warrants that (i) it has examined the Ruling Documents (including, without limitation, the representations to the extent that they relate to the plans, proposals, intentions, and policies of the PropCo Group), and (ii) to the extent in reference to the PropCo Group, the facts presented and the representations made therein are true, correct, and complete in all material respects.

(ii) Tax-Free Status . PropCo hereby represents and warrants that it has no plan or intention of taking any action, or failing or omitting to take any action, or knows of any circumstance, that could reasonably be expected to (i) cause the Contribution and the Distribution to fail to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code or (ii) cause any representation or factual statement made in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Ruling Request, the Ruling Documents, the Tax Ruling, the Tax Opinions, or any PropCo Representation Letter, as applicable, to be untrue in a manner that would have an adverse effect on the qualification of the Contribution and the Distribution as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code or the tax treatment described in the Tax Ruling or Tax Opinions of certain aspects of the Reorganization and the Distribution.

(iii) Plan or Series of Related Transactions .

(A) PropCo hereby represents and warrants that, to the knowledge of PropCo and the management of PropCo, neither the Distribution nor any related transactions are part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which a Person will acquire stock representing a fifty-percent or greater interest (within the meaning of Sections 355(d) and (e) of the Code) in PropCo or any successor to PropCo.

(B) PropCo has no plan or intention to participate in, facilitate, undertake, or otherwise permit any acquisition of PropCo after the Distribution pursuant to which a direct or indirect acquisition of stock of PropCo would occur, which would result in a direct or indirect acquisition of stock representing a 50 percent or greater interest (within the meaning of Sections 355(d) and 355(e) of the Code) in PropCo or any successor to PropCo.

(C) PropCo and its Affiliates have no plan or intention to redeem, purchase, or otherwise reacquire more than 20% of the capital stock of PropCo in one or more transactions following the Distribution Date.

(D) PropCo and its Affiliates have no plan or intention to (i) sell, exchange, distribute, or otherwise dispose of, other than in the ordinary course of business, all or a substantial part of the assets of any of the trades or businesses relied upon in the Tax Ruling or Tax Opinions to satisfy Section 355(b) of the Code; (ii) discontinue or cause to be discontinued the active conduct of any of the trades or businesses relied upon in the Tax Ruling or Tax Opinions to satisfy

 

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Section 355(b) of the Code; or (iii) cause the occurrence of any restructuring pursuant to which PropCo ceases to be treated as conducting the trade or businesses relied upon in the Tax Ruling or Tax Opinions to satisfy Section 355(b) of the Code.

(b) Ensign .

(i) Ruling Documents . Ensign hereby represents and warrants that (i) it has examined the Ruling Documents (including, without limitation, the representations to the extent that they relate to the plans, proposals, intentions, and policies of the Ensign Group), and (ii) to the extent in reference to the Ensign Group, the facts presented and the representations made therein are true, correct, and complete in all material respects.

(ii) Tax-Free Status . Ensign hereby represents and warrants that it has no plan or intention of taking any action, or failing or omitting to take any action, or knows of any circumstance, that could reasonably be expected to (i) cause the Contribution and the Distribution to fail to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code, or (ii) cause any representation or factual statement made in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement, the other Ancillary Agreements, the Ruling Request, the Ruling Documents, the Tax Ruling, the Tax Opinions, or any Ensign Representation Letter, as applicable, to be untrue in a manner that would have an adverse effect on the qualification of the Contribution and the Distribution as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code or the tax treatment described in the Tax Ruling or Tax Opinions of certain aspects of the Reorganization and the Distribution.

(iii) Plan or Series of Related Transactions .

(A) Ensign hereby represents and warrants that, to the knowledge of Ensign and the management of Ensign, neither the Distribution nor any related transactions are part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which a Person will acquire stock representing a fifty-percent or greater interest (within the meaning of Sections 355(d) and (e) of the Code) in Ensign or any successor to Ensign.

(B) Ensign has no plan or intention to participate in, facilitate, undertake or otherwise permit any acquisition of Ensign after the Distribution pursuant to which a direct or indirect acquisition of stock of Ensign would occur, which would result in a direct or indirect acquisition of stock representing a 50 percent or greater interest (within the meaning of Sections 355(d) and 355(e) of the Code) in Ensign or any successor to Ensign.

(C) Ensign and its Affiliates have no plan or intention to redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire more than 20% of Ensign’s capital stock in one or more transactions following the Distribution Date.

(D) Ensign and its Affiliates have no plan or intention to (i) sell, exchange, distribute or otherwise dispose of, other than in the ordinary course of business, all or a substantial part of the assets of any of the trades or businesses relied upon in the Tax Ruling or Tax Opinions to satisfy Section 355(b) of the Code; (ii) discontinue or cause to be discontinued the active conduct of any of the trades or businesses relied upon in the Tax Ruling to satisfy Section 355(b) of the

 

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Code, or (iii) cause the occurrence of any restructuring pursuant to which Ensign ceases to be treated as conducting the trade or businesses relied upon in the Tax Ruling or Tax Opinions to satisfy Section 355(b) of the Code.

4.02 Covenants.

(a) The Parties shall not, and shall cause their Affiliates not to, take any action or fail to take any action, where such action or failure would be inconsistent with or have an adverse effect on the qualification of the Contribution and the Distribution as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code or the tax treatment described in the Tax Ruling or Tax Opinions of certain aspects of the Distribution.

(b) Unless otherwise required by a Taxing Authority or applicable law, the Parties hereby agree to prepare and file all Tax Returns, and to take all other actions, in a manner consistent with past practice.

(c) Unless otherwise required by a Taxing Authority or applicable law, the Parties hereby agree to prepare and file all Tax Returns, and to take all other actions, in a manner consistent with the characterization of the Reorganization and the Distribution as described in the Ruling Request, the Ruling Documents, the Tax Ruling, the Tax Opinions and the Ancillary Agreements.

(d) Actions Consistent with Representations and Covenants .

(i) PropCo shall not, and shall not permit any of its Affiliates to, take any action or fail to take any action, where such action or failure to act would be inconsistent with or cause to be materially untrue any material, information, covenant, or representation in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement, the other Ancillary Agreements, the Tax Ruling, the Ruling Request, the Ruling Documents (including, without limitation, the representations to the extent that they relate to the plans, proposals, intentions, and policies of the PropCo Group), the Tax Opinions, or any PropCo Representation Letter.

(ii) Ensign shall not, and shall not permit any of its Affiliates to, take any action or fail to take any action, where such action or failure to act would be inconsistent with or cause to be materially untrue any material, information, covenant, or representation in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement, the other Ancillary Agreements, the Tax Ruling, the Ruling Request, the Ruling Documents (including, without limitation, the representations to the extent that they relate to the plans, proposals, intentions, and policies of the Ensign Group), the Tax Opinions, or any Ensign Representation Letter.

(e) The Parties acknowledge that PropCo intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code (a “REIT”) for the tax year ending December 31, 2014 and thereafter. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) Ensign shall use its best efforts to avoid taking any action and (ii) no action shall be taken pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, that could reasonably be expected, as determined by Propco, to cause PropCo to fail to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year. In

 

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furtherance of the foregoing, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3.02(d), Ensign shall provide PropCo the amounts and information relating to the Tax Attributes associated with PropCo and each of its Affiliates, including the amount of earnings and profits and the Tax bases of the assets and liabilities transferred to PropCo in connection with the Distribution, to the extent reasonably necessary for PropCo to qualify as a REIT for the tax year ending December 31, 2014.

4.03 Procedures Regarding Opinions and Rulings.

(a) If PropCo notifies Ensign that it desires to take one of the actions described in Section 4.02 (a “Notified Action”), Ensign shall cooperate with PropCo and use its reasonable best efforts to seek to obtain, as expeditiously as possible, a supplemental ruling from the IRS or an Unqualified Tax Opinion for the purpose of permitting PropCo to take the Notified Action unless Ensign shall have waived the requirement to obtain such ruling or opinion. If such a ruling is to be sought, Ensign shall apply for such ruling and Ensign and PropCo shall jointly control the process of obtaining such ruling. In no event shall Ensign be required to file any ruling request under this Section 4.03(a) unless PropCo represents that (i) it has read such ruling request, and (ii) all information and representations, if any, relating to any member of the PropCo Group, contained in such ruling request documents are (subject to any qualifications therein) true, correct, and complete. PropCo shall reimburse Ensign for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Ensign Group in obtaining a ruling or an Unqualified Tax Opinion requested by PropCo within ten (10) days after receiving an invoice from Ensign therefor.

(b) If Ensign requests a supplemental ruling or other guidance: (A) Ensign shall keep PropCo informed in a timely manner of all material actions taken or proposed to be taken by Ensign in connection therewith; (B) Ensign shall (i) reasonably in advance of the submission of any documents relating to the supplemental ruling provide PropCo with a draft thereof, (ii) reasonably consider PropCo’s comments to such draft, (iii) provide PropCo with a final copy of any documents relating to the supplemental ruling, (iv) provide PropCo with notice reasonably in advance of, and PropCo shall have the right to attend, any meetings with the Taxing Authority (subject to the approval of the Taxing Authority) that relate to such supplemental ruling, and (v) provide PropCo with a copy of such supplemental ruling.

4.04 Enforcement. The Parties acknowledge that irreparable harm would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Article IV were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. The Parties agree that, in order to preserve the qualification of the Contribution and the Distribution as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code, injunctive relief is appropriate to prevent any violation of the foregoing covenants; provided, however, that injunctive relief shall not be the exclusive legal or equitable remedy for any such violation.

ARTICLE V. COOPERATION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

5.01 Cooperation.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Separation and Distribution Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, Ensign and PropCo shall cooperate (and

 

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shall cause each of their respective Affiliates to cooperate) fully at such time and to the extent reasonably requested by the other Party in connection with the preparation and filing of any Tax Return or the conduct of any Tax controversy, including any audit, protest, or claim for refund, competent authority proceeding, or litigation in Tax Court or any other court of competent jurisdiction (a “Tax Controversy”) (including providing a power of attorney) concerning any issues or any other matter contemplated under this Agreement or otherwise as reasonably requested by the other Party. Each Party shall make its employees and facilities available on a mutually convenient basis to facilitate such cooperation.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if a Party materially fails to comply with any of its obligations set forth in this Section 5.01, upon reasonable request and notice by the other Party, the non-performing Party shall (i) reimburse the other Party for any internal or incremental costs incurred by such other Party in having its employees or agents view or obtain such material, and (ii) to the extent such failure results in the imposition of additional Taxes, be liable in full for such additional Taxes.

5.02 Retention of Records.

(a) The Parties shall retain and provide to one another on demand books, records, documentation, information, or other materials (including computer data) relating to any Tax Return, or any supplemental information necessary or reasonably helpful to support any position taken therein until the later of (x) the expiration of the applicable statute of limitation (giving effect to any extension, waiver, or mitigation thereof) or (y) in the event any claim has been made under this Agreement for which such information is relevant, the occurrence of a Final Determination with respect to such claim.

(b) If at any time after the Distribution Date a Party proposes to destroy materials or information required to be retained pursuant to Section 5.02(a), it shall first notify the other Party in writing and such other Party shall be entitled to receive such materials or information proposed to be destroyed if such materials or information relate to the other Party or any of its Affiliates or any assets held by the other Party’s or any of its Affiliates.

5.03 Contest Provisions.

(a) Except as provided in Sections 5.03(b) and (c) with respect to “reasonable participation,” the Party responsible for Taxes under Article II (the “Responsible Party”) shall, with respect to a Tax Return, have the exclusive right at its own cost, to control, contest and represent the interests of Ensign, PropCo, and their respective Affiliates in any Tax Controversy related to such Tax Return. Subject to Sections 5.03(b) and (c), such right to control shall include the right, in the Responsible Party’s reasonable discretion, to resolve, settle or agree to any deficiency, claim or adjustment proposed, asserted or assessed in connection with or as a result of any such Tax Controversy.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 5.03(a), Ensign shall be the Responsible Party with respect to any Tax Controversy that arises with respect to a federal income Tax Return of the Ensign Consolidated Group (including for this purpose, members of the PropCo Group); provided, however, that at the request of Ensign or at PropCo’s option, PropCo shall reasonably participate as described in Section 5.04 in the contest of a Tax Controversy of the Ensign Consolidated Group for the 2014 calendar year.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 5.03(a) and (b), PropCo shall be the Responsible Party with respect to any Tax Controversy that arises with respect to a federal income Tax Return of the PropCo Group for calendar year 2014; provided, however, that at the request of PropCo or at Ensign’s option, Ensign shall reasonably participate as described in Section 5.04 in the contest of such Tax Controversy.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 5.03(a), with respect to any Straddle Period Tax Return, PropCo shall have the right to control and contest any Tax Controversy related to such Tax Return; provided, however, that at the request of Ensign, Ensign shall reasonably participate as described in Section 5.04 in such Tax Controversy, or at the request of PropCo, Ensign shall actively participate in contesting and defending any such Tax Controversy. PropCo shall not settle, either administratively or after the commencement of litigation, such Tax Controversy without the prior written consent of Ensign, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed. Reasonable documented costs incurred by PropCo shall be paid and borne by the Parties in accordance with their relative share of the reduction of any Tax liabilities (including the avoidance of any increase in Tax liabilities) with respect to any contests described in this Section 5.04(d). If there is no reduction in Tax liabilities (including the avoidance of any increase in tax liabilities) then any costs incurred resulting from any Tax claim with respect to any contests described in this Section 5.04(d) shall be paid and borne by PropCo.

(e) Ensign shall use reasonable efforts to keep PropCo advised as to the status of Tax audits and litigation involving any issue that relates to a Tax of PropCo or any PropCo Affiliate or that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a liability of PropCo or any of its Affiliates under this Agreement, and PropCo shall use reasonable efforts to keep Ensign advised as to the status of Tax audits and litigation involving any issue that relates to a Tax of Ensign or any of its Affiliates or that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a liability of Ensign or any Ensign Affiliate under this Agreement (in each case, a “Liability Issue”). Ensign and PropCo shall promptly furnish to each other copies of any inquiries or requests for information from any Taxing Authority or any other administrative, judicial, or other governmental authority concerning any Liability Issue pertaining to the other party.

5.04 Reasonable Participation.

(a) In the event that the non-controlling party elects or is required to participate in the defense of a Tax Controversy pursuant to Section 5.03(b) or (c), the Responsible Party shall (i) provide the non-controlling party with notice reasonably in advance of any proceeding relating to such Tax Controversy, and (ii) consult in good faith with the non-controlling party on the resolution of the Tax Controversy and on any written submissions in connection with such Tax Controversy, including providing the non-controlling party with an opportunity to review and provide comments on any written submission.

 

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(b) The non-controlling party shall have the right, at its expense, to be present at, and participate in, any proceeding relating to such Tax Controversy to the extent allowed by law.

(c) The Responsible Party shall not settle, either administratively or after the commencement of litigation, such Tax Controversy without the prior written consent of the non-controlling party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed. If the non-controlling party withholds, conditions, or delays consent in a manner deemed “unreasonable” by the Responsible Party, Article VII shall govern the determination of unreasonable.

5.05 Information for Shareholders.

(a) Ensign shall provide each shareholder that receives PropCo stock pursuant to the Distribution with the information necessary for such shareholder to comply with the requirements of Section 355 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder with respect to statements that such shareholders must file with their federal income Tax Returns demonstrating the applicability of Section 355 of the Code to the Distribution.

(b) Ensign shall make available on its website the information required by Section 6045B of the Code with respect to the effect of the Distribution on the basis of Ensign and PropCo stock in the hands of a U.S. taxpayer.

ARTICLE VI. INDEMNITY OBLIGATIONS AND PAYMENTS

6.01 Indemnity Obligations. In addition to the obligations set forth in Article II,

(a) The Ensign Group shall indemnify and hold harmless PropCo and any member of the PropCo Group from and against any liability, cost, or expense, including, without limitation, any fine, penalty, interest, charge, or accountant’s fee, arising out of fraudulent or negligent preparation of any Tax Return or claim for Refund filed by Ensign or an Ensign Affiliate for any period during which PropCo or any member of the PropCo Group was or has been a member of the Ensign Consolidated Group, or arising out of the untimely provision of information required to be provided under this Agreement.

(b) The PropCo Group shall indemnify and hold harmless Ensign and any member of the Ensign Group from and against any liability, cost, or expenses, including, without limitation, any fine, penalty, interest, charge, or accountant’s fee, arising out of fraudulent or negligent information, workpapers, documents, and other items prepared by PropCo or any PropCo Affiliate used in the preparation of any Tax Return or claim for Refund filed by Ensign or any Ensign Affiliate for any period during which PropCo or any PropCo Affiliate was or has been a member of the Ensign Consolidated Group, or arising out of the untimely provision of information required to be provided under this Agreement.

6.02 Notice. A Party making a claim for indemnification under this Agreement (the “Indemnified Party”) shall provide the Party from whom such indemnification is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) with written notice of such claim describing such claim in reasonable detail and accompanied by reasonable documentation supporting such claim no later than twenty (20) calendar days after the Indemnified Party (i) files a Tax Return reporting Taxes due which

 

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are subject to reimbursement, or (ii) receives written notice from any Taxing Authority with respect to a Final Determination of Taxes that may be subject to indemnification under this Agreement; provided, however, that in the event that timely notice is not provided, the Indemnifying Party shall be relieved of its obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Party only to the extent that such delay results in actual increased costs or actual prejudice.

6.03 Payment. In the event that the Indemnifying Party is required to make a payment to the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement, then to the extent not otherwise provided for in this Agreement or in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, such payment shall be made according to this Section 6.03.

(a) All payments shall be made to the Indemnified Party or to the appropriate Taxing Authority as specified by the Indemnified Party within the time prescribed for such payment in this Agreement, or if no period is prescribed, within twenty (20) calendar days after delivery of written notice of payment owing together with a computation of the amounts due.

(b) Unless otherwise required by any Final Determination and other than for purposes of Section 355(g) of the Code in accordance with the Tax Ruling, the Parties agree that any payment made by one Party to the other Party (other than payments of interest and payment of After Tax Amounts pursuant to Section 6.03(c)) pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated for all Tax and financial accounting purposes as payments with respect to stock (dividend distributions or capital contributions, as the case may be) made immediately prior to the Distribution.

(c) If, pursuant to a Final Determination, it is determined that the receipt or accrual of any payment made under this Agreement (other than payments of interest) is subject to any Tax, the Party making such payment shall be liable for (i) the After Tax Amount with respect to such payment, and (ii) interest at the rate described in Section 6.03(e) on the amount of such Tax from the date such Tax is due through the date of payment of such After Tax Amount. The Party making a demand for payment pursuant to this Agreement and for a payment of an After Tax Amount with respect to such payment shall separately specify and compute such After Tax Amount. However, a Party may choose not to specify an After Tax Amount in a demand for payment pursuant to this Agreement without thereby being deemed to have waived its right subsequently to demand an After Tax Amount with respect to such payment.

(d) In the event that PropCo determines that any payment provided for under this Agreement could reasonably be expected to give rise to a successful challenge to PropCo’s status as a REIT, then Ensign shall remit such payment in accordance with reasonable written instructions provided by PropCo no less ten (10) business days before such payment is to be made.

(e) Any payment that is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement (i) by PropCo (or a PropCo Affiliate) to Ensign (or an Ensign Affiliate), or (ii) by Ensign (or an Ensign Affiliate) to PropCo (or a PropCo Affiliate), that is not made on or prior to the date that such payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement shall thereafter bear interest at the rate established for underpayments pursuant to Section 6621(a)(2) of the Code.

 

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ARTICLE VII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

7.01 All disputes, controversies, or claims arising under or in connection with this Agreement (including any dispute, controversy, or claim relating to the breach, termination, or validity thereof) between or among any of Ensign or its Affiliates and PropCo or its Affiliates shall be governed by Article X of the Separation and Distribution Agreement or the procedures set forth in Section 7.02 as determined by the Parties. If the Parties cannot agree as to which procedure will govern such dispute, such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Article X of the Separation and Distribution Agreement. Each Party agrees that the procedures set forth in Article X of the Separation and Distribution Agreement or Section 7.02, as determined in Section 7.01, shall be the sole and exclusive remedy in connection with any dispute, controversy, or claim relating to any of the foregoing matters.

7.02 With respect to any dispute governed by this Section 7.02, the Parties shall appoint a nationally recognized independent public accounting firm (the “Accounting Firm”) to resolve such dispute. In this regard, the Accounting Firm shall make determinations with respect to the disputed items based solely on representations made by Ensign and PropCo and their respective representatives, and not by independent review, and shall function only as an expert and not as an arbitrator and shall be required to make a determination in favor of one Party only. The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to resolve all disputes no later than thirty (30) days after the submission of such dispute to the Accounting Firm, but in no event later than the due date for the payment of Taxes or the filing of the applicable Tax Return, if applicable, and agree that all decisions by the Accounting Firm with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive and binding on the Parties. The Accounting Firm shall resolve all disputes in a manner consistent with this Agreement and, to the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement, in a manner consistent with the past practices of Ensign and its Affiliates, except as otherwise required by applicable Law. The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to render all determinations in writing and to set forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for such determination. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be paid by the non-prevailing Party.

7.03 In order to facilitate the comprehensive resolution of related disputes, all claims between any of the parties to a Dispute that arises under or in connection with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement, and the other Ancillary Agreements may be brought in a single arbitration. Upon the request of any party to an arbitration proceeding constituted under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement, and the other Ancillary Agreements, the arbitral tribunal shall consolidate such arbitration proceeding with any other arbitration proceeding relating to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement, and the other Ancillary Agreements, if the arbitral tribunal determines that (i) there are issues of fact or law common to the proceedings so that a consolidated proceeding would be more efficient than separate proceedings, and (ii) no party to the Dispute would be unduly prejudiced as a result of such consolidation through undue delay or otherwise. In the event of different rulings on this question by the arbitral tribunal constituted hereunder and another arbitral tribunal constituted under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement, and the other Ancillary Agreements, the ruling of the arbitral tribunal constituted first in time shall control, and such arbitral tribunal shall serve as the tribunal for any consolidated arbitration. This Section 7.03 shall not apply to any claims brought under Section 7.02.

 

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7.04 In the event of a Dispute, each party to the Dispute shall continue to perform its obligations under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement, and the other Ancillary Agreements in good faith during the resolution of such Dispute as if such Dispute had not arisen, unless and until the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement, or the other Ancillary Agreements, as applicable are terminated in accordance with their provisions.

ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS

8.01 Incorporation by Reference. The following sections of the Separation and Distribution Agreement are hereby incorporated in this Agreement by reference to the extent not inconsistent with any of the provisions set forth in this Agreement: Section 12.3 (Amendments and Waivers); Section 12.4 (Entire Agreement); Section 12.5 (Survival of Agreements); Section 12.9 (Counterparts; Electronic Delivery); Section 12.10 (Severability); Section 12.11 (Assignability; Binding Effect); Section 12.12 (Governing Law); Section 12.13 (Construction); Section 12.14 (Performance); and Section 12.15 (Title and Headings).

8.02 Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of Ensign, PropCo, and their respective Affiliates, and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any third parties any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

8.03 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on the Distribution Date.

8.04 Changes in Law. Any reference to a provision of the Code, Treasury Regulations, or a law of another jurisdiction shall include a reference to any applicable successor provision or law. If, due to any change in applicable law or regulations or their interpretation by any court of law or other governing body having jurisdiction subsequent to the date specified in the preamble to this Agreement, performance of any provision of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby shall become impracticable or impossible, the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such provision.

8.05 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or delivered (i) when delivered personally, (ii) if transmitted by facsimile, when confirmation of transmission is received during the business hours of the recipient or, if after such business hours, on the next business day, (iii) if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, on the third business day after mailing, or (iv) if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, on the first business day following the date of dispatch; and shall be addressed as follows or to such other address as designated by either Ensign or PropCo, as the case may be:

(a) If to Ensign, at:

The Ensign Group, Inc.

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450

Mission Viejo, California 92691

Attention: Chad Keetch

 

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(b) If to PropCo, at:

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450

Mission Viejo, California 92691

Attention: William M. Wagner

8.06 Joint and Several Liability. PropCo and each PropCo Affiliate shall have joint and several liability for any obligation of PropCo or a PropCo Affiliate arising pursuant to this Agreement. Ensign and each Ensign Affiliate shall have joint and several liability for any obligation of Ensign or an Ensign Affiliate arising pursuant to this Agreement.

8.07 Expenses. Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each Party shall bear any and all expenses that arise from their respective obligations under this Agreement.

8.08 Confidentiality. Each Party shall hold and cause its consultants and advisors to hold in strict confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process or, in the opinion of its counsel, by other requirements of law, all information written or oral concerning the other Party hereto furnished it by such other Party or its representatives pursuant to this Agreement (except to the extent that such information can be shown to have been (i) previously known by the Party to which it was furnished, (ii) in the public domain through no fault of such Party, or (iii) later lawfully acquired from other sources by the Party to which it was furnished), and each Party shall not release or disclose such information to any other person, except its auditors, attorneys, financial advisors, bankers, and other consultants and advisors who shall be advised of the provisions of this Section 8.08. Each Party shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligation to hold confidential information concerning or supplied by the other Party if it exercises the same care as it takes to preserve confidentiality for its own similar information.

8.09 Limitation on Damages. Each Party irrevocably waives, and no Party shall be entitled to seek or receive, consequential, special, indirect or incidental damages (including without limitation damages for loss of profits) or punitive damages, regardless of how such damages were caused and regardless of the theory of liability; provided that the foregoing shall not limit each Party’s indemnification obligations set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

8.10 Consent by Affiliates. Each of Ensign and PropCo shall cause each of its respective Affiliates (including any entity that becomes an Affiliate after the date hereof) to consent to, and be bound by, the terms, conditions, covenants, and provisions of this Agreement.

8.11 Coordination with Separation and Distribution Agreement. The Parties agree that this Agreement shall take precedence over any and all agreements among the Parties with respect to Tax matters, including indemnification in respect of Tax matters; provided, however, this Agreement shall not take precedence over any Tax matter relating to the payment or reimbursement of Taxes that exists now or in the future under any lease of property between Ensign and PropCo, or any of their respective Affiliates, as the case may be, and any such Taxes shall be governed exclusively by such leases without regard to this Agreement.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Christopher R. Christensen
  Title:   President and Chief Executive
    Officer
CARETRUST REIT, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Gregory K. Stapley
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.7

EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC. AND

CARETRUST REIT, INC.


EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of                      , 2014 is by and between THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (“ Ensign ”) and CARETRUST REIT, INC., a Maryland corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign (“ CareTrust ”). Ensign and CareTrust are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “ Party ,” and collectively as the “ Parties .”

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Ensign has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of Ensign and its stockholders to reorganize the assets and liabilities of Ensign into two companies: (i) Ensign which, following consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, will own and conduct a healthcare services business; and (ii) CareTrust which, following consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, will own and conduct a healthcare real estate business;

WHEREAS, in furtherance thereof, Ensign and CareTrust have entered into that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement dated                      , 2014 (the “ Separation Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, as contemplated by the Separation Agreement, Ensign and CareTrust desire to enter into this Agreement to provide for the allocation of assets, Liabilities, and responsibilities with respect to certain matters relating to employees (including employee compensation and benefit plans and programs) between them.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1.1 “ CareTrust 401(k) Plan ” means the tax-qualified 401(k) defined contribution savings plan to be established by CareTrust or a CareTrust Group member prior to the Effective Time.

1.2 “ CareTrust Employee ,” means any individual who, as of the Effective Time, is either actively employed by or then on a short-term leave of absence from CareTrust or a CareTrust Group member (including maternity, paternity, family, sick, short-term disability leave, qualified military service under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, and leave under the Family Medical Leave Act and other approved leaves) or who is so employed by Ensign or an Ensign Group member and who is primarily engaged in providing services to the CareTrust Business as of the date hereof. A list of the CareTrust Employees is set forth on Schedule 1.2.

1.3 “ CareTrust Health and Welfare Plans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.


1.4 “ CareTrust Incentive Award Plan ” means the CareTrust REIT, Inc. and CareTrust Partnership, L.P. Incentive Award Plan adopted or to be adopted by CareTrust and CareTrust Partnership, L.P. prior to the Effective Time.

1.5 “ CareTrust Participant ” means any individual who is a CareTrust Employee or a Former CareTrust Employee, and any beneficiary, dependent, or alternate payee of such individual, as the context requires.

1.6 “ Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

1.7 “ Ensign Defined Contribution Plan ” means the Ensign Services, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.

1.8 “ Ensign Employee ” means any individual who, as of the Effective Time, is either actively employed by or then on a leave of absence from Ensign or an Ensign Group member (including maternity, paternity, family, sick, short-term or long-term disability leave, qualified military service under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, and leave under the Family Medical Leave Act and other approved leaves), but does not include any CareTrust Employee.

1.9 “ Ensign Equity-Based Plans ” means The Ensign Group, Inc. 2001 Stock Option, Deferred Stock and Restricted Stock Plan, The Ensign Group, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and The Ensign Group, Inc. 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan, each as amended from time to time.

1.10 “ Ensign Health and Welfare Plans ” means the health and welfare plans sponsored and maintained by Ensign or any Ensign Group member immediately prior to the Effective Time which provide group health, life, dental, accidental death and dismemberment, health care reimbursements, dependent care assistance and disability benefits.

1.11 “ Ensign Option ” means an option to purchase shares of Ensign Common Stock granted by Ensign prior to the Effective Time pursuant to an Ensign Equity-Based Plan.

1.12 “ Ensign Participant ” means any individual who is an Ensign Employee or a Former Ensign Employee, and any beneficiary, dependent, or alternate payee of such individual, as the context requires.

1.13 “ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Reference to a specific provision of ERISA also includes any proposed, temporary, or final regulation in force under that provision.

1.14 “ Former Ensign Employee ” means any individual other than a Former CareTrust Employee whose employment with either Party or any of its respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates terminated for any reason before the Effective Time.

1.15 “ Former CareTrust Employee ,” means any individual whose employment with either Party or any of its respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates terminated for any reason before the Effective Time, and who was primarily engaged in providing services to the CareTrust Business as of the date of his or her termination of employment.

 

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1.16 “ Participating Company ” means (a) Ensign and (b) any Person (other than an individual) that Ensign has approved for participation in, and which is participating in, a Plan.

1.17 “ Plan ,” when immediately preceded by “Ensign,” means any plan, policy, program, payroll practice, on-going arrangement, contract, trust, insurance policy or other agreement or funding vehicle (including an Ensign Health and Welfare Plan) for which the eligible classes of participants include employees or former employees of Ensign or an Ensign Group member (which may include employees of CareTrust Group members prior to the Effective Time), and when immediately preceded by “CareTrust,” means any plan, policy, program, payroll practice, on-going arrangement, contract, trust, insurance policy or other agreement or funding vehicle (including a CareTrust Health and Welfare Plan) for which the eligible classes of participants are limited to employees or former employees (and their eligible dependents) of CareTrust or a CareTrust Group member, but no other Ensign Group member.

1.18 “ Purging Distribution ” means the dividend CareTrust will declare to its stockholders, in connection with its election to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to distribute any accumulated earnings and profits relating to its real property assets and attributable to any pre-REIT years to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements.

1.19 “ Restricted Stock Award ,” when immediately preceded by “Ensign,” means a share of Ensign Common Stock granted by Ensign prior to the Effective Time pursuant to an Ensign Equity-Based Plan which is subject to vesting and forfeiture restrictions and when immediately preceded by “CareTrust,” means a share of CareTrust Common Stock, which is granted pursuant to the CareTrust Incentive Award Plan as part of the adjustment to Ensign Restricted Stock Awards as set forth in Section 5.2 which is subject to vesting and forfeiture restrictions.

ARTICLE II

TRANSFER OF CARETRUST EMPLOYEES; GENERAL PRINCIPLES

2.1 Transfer of Employment of Certain CareTrust Employees . Ensign and CareTrust will cause the employment of each CareTrust Employee who is not employed by a CareTrust Group member as of the date hereof to be transferred to a CareTrust Group member prior to the Effective Time. Such individuals are separately identified on Schedule 1.2.

2.2 Assumption and Retention of Liabilities . Ensign and CareTrust intend that employment-related Liabilities associated with Ensign Participants are to be retained or assumed by Ensign or another Ensign Group member, and employment-related Liabilities associated with CareTrust Participants are to be assumed by CareTrust or another CareTrust Group member, in each case, except as specifically set forth herein. Accordingly, as of the Effective Time:

(a) Ensign or another member of the Ensign Group hereby retains or assumes and agrees to pay, perform, fulfill, and discharge, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, (i) all Liabilities arising under or related to Ensign Plans, (ii) all employment or service-related Liabilities with respect to (A) all Ensign Participants and (B) any individual who

 

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is, or was, an independent contractor, temporary employee, temporary service worker, consultant, freelancer, agency employee, leased employee, on-call worker, incidental worker, or non-payroll worker or in any other employment or similar relationship primarily connected to Ensign or another Ensign Group member and (iii) any Liabilities expressly transferred to an Ensign Group member under this Agreement; and

(b) CareTrust or another member of the CareTrust Group hereby retains or assumes and agrees to pay, perform, fulfill, and discharge, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, (i) all Liabilities arising under or related to CareTrust Plans from and after the Effective Time, (ii) all employment or service-related Liabilities relating to periods from and after the Effective Time with respect to (A) all CareTrust Participants and (B) any individual who is, or was, an independent contractor, temporary employee, temporary service worker, consultant, freelancer, agency employee, leased employee, on-call worker, incidental worker, or non-payroll worker or in any other employment or similar relationship primarily connected to CareTrust or another CareTrust Group member and (iii) any Liabilities expressly transferred to a CareTrust Group member under this Agreement.

2.3 CareTrust Participation in the Ensign Plans . Effective as of the Effective Time, each CareTrust Group member shall cease to be a Participating Company in any Ensign Plan, and Ensign and CareTrust shall take all necessary action before the Effective Time to effectuate such cessation as a Participating Company.

2.4 Sponsorship of the CareTrust Plans . Effective no later than immediately prior to the Effective Time, Ensign and CareTrust shall take such actions (if any) as are required to cause CareTrust or another CareTrust Group member to assume sponsorship of, and all Liabilities with respect to, each CareTrust Plan.

2.5 No Duplication of Benefits; Service and Other Credit . Ensign and CareTrust shall adopt, or cause to be adopted, all reasonable and necessary amendments and procedures to prevent CareTrust Participants from receiving duplicative benefits from the Ensign Plans and the CareTrust Plans. With respect to CareTrust Employees, each CareTrust Plan shall provide that for purposes of determining eligibility to participate, vesting, and entitlement to benefits (but not for accrual of pension benefits under any defined benefit pension plan), service prior to the Effective Time with an Ensign Group member shall be treated as service with the applicable CareTrust Group member. Such service also shall apply for purposes of satisfying any waiting periods, evidence of insurability requirements, or the application of any preexisting condition limitations under any CareTrust Plan. Each CareTrust Plan shall, to the extent practicable, waive pre-existing condition limitations with respect to CareTrust Employees. CareTrust shall honor any deductible, co-payment and out-of-pocket maximums incurred by the CareTrust Employees and their eligible dependents under the Ensign Plans in which they participated immediately prior to the Effective Time during the portion of the calendar year prior to the Effective Time in satisfying any deductibles, co-payments or out-of-pocket maximums under the CareTrust Plans in which they are eligible to participate after the Effective Time in the same plan year in which such deductibles, co-payments or out-of-pocket maximums were incurred.

 

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2.6 Reimbursements . From time to time after the Effective Time, the Parties shall promptly reimburse one another, upon reasonable request of the Party requesting reimbursement and the presentation by such Party of such substantiating documentation as the other Party shall reasonably request, for the cost of any Liabilities satisfied or assumed by the Party requesting reimbursement or its Affiliates that are made pursuant to this Agreement, the responsibility of the other Party or any of its Affiliates.

2.7 Approval of Plan . (i) Prior to the Effective Time, Ensign shall cause CareTrust to adopt the CareTrust Incentive Award Plan and (ii) at or prior to the Effective Time, Ensign and CareTrust shall take all actions as may be necessary to approve the CareTrust Incentive Award Plan in order to satisfy the requirements of the applicable rules and regulations of the NASDAQ.

2.8 Delivery of Shares; Registration Statement . From and after the Effective Time, CareTrust shall have sole responsibility for delivery of shares of CareTrust Common Stock pursuant to awards issued under a CareTrust Plan in satisfaction of any obligations to deliver such shares under the CareTrust and/or Ensign Plans (including delivery to Ensign Employees and Former Ensign Employees) and shall do so without compensation from any Ensign Group member. CareTrust shall cause a registration statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) to be filed with respect to such issued or issuable shares as soon as practicable following the Effective Time and shall cause such registration to remain in effect for so long as there may be an obligation to deliver CareTrust shares under such CareTrust and/or Ensign Plans. Ensign shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist CareTrust in completing such registration. CareTrust and Ensign shall cooperate to establish a procedure whereby the other Party shall be promptly informed of the obligation to deliver shares to a current or Former CareTrust Employee or an Ensign Employee, as the case may be.

ARTICLE III

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

3.1 401(k) Plan .

(a) Establishment of Plan and Trust . Ensign and CareTrust shall adopt or cause to be adopted the CareTrust 401(k) Plan and any trust agreements or other plan documents reasonably necessary and shall cause trustees to be appointed for such plan. Such actions shall be completed as soon as practicable following the Effective Time. Such plan shall accept rollovers from the Ensign Defined Contribution Plan in accordance with its terms and applicable Law.

(b) Service Crediting . In determining whether a CareTrust Employee is vested in his or her account under the CareTrust 401(k) Plan, the CareTrust 401(k) Plan shall credit each CareTrust Employee with all the individual’s service credited under the Ensign Defined Contribution Plan. 

 

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ARTICLE IV

HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS

4.1 Cessation of Participation in Ensign Health and Welfare Plans . As soon as practicable following the Effective Time, CareTrust shall establish health and welfare plans (the “ CareTrust Health and Welfare Plans ”) for the CareTrust Employees. As of the Effective Time, CareTrust Employees shall cease to participate in the Ensign Health and Welfare Plans.

4.2 Allocation of Health and Welfare Plan Liabilities . All outstanding Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from health and welfare coverage or claims incurred by or on behalf of CareTrust Employees or their covered dependents under the Ensign Health and Welfare Plans on or before the Effective Time shall be assumed by CareTrust upon the Effective Time.

4.3 Vacation and Paid Time Off . As of the Effective Time, the applicable CareTrust Group Member shall credit each CareTrust Employee with the unused vacation days and personal and sickness days that such individual has accrued immediately prior to the Effective Time in accordance with the vacation and personnel policies applicable to such employee immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that with respect to any CareTrust Employee who does not consent to such treatment in writing, such individual will instead receive a cash payment from Ensign immediately prior to the Effective Time with respect thereto. To the extent that any such time is credited by CareTrust rather than a cash payment being made with respect thereto by Ensign, Ensign shall provide CareTrust with a lump sum cash amount no later than thirty (30) days following the Effective Time with a value equal to such credited time.

ARTICLE V

EQUITY COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS

5.1 Awards under the Ensign Equity-Based Plans . The treatment of the Ensign Options and Ensign Restricted Stock Awards as set forth below shall be subject to Section 2.04 of the Tax Matters Agreement between the parties, dated as of the date hereof.

(a) Options . No Options will be held by any CareTrust Employee or Former CareTrust Employee as of the Distribution Date, other than then-vested Ensign Options which remain exercisable for a period of time following such individual’s termination of employment with Ensign in accordance with the terms of such Options. Each Ensign Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Distribution Date shall be adjusted in accordance with the equitable adjustment provisions set forth in the Ensign Equity Plans.

(b) Restricted Stock .

(i) Restricted Stock . No Restricted Stock Awards will be held by any CareTrust Employee or Former CareTrust Employee as of the Distribution Date. Upon the Effective Time, holders of Ensign Restricted Stock Awards will become entitled to CareTrust Restricted Stock Awards equal to a number of shares of CareTrust Common Stock to which all other holders of shares of Ensign Common Stock become entitled pursuant to the Distribution.

 

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(ii) Restricted Stock Award Terms .

(1) Service . Each Ensign Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as set forth in the original Ensign Restricted Stock Award, except as set forth below. Each CareTrust Restricted Stock Award issued pursuant to this Section 5.2(b) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as set forth in the related Ensign Restricted Stock Award before the Effective Time, except as set forth below. For purposes of the vesting and termination provisions of the CareTrust Restricted Stock Awards, continued service with an Ensign Group member shall be considered to be continued service with CareTrust.

(2) Purging Distribution . Upon declaration of the Purging Distribution, holders of CareTrust Restricted Stock Awards will be entitled to receive the Purging Distribution with respect to the CareTrust Common Stock subject to such award on the same date or dates that the Purging Distribution is payable on CareTrust Common Stock to stockholders of CareTrust generally.

(3) Partial Interests in Shares . To the extent that any adjustment described in this Section 5.2(b) results in any fractional interest in shares, such fractional interest shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share. No fractional interests shall be payable in cash or otherwise.

(c) Administration . Each of Ensign and CareTrust shall establish an appropriate administration system in order to handle exercises and delivery of shares in an orderly manner and provide reasonable levels of service for equity award holders.

(d) No Effect on Subsequent Awards . The provisions of this Section 5.2 shall have no effect on the terms and conditions of equity and equity-based awards granted following the Effective Time by Ensign or CareTrust.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

6.1 Sharing of Participant Information . To the maximum extent permitted under applicable Law, Ensign and CareTrust shall share, and shall cause each member of its respective Group to share, with each other and their respective agents and vendors all participant information reasonably necessary for the efficient and accurate administration of each of the Ensign Plans and the CareTrust Plans. Ensign and CareTrust and their respective authorized agents shall, subject to applicable laws on confidentiality, be given reasonable and timely access to, and may make copies of, all information relating to the subjects of this Agreement in the custody of the other Party, to the extent necessary for such administration. Until the Effective Time, all participant information shall be provided in the manner and medium applicable to Participating Companies in the Ensign Plans generally, and thereafter until the time at which the Parties subsequently determine, all participant information shall be provided in a manner and medium that are compatible with the data processing systems of Ensign as in effect as of the Effective Time, unless otherwise agreed to by Ensign and CareTrust.

 

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6.2 Audit Rights with Respect to Information Provided . Each of Ensign and CareTrust, and their duly authorized representatives, shall have the right to conduct reasonable audits with respect to all information provided to it by the other Party. The Parties shall cooperate to determine the procedures and guidelines for conducting audits under this Section 6.2, which shall require reasonable advance notice by the auditing Party. The auditing Party shall have the right to make copies of any records at its expense, subject to applicable Law.

6.3 Fiduciary Matters . Ensign and CareTrust each acknowledge that actions required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement may be subject to fiduciary duties or standards of conduct under ERISA or other applicable Law, and no Party shall be deemed to be in violation of this Agreement if it fails to comply with any provisions hereof based upon its good faith determination (as supported by advice from counsel experienced in such matters) that to do so would violate such a fiduciary duty or standard. Each Party shall be responsible for taking such actions as are deemed necessary and appropriate to comply with its own fiduciary responsibilities and shall fully release and indemnify the other Party for any Liabilities caused by the failure to satisfy any such responsibility.

6.4 Consent of Third Parties . If any provision of this Agreement is dependent on the consent of any third party (such as a vendor or Governmental Authority) and such consent is withheld, Ensign and CareTrust shall use commercially reasonable efforts to implement the applicable provisions of this Agreement to the full extent practicable. If any provision of this Agreement cannot be implemented due to the failure of such third party to consent, Ensign and CareTrust shall negotiate in good faith to implement the provision in a mutually satisfactory manner. The phrase “commercially reasonable efforts” as used herein shall not be construed to require the incurrence of any non-routine or unreasonable expense or liability or the waiver of any right.

6.5 Subsequent Transfers of Employment . To the extent that the employment of any individuals transfers between any Ensign Group member and any CareTrust Group member in the twenty four (24)-month period following the Effective Time, the Parties shall use their reasonable efforts to effect the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the compensation and benefits of such individuals following such transfer, it being understood that (i) it may not be possible to replicate the effect of such provisions under such circumstances and (ii) neither Ensign nor CareTrust shall be bound by the provisions of this Section 6.5 to assume any Liabilities or transfer any assets. Notwithstanding to foregoing, for compensation subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, any such subsequent transfer shall be a separation from service from the applicable employer for purposes of such compensation, and the consequences of such separation from service shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or agreement.

 

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ARTICLE VII

GOVERNING LAW; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

7.1 Governing Law . This Agreement and the legal relations between the Parties hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws rules thereof to the extent such rules would require the application of the law of another jurisdiction.

7.2 Dispute Resolution . The provisions of Article X of the Separation Agreement shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to all disputes, controversies or claims (whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise) that may arise out of or relate to, or arise under or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

8.1 Further Assurances . Subject to the limitations or other provisions of this Agreement, (a) each Party shall, and shall cause the other members of its Group to, use commercially reasonable efforts (subject to, and in accordance with applicable Law) to take promptly, or cause to be taken promptly, all actions, and to do promptly, or cause to be done promptly, and to assist and cooperate with the other Party in doing, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, including using commercially reasonable efforts to perform all covenants and agreements herein applicable to such Party or any member of its Group and (b) neither Party will, nor will either Party allow any other member of its Group to, without the prior written consent of the other Party, take any action which would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with or delay the provision of any Services hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, where the cooperation of third parties would be necessary in order for a Party to completely fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such third parties to provide such cooperation.

8.2 Amendments and Waivers .

(a) Subject to Section 11.1 of the Separation Agreement and Section 8.12 of this Agreement, this Agreement may not be amended except by an agreement in writing signed by both Parties.

(b) Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived, or the time for its performance may be extended, by the Party entitled to the benefit thereof and any such waiver shall be validly and sufficiently given for the purposes of this Agreement if it is in writing signed by an authorized representative of such Party. No delay or failure in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall affect or operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or remedy. The rights and remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies that either Party would otherwise have.

 

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8.3 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Separation Agreement, the other Ancillary Agreements, and the Exhibits and Schedules referenced herein and therein and attached hereto or thereto, constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior negotiations, agreements, commitments, writings, courses of dealing and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

8.4 Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties and their permitted successors and assigns and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, (i) is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, (ii) shall confer any right to employment or continued employment for any period or terms of employment, (iii) be interpreted to prevent or restrict the Parties from modifying or terminating any Ensign Plan or CareTrust Plan or the employment or terms of employment of any Ensign Employee or CareTrust Employee or (iv) shall establish, modify or amend any Ensign Plan or CareTrust Plan covering an Ensign Participant, CareTrust Participant, any collective bargaining agreements, national collective bargaining agreements, or the terms and conditions of employment applicable to an Ensign Employee or a CareTrust Employee.

8.5 Notices . All notices, requests, permissions, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.8 of the Separation Agreement.

8.6 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other documents pursuant to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be deemed to be, and shall have the same legal effect as, execution by an original signature and delivery in person.

8.7 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the Exhibits attached hereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

 

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8.8 Assignability; Binding Effect . The rights and obligations of each Party under this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, whether by operation of law or otherwise, by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement without such consent shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of their respective Affiliates provided that no such assignment shall release such assigning Party from any liability or obligation under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns.

8.9 Construction . This Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Parties and no rule of construction or strict interpretation shall be applied against either Party. The Parties represent that this Agreement is entered into with full consideration of any and all rights which the Parties may have. The Parties have relied upon their own knowledge and judgment. The Parties have had access to independent legal advice, have conducted such investigations they thought appropriate, and have consulted with such other independent advisors as they deemed appropriate regarding this Agreement and their rights and asserted rights in connection therewith. The Parties are not relying upon any representations or statements made by the other Party, or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys, regarding this Agreement, except to the extent such representations are expressly set forth or incorporated in this Agreement. The Parties are not relying upon a legal duty, if one exists, on the part of the other Party (or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys) to disclose any information in connection with the execution of this Agreement or its preparation, it being expressly understood that neither Party shall ever assert any failure to disclose information on the part of the other Party as a ground for challenging this Agreement.

8.10 Performance . Each Party shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Party.

8.11 Title and Headings . Titles and headings to Sections and Articles are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

8.12 Termination . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole discretion of Ensign without the prior approval of any Person, including CareTrust. In the event of such termination, this Agreement shall become void and no Party, or any of its officers and directors shall have any liability to any Person by reason of this Agreement. After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties.

8.13 Survival of Agreements . Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, any covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank. ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above by their respective duly authorized officers.

 

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
By:        
  Name:    Christopher R. Christensen
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
CARETRUST REIT, INC.
By:        
  Name:   Gregory K. Stapley
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.8

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF                      , 2014

BY AND AMONG

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.,

CARETRUST PARTNERSHIP, L.P.,

CARETRUST GP, LLC

AND

CARETRUST REIT, INC.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

Article I CONTRIBUTION

     2   

Section 1.01

   Contribution of Interests      2   

Section 1.02

   Consideration to Ensign      2   

Section 1.03

   Consideration to CareTrust and the General Partner      2   

Section 1.04

   Further Action      3   

Section 1.05

   Tax Treatment      3   

Article II REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ENSIGN

     3   

Section 2.01

   Organization and Authority      3   

Section 2.02

   Due Authorization      3   

Section 2.03

   Consents and Approvals      3   

Section 2.04

   No Violation      3   

Section 2.05

   Non-Foreign Person      4   

Section 2.06

   Solvency      4   

Section 2.07

   Litigation      4   

Section 2.08

   Absence of Registration      4   

Section 2.09

   No Injunction      4   

Section 2.10

   Consents, Etc.      4   

Section 2.11

   No Brokers      4   

Section 2.12

   Ownership of Interests      4   

Section 2.13

   Organization and Authority of the Companies      5   

Section 2.14

   Taxes      5   

Section 2.15

   Company Litigation      5   

Section 2.16

   Compliance With Laws      5   

Section 2.17

   Eminent Domain      5   

Section 2.18

   Licenses and Permits      5   

Section 2.19

   Real Property      6   

Section 2.20

   Environmental Compliance      6   

Section 2.21

   Trademarks and Tradenames; Proprietary Rights      6   

Section 2.22

   Condition of Property      6   

Section 2.23

   Leases      7   

Section 2.24

   Tangible Personal Property      7   

Section 2.25

   Service Contracts      7   

Section 2.26

   Existing Loans      7   

Section 2.27

   Real Property Taxes      8   

Section 2.28

   Insurance      8   

Section 2.29

   Exclusive Representations      8   

Article III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CARETRUST ENTITIES

     8   

Section 3.01

   Organization and Authority      8   

Section 3.02

   Due Authorization      8   

Section 3.03

   Consents and Approvals      8   

Section 3.04

   No Violation      9   

Section 3.05

   Validity of CareTrust Common Stock      9   

Section 3.06

   Litigation      9   

Section 3.07

   Limited Activities      9   

Section 3.08

   No Other Representations or Warranties      9   

 

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Article IV INDEMNIFICATION; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     9   

Section 4.01

   Indemnification      9   

Section 4.02

   Dispute Resolution      9   

Article V DEFINITIONS

     10   

Section 5.01

   Definitions      10   

Article VI GENERAL PROVISIONS

     12   

Section 6.01

   Amendments and Waivers      12   

Section 6.02

   Entire Agreement      12   

Section 6.03

   Survival of Agreements      12   

Section 6.04

   Third-Party Beneficiaries      13   

Section 6.05

   Notices      13   

Section 6.06

   Counterparts; Electronic Delivery      13   

Section 6.07

   Severability      13   

Section 6.08

   Assignability; Binding Effect      14   

Section 6.09

   Governing Law      14   

Section 6.10

   Construction      14   

Section 6.11

   Performance      14   

Section 6.12

   Titles and Headings      14   

Section 6.13

   Exhibits      14   

EXHIBITS

     

Exhibit A:     Property Companies and Properties

  

Exhibit B:     Operating Companies and Facilities

  

Exhibit C:     Permitted Liens

  

APPENDIX A – DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE

  

 

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CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

THIS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of                  , 2014 (this “ Agreement ”), by and among The Ensign Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Ensign ”), CareTrust Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), CareTrust GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”), and CareTrust REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“ CareTrust ,” and together with the Operating Partnership and the General Partner, the “ CareTrust Entities ”). Ensign, CareTrust, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership are sometimes referred to herein, individually, as a “ Party ” and, collectively, as the “ Parties .” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in Article V .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Ensign and CareTrust have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of                  , 2014 (the “ Separation Agreement ”), which provides for (i) the reorganization (the “ Reorganization ”) of the assets and liabilities of Ensign into two companies: (a) Ensign, which will own and conduct the Ensign Business (as defined in the Separation Agreement); and (b) CareTrust, which will own and conduct the CareTrust Business (as defined in the Separation Agreement); and (ii) the distribution (the “ Distribution ”) to the holders of Ensign’s outstanding shares of common stock, on a pro rata basis, of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of CareTrust so that, following such distribution, Ensign and CareTrust will be two independent, publicly traded companies;

WHEREAS, Ensign owns all of the outstanding interests (the “ Property Company Interests ”) in each of the companies listed on Exhibit A hereto (each, a “ Property Company ”), each of which owns the property or properties set forth opposite its name on Exhibit A (each, a “ Property ”);

WHEREAS, Ensign owns all of the outstanding interests (the “ Operating Company Interests ”) in each of the companies listed on Exhibit B hereto (each, an “ Operating Company ”), each of which operates the independent living facility set forth opposite its name on Exhibit B (each, a “ Facility ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Separation Agreement, as part of the Reorganization, Ensign desires to contribute the Property Company Interests and the Operating Company Interests (collectively, the “ Interests ”) to CareTrust in exchange for (i)                   shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ CareTrust Common Stock ”), of CareTrust, (ii) the assumption of certain liabilities of Ensign and (iii) $                  in cash;

WHEREAS, CareTrust desires to contribute (i) 1% of the Interests to the General Partner for further contribution by the General Partner to the Operating Partnership in exchange for units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (“ OP Units ”); and (ii) 99% of the Interests to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units;

WHEREAS, to avoid the inconvenience and expense of multiple transfers, the Parties desire that Ensign contribute all of the Interests directly to the Operating Partnership (the “ Contribution ”) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties, covenants and other terms contained in this Agreement, the Parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 

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ARTICLE I

CONTRIBUTION

Section 1.01 Contribution of Interests .

(a) Ensign hereby agrees to contribute the Interests to CareTrust. CareTrust hereby agrees to contribute 1% of the Interests to the General Partner, and 99% of the Interests to the Operating Partnership. The General Partner hereby agrees to contribute such 1% of the Interests to the Operating Partnership. In order to avoid the inconvenience and expense of multiple transfers, (i) CareTrust hereby directs Ensign to transfer, on its behalf, 99% of the Interests directly to the Operating Partnership, and (ii) CareTrust and the General Partner hereby direct Ensign to transfer, on their behalf, 1% of the Interests directly to the Operating Partnership.

(b) Effective as of the date hereof, (i) Ensign hereby contributes, assigns, transfers, conveys and delivers to the Operating Partnership, and the Operating Partnership hereby acquires and accepts from Ensign, all of Ensign’s right, title and interest in and to the Interests, together with all rights and claims related thereto as the sole member of each of the Property Companies and Operating Companies (collectively, the “ Companies ”), and (ii) the Operating Partnership hereby (x) assumes any and all obligations and liabilities of Ensign as the owner of the Interests and the sole member of each of the Companies, whether arising under the limited liability company agreement (each, an “ LLC Agreement ”) of any of the Companies or otherwise, and (y) is admitted to each of the Companies as its sole member upon its execution of this Agreement, which signifies its agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of each of the LLC Agreements.

(c) Immediately following the effectiveness of the assignment and assumption set forth in Section 1.01(a) above, Ensign shall and does hereby cease to be a member of each of the Companies and shall and does thereupon cease to have or exercise any right or power as a member of any of the Companies. From and after the date hereof, the Operating Partnership is hereby authorized to make any changes to any LLC Agreement as it determines, in its sole discretion, are appropriate, without the consent or approval of Ensign. Ensign shall promptly deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Operating Partnership all books and records and other indicia of ownership with respect to each Company.

Section 1.02 Consideration to Ensign . In consideration of the foregoing contribution, CareTrust shall promptly issue to Ensign              shares of CareTrust Common Stock and $              in cash. The shares of CareTrust Common Stock to be issued to Ensign shall be issued as uncertificated shares registered in book-entry form. No certificates therefor shall be distributed. CareTrust shall promptly deliver or cause to be delivered to Ensign an account statement reflecting Ensign’s ownership of such shares of CareTrust Common Stock.

Section 1.03 Consideration to CareTrust and the General Partner . In consideration of the foregoing contribution, the Operating Partnership shall promptly issue              OP Units to CareTrust and              OP Units to the General Partner. The issuance of OP Units to CareTrust and the General Partner shall be evidenced by either an amendment to the Operating Partnership’s Agreement of Limited Partnership or by certificates relating to such OP Units, in either case, as determined by the Operating Partnership, in such form as shall be reasonably acceptable to CareTrust and the General Partner. The OP Units to be issued to CareTrust and the General Partner pursuant to this Agreement shall have been duly authorized by the Operating Partnership and, when issued against the consideration therefor, shall be validly issued by the Operating Partnership, free and clear of all Liens created by the Operating Partnership (other than Liens created by the Operating Partnership Agreement).

 

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Section 1.04 Further Action . Each Party shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be made, executed, acknowledged and delivered, any such other documents reasonably requested by the other Parties or reasonably necessary or desirable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 1.05 Tax Treatment . Ensign and CareTrust each intends that the Reorganization and the Distribution shall be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code. Each of Ensign and CareTrust shall treat the Contribution as set forth in this Section 1.05 for all U.S. federal income tax purposes.

ARTICLE II

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ENSIGN

Ensign hereby represents and warrants to the CareTrust Entities as follows:

Section 2.01 Organization and Authority . Ensign is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Ensign has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, and to own, lease or operate its property and to carry on its business as presently conducted and, to the extent required under applicable Law, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 2.02 Due Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Ensign has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action of Ensign. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Ensign, enforceable against Ensign in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar Law relating to creditors’ rights and general principles of equity.

Section 2.03 Consents and Approvals . Except as shall have been satisfied on or prior to the date hereof, no consent, waiver, approval or authorization of, or filing with, any Person or Governmental Authority or under any applicable Law is required to be obtained by Ensign in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby, except for those consents, waivers, approvals, authorizations or filings, the failure of which to obtain or to file would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Ensign.

Section 2.04 No Violation . None of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, does or will, with or without the giving of notice, lapse of time, or both, violate, conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under or give to others any right of termination, acceleration, cancelation or other right under (a) any agreement, document or instrument to which Ensign is a party or by which Ensign is bound or (b) any term or provision of any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree binding on Ensign (or its assets or properties), except any such breaches or defaults that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Ensign.

 

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Section 2.05 Non-Foreign Person . Ensign is a United States person (as defined in the Code) and is, therefore, not subject to the provisions of the Code relating to the withholding of sales or exchange proceeds to foreign persons, and is not subject to any state withholding requirements. Ensign has delivered to CareTrust an affidavit stating under penalty of perjury Ensign’s United States Taxpayer Identification Number and that Ensign is not a foreign person pursuant to Section 1445(b)(2) of the Code and a comparable affidavit satisfying any state withholding requirements.

Section 2.06 Solvency . Ensign has been and will be solvent at all times prior to and after giving effect to the contribution of the Interests to the Operating Partnership, and the other aspects of the Reorganization and the Distribution.

Section 2.07 Litigation . There is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to Ensign’s knowledge, threatened against Ensign which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Ensign.

Section 2.08 Absence of Registration . Ensign acknowledges that the shares of CareTrust Common Stock to be issued to it hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, may not be sold unless registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration is available.

Section 2.09 No Injunction . No Governmental Authority has enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent), in any case, which is in effect and which prevents or prohibits consummation of any of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, and none of the same brought by a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction is pending that seeks the foregoing.

Section 2.10 Consents, Etc . All necessary consents and approvals of Governmental Authorities or third parties (including lenders) for Ensign to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby have been obtained, except for those the absence of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Ensign.

Section 2.11 No Brokers . Neither Ensign nor any of Ensign’s officers, directors or employees has employed or made any agreement with any broker, finder or similar agent or any person or firm which will result in the obligation of any CareTrust Entities or any Companies to pay any finder’s fee, brokerage fees or commissions or similar payment in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 2.12 Ownership of Interests . Ensign is the owner of the Interests and has the power and authority to transfer, sell, assign and convey to the Operating Partnership such Interests free and clear of any Liens, except for Permitted Liens, and, upon delivery of the consideration for such Interests as provided herein, the Operating Partnership will acquire good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Liens, except for Permitted Liens. Except as provided for or contemplated by this Agreement, there are no rights, subscriptions, warrants, options, conversion rights, preemptive rights, agreements, instruments or understandings of any kind outstanding (a) relating to the Interests or (b) to purchase, transfer or to otherwise acquire, or to in any way encumber, any of the Interests or any securities or obligations of any kind convertible into Interests or other equity interests or profit participation of any kind in the Companies. All of the issued and outstanding Interests have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

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Section 2.13 Organization and Authority of the Companies . Each Company is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Nevada. Each Company has all power and authority to own, lease or operate its property and to carry on its business as presently conducted and, to the extent required under applicable Law, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Ensign or CareTrust. Ensign has provided to CareTrust correct and complete copies of the LLC Agreement and the articles of organization or equivalent organizational document of each Company, in each case, with all amendments as in effect on the date hereof. None of the Companies has adopted a plan of liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or reorganization.

Section 2.14 Taxes . To Ensign’s knowledge, and except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Ensign or CareTrust, (a) each Company has filed all Tax Returns and reports required to be filed by it (after giving effect to any filing extension properly granted by a Governmental Authority having authority to do so) and all such returns and reports are accurate and complete in all material respects, and has paid (or had paid on its behalf) all Taxes as required to be paid by it, (b) no deficiencies for any Taxes have been proposed, asserted or assessed against any Company, and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any such Taxes are pending, (c) Ensign has filed all Tax Returns and reports required to be filed by it with respect to the Properties (after giving effect to any filing extension properly granted by a Governmental Authority having authority to do so) and all such returns and reports are accurate and complete in all material respects, and has paid (or had paid on its behalf) all Taxes as required to be paid by it with respect to the Properties and (d) no deficiencies for any Taxes have been proposed, asserted or assessed against Ensign with respect to the Properties, and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any such Taxes are pending.

Section 2.15 Company Litigation . Except as set forth in Schedule 2.15 to the Disclosure Schedule, there is no material Action, litigation, claim or other proceeding, either judicial or administrative (including, without limitation, any governmental action or proceeding), pending or, to Ensign’s knowledge, threatened in the last twelve months, against any Property, Ensign or the Companies. Ensign is not bound by any outstanding order, writ, injunction or decree of any court, Governmental Entity or arbitration against or affecting all or any portion of the Interests, which in any such case would have a Material Adverse Effect on Ensign or CareTrust.

Section 2.16 Compliance With Laws . In connection with the operation of the Properties and the Facilities, except as set forth in Schedule 2.16 to the Disclosure Schedule, to Ensign’s knowledge, the Properties and the Facilities have been maintained and operated, and on the date hereof are, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws (including, without limitation, those currently relating to fire, life safety, health codes and sanitation, Americans with Disabilities Act, zoning and building laws) whether Federal, state or local, foreign, except for Environmental Laws which are addressed solely by Section 2.20 .

Section 2.17 Eminent Domain . There is no existing or, to Ensign’s knowledge, proposed or threatened condemnation, eminent domain or similar proceeding, or private purchase in lieu of such a proceeding, in respect of all or any material portion of any of the Properties.

Section 2.18 Licenses and Permits . Except as set forth in Schedule 2.18 to the Disclosure Schedule, to Ensign’s knowledge, all licenses, permits and certificates (including certificates of occupancy), required in connection with the ownership, construction, use, occupancy, management, leasing and operation of the Properties and Facilities have been obtained, are in full force and effect, and are in good standing, except for those licenses, permits and certificates, the failure of which to obtain or maintain in good standing, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Ensign or CareTrust.

 

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Section 2.19 Real Property . Except as described in Schedule 2.19(a) to the Disclosure Schedule, each of the Property Companies owns each of the Properties set forth opposite its name on Exhibit A , and has good and marketable title in fee simple to such Properties free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.19(b) to the Disclosure Schedule, no party to any material agreement affecting the Properties or Facilities has given to Ensign any written notice of any uncured default with respect to any such material agreement affecting the Properties or Facilities which would have a Material Adverse Effect on Ensign or CareTrust, and no event has occurred or, to Ensign’s knowledge, is threatened, which through the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default thereunder which would have a Material Adverse Effect on Ensign or CareTrust or would cause the acceleration of any material obligation of any party thereto or the creation of a Lien upon any Property, except for Permitted Liens. To Ensign’s knowledge, such agreements are valid and binding and in full force and effect, and such agreements, including all amendments, modifications and supplements, have been delivered or made available to CareTrust.

Section 2.20 Environmental Compliance . Except as may be disclosed in Schedule 2.20 to the Disclosure Schedule or any environmental reports listed therein (the “ Environmental Reports ”) (true and correct copies of which have been made available to CareTrust): (a) to Ensign’s knowledge, the Properties are currently being operated in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (b) neither Ensign nor any of the Companies have received any written notice from any Governmental Authority or any other Person claiming that Ensign or any of the Companies is in material violation of, or has any material liability under, any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits with respect to the Properties; (c) neither Ensign nor any of the Companies is currently conducting any material remedial action pursuant to Environmental Laws at any Property; (d) except as may be disclosed in Schedule 2.20 to the Disclosure Schedule or the Environmental Reports, to Ensign’s knowledge, there has been no spill or release of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or upon any of the Properties that would reasonably be likely to result in any material claim under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permit against Ensign, CareTrust or any of the Companies.

Section 2.21 Trademarks and Tradenames; Proprietary Rights . There are no actions or other judicial or administrative proceedings against Ensign, the Companies, the Properties or the Facilities pending or, to Ensign’s knowledge, threatened in the last twelve months, that concern any copyrights, copyright application, trademarks, trademark registrations, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade names and trade name registrations or any trade secrets being indirectly transferred to the Operating Partnership hereunder (the “ Proprietary Rights ”) and that, if adversely determined, would have a Material Adverse Effect on Ensign or CareTrust. To Ensign’s knowledge, the current use of the Proprietary Rights does not conflict with, infringe upon or violate any copyright, trade secret, trademark or registration of any other Person.

Section 2.22 Condition of Property . To Ensign’s knowledge, except as listed in Schedule 2.22 to the Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the “ Property Reports ”), there is no material defect in the structural condition of any Property, the roof thereon, the improvements thereon, the structural elements thereof and the mechanical systems thereon (including, without limitation, all HVAC, plumbing, electrical, elevator, security, utility, sprinkler and safety systems), nor any material damage from casualty or other cause, nor any soil condition of any Property that will not support all of the improvements thereon without the need for unusual or new subsurface excavations, fill, footings, caissons or other installations, except for any such defect, damage or condition that has been corrected or will be corrected in the ordinary course of the business of the Property as disclosed as part of its scheduled annual maintenance and improvement program.

 

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Section 2.23 Leases . A true and complete copy of each lease or occupancy agreement for the tenants at each Facility (collectively, the “ Leases ”) has been made available to CareTrust, and, to Ensign’s knowledge, such leases are in full force and effect, except as indicated otherwise in Schedule 2.23 to the Disclosure Schedule; the Operating Company which is lessor under such Leases has not received any written notice that it is in default of any of its obligations under such Leases beyond any applicable grace period which has not been cured; to Ensign’s knowledge, except as set forth in Schedule 2.23 to the Disclosure Schedule or the rent roll delivered to CareTrust on the date hereof, no tenant is in default under any Lease. To Ensign’s knowledge, all material obligations of the lessor under the Leases that have accrued prior to the date hereof have been performed or satisfied. To Ensign’s knowledge, no tenant under any of the Leases is presently the subject of any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings.

Section 2.24 Tangible Personal Property . The Operating Companies own or lease all of the tangible personal property constituting “Fixtures and Personal Property” (as defined below) which is used in and necessary to the operation of each of the Facilities. “ Fixtures and Personal Property ” shall mean all fixtures, furniture, furnishings, apparatus and fittings, equipment, machinery, appliances, building supplies, tools, and other items of personal property used in connection with the operation or maintenance of the Facilities; excluding, however, all fixtures, furniture, furnishings, apparatus and fittings, equipment, machinery, appliances, building supplies, tools, and other items of personal property owned by tenants, subtenants, guests, invitees, employees, easement holders, service contractors and other Persons who own any such property located at the Facilities. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.24 to the Disclosure Schedule, to Ensign’s knowledge, such Fixtures and Personal Property are free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens pursuant to the agreements pursuant to which such Fixtures and Personal Property are leased and Permitted Liens.

Section 2.25 Service Contracts . Except as set forth in Schedule 2.25 to the Disclosure Schedule, (a) there are no employees of the Companies as of the date hereof, nor (b) service or maintenance contracts affecting any Property or Facility which are not cancelable upon thirty (30) days’ notice or less or which are for a contract amount greater than $100,000 per annum; true and correct copies of the service, equipment, franchise, operating, management, parking, supply, utility and maintenance agreements relating to any Property or Facility (the “ Service Contracts ”) have been made available to CareTrust and the same are in full force and effect and have not been modified or amended except in the ordinary course of business. To Ensign’s knowledge, no material event of default exists (which remains uncured) under any of the Service Contracts.

Section 2.26 Existing Loans . Schedule 2.26 to the Disclosure Schedule lists all secured loans presently encumbering the Properties or Facilities or any direct or indirect interest in any Company and any unsecured loans with respect to which any of the Companies are obligated (the “ Existing Loans ”), the outstanding aggregate principal balance of which is approximately $              as of the date hereof. To Ensign’s knowledge, the Existing Loans and the documents entered into in connection therewith (collectively, the “ Loan Documents ”) are in full force and effect as of the date hereof. To Ensign’s knowledge, no event of default or event that with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute a material event of default has occurred as of the date hereof under any of the Loan Documents. True and correct copies of the existing Loan Documents have been made available to CareTrust. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.26, none of the Companies is the holder of any promissory note or similar debt instrument whether issued by an affiliated entity or third party.

 

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Section 2.27 Real Property Taxes . Neither Ensign nor any of the Companies has received any written notification of any material new or increased general or special Tax assessments for any of the Properties or Facilities except as may be disclosed in the Title Policies. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.27 to the Disclosure Schedule, each of the Properties is assessed for real property Tax through one Tax bill and each Property is comprised of one or more independent Tax lots.

Section 2.28 Insurance . Each of the Operating Companies currently has in place public liability, casualty and other insurance coverage with reputable insurance companies with respect to its Facilities in customary amounts for projects similar to the Facilities in the markets in which such Facilities are located, and in all cases substantially in compliance with the existing financing arrangements. To Ensign’s knowledge, each of such policies is in full force and effect, and all premiums due and payable thereunder have been fully paid when due. No written notice of cancellation, default or non-renewal has been received or to Ensign’s knowledge threatened with respect thereto.

Section 2.29 Exclusive Representations . Except as set forth in this Article II , Ensign makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, in connection with any of the Interests, the Companies, the Properties or the Facilities, and the CareTrust Entities acknowledge that they have not relied upon any other such representation or warranty. Except as set forth in Article III , Ensign acknowledges that no representation or warranty has been made by the CareTrust Entities with respect to the legal and Tax consequences of the transfer of the Interests to the Operating Partnership and the receipt of the consideration therefor. Ensign acknowledges that it has not relied upon any other such representation or warranty.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CARETRUST ENTITIES

The CareTrust Entities hereby represent and warrant to Ensign as follows:

Section 3.01 Organization and Authority . Each CareTrust Entity is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its state of organization. Each CareTrust Entity has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, and to own, lease or operate its property and to carry on its business as presently conducted and, to the extent required under applicable Law, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect on CareTrust.

Section 3.02 Due Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the CareTrust Entities has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action of the CareTrust Entities. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the applicable CareTrust Entities, enforceable against the CareTrust Entities in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar Law relating to creditors’ rights and general principles of equity.

Section 3.03 Consents and Approvals . Except as shall have been satisfied on or prior to the date hereof, no material consent, waiver, approval or authorization of, or filing with, any Person or Governmental Authority or under any applicable Law is required to be obtained by the CareTrust Entities in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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Section 3.04 No Violation . None of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, does or will, with or without the giving of notice, lapse of time, or both, violate, conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under or give to others any right of termination, acceleration, cancelation or other right under (a) the organizational documents of the CareTrust Entities, (b) any term or provision of any judgment, order, writ, injunction, or decree binding on the CareTrust Entities or (c) any other agreement to which any CareTrust Entity is a party.

Section 3.05 Validity of CareTrust Common Stock . The shares of CareTrust Common Stock to be issued to Ensign pursuant to this Agreement have been duly authorized by CareTrust and, when issued against the consideration therefor, will be validly issued by CareTrust, free and clear of all Liens created by CareTrust (other than Liens created by the organizational documents of CareTrust).

Section 3.06 Litigation . There is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the CareTrust Entities’ knowledge, threatened against the CareTrust Entities which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on CareTrust.

Section 3.07 Limited Activities . Except as described in the Information Statement, the CareTrust Entities and their Subsidiaries have not engaged in any material business or incurred any material obligations.

Section 3.08 No Other Representations or Warranties . Except as set forth above in this Article III , the CareTrust Entities make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, in connection with the legal and Tax consequences of the transfer of the Interests to the Operating Partnership and the receipt of the consideration therefor, and Ensign acknowledges that it has not relied upon any other such representation or warranty. Except as set forth in Article II , the CareTrust Entities acknowledge that no representation or warranty has been made by Ensign with respect to any of the Interests, the Companies, the Properties or the Facilities. The CareTrust Entities acknowledge that they have not relied upon any other such representation or warranty.

ARTICLE IV

INDEMNIFICATION; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Section 4.01 Indemnification . In the event of any breach of a representation, warranty or covenant of any Party contained in this Agreement, the other Parties may be entitled to indemnification as and to the extent provided in Article IX of the Separation Agreement. For all Tax purposes other than for purposes of Section 355(g) of the Code, Ensign and CareTrust agree to treat (i) any payment required by this Agreement (other than payments with respect to interest accruing after the effective time of the Distribution) as either a contribution by Ensign to CareTrust or a distribution by CareTrust to Ensign, as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the effective time of the Distribution or as a payment of an assumed or retained liability, and (ii) any payment of interest as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in either case, except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

Section 4.02 Dispute Resolution . Any disputes under this Agreement shall be governed by Article X of the Separation Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE V

DEFINITIONS

Section 5.01 Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings.

(a) “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person. For this purpose “control” of a Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

(b) “ Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions located in the State of California are authorized or obligated by applicable Law or executive order to close.

(c) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(d) “ Company ” means a Property Company or an Operating Company.

(e) “ Disclosure Schedule ” means that disclosure schedule attached as Appendix A to this Agreement.

(f) “ Environmental Laws ” means all applicable statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances, codes, licenses, permits, orders, demands, approvals, authorizations and other binding requirements of any Governmental Entity and all applicable judicial, administrative and regulatory decrees, judgments and orders relating to the protection of the environment as in effect on the Closing Date, including but not limited to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. Section 1251), the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 11001 et seq.), and similar state and local requirements.

(g) “ Environmental Permits ” means any and all licenses, certificates, permits, registrations, approvals, authorizations, and consents that are required pursuant to any Environmental Laws.

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

(i) “ Governmental Authority ” means any U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. court, government, department, commission, board, bureau, agency, official or other regulatory, administrative or governmental authority.

(j) “ Hazardous Materials ” means any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials or wastes, friable asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and any other hazardous or toxic substance, material or waste that is prohibited or regulated, or as to which liability may be imposed, under any Environmental Law.

 

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(k) “ Information Statement ” means the information statement, attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and any related documentation to be provided to holders of common stock of Ensign in connection with the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

(l) “ Law ” means any law, statute, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, writ, proclamation, judgment, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority.

(m) “ Liens ” means all pledges, claims, liens, mortgages, deeds of trust, charges, restrictions, controls, easements, rights of way, exceptions, reservations, leases, licenses, grants, covenants and conditions, encumbrances and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever.

(n) “ Material Adverse Effect ” with respect to a Person means any material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition, properties or results of operations of such Person or on such Person’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(o) “ Operating Partnership Agreement ” means the agreement of limited partnership of the Operating Partnership, as in effect from time to time.

(p) “ Party ” or “ Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

(q) “ Permitted Lien ” means: (i) Liens securing Taxes, the payment of which is not delinquent or may be paid without interest or penalties or the validity or amount of which is actively being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued; (ii) zoning laws, building codes, rights-of ways and other land use laws and ordinances applicable to the Properties that are not violated by the existing structures or present uses thereof or the transfer of the Properties; (iii) carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, workmen’s, repairmen’s and mechanics’ liens, and other similar liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business that secure payment of obligations arising in the ordinary course of business not more than 60 days past due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued; (iv) non-exclusive easements for public utilities and other operational purposes and rights-of-ways that do not materially interfere with the current use or value of the Properties; and (v) all Liens listed on Exhibit C hereto.

(r) “ Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, a union, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

(s) “ Registration Statement ” means CareTrust’s registration statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36181) with respect to the registration under the Exchange Act of the CareTrust Common Stock to be distributed in the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

(t) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(u) “ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such specified Person or by any one or more of its subsidiaries, or by such specified Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

 

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(v) “ Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any and all taxes, charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts or other assessments imposed by any federal, state, local or foreign Taxing Authority, including, but not limited to, income, gross receipts, excise, property, sales, use, license, capital stock, transfer, franchise, payroll, withholding, social security, value added and other taxes, and any interest, penalties or additions attributable thereto.

(w) “ Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement related to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

(x) “ Taxing Authority ” means any Governmental Authority or any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof or any quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any Tax (including the United States Internal Revenue Service).

(y) “ Title Policies ” means those certain policies of title insurance insuring the Property Companies’ interests in the Properties.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 6.01 Amendments and Waivers .

(a) Subject to Section 11.1 of the Separation Agreement, this Agreement may not be amended except by an agreement in writing signed by the Parties.

(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Agreement, any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived, or the time for its performance may be extended, by the Party entitled to the benefit thereof and any such waiver shall be validly and sufficiently given for the purposes of this Agreement if it is in writing signed by an authorized representative of such Party. No delay or failure in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall affect or operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or remedy. The rights and remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies that any Party would otherwise have.

Section 6.02 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Separation Agreement and the exhibits and schedules referenced herein and therein and attached hereto or thereto, constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior negotiations, agreements, commitments, writings, courses of dealing and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 6.03 Survival of Agreements . All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive and remain in full force and effect after the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.

 

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Section 6.04 Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

Section 6.05 Notices . All notices, requests, permissions, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) five (5) Business Days following sending by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (b) when sent, if sent by facsimile or e-mail of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient, (c) when delivered, if delivered personally to the intended recipient, and (d) one (1) Business Day following sending by overnight delivery via a national courier service and, in each case, addressed to a Party at the following address for such Party (as updated from time to time by notice in writing to the other Party):

if to any of the CareTrust Entities, to:

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Attention: William M. Wagner

Email: wwagner@caretrustreit.com

Facsimile: (949) 540-3002

if to Ensign, to:

The Ensign Group, Inc.

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Attention: Chad Keetch

Email: ckeetch@Ensigngroup.net

Facsimile: (949) 540-1968

Section 6.06 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other documents pursuant to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be deemed to be, and shall have the same legal effect as, execution by an original signature and delivery in person.

Section 6.07 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the exhibits attached hereto or thereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to affect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.

 

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Section 6.08 Assignability; Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns; provided that the rights and obligations of each Party under this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, whether by operation of law or otherwise, by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement without such consent shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Party may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of their respective Affiliates provided that no such assignment shall release such assigning Party from any liability or obligation under this Agreement.

Section 6.09 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the substantive Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any conflicts of law provisions thereof that would result in the application of the Laws of any other jurisdiction.

Section 6.10 Construction . This Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Parties and no rule of construction or strict interpretation shall be applied against any Party. The Parties represent that this Agreement is entered into with full consideration of any and all rights which the Parties may have. The Parties have relied upon their own knowledge and judgment. The Parties have had access to independent legal advice, have conducted such investigations they thought appropriate, and have consulted with such other independent advisors as they deemed appropriate regarding this Agreement and their rights and asserted rights in connection therewith. The Parties are not relying upon any representations or statements made by the other Parties, or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys, regarding this Agreement, except to the extent such representations are expressly set forth or incorporated in this Agreement. The Parties are not relying upon a legal duty, if one exists, on the part of the other Parties (or any such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys) to disclose any information in connection with the execution of this Agreement or their preparation, it being expressly understood that no Party shall ever assert any failure to disclose information on the part of the other Parties as a ground for challenging this Agreement.

Section 6.11 Performance . Each Party shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Party.

Section 6.12 Titles and Headings . Titles and headings to Sections and Articles are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 6.13 Exhibits and Schedules . The Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference and shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective duly authorized officers or representatives, all as of the date first written above.

 

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
By:   

 

  Name: Christopher R. Christensen
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
CARETRUST REIT, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: Gregory K. Stapley
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
CARETRUST GP, LLC
By:   CareTrust REIT, Inc., its sole member
By:  

 

  Name: Gregory K. Stapley
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
CARETRUST PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
By:   CareTrust GP, LLC, its general partner
By:   CareTrust REIT, Inc., its sole member
By:  

 

  Name: Gregory K. Stapley
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.9

CARETRUST REIT, INC.

AND CARETRUST PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

The CareTrust REIT, Inc. and CareTrust Partnership, L.P. Incentive Award Plan (as it may be amended, the “Plan”) was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company. The purposes of the Plan are to provide long-term incentives to those persons with significant responsibility for the success and growth of the Company, the Partnership and any other subsidiaries, divisions and affiliated businesses, to associate the interests of such persons with those of the Company’s shareholders, and to assist the Company in recruiting, retaining and motivating qualified employees on a competitive basis and to ensure a pay for performance linkage for such employees.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.

2.1 “Administrator ” shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Article XII hereof, which shall initially be the Compensation Committee of the Board. With reference to the duties of the Committee under the Plan which have been delegated to one or more persons pursuant to Section 12.6 hereof, or which the Board has assumed, the term “Administrator” shall refer to such person(s) unless the Committee or the Board has revoked such delegation or the Board has terminated the assumption of such duties.

2.2 “Affiliate ” shall mean (i) any Parent or Subsidiary; (ii) any entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by Company, including the Partnership; or (iii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in each case as determined by the Committee.

2.3 “Applicable Accounting Standards ” shall mean Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, International Financial Reporting Standards or such other accounting principles or standards as may apply to the Company’s financial statements under United States federal securities laws from time to time.


2.4 “Award ” shall mean an Option, a Restricted Stock award, a Restricted Stock Unit award, a Performance Award (which includes, but is not limited to, cash bonuses as set forth in Section 9.1), a Dividend Equivalent award, a Deferred Stock award, a Stock Payment award, an award of Stock Appreciation Rights, an Other Incentive Award (which includes, but is not limited to, an LTIP Unit award) or a Performance Share Award, which may be awarded or granted under the Plan.

2.5 “Award Agreement ” shall mean any written notice, agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine, consistent with the Plan.

2.6 “Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.7 “Cause ” shall mean, with respect to any Participant, “Cause” as defined in such Participant’s employment agreement with any Affiliate if such an agreement exists and contains a definition of Cause or, if no such agreement exists or such agreement does not contain a definition of Cause, then Cause shall mean (a) the Participant’s substantial and continued failure to perform material duties in a satisfactory manner where such failure causes or is reasonably expected to cause material harm to the Company or any Affiliate (other than a failure resulting from death or disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) for thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from the Company describing the failure to perform such duties; (b) the Participant’s engaging in any material act of dishonesty, fraud, embezzlement or misrepresentation that was or is likely to be materially injurious to the Company or any Affiliate; (c) the Participant’s knowing violation of any federal or state law or regulation applicable to the Company’s (or any Affiliate’s) business that was or is likely to be materially injurious to the Company; (d) the Participant’s material breach of any confidentiality agreement or invention assignment agreement or any other material agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate; (e) the Participant’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, any felony or crime of moral turpitude; (f) repeated and knowing material failure by the Participant to comply with the Company’s or any Affiliate’s written policies or rules, after written notice of such failure; or (g) gross negligence or willful misconduct that does or reasonably could be expected to cause material harm to the Company or any Affiliate.

2.8 A “Change in Control ” shall be deemed to have occurred (unless otherwise determined by the Administrator) on the date upon which:

(a) there occurs a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation, other than (1) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (2) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), corporation or other entity is or becomes the “beneficial

 

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owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

(b) there occurs 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 Company, or (C) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

(c) there is an adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

(d) any person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), corporation, or other entity purchases any Common Stock of the Company (or securities convertible into the Common Stock) for cash, securities or any other consideration pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer, without the prior consent of the Board;

(e) any person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), corporation or other entity (other than the Company or any benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any subsidiary) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors (calculated as provided in paragraph (d) of such Rule 13d-3 in the case of rights to acquire the Company’s securities); or

(f) during any period of two consecutive years, the individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the entire Board cease, for any reason, to constitute a majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award which provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A of the Code, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) with respect to such Award shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5). Consistent with the terms of this Section 2.8, the Administrator shall have full and final authority to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control of the Company has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto.

2.9 “Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder, whether issued prior or subsequent to the grant of any Award.

 

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2.10 “Committee ” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board described in Article XII hereof.

2.11 “Common Stock ” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

2.12 “Company ” shall mean CareTrust REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and any successor corporation.

2.13 “Consultant ” shall mean any consultant or adviser engaged to provide services to the Company or any Affiliate that qualifies as a consultant under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement or any successor Form thereto.

2.14 “Covered Employee ” shall mean any Employee who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

2.15 “Deferred Stock ” shall mean a right to receive Shares awarded under Section 9.4 hereof.

2.16 “Director ” shall mean a member of the Board, as constituted from time to time.

2.17 “Disability ” shall mean a condition such that an individual would be considered disabled for the purposes of Section 409(A) of the Code.

2.18 “Dividend Equivalent ” shall mean a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares, awarded under Section 9.2 hereof.

2.19 “DRO ” shall mean a “domestic relations order” as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the rules thereunder.

2.20 “Effective Date ” shall mean             , 20    .

2.21 “Eligible Individual ” shall mean any natural person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director, as determined by the Administrator.

2.22 “Employee ” shall mean any officer or other employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company or any Affiliate.

2.23 “Equity Restructuring ” shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other securities of the Company or the Partnership) or the share price of Common Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding stock-based Awards.

 

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2.24 “Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

2.25 “Fair Market Value ” shall mean, as of any given date, the value of a Share determined as follows:

(a) if the Common Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Market and the NASDAQ Global Select Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) listed, quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a Share as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a Share on the date in question, the closing sales price for a Share on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

(b) if the Common Stock is traded only otherwise than on a securities exchange and is not quoted on the NASDAQ, the closing quoted selling price of the Common Stock on such date as quoted in “pink sheets” published by the National Daily Quotation Bureau.

(c) if the Common Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a Share on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a Share on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

(d) if the Common Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be established by the Committee in good faith on the date awarded.

2.26 “Greater Than 10% Shareholder ” shall mean an individual then-owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” (as defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively).

2.27 “Incentive Stock Option ” shall mean an Option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

2.28 “Individual Award Limit ” shall mean the cash and share limits applicable to Awards granted under the Plan, as set forth in Section 3.3 hereof.

2.29 “LTIP Limit ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(a) hereof.

2.30 “LTIP Unit ” shall mean, to the extent authorized by the Partnership Agreement (as either a “Profits Interest Unit” or an “LTIP Unit”), a unit of the Partnership that is granted pursuant to Section 9.7 and is intended to constitute a “profits interest” within the meaning of the Code.

 

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2.31 “Non-Employee Director ” shall mean a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.

2.32 “ Non-Qualified Stock Option ” shall mean an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option or which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but does not meet the applicable requirements of the Code.

2.33 “ Officer ” shall mean a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

2.34 “Option ” shall mean a right to purchase Shares at a specified exercise price, granted under Article VI hereof. An Option shall be either a Non-Qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option; provided, however, that Options granted to Non-Employee Directors and Consultants shall only be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

2.35 “Other Incentive Award ” shall mean an Award denominated in, linked to or derived from Shares or value metrics related to Shares, granted pursuant to Section 9.7 hereof.

2.36 “Parent ” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities ending with the Company if each of the entities other than the Company beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.

2.37 “Participant ” shall mean an Eligible Individual who has been granted an Award.

2.38 “Partnership ” shall mean CareTrust Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

2.39 “Partnership Agreement ” shall mean the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership by and between the Company and CareTrust GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as amended from time to time.

2.40 “Performance Award ” shall mean an Award that is granted under Section 9.1 hereof.

2.41 “Performance-Based Compensation ” shall mean any compensation that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

 

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2.42 “Performance Criteria ” shall mean the criteria (and adjustments) that the Committee selects for an Award for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Performance Period, determined as follows:

The Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: (i) net earnings (either before or after one or more of the following: (A) interest, (B) taxes, (C) depreciation, (D) amortization and (E) non-cash equity-based compensation expense); (ii) gross or net sales or revenue; (iii) net income (either before or after taxes); (iv) adjusted net income; (v) operating earnings or profit; (vi) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow); (vii) return on assets; (viii) return on capital; (ix) return on shareholders’ equity; (x) total shareholder return; (xi) return on sales; (xii) gross or net profit or operating margin; (xiii) costs; (xiv) funds from operations; (xv) expenses; (xvi) working capital; (xvii) earnings per share; (xviii) adjusted earnings per Share; (xix) price per Share; (xx) regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product; (xxi) implementation or completion of critical projects; (xxii) market share; (xxiii) economic value; (xxiv) debt levels or reduction; (xxv) customer retention; (xxvi) sales-related goals; (xxvii) comparisons with other stock market indices; (xxviii) operating efficiency; (xxix) customer satisfaction and/or growth; (xxx) employee satisfaction; (xxxi) research and development achievements; (xxxii) financing and other capital raising transactions; (xxxiii) recruiting and maintaining personnel; (xxxiv) year-end cash, (xxxv) inventory, (xxxvi) inventory turns, (xxxvii) net inventory turns, (xxxviii) new store openings, (xxxix) new store performance, (xl) average transaction size, (xli) customer traffic, (xlii) accounts payable to inventory ratio, (xliii) employee retention, (xliv) comparable store sales; (xlv) capital expenditures; (xlvi) average occupancy; (xlvii) year-end occupancy; (xlviii) property operating expense savings; (xlix) leasing goals, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms for the Company or any operating unit of the Company or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease or as compared to results of a peer group or to market performance indicators or indices.

The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide that one or more objectively determinable adjustments shall be made to one or more of the Performance Goals. Such adjustments may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: (i) items related to a change in accounting principle; (ii) items relating to financing activities; (iii) expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives; (iv) other non-operating items; (v) items related to acquisitions; (vi) items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the Performance Period; (vii) items related to the disposal or sale of a business or segment of a business; (viii) items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under Applicable Accounting Standards; (ix) items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of stock occurring during the Performance Period; (x) any other items of significant income or expense which are determined to be appropriate adjustments; (xi) items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments, (xii) items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets; (xiii) items that are outside the scope of the Company’s core, on-going business activities; (xiv) items related to acquired in-process research and development; (xv) items relating to changes in tax laws; (xvi) items relating to major licensing or partnership arrangements; (xvii) items relating to asset impairment charges; (xviii) items relating to gains or losses for litigation, arbitration and contractual settlements; or (xix) items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in applicable laws, accounting principles or business conditions. For all Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, such determinations shall be made within the time prescribed by, and otherwise in compliance with, Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

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To the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code (including, without limitation, compliance with and any requirements for shareholder approval), the Committee may designate additional Performance Criteria on which Performance Goals may be based, and may adjust, modify, or amend Performance Criteria.

2.43 “Performance Goals ” shall mean, with respect to a Performance Period, one or more goals established in writing by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon one or more Performance Criteria. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of an Affiliate, a division or business unit, or one or more individuals. In addition, such performance goals may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other corporations. The achievement of each Performance Goal shall be determined in accordance with Applicable Accounting Standards, to the extent applicable.

2.44 “Performance Period ” shall mean one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance Award.

2.45 “Performance Share Award ” shall mean a contractual right awarded under Section 9.6 hereof to receive a number of Shares based on the attainment of specified Performance Goals or other criteria determined by the Administrator.

2.46 “Person” shall mean any individual or entity, including a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or trust.

2.47 “Permitted Transferee ” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, any “family member” of the Participant, as defined under the instructions to use of the Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act, or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator after taking into account any state, federal, local or foreign tax and securities laws applicable to transferable Awards. In addition, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to transfer an Incentive Stock Option to a trust that constitutes a Permitted Transferee if, under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law, the Participant is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Incentive Stock Option while it is held in the trust.

2.48 “Plan ” shall have the meaning set forth in Article I.

2.49 “Program ” shall mean any program adopted by the Administrator pursuant to the Plan containing the terms and conditions intended to govern a specified type of Award granted under the Plan and pursuant to which such type of Award may be granted under the Plan.

2.50 “Restricted Stock ” shall mean an award of Shares made under Article VIII hereof that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture or repurchase.

2.51 “Restricted Stock Unit ” shall mean a contractual right awarded under Section 9.5 hereof to receive in the future a Share or the Fair Market Value of a Share in cash.

 

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2.52 “Retirement ” shall mean retirement in accordance with the terms of a retirement plan of the Company or one of its subsidiaries.

2.53 “Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

2.54 “Share Limit ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(a) hereof.

2.55 “Shares ” shall mean shares of Common Stock.

2.56 “Stock Appreciation Right ” shall mean a stock appreciation right granted under Article X hereof.

2.57 “Stock Payment ” shall mean a payment in the form of Shares awarded under Section 9.3 hereof.

2.58 “Subsidiary ” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.

2.59 “Substitute Award ” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock, in any case, upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, an outstanding equity award previously granted by a company or other entity; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

2.60 “Termination of Service ” shall mean:

(a) As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of a Participant as a Consultant to the Company and its Affiliates is terminated for any reason, with or without Cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Consultant simultaneously commences or remains in employment and/or service as an Employee and/or Director with the Company or any Affiliate.

(b) As to a Non-Employee Director, the time when a Participant who is a Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service as an Employee and/or Consultant with the Company or any Affiliate.

(c) As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Participant and the Company and its Affiliates is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in service with the Company or any Affiliate as a Consultant and/or Director.

 

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The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Terminations of Service, including without limitation, whether a Termination of Service has occurred, whether any Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for Cause and whether any particular leave of absence constitutes a Termination of Service. For purposes of the Plan, a Participant’s employee-employer relationship or consultancy relationship shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Affiliate employing or contracting with such Participant ceases to remain an Affiliate following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off).

ARTICLE III

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

3.1 Number of Shares.

(a) Subject to Sections 3.1(c) and 13.2 hereof, the maximum aggregate number of (i) Shares available for issuance under the Plan (the “Share Limit”) shall be the sum of (1)              and (2) the number of shares which are added back to the Plan pursuant to the terms of the Plan, with such maximum number of Shares not to exceed                  Shares; and (ii) LTIP Units available for issuance under the Plan (the “LTIP Limit”) shall be the sum of (1)          and (2) the number of LTIP Units which are added back to the Plan pursuant to the terms of the Plan, which such maximum number of LTIP Units not to exceed          LTIP Units. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, subject to Sections 3.1(c) and 13.2 hereof, the maximum number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be                 .

(b) For purposes of this Section 3.1, if an Award entitled the holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares or LTIP Units, the number of Shares or LTIP Units covered by such Award or to which such Award relates shall be counted on the date of grant of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares or LTIP Units available for granting Awards under the Plan. Shares or LTIP Units that are subject to or underlie Awards which expire or for any reason are cancelled, terminated, forfeited, fail to vest, or for any other reason are not paid or delivered under the Plan shall again be available for issuance in connection with future Awards granted under the Plan. To the extent Shares or LTIP Units are not delivered because they are used to satisfy the applicable tax withholding obligation, such Shares or LTIP Units will be deemed to have been delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares or LTIP Units available for delivery under the Plan and will not be available for future issuance under the Plan. Moreover, Shares purchased on the open market with cash proceeds generated by the exercise of an Option will not increase or replenish the number of Shares available for grant. In the event that Shares or LTIP Units are delivered in respect of an Award, all of the Shares or LTIP Units subject to the Award (and not only the actual number of Shares or LTIP Units actually issued to Participants) shall be considered in calculating the maximum number of Shares or LTIP Units available for delivery under the Plan. Shares or LTIP Units surrendered or withheld as payment of either the exercise price of an Award and/or withholding taxes in respect of such an Award shall be counted against the share limits of this Plan and shall not again be available for issuance in connection with future Awards. If any Shares have been pledged as collateral for indebtedness incurred by a Participant in connection with the exercise of an Award

 

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and such Shares are returned to the Company in satisfaction of such indebtedness, such Shares shall not again be available for issuance. The foregoing adjustments to the Share and LTIP Unit limits are subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m) with respect to Awards intended as performance-based compensation thereunder.

(c) Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares or LTIP Units authorized for grant under the Plan. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate, or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines, has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by its shareholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares or units available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan in the Board’s discretion at the time of such acquisition or combination, as applicable, and shall not reduce the Shares or LTIP Units authorized for grant under the Plan; provided, however, that Awards using such available shares or units shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.

3.2 Stock Distributed . Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Common Stock, treasury Common Stock or Common Stock purchased on the open market.

3.3 Individual Award Limits . Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to Section 13.2 hereof, to the extent required to comply with Section 162(m):

(a) the aggregate number of Shares subject to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights awarded to any one Participant during any calendar year may not exceed                  Shares;

(b) the aggregate number of Shares and LTIP Units subject to Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (excluding Awards referenced in Section 3.3(c) below) awarded to any one Participant during any calendar year may not exceed                  Shares and          LTIP Units, respectively; and

(c) the aggregate amount of compensation to be paid to any one Participant in respect to all Awards that are intended to constitute Performance-Based Compensation denominated in cash in any calendar year is $        .

ARTICLE IV

GRANTING OF AWARDS

4.1 Participation . The Committee may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom one or more Awards shall be granted and shall determine

 

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the nature and amount of each Award, which shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Plan. Except as provided in any applicable Program, no Eligible Individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan. Awards that are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be subject to the provisions of Article V of this Plan.

4.2 Award Agreement . Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement stating the terms and conditions applicable to such Award, consistent with the requirements of the Plan and any applicable Program. Any Award Agreement evidencing Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code. Award Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

4.3 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, with respect to any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, any applicable Program and the applicable Award Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule, and such additional limitations shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into such Award to the extent permitted by applicable law.

4.4 At-Will Service . Nothing in the Plan or in any Program or Award Agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue as an Employee, Director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or any Affiliate, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, and with or without notice, or to terminate or change all other terms and conditions of any Participant’s employment or engagement, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate.

4.5 Foreign Participants . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Affiliates operate or have Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants, or in order to comply with the requirements of any foreign securities exchange, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Affiliates shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which Eligible Individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange; (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable (and any such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the Share Limit, LTIP Limit or Individual Award Limits contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 hereof, respectively; and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange. Notwithstanding the

 

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foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Code, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, the rules of the securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded or any other applicable law.

4.6 Stand-Alone and Tandem Awards . Awards granted pursuant to the Plan may, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, be granted either alone, in addition to or in tandem with, any other Award granted pursuant to the Plan. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.

ARTICLE V

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS INTENDED TO QUALIFY AS PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION

5.1 Purpose . The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine whether any Award is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. If the Committee, in its sole discretion, decides to grant an Award to an Eligible Individual that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, then the provisions of this Article V shall control over any contrary provision contained in the Plan. The Administrator may in its sole discretion grant Awards to Eligible Individuals that are based on Performance Criteria or Performance Goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Article V and that are not intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee at the time of grant, the Performance Criteria with respect to an Award intended to be Performance-Based Compensation payable to a Covered Employee shall be determined on the basis of Applicable Accounting Standards.

5.2 Applicability . The grant of an Award to an Eligible Individual for a particular Performance Period shall not require the grant of an Award to such Eligible Individual in any subsequent Performance Period and the grant of an Award to any one Eligible Individual shall not require the grant of an Award to any other Eligible Individual in such period or in any other period.

5.3 Procedures with Respect to Performance-Based Awards . To the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, with respect to any Award which is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, no later than ninety (90) days following the commencement of any Performance Period or any designated fiscal period or period of service (or such earlier time as may be required under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, in writing, (a) designate one or more Eligible Individuals, (b) select the Performance Criteria applicable to the Performance Period, (c) establish the Performance Goals and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period based on the Performance Goals, and (d) specify the relationship between the Performance Criteria and the Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Covered Employee for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing whether and the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance

 

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Period. In determining the amount earned under such Awards, unless otherwise provided in an applicable Program or Award Agreement, the Committee shall have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant, including the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period.

5.4 Payment of Performance-Based Awards . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Program or Award Agreement (and only to the extent otherwise permitted by Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code), the holder of an Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation must be employed by the Company or an Affiliate throughout the applicable Performance Period. Performance Awards shall be paid, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, no later than 2  1 2 months after the tax year in which the Performance Award vests, consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Performance Goals, Program or Award Agreement, a Participant shall be eligible to receive payment pursuant to such Awards for a Performance Period only if and to the extent the Performance Goals for such applicable Performance Period are achieved.

5.5 Additional Limitations . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan and except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, any Award which is granted to an Eligible Individual and is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be subject to any additional limitations imposed under Section 162(m) of the Code that are requirements for qualification as Performance-Based Compensation, and the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

ARTICLE VI

GRANTING OF OPTIONS

6.1 Granting of Options to Eligible Individuals . The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine which shall not be inconsistent with the Plan.

6.2 Qualification of Incentive Stock Options . No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any person who is not an Employee of the Company or any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company (as defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively). No person who qualifies as a Greater Than 10% Shareholder may be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless such Incentive Stock Option conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan may be modified by the Administrator, with the consent of the Participant, to disqualify such Option from treatment as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of stock with respect to which “incentive stock options” (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under the Plan and all other plans of the Company and any Affiliate corporation thereof exceeds $100,000, the Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Options and other

 

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“incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the respective options were granted. In addition, to the extent that any Options otherwise fail to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, such Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.

6.3 Option Exercise Price . Except as provided in Section 6.6 hereof, the exercise price per Share subject to each Option shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or, as to Incentive Stock Options, on the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). In addition, in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Greater Than 10% Shareholder, such price shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code).

6.4 Option Term . The term of each Option shall be set by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term shall not be more than ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted, or five (5) years from the date an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Shareholder. The Administrator shall determine the time period, including the time period following a Termination of Service, during which the Participant has the right to exercise the vested Options, which time period may not extend beyond the stated term of the Option. Except as limited by the requirements of Section 409A or Section 422 of the Code, the Committee may extend the term of any outstanding Option, and may extend the time period during which vested Options may be exercised, in connection with any Termination of Service of the Participant, and, subject to Section 13.1 hereof, may amend any other term or condition of such Option relating to such a Termination of Service.

6.5 Option Vesting .

(a) The terms and conditions pursuant to which an Option vests in the Participant and becomes exercisable shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Such vesting may be based on service with the Company or any Affiliate, any of the Performance Criteria, or any other criteria selected by the Committee. At any time after the grant of an Option, the Committee may, in its sole discretion and subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects, accelerate the vesting of the Option, including following a Termination of Service; provided, that in no event shall an Option become exercisable following its expiration, termination or forfeiture.

(b) No portion of an Option which is unexercisable at a Participant’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Committee either in an applicable Program, the applicable Award Agreement or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Option.

6.6 Substitute Awards . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article VI to the contrary, in the case of an Option that is a Substitute Award, the price per Share of the Shares subject to such Option may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant, provided, however, that the exercise price of any Substitute Award shall be determined in accordance with the applicable requirements of Sections 424 and 409A of the Code.

 

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6.7 Substitution of Stock Appreciation Rights . The Committee may, in its sole discretion, substitute an Award of Stock Appreciation Rights for an outstanding Option at any time prior to or upon exercise of such Option; provided, however, that such Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable with respect to the same number of Shares for which such substituted Option would have been exercisable, and shall also have the same exercise price and remaining term as the substituted Option.

ARTICLE VII

EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

7.1 Partial Exercise . An exercisable Option may be exercised in whole or in part. However, an Option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional shares and the Administrator may require that, by the terms of the Option, a partial exercise must be with respect to a minimum number of Shares.

7.2 Manner of Exercise . All or a portion of an exercisable Option shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the Secretary of the Company, or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator, or his, her or its office, as applicable:

(a) A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Option, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be signed by the Participant or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or such portion of the Option;

(b) Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any other federal, state or foreign securities laws or regulations, the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded or any other applicable law. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, also take such additional actions as it deems appropriate to effect such compliance including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars;

(c) In the event that the Option shall be exercised pursuant to Section 11.3 hereof by any person or persons other than the Participant, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator; and

(d) Full payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes to the stock administrator of the Company for the Shares with respect to which the Option, or portion thereof, is exercised, in a manner permitted by the Administrator in accordance with Sections 11.1 and 11.2 hereof.

 

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7.3 Notification Regarding Disposition . The Participant shall give the Company prompt written or electronic notice of any disposition of Shares acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option which occurs within (a) two (2) years from the date of granting (including the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code) such Option to such Participant, or (b) one (1) year after the transfer of such Shares to such Participant.

ARTICLE VIII

RESTRICTED STOCK

8.1 Award of Restricted Stock.

(a) The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Individuals, and shall determine the terms and conditions, including the restrictions, applicable to each award of Restricted Stock, which terms and conditions shall not be inconsistent with the Plan, and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate.

(b) The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if a purchase price is charged, such purchase price shall be no less than the par value of the Shares to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by applicable law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock to the extent required by applicable law.

8.2 Rights as Shareholders . Subject to Section 8.4 hereof, upon issuance of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, all the rights of a shareholder with respect to said shares, subject to the restrictions in an applicable Program or in the applicable Award Agreement. This includes, but is not limited to, the right to vote shares of Restricted Stock as the record owner thereof, and, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the right to receive dividends and other distributions payable to an Eligible Individual during the Restriction Period if and when the restrictions imposed on the applicable Restricted Stock lapse. Provided, however, that, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, any extraordinary distributions with respect to the shares shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 8.3 hereof.

8.3 Restrictions . All shares of Restricted Stock (including any shares received by Participants thereof with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall, in the terms of an applicable Program or the applicable Award Agreement, be subject to such restrictions and vesting requirements as the Administrator shall provide. Such restrictions may include, without limitation, restrictions concerning voting rights and transferability and such restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times and pursuant to such circumstances or based on such criteria as selected by the Administrator, including, without limitation, criteria based on the Participant’s duration of employment, directorship or consultancy with the Company, the Performance Criteria, Company or Affiliate performance, individual performance or other criteria selected by the Administrator. Restricted Stock may not be sold or encumbered until all restrictions are terminated or expire.

 

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8.4 Repurchase or Forfeiture of Restricted Stock . If no price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service, the Participant’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled without consideration. If a price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service, the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Participant the unvested Restricted Stock then-subject to restrictions at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the Participant for such Restricted Stock or such other amount as may be specified in an applicable Program or the applicable Award Agreement. The Administrator in its sole discretion may provide that, upon certain events, including, without limitation, a Change in Control, the Participant’s death, retirement or disability, any other specified Termination of Service or any other event, the Participant’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock shall not lapse, such Restricted Stock shall vest and cease to be forfeitable and, if applicable, the Company shall cease to have a right of repurchase.

8.5 Certificates for Restricted Stock . Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator shall determine. Certificates or book entries evidencing shares of Restricted Stock must include an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company may, in its sole discretion, retain physical possession of any stock certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.

8.6 Section 83(b) Election . If a Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Stock as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Participant shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service.

ARTICLE IX

PERFORMANCE AWARDS, DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS, STOCK PAYMENTS, DEFERRED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS, PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS, OTHER INCENTIVE AWARDS

9.1 Performance Awards .

(a) The Administrator is authorized to grant Performance Awards to any Eligible Individual and to determine whether such Performance Awards shall be Performance-Based Compensation per Article V of this Plan. The value of Performance Awards may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific criteria determined by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. Performance Awards may be paid in cash, Shares or a combination of both, as determined by the Administrator.

 

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(b) Without limiting Section 9.1(a) hereof, the Administrator may grant Performance Awards to any Eligible Individual in the form of a cash bonus payable upon the attainment of objective Performance Goals, or such other criteria, whether or not objective, which are established by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. Any such bonuses paid to a Participant which are intended to be Performance-Based Compensation shall be based upon objectively determinable bonus formulas established in accordance with the provisions of Article V hereof.

9.2 Dividend Equivalents .

(a) Subject to Section 9.2(b) hereof, Dividend Equivalents may be granted by the Administrator, either alone or in tandem with another Award, based on dividends declared on the Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between the date the Dividend Equivalents are granted to a Participant and the date such Dividend Equivalents terminate or expire, as determined by the Administrator. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares by such formula, at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Administrator. In addition, the Administrator may provide that Dividend Equivalents with respect to Shares covered by an Award shall only be paid out to the Participant at the same time or times and to the same extent that the vesting conditions, if any, are subsequently satisfied and the Award vests with respect to such Shares.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.

9.3 Stock Payments . The Administrator is authorized to make one or more Stock Payments to any Eligible Individual. The number or value of Shares of any Stock Payment shall be determined by the Administrator and may be based upon one or more Performance Criteria or any other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, determined by the Administrator. Stock Payments may, but are not required to, be made in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees or other cash compensation otherwise payable to such Eligible Individual.

9.4 Deferred Stock . The Administrator is authorized to grant Deferred Stock to any Eligible Individual. The number of shares of Deferred Stock shall be determined by the Administrator and may be based on one or more Performance Criteria or other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, as the Administrator determines, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption therefrom. Shares underlying a Deferred Stock Award which is subject to a vesting schedule or other conditions or criteria set by the Administrator will not be issued until such vesting requirements or other conditions or criteria, as applicable, have been satisfied. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a holder of Deferred Stock shall have no rights as a Company shareholder with respect to such Deferred Stock until such time as the Award has vested and the Shares underlying the Award have been issued to the Participant.

 

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9.5 Restricted Stock Units . The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Individual. The number and terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Units shall be determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate, including conditions based on one or more Performance Criteria or other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, in each case, on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall specify, or permit the Participant to elect, the conditions and dates upon which the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units shall be issued, which dates shall not be earlier than the date as of which the Restricted Stock Units vest and become nonforfeitable and which conditions and dates shall be set in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption therefrom. On the distribution dates, the Company shall issue to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable Share (or the Fair Market Value of one such Share in cash) for each vested and nonforfeitable Restricted Stock Unit.

9.6 Performance Share Awards . Any Eligible Individual selected by the Administrator may be granted one or more Performance Share Awards which shall be denominated in a number of Shares and the vesting of which may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria, other specific performance criteria (in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator) and/or time-vesting or other criteria, as determined by the Administrator.

9.7 Other Incentive Awards . The Administrator is authorized to grant Other Incentive Awards to any Eligible Individual, which Awards may cover Shares or the right to purchase Shares or have a value derived from the value of, or an exercise or conversion privilege at a price related to, or that are otherwise payable in or based on, Shares, shareholder value or shareholder return, in each case, on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. Other Incentive Awards may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Administrator and may be payable in cash or shares. In addition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is also authorized to grant LTIP Units in such amount and subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Administrator; provided, however, that LTIP Units may only be issued to an Eligible Individual for the performance of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership (i) in the Eligible Individual’s capacity as a partner of the Partnership, (ii) in anticipation of the Eligible Individual becoming a partner of the Partnership, or (iii) as otherwise determined by the Administrator, provided that the LTIP Units are intended to constitute “profits interests” within the meaning of the Code, including, to the extent applicable, Revenue Procedure 93-27, 1993-2 C.B. 343 and Revenue Procedure 2001-43, 2001-2 C.B. 191. The Administrator shall specify the conditions and dates upon which the LTIP Units shall vest and become nonforfeitable. LTIP Units shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement and such other restrictions, including restrictions on transferability, as the Administrator may impose. These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Administrator determines at the time of the grant of the award or thereafter.

 

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9.8 Other Terms and Conditions . All applicable terms and conditions of each Award described in this Article IX, including without limitation, as applicable, the term, vesting conditions and exercise/purchase price applicable to the Award, shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion, provided, however, that the value of the consideration paid by a Participant for an Award shall not be less than the par value of a Share, unless otherwise permitted by applicable law.

9.9 Exercise upon Termination of Service . Awards described in this Article IX are exercisable or distributable, as applicable, only while the Participant is an Employee, Director or Consultant, as applicable. The Administrator, however, in its sole discretion, may provide that such an Award may be exercised or distributed subsequent to a Termination of Service as provided under an applicable Program, Award Agreement, payment deferral election and/or upon certain events, including, without limitation, a Change in Control, the Participant’s death, retirement or disability or any other specified Termination of Service.

ARTICLE X

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

10.1 Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights .

(a) The Administrator is authorized to grant Awards of Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine consistent with the Plan.

(b) Each Award of Stock Appreciation Rights shall entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the Award of Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion of the Award of Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per Share of the Stock Appreciation Rights from the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right by the number of Stock Appreciation Rights that shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Administrator may impose. Except as described in Section 10.1(c) hereof, the exercise price per Share subject to each Award of Stock Appreciation Rights shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value on the date the Stock Appreciation Rights are granted.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.1(b) hereof to the contrary, in the case of an Award of Stock Appreciation Rights that is a Substitute Award, the price per Share of the Shares subject to such Stock Appreciation Rights may be less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant; provided, however, that the exercise price of any Substitute Award shall be determined in accordance with the applicable requirements of Sections 424 and 409A of the Code.

10.2 Stock Appreciation Right Vesting .

(a) The Administrator shall determine the period during which a Participant shall vest in an Award of Stock Appreciation Rights and have the right to exercise

 

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such Stock Appreciation Rights (subject to Section 10.4 hereof) in whole or in part. Such vesting may be based on service with the Company or any Affiliate, any of the Performance Criteria or any other criteria selected by the Administrator. At any time after grant of an Award of Stock Appreciation Rights, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion and subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects, accelerate the period during which the Stock Appreciation Rights vests

(b) No portion of an Award of Stock Appreciation Rights which is unexercisable at Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator either in an applicable Program or Award Agreement or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Stock Appreciation Rights, including following a Termination of Service; provided, that in no event shall an Award of Stock Appreciation Rights become exercisable following its expiration, termination or forfeiture.

10.3 Manner of Exercise . All or a portion of an Award of exercisable Stock Appreciation Rights shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the stock administrator of the Company, or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator, or his, her or its office, as applicable:

(a) A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Stock Appreciation Rights, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be signed by the Participant or other person then-entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Rights or such portion of the Stock Appreciation Rights;

(b) Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act and any other federal, state or foreign securities laws or regulations. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, also take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to effect such compliance;

(c) In the event that Stock Appreciation Rights are exercised pursuant to this Section 10.3 by any person or persons other than the Participant, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Stock Appreciation Rights; and

(d) Full payment of the applicable withholding taxes to the stock administrator of the Company for the Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Rights, or portion thereof, are exercised, in a manner permitted by Sections 11.1 and 11.2 hereof.

10.4 Stock Appreciation Right Term . The term of each Award of Stock Appreciation Rights shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term shall not be more than ten (10) years from the date the Stock Appreciation Rights are granted. The Administrator shall determine the time period, including any time period following a Termination of Service, during which the Participant has the right to exercise any vested Stock Appreciation Rights, which time period may not extend beyond the expiration date of the Award term. Except as limited by the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Administrator may extend the term of any outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights, and may extend the time period during which vested Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in

 

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connection with any Termination of Service of the Participant, and, subject to Section 13.1 hereof, may amend any other term or condition of such Stock Appreciation Rights relating to such a Termination of Service.

ARTICLE XI

ADDITIONAL TERMS OF AWARDS

11.1 Payment . The Administrator shall determine the methods by which payments by any Participant with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made, including, without limitation: (a) cash or check, (b) in the discretion of the Administrator, Shares (including, in the case of payment of the exercise price of an Award, Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Award) held for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences, in each case, having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate payments required, (c) delivery of a written or electronic notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares then-issuable upon exercise or vesting of an Award, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate payments required; provided, however, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale or (d) other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator. The Administrator shall also determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to make payment with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

11.2 Tax Withholding . The Company and its Affiliates shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company or an Affiliate, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participant’s social security, Medicare and any other employment tax obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising in connection with any Award. The Administrator may in its sole discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow a Participant to elect to have the Company or an Affiliate withhold Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the surrender of Shares). Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, the number of Shares which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income. The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the Shares, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise involving the sale of Shares to pay the Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.

 

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11.3 Transferability of Awards .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.3(b) or (c) hereof:

(i) No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed;

(ii) No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy) unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed, and any attempted disposition of an Award prior to the satisfaction of these conditions shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by clause (i) of this provision; and

(iii) During the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise an Award (or any portion thereof) granted to him or her under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO; after the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement, be exercised by his personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then-applicable laws of descent and distribution.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a) hereof, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant or a Permitted Transferee of such Participant to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option (unless such Incentive Stock Option is to become a Non-Qualified Stock Option) to any one or more Permitted Transferees of such Participant, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee (other than to another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant) other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Participant (other than the ability to further transfer the Award); and (iii) the Participant (or transferring Permitted Transferee) and the Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including without limitation, documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under applicable federal, state and foreign securities laws and (C) evidence the transfer.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a) hereof, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Program or Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the Participant is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under applicable law and resides in a “community property” state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as his or her beneficiary with respect to more than fifty percent (50%) of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is delivered to the Administrator prior to the Participant’s death.

11.4 Conditions to Issuance of Shares .

(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Company nor its Affiliates shall be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the Shares are listed or traded, and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements.

(b) All Share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state, or foreign securities or other laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted, or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any Share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares.

(c) The Administrator shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.

 

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(d) No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding down.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company and/or its Affiliates may, in lieu of delivering to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award, record the issuance of Shares in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

11.5 Forfeiture Provisions . Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the Plan, the Administrator shall have the right to provide, in the terms of Awards made under the Plan, or to require a Participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument, that: (a)(i) any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award, must be paid to the Company, and (ii) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of the Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (b)(i) a Termination of Service occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, or (ii) the Participant at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further defined by the Administrator or (iii) the Participant incurs a Termination of Service for Cause.

11.6 Prohibition on Repricing . Subject to limitations imposed by Section 409A of the Code or other applicable law and the limitations contained in Section 13.1 below, the Administrator shall have the authority, but only with the approval of the shareholders of the Company, to amend any outstanding Award, in whole or in part, to increase or reduce the price per Share or to cancel and replace an Award, in whole or in part, with cash and/or another Award, including without limitation, another Option or Stock Appreciation Right having a price per Share that is less than, greater than or equal to the price per Share of the original Award.

11.7 Cash Settlement . Without limiting the generality of any other provision of the Plan, the Administrator may provide, in an Award Agreement or subsequent to the grant of an Award, in its discretion, that any Award may be settled in cash, Shares or a combination thereof.

11.8 Leave of Absence . Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder shall be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Participant shall not cease to be considered an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant, as applicable, in the case of any (a) leave of absence approved by the Company, or (b) transfer between locations of the Company or between the Company and any of its Affiliates or any successor thereof; or (c) change in status (Employee to Director, Employee to Consultant, etc.), provided that such change does not affect the specific terms applying to the Participant’s Award.

11.9 Terms May Vary Between Awards . The terms and conditions of each Award shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion and the Administrator shall

 

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have complete flexibility to provide for varied terms and conditions as between any Awards, whether of the same or different Award type and/or whether granted to the same or different Participants (in all cases, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan). discretion.

ARTICLE XII

ADMINISTRATION

12.1 Administrator . The Committee (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein) and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is intended to qualify as a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code and an “independent director” under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, in each case, to the extent required under such provision; provided, however, that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 13.l or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Except as may otherwise be provided in any charter of the Committee, appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment. Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written or electronic notice to the Board. Vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and (b) the Board or Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 12.6 hereof.

12.2 Duties and Powers of Administrator . It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and all Programs and Award Agreements, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and any Program as are not inconsistent with the Plan, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend any Program or Award Agreement, provided that the rights or obligations of the holder of the Award that is the subject of any such Program or Award Agreement are not affected adversely by such amendment unless the consent of the Participant is obtained or such amendment is otherwise permitted under Section 13.1 hereof. Any such grant or award under the Plan need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Any such interpretations and rules with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, Section 162(m) of the Code, or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

12.3 Action by the Committee . Unless otherwise established by the Board or in any charter of the Committee, a majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum and the acts

 

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of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by all members of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Affiliate, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.

12.4 Authority of Administrator . Subject to any specific designation in the Plan, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:

(a) Designate Eligible Individuals to receive Awards;

(b) Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Individual;

(c) Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;

(d) Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any performance criteria, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion determines;

(e) Determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

(f) Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

(g) Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

(h) Establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

(i) Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement; and

(j) Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.

12.5 Decisions Binding . The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.

 

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12.6 Delegation of Authority . To the extent permitted by applicable law or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, the Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or, with respect to Options or other rights with respect to Shares (but not Shares themselves), one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Article XIII; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (b) Covered Employees with respect to Awards intended to constitute Performance-Based Compensation, or (c) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under Section 162(m) of the Code and applicable securities laws or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Board may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 12.6 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board and the Committee.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

13.1 Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 13.1, the Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board. However, without approval of the Company’s shareholders given within twelve (12) months before or after the action by the Administrator, no action of the Administrator may, except as provided in Section 13.2 hereof, increase the Share Limit. Except as provided in Section 13.10 hereof, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Participant, impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides. No Awards may be granted or awarded during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan.

13.2 Adjustments to Awards .

(a) In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to shareholders, or any other change affecting the shares of the Company’s stock or the share price of the Company’s stock other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator shall make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to (i) the aggregate number and kind of shares and other property that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the Share Limit, the LTIP Limit and Individual Award Limits); (ii) the number and kind of Shares and LTIP Units (or other securities or

 

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property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and/or (iv) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan. Any adjustment affecting an Award intended as Performance-Based Compensation shall be made consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.

(b) In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 13.2(a) hereof or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Participant’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:

(i) to provide for either (A) termination of any such 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 the transaction or event described in this Section 13.2, the Administrator 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 (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion having an aggregate value not exceeding the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable or fully vested;

(ii) to provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;

(iii) to make adjustments in the number and type of securities subject to outstanding Awards and Awards which may be granted in the future and/or in the terms, conditions and criteria included in such Awards (including the grant or exercise price, as applicable);

(iv) to provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all securities covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or an applicable Program or Award Agreement; and

(v) to provide that the Award cannot be exercised after such event.

 

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(c) In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 13.2(a) and 13.2(b) hereof:

(i) The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and/or the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted. The adjustment provided under this Section 13.2(c)(i) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company.

(ii) The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments to the Share Limit, LTIP Limit and the Individual Award Limits). The adjustments provided under this Section 13.2(c) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan to the contrary, effective as of the occurrence of a Change in Control:

(i) all outstanding and unvested Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the plan shall immediately vest and become exercisable, and all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights then outstanding under the Plan shall remain outstanding in accordance with their terms;

(ii) all Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and other Awards (other than Awards referenced in subsections (i) above and (iii) below) shall immediately vest and be distributed to Participants, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, if applicable; and

(iii) each Performance Award shall immediately vest and the holder of such Performance Award shall be entitled to an immediate lump sum cash payment equal to the amount of such Performance Award otherwise payable at the end of the Performance Period as if 100% of the Performance Goals have been achieved.

Any amount required to be paid pursuant to this Section 13.2 shall be paid as soon as practical after the date such amount becomes payable (but in no event later than 2  1 2 months following the year in which such amount becomes payable), subject to Section 409A where applicable.

 

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(e) The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

(f) With respect to Awards which are granted to Covered Employees and are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, no adjustment or action described in this Section 13.2 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause such Award to fail to so qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, unless the Administrator determines that the Award should not so qualify. No adjustment or action described in this Section 13.2 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code. Furthermore, no such adjustment or action shall be authorized with respect to any Award to the extent such adjustment or action would result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act unless the Administrator determines that the Award is not to comply with such exemptive conditions.

(g) The existence of the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and/or any Award granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the shareholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or units or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

(h) No action shall be taken under this Section 13.2 which shall cause an Award to fail to comply with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption therefrom, in either case, to the extent applicable to such Award, unless the Administrator determines any such adjustments to be appropriate.

13.3 Approval of Plan by Shareholders . The Plan will be submitted for the approval of the Company’s shareholders within twelve (12) months following the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. Awards may be granted or awarded prior to such shareholder approval; provided, that such Awards shall not be exercisable, shall not vest and the restrictions thereon shall not lapse and no Shares shall be issued pursuant thereto, prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the Company’s shareholders; provided further that if such approval has not been obtained at the end of such twelve (12)-month period, all Awards previously granted or awarded under the Plan shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void.

13.4 No Shareholders Rights . Except as otherwise provided herein or in an applicable Program or Award Agreement, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a shareholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record owner of such Shares.

 

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13.5 Paperless Administration . In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

13.6 Effect of Plan upon Other Compensation Plans . The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Affiliate. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any Affiliate: (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any Affiliate or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose, including, without limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of the business, stock, or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association.

13.7 Compliance with Laws . The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of Shares and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, and regulations (including but not limited to state, federal and foreign securities law and margin requirements) and the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted, or traded, and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory, or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

13.8 Titles and Headings, References to Sections of the Code or Exchange Act . The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall include any amendment or successor thereto.

13.9 Governing Law . The Plan and any programs and agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its principles regarding conflicts of laws.

13.10 Section 409A . To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Plan, any applicable Program and the Award Agreement covering such Award shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that, following the Effective Date, the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan,

 

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any applicable Program and the Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of taxes on the Award under Section 409A of the Code, either through compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or with an available exemption therefrom.

13.11 No Rights to Awards . No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Participants or any other persons uniformly.

13.12 Unfunded Status of Awards . The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

13.13 Indemnification . To the extent allowable pursuant to applicable law, each member of the Board and any officer or other employee to whom authority to administer any component of the Plan is delegated shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided, however, that he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

13.14 Relationship to other Benefits . No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare, or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

13.15 Expenses . The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates.

13.16 REIT Status . The Plan shall be interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the Company’s status as a REIT. No award shall be granted or awarded, and with respect to any award granted under the Plan, such award shall not vest, be exercisable or be settled: (a) to the extent that the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of such award could cause the Participant or any other person to be in violation of any provision of the Company’s charter; or (b) if, in the discretion of the Committee, the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of such award could impair the Company’s status as a REIT.

[signature page follows]

 

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I hereby certify that the foregoing Plan was duly adopted by the Board on             , 20    .

I hereby certify that the foregoing Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company on             , 20    .

Executed on this     day of                     , 20    .

Corporate Secretary

 

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Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiaries of CareTrust REIT, Inc. (a Maryland corporation)

 

Name of Subsidiary

     Jurisdiction of Incorporation/Formation

CareTrust Partnership, L.P.

     Delaware

CareTrust GP, LLC

     Delaware

CareTrust Capital Corp.

     Delaware
Table of Contents

Exhibit 99.1

Preliminary and Subject to Completion, dated April 14, 2014

 

LOGO

                    , 2014

Dear Ensign Stockholder:

We are pleased to inform you that the board of directors of The Ensign Group, Inc. (“Ensign”) has approved a plan to separate its healthcare business and its real estate business into two separate and independent publicly traded companies:

 

    Ensign, which will continue to provide healthcare services through its existing operations; and

 

    CareTrust REIT, Inc. (“CareTrust”), which will own, acquire and lease real estate serving the healthcare industry.

Ensign will accomplish the separation by distributing all of the outstanding shares of CareTrust common stock to Ensign stockholders on a pro rata basis (the “Spin-Off”). At the time of the Spin-Off, CareTrust, which is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign, will hold substantially all of the real property owned by Ensign, and will operate three independent living facilities. After the Spin-Off, all of these properties (other than the three independent living facilities that CareTrust will operate) will be leased to Ensign on a triple-net basis, under which Ensign will be responsible for all costs at the properties, including property taxes, insurance and maintenance and repair costs. CareTrust intends to elect to be taxed and intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2014.

You will receive one share of CareTrust common stock for every share of Ensign common stock that you held at the close of business on                     , 2014, the record date for the Spin-Off. Following the Spin-Off, you will own shares in both Ensign and CareTrust. The number of Ensign shares you own will not change as a result of the Spin-Off. CareTrust has applied to list its common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “CTRE.” Ensign common stock will continue to be listed and traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “ENSG.”

No vote of Ensign stockholders is required in connection with the Spin-Off. You do not need to make any payment, surrender or exchange your shares of Ensign common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of CareTrust common stock.

The enclosed information statement, which is being made available to all Ensign stockholders, describes the Spin-Off in detail and contains important information about CareTrust and its business. We urge you to read the information statement carefully and in its entirety.

We want to thank you for your continued support for Ensign, and we look forward to your support for CareTrust in the future.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Christopher R. Christensen

Chief Executive Officer


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LOGO

                    , 2014

Dear Future Stockholder of CareTrust REIT, Inc.:

It is our pleasure to welcome you as a stockholder of our company, CareTrust REIT, Inc. (“CareTrust”). Following the distribution of all of the outstanding shares of CareTrust common stock by The Ensign Group, Inc. (“Ensign”) to its stockholders, CareTrust will be a newly listed, publicly traded company that will own, acquire and lease real estate serving the healthcare industry, and will own and operate independent living facilities.

Our initial portfolio will consist of substantially all of the skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities owned by Ensign. All of these properties will be leased to Ensign on a triple-net basis, except for three independent living facilities that we will operate. We expect to diversify our tenant base in the future by acquiring additional properties and leasing them to other local, regional and national healthcare providers. We also expect to grow and diversify our portfolio through the acquisition of properties in different geographic markets, and in different asset classes.

We invite you to learn more about CareTrust and its business by reviewing the enclosed information statement. We urge you to read the information statement carefully and in its entirety. We are excited by our future prospects, and look forward to your support as a holder of our common stock.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Gregory K. Stapley

President and Chief Executive Officer


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Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Preliminary and Subject to Completion, dated April 14, 2014

INFORMATION STATEMENT

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

Common Stock

(Par Value $0.01 Per Share)

 

 

This information statement is being furnished in connection with the pro rata distribution (the “Spin-Off”) by The Ensign Group, Inc. (“Ensign”) to its stockholders of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of CareTrust REIT, Inc. (“CareTrust”), which is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign. At the time of the Spin-Off, CareTrust will hold substantially all of the real property currently owned by Ensign. On a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2013, CareTrust’s initial portfolio consists of 97 skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities. After the Spin-Off, all of these properties will be leased to Ensign on a triple-net basis, except for three independent living facilities that CareTrust will operate. The Spin-Off is intended to be tax-free to Ensign stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for cash paid in lieu of fractional shares.

For every share of common stock of Ensign held of record by you as of the close of business on                     , 2014 (the “record date”), you will receive one share of CareTrust common stock. You will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of CareTrust common stock which you would have otherwise received. The date on which the shares of CareTrust common stock will be distributed to you (the “distribution date”) is expected to be                     , 2014. After the Spin-Off is completed, CareTrust will be a separate and independent publicly traded company.

No vote of Ensign’s stockholders is required in connection with the Spin-Off. Therefore, you are not being asked for a proxy, and you are requested not to send us a proxy. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your shares of Ensign common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of CareTrust common stock.

Ensign currently owns all of the outstanding shares of CareTrust common stock, so there is no current trading market for CareTrust common stock. We anticipate that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop shortly before the record date, and that “regular-way” trading in shares of CareTrust common stock will begin on the first trading day following the distribution date. If trading begins on a “when-issued” basis, you may purchase or sell CareTrust common stock up to and including the distribution date, but your transaction will not settle until after the distribution date. CareTrust has applied to list its common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “CTRE.” As discussed under “The Spin-Off—Listing and Trading of Our Shares,” if you sell your Ensign common stock in the “due-bills” market after the record date and before the distribution date, you also will be selling your right to receive shares of CareTrust common stock in connection with the Spin-Off. However, if you sell your Ensign common stock in the “ex-distribution” market before the distribution date, you will still receive shares of CareTrust common stock in the Spin-Off.

CareTrust intends to elect to be taxed and intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2014. To assist CareTrust in qualifying as a REIT, among other purposes, CareTrust’s charter will contain certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of its stock, including a provision generally restricting a stockholder from owning more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of CareTrust common stock, or more than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of CareTrust stock, without the prior consent of CareTrust’s board of directors. See “Description of Our Capital Stock—Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of CareTrust Stock.”

Following the Spin-Off, CareTrust will be an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and, as such, is allowed to provide in this information statement more limited disclosures than an issuer that would not so qualify. In addition, for so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we may also take advantage of certain limited exceptions from investor protection laws such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), and the Investor Protection and Securities Reform Act of 2010, for limited periods. See “Summary—Emerging Growth Company Status.”

In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This information statement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

Ensign first mailed this information statement to its stockholders on or about                 , 2014.

 

 

The date of this information statement is                     , 2014.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

SUMMARY

     1   

RISK FACTORS

     18   

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     41   

THE SPIN-OFF

     42   

DIVIDEND POLICY

     51   

FINANCING

     53   

CAPITALIZATION

     55   

CARETRUST’S UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     56   

ENSIGN’S UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     61   

SELECTED COMBINED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA

     66   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     68   

BUSINESS

     82   

MANAGEMENT

     93   

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     104   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

     106   

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ENSIGN FOLLOWING THE SPIN-OFF

     107   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

     115   

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     125   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     145   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1   

 

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SUMMARY

The following is a summary of material information included in this information statement. This summary may not contain all of the details concerning the Spin-Off or other information that may be important to you. To better understand the Spin-Off and CareTrust’s business, you should carefully review this entire information statement.

Unless the context otherwise requires, any references in this information statement to “CareTrust” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” refer to CareTrust REIT, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. References in this information statement to “Ensign” generally refer to The Ensign Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than CareTrust REIT, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries after the Spin-Off), unless the context requires otherwise. The Ensign Group, Inc. is a holding company with no direct operating assets, employees or revenues. All of its operations are conducted by separate, wholly owned, independent subsidiaries that have their own management, employees and assets.

This information statement has been prepared on a prospective basis on the assumption that, among other things, the Spin-Off and the related transactions contemplated to occur prior to or contemporaneously with the Spin-Off will be consummated as contemplated by this information statement. There can be no assurance, however, that any or all of such transactions will occur or will occur as so contemplated.

You should not assume that the information contained in this information statement is accurate as of any date other than the date set forth on the cover. Changes to the information contained in this information statement may occur after that date, and we undertake no obligation to update the information, except in the normal course of our public disclosure obligations. In particular, a number of matters contained in this information statement relate to agreements or arrangements that have not yet been finalized and expectations of what may occur. It is possible that prior to the Spin-Off, these agreements, arrangements and expectations may change.

Our Company

At the time of the Spin-Off, CareTrust will hold substantially all of the real property currently owned by Ensign. On a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2013, CareTrust’s initial portfolio consists of 97 skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities (the “CareTrust Properties”). After the Spin-Off, all of these properties will be leased to Ensign on a triple-net basis, except for three independent living facilities that CareTrust will operate. On a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2013, the 94 facilities leased to Ensign have a total of 10,121 operational beds and units and are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington, and the three independent living facilities operated by CareTrust have a total of 264 units and are located in Texas and Utah. See “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off—Master Leases.”

Following the Spin-Off, CareTrust will be a separate and independent publicly traded, self-administered, self-managed REIT primarily engaged in the ownership, acquisition and leasing of healthcare-related properties. We expect to generate revenues primarily by leasing healthcare facilities to healthcare operators in triple-net lease arrangements, under which the tenant is solely responsible for the costs related to the property (including property taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repair costs). We intend to conduct and manage our business as one operating segment for internal reporting and internal decision making purposes. We expect to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional properties that will be leased to a diverse group of local, regional and national healthcare providers, which may include Ensign, as well as senior housing operators and related businesses. We also anticipate diversifying our portfolio over time, including by acquiring properties in different geographic markets, and in different asset classes.

 


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Approximately 42 current employees of Ensign are expected to be employed by CareTrust immediately following the Spin-Off. The majority of these employees will be employed in connection with our operation of three independent living facilities.

To maintain REIT status, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Overview of the Spin-Off

The board of directors of Ensign has announced a plan to separate its healthcare business and its real estate business into two separate and independent publicly traded companies:

 

    Ensign, which will continue to provide healthcare services through its existing operations; and

 

    CareTrust, which will own, acquire and lease real estate serving the healthcare industry.

Ensign will accomplish the separation by contributing to CareTrust the entities that own the CareTrust Properties and the entities that operate three independent living facilities, and then distributing all of the outstanding shares of CareTrust common stock to Ensign’s stockholders. Prior to the Spin-Off, CareTrust and Ensign will enter into multiple long-term leases (each, a “Master Lease” and, collectively, the “Master Leases”), under which Ensign will lease CareTrust’s initial portfolio of healthcare facilities on a triple-net basis. Ensign and CareTrust will also enter into a number of other agreements to govern the relationship between them following the Spin-Off. See “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off.”

Ensign will effect the Spin-Off by distributing to Ensign’s stockholders one share of CareTrust common stock for each share of Ensign common stock that they held at the close of business on                     , 2014, the record date for the Spin-Off. Ensign’s stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of CareTrust common stock which they would have otherwise received. We expect the shares of CareTrust common stock to be distributed by Ensign on                     , 2014.

In order to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, CareTrust will declare and distribute a special dividend to its stockholders equal to the amount of accumulated earnings and profits, or “E&P,” allocated to CareTrust in the Spin-Off. We refer to this special dividend as the “Purging Distribution” because it is intended to purge the company of earnings and profits attributable to the period prior to CareTrust’s first taxable year as a REIT. The amount of accumulated earnings and profits allocated to CareTrust in the Spin-Off will be based on applicable tax principles and will not correspond to retained earnings in historical financial statements because of differences between tax and book income and expenses. Ensign will allocate its accumulated earnings and profits for periods prior to the Spin-Off between Ensign and CareTrust in a manner that, in its best judgment, is in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). We expect to make the Purging Distribution by December 31, 2014. The total amount of Ensign’s E&P immediately prior to the Spin-Off is expected to be between $350.0 million and $385.0 million. The actual amount of Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust will depend on the final determination of Ensign’s E&P and the relative trading value of CareTrust common stock and Ensign common stock following the Spin-Off. The Purging Distribution will be paid to CareTrust stockholders in a combination of cash and shares of CareTrust common stock with an aggregate value equal to Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust. The portion that will be paid in cash will be determined by CareTrust at the time the dividend is declared, but will be at least 20% and not more than 25% of the total amount paid to all stockholders. See “The Spin-Off—The Purging Distribution” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of REITs in General—Annual Distribution Requirements—Earnings and Profits Distribution Requirements.”

The Spin-Off is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions. See “The Spin-Off—Conditions to the Spin-Off.” In addition, Ensign’s board of directors has reserved the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, modify or abandon the Spin-Off or any related transaction at any time prior to the distribution date.

 

 

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Reasons for the Spin-Off

The strategic considerations and nature of Ensign’s healthcare business currently dictate and limit the size and scope of its real estate business. After the Spin-Off, CareTrust will be able to make decisions regarding the real estate business without regard to the Ensign healthcare business. As a result, CareTrust intends to expand into new geographic areas, acquire properties in different asset classes, diversify its tenant base and reduce its financing costs. At the same time, Ensign expects to realize benefits from being a “pure play” healthcare operator and intends to continue to pursue its historical growth practices and strategies. As such, management, regulators, market analysts and investors will be able to focus solely on Ensign’s healthcare operations.

Our Relationship with Ensign

After the Spin-Off, CareTrust will be a separate and independent publicly traded, self-administered and self-managed REIT. Ensign will be a separate and independent publicly traded company and, through its consolidating operating subsidiaries, will continue to provide healthcare services through its existing operations. It will retain ownership of a facility located in California where significant future real estate development activities are planned, and is expected to retain any additional properties it acquires before the Spin-Off. Ensign will also continue to operate the properties that it leases from parties other than CareTrust.

As of December 31, 2013, Ensign operated 119 facilities, nine home health operations, seven hospice operations and seven urgent care centers located in 11 western states. Prior to the Spin-Off, Ensign will separate the healthcare operations from the independent living operations at two locations, resulting in a total of 121 facilities. Giving pro forma effect to this separation and the Spin-Off, as of December 31, 2013, Ensign will operate 94 facilities under the Master Leases, and 23 facilities under long-term lease arrangements with other parties, and will retain one entity that holds a single property located in California.

To govern their relationship after the Spin-Off, Ensign and CareTrust will enter into, among others: (1) a separation and distribution agreement setting forth the mechanics of the Spin-Off, certain organizational matters and other ongoing obligations of Ensign and CareTrust (the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”), (2) the Master Leases, (3) the Opportunities Agreement (as defined below), (4) an agreement relating to tax matters (the “Tax Matters Agreement”), (5) an agreement pursuant to which Ensign will provide certain administrative and support services to CareTrust on a transitional basis (the “Transition Services Agreement”), and (6) an agreement relating to employee matters (the “Employee Matters Agreement”). See “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off.”

Financing

We expect to put in place a capital structure that provides us with the flexibility to grow and a cost of debt capital that allows us to compete for investment opportunities. Our financing arrangements may include bank debt, bonds, a revolving credit facility and long-term mortgage financing. Prior to the Spin-Off, we anticipate that we will issue up to $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes. We also anticipate that we will enter into a credit agreement providing for a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150.0 million to be provided by a syndicate of banks and other financial institutions. In connection with the Spin-Off, CareTrust will transfer to Ensign approximately $220.8 million of proceeds from the issuance of the notes in order to repay certain indebtedness, pay trade payables and, subject to the approval of Ensign’s board of directors, pay up to eight regular quarterly dividends. The amount of proceeds to be transferred to Ensign was determined based on the desired capitalization of Ensign and CareTrust after the Spin-Off. It was not determined based on any appraisal or valuation of the CareTrust Properties. We will use a portion of the proceeds from the notes issuance to pay the cash portion of the Purging Distribution, which we expect to make by December 31, 2014. At the time of the Spin-Off, we intend to obtain additional mortgage indebtedness of approximately $50.4 million. After the Spin-Off, the remaining proceeds from the notes issuance, the net proceeds from the additional mortgage indebtedness and borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be available for working capital purposes, to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

 

 

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The notes are expected to have terms customary for notes of this type, including customary restrictive covenants, redemption and repurchase provisions and events of default. The revolving credit facility is expected to contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, as well as customary events of default. We also anticipate that the revolving credit facility will require us to comply with specified financial maintenance covenants. We have not yet entered into any commitments with respect to our financing arrangements, and, accordingly, the terms of such financing arrangements have not yet been determined, remain under discussion and are subject to change, including as a result of market conditions. For additional information concerning this indebtedness, see “Financing.”

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Our Common Stock

To assist us in complying with the limitations on the concentration of ownership of REIT stock imposed by the Code, among other purposes, our charter will provide for restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares of stock, including, subject to certain exceptions, prohibitions on any person beneficially or constructively owning more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or more than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock. A person that did not acquire more than 9.8% of our outstanding stock may become subject to our charter restrictions if repurchases by us cause such person’s holdings to exceed 9.8% of our outstanding stock. Under certain circumstances, our board of directors may waive the ownership limits. Our charter will provide that shares of our capital stock acquired or held in excess of the ownership limit will be transferred to a trust for the benefit of a designated charitable beneficiary, and that any person who acquires shares of our capital stock in violation of the ownership limit will not be entitled to any dividends on the shares or be entitled to vote the shares or receive any proceeds from the subsequent sale of the shares in excess of the lesser of the price paid for the shares or the amount realized from the sale (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale). A transfer of shares of our capital stock in violation of the ownership limit may be void under certain circumstances. Our 9.8% ownership limitation may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for our stockholders. See “Description of Our Capital Stock—Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of CareTrust Stock.”

Our Tax Status

We intend to elect to be taxed and intend to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2014. Our qualification as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various complex requirements under the Code relating to, among other things, the sources of our gross income, the composition and values of our assets, our distribution levels to our stockholders and the concentration of ownership of our capital stock. We believe that, commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2014, we will be organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and that our intended manner of operation will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. In connection with the Spin-Off, we will receive an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP to the effect that we have been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and that our proposed method of operation will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

Emerging Growth Company Status

Following the Spin-Off, we will be an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. For as long as we remain an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain limited exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to:

 

    not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for up to five years;

 

 

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    reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; and

 

    exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

We have elected to take advantage of some of these exemptions. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we decide to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile and adversely affected.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of this extended transition period. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates for such new or revised standards. We may elect to comply with public company effective dates at any time, and such election would be irrevocable pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (1) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion, (2) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act or any successor statute, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period, and (4) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Summary of Risks Associated with Our Business and the Spin-Off

The Spin-Off and the related transactions pose a number of risks, including:

 

    We may be unable to achieve some or all the benefits that we expect to achieve from the Spin-Off.

 

    If the Spin-Off were to fail to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Ensign, Ensign stockholders and CareTrust could be subject to significant tax liabilities and, in certain circumstances, we could be required to indemnify Ensign for material taxes pursuant to indemnification obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement that we will enter into with Ensign.

 

    Our agreements with Ensign may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations with unaffiliated third parties.

 

    Ensign Properties’ combined historical financial data and our pro forma combined financial data included in this information statement do not purport to be indicative of the results we would have achieved as a separate and independent publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of future results.

 

    The Spin-Off could give rise to disputes or other unfavorable effects, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.

 

    We are currently subject to applicable requirements of Ensign’s 2013 Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and we will remain subject to such requirements following the Spin-Off.

 

 

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    If we do not qualify to be taxed as a REIT, or fail to remain qualified as a REIT, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as a regular corporation and could face a substantial tax liability, which would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

 

    Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive acquisition opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

 

    We will be dependent on Ensign to make payments to us under the Master Leases, and an event that materially and adversely affects Ensign’s business, financial position or results of operations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.

 

    Our tenants depend on reimbursement from government and other third-party payors; reimbursement rates from such payors may be reduced, which could cause our tenants’ revenues to decline and could affect their ability to meet their obligations to us.

 

    Our level of indebtedness could materially and adversely affect our financial position, including reducing funds available for other business purposes and reducing our operational flexibility, and we may have future capital needs and may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.

 

    Covenants in our debt agreements may limit our operational flexibility, and a covenant breach or default could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.

 

    The impact of healthcare reform legislation on us and our tenants cannot be accurately predicted.

These and other risks related to the Spin-Off and our business are discussed in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in this information statement. You should read and consider all of these risks carefully.

Our Corporate Information

We were formed as a Maryland corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign on October 29, 2013. Our principal executive offices are located at 27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 and our telephone number is (949) 540-2000. We will own all of our properties, and conduct all of our operations, through our operating partnership, CareTrust Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”). We will maintain a website at www.CareTrustREIT.com .

 

 

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Questions and Answers about CareTrust and the Separation

 

What is CareTrust, and how will the separation of Ensign’s healthcare operating business and real estate business benefit the two companies and their stockholders?    CareTrust is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign. Prior to the Spin-Off, Ensign will transfer to CareTrust the entities that own the CareTrust Properties and the entities that operate three independent living facilities. The separation of CareTrust from Ensign and the distribution of CareTrust common stock are intended to provide you with equity investments in two separate companies, each able to focus on its particular business. Ensign will continue to provide healthcare services through its existing operations in substantially the same manner as it has done historically. CareTrust will own, acquire and lease real estate serving the healthcare industry, and will own and operate independent living facilities.
What are the reasons for the Spin-Off?    The strategic considerations and nature of Ensign’s healthcare business currently dictate and limit the size and scope of its real estate business. After the Spin-Off, CareTrust will be able to make decisions regarding the real estate business without regard to the Ensign healthcare business. As a result, CareTrust intends to expand into new geographic areas, acquire properties in different asset classes, diversify its tenant base and reduce its financing costs. At the same time, Ensign expects to realize benefits from being a “pure play” healthcare operator and intends to continue to pursue its historical growth practices and strategies. As such, management, regulators, market analysts and investors will be able to focus solely on Ensign’s healthcare operations. See “The Spin-Off—Reasons for the Spin-Off.”
What will CareTrust’s initial portfolio consist of?   

At the time of the Spin-Off, CareTrust will hold substantially all of the real property currently owned by Ensign. On a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2013, CareTrust’s initial portfolio consists of 97 skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities. After the Spin-Off, all of CareTrust’s initial portfolio will be leased to Ensign on a triple-net basis under the Master Leases, except for three independent living facilities that CareTrust will operate.

What properties will Ensign have after the Spin-Off?   

After the Spin-Off, Ensign’s operating subsidiaries will continue to provide healthcare services through their existing operations. On a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2013, Ensign’s portfolio consists of 94 facilities operated under the Master Leases with CareTrust and 23 facilities operated under long-term lease arrangements with other parties, and one property located in California where future real estate development activities are planned. Ensign also is expected to retain any additional properties it acquires before the Spin-Off.

Why is CareTrust referred to as a REIT, and what is a REIT?   

Following the Spin-Off, CareTrust intends to qualify and elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust or “REIT” for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2014.

 

A REIT is a company that derives most of its income from real property or real estate mortgages and has elected to be taxed as a REIT. If a corporation elects to be taxed and qualifies as a REIT, it will generally not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income taxes on income that it currently distributes to its stockholders. A company’s qualification as a REIT depends on its ability to meet, on

 

 

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   a continuing basis, various complex requirements under the Code relating to, among other things, the sources of its gross income, the composition and values of its assets, its distribution levels to its stockholders and the concentration of ownership of its capital stock.
Why is the separation of CareTrust structured as a distribution?    Ensign believes that a Spin-Off, or distribution, of CareTrust common stock to Ensign stockholders is an efficient way to separate CareTrust’s real estate business from Ensign’s healthcare business.
How will the separation of CareTrust work?    Ensign will distribute the shares of CareTrust common stock to the holders of Ensign common stock on a pro rata basis. Holders of Ensign common stock will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of CareTrust common stock which they would have otherwise received.
What is the record date for the Spin-Off?    Record ownership will be determined as of the close of business on                     , 2014.
When will the Spin-Off occur?    We expect that Ensign will distribute the shares of CareTrust common stock on                     , 2014, to holders of record of Ensign common stock as of the record date, subject to certain conditions described under “The Spin-Off—Conditions to the Spin-Off.”
What do stockholders need to do to participate in the Spin-Off?    No action is required on the part of stockholders. Stockholders who hold Ensign common stock as of the record date will not be required to take any action to receive shares of CareTrust common stock in the Spin-Off. No stockholder approval of the Spin-Off is required or sought. We are not asking you for a proxy, and you are requested not to send us a proxy.
If I sell my shares of Ensign common stock prior to the Spin-Off, will I still be entitled to receive shares of CareTrust in the Spin-Off?    If you hold shares of Ensign common stock as of the record date and decide to sell the shares prior to the distribution date, you may choose to sell such shares with or without your entitlement to receive shares of CareTrust common stock. If you sell your Ensign common stock in the “due-bills” market after the record date and prior to the distribution date, you also will be selling your right to receive shares of CareTrust common stock in connection with the Spin-Off. However, if you sell your Ensign common stock in the “ex-distribution” market prior to the distribution date, you will still receive shares of CareTrust common stock in the Spin-Off.
   If you sell your Ensign common stock prior to the distribution date, you should make sure your bank or broker understands whether you want to sell your Ensign common stock or the CareTrust common stock you will receive in the Spin-Off or both. You should consult your financial advisors, such as your bank, broker or tax advisor, to discuss your options and alternatives. See “The Spin-Off—Listing and Trading of Our Shares” for additional details.
How will fractional shares be treated in the Spin-Off?    No fractional shares will be distributed in connection with the Spin-Off. Instead, holders of Ensign common stock will receive a cash payment equal to the value of such shares in lieu of fractional shares.

 

 

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Can Ensign decide to cancel the Spin-Off even if all the conditions have been satisfied?    Yes. The Spin-Off is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. Until the Spin-Off has occurred, Ensign has the right to terminate the transaction, even if all of the conditions have been satisfied, if the board of directors of Ensign determines that the Spin-Off is not in the best interests of Ensign and its stockholders or that market conditions or other circumstances are such that the Spin-Off is no longer advisable at that time.
What are the conditions to the Spin-Off?    The Spin-Off is subject to the satisfaction of a number of conditions, including, among others:
  

•    the final approval by the board of directors of Ensign of the Spin-Off and all related transactions (and such approval not having been withdrawn) and determination of the record date;

  

•    CareTrust’s registration statement on Form 10 becoming effective under the Exchange Act, and no stop order relating to the registration statement being in effect;

  

•    the mailing by Ensign of this information statement to record holders of Ensign common stock as of the record date;

  

•    the IRS Ruling (as defined below), which provides, among other things, that the Spin-Off will qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code, shall not have been revoked or modified in any material respect;

  

•    the receipt by Ensign of the Tax Opinion (as defined below), in form and substance satisfactory to Ensign in its sole and absolute discretion, to the effect that certain requirements for tax-free treatment, on which the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will not rule, will be satisfied;

  

•    the receipt by CareTrust of an opinion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to CareTrust, to the effect that, commencing with CareTrust’s taxable year ending on December 31, 2014, CareTrust has been organized in

  

conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its proposed method of operation will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT;

  

•    the receipt by CareTrust and Ensign of an opinion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to CareTrust, substantially to the effect that the Master Leases will be respected as “true leases” for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to certain facilities;

 

 

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•   the approval of the listing of CareTrust’s common stock on NASDAQ, subject to official notice of issuance;

  

•   the completion by CareTrust of the financing transactions described in this information statement and contemplated to occur on or prior to the distribution date, including our Operating Partnership’s issuance of notes, our Operating Partnership’s entry into a revolving credit facility and the incurrence of additional mortgage indebtedness;

  

•   the transfer by CareTrust to Ensign of a portion of the proceeds from our Operating Partnership’s issuance of notes, and Ensign’s use of a portion of such transferred proceeds to repay certain indebtedness and trade payables;

  

•   the absence of any order, injunction or decree issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing consummation of the Spin-Off or any of the transactions related thereto, including the transfers of assets and liabilities contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement;

  

•   the absence of any events or developments having occurred prior to the Spin-Off that, in the judgment of the board of directors of Ensign, would result in the Spin-Off having a material adverse effect on Ensign or its stockholders;

  

•   the adoption by CareTrust of its amended and restated charter and bylaws;

  

•   the execution by the parties of the Separation and Distribution Agreement and all other ancillary agreements relating to the Spin-Off, including the Master Leases; and

  

•   Ensign’s receipt of applicable regulatory approvals relating to the Spin-Off.

   We cannot assure you that any or all of the conditions will be satisfied or waived. See “The Spin-Off—Conditions to the Spin-Off” for additional details.
Does CareTrust intend to pay cash dividends?    Following the Spin-Off, CareTrust intends to make regular quarterly dividend payments of at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to holders of its common stock out of assets legally available for this purpose. Dividends will be authorized by CareTrust’s board of directors and declared by CareTrust based on a number of factors including actual results of operations, dividend restrictions under Maryland law, its liquidity and financial condition, its taxable income, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code, its operating expenses and other factors its directors deem relevant. For more information, see “Dividend Policy.”

 

 

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What will happen to Ensign equity awards in connection with the separation?    It is expected that outstanding Ensign equity awards at the time of the Spin-Off will be treated as follows:
  

 

Restricted Stock . Awards of restricted Ensign common stock will be treated in the same manner as other shares of Ensign common stock, as described above.

   Stock Options . No changes will be made with respect to Ensign options other than adjustments in accordance with the equitable adjustment provisions set forth in the plans under which they were granted.
What will be the relationship between Ensign and CareTrust following the Spin-Off?    Ensign will not own any shares of CareTrust common stock following the Spin-Off. CareTrust and Ensign will enter into the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Master Leases, the Opportunities Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement and the Employee Matters Agreement. Such agreements will govern CareTrust’s relationship with Ensign after the Spin-Off, including certain transition services, allocations of assets and liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to the Spin-Off, and indemnification arrangements for certain liabilities. See “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off.”
Will I receive physical certificates representing shares of CareTrust common stock following the Spin-Off?    No. Following the Spin-Off, neither Ensign nor CareTrust will be issuing physical certificates representing shares of CareTrust common stock. Instead, Ensign, with the assistance of Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., the distribution agent, will electronically issue shares of CareTrust common stock to you or to your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf by way of direct registration in book-entry form. The distribution agent will mail you a book-entry account statement that reflects your shares of CareTrust common stock, or your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares. A benefit of issuing stock electronically in book-entry form is that there will be none of the physical handling and safekeeping responsibilities that are inherent in owning physical stock certificates. See “The Spin-Off—Manner of Effecting the Spin-Off.”
What will the price be for my shares of CareTrust common stock and when will I be able to trade such shares?    Ensign currently owns all of the outstanding shares of CareTrust common stock, so there is no current trading market for CareTrust common stock. CareTrust has applied to list its common stock on NASDAQ under the symbol “CTRE.” We anticipate that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop shortly before the record date, and that “regular-way” trading in shares of CareTrust common stock will begin on the first trading day following the distribution date. If trading begins on a “when-issued” basis, you may purchase or sell CareTrust common stock up to and including the distribution date, but your transaction will not settle until after the distribution date. We cannot predict the trading prices for CareTrust common stock before, on or after the distribution date.

 

 

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Will the number of shares of Ensign common stock that I own change as a result of the Spin-Off?    No. The number of shares of Ensign common stock you own will not change as a result of the Spin-Off.
Will my shares of Ensign common stock continue to trade after the Spin-Off?    Yes. Ensign common stock will continue to be listed and traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “ENSG.” See “The Spin-Off—Listing and Trading of Our Shares” for additional details.
Are there risks associated with owning CareTrust common stock?    Yes. CareTrust’s business is subject to both general and specific risks and uncertainties relating to its business, including risks specific to its industry and operations, its leverage, its relationship with Ensign and its status as a separate and independent publicly traded company. Its business is also subject to risks relating to the Spin-Off. These risks are summarized in the “Summary of Risks Associated with Our Business and the Spin-Off” section of this information statement beginning on page 5, and are described in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of this information statement beginning on page 18. We encourage you to read those sections carefully.
Do I have appraisal rights in connection with the Spin-Off?    No. Ensign stockholders will not have any appraisal rights in connection with the Spin-Off.
What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Spin-Off?    Ensign has received a private letter ruling from the IRS substantially to the effect that, on the basis of certain facts presented and representations and assumptions set forth in the request submitted to the IRS, the Spin-Off will qualify as tax-free under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code (the “IRS Ruling”). The IRS Ruling does not address certain requirements for tax-free treatment of the Spin-Off under Section 355 of the Code, and Ensign expects to receive opinions from its tax advisors (collectively, the “Tax Opinion”), substantially to the effect that, with respect to such requirements on which the IRS will not rule, such requirements will be satisfied.
   The tax consequences to you of the Spin-Off depend on your individual situation. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of the Spin-Off to you, including the applicability of any U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax laws. For additional details, see “The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
How will the Spin-Off affect my tax basis and holding period in Ensign common stock?    Assuming that the Spin-Off is tax-free to Ensign stockholders, your tax basis in Ensign common stock held by you immediately prior to the Spin-Off will be allocated between your Ensign common stock and CareTrust common stock that you receive in the Spin-Off in proportion to the relative fair market values of each immediately following the Spin-Off. Your holding period for such Ensign shares will not be affected by the Spin-Off. Your holding period for the shares of CareTrust common stock that you receive in the Spin-Off

 

 

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   will include the holding period of your shares of Ensign common stock, provided that such Ensign shares are held as capital assets immediately following the Spin-Off. Ensign will provide its stockholders with information to enable them to compute their tax basis in both Ensign and CareTrust common stock. This information will be posted on Ensign’s website, www.ensigngroup.net , promptly
   following the distribution date. See “The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.” You are urged to consult with your tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of the Spin-Off to you, including the applicability of any U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax laws.
What is the Purging Distribution?   

In order to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, CareTrust will declare and pay a special dividend to distribute to its stockholders the portion of the accumulated earnings and profits, or “E&P,” of Ensign allocated to CareTrust in the Spin-Off. We refer to this special dividend as the “Purging Distribution” because it is intended to purge the company of earnings and profits attributable to the period prior to CareTrust’s first taxable year as a REIT. The amount of accumulated earnings and profits allocated to CareTrust in the Spin-Off will be based on applicable tax principles and will not correspond to retained earnings in historical financial statements because of differences between tax and book income and expenses. Ensign will allocate its accumulated earnings and profits for periods prior to the Spin-Off between Ensign and CareTrust in a manner that, in its best judgment, is in accordance with the provisions of the Code. We expect to make the Purging Distribution by December 31, 2014.

What will I receive in connection with the Purging Distribution?   

The total amount of Ensign’s E&P immediately prior to the Spin-Off is expected to be between $350.0 million and $385.0 million. The actual amount of Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust will depend on the final determination of Ensign’s E&P and the relative trading value of CareTrust common stock and Ensign common stock following the Spin-Off. The Purging Distribution will be paid to CareTrust stockholders in a combination of cash and shares of CareTrust common stock with an aggregate value equal to Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust. The portion that will be paid in cash will be determined by CareTrust at the time the dividend is declared, but will be at least 20% and not more than 25% of the total amount paid to all stockholders.

What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Purging Distribution?    Ensign has received the IRS Ruling, which addresses, in addition to the treatment of the Spin-Off, certain issues relevant to CareTrust’s payment of the Purging Distribution in a combination of cash and CareTrust stock. In general, the IRS Ruling provides, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, that (1) any and all of the cash and stock distributed by CareTrust to its stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be treated as a distribution of property with respect to CareTrust stock, and as a dividend to the extent of CareTrust’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and (2) the amount of any distribution of stock received by any of CareTrust’s

 

 

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   stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be considered to equal the amount of the money which could have been received instead. In the Purging Distribution, a holder of CareTrust common stock will be required to report dividend income as a result of the Purging Distribution even if CareTrust distributes no cash or only nominal amounts of cash to such stockholder.
  

 

You are urged to consult with your tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of the Purging Distribution to you, including the applicability of any U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax laws. See “The Spin-Off—The Purging Distribution.”

Who is the transfer agent for CareTrust shares?   

The transfer agent for our common stock is:

 

Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions

P.O. Box 1342

Brentwood, NY 11717

Phone: (800) 733-1121

Email: shareholder@broadridge.com

Where can I get more information?   

Before the Spin-Off, if you have any questions relating to the Spin-Off and after the Spin-Off if you have any questions relating to Ensign or its common stock, you should contact Ensign at:

 

The Ensign Group, Inc.

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Phone: (949) 487-9500

 

After the Spin-Off, if you have any questions relating to us or our common stock, you should contact us at:

 

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 400

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Phone: (949) 540-2000

 

 

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Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data

The following table sets forth summary and selected financial data for Ensign Properties (as described below) on a historical basis, as well as for us on a pro forma basis. Prior to the Spin-Off, we will not have operated our business separate from Ensign. We use the term “Ensign Properties” to mean the carve-out business of the entities that own the skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities that we will own following the Spin-Off, and the operations of the three independent living facilities that we will operate following the Spin-Off. Ensign Properties is the predecessor of CareTrust.

The summary historical financial data as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, has been derived from Ensign Properties’ audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement. Our management believes the assumptions underlying Ensign Properties’ combined financial statements and accompanying notes are reasonable. However, such combined financial statements may not necessarily reflect our financial condition and results of operations in the future, or what they would have been had we been a separate, stand-alone company during the periods presented.

The unaudited pro forma combined financial data as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 has been derived from the pro forma combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement. This pro forma data gives effect to the Spin-Off and the related transactions, including: (i) additional rental income associated with new Master Leases between Ensign Properties and Ensign that were previously leased under intercompany lease agreements; (ii) the distribution of approximately 21.9 million shares of CareTrust common stock by Ensign to Ensign stockholders; (iii) the anticipated issuance by our Operating Partnership of up to $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes, and the anticipated interest expense related thereto; (iv) the transfer to Ensign of approximately $220.8 million of proceeds from the issuance of the notes in order to repay certain indebtedness, pay trade payables and, subject to the approval of Ensign’s board of directors, pay up to eight regular quarterly dividends; (v) the incurrence of an additional $50.4 million of mortgage indebtedness, and the anticipated interest expense related thereto; and (vi) the elimination of income tax provisions in conjunction with the election of REIT status. The pro forma data does not give effect to the Purging Distribution which is expected to be made by December 31, 2014. The total amount of Ensign’s E&P immediately prior to the Spin-Off is expected to be between $350.0 million and $385.0 million. The actual amount of Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust will depend on the final determination of Ensign’s E&P and the relative trading value of CareTrust common stock and Ensign common stock following the Spin-Off. The Purging Distribution will be paid in a combination of cash and CareTrust common stock with an aggregate value equal to Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust. The portion that will be paid in cash will be determined by CareTrust at the time the dividend is declared, but will be at least 20% and not more than 25% of the total amount paid to all stockholders. The unaudited pro forma combined statement of income presented for the year ended December 31, 2013 assumes the Spin-Off and the related transactions occurred on January 1, 2013. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet assumes the Spin-Off and the related transactions occurred on December 31, 2013. The pro forma financial data is not necessarily indicative of what our actual financial condition and results of operations would have been as of the date and for the periods indicated if we had been a separate, stand-alone company during the periods presented, nor does it purport to represent our future financial condition or results of operations.

The following should be read in conjunction with Ensign Properties’ combined financial statements and accompanying notes, our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and accompanying notes, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” each of which are included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

 

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     As of or For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
     Pro Forma
2013
     2013     2012      2011  
     (in thousands)  

Operating data:

          

Total net revenues

   $ 61,255       $ 48,796       $ 42,063          $ 31,941     
Income (loss) before
income taxes
   $ 5,020       $ (272    $ 232          $ (6,514)    

Net income (loss)

   $ 5,020       $ (395    $ 110          $ (5,341)    

Balance sheet data:

          

Total assets

   $ 505,525       $ 430,466       $ 398,978        $ 374,466   

Total liabilities

   $ 364,730       $ 267,777       $ 214,430        $ 194,857   

Total equity

   $ 140,795       $ 162,689       $ 184,548        $ 179,609   

Other financial data:

          

FFO (1)

   $ 24,487       $ 23,023       $ 21,213        $ 11,277   

FAD (1)

   $ 25,696       $ 23,740       $ 21,933        $ 11,893   

 

(1) We believe that net income, as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), is the most appropriate earnings measure. We also believe that Funds From Operations (“FFO”), as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), and Funds Available for Distribution (“FAD”) are important non-GAAP supplemental measures of operating performance for a REIT. FFO is defined as net income computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains or losses from real estate dispositions, plus real estate depreciation and amortization and impairment charges. FAD is defined as FFO excluding non-cash expenses such as stock-based compensation expense and amortization of deferred financing costs. We believe that the use of FFO and FAD, combined with the required GAAP presentations, improves the understanding of operating results of REITs among investors and makes comparisons of operating results among such companies more meaningful. We consider FFO and FAD to be useful measures for reviewing comparative operating and financial performance because, by excluding gains or losses from real estate dispositions, impairment charges and real estate depreciation and amortization, and, for FAD, by excluding non-cash expenses such as stock-based compensation expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, FFO and FAD can help investors compare our operating performance between periods and to other REITs. See further discussion of FFO and FAD in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Discussion of Historical Results of Operations of Ensign Properties—Non-GAAP Measurements.”

 

 

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The following table reconciles our calculations of FFO and FAD for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, and the unaudited pro forma combined financial data for the year ended December 31, 2013 to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, for the same periods:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
     Pro Forma
2013
     2013     2012      2011  
     (in thousands)  
Net income (loss)    $ 5,020       $ (395    $ 110        $ (5,341
Depreciation and amortization      19,467         23,418        21,103         16,618   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

FFO

     24,487         23,023        21,213         11,277   
Stock-based compensation      18         18        15         15   
Amortization of deferred financing costs      1,191         699        705         601   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
FAD    $ 25,696       $ 23,740       $ 21,933        $ 11,893   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Components of Our Revenues and Expenses Following the Spin-Off” for a discussion of our forecasted revenues, general and administrative expenses and interest expense amounts for the period following the Spin-Off.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this information statement in evaluating us and our common stock. Any of the following risks, as well as additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, and could, in turn, impact the trading price of our common stock.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR SPIN-OFF FROM ENSIGN

We may be unable to achieve some or all the benefits that we expect to achieve from the Spin-Off.

The Spin-Off may not have the full or any strategic and financial benefits that we expect, or such benefits may be delayed or may not materialize at all. The anticipated benefits of the Spin-Off are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove incorrect. For example, we believe that the Spin-Off will allow us to expand into new geographic areas, acquire properties in different asset classes, diversify our tenant base and reduce our financing costs. In the event that the Spin-Off does not have these and other expected benefits for any reason, the costs associated with the transaction could have a negative effect on our financial condition and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

After the Spin-Off, we may be unable to make, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate as a separate and independent publicly traded company primarily focused on owning a portfolio of healthcare properties.

We have no historical operations as an independent company and may not, at the time of the Spin-Off, have the infrastructure and personnel necessary to operate as a separate and independent publicly traded company. As a result of the Spin-Off, immediately after the distribution date, we will be directly subject to, and responsible for, regulatory compliance, including the reporting and other obligations under the Exchange Act, the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and compliance with NASDAQ’s continued listing requirements, as well as compliance with generally applicable tax and accounting rules.

The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly, and current reports about our business and financial condition. Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we must maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, which require significant resources and management oversight. As an emerging growth company, we will be excluded from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which otherwise would have required our auditors to formally attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If we cannot maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures or favorably assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, or once we are no longer an emerging growth company, our independent registered public accounting firm cannot provide an unqualified attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investor confidence and, in turn, the market price of our common stock could decline.

Upon the completion of the Spin-Off, Ensign will be obligated to provide certain transition services to us pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement, which will allow us time, if necessary, to build the infrastructure and retain the personnel necessary to operate as a separate and independent publicly traded company without relying on such transition services. Following the expiration of the Transition Services Agreement, Ensign will be under no obligation to provide further assistance to us. Because our business has not been operated as a separate and independent publicly traded company, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully implement the infrastructure or retain the personnel necessary to operate as a separate and independent publicly traded company or that we will not incur costs in excess of anticipated costs to establish such infrastructure and retain such personnel.

 

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If the Spin-Off were to fail to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Ensign, Ensign stockholders and we could be subject to significant tax liabilities and, in certain circumstances, we could be required to indemnify Ensign for material taxes pursuant to indemnification obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement that we will enter into with Ensign.

Ensign has received the IRS Ruling, which provides substantially to the effect that, on the basis of certain facts presented and representations and assumptions set forth in the request submitted to the IRS, the Spin-Off will qualify as tax-free under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code. The IRS Ruling does not address certain requirements for tax-free treatment of the Spin-Off under Section 355 of the Code, and Ensign expects to receive a Tax Opinion, substantially to the effect that, with respect to such requirements on which the IRS will not rule, such requirements will be satisfied. The IRS Ruling, and the Tax Opinion that Ensign expects to receive, rely on, among other things, certain facts, representations, assumptions and undertakings, including those relating to the past and future conduct of our and Ensign’s businesses, and the IRS Ruling and the Tax Opinion would not be valid if such facts, representations, assumptions and undertakings were incorrect in any material respect. Notwithstanding the IRS Ruling and the Tax Opinion, the IRS could determine the Spin-Off should be treated as a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it determines any of the facts, representations, assumptions or undertakings that will be included in the request for the IRS Ruling are false or have been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinions that are not covered by the IRS Ruling. For more information regarding the IRS Ruling and the opinion, see “The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.”

If the Spin-Off ultimately is determined to be taxable, then a stockholder of Ensign that received shares of our common stock in the Spin-Off would be treated as having received a distribution of property in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares on the distribution date and could incur significant income tax liabilities. Such distribution would be taxable to such stockholder as a dividend to the extent of Ensign’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (including earnings and profits resulting from the recognition of gain by Ensign in the Spin-Off). Any amount that exceeded Ensign’s earnings and profits would be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of such stockholder’s tax basis in its shares of Ensign stock with any remaining amount being taxed as a capital gain. In addition, if the Spin-Off is determined to be taxable, Ensign would recognize taxable gain in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares of our common stock held by Ensign on the distribution date over Ensign’s tax basis in such shares. Such taxable gain and resulting tax liability would be substantial.

In addition, under the terms of the Tax Matters Agreement that we will enter into with Ensign, we generally will be responsible for any taxes imposed on Ensign that arise from the failure of the Spin-Off to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code, to the extent such failure to qualify is attributable to certain actions, events or transactions relating to our stock, assets or business, or a breach of the relevant representations or any covenants made by us in the Tax Matters Agreement, the materials submitted to the IRS in connection with the request for the IRS Ruling or the representation letter provided in connection with the Tax Opinion relating to the Spin-Off. Our indemnification obligations to Ensign and its subsidiaries, officers and directors will not be limited by any maximum amount. If we are required to indemnify Ensign under the circumstance set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement, we may be subject to substantial tax liabilities. For more information regarding the Tax Matters Agreement, see “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off—Tax Matters Agreement.”

We may not be able to engage in desirable strategic transactions and equity issuances following the Spin-Off because of certain restrictions relating to requirements for tax-free distributions for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, we could be liable for adverse tax consequences resulting from engaging in significant strategic or capital-raising transactions.

Our ability to engage in significant strategic transactions and equity issuances may be limited or restricted after the Spin-Off in order to preserve, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax-free nature of the Spin-Off.

 

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Even if the Spin-Off otherwise qualifies for tax-free treatment under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code, it may result in corporate level taxable gain to Ensign under Section 355(e) of the Code if 50% or more, by vote or value, of shares of our stock or Ensign’s stock are acquired or issued as part of a plan or series of related transactions that includes the Spin-Off. The process for determining whether an acquisition or issuance triggering these provisions has occurred is complex, inherently factual and subject to interpretation of the facts and circumstances of a particular case. Any acquisitions or issuances of our stock or Ensign stock within a two-year period after the Spin-Off generally are presumed to be part of such a plan, although we or Ensign, as applicable, may be able to rebut that presumption.

Under the Tax Matters Agreement that we will enter into with Ensign, we also will generally be responsible for any taxes imposed on Ensign that arise from the failure of the Spin-Off to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code, to the extent such failure to qualify is attributable to actions, events or transactions relating to our stock, assets or business, or a breach of the relevant representations or any covenants made by us in the Tax Matters Agreement, the materials submitted to the IRS in connection with the request for the IRS Ruling or the representation letter provided to counsel in connection with the Tax Opinion. For a more detailed description, see “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off—Tax Matters Agreement.”

Our agreements with Ensign may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations with unaffiliated third parties .

The agreements related to the Spin-Off, including the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Master Leases, the Opportunities Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement and the Employee Matters Agreement, will have been negotiated in the context of the Spin-Off while we are still a wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign. As a result, although those agreements are intended to reflect arm’s-length terms, they may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations between unaffiliated third parties. Conversely, certain agreements related to the Spin-Off may include terms that are more favorable than those that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations among unaffiliated third parties. Following expiration of those agreements, we may have to enter into new agreements with unaffiliated third parties, and such agreements may include terms that are less favorable to us. The terms of the agreements being negotiated in the context of the Spin-Off concern, among other things, divisions and allocations of assets and liabilities and rights and obligations, between Ensign and us. For a more detailed description, see “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off.”

Until the Spin-Off occurs, Ensign has the sole discretion to change the terms of the Spin-Off in ways that may be unfavorable to us.

Until the Spin-Off occurs, Ensign’s board of directors will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine and change the terms of the Spin-Off, including the establishment of the record date and distribution date. These changes could be unfavorable to us. In addition, the Spin-Off is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions. For a more detailed description of these conditions, see the section entitled “The Spin-Off—Conditions to the Spin-Off.” We cannot assure you that any or all of these conditions will be met. The fulfillment of the conditions to the Spin-Off will not create any obligation on Ensign’s part to effect the Spin-Off. Ensign’s board of directors may, in its absolute and sole discretion, decide at any time prior to the Spin-Off not to proceed with the Spin-Off.

Ensign Properties’ combined historical financial data and our pro forma combined financial data included in this information statement do not purport to be indicative of the results we would have achieved as a separate and independent publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of future results.

Ensign Properties’ combined historical financial data and our pro forma combined financial data included in this information statement may not reflect our business, financial position or results of operations had

 

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we been a separate and independent publicly traded company during the periods presented, or what our business, financial position or results of operations will be in the future when we are a separate and independent publicly traded company. Prior to the Spin-Off, our business will have been operated by Ensign as part of one corporate organization and not operated as a stand-alone company. Because we will not acquire ownership of the entities that own our real estate assets until immediately prior to the Spin-Off, there are no historical financial statements for us as we will exist following the Spin-Off. Significant changes will occur in our cost structure, financing and business operations as a result of our operation as a stand-alone company and the entry into transactions with Ensign that have not existed historically, including the Master Leases.

The pro forma financial data included in this information statement includes adjustments based upon available information that our management believes to be reasonable to reflect these factors. However, the assumptions may change or may be incorrect, and actual results may differ, perhaps significantly. In addition, the pro forma financial data does not include adjustments for estimated general and administrative expenses. For these reasons, our cost structure may be higher and our future financial costs and performance may be worse than the performance implied by the pro forma financial data presented in this information statement. For additional information about the basis of presentation of Ensign Properties’ combined historical financial data and our pro forma combined financial data included in this information statement, see “Financing,” “Capitalization,” “Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data,” “CareTrust’s Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” “Selected Combined Historical Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Ensign Properties’ combined historical financial statements and accompanying notes, included elsewhere in this information statement.

The ownership by our chief executive officer, Gregory K. Stapley, and one of our directors, Christopher R. Christensen, of shares of Ensign common stock may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest.

Because of their current or former positions with Ensign, our chief executive officer, Gregory K. Stapley, and one of our directors, Christopher R. Christensen, own shares of Ensign common stock. After the Spin-Off, Mr. Stapley and Mr. Christensen will own shares of our common stock and Ensign common stock. Their individual holdings of shares of our common stock and Ensign common stock may be significant compared to their respective total assets. These equity interests may create, or appear to create, conflicts of interest when they are faced with decisions that may not benefit or affect CareTrust and Ensign in the same manner.

After the Spin-Off, Christopher R. Christensen, one of our directors, may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of his position at Ensign.

After the Spin-Off, Christopher R. Christensen, one of our directors, will continue to serve as the chief executive officer of Ensign as well as a member of Ensign’s board of directors. As a result of Mr. Christensen’s service on our board of directors, transactions between Ensign and CareTrust in an amount in excess of $120,000 will be subject to our policy regarding related party transactions, and will require that Mr. Christensen recuse himself from consideration of such transactions. Although transactions pursuant to the agreements entered into prior to the Spin-Off, such as the Master Leases, will be pre-approved under this policy, new transactions between Ensign and CareTrust, or material changes to these agreements, will be subject to approval under the policy. However, circumstances may arise that are not subject to the policy in which Mr. Christensen will have or appear to have a potential conflict of interest, such as when our or Ensign’s management and directors pursue the same corporate opportunities or face decisions that could have different implications for us and Ensign.

 

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Ensign’s inability to obtain all material authorizations, consents, approvals and clearances of third parties including lenders and U.S. federal, state and local governmental agencies (“Third-Party Approvals”) in connection with the Spin-Off may have a material adverse effect on Ensign’s ability to consummate the Spin-Off.

Ensign may be required, or deem it desirable, to obtain certain Third-Party Approvals to consummate the Spin-Off and the restructuring of Ensign’s business in connection therewith, including consents of mortgage lenders. There is no assurance that Ensign will be able to obtain these Third-Party Approvals. Ensign may decide not to consummate the Spin-Off if it does not receive some or all of these Third-Party Approvals, unless it believes that the inability to obtain one or more Third-Party Approvals would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial position or results of operations of Ensign or us. However, there can be no assurance that such a material adverse effect will not occur.

The Spin-Off could give rise to disputes or other unfavorable effects, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.

The Spin-Off may lead to increased operating and other expenses, of both a nonrecurring and a recurring nature, and to changes to certain operations, which expenses or changes could arise pursuant to arrangements made between Ensign and us or could trigger contractual rights of, and obligations to, third parties. Disputes with third parties could also arise out of these transactions, and we could experience unfavorable reactions to the Spin-Off from employees, lenders, ratings agencies, regulators or other interested parties. These increased expenses, changes to operations, disputes with third parties, or other effects could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations. In addition, following the completion of the Spin-Off, disputes with Ensign could arise in connection with any of the Master Leases, the Opportunities Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement or other agreements.

Our potential indemnification liabilities pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement could materially and adversely affect us.

The Separation and Distribution Agreement between us and Ensign will provide for, among other things, the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Spin-Off, certain conditions to the Spin-Off and provisions governing the relationship between us and Ensign after the Spin-Off. For a description of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, see “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off—Separation and Distribution Agreement.” Among other things, the Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide for indemnification obligations designed to make us financially responsible for substantially all liabilities that may exist relating to or arising out of our business. If we are required to indemnify Ensign under the circumstances set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities.

In connection with the Spin-Off, Ensign will indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, there can be no assurance that these indemnities will be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that Ensign’s ability to satisfy its indemnification obligation will not be impaired in the future.

Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement and other agreements we will enter into in connection with the Spin-Off, Ensign will agree to indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, third parties could seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that Ensign will agree to retain pursuant to these agreements, and there can be no assurance that Ensign will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations under these agreements. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from Ensign any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses while seeking recovery from Ensign.

 

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The Spin-Off may expose us to potential liabilities arising out of state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws.

The Spin-Off and related transactions, including the Purging Distribution, are subject to review under various state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws. Under U.S. federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws, which vary from state to state, the Spin-Off or any of the related transactions could be voided as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance if Ensign (a) distributed property with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors or (b) received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration in return for such distribution, and one of the following is also true at the time thereof: (1) Ensign was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the Spin-Off or any related transaction, (2) the Spin-Off or any related transaction left Ensign with an unreasonably small amount of capital or assets to carry on the business, or (3) Ensign intended to, or believed that, it would incur debts beyond its ability to pay as they mature.

As a general matter, value is given under U.S. law for a transfer or an obligation if, in exchange for the transfer or obligation, property is transferred or a valid antecedent debt is secured or satisfied. A debtor will generally not be considered to have received value under U.S. law in connection with a distribution to its stockholders.

We cannot be certain as to the standards a U.S. court would use to determine whether or not Ensign was insolvent at the relevant time. In general, however, a U.S. court would deem an entity insolvent if: (1) the sum of its debts, including contingent and unliquidated liabilities, was greater than the value of its assets, at a fair valuation; (2) the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or (3) it could not pay its debts as they became due.

If a U.S. court were to find that the Spin-Off was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, a court could void the Spin-Off, require stockholders to return to Ensign some or all of the shares of common stock distributed in the Spin-Off or require stockholders to pay as money damages an equivalent of the value of the shares of common stock at the time of the Spin-Off. If a U.S. court were to find that the Purging Distribution was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, a court could void the Purging Distribution, require stockholders to return to us some or all of the Purging Distribution or require stockholders to pay as money damages an equivalent of the value of the Purging Distribution. Moreover, stockholders could be required to return any dividends previously paid by us. With respect to any transfers from Ensign to us, if any such transfer was found to be a fraudulent transfer, a court could void the transaction or Ensign could be awarded monetary damages for the difference between the consideration received by Ensign and the fair market value of the transferred property at the time of the Spin-Off.

We are currently subject to applicable requirements of Ensign’s 2013 Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and we will remain subject to such requirements following the Spin-Off.

We are currently required to maintain a corporate compliance program pursuant to a corporate integrity agreement (the “CIA”) that Ensign entered into in October 2013 with the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The CIA requires, among other things, that Ensign and its subsidiaries maintain such corporate compliance programs as part of compliance with various requirements of federal and private healthcare programs. After the Spin-Off, we will remain subject to certain continuing obligations as part of Ensign’s compliance program pursuant to the CIA, including training in Medicare and Medicaid laws for our employees. Failure to timely comply with the applicable terms of the CIA could result in substantial civil or criminal penalties, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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RISKS RELATED TO OUR TAXATION AS A REIT

If we do not qualify to be taxed as a REIT, or fail to remain qualified as a REIT, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as a regular corporation and could face a substantial tax liability, which would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

We intend to operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which we currently expect to occur commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2014. References throughout this document to the “first taxable year” for which we have elected to be taxed as a REIT refer to the taxable year ending December 31, 2014. We expect to receive an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP with respect to our qualification as a REIT in connection with this transaction. Investors should be aware, however, that opinions of advisors are not binding on the IRS or any court. The opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP represents only the view of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP based on its review and analysis of existing law and on certain representations as to factual matters and covenants made by us, including representations relating to the values of our assets and the sources of our income. The opinion is expressed as of the date issued. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will have no obligation to advise us or the holders of our common stock of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed or of any subsequent change in applicable law. Furthermore, both the validity of the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and our qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis, the results of which will not be monitored by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Our ability to satisfy the asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals.

If we were to fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT in any taxable year, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates, and dividends paid to our stockholders would not be deductible by us in computing our taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the value of our common stock. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify to be taxed as a REIT.

Qualifying as a REIT involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Code.

Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which only limited judicial and administrative authorities exist. Even a technical or inadvertent violation could jeopardize our REIT qualification. Our qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. In addition, our ability to satisfy the requirements to qualify to be taxed as a REIT may depend in part on the actions of third parties over which we have no control or only limited influence.

Legislative or other actions affecting REITs could have a negative effect on us.

The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”). Changes to the tax laws or interpretations thereof, with or without retroactive application, could materially and adversely affect our investors or us. We cannot predict how changes in the tax laws might affect our investors or us. New legislation, Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions could significantly and negatively affect our ability to qualify to be taxed as a REIT or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to our investors and us of such qualification.

 

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On February 26, 2014, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman David Camp released a proposal (the “Camp Proposal”) for comprehensive tax reform. The Camp Proposal includes a number of provisions that, if enacted, would have an adverse effect on corporations seeking to make an election to be taxed as a REIT. These include the following: (i) if the stock of a corporation is distributed in a tax-free spin-off under section 355 of the Code, such corporation will not be eligible to make an election to be taxed as a REIT for the ten-year period following the taxable year in which the spin-off occurs, (ii) after the ten-year period, if the corporation elects to be taxed as a REIT, such corporation will be required to recognize certain built-in gains inherent in its property as if all its assets were sold at their fair market value immediately before the close of the taxable year immediately before the corporation became taxed as a REIT, and (iii) any dividend made to satisfy the REIT requirement that a REIT must not have any earnings and profits accumulated during non-REIT years by the end of its first tax year as a REIT must be made in cash instead of cash and stock as is permitted under current law. These provisions, if enacted in their current form, apply to any corporation making an election to be taxed as a REIT on or after February 26, 2014 and to any corporation the stock of which is distributed on or after February 26, 2014 in a tax-free spin-off under section 355 of the Code. If enacted in its current form, the Camp Proposal would materially and adversely affect our ability to make an election to be taxed as a REIT. See “If we do not qualify to be taxed as a REIT, or fail to remain qualified as a REIT, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as a regular corporation and could face a substantial tax liability, which would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders.” It is uncertain whether the Camp Proposal, in its current form as it relates to CareTrust, or any other legislation affecting entities desiring to elect REIT status will be enacted and whether any such legislation will apply to CareTrust because of its proposed effective date or otherwise.

We could fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT if income we receive from Ensign or its subsidiaries is not treated as qualifying income.

Under applicable provisions of the Code, we will not be treated as a REIT unless we satisfy various requirements, including requirements relating to the sources of our gross income. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of REITs in General—Income Tests.” Rents received or accrued by us from Ensign or its subsidiaries will not be treated as qualifying rent for purposes of these requirements if the Master Leases are not respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are instead treated as service contracts, joint ventures or some other type of arrangement. If the Master Leases are not respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will likely fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT.

In addition, subject to certain exceptions, rents received or accrued by us from Ensign or its subsidiaries will not be treated as qualifying rent for purposes of these requirements if we or a beneficial or constructive owner of 10% or more of our stock beneficially or constructively owns 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of Ensign stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of Ensign stock. Our charter will provide for restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares of stock, including restrictions on such ownership or transfer that would cause the rents received or accrued by us from Ensign or its subsidiaries to be treated as non-qualifying rent for purposes of the REIT gross income requirements. The provisions of our charter that will restrict the ownership and transfer of our stock are described in “Description of Our Capital Stock—Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of CareTrust Stock.” Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that such restrictions will be effective in ensuring that rents received or accrued by us from Ensign or its subsidiaries will not be treated as qualifying rent for purposes of REIT qualification requirements.

Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends.

The maximum U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to income from “qualified dividends” payable by U.S. corporations to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates is currently 20%. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rates. Although these rules do not adversely affect the taxation of REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be

 

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relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including our stock.

REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.

We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains, in order for us to qualify to be taxed as a REIT (assuming that certain other requirements are also satisfied) so that U.S. federal corporate income tax does not apply to earnings that we distribute. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement and qualify for taxation as a REIT but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed net taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we distribute to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code.

Initially our funds from operations will be generated primarily by rents paid under the Master Leases. From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our cash flow as a result of differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash or the effect of nondeductible capital expenditures, the creation of reserves or required debt or amortization payments. If we do not have other funds available in these situations, we could be required to borrow funds on unfavorable terms, sell assets at disadvantageous prices or distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions in order to make distributions sufficient to enable us to pay out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement and to avoid being subject to corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax in a particular year. These alternatives could increase our costs or reduce our equity. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to grow, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock.

Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.

Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state, and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income and state or local income, property and transfer taxes. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of CareTrust.” For example, we may hold some of our assets or conduct certain of our activities through one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries (each, a “TRS”) or other subsidiary corporations that will be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local corporate-level income taxes as regular C corporations. In addition, we may incur a 100% excise tax on transactions with a TRS if they are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive acquisition opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

To qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must ensure that, at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and “real estate assets” (as defined in the Code). The remainder of our investments (other than government securities, qualified real estate assets and securities issued by a TRS) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our total assets (other than government securities, qualified real estate assets and securities issued by a TRS) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of our total assets can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of CareTrust.” If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our

 

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REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate or forgo otherwise attractive investments. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.

In addition to the asset tests set forth above, to qualify to be taxed as a REIT we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock. We may be unable to pursue investments that would be otherwise advantageous to us in order to satisfy the source-of-income or asset-diversification requirements for qualifying as a REIT. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to make certain attractive investments.

Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.

The REIT provisions of the Code substantially limit our ability to hedge our assets and liabilities. Income from certain hedging transactions that we may enter into to manage risk of interest rate changes with respect to borrowings made or to be made to acquire or carry real estate assets does not constitute “gross income” for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests that apply to REITs, provided that certain identification requirements are met. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions or fail to properly identify such transaction as a hedge, the income is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the gross income tests. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of CareTrust.” As a result of these rules, we may be required to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques or implement those hedges through a TRS. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because the TRS may be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates that we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in the TRS will generally not provide any tax benefit, except that such losses could theoretically be carried back or forward against past or future taxable income in the TRS.

Even if we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we could be subject to tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in our assets held before electing to be treated as a REIT.

Following our REIT election, we will own appreciated assets that were held by a C corporation and will be acquired by us in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands will be determined by reference to the adjusted basis of the assets in the hands of the C corporation. If we dispose of any such appreciated assets during the ten-year period following our qualification as a REIT, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate tax rates on any gain from such assets to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the assets on the date that we became a REIT over the adjusted tax basis of such assets on such date, which are referred to as built-in gains. We would be subject to this tax liability even if we qualify and maintain our status as a REIT. Any recognized built-in gain will retain its character as ordinary income or capital gain and will be taken into account in determining REIT taxable income and our distribution requirement. Any tax on the recognized built-in gain will reduce REIT taxable income. We may choose not to sell in a taxable transaction appreciated assets we might otherwise sell during the ten-year period in which the built-in gain tax applies in order to avoid the built-in gain tax. However, there can be no assurances that such a taxable transaction will not occur. If we sell such assets in a taxable transaction, the amount of corporate tax that we will pay will vary depending on the actual amount of net built-in gain or loss present in those assets as of the time we became a REIT. The amount of tax could be significant.

 

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RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS

We will be dependent on Ensign to make payments to us under the Master Leases, and an event that materially and adversely affects Ensign’s business, financial position or results of operations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.

Immediately following the Spin-Off, Ensign will be the lessee of substantially all of our properties pursuant to the Master Leases and, therefore, will be the source of substantially all of our revenues. Additionally, because each Master Lease is a triple-net lease, we will depend on Ensign to pay all insurance, taxes, utilities and maintenance and repair expenses in connection with these leased properties and to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities arising in connection with its business. There can be no assurance that Ensign will have sufficient assets, income and access to financing to enable it to satisfy its payment obligations under the Master Leases. The inability or unwillingness of Ensign to meet its rent obligations under the Master Leases could materially adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations, including our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders as required to maintain our status as a REIT. The inability of Ensign to satisfy its other obligations under the Master Leases, such as the payment of insurance, taxes and utilities, could materially and adversely affect the condition of the leased properties as well as the business, financial position and results of operations of Ensign. For these reasons, if Ensign were to experience a material and adverse effect on its business, financial position or results of operations, our business, financial position or results of operations could also be materially and adversely affected.

Ensign and other healthcare operators to which we lease properties in the future are dependent on the healthcare industry and may be susceptible to the risks associated with healthcare reform, which could materially and adversely affect Ensign’s and our other tenants’ business, financial position or results of operations. In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the “Affordable Care Act”) were signed into law. Together, these two measures make the most sweeping and fundamental changes to the U.S. health care system since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid. These new laws include a large number of health-related provisions, including expanding Medicaid eligibility, requiring most individuals to have health insurance, establishing new regulations on health plans, establishing health insurance exchanges, and modifying certain payment systems to encourage more cost-effective care and a reduction of inefficiencies and waste, including through new tools to address fraud and abuse. Because substantially all of our properties will be used as healthcare properties, we will be impacted by the risks associated with the healthcare industry, including healthcare reform. While the expansion of healthcare coverage may result in some additional demand for services provided by Ensign and its subsidiaries, reimbursement may be lower than the cost required to provide such services, which could materially and adversely affect the ability of Ensign to generate profits and pay rent under the Master Leases.

Due to our dependence on rental payments from Ensign as our primary source of revenues, we may be limited in our ability to enforce our rights under, or to terminate, the Master Leases. Failure by Ensign to comply with the terms of the Master Leases or to comply with the healthcare regulations to which the leased properties are subject could require us to find another lessee for such leased property and there could be a decrease or cessation of rental payments by Ensign. In such event, we may be unable to locate a suitable lessee at similar rental rates or at all, which would have the effect of reducing our rental revenues.

Tenants that fail to comply with the requirements of, or changes to, governmental reimbursement programs such as Medicare or Medicaid, may cease to operate or be unable to meet their financial and other contractual obligations to us.

Ensign and other healthcare operators to which we lease properties in the future are subject to complex federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to governmental healthcare reimbursement programs. See “Business—Government Regulation, Licensing and Enforcement.” For the year ended December 31, 2013,

 

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Ensign received 72.2% of its revenue from government payors, primarily Medicare and Medicaid. As a result, Ensign is, and future tenants may be, subject to the following risks, among others:

 

    statutory and regulatory changes;

 

    retroactive rate adjustments;

 

    recovery of program overpayments or set-offs;

 

    administrative rulings;

 

    policy interpretations;

 

    payment or other delays by fiscal intermediaries or carriers;

 

    government funding restrictions (at a program level or with respect to specific facilities); and

 

    interruption or delays in payments due to any ongoing governmental investigations and audits.

Healthcare reimbursement will likely continue to be of significant importance to federal and state authorities. We cannot make any assessment as to the ultimate timing or the effect that any future legislative reforms may have on our tenants’ costs of doing business and on the amount of reimbursement by government and other third-party payors. The failure of Ensign or any of our other tenants to comply with these laws, requirements and regulations could materially and adversely affect their ability to meet their financial and contractual obligations to us.

Tenants that fail to comply with federal, state and local licensure, certification and inspection laws and regulations may cease to operate our healthcare facilities or be unable to meet their financial and other contractual obligations to us.

Ensign and other healthcare operators to which we lease properties in the future are subject to extensive federal, state, local and industry-related licensure, certification and inspection laws, regulations and standards. Our tenants’ failure to comply with any of these laws, regulations or standards could result in loss of accreditation, denial of reimbursement, imposition of fines, suspension or decertification from federal and state healthcare programs, loss of license or closure of the facility. For example, operations at our properties may require a license, registration, certificate of need, provider agreement or certification. Failure of any tenant to obtain, or the loss of, any required license, registration, certificate of need, provider agreement or certification would prevent a facility from operating in the manner intended by such tenant. Additionally, failure of our tenants to generally comply with applicable laws and regulations could adversely affect facilities owned by us, and therefore could materially and adversely affect us. See “Business—Government Regulation, Licensing and Enforcement—Healthcare Licensure and Certificate of Need.”

Our tenants depend on reimbursement from government and other third-party payors; reimbursement rates from such payors may be reduced, which could cause our tenants’ revenues to decline and could affect their ability to meet their obligations to us.

The federal government and a number of states are currently managing budget deficits, which may put pressure on Congress and the states to decrease reimbursement rates for Ensign and other healthcare operators to which we lease properties in the future, with the goal of decreasing state expenditures under Medicaid programs. The need to control Medicaid expenditures may be exacerbated by the potential for increased enrollment in Medicaid due to unemployment and declines in family incomes. These potential reductions could be compounded by the potential for federal cost-cutting efforts that could lead to reductions in reimbursement to our tenants under both the Medicaid and Medicare programs. Potential reductions in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement to our tenants could reduce the cash flow of our tenants and their ability to meet their obligations to us.

 

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The bankruptcy, insolvency or financial deterioration of our tenants could delay or prevent our ability to collect unpaid rents or require us to find new tenants.

We receive substantially all of our income as rent payments under leases of our properties. We have no control over the success or failure of the businesses of Ensign and other healthcare operators to which we may lease properties in the future and, at any time, any of our tenants may experience a downturn in its business that may weaken its financial condition. As a result, our tenants may fail to make rent payments when due or declare bankruptcy. Any tenant failures to make rent payments when due or tenant bankruptcies could result in the termination of the tenant’s lease and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. This risk is magnified in situations where we lease multiple properties to a single tenant, as a multiple property tenant failure could reduce or eliminate rental revenue from multiple properties.

If tenants are unable to comply with the terms of the leases, we may be forced to modify the leases in ways that are unfavorable to us. Alternatively, the failure of a tenant to perform under a lease could require us to declare a default, repossess the property, find a suitable replacement tenant, hire third-party managers to operate the property or sell the property. There is no assurance that we would be able to lease a property on substantially equivalent or better terms than the prior lease, or at all, find another qualified tenant, successfully reposition the property for other uses or sell the property on terms that are favorable to us. It may be more difficult to find a replacement tenant for a healthcare property than it would be to find a replacement tenant for a general commercial property due to the specialized nature of the business. Even if we are able to find a suitable replacement tenant for a property, transfers of operations of healthcare facilities are subject to regulatory approvals not required for transfers of other types of commercial operations, which may affect our ability to successfully transition a property.

If any lease expires or is terminated, we could be responsible for all of the operating expenses for that property until it is re-leased or sold. If we experience a significant number of un-leased properties, our operating expenses could increase significantly. Any significant increase in our operating costs may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

If one or more of our tenants files for bankruptcy relief, the U.S. federal Bankruptcy Code provides that a debtor has the option to assume or reject the unexpired lease within a certain period of time. Any bankruptcy filing by or relating to one of our tenants could bar all efforts by us to collect pre-bankruptcy debts from that tenant or seize its property. A tenant bankruptcy could also delay our efforts to collect past due balances under the leases and could ultimately preclude collection of all or a portion of these sums. It is possible that we may recover substantially less than the full value of any unsecured claims we hold, if any, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. Furthermore, dealing with a tenant’s bankruptcy or other default may divert management’s attention and cause us to incur substantial legal and other costs.

The geographic concentration of some of our facilities could leave us vulnerable to an economic downturn, regulatory changes or acts of nature in those areas.

Our properties are located in ten different states, with concentrations in Texas and California. The properties in these two states accounted for approximately 31% and 19%, respectively, of the total operational beds and units in our portfolio, as of December 31, 2013, and approximately 26% and 22%, respectively, of our rental income for the year ended December 31, 2013. As a result of this concentration, the conditions of local economies and real estate markets, changes in governmental rules, regulations and reimbursement rates or criteria, changes in demographics, state funding, acts of nature and other factors that may result in a decrease in demand and/or reimbursement for skilled nursing services in these states could have a disproportionately adverse effect on our tenants’ revenue, costs and results of operations, which may affect their ability to meet their obligations to us.

 

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Our facilities located in Texas are especially susceptible to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding, and our facilities located in California are particularly susceptible to natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes and mudslides. These acts of nature may cause disruption to our tenants, their employees and our facilities, which could have an adverse impact on our tenants’ patients and businesses. In order to provide care for their patients, our tenants are dependent on consistent and reliable delivery of food, pharmaceuticals, utilities and other goods to our facilities, and the availability of employees to provide services at the facilities. If the delivery of goods or the ability of employees to reach our facilities were interrupted in any material respect due to a natural disaster or other reasons, it would have a significant impact on our facilities and our tenants’ businesses at those facilities. Furthermore, the impact, or impending threat, of a natural disaster may require that our tenants evacuate one or more facilities, which would be costly and would involve risks, including potentially fatal risks, for their patients. The impact of disasters and similar events is inherently uncertain. Such events could harm our tenants’ patients and employees, severely damage or destroy one or more of our facilities, harm our tenants’ business, reputation and financial performance, or otherwise cause our tenants’ businesses to suffer in ways that we currently cannot predict.

We intend to pursue acquisitions of additional properties and seek other strategic opportunities, which may result in the use of a significant amount of management resources or significant costs, and we may not fully realize the potential benefits of such transactions.

We intend to pursue acquisitions of additional properties and seek acquisitions and other strategic opportunities. Accordingly, we may often be engaged in evaluating potential transactions and other strategic alternatives. In addition, from time to time, we may engage in discussions that may result in one or more transactions. Although there is uncertainty that any of these discussions will result in definitive agreements or the completion of any transaction, we may devote a significant amount of our management resources to such a transaction, which could negatively impact our operations. We may incur significant costs in connection with seeking acquisitions or other strategic opportunities regardless of whether the transaction is completed and in combining our operations if such a transaction is completed. In the event that we consummate an acquisition or strategic alternative in the future, there is no assurance that we would fully realize the potential benefits of such a transaction.

We will operate in a highly competitive industry and face competition from other REITs, investment companies, private equity and hedge fund investors, sovereign funds, healthcare operators, lenders and other investors, some of whom are significantly larger and have greater resources and lower costs of capital. Increased competition will make it more challenging to identify and successfully capitalize on acquisition opportunities that meet our investment objectives. If we cannot identify and purchase a sufficient quantity of suitable properties at favorable prices or if we are unable to finance acquisitions on commercially favorable terms, our business, financial position or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Additionally, the fact that we must distribute 90% of our net taxable income in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT may limit our ability to rely upon rental payments from our leased properties or subsequently acquired properties in order to finance acquisitions. As a result, if debt or equity financing is not available on acceptable terms, further acquisitions might be limited or curtailed.

Acquisitions of properties we might seek to acquire entail risks associated with real estate investments generally, including that the investment’s performance will fail to meet expectations or that the tenant, operator or manager will underperform.

Required regulatory approvals can delay or prohibit transfers of our healthcare properties, which could result in periods in which we are unable to receive rent for such properties.

Some of our tenants will be operators of skilled nursing and other healthcare facilities, which operators must be licensed under applicable state law and, depending upon the type of facility, certified or approved as providers under the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs. Prior to the transfer of the operations of such healthcare properties to successor operators, the new operator generally must become licensed under state law and, in

 

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certain states, receive change of ownership approvals under certificate of need laws (which provide for a certification that the state has made a determination that a need exists for the beds located on the property) and, if applicable, Medicare and Medicaid provider approvals. If an existing lease is terminated or expires and a new tenant is found, then any delays in the new tenant receiving regulatory approvals from the applicable federal, state or local government agencies, or the inability to receive such approvals, may prolong the period during which we are unable to collect the applicable rent.

We may be required to incur substantial renovation costs to make certain of our healthcare properties suitable for other operators and tenants.

Healthcare facilities are typically highly customized and may not be easily adapted to non-healthcare-related uses. The improvements generally required to conform a property to healthcare use, such as upgrading electrical, gas and plumbing infrastructure, are costly and at times tenant-specific. A new or replacement tenant to operate one or more of our healthcare facilities may require different features in a property, depending on that tenant’s particular operations. If a current tenant is unable to pay rent and vacates a property, we may incur substantial expenditures to modify a property before we are able to secure another tenant. Also, if the property needs to be renovated to accommodate multiple tenants, we may incur substantial expenditures before we are able to release the space. These expenditures or renovations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We may not be able to sell properties when we desire because real estate investments are relatively illiquid, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.

Real estate investments generally cannot be sold quickly. In addition, some of our properties will serve as collateral for our secured debt obligations and cannot readily be sold unless the underlying mortgage indebtedness is concurrently repaid. We may not be able to vary our portfolio promptly in response to changes in the real estate market. A downturn in the real estate market could materially and adversely affect the value of our properties and our ability to sell such properties for acceptable prices or on other acceptable terms. We also cannot predict the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and to close the sale of a property or portfolio of properties. These factors and any others that would impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our properties could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.

Our level of indebtedness could materially and adversely affect our financial position, including reducing funds available for other business purposes and reducing our operational flexibility, and we may have future capital needs and may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.

In connection with the Spin-Off, we anticipate that our Operating Partnership will issue up to $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes, and will enter into a credit agreement providing for a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150.0 million, although we have not yet entered into commitments with respect to such financing arrangements. We expect that approximately $220.8 million of the proceeds from the issuance of the senior unsecured notes will be transferred to Ensign in connection with the Spin-Off. In addition, at the time of the Spin-Off, we anticipate that our subsidiaries will have aggregate mortgage indebtedness to third parties of approximately $99.0 million secured by ten of the facilities to be owned by us following completion of the Spin-Off. Although it is anticipated that our debt agreements will restrict the amount of our indebtedness, we may incur additional indebtedness in the future to refinance our existing indebtedness, refinance mortgages on our properties or to finance newly-acquired properties. Any significant additional indebtedness could require a substantial portion of our cash flow to make interest and principal payments due on our indebtedness. Greater demands on our cash resources may reduce funds available to us to pay dividends, make capital expenditures and acquisitions, or carry out other aspects of

 

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our business strategy. Increased indebtedness can also limit our ability to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions, make us more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions and create competitive disadvantages for us compared to other companies with relatively lower debt levels. Increased future debt service obligations may limit our operational flexibility, including our ability to acquire properties, finance or refinance our properties, contribute properties to joint ventures or sell properties as needed.

Moreover, our ability to obtain additional financing and satisfy our financial obligations under indebtedness outstanding from time to time will depend upon our future operating performance, which is subject to then prevailing general economic and credit market conditions, including interest rate levels and the availability of credit generally, and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. A worsening of credit market conditions could materially and adversely affect our ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, if at all.

We may be unable to obtain additional financing or financing on favorable terms or our operating cash flow may be insufficient to satisfy our financial obligations under indebtedness outstanding from time to time (if any). Among other things, the absence of an investment grade credit rating or any credit rating downgrade could increase our financing costs and could limit our access to financing sources. If financing is not available when needed, or is available on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to complete acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Covenants in our debt agreements may limit our operational flexibility, and a covenant breach or default could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.

The agreements governing our indebtedness are expected to contain customary covenants, which may limit our operational flexibility. The notes are expected to have terms customary for notes of this type, including customary restrictive covenants, redemption and repurchase provisions and events of default; and the revolving credit facility is expected to contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, as well as customary events of default. We also anticipate that the revolving credit facility will require us to comply with specified financial maintenance covenants. In addition, mortgages on certain of our properties contain customary covenants such as those that restrict our ability, without the consent of the lender, to further encumber or sell the applicable properties or replace the applicable tenant. Such consent could be difficult or expensive to obtain. Breaches of certain covenants may result in defaults under the mortgages on our properties and cross-defaults under certain of our other indebtedness, even if we satisfy our payment obligations to the respective obligee. In addition, defaults under the Master Leases, including defaults associated with the bankruptcy of the applicable tenants, may result in defaults under the mortgages on certain of our properties and cross-defaults under certain of our other indebtedness.

Covenants that limit our operational flexibility, as well as covenant breaches or defaults under our debt instruments, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations, or our ability to incur additional indebtedness or refinance existing indebtedness.

An increase in market interest rates could increase our interest costs on existing and future debt and could adversely affect our stock price.

If interest rates increase, so could our interest costs for any new debt and our variable rate debt obligations on the revolving credit facility. This increased cost could make the financing of any acquisition more costly, as well as lower our current period earnings. Rising interest rates could limit our ability to refinance existing debt when it matures or cause us to pay higher interest rates upon refinancing. In addition, an increase in interest rates could decrease the access third parties have to credit, thereby decreasing the amount they are willing to pay for our assets and consequently limiting our ability to reposition our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions. Further, the dividend yield on our common stock, as a percentage of the price of such common stock, will influence the price of such common stock. Thus, an increase in market

 

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interest rates may lead prospective purchasers of our common stock to expect a higher dividend yield, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our charter will restrict the ownership and transfer of our outstanding stock, which may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or change of control of our company.

In order for us to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of stock may be owned, beneficially or constructively, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of each taxable year after our first taxable year as a REIT. Additionally, at least 100 persons must beneficially own our stock during at least 335 days of a taxable year (other than our first taxable year as a REIT). Our charter, with certain exceptions, will authorize our board of directors to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT. Our charter will also provide that, unless exempted by the board of directors, no person may own more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or more than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock. See “Description of Our Capital Stock—Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of CareTrust Stock” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” The constructive ownership rules are complex and may cause shares of stock owned directly or constructively by a group of related individuals or entities to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. These ownership limits could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control of us that might involve a premium price for shares of our stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. The acquisition of less than 9.8% of our outstanding stock by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity to own constructively in excess of 9.8% in value of our outstanding stock, and thus violate our charter’s ownership limit. Our charter will also prohibit any person from owning shares of our stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT. In addition, our charter will provide that (i) no person shall beneficially or constructively own shares of stock to the extent such beneficial or constructive ownership of stock would result in us failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code, and (ii) no person shall beneficially or constructively own shares of stock to the extent such beneficial or constructive ownership would cause us to own, beneficially or constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in a tenant of our real property. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of our stock in violation of these restrictions may result in the transfer being automatically void.

Maryland law and provisions in our charter and bylaws may delay or prevent takeover attempts by third parties and therefore inhibit our stockholders from realizing a premium on their stock.

Our charter and bylaws will contain, and Maryland law contains, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage prospective acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. Our charter and bylaws will, among other things (1) contain transfer and ownership restrictions on the percentage by number and value of outstanding shares of our stock that may be owned or acquired by any stockholder; (2) provide that stockholders are not allowed to act by non-unanimous written consent; (3) permit the board of directors, without further action of the stockholders, to amend the charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares or the number of shares of any class or series that we have the authority to issue; (4) permit the board of directors to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common or preferred stock and set the preferences, rights and other terms of the classified or reclassified shares; (5) permit only the board of directors to amend the bylaws; (6) establish certain advance notice procedures for stockholder proposals, and provide procedures for the nomination of candidates for our board of directors; (7) provide that special meetings of stockholders may only be called by the Company or upon written request of stockholders entitled to be at the meeting; (8) provide that a director may only be removed by stockholders for cause and upon the vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock; (9) provide for supermajority approval requirements for amending or repealing certain provisions in our charter; and (10) provide for a classified board of directors of three separate classes with staggered terms.

 

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In addition, specific anti-takeover provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”) could make it more difficult for a third party to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include:

 

    “business combination” provisions that, subject to limitations, prohibit certain business combinations between us and an “interested stockholder” (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our shares or an affiliate thereof) for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, and thereafter impose special appraisal rights and special stockholder voting requirements on these combinations; and

 

    “control share” provisions that provide that “control shares” of our company (defined as shares which, when aggregated with other shares controlled by the stockholder, entitle the stockholder to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing directors) acquired in a “control share acquisition” (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership or control of “control shares”) have no voting rights except to the extent approved by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding all interested shares.

We believe these provisions will protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers. However, these provisions will apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our board of directors determines is not in our best interests. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.

If we lose our key management personnel, we may not be able to successfully manage our business and achieve our objectives.

Our success depends in large part upon the leadership and performance of our executive management team, particularly Gregory K. Stapley and other key employees. If we lose the services of Mr. Stapley or any of our other key employees, we may not be able to successfully manage our business or achieve our business objectives.

We or our tenants may experience uninsured or underinsured losses, which could result in a significant loss of the capital we have invested in a property, decrease anticipated future revenues or cause us to incur unanticipated expense.

The Master Leases will require, and new lease agreements that we enter into are expected to require, that the tenant maintain comprehensive liability and hazard insurance, and we will maintain customary insurance for the independent living facilities that we own and operate. However, there are certain types of losses (including, but not limited to, losses arising from environmental conditions or of a catastrophic nature, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods) that may be uninsurable or not economically insurable. Insurance coverage may not be sufficient to pay the full current market value or current replacement cost of a loss. Inflation, changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations, and other factors also might make it infeasible to use insurance proceeds to replace the property after such property has been damaged or destroyed. Under such circumstances, the insurance proceeds received might not be adequate to restore the economic position with respect to such property.

If one of our properties experiences a loss that is uninsured or that exceeds policy coverage limits, we could lose the capital invested in the damaged property as well as the anticipated future cash flows from the property. If the damaged property is subject to recourse indebtedness, we could continue to be liable for the indebtedness even if the property is irreparably damaged.

In addition, even if damage to our properties is covered by insurance, a disruption of business caused by a casualty event may result in loss of revenue for our tenants or us. Any business interruption insurance may

 

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not fully compensate them or us for such loss of revenue. If one of our tenants experiences such a loss, it may be unable to satisfy its payment obligations to us under its lease with us.

Environmental compliance costs and liabilities associated with real estate properties owned by us may materially impair the value of those investments.

Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, as a current or previous owner of real estate, we may be required to investigate and clean up certain hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum released at a property, and may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage and for investigation and cleanup costs incurred by the third parties in connection with the contamination. In addition, some environmental laws create a lien on the contaminated site in favor of the government for damages and the costs it incurs in connection with the contamination. Ensign does not carry, and following the Spin-Off we do not expect to carry, environmental insurance on our properties. Although we will generally require our tenants, as operators of our healthcare properties, to undertake to indemnify us for environmental liabilities they cause, such liabilities could exceed the financial ability of the tenant to indemnify us or the value of the contaminated property. The presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination may materially adversely affect our ability to sell or lease the real estate or to borrow using the real estate as collateral. As the owner of a site, we may also be held liable to third parties for damages and injuries resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the site. Although we will be generally indemnified by our tenants for contamination caused by them, these indemnities may not adequately cover all environmental costs. We may also experience environmental liabilities arising from conditions not known to us.

The impact of healthcare reform legislation on us and our tenants cannot accurately be predicted.

Legislative proposals are introduced or proposed in Congress and in some state legislatures each year that would affect major changes in the healthcare system, either nationally or at the state level. We cannot accurately predict whether any future legislative proposals will be adopted or, if adopted, what effect, if any, these proposals would have on our tenants and, thus, our business.

Notably, in March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act. The passage of the Affordable Care Act has resulted in comprehensive reform legislation that is expected to expand healthcare coverage to millions of currently uninsured people beginning in 2014 and provide for significant changes to the U.S. healthcare system over the next several years. To help fund this expansion, the Affordable Care Act outlines certain reductions in Medicare reimbursements for various healthcare providers, including long-term acute care hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, as well as certain other changes to Medicare payment methodologies. This comprehensive healthcare legislation provides for extensive future rulemaking by regulatory authorities, and also may be altered or amended. While we can anticipate that some of the rulemaking that will be promulgated by regulatory authorities will affect our tenants and the manner in which they are reimbursed by the federal healthcare programs, we cannot accurately predict today the impact of those regulations on our tenants and, thus, on our business.

The Supreme Court’s decision upholding the constitutionality of the individual mandate while striking down the provisions linking federal funding of state Medicaid programs with a federally mandated expansion of those programs has not reduced the uncertain impact that the law will have on healthcare delivery systems over the next decade. We can expect that the federal authorities will continue to implement the law, but, because of the Supreme Court’s mixed ruling, the implementation will take longer than originally expected, with a commensurate increase in the period of uncertainty regarding the law’s full long term financial impact on the delivery of and payment for healthcare.

Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the Affordable Care Act was enacted, which also may impact our business. For instance, on April 1, 2014, the President signed the Protecting Access to

 

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Medicare Act of 2014, which, among other things, requires the Centers for Medicare & and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) to measure, track, and publish readmission rates of skilled nursing facilities by 2017 and implement avalue-based purchasing program for skilled nursing facilities (the “SNF VBP Program”) by October 1, 2018. The SNF VBP Program will increase Medicare reimbursement rates for skilled nursing facilities that achieve certain levels of quality performance measures to be developed by CMS, relative to other facilities. The value-based payments authorized by the SNF VBP Program will be funded by reducing Medicare payment for all SNFs by 2% and redistributing up to 70% of those funds to high-performing skilled nursing facilities. If Medicare reimbursement provided to our healthcare tenants is reduced under the SNF VBP Program, that reduction may have an adverse impact on the ability of our tenants to meet their obligations to us.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK

There is no existing market for our common stock and a trading market that will provide you with adequate liquidity may not develop for our common stock. In addition, once our common stock begins trading, the market price and trading volume of our common stock may fluctuate widely.

Ensign currently owns all of the outstanding shares of our common stock, so there is no current trading market for our common stock. Our common stock issued in the Spin-Off will be trading publicly for the first time. We anticipate that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop shortly before the record date, and that “regular-way” trading in shares of our common stock will begin on the first trading day following the distribution date. However, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for our common stock will develop as a result of the Spin-Off or be sustained in the future. The lack of an active trading market may make it more difficult for you to sell your shares and could lead to our share price being depressed or more volatile.

For many reasons, including the risks identified in this information statement, the market price of our common stock following the Spin-Off may be more volatile than the market price of Ensign common stock before the Spin-Off. These factors may result in short-term or long-term negative pressure on the value of our common stock.

We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock may trade after the Spin-Off. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including, but not limited to:

 

    a shift in our investor base;

 

    our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other comparable companies;

 

    actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

 

    our ability to obtain financing as needed;

 

    changes in laws and regulations affecting our business;

 

    changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

 

    announcements by us or our competitors of significant investments, acquisitions or dispositions;

 

    the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock after the Spin-Off;

 

    changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;

 

    the operating performance and stock price of other comparable companies;

 

    overall market fluctuations; and

 

    general economic conditions and other external factors.

 

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Stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

The combined post-Spin-Off value of Ensign common stock and our common stock may not equal or exceed the pre-Spin-Off value of Ensign common stock.

We cannot assure you that the combined trading prices of Ensign common stock and our common stock after the Spin-Off will be equal to or greater than the trading price of Ensign common stock prior to the Spin-Off. Until the market has fully evaluated the business of Ensign without our business, the price at which Ensign common stock trades may fluctuate more significantly than might otherwise be typical. Similarly, until the market has fully evaluated the stand-alone business of our company, the price at which shares of our common stock trades may fluctuate more significantly than might otherwise be typical, including volatility caused by general market conditions.

Substantial sales of our common stock may occur in connection with the Spin-Off, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

Our common stock that Ensign intends to distribute in the Spin-Off generally may be sold immediately in the public market. Although we have no actual knowledge of any plan or intention on the part of any holder of Ensign common stock to sell our common stock on or after the record date, it is possible that some Ensign stockholders will decide to sell some or all of the shares of our common stock that they receive in the Spin-Off.

In addition, some of the holders of Ensign common stock are index funds tied to stock or investment indices, or are institutional investors bound by various investment guidelines. Companies are generally selected for investment indices, and in some cases selected by institutional investors, based on factors such as market capitalization, industry, trading liquidity and financial condition. As an independent company, we expect to initially have a lower market capitalization than Ensign has today, and our business will differ from the business of Ensign prior to the Spin-Off. As a result, our common stock may not qualify for those investment indices. In addition, our common stock may not meet the investment guidelines of some institutional investors. Consequently, these index funds and institutional investors may have to sell some or all of our common stock they receive in the Spin-Off.

The sale of significant amounts of our common stock, the perception in the market that this will occur or the sale by holders of Ensign common stock that are index funds or institutional investors of some or all of our common stock, may cause the price of our common stock to fall. Any such decline could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of our common stock. Further, our common stock may not qualify for other investment indices, including indices specific to REITs, and any such failure may discourage new investors from investing in our common stock.

Following the Spin-Off, we will be an emerging growth company and cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

Following the Spin-Off, we will be an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies. We have elected to take advantage of some of these exemptions and may elect to take advantage of others. If we do take advantage of all of these exemptions, we will not be required to, among other things, (1) provide an auditor’s attestation report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) comply with any new rules that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer, (3) comply with any new

 

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audit rules adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board after April 5, 2012 unless the SEC determines otherwise, (4) comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards applicable to public companies until such standards are also applicable to private companies under Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act, (5) provide certain disclosure regarding executive compensation required of larger public companies in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements, or (6) hold a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and obtain stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Accordingly, the information that we provide stockholders in this information statement and in our other filings with the SEC may be different than what is available with respect to other public companies. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we decide to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile and adversely affected.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of this extended transition period. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates for such new or revised standards. We may elect to comply with public company effective dates at any time, and such election would be irrevocable pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (1) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion, (2) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act or any successor statute, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period, and (4) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act.

Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could materially and adversely affect our business and the market price of our common stock.

Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we must maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, which require significant resources and management oversight. Internal control over financial reporting is complex and may be revised over time to adapt to changes in our business, or changes in applicable accounting rules. We cannot assure you that our internal control over financial reporting will be effective in the future or that a material weakness will not be discovered with respect to a prior period for which we had previously believed that internal controls were effective. Matters impacting our internal controls may cause us to be unable to report our financial data on a timely basis, or may cause us to restate previously issued financial data, and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions or investigations by the SEC, or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements is also likely to suffer if we or our independent registered public accounting firm reports a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. This could materially adversely affect us by, for example, leading to a decline in the market price for our comment stock and impairing our ability to raise capital.

As an emerging growth company, we will be excluded from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which otherwise would have required our auditors to formally attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If we cannot maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures or favorably assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, or once we are no longer an

 

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“emerging growth company,” our independent registered public accounting firm cannot provide an unqualified attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investor confidence and, in turn, the market price of our common stock could decline.

We cannot assure you of our ability to pay dividends in the future.

We expect to make quarterly dividend payments in cash in an amount equal to approximately 80% of our FAD, but in no event will the annual dividend be less than 90% of our REIT taxable income on an annual basis, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains. Our ability to pay dividends may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the risk factors described in this information statement. Dividends will be authorized by our board of directors and declared by us based upon a number of factors, including actual results of operations, restrictions under Maryland law or applicable debt covenants, our financial condition, our taxable income, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code, our operating expenses and other factors our directors deem relevant. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash dividends or year-to-year increases in cash dividends in the future.

Furthermore, while we are required to pay dividends in order to maintain our REIT status (as described above under “Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT—REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan”), we may elect not to maintain our REIT status, in which case we would no longer be required to pay such dividends. Moreover, even if we do elect to maintain our REIT status, after completing various procedural steps, we may elect to comply with the applicable distribution requirements by distributing, under certain circumstances, a portion of the required amount in the form of shares of our common stock in lieu of cash. If we elect not to maintain our REIT status or to satisfy any required distributions in shares of common stock in lieu of cash, such action could negatively affect our business and financial condition as well as the market price of our common stock. No assurance can be given that we will pay any dividends on shares of our common stock in the future.

We may issue preferred stock with terms that could dilute the voting power or reduce the value of our common stock.

While we have no specific plan to issue preferred stock, our charter will authorize us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, powers, privileges, preferences, including preferences over our common stock respecting dividends and distributions, terms of redemption and relative participation, optional or other rights, if any, of the shares of each such series of preferred stock and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as our board of directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could dilute the voting power or reduce the value of our common stock. For example, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we could assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of the common stock. For a more detailed description, see “Description of Our Capital Stock—Preferred Stock.”

ERISA may restrict investments by plans in our common stock.

A plan fiduciary considering an investment in our common stock should consider, among other things, whether such an investment is consistent with the fiduciary obligations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), including whether such investment might constitute or give rise to a prohibited transaction under ERISA, the Code or any substantially similar federal, state or local law and, if so, whether an exemption from such prohibited transaction rules is available.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this information statement may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and those regarding our intent, belief or expectations, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: the anticipated timing, structure, benefits and tax treatment of the Spin-Off; future financing plans, business strategies, growth prospects and operating and financial performance; expectations regarding the making of distributions and the payment of dividends; and compliance with and changes in governmental regulations.

Words such as “anticipate(s),” “expect(s),” “intend(s),” “plan(s),” “believe(s),” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “seek(s)” and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could lead to actual results differing materially from those projected, forecasted or expected. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to:

 

    the ability to achieve some or all the benefits that we expect to achieve from the Spin-Off;

 

    delays or the nonoccurrence of the consummation of the Spin-Off;

 

    the ability and willingness of Ensign to meet and/or perform its obligations under any contractual arrangements that are entered into with us in connection with the Spin-Off, including the Master Leases, and any of its obligations to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities;

 

    the ability of Ensign to comply with laws, rules and regulations in the operation of the properties we will lease to it following the Spin-Off;

 

    the ability and willingness of our tenants, including Ensign, to renew their leases with us upon their expiration, and the ability to reposition our properties on the same or better terms in the event of nonrenewal or in the event we replace an existing tenant, and obligations, including indemnification obligations, we may incur in connection with the replacement of an existing tenant;

 

    the availability of and the ability to identify suitable acquisition opportunities and the ability to acquire and lease the respective properties on favorable terms;

 

    the ability to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness;

 

    access to debt and equity capital markets;

 

    fluctuating interest rates;

 

    the ability to retain our key management personnel;

 

    the ability to qualify or maintain our status as a REIT;

 

    changes in the U.S. tax law and other state, federal or local laws, whether or not specific to REITs;

 

    other risks inherent in the real estate business, including potential liability relating to environmental matters and illiquidity of real estate investments; and

 

    additional factors discussed in the sections entitled “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this information statement.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this information statement. Except in the normal course of our public disclosure obligations, we expressly disclaim any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

 

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THE SPIN-OFF

Background of the Spin-Off

On November 7, 2013, the board of directors of Ensign announced a plan to separate its healthcare business and its real estate business into two separate and independent publicly traded companies:

 

    Ensign, which will continue to provide healthcare services through its existing operations; and

 

    CareTrust, which will own, acquire and lease real estate serving the healthcare industry.

Ensign will accomplish the separation by contributing to CareTrust the entities that own the CareTrust Properties and the entities that operate three independent living facilities, and then distributing all of the outstanding shares of CareTrust to Ensign’s stockholders. Immediately prior to the Spin-Off, CareTrust and Ensign will enter into the Master Leases, under which Ensign will lease CareTrust’s healthcare facilities on a triple-net basis. Ensign and CareTrust will also enter into a number of other agreements to govern the relationship between them following the Spin-Off. See “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off.”

Upon the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Spin-Off, which are described in more detail in “—Conditions to the Spin-Off” below, Ensign will effect the Spin-Off by distributing to Ensign’s stockholders one share of CareTrust common stock for each share of Ensign common stock that they held at the close of business on                     , 2014, the record date for the Spin-Off. We expect the shares of CareTrust common stock to be distributed by Ensign on                     , 2014.

You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your shares of Ensign common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of our common stock.

In order to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, CareTrust will declare and distribute a special dividend to its stockholders equal to the amount of accumulated earnings and profits, or “E&P,” allocated to CareTrust in the Spin-Off. We refer to this special dividend as the “Purging Distribution” because it is intended to purge the company of earnings and profits attributable to the period prior to CareTrust’s first taxable year as a REIT. We expect to make the Purging Distribution by December 31, 2014. The total amount of Ensign’s E&P immediately prior to the Spin-Off is expected to be between $350.0 million and $385.0 million. The actual amount of Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust will depend on the final determination of Ensign’s E&P and the relative trading value of CareTrust common stock and Ensign common stock following the Spin-Off. The Purging Distribution will be paid to CareTrust stockholders in a combination of cash and shares of CareTrust common stock with an aggregate value equal to Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust. The portion that will be paid in cash will be determined by CareTrust at the time the dividend is declared, but will be at least 20% and not more than 25% of the total amount paid to all stockholders. See “—The Purging Distribution.”

The Spin-Off is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. Until the Spin-Off has occurred, Ensign has the right to terminate the transaction, even if all of the conditions have been satisfied, if the board of directors of Ensign determines that the Spin-Off is not in the best interests of Ensign and its stockholders or that market conditions or other circumstances are such that the Spin-Off is no longer advisable at that time. We cannot provide any assurances that the Spin-Off will be completed. For a more detailed description of these conditions, see the section entitled “—Conditions to the Spin-Off” below.

Reasons for the Spin-Off

The strategic considerations and nature of Ensign’s healthcare business currently dictate and limit the size and scope of its real estate business. After the Spin-Off, CareTrust will be able to make decisions regarding the real estate business without regard to the Ensign healthcare business. As a result, CareTrust intends to expand into new geographic areas, acquire properties in different asset classes, diversify its tenant base and reduce its

 

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financing costs. At the same time, Ensign expects to realize benefits from being a “pure play” healthcare operator and intends to continue to pursue its historical growth practices and strategies. As such, management, regulators, market analysts and investors will be able to focus solely on Ensign’s healthcare operations.

Geographic Expansion by CareTrust

Ensign’s business model is focused on, among other things, operating its healthcare business using a “cluster” system, pursuant to which groups of geographically-proximate operations share clinical best practices, real-time financial data, and other resources and information, in order to control costs and improve operating results. In addition, Ensign’s growth strategy into new markets may be affected by the availability of management leadership. In contrast, CareTrust will have the flexibility to enter geographic markets without facing the same operational considerations Ensign is confronted with as a healthcare operator.

Diversification of CareTrust Asset Classes

CareTrust intends to pursue opportunities with respect to both performing and nonperforming properties. Ensign primarily acquires skilled nursing and assisted living facilities that it will operate, occasionally acquiring non-healthcare independent living properties either (1) as part of a larger portfolio containing skilled nursing and/or assisted living facilities, or (2) with a view toward converting such properties to assisted living facilities. Following the Spin-Off, CareTrust, as a real estate company, will have the flexibility to choose which markets, asset classes and prospective tenants to pursue based solely on the exigencies and opportunities associated with the real estate business. CareTrust is expected to acquire not only skilled nursing and assisted living properties but also diversify into different property categories, such as medical office buildings, long-term acute care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and expand its portfolio of independent living properties. CareTrust may also engage in an expanded range of real estate related business activities, such as the provision of mortgage financing.

Diversification of Tenant Base

As a stand-alone company, CareTrust will be able, and intends, to take on tenants other than Ensign and divide large portfolios among numerous tenant operators, thus reducing the credit and regulatory risks associated with a single tenant. CareTrust anticipates that, as a real estate company, it will form business relationships with a diverse group of healthcare operators and that these relationships could lead to property acquisition opportunities.

Evaluation of Different Businesses Using Appropriate Operating Metrics

The Spin-Off will allow management, regulators, market analysts and investors to evaluate CareTrust as a stand-alone real estate company, and Ensign as a “pure play” healthcare operator, in each case, using appropriate industry metrics. Thus, we expect the Spin-Off will improve and simplify reporting and transparency in both businesses.

Reduced Risks and Financing Costs of the Real Estate Business

Healthcare companies are subject to unique regulatory, litigation, and reimbursement risks. As a result, healthcare companies generally have a higher cost of capital than real estate companies, and their shares typically trade at a lower earnings multiple. In contrast, CareTrust, which will enter into triple-net leases with its skilled nursing and senior housing tenants, will primarily be subject to simple premises liability risks, and the credit risks associated with its tenants. As CareTrust diversifies both its tenant base and its asset classes, we expect that its aggregate credit risk, regulatory risk and cost of capital may decline.

More Attractive Acquisition and Compensation Currency

The Spin-Off will make CareTrust and Ensign “pure plays” in their respective fields of real estate and healthcare, which should appeal to different groups of potential investors, making it easier and less costly to raise

 

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equity capital to advance their business plans. After the Spin-Off, we expect CareTrust and Ensign will be able to use their shares as consideration for acquisitions in a more effective manner with less dilution to existing stockholders. We expect the Spin-Off will also enhance the value and effectiveness of any equity incentive programs at Ensign and CareTrust because any equity (or equity based awards) will be more closely aligned with the performance of each company’s business.

Manner of Effecting the Spin-Off

The general terms and conditions relating to the Spin-Off will be set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement between us and Ensign. Under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Spin-Off is anticipated to be effective as of                     , 2014.

For each share of Ensign common stock that you owned at the close of business on                     , 2014, the record date, you will receive one share of our common stock on the distribution date. The actual total number of shares of our common stock to be distributed will depend on the number of shares of Ensign common stock outstanding on the record date. The shares of our common stock to be distributed will constitute 100% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

Neither we nor Ensign will be issuing physical certificates representing shares of our common stock. Instead, if you own Ensign common stock as of the close of business on the record date, the shares of our common stock that you are entitled to receive in the Spin-Off will be issued electronically, as of the distribution date, to you or to your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf by way of direct registration in book-entry form. A benefit of issuing stock electronically in book-entry form is that there will be none of the physical handling and safekeeping responsibilities that are inherent in owning physical stock certificates.

If you hold physical stock certificates that represent your shares of Ensign common stock and you are the registered holder of the Ensign shares represented by those certificates, the distribution agent will mail you an account statement that reflects the number of shares of our common stock that have been registered in book-entry form in your name. If you have any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares of Ensign common stock registered in book-entry form, you are encouraged to contact The Ensign Group, Inc. c/o Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions by mail at P.O. Box 1342 Brentwood, NY 11717, by phone at (800) 733-1121 or by email at shareholder@broadridge.com.

Most Ensign stockholders hold their shares of Ensign common stock through a bank or brokerage firm. In such cases, the bank or brokerage firm would be said to hold the stock in “street name” and ownership would be recorded on the bank or brokerage firm’s books. If you hold your Ensign common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares of our common stock that you are entitled to receive in the Spin-Off. If you have any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares of our common stock held in “street name,” you are encouraged to contact your bank or brokerage firm.

Results of the Spin-Off

After the Spin-Off, we will be a separate and independent publicly traded company. Immediately following the Spin-Off, we expect to have approximately 199 stockholders of record, based on the number of registered stockholders of Ensign common stock on April 11, 2014, and 22,426,008 shares of our common stock outstanding. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined on the record date and will reflect any changes in the number of shares of Ensign common stock between April 11, 2014 and the record date. The Spin-Off will not affect the number of outstanding shares of Ensign common stock or any rights of Ensign stockholders.

Prior to the Spin-Off, we and Ensign will enter into the Master Leases, under which Ensign will lease CareTrust’s healthcare facilities on a triple-net basis. Ensign and CareTrust will also enter into a number of other agreements to govern their relationship following the Spin-Off, and divide and allocate various assets and liabilities and rights and obligations. For a more detailed description of these agreements, see the section entitled “Our Relationship With Ensign Following the Spin-Off.”

 

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Treatment of Fractional Shares

The transfer agent will not distribute any fractional shares of our common stock in connection with the Spin-Off. Instead, the transfer agent will aggregate all fractional shares of our common stock into whole shares and sell them on the open market at the prevailing market prices on behalf of those registered holders who otherwise would be entitled to receive a fractional share. We anticipate that these sales will occur as soon as practicable after the distribution date. The transfer agent will then distribute to such registered holders the aggregate cash proceeds of such sale, in an amount equal to their pro rata share of the total proceeds of those sales. Any applicable expenses, including brokerage fees, will be paid by us. We do not expect the amount of any such fees to be material to us.

If you hold physical stock certificates that represent your shares of Ensign common stock and you are the registered holder of the Ensign shares represented by those certificates, your check for any cash that you may be entitled to receive instead of fractional shares of our common stock will be mailed to you separately. If you hold your shares of Ensign common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will receive, on your behalf, your pro rata share of the aggregate net cash proceeds from the sales and will electronically credit your account for your share of such proceeds.

Neither we, nor Ensign or the transfer agent, will guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional shares of our common stock. Neither we nor Ensign will pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares. The receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares will generally be taxable to the recipient stockholders. Each stockholder entitled to receive cash proceeds from these fractional shares should consult his, her or its own tax advisor as to the stockholder’s particular circumstances. See “—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.”

Listing and Trading of Our Shares

Ensign currently owns all of the outstanding shares of CareTrust common stock, so there is no current trading market for CareTrust common stock. A condition to the Spin-Off is the listing of our common stock on NASDAQ. We have applied to list our common stock on NASDAQ under the symbol “CTRE.”

Beginning shortly before the record date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, we expect that there will be two markets in Ensign common stock: a “due-bills” market and an “ex-distribution” market. Shares of Ensign common stock that trade on the “due-bills” market will trade with an entitlement to shares of our common stock distributed pursuant to the Spin-Off. Shares that trade on the “ex-distribution” market will trade without an entitlement to shares of our common stock distributed pursuant to the Spin-Off. Therefore, if you sell shares of Ensign common stock in the “due-bills” market after the record date and before the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of our common stock in connection with the Spin-Off. If you own shares of Ensign common stock at the close of business on the record date and sell those shares on the “ex-distribution” market before the distribution date, you will still receive the shares of our common stock that you would be entitled to receive pursuant to your ownership of the shares of Ensign common stock on the record date.

Furthermore, beginning on or shortly before the record date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, we expect that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop in our common stock. “When-issued” trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The “when-issued” trading market will be a market for shares of our common stock that will be distributed to Ensign stockholders on the distribution date. If you owned shares of Ensign common stock at the close of business on the record date, you would be entitled to shares of our common stock distributed pursuant to the Spin-Off. You may trade this entitlement to shares of our common stock, without trading the shares of Ensign common stock you own, on the “when-issued” market. On the first trading day following the distribution date, “when-issued” trading with respect to our common stock will end and “regular-way” trading will begin.

 

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The Purging Distribution

In order to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements, CareTrust will declare and distribute a special dividend to its stockholders equal to the amount of accumulated earnings and profits, or “E&P,” allocated to CareTrust in the Spin-Off. We refer to this special dividend as the “Purging Distribution” because it is intended to purge the company of earnings and profits attributable to the period prior to CareTrust’s first taxable year as a REIT. The amount of accumulated earnings and profits allocated to CareTrust in the Spin-Off will be based on applicable tax principles and will not correspond to retained earnings in historical financial statements because of differences between tax and book income and expenses. Ensign will allocate its accumulated earnings and profits for periods prior to the Spin-Off between Ensign and CareTrust in a manner that, in its best judgment, is in accordance with the provisions of the Code. We expect to make the Purging Distribution by December 31, 2014.

The total amount of Ensign’s E&P immediately prior to the Spin-Off is expected to be between $350.0 million and $385.0 million. The actual amount of Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust will depend on the final determination of Ensign’s E&P and the relative trading value of CareTrust common stock and Ensign common stock following the Spin-Off. The Purging Distribution will be paid to CareTrust stockholders in a combination of cash and shares of CareTrust common stock with an aggregate value equal to Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust. The portion that will be paid in cash will be determined by CareTrust at the time the dividend is declared, but will be at least 20% and not more than 25% of the total amount paid to all stockholders. After the dividend is declared, each CareTrust stockholder will have an opportunity to elect to receive the entire dividend in either cash or stock. If too many stockholders elect cash, cash will be allocated among those stockholders on a pro rata basis and the balance paid to them in shares. If too many stockholders elect shares, then cash will be allocated among those stockholders on a pro rata basis. The number of shares of stock issued in the Purging Distribution will be determined based on the market price of our stock.

Ensign has received the IRS Ruling, which addresses, in addition to the treatment of the Spin-Off, certain issues relevant to CareTrust’s payment of the Purging Distribution in a combination of cash and CareTrust common stock. In general, the IRS Ruling provides, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, that (1) any and all of the cash and stock distributed by CareTrust to its stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be treated as a distribution of property with respect to CareTrust stock, and as a dividend to the extent of CareTrust’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and (2) the amount of any distribution of stock received by any of CareTrust’s stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be considered to equal the amount of the money which could have been received instead. In the Purging Distribution, a holder of CareTrust common stock will be required to report dividend income as a result of the Purging Distribution even if CareTrust distributes no cash or only nominal amounts of cash to such stockholder.

You are urged to consult with your tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of the Purging Distribution to you, including the applicability of any U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax laws.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to Ensign and to the holders of shares of Ensign common stock in connection with the Spin-Off. This summary is based on the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect as of the date of this information statement and all of which are subject to differing interpretations and may change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change could affect the tax consequences described below. This summary assumes that the Spin-Off will be consummated in accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement and as described in this information statement.

Except as specifically described below, this summary is limited to holders of shares of Ensign common stock that are U.S. Holders, as defined immediately below. For purposes of this summary, a U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of Ensign common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

    an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the U.S.;

 

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    a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

    an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

    a trust, if (1) a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (2) in the case of a trust that was treated as a domestic trust under the law in effect before 1997, a valid election is in place under applicable Treasury Regulations.

This summary also does not discuss all tax considerations that may be relevant to stockholders in light of their particular circumstances, nor does it address the consequences to stockholders subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:

 

    dealers or traders in securities or currencies;

 

    tax-exempt entities;

 

    cooperatives;

 

    banks, trusts, financial institutions, or insurance companies;

 

    persons who acquired shares of Ensign common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;

 

    stockholders who own, or are deemed to own, at least 10% or more, by voting power or value, of Ensign equity;

 

    holders owning Ensign common stock as part of a position in a straddle or as part of a hedging, conversion, constructive sale, synthetic security, integrated investment, or other risk reduction transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

    certain former citizens or former long-term residents of the U.S.;

 

    holders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax; or

 

    persons that own Ensign common stock through partnerships or other pass-through entities.

This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to Ensign stockholders who do not hold shares of Ensign common stock as a capital asset. Moreover, this summary does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences or any estate, gift or other non-income tax consequences.

If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of Ensign common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in that partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership is urged to consult its tax advisor as to the tax consequences of the Spin-Off.

YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT WITH YOUR TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE SPECIFIC U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SPIN-OFF IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE EFFECT OF POSSIBLE CHANGES IN LAW THAT MIGHT AFFECT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES DESCRIBED IN THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT.

 

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Treatment of the Spin-Off

Ensign has received the IRS Ruling, which provides substantially to the effect that, on the basis of certain facts presented and representations and assumptions set forth in the request submitted to the IRS for such IRS Ruling, the Spin-Off will qualify as tax-free under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code. The IRS Ruling does not address certain requirements for tax-free treatment of the Spin-Off under Section 355 of the Code, and Ensign expects to receive the Tax Opinion on certain aspects of the tax treatment of the Spin-Off not addressed by the IRS in the IRS Ruling.

Assuming the Spin-Off qualifies under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

    no gain or loss will be recognized by Ensign as a result of the Spin-Off;

 

    no gain or loss will be recognized by, or be includible in the income of, a holder of Ensign common stock solely as a result of the receipt of our common stock in the Spin-Off;

 

    the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Ensign common stock and shares of our common stock, including any fractional share deemed received, in the hands of each Ensign stockholder immediately after the Spin-Off will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Ensign common stock held by such holder immediately before the Spin-Off, allocated between the shares of Ensign common stock and shares of our common stock, including any fractional share deemed received, in proportion to their relative fair market values immediately following the Spin-Off;

 

    the holding period with respect to shares of our common stock received by Ensign stockholders will include the holding period of their shares of Ensign common stock, provided that such shares of Ensign common stock are held as capital assets immediately following the Spin-Off;

 

    Ensign stockholders that have acquired different blocks of Ensign common stock at different times or at different prices are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the allocation of their aggregate adjusted basis among, and their holding period of, our shares distributed with respect to blocks of Ensign common stock; and

 

    a holder of Ensign common stock who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock in the Spin-Off will recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the tax basis of the fractional share deemed to be received, as determined above, and the amount of cash received.

Although the IRS Ruling generally is binding on the IRS, the IRS Ruling is based on certain facts and assumptions, and certain representations and undertakings, from Ensign and us that certain necessary conditions to obtain tax-free treatment under the Code have been satisfied. Furthermore, as a result of the IRS’s general ruling policy with respect to distributions under Section 355 of the Code, the IRS will not rule on whether a distribution satisfies certain critical requirements necessary to obtain tax-free treatment under the Code. Specifically, the IRS will not rule that a distribution was effected for a valid business purpose, that a distribution does not constitute a device for the distribution of earnings and profits, or that a distribution is not part of a plan described in Section 355(e) of the Code (as discussed below). Instead, the IRS Ruling is based on representations made to the IRS by Ensign that these requirements have been established. In connection with obtaining the ruling, Ensign expects to obtain the Tax Opinion, which is expected to include a conclusion that the Spin-Off is being effected for a valid business purpose, that the Spin-Off does not constitute a device for the distribution of earnings and profits, and that the Spin-Off is not part of a plan described in Section 355(e) of the Code (as discussed below). The Tax Opinion will be expressed as of the date issued and will not cover subsequent periods,

 

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and the Tax Opinion will rely on the IRS Ruling. As a result, the Tax Opinion is not expected to be issued until after the date of this information statement. An opinion of counsel represents counsel’s best legal judgment based on current law and is not binding on the IRS or any court. We cannot assure you that the IRS will agree with the conclusions expected to be set forth in the Tax Opinion, and it is possible that the IRS or another tax authority could adopt a position contrary to one or all of those conclusions and that a court could sustain that contrary position. If any of the facts, representations, assumptions, or undertakings described or made in connection with the IRS Ruling or the Tax Opinion are not correct, are incomplete or have been violated, the IRS Ruling could be revoked retroactively or modified by the IRS, and our ability to rely on the Tax Opinion could be jeopardized. We are not aware of any facts or circumstances, however, that would cause these facts, representations, or assumptions to be untrue or incomplete, or that would cause any of these undertakings to fail to be complied with, in any material respect.

If, notwithstanding the conclusions included in the IRS Ruling and that we expect to be included in the Tax Opinion, it is ultimately determined that the Spin-Off does not qualify as tax-free under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then Ensign would recognize gain in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of our common stock distributed to Ensign stockholders on the distribution date over Ensign’s tax basis in such shares. In addition, each Ensign stockholder that receives shares of our common stock in the Spin-Off would be treated as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of our common stock that was distributed to the stockholder, which would generally be taxed as a dividend to the extent of the stockholder’s pro rata share of Ensign’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, including Ensign’s taxable gain, if any, on the Spin-Off, then treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s basis in the Ensign stock and thereafter treated as capital gain from the sale or exchange of Ensign stock.

Even if the Spin-Off otherwise qualifies for tax-free treatment under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code, the Spin-Off may result in corporate level taxable gain to Ensign under Section 355(e) of the Code if 50% or more, by vote or value, of our stock or Ensign stock is treated as acquired or issued as part of a plan or series of related transactions that includes the Spin-Off. If an acquisition or issuance of our stock or Ensign stock triggers the application of Section 355(e) of the Code, Ensign would recognize taxable gain as described above, but the distribution would generally be tax-free to each Ensign stockholder, as described above.

U.S. Treasury regulations require certain U.S. Holders who are “significant distributees” and who receive common stock in the Spin-Off to attach to their U.S. federal income tax returns for the year in which the Spin-Off occurs a statement setting forth certain information with respect to the transaction. Ensign will provide stockholders who receive our common stock in the Spin-Off with the information necessary to comply with such requirement. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine whether they are significant distributees required to provide the foregoing statement.

Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares

No fractional shares of our common stock will be distributed to Ensign stockholders in connection with the Spin-Off. All such fractional shares resulting from the Spin-Off will be aggregated and sold by the transfer agent, and the proceeds, if any, less any brokerage commissions or other fees, will be distributed to Ensign stockholders in accordance with their fractional interest in the aggregate number of shares sold. A holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock as a part of the Spin-Off will generally recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the cash received for such fractional share and the holder’s tax basis in the fractional share determined as described above. Any such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if an Ensign stockholder held such stock for more than one year at the time of the Spin-Off. Long-term capital gains generally are subject to preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax for certain non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant limitations.

 

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Conditions to the Spin-Off

We expect that the Spin-Off will be effective on the distribution date, provided that the following conditions have been satisfied or waived by the board of directors of Ensign:

 

    the final approval by the board of directors of Ensign of the Spin-Off and all related transactions (and such approval not having been withdrawn) and determination of the record date;

 

    the SEC declaring effective our registration statement on Form 10 under the Exchange Act, and no stop order relating to the registration statement being in effect;

 

    the mailing by Ensign of this information statement to record holders of Ensign common stock as of the record date;

 

    the IRS Ruling, which provides among other things, that the Spin-Off will qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code, shall not have been revoked or modified in any material respect;

 

    the receipt by Ensign of the Tax Opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to Ensign in its sole and absolute discretion, to the effect that certain requirements for tax-free treatment, on which the IRS will not rule, will be satisfied;

 

    the receipt by CareTrust of an opinion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to CareTrust, to the effect that, commencing with CareTrust’s taxable year ending on December 31, 2014, CareTrust has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its proposed method of operation will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT;

 

    the receipt by CareTrust and Ensign of an opinion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to CareTrust, substantially to the effect that the Master Leases will be respected as “true leases” for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to certain facilities;

 

    the approval of the listing of our common stock on NASDAQ, subject to official notice of issuance;

 

    the completion by CareTrust of the financing transactions described in this information statement and contemplated to occur on or prior to the distribution date, including our Operating Partnership’s issuance of notes, our Operating Partnership’s entry into a revolving credit facility and the incurrence of additional mortgage indebtedness;

 

    the transfer by CareTrust to Ensign of a portion of the proceeds from our Operating Partnership’s issuance of notes, and Ensign’s use of a portion of such transferred proceeds to repay certain indebtedness and trade payables;

 

    the absence of any order, injunction or decree issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing consummation of the Spin-Off or any of the transactions related thereto, including the transfers of assets and liabilities contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement;

 

    the absence of any events or developments having occurred prior to the Spin-Off that, in the judgment of the board of directors of Ensign, would result in the Spin-Off having a material adverse effect on Ensign or its stockholders;

 

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    the adoption by CareTrust of its amended and restated charter and bylaws;

 

    the execution by the parties of the Separation and Distribution Agreement and all other ancillary agreements relating to the Spin-Off, including the Master Leases; and

 

    Ensign’s receipt of applicable regulatory approvals relating to the Spin-Off.

The fulfillment of the above conditions will not create any obligation on behalf of Ensign to effect the Spin-Off. Until the Spin-Off has occurred, Ensign has the right to terminate the Spin-Off, even if all the conditions have been satisfied, if the board of directors of Ensign determines that the Spin-Off is not in the best interests of Ensign and its stockholders or that market conditions or other circumstances are such that the separation of CareTrust and Ensign is no longer advisable at that time.

Regulatory Approvals

We must complete the necessary registration under U.S. federal securities laws of our common stock, as well as satisfy the applicable NASDAQ listing requirements for such shares. See “—Conditions to the Spin-Off.”

No Appraisal Rights

Ensign stockholders will not have any appraisal rights in connection with the Spin-Off.

Accounting Treatment

At the time of the Spin-Off, the balance sheet of CareTrust will include substantially all of the assets and liabilities associated with Ensign’s real estate business, as well as the assets and liabilities of the three independent living facilities that will be owned and operated by CareTrust. The assets and liabilities of CareTrust will be recorded at their respective historical carrying values at the time of the Spin-Off in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 505-60, “Spinoffs and Reverse Spinoffs.”

Financial Advisors

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are providing financial advice in connection with the Spin-Off. Each was retained in connection with the transaction because of the firm’s familiarity with Ensign’s assets and operations, and the firm’s qualifications and reputation.

Reasons for Furnishing this Information Statement

We are furnishing this information statement solely to provide information to Ensign stockholders who will receive shares of our common stock in the Spin-Off. You should not construe this information statement as an inducement or encouragement to buy, hold or sell any of our securities or any securities of Ensign. We believe that the information contained in this information statement is accurate as of the date set forth on the cover. Changes to the information contained in this information statement may occur after that date, and neither we nor Ensign undertake any obligation to update the information except in the normal course of Ensign’s business and our public disclosure obligations and practices.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We intend to elect to be taxed and intend to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2014. Commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2014, we expect to pay dividends in cash in an amount equal to approximately 80% of our FAD for each quarterly period, but in no event will the annual dividend be less than 90% of our REIT taxable income on an annual basis, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains. U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT

 

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taxable income, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, and that it pay regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its taxable income. For purposes of determining our cash dividends, our FAD will be calculated by starting with the NAREIT definition of funds from operations, which is net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus real estate depreciation. The NAREIT definition will then be adjusted to exclude non-cash expenses such as stock-based compensation expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, resulting in our FAD.

Initially, cash available for distribution to our stockholders will be derived solely from the rental payments under the Master Leases and the income, if any, from operations of our three independent living facilities. All dividends will be made by us at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on the financial position, results of operations, cash flows, capital requirements, debt covenants (which are expected to include limits on dividends by us), applicable law and other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. Our board of directors has not yet determined when any dividends or distributions will be declared or paid. We cannot guarantee, and there can be no assurance, that we will declare or pay any dividends or distributions.

We currently intend to pay quarterly dividends in cash. For purposes of satisfying the minimum distribution requirement to qualify for and maintain REIT status, our taxable income will be calculated without reference to our cash flow. Consequently, under certain circumstances, we may not have available cash to pay our required distributions and a portion of our distributions may consist of our stock or our debt instruments. In either event, a stockholder of ours will be required to report dividend income as a result of such distributions even though we distributed no cash or only nominal amounts of cash to such stockholder. The IRS has issued private letter rulings to other REITs treating certain distributions that are paid partly in cash and partly in stock as taxable dividends that would satisfy the REIT annual distribution requirement and qualify for the dividends paid deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Those rulings may be relied upon only by taxpayers to whom they were issued, but we could request a similar ruling from the IRS. We cannot rely on the IRS Ruling with respect to the payment of dividends other than the Purging Distribution. Accordingly, it is unclear whether and to what extent we will be able to make taxable dividends (other than the Purging Distribution) payable in-kind. For more information, see “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of REITs in General—Annual Distribution Requirements.” We currently believe that we will have sufficient available cash to pay our required distribution for 2014 in cash, but there can be no assurance that this will be the case.

Our dividend policy enables us to review from time to time alternative funding sources to pay our required distributions. We presently anticipate that any future property acquisitions will be financed through the debt we expect to incur in connection with the Spin-Off, other debt financing or the issuance of equity securities. To the extent those funding sources are insufficient to meet our cash needs, or the cost of such financing exceeds the cash flow generated by the acquired properties for any period, cash available for distribution could be reduced. To the extent that our cash available for distribution is less than the amount required to be distributed under the REIT provisions of the Code, we may consider various funding sources to cover any such shortfall, including borrowing under available debt facilities, selling certain of our assets or using a portion of the net proceeds we receive in future offerings. However, the sale of any properties acquired from Ensign in connection with the Spin-Off within the ten-year period following the Spin-Off may subject us to adverse consequences. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT.”

We anticipate that our dividends will generally be taxable as ordinary income to our stockholders, although a portion of the dividends may be designated by us as qualified dividend income or capital gain or may constitute a return of capital. We will furnish annually to each of our stockholders a statement setting forth dividends paid during the preceding year and their characterization as ordinary income, return of capital, qualified dividend income or capital gain. For a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of distributions to our stockholders, see “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders.”

 

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FINANCING

The following summary sets forth information based on our current expectations about the financing arrangements anticipated to be entered into prior to the Spin-Off. However, we have not yet entered into any commitments with respect to such financing arrangements, and, accordingly, the terms of such financing arrangements have not yet been determined, remain under discussion and are subject to change, including as a result of market conditions.

Senior Unsecured Notes Issuance

Prior to the Spin-Off, we anticipate that our Operating Partnership will issue up to $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes with a term of seven or eight years. In connection with the Spin-Off, CareTrust will transfer to Ensign approximately $220.8 million of proceeds from the issuance of the notes in order to repay certain indebtedness, pay trade payables and, subject to the approval of Ensign’s board of directors, pay up to eight regular quarterly dividends. The amount of proceeds to be transferred to Ensign was determined based on the desired capitalization of Ensign and CareTrust after the Spin-Off. It was not determined based on any appraisal or valuation of the CareTrust Properties. We will use a portion of the proceeds from the notes issuance to pay the Purging Distribution, which we expect to make by December 31, 2014. The remaining proceeds will be available for working capital purposes, to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

We anticipate that the notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, by us and by certain of our Operating Partnership’s 100% owned subsidiaries. The notes are expected to have terms customary for high yield senior notes of this type, including: customary covenants relating to debt incurrence, maintenance of unencumbered assets, restricted payments, asset sales, transactions with affiliates and merger or sales of all or substantially all of CareTrust’s assets; and customary redemption and repurchase provisions and events of default.

The foregoing summarizes some of the currently expected terms of our notes. However, the foregoing summary does not purport to be complete, and the terms of the notes have not yet been finalized. There may be changes to the expected principal amount and terms of the notes, some of which may be material. Nothing in this summary or otherwise herein shall constitute or be deemed to constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes.

Revolving Credit Facility

We anticipate that our Operating Partnership will enter into a credit agreement providing for a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150.0 million to be provided by a syndicate of banks and other financial institutions. We expect to use borrowings under the revolving credit facility after the Spin-Off for working capital purposes, to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

We anticipate that, subject to customary conditions, including obtaining commitments and pro forma compliance with the financial maintenance covenants, the Operating Partnership will be able to obtain incremental revolving or term loans under the revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75.0 million. We do not anticipate there being any commitments to provide such incremental loans upon entering into the revolving credit facility or at the time of the Spin-Off.

We anticipate the interest rates per annum applicable to loans under the revolving credit facility to be, at the Operating Partnership’s option, equal to either a base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.50% per annum or LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.00% to 2.50% per annum, based on the debt to asset value ratio of the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries. In addition, we expect that the Operating Partnership will pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the commitments under the revolving credit facility that will vary depending on the amount of such unused commitments, and is expected to range from 0.35% to 0.50% per annum.

 

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We anticipate that the revolving credit facility will not be subject to interim amortization. We expect that the Operating Partnership will not be required to repay any loans under the revolving credit facility prior to maturity, other than to the extent the outstanding borrowings exceed the outstanding commitments under the revolving credit facility or to the extent the outstanding borrowings exceed the borrowing base values attributable to the eligible properties we mortgage as security under the revolving credit facility. We expect that the Operating Partnership will be permitted to prepay all or any portion of the loans under the revolving credit facility prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any LIBOR breakage costs of the lenders.

We anticipate that the revolving credit facility will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, by us and by certain of our Operating Partnership’s wholly owned subsidiaries. The revolving credit facility is expected to contain customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations and pay certain dividends and other restricted payments, as well as customary events of default. We also anticipate that the revolving credit facility will require us to comply with financial maintenance covenants to be tested quarterly, consisting of a maximum debt to asset value ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum net worth. We anticipate that the revolving credit facility will also contain certain customary covenants and events of default. We anticipate that CareTrust will be required to maintain its status as a REIT on and after the effective date of its election to be treated as a REIT.

The revolving credit facility is expected to be secured by certain of our properties, and the amount available to be drawn under the revolving credit facility will be based on the borrowing base values attributed to such mortgaged properties. The revolving credit facility will also be secured by certain personal property of our subsidiaries that have provided mortgages, partnership interests in the Operating Partnership that we own and equity interests in our subsidiaries that guarantee the revolving credit facility.

The foregoing summarizes some of the currently expected terms of our revolving credit facility. However, the foregoing summary does not purport to be complete, and the terms of the revolving credit facility have not yet been finalized. There may be changes to the expected size and other terms of the revolving credit facility, some of which may be material.

Additional Mortgage Indebtedness

Ten of our properties will be subject to existing mortgage indebtedness to General Electric Capital Corporation (“GECC”), which we will assume in connection with the Spin-Off. The outstanding amount of this existing mortgage indebtedness was approximately $48.9 million as of December 31, 2013. At the time of the Spin-Off, we intend to increase the amount of mortgage indebtedness on these same 10 properties with an additional advance from GECC in an amount of approximately $50.4 million. The additional advance is expected to bear interest at a floating rate equal to the 90 day LIBOR plus 3.35%, reset monthly and subject to a LIBOR floor of 0.50%, with monthly principal and interest payments based on a 25 year amortization. The existing mortgage indebtedness will continue to bear interest at the existing interest rates until June 29, 2016, and then will convert to the floating rate described above. The GECC loan, as modified, is expected to have a term of 36 months from the date of the new advance, plus two 12-month extension options, the exercise of which will be conditioned, in each case, on the absence of any then-existing default and the payment of an extension fee equal to 0.25% of the then-outstanding principal balance of the GECC loan. The GECC loan will be prepayable without penalty, in whole or in part, after January 31, 2016.

We anticipate that the GECC mortgage indebtedness will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, by us and by our Operating Partnership, and that the existing guaranty by Ensign will be released in connection with the Spin-Off. The additional mortgage indebtedness is expected to contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, as well as customary events of default. We also anticipate that the mortgage indebtedness will require us to comply with specified financial maintenance covenants.

The foregoing summarizes some of the currently expected terms of the additional mortgage indebtedness. However, the foregoing summary does not purport to be complete, and the terms of the additional mortgage indebtedness have not yet been finalized. There may be changes to the expected principal amount and terms of the indebtedness, some of which may be material.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of December 31, 2013, on a historical basis and on a pro forma basis to give effect to the Spin-Off and the transactions related thereto, including the financing transactions, as if they occurred on December 31, 2013. Explanation of the pro forma adjustments made to Ensign Properties’ combined historical financial statements can be found under “CareTrust’s Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements.” The following table should be reviewed in conjunction with “CareTrust’s Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Ensign Properties’ combined historical financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

     Historical
December 31, 2013
     Pro Forma
December 31, 2013
 
     (in thousands)  

Cash and cash equivalents

    $ 895        $ 83,962 (1)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt, including amounts due within one year (2) :

     

Senior secured term loan

   $ 65,264       $   

Senior secured revolving credit facility

     78,701           

Senior unsecured notes payable

             260,000   

Mortgage notes payable, net of discount

     114,982         99,265   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

     259,307         359,265   

Total equity

     162,689         140,795   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

    $ 421,996        $ 500,060   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Does not reflect the cash portion of the Purging Distribution, which is expected to be made by December 31, 2014. The total amount of Ensign’s E&P immediately prior to the Spin-Off is expected to be between $350.0 million and $385.0 million. The actual amount of Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust will depend on the final determination of Ensign’s E&P and the relative trading value of CareTrust common stock and Ensign common stock following the Spin-Off. The Purging Distribution will be paid to CareTrust stockholders in a combination of cash and shares of CareTrust common stock with an aggregate value equal to Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust. The portion that will be paid in cash will be determined by CareTrust at the time the dividend is declared, but will be at least 20% and not more than 25% of the total amount paid to all stockholders.
(2) Prior to the Spin-Off, we anticipate that our Operating Partnership will issue up to $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes, and that a portion of the proceeds from such issuance will be transferred to Ensign to repay $65.6 million of outstanding borrowings under the term loan portion of Ensign’s existing senior secured credit facility, $78.7 million of outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility portion of Ensign’s existing senior secured credit facility, and $66.8 million of mortgage notes payable. We also anticipate that our Operating Partnership will enter into a credit agreement providing for a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150.0 million. At the time of the Spin-Off, we intend to increase the amount of mortgage indebtedness on 10 of our properties by approximately $50.4 million. However, we have not yet entered into any commitments with respect to such financing arrangements, and, accordingly, the terms of such financing arrangements have not yet been determined, remain under discussion and are subject to change, including as a result of market conditions. See “Financing.”

 

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CARETRUST’S UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following unaudited pro forma combined financial statements present our unaudited pro forma combined income statement for the year ended December 31, 2013 and our unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, which have been derived from Ensign Properties’ combined historical financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement.

The following unaudited pro forma combined financial statements give effect to the Spin-Off and the related transactions, including: (i) additional rental income associated with new Master Leases between CareTrust and Ensign for the properties that were previously leased under intercompany lease agreements; (ii) the distribution of approximately 21.9 million shares of CareTrust common stock by Ensign to Ensign stockholders; (iii) the anticipated issuance by our Operating Partnership of up to $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes, and the anticipated interest expense related thereto; (iv) the transfer to Ensign of approximately $220.8 million of proceeds from the issuance of the notes in order to repay certain indebtedness, pay trade payables and, subject to the approval of Ensign’s board of directors, pay up to eight regular quarterly dividends; (v) the incurrence of an additional $50.4 million of mortgage indebtedness, and the anticipated interest expense related thereto; and (vi) the elimination of income tax provisions in conjunction with the election of REIT status. The unaudited pro forma combined income statement presented for the year ended December 31, 2013 assumes the Spin-Off and the related transactions occurred on January 1, 2013. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet assumes the Spin-Off and the related transactions occurred on December 31, 2013. The pro forma adjustments are based on currently available information and assumptions we believe are reasonable, factually supportable, directly attributable to our separation from Ensign, and for purposes of the income statement, are expected to have a continuing impact on us.

The historical financial data has been adjusted to give pro forma effect to events that are directly attributable to the transactions described above, have an ongoing effect on our statement of operations and are factually supportable. Our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and explanatory notes present how our financial statements may have appeared had our capital structure reflected the above transactions as of the dates noted above.

The pro forma adjustments do not reflect the Purging Distribution, which is expected to be made by December 31, 2014. The total amount of Ensign’s E&P immediately prior to the Spin-Off is expected to be between $350.0 million and $385.0 million. The actual amount of Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust will depend on the final determination of Ensign’s E&P and the relative trading value of CareTrust common stock and Ensign common stock following the Spin-Off. The Purging Distribution will be paid to CareTrust stockholders in a combination of cash and shares of CareTrust common stock with an aggregate value equal to Ensign’s E&P allocated to CareTrust. The portion that will be paid in cash will be determined by CareTrust at the time the dividend is declared, but will be at least 20% and not more than 25% of the total amount distributed to all stockholders.

The pro forma financial results assume that 100% of taxable income has been distributed and that all relevant REIT qualifying tests, as dictated by the Code and IRS rules and interpretations, were met for the entire year.

Our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements were prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X, using the assumptions set forth in the notes to our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements. The following unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are presented for illustrative purposes only and do not purport to reflect the results we may achieve in future periods or the historical results that would have been obtained had the above transactions been completed on January 1, 2013 or as of December 31, 2013, as the case may be. Our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements also do not give effect to the potential impact of current financial conditions, any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies or cost savings that may result from the transactions described above.

Our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are derived from and should be read in conjunction with Ensign Properties’ combined historical financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

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CARETRUST REIT, INC.

PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

(Unaudited)

 

     December 31, 2013  
       Historical       Pro Forma
  Adjustments  
        Note          Pro Forma
  Combined  
 
     (in thousands)  

Assets:

         

Real estate investments, net of accumulated depreciation of $97,981 as of December 31, 2013

   $ 425,003      $ (10,833     (1)       $ 414,170   

Cash and cash equivalents

     895        303,871        (2)      
       (220,804     (3)         83,962   

Accounts receivable

     20             20   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     888        (335     (3)         553   

Deferred tax assets

     859        (859     (6)           

Deferred financing costs, net

     2,801        6,529        (2)      
       (2,510     (5)         6,820   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 430,466      $ 75,059         $ 505,525   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Liabilities and Invested Equity:

         

Senior unsecured notes payable

   $      $ 260,000        (2)       $ 260,000   

Mortgage notes payable

     114,982        (66,817     (3)      
       50,400        (2)      
       700        (7)         99,265   

Senior secured term loan

     65,264        (65,264     (3)           

Senior secured revolving credit facility

     78,701        (78,701     (3)           

Fair value of interest rate swap

     1,828        (1,828     (3)           

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     5,783        (318     (3)         5,465   

Deferred tax liabilities

     859        (859     (6)           
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     267,777        96,953           364,730   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

         

Equity

         

Invested capital

     164,517        (10,833     (1)      
       (9,679     (3)      
       (2,510     (5)      
       (700     (7)         140,795   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,828     1,828        (4)           
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total equity

     162,689        (21,894        140,795   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 430,466      $ 75,059         $ 505,525   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial statements.

 

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CARETRUST REIT, INC.

PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT

(Unaudited)

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2013  
       Historical       Pro Forma
  Adjustments  
        Note          Pro Forma
  Combined  
 
    

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Revenues:

         

Rental income from Parent

   $ 41,242      $ 12,459               (8)              $ 53,701   

Tenant reimbursement from Parent

     5,168             5,168   

Other revenue

     2,386             2,386   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total revenue

     48,796        12,459           61,255   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Expenses:

         

Depreciation and amortization

     23,418        (3,951            (9)                19,467   

Interest expense

     11,948        10,626               (10)                22,574   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     699        492               (11)                1,191   

Property taxes

     5,168             5,168   

Acquisition costs

     255             255   

Operating expenses

     2,138             2,138   

General and administrative

     5,442             5,442   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses

     49,068        7,167           56,235   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

(Loss) income before provision for income taxes

     (272     5,292           5,020   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     123        (123            (12)                  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

   $ (395   $ 5,415         $ 5,020   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

          $ 0.23   
         

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

          $ 0.23   
         

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

         

Basic

       21,900               (13)                21,900   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Diluted

       21,955               (13)                21,955   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial statements.

 

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CARETRUST REIT, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars in thousands)

Pro Forma Adjustments—Balance Sheet

 

(1) Reflects certain land, equipment, furniture and fixtures that will not be transferred to CareTrust.

 

(2) Reflects the issuance of senior unsecured notes and additional mortgage indebtedness and the issuance costs associated with the notes and mortgage indebtedness and a new $150,000 revolving credit facility:

 

Issuance of senior unsecured notes

   $ 260,000   

Issuance of additional mortgage indebtedness

     50,400   

Issuance costs of indebtedness and the $150,000 revolving credit facility

     (6,529
  

 

 

 

Net cash proceeds

   $ 303,871   
  

 

 

 

A  1 8 % change in the annual interest rate would change our interest expense by approximately $400 annually.

 

(3) Reflects the repayment of $211,000 of indebtedness that is included on the balance sheet of the carved-out financial statements of Ensign Properties and the related $4,000 of prepayment penalties associated with the repayment as well as the elimination of related accounts and accrued charges.

 

Mortgage notes payable

   $ 66,817   

Senior secured term loan

     65,264   

Senior secured revolving credit facility

     78,701   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (335

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     318   

Invested capital

     9,679   
  

 

 

 

Net cash outflow

   $ 220,804   
  

 

 

 

The invested capital adjustment includes the following:

 

Funds transferred to Ensign to pay trade payables and up to eight quarterly dividends

   $ 5,770   

Prepayment penalties associated with the repayment of debt

     2,081   

Cash settlement of the interest rate swap

     1,828   
  

 

 

 
   $ 9,679   
  

 

 

 

 

(4) Reflects the non-cash write-off of certain accounts resulting from the cash settlement of the interest rate swap.

 

(5) Reflects the non-cash write-off of deferred financing costs, net associated with the prepayment of certain indebtedness.

 

(6) Reflects the elimination of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to our election to be taxed as a REIT.

 

(7) Reflects the elimination of the debt discount.

 

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CARETRUST REIT, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands)

Pro Forma Adjustments—Income Statement

 

(8)    Reflects additional rental income from subsidiaries of Ensign due to the new Master Leases for properties of Ensign Properties that were previously leased under intercompany lease agreements.  
(9)    Represents the adjustment to depreciation expense for certain equipment, furniture and fixtures that will not be transferred to CareTrust.  
(10)    Represents the adjustments to interest expense due to the following:  
   Senior unsecured notes   $ 16,250   
   Additional mortgage debt     1,940   
   Unused revolving credit facility fee     750  
   Repayment of certain indebtednesses     (8,314
    

 

 

 
   Net increase to interest expense   $ 10,626   
    

 

 

 
(11)    Represents the adjustments to amortization of deferred financing costs due to the following:  
  

Issuance costs of debt and revolving credit facility

  $ 1,076   
   Repayment of certain indebtednesses     (584
    

 

 

 
   Net increase to amortization of deferred financing costs   $ 492   
    

 

 

 
(12)    Reflects the elimination of the provision (benefit) for income taxes due to election to be taxed as a REIT.  
(13)    Reflects the distribution of CareTrust shares by Ensign to Ensign’s stockholders based on a distribution ratio of one for one. The pro forma diluted weighted average shares outstanding take into account the dilutive effect of restricted stock awards.  

 

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ENSIGN’S UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements present Ensign’s unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement for the year ended December 31, 2013 and Ensign’s unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, which have been derived from Ensign’s consolidated historical financial statements that are not included in this information statement.

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements give effect to the Spin-Off and the related transactions, including: (i) the transfer to us of Ensign’s assets and liabilities that are specifically identifiable or otherwise allocable to us; (ii) the elimination of Ensign’s equity interest in us; and (iii) the removal of certain non-recurring transaction expenses directly related to the Spin-Off. The unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement presented for the year ended December 31, 2013 assumes the Spin-Off and the related transactions occurred on January 1, 2013. The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet assumes the Spin-Off and the related transactions occurred on December 31, 2013. The pro forma adjustments are based on currently available information and assumptions we believe are reasonable, factually supportable, directly attributable to our separation from Ensign, and for purposes of the income statement, are expected to have a continuing impact on Ensign.

The historical financial data has been adjusted to give pro forma effect to events that are directly attributable to the transactions described above, have an ongoing effect on Ensign’s statement of operations and are factually supportable. Ensign’s unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements and explanatory notes present how Ensign’s financial statements may have appeared had its capital structure reflected the above transactions as of the dates noted above.

Ensign’s unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X, using the assumptions set forth in the notes to the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements. The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are presented for illustrative purposes only and do not purport to reflect the results Ensign may achieve in future periods or the historical results that would have been obtained had the above transactions been completed on January 1, 2013 or as of December 31, 2013, as the case may be. Ensign’s unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements also do not give effect to the potential impact of current financial conditions, any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies or cost savings that may result from the transactions described above.

Ensign’s unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are derived from and should be read in conjunction with Ensign’s historical financial statements and accompanying notes that are incorporated by reference into this information statement.

 

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THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

     December 31, 2013  
     Historical     Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Note    Pro Forma
Consolidated
 
     (in thousands)  

Assets:

         

Current assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

    $ 65,755      $ (895   (1)   
       5,770      (4)    $ 70,630   

Accounts receivable

     111,370        (20   (1)      111,350   

Investments – current

     5,511             5,511   

Prepaid income taxes

     9,915             9,915   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     9,213        (888   (1)      8,325   

Deferred tax assets – current

     9,232        (846   (1)      8,386   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total current assets

     210,996        3,121           214,117   

Property and equipment, net

     479,770        (414,170   (1)      65,600   

Insurance subsidiary deposits and investment

     16,888             16,888   

Escrow deposits

     1,000             1,000   

Deferred tax asset

     4,464        (13   (1)      4,451   

Restricted and other assets

     9,804        (2,801   (1)   
       825      (5)      7,828   

Intangible assets, net

     5,718             5,718   

Goodwill

     23,935             23,935   

Other indefinite-lived intangibles

     7,740             7,740   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

    $ 760,315       $ (413,038       $ 347,277   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity:

         

Current liabilities

         

Accounts payable

    $ 23,793      $ (2,089   (1)    $ 21,704   

Accrued wages and related liabilities

     40,093        (403   (1)      39,690   

Accrued self-insurance liabilities – current

     15,461             15,461   

Other accrued liabilities

     25,698        (3,306   (1)      22,392   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     7,411        (7,411   (1)        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     112,456        (13,209        99,247   

Long-term debt – less current maturities

     251,895        (251,895   (1)        

Accrued self insurance liabilities – less current portion

     33,642             33,642   

Fair value of interest rate swap

     1,828        (1,828   (1)        

Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities

     3,237        (845   (1)      2,392   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     403,058        (267,777        135,281   

Equity:

         

Common stock

     22             22   

Additional paid-in capital

     101,364             101,364   

Retained earnings

     257,502        (146,373   (2)      111,129   

Treasury stock

     (1,680          (1,680

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,112     1,112      (3)        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Ensign stockholders’ equity

     356,096        (145,261        210,835   

Noncontrolling interests

     1,161             1,161   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total equity

     357,257       
(145,261

       211,996   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

    $ 760,315       $ (413,038       $ 347,277   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2013  
         Historical         Pro Forma
    Adjustments    
    Note    Pro Forma
    Consolidated    
 
     (in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Revenue

    $ 904,556       $ (2,386   (11)     $ 902,170   

Expense:

         

Cost of services

     725,989        (2,138   (11)      723,851   

U.S. Government inquiry settlement

     33,000             33,000   

Facility rent – cost of services

     13,613        53,701      (6)      67,314   

General and administrative expense

     40,103        (4,049   (7)      36,054   

Depreciation and amortization

     33,909        (19,467   (8)      14,442   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     846,614        28,048           874,662   

Income from operations

     57,942        (30,434        27,508   

Other income (expense):

         

Interest expense

     (12,787     11,732      (9)      (1,055

Interest income

     506             506   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Other expense, net

     (12,281     11,732           (549
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income from operations before provision for income taxes

     45,661        (18,702        26,959   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     20,003        (7,443   (10)      12,560   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     25,658        (11,258        14,400   

Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (186          (186
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations attributable to Ensign

    $ 25,844       $ (11,258       $ 14,586   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Basic earnings from continuing operations attributable to Ensign per share:

    $ 1.18            $ 0.67   
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

Diluted earnings from continuing operations attributable to Ensign per share:

    $ 1.16            $ 0.65   
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

         

Basic

     21,900             21,900   
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

Diluted

     22,364             22,364   
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars in thousands)

Basis of Presentation

Immediately following the Spin-Off, Ensign will continue to provide healthcare services through its existing operations. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements give effect to the Spin-Off and related transactions as discussed above.

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

(1) Removal of assets and liabilities attributable to the entities that own the Ensign Properties and the entities that operate three independent living facilities. These adjustments include:

 

Assets :

  

Property and equipment balances, net of certain land, equipment, furniture and fixtures that will not be transferred to CareTrust

   $ 414,170   

Cash

     895   

Accounts receivable

     20   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     888   

Deferred tax assets – current

     846   

Deferred tax assets

     13   

Restricted and other assets

     2,801   

Liabilities :

  

Accounts payable

     2,089   

Accrued wages and related liabilities

     403   

Other accrued liabilities

     3,306   

Current maturities of long-term, debt

     7,411   

Debt, net of debt discount

     251,895   

Interest rate swap liability

     1,828   

Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities

     845   

 

(2) Elimination of Ensign’s net equity interest in Ensign Properties resulting from the Spin-Off of assets and liabilities and related transactions.

 

(3) To remove the accumulated other comprehensive loss that has been attributed to Ensign Properties debt.

 

(4) Reflects cash transferred from CareTrust to Ensign.

 

(5) Reflects the issuance cost associated with the new $150,000 revolving credit facility.

 

(6) Reflects changes in rent charges resulting from the removal of intercompany rental charges and replacement of such in accordance with the Master Leases.

 

(7) Removal of Spin-Off transactional related expenses of $4,000 incurred through December 31, 2013, attributable to the entities that own the CareTrust Properties as these amounts have been included in the historical combined income statement of CareTrust.

 

(8) To adjust depreciation expense for the property and equipment transferred from Ensign to Ensign Properties, net of certain equipment, furniture and fixtures that will not be transferred.

 

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(9) Represents the adjustments to interest expense due to the following:

 

        

Indebtedness attributed to the Ensign Properties

   $ (12,647

New revolving credit facility

     915   
  

 

 

 

Net increase to interest expense

   $ (11,732
  

 

 

 

 

(10) The pro forma adjustments were tax effected using the statutory tax rate of 39.8%.

 

(11) Removal of operations attributed and contributed to Ensign Properties consisting of the operations of the three independent living facilities that Ensign Properties will own and operate following the Spin-Off.

 

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SELECTED COMBINED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth the combined historical financial data for Ensign Properties (as described below) on a historical basis. Prior to the Spin-Off, we will not have operated our business separate from Ensign. We use the term “Ensign Properties” to mean the carve-out business of the entities that own the skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities that we will own following the Spin-Off, and the operations of the three independent living facilities that we will operate following the Spin-Off.

The combined historical financial data as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, has been derived from Ensign Properties’ audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual combined financial statements have been condensed or omitted, as permitted under applicable rules and regulations. Our management believes the assumptions underlying Ensign Properties’ combined financial statements and accompanying notes are reasonable. However, such combined financial statements may not necessarily reflect our financial condition and results of operations in the future, or what they would have been had we been a separate, stand-alone company during the periods presented. The results of operations presented in the combined financial statements are not necessarily representative of operations for the entire year.

The following should be read in conjunction with Ensign Properties’ combined financial statements and accompanying notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” each of which are included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

    As of or For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
              2013                         2012                         2011            
          (in thousands)        

Operating data:

     

Total net revenues

  $ 48,796      $ 42,063      $ 31,941   

(Loss) income before income taxes

  $ (272   $ 232      $ (6,514

Net (loss) income

  $ (395   $ 110      $ (5,341

Balance sheet data:

     

Total assets

  $ 430,466      $   398,978      $   374,466   

Mortgage notes payable

  $ 114,982      $ 118,317      $ 99,745   

Senior secured term loan

  $ 65,624      $ 69,375      $ 73,125   

Senior secured revolving credit facility

  $ 78,701      $ 20,000      $ 15,000   

Total equity

  $ 162,689      $ 184,548      $ 179,609   

Other financial data:

     

FFO

  $ 23,023      $ 21,213      $ 11,277   

FAD

  $ 23,740      $ 21,933      $ 11,893   

 

 

(1)

We believe that net income, as defined by GAAP, is the most appropriate earnings measure. We also believe that FFO, as defined by NAREIT, and FAD are important non-GAAP supplemental measures of operating performance for a REIT. FFO is defined as net income computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains or losses from real estate dispositions, plus real estate depreciation and amortization and impairment charges. FAD is defined as FFO excluding non-cash expenses such as stock-based compensation expense and amortization of deferred financing costs. We believe that the use of FFO and FAD, combined with the required GAAP presentations, improves the understanding of operating results of REITs among investors and makes comparisons of operating results among such companies more meaningful. We consider FFO and FAD to be useful measures for reviewing comparative operating and financial performance because, by excluding gains or losses from real estate dispositions, impairment charges and real estate depreciation and amortization, and, for FAD, by excluding non-cash expenses such as stock-based compensation expense and

 

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  amortization of deferred financing costs, FFO and FAD can help investors compare our operating performance between periods and to other REITs. See further discussion of FFO and FAD in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Discussion of Historical Results of Operations of Ensign Properties—Non-GAAP Measurements.”

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion and analysis of (i) our anticipated financial condition immediately following the Spin-Off and (ii) Ensign Properties’ historical results of operations, consisting of the carve-out business of the entities that own the skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities that we will own following the Spin-Off, and the operations of the three independent living facilities that we will operate following the Spin-Off. The following should be read in conjunction with Ensign Properties’ combined financial statements and accompanying notes, as well as our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and accompanying notes, each of which are included elsewhere in this information statement. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected, forecasted or expected in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those which are discussed below and elsewhere in this information statement. See also “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Prior to the Spin-Off, we will not have operated our business separate from Ensign. Ensign Properties’ historical results of operations include the results of operations of the entities that own and operate, as applicable, the properties that Ensign will contribute to us prior to the Spin-Off, and our management believes the assumptions underlying Ensign Properties’ combined financial statements and accompanying notes are reasonable. However, such combined financial statements may not necessarily reflect our financial condition and results of operations in the future, or what they would have been had we been a separate, stand-alone company during the periods presented.

OVERVIEW

At the time of the Spin-Off, CareTrust will hold substantially all of the real property currently owned by Ensign. On a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2013, CareTrust’s initial portfolio consists of 97 skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities. After the Spin-Off, all of these properties will be leased to Ensign on a triple-net basis, except for three independent living facilities that CareTrust will operate. On a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2013, the 94 facilities leased to Ensign have a total of 10,121 operational beds and units and are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington, and the three independent living facilities operated by CareTrust have a total of 264 units and are located in Texas and Utah.

Following the Spin-Off, we will be a publicly traded, self-administered, self-managed REIT primarily engaged in the ownership, acquisition and leasing of healthcare-related properties. We expect to generate revenues primarily by leasing healthcare facilities to healthcare operators in triple-net lease arrangements, under which the tenant is solely responsible for the costs related to the property (including property taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repair costs). We intend to conduct and manage our business as one operating segment for internal reporting and internal decision making purposes. We expect to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional properties that will be leased to a diverse group of local, regional and national healthcare providers, which may include Ensign, as well as senior housing operators and related businesses. We also anticipate diversifying our portfolio over time, including by acquiring properties in different geographic markets, and in different asset classes.

We intend to elect to be taxed and intend to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2014. We intend to operate through an umbrella partnership, commonly referred to as an UPREIT structure, in which substantially all of our properties and assets will be held through the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership is managed by our wholly owned subsidiary, CareTrust GP, LLC, which is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. To maintain REIT status, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

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COMPONENTS OF OUR REVENUES AND EXPENSES FOLLOWING THE SPIN-OFF

Revenues

Following the Spin-Off, our earnings will primarily be attributable to the rental revenue from the lease of our properties to Ensign pursuant to the Master Leases. The Master Leases consist of multiple triple-net leases pursuant to which Ensign is responsible for all facility maintenance and repair, insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties and all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties. The rent will be a fixed component that will be initially set near the time of the Spin-Off. We currently anticipate that the annual revenues from the Master Leases will be approximately $56.0 million during each of the first two years of the Master Leases, which result in a lease coverage ratio of approximately 1.85 based on the trailing 12 months of aggregate adjusted net operating income (“ANOI”) from the leased properties. The annual rent amount for each Master Lease pool was based initially on ANOI for the year ended December 31, 2013. We define ANOI as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and rent. A management fee equal to five percent of gross revenues is included as a reduction to ANOI. Commencing in the third year under the Master Leases, we anticipate that the annual revenues from the Master Leases will be escalated annually by an amount equal to the product of (1) the lesser of the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (but not less than zero) or 2.5%, and (2) the prior year’s rent.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative costs are expected for items such as compensation costs (including stock based compensation awards), professional services, office costs and other costs associated with administrative activities. To the extent requested by us, Ensign will provide us with certain administrative and support services on a transitional basis pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement. We expect that the fees charged to us for transition services furnished pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement will approximate the actual cost incurred by Ensign in providing such transition services to us for the relevant period.

General and administrative expenses are anticipated to be approximately $4.5 million to $5.0 million in the first year after the Spin-Off, consisting of cash compensation, professional services, administration and other costs and transitional services costs. These amounts were determined based on the experience of management and discussions with outside service providers, consultants and advisors. Non-cash stock-based compensation, incentive-based cash compensation and acquisition costs are not included in these amounts. The details of our future anticipated equity grants and compensation have not yet been determined for our executive officers. The amount of compensation-related expense, including incentive-based cash compensation and non-cash stock compensation expense, actually incurred by us in the first year after the Spin-Off will be based on determinations by our compensation committee following the Spin-Off.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

We will incur depreciation and amortization expense for the property and equipment transferred to us from Ensign, which is expected to be between $19.0 million and $22.0 million in the first year after the Spin-Off. This amount was determined based on the actual depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Revenues and Operating Expenses of Our Independent Living Operations

We will own and operate three independent living facilities. We anticipate these three independent living facilities will generate annual net revenues of approximately $2.4 million and incur annual operating expenses of approximately $2.1 million in the first year after the Spin-Off. These amounts were determined based on the actual net revenues and operating expenses of these facilities for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Interest Expense

We will incur interest expense from our borrowing obligations and the amortization of our debt issuance costs related to our indebtedness. Our current estimate of debt outstanding following the Spin-Off is

 

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approximately $359.3 million in outstanding borrowings and annual interest costs of approximately $22.6 million based on a weighted average interest rate of 6.31%. This estimate will vary depending on the actual number of properties that we will own at the time of the Spin-Off and other factors. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for more information.

DISCUSSION OF HISTORICAL RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF ENSIGN PROPERTIES

Basis of Presentation

Ensign Properties’ combined financial statements were prepared on a stand-alone basis and were derived from the combined financial statements and accounting records of Ensign. These statements reflect the combined historical financial condition and results of operations of the carve-out business of the entities that own the skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities that we will own following the Spin-Off, and the operations of the three independent living facilities that we will operate following the Spin-Off, in accordance with GAAP. The various entities comprising Ensign Properties are wholly owned subsidiaries of Ensign, and we use the term “Parent” in the tables below to mean Ensign in such capacity.

These financial statements are presented as if such properties had been combined for all periods presented. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

Operating Results

Our primary business following the Spin-Off will consist of acquiring, financing and owning real property to be leased to third party tenants in the healthcare sector. As of December 31, 2013, after giving pro forma effect to the separation of the healthcare operations from the independent living operations at two locations, the 94 facilities leased to Ensign have a total of 10,121 operational beds and units and are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington, and the three independent living facilities operated by CareTrust have a total of 264 units and are located in Texas and Utah.

Non-GAAP Measurements

We believe that net income, as defined by GAAP, is the most appropriate earnings measure. We also believe that FFO, as defined by NAREIT, and FAD are important non-GAAP supplemental measures of operating performance for a REIT. Because the historical cost accounting convention used for real estate assets requires straight-line depreciation except on land, such accounting presentation implies that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. However, since real estate values have historically risen or fallen with market and other conditions, presentations of operating results for a REIT that uses historical cost accounting for depreciation could be less informative. Thus, NAREIT created FFO as a supplemental measure of operating performance for REITs that excludes historical cost depreciation and amortization, among other items, from net income, as defined by GAAP. FFO is defined by NAREIT as net income computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains or losses from real estate dispositions, plus real estate depreciation and amortization and impairment charges. We compute FFO in accordance with NAREIT’s definition. FAD is defined as FFO excluding non-cash expenses such as stock-based compensation expense and amortization of deferred financing costs. We believe that the use of FFO and FAD, combined with the required GAAP presentations, improves the understanding of operating results of REITs among investors and makes comparisons of operating results among such companies more meaningful. We consider FFO and FAD to be useful measures for reviewing comparative operating and financial performance because, by excluding gains or losses from real estate dispositions, impairment charges and real estate depreciation and amortization, and, for FAD, by excluding non-cash expenses such as stock-based compensation expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, FFO and FAD can help investors compare our operating performance between periods and to other REITs. While FFO and FAD are relevant and widely used measures of operating performance of REITs, they do not represent cash flows from operations or net income as defined by GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to those measures in evaluating our liquidity or operating performance. FFO and FAD do not purport to be indicative of cash available

 

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to fund our future cash requirements. Further, our computation of FFO and FAD may not be comparable to FFO and FAD reported by other REITs that do not define FFO in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret the current NAREIT definition or define FAD differently than we do.

The following table reconciles our calculations of FFO and FAD for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, and the unaudited pro forma combined financial data for the year ended December 31, 2013 to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, for the same periods:

 

                                                               
    For the Year
Ended December 31
 
    Pro Forma
        2013        
            2013                     2012                     2011          
    (in thousands)  

Net income (loss)

   $ 5,020      $ (395)       $ 110        $ (5,341)    

Depreciation and amortization

    19,467        23,418          21,103           16,618    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FFO

    24,487        23,023        21,213         11,277    

Stock-based compensation

    18        18        15         15    

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    1,191        699        705         601    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FAD

   $ 25,696      $ 23,740       $ 21,933        $ 11,893    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See “—Components of Our Revenues and Expenses Following the Spin-Off” for a discussion of our forecasted revenues, general and administrative expenses and interest expense amounts.

Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2012

 

                                                                                       
     Year Ended
December 31,
             
    

        2013        

   

        2012        

   

Increase
    (Decrease)    

   

Percentage
    Difference    

 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Revenues:

  

Rental income from Parent

   $ 41,242      $ 35,048      $ 6,194        18%   

Tenant reimbursement

     5,168        4,470        698        16%   

Other revenue

     2,386        2,545        (159)        (6%)   

Expenses:

        

Depreciation and amortization

     23,418        21,103        2,315        11%   

Interest expense

     11,948        11,502        446        4%   

Interest - amortization of deferred financing costs

     699        705        (6)        (1%)   

Property taxes

     5,168        4,470        698        16%   

Acquisition costs

     255        189        66       
35%
  

Operating expenses

     2,138        2,074        64        3%   

General and administrative

     5,442        1,788        3,654        204%   

Provision for income taxes

     123        122        1        1%   

Rental income from Parent . Rental income was $41.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $35.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The $6.2 million increase in rental income is primarily due to an increase of $4.5 million from 19 properties acquired after January 1, 2012.

 

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Other revenue . Other revenue was $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. These revenues primarily relate to the three independent living facilities we will operate. The decrease in revenue was due to a decline in occupancy and a slight decline in average daily rate.

Depreciation and amortization . Depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.3 million or 11% for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $23.4 million compared to $21.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The $2.3 million increase in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to an increase of $1.4 million from 19 properties acquired after January 1, 2012.

Interest Expense . Interest expense increased $0.4 million or 4% for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $11.9 million compared to $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was due to higher borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility slightly offset by lower interest expense on our mortgage notes payable and senior secured term loan.

Interest – amortization of deferred financing costs . We incur interest amortization of deferred financing costs related to our indebtedness. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we incurred approximately $0.7 million of such amortization.

General and administrative expense . General and administrative expense increased $3.7 million or 204% for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $5.4 million compared to $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The $3.7 million net increase is primarily related to legal and other costs related to the Spin-Off of $4.0 million, slightly offset by a decline in other expenses.

Provision for income taxes . Provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $0.1 million.

Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011

 

                                                                           
     Year Ended
December 31,
             
    

        2012        

   

        2011        

   

Increase
    (Decrease)    

   

Percentage
    Difference    

 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Revenues:

        

Rental income from Parent

   $     35,048          $     26,213        $     8,835          34%       

Tenant reimbursement

     4,470            3,912          558          14%       

Other revenue

     2,545            1,816          729          40%       

Expenses:

        

Depreciation and amortization

     21,103            16,618          4,485          27%       

Interest expense

     11,502            10,505          997          9%       

Interest - amortization of deferred financing costs

     705            601          104          17%       

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —            2,542          (2,542)         *nm           

Property taxes

     4,470            3,912          558          14%       

Acquisition costs

     189            467          (278)         -60%       

Operating expenses

     2,074            1,433          641          45%       

General and administrative

     1,788            2,377          (589)         -25%       

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     122            (1,173)         1,295          *nm           

 

 

* not meaningful

Rental income from Parent . Rental income was $35.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $26.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The $8.8 million increase in rental income is primarily due to an increase of $6.4 million from 30 properties acquired after January 1, 2011. Amounts due under the terms do not have contingent rental income that may be derived from our properties.

 

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Other revenue . Other revenue was $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase in revenue primarily relates to the acquisition of an independent living facility in December 2011.

Depreciation and amortization . Depreciation and amortization expense increased $4.5 million or 27% for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $21.1 million compared to $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to an increase of $2.4 million from 30 properties acquired after January 1, 2011.

Interest expense . We incur interest expense comprised of costs of borrowings. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we incurred approximately $11.5 million and $10.5 million of interest expense, respectively. The increase in interest is primarily related to an increase in debt of approximately $20 million which was offset by lower effective interest rates.

Interest – amortization of deferred financing costs . We incur interest amortization of deferred financing costs related to our indebtedness. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we expensed approximately $0.7 million compared to $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Loss on extinguishment of debt . The loss on extinguishment of debt for the year ended December 31, 2011 related to an exit fee and related extinguishment fee of $2.5 million which was paid in connection with the termination of a revolving credit facility and prepayment of indebtedness under the Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement by and among specified subsidiaries of Ensign as borrowers thereunder, General Electric Capital Corporation, and the other lenders thereunder, dated as of November 6, 2009 (the “Six Project Note”).

General and administrative expense . General and administrative expense decreased $0.6 million or 25% for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $1.8 million, compared to $2.4 million for the year December 31, 2011. The $0.6 million net decrease is primarily related to decreases in executive compensation.

Provision for income taxes . Provision for income taxes was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to benefit from income taxes of $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. This change resulted from the change in income before income taxes and change in the effective tax rate.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows

The following table presents selected data from our combined statements of cash flows for the periods presented:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2013     2012     2011  
     (in thousands)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 26,632      $ 24,136      $ 14,012   

Net cash used in investing activities

     (54,733     (49,505     (143,757

Net cash provided by financing activities

     28,261        25,008        129,863   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     160        (361     118   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     735        1,096        978   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 895      $        735      $     1,096   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2012

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $26.6 million compared to $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $2.5 million. The increase was primarily due to our improved operating results, which contributed $24.1 million in 2013 after adding back depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, and loss on disposition of equipment, furniture, and fixtures (non-cash charges), as compared to $22.2 million for 2012, an increase of $1.9 million.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $54.7 million compared to $49.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $5.2 million. The increase was primarily the result of $55.6 million in cash paid for acquisitions of real estate and purchased equipment, furniture and fixtures in the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $49.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2012.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $28.3 million compared to $25.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $3.3 million. This increase was due to the following: issuance of debt totaling $58.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $36.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $22.2 million; principal payments on long-term debt totaling $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a decrease of $9.6 million; payments of deferred financing costs totaling $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $0.5 million; and net distribution to Parent totaling $22.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to a net contribution from Parent of $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a change of $28.1 million.

Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $24.1 million compared to $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $10.1 million. The increase was primarily due to our improved operating results, which contributed $22.2 million in 2012 after adding back depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, loss on extinguishment of debt, and loss on disposition of equipment, furniture, and fixtures (non-cash charges), as compared to $13.4 million for 2011, an increase of $8.8 million.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $49.5 million compared to $143.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of $94.3 million. The decrease was primarily the result of $49.8 million in cash paid for acquisitions of real estate and purchased equipment, furniture and fixtures in the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $144.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2011.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $25.0 million as compared to $129.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of $104.9 million. This decrease was primarily due to a net contribution of $5.6 million from Parent during the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to a net contribution of $88.7 million from Parent during the year ended December 31, 2011, as well as a decrease in proceeds received from issuance of debt from $90.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $36.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. These decreases were partially offset by a reduction in long-term debt principal repayments from $44.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The remaining decrease is offset by cash paid for extinguishment of debt and reduction in payments of deferred financing costs.

 

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Senior Unsecured Notes Issuance

Prior to the Spin-Off, we anticipate that our Operating Partnership will issue up to $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes. In connection with the Spin-Off, CareTrust will transfer to Ensign approximately $220.8 million of proceeds from the issuance of the notes in order to repay certain indebtedness, pay trade payables and, subject to the approval of Ensign’s board of directors, pay up to eight regular quarterly dividends. The amount of proceeds to be transferred to Ensign was determined based on the desired capitalization of Ensign and CareTrust after the Spin-Off. It was not determined based on any appraisal or valuation of the CareTrust Properties. We will use a portion of the proceeds from the notes issuance to pay the Purging Distribution, which we expect to make by December 31, 2014. The remaining proceeds will be available for working capital purposes, to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

We anticipate that the notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, by us and by certain of our Operating Partnership’s wholly owned subsidiaries. The notes are expected to have terms customary for high yield senior notes of this type, including: customary covenants relating to debt incurrence, maintenance of unencumbered assets, restricted payments, asset sales, transactions with affiliates and merger or sales of all or substantially all of CareTrust’s assets; and customary redemption and repurchase provisions and events of default.

The foregoing summarizes some of the currently expected terms of our notes. However, the foregoing summary does not purport to be complete, and the terms of the notes have not yet been finalized. There may be changes to the expected principal amount and terms of the notes, some of which may be material. Nothing in this summary or otherwise herein shall constitute or be deemed to constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes.

Revolving Credit Facility

We anticipate that our Operating Partnership will enter into a credit agreement providing for a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150.0 million to be provided by a syndicate of banks and other financial institutions. We expect to use borrowings under the revolving credit facility after the Spin-Off for working capital purposes, to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

We anticipate that, subject to customary conditions, including obtaining commitments and pro forma compliance with the financial maintenance covenants, the Operating Partnership will be able to obtain incremental revolving or term loans under the revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75.0 million. We do not anticipate there being any commitments to provide such incremental loans upon entering into the revolving credit facility or at the time of the Spin-Off.

We anticipate the interest rates per annum applicable to loans under the revolving credit facility to be, at the Operating Partnership’s option, equal to either a base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.50% per annum or LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.00% to 2.50% per annum, based on the debt to asset value ratio of the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries. In addition, we expect that the Operating Partnership will pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the commitments under the revolving credit facility that will vary depending on the amount of such unused commitments, and is expected to range from 0.35% to 0.50% per annum.

We anticipate that the revolving credit facility will not be subject to interim amortization. We expect that the Operating Partnership will not be required to repay any loans under the revolving credit facility prior to maturity, other than to the extent the outstanding borrowings exceed the outstanding commitments under the revolving credit facility or to the extent the outstanding borrowings exceed the borrowing base values attributable to the eligible properties we mortgage as security under the revolving credit facility. We expect that the Operating Partnership will be permitted to prepay all or any portion of the loans under the revolving credit facility prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any LIBOR breakage costs of the lenders.

 

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We anticipate that the revolving credit facility will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, by us and by certain of our Operating Partnership’s wholly owned subsidiaries. The revolving credit facility is expected to contain customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations and pay certain dividends and other restricted payments, as well as customary events of default. We also anticipate that the revolving credit facility will require us to comply with financial maintenance covenants to be tested quarterly, consisting of a maximum debt to asset value ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum net worth. We anticipate that the revolving credit facility will also contain certain customary covenants and events of default. We anticipate that CareTrust will be required to maintain its status as a REIT on and after the effective date of its election to be treated as a REIT.

The revolving credit facility is expected to be secured by certain of our properties, and the amount available to be drawn under the revolving credit facility will be based on the borrowing base values attributed to such mortgaged properties. The revolving credit facility will also be secured by certain personal property of our subsidiaries that have provided mortgages, partnership interests in the Operating Partnership that we own and equity interests in our subsidiaries that guarantee the revolving credit facility.

The foregoing summarizes some of the currently expected terms of our revolving credit facility. However, the foregoing summary does not purport to be complete, and the terms of the revolving credit facility have not yet been finalized. There may be changes to the expected size and other terms of the revolving credit facility, some of which may be material.

Mortgage Indebtedness

At the time of the Spin-Off, we anticipate that our subsidiaries will have aggregate mortgage indebtedness to third parties of approximately $99.0 million secured by ten of the facilities to be owned by us following completion of the Spin-Off. This amount reflects existing mortgage indebtedness that totaled approximately $48.9 million as of December 31, 2013 (less required principal payments), and an additional mortgage loan of approximately $50.4 million that we expect to obtain at the time of the Spin-Off.

We believe that our available cash at the time of the Spin-Off, expected operating cash flows and the revolving credit facility will provide sufficient funds for our operations, anticipated scheduled debt service payments and dividend requirements for the twelve-month period following the Spin-Off.

We intend to invest in additional healthcare properties as suitable opportunities arise and adequate sources of financing are available. We expect that future investments in properties, including any improvements or renovations of current or newly-acquired properties, will depend on and will be financed by, in whole or in part, our existing cash, borrowings available to us pursuant to the revolving credit facility we expect to enter into in connection with the Spin-Off, future borrowings or the proceeds from additional issuances of common stock or other securities. In addition, we may seek financing from U.S. government agencies, including through Fannie Mae and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in appropriate circumstances in connection with acquisitions and refinancings of existing mortgage loans.

Although we expect, pursuant to indebtedness we expect to incur in connection with the Spin-Off, to be subject to restrictions on our ability to incur indebtedness, we expect that we will be able to refinance existing indebtedness or incur additional indebtedness for acquisitions or other purposes, if needed. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to refinance our indebtedness, incur additional indebtedness or access additional sources of capital, such as by issuing common stock or other debt or equity securities, on terms that are acceptable to us or at all.

 

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OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments at December 31, 2013 as if the Ensign mortgage indebtedness had been attributed to Ensign Properties.

 

     Payments Due by Period  
         Total          Less than 1
Year
     1 Year to
Less than 3
Years
     3 Years to less
    than 5 Years    
     More than
    5 years    
 
    

 

(in thousands)

 

Senior secured term loan (1)

   $ 73,519       $ 5,532       $ 11,365       $ 56,623       $ —     

Senior secured revolving credit facility (2)

     87,675         2,555         4,199         80,920         —     

Mortgage notes payable (3)

     142,488         10,998         65,300         36,330         29,860   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 303,682       $ 19,085       $ 80,864       $ 173,873       $ 29,860   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)   Represents the term loan portion of Ensign’s existing senior secured credit facility that is attributable to Ensign Properties. Amounts include interest payments of $7.9 million.
(2)   Represents the revolving credit facility portion of Ensign’s existing senior secured credit facility that is attributable to Ensign Properties. Amounts include interest payments of $9.0 million.
(3)   Represents Ensign mortgage notes payable attributable to Ensign Properties. Amounts include interest payments of $26.8 million.

We will assume Ensign’s existing mortgage indebtedness ($48.9 million as of December 31, 2013) on ten of the properties that we will own following the Spin-Off. We expect to increase our mortgage indebtedness on these ten properties by approximately $50.4 million at the time of the Spin-Off. In addition, prior to the Spin-Off, we anticipate issuing up to $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes. We also anticipate entering into a $150.0 million revolving credit facility to be provided by a syndicate of banks and other financial institutions. However, we have not yet entered into any commitments with respect to such financing arrangements, and, accordingly, the terms of such financing arrangements have not yet been determined, remain under discussion and are subject to change, including as a result of market conditions. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” above for a further description of our expected indebtedness after the Spin-Off.

The following pro forma table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments, including our mortgage indebtedness, at December 31, 2013, as if the following had occurred on December 31, 2013: the Spin-Off; the issuance of up to $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes; the additional mortgage loan of approximately $50.4 million; the repayment of certain obligations attributable to Ensign Properties; and we obtained a new $150.0 million revolving credit facility.

 

                                                                                              
     Payments Due by Period  
         Total          Less than 1
Year
     1 Year to
Less than 3
Years
     3 years to Less
    than 5 Years    
     More than
    5 Years    
 
    

 

(in thousands)

 

Senior unsecured notes (1)

    $ 373,750        $ 16,250        $ 32,500        $ 32,500        $ 292,500   

Revolving credit facility (2)

     3,750         750         1,500         1,500           

Mortgage note payable (3)

     117,423         8,042         62,741         46,641           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

    $ 494,923        $ 25,042        $ 96,741        $ 80,641        $ 292,500   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)   Amounts include interest payments of $113.8 million. We anticipate the notes will bear interest at an annual rate of 6.25% with a term of seven or eight years.
(2)   Represents the unused revolving credit facility fee.
(3)   We will assume Ensign’s mortgage indebtedness associated with ten of the properties that we will own following the Spin-Off. Amounts include interest payments of $18.1 million.

 

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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

We anticipate incurring average annual capital expenditures of $400 to $500 per unit in connection with the operations of our three independent living facilities. Capital expenditures for each property leased under the Master Leases are generally the responsibility of the tenant, except that the tenant will have an option to require us to finance certain capital expenditures up to an aggregate of 20% of our initial investment in such property.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

We make certain judgments and use certain estimates and assumptions when applying accounting principles in the preparation of our combined financial statements. The nature of the estimates and assumptions are material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain factors or the susceptibility of such factors to change. We have identified the accounting for income taxes, real estate properties, impairment of long-lived assets, fair value of financial instruments, revenue recognition and derivatives and hedging activities as critical accounting estimates, as they are the most important to our financial statement presentation and require difficult, subjective and complex judgments.

We believe the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate amounts reflected in our combined financial statements are appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used in estimating amounts reflected in our combined financial statements, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on our combined results of operations and, in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on our combined financial condition.

Emerging Growth Company

Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of this extended transition period. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates for such new or revised standards. We may elect to comply with public company effective dates at any time, and such election would be irrevocable pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act.

Income Taxes

We anticipate that we will qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2014, and we intend to continue to be organized and to operate in a manner that will permit us to qualify as a REIT. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to stockholders. As a REIT, we will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income that we distribute as dividends to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, and dividends paid to our stockholders would not be deductible by us in computing taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and could materially and adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify to be taxed as a REIT.

Historically, our operations have been included in Ensign’s U.S. federal and state income tax returns and all income taxes have been paid by Ensign. Income tax expense and other income tax related information contained in these combined financial statements are presented on a separate tax return basis as if we filed our

 

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own tax returns. Management believes that the assumptions and estimates used to determine these tax amounts are reasonable. However, our combined financial statements may not necessarily reflect our income tax expense or tax payments in the future, or what our tax amounts would have been if we had been a stand-alone company during the periods presented.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities at tax rates in effect when such temporary differences are expected to reverse. We generally expect to fully utilize our deferred tax assets; however, when necessary, we record a valuation allowance to reduce our net deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

When we take uncertain income tax positions that do not meet the recognition criteria, we record a liability for underpayment of income taxes and related interest and penalties, if any. In considering the need for and magnitude of a liability for such positions, we must consider the potential outcomes from a review of the positions by the taxing authorities.

In determining the need for a valuation allowance or the need for and magnitude of liabilities for uncertain tax positions, we make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are based on, among other things, knowledge of operations, markets, historical trends and likely future changes and, when appropriate, the opinions of advisors with knowledge and expertise in relevant fields. Due to certain risks associated with our estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ.

Real Estate Properties

Real estate properties consist of land, buildings and improvements, integral equipment, furniture and fixtures, and are stated at historical cost. Real estate costs related to the acquisition and improvement of properties are capitalized over the expected useful life of the asset. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred, and significant replacements and betterments are capitalized.

In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations , we allocate the purchase price of acquisitions to the various components of the acquisition using estimates based upon the relative fair value of each component. In determining fair value, we use current appraisals or other third party opinions of value. The most significant components of our allocations are typically the allocation of value to land and buildings. In the case of the value of buildings and the allocation of value to land and other intangibles, the estimates of the value of these components will affect the depreciation and amortization we record over the estimated useful life of the property acquired. Transaction costs related to acquisitions are expensed as incurred.

We consider the period of future benefit of an asset to determine its appropriate useful life. Depreciation on our buildings and improvements is computed using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of from 5 years up to 40 years. If we use a shorter or longer estimated useful life, it could have a material impact on our results of operations. We believe that 5 to 40 years is an appropriate estimate of useful life. We continually monitor events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amount of our property and equipment may not be recoverable or realized.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Management periodically evaluates our real estate investments for impairment indicators, including the evaluation of our assets’ useful lives. Management also assesses the carrying value of our real estate investments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The judgment regarding the existence of impairment indicators is based on factors such as, but not limited to, market conditions, operator performance and legal structure. If indicators of impairment are present, management evaluates the carrying value of the related real estate investments in relation to the future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying facilities. Provisions for impairment losses related to long-lived assets

 

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are recognized when expected future undiscounted cash flows are determined to be less than the carrying values of the assets. An adjustment is made to the net carrying value of the real estate investments for the excess of carrying value over fair value. All impairments are taken as a period cost at that time, and depreciation is adjusted going forward to reflect the new value assigned to the asset.

If we decide to sell real estate properties, we evaluate the recoverability of the carrying amounts of the assets. If the evaluation indicates that the carrying value is not recoverable from estimated net sales proceeds, the property is written down to estimated fair value less costs to sell.

In the event of impairment, the fair value of the real estate investment is determined by market research, which includes valuing the property in its current use as well as other alternative uses, and involves significant judgment. Our estimates of cash flows and fair values of the properties are based on current market conditions and consider matters such as rental rates and occupancies for comparable properties, recent sales data for comparable properties, and, where applicable, contracts or the results of negotiations with purchasers or prospective purchasers. Our ability to accurately estimate future cash flows and estimate and allocate fair values impacts the timing and recognition of impairments. While we believe our assumptions are reasonable, changes in these assumptions may have a material impact on financial results.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, an interest rate swap agreement, accounts receivable, and borrowings. We believe all of the financial instruments’ recorded values approximate fair values because of their nature or respective short durations. Our interest rate swap is carried at fair value on the balance sheet.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize rental revenue, including rental abatements, lease incentives and contractual fixed increases attributable to operating leases, from tenants under lease arrangements with minimum fixed and determinable increases on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the related leases when collectability is reasonably assured. Tenant recoveries related to the reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance, and other operating expenses are recognized as revenue in the period the expenses are incurred. The reimbursements are recognized and presented gross, as we are generally the primary obligor, and, with respect to purchasing goods and services from third-party suppliers, we have discretion in selecting the supplier and bear the associated credit risk. The authoritative guidance does not provide for the recognition of contingent revenue until all possible contingencies have been eliminated.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

We evaluate variable and fixed interest rate risk exposure on a routine basis, and to the extent we believe that it is appropriate, we will offset most of our variable risk exposure by entering into interest rate swap agreements. It is our policy to only utilize derivative instruments for hedging purposes ( i.e. , not for speculation). We formally designate our interest rate swap agreements as hedges and document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items. We formally assess effectiveness of our hedging relationships, both at the hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, then measure and record ineffectiveness. We would discontinue hedge accounting prospectively (i) if it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting change in the cash flows of a hedged item, (ii) when the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, (iii) if it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur, or (iv) if management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedge instrument is no longer appropriate. Our sole derivative is recorded on the balance sheet at its fair value.

 

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DIVIDENDS

We intend to elect to be taxed and intend to conduct our operations to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We intend to make regular quarterly dividend payments to holders of our common stock. U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, and that it pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its taxable income. We intend to make regular quarterly dividend payments of all or substantially all of our taxable income to holders of our common stock out of assets legally available for this purpose, if and to the extent authorized by our board of directors. Before we make any dividend payments, whether for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise, we must first meet both our operating requirements and debt service on our debt payable. If our cash available for distribution is less than our taxable income, we could be required to sell assets or borrow funds to make cash dividends or we may make a portion of the required dividend in the form of a taxable distribution of stock or debt securities.

We will make dividend payments based on our estimate of taxable earnings per share of common stock, but not earnings calculated pursuant to GAAP. Our dividends and taxable and GAAP earnings will typically differ due to items such as fair value adjustments, differences in premium amortization and discount accretion, and non-deductible general and administrative expenses. Our quarterly dividends per share may be substantially different than our quarterly taxable earnings and GAAP earnings per share.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As of the date of this information statement, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our primary market risk exposure will be interest rate risk with respect to our expected indebtedness after the Spin-Off. This indebtedness will include indebtedness that we expect to incur prior to the Spin-Off, existing mortgage indebtedness ($48.9 million as of December 31, 2013) that we will assume prior to the Spin-Off, and approximately $50.4 million of additional mortgage indebtedness that we expect to incur at the time of the Spin-Off. Prior to the Spin-Off, we anticipate that our Operating Partnership will issue up to $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes that will have a fixed interest rate and a fixed maturity date. We also anticipate that our Operating Partnership will enter into a credit agreement providing for a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150.0 million. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” above for a further description of our expected indebtedness after the Spin-Off.

An increase in interest rates could make the financing of any acquisition by us more costly. Rising interest rates could also limit our ability to refinance our debt when it matures or cause us to pay higher interest rates upon refinancing and increase interest expense on refinanced indebtedness. We may manage, or hedge, interest rate risks related to our borrowings by means of interest rate swap agreements. We also expect to manage our exposure to interest rate risk by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rates for our indebtedness. However, the REIT provisions of the Code substantially limit our ability to hedge our assets and liabilities. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT—Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.”

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We were formed as a Maryland corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign on October 29, 2013. Ensign is a provider of healthcare and independent living services which, as of December 31, 2013, operated 119 facilities, nine home health operations, seven hospice operations and seven urgent care centers located in 11 western states. Ensign provides a broad spectrum of skilled nursing, assisted living, home health and hospice services, including physical, occupational and speech therapies, and other rehabilitative and healthcare services, for both long-term residents and short-stay rehabilitation patients.

On November 7, 2013, Ensign announced a plan to separate its healthcare business and its real estate business into two separate and independent publicly traded companies through the Spin-Off, in which Ensign will distribute all of the outstanding shares of our common stock to Ensign stockholders on a pro rata basis. Prior to the Spin-Off, Ensign will separate the healthcare operations from the independent living operations at two locations. At the time of the Spin-Off, CareTrust will hold substantially all of the real property currently owned by Ensign. On a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2013, CareTrust’s initial portfolio consists of 97 skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities. After the Spin-Off, all of these properties will be leased to Ensign on a triple-net basis, except for three independent living facilities that CareTrust will operate.

Following the Spin-Off, we will be a separate and independent publicly traded, self-administered, self-managed REIT primarily engaged in the ownership, acquisition and leasing of healthcare-related properties. We expect to generate revenues primarily by leasing healthcare properties to healthcare operators in triple-net lease arrangements, under which the tenant is solely responsible for the costs related to the property (including property taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repair costs). We intend to conduct and manage our business as one operating segment for internal reporting and internal decision making purposes. We expect to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional facilities that will be leased to a diverse group of local, regional and national healthcare providers, which may include Ensign, as well as senior housing operators and related businesses. We also anticipate diversifying our portfolio over time, including by acquiring properties in different geographic markets, and in different asset classes.

Portfolio Summary

We will have a geographically diverse portfolio of properties, consisting of the following types:

 

    Skilled nursing facilities (“SNFs”) are licensed healthcare facilities that provide restorative, rehabilitative and nursing care for people not requiring the more extensive and sophisticated treatment available at acute care hospitals. Treatment programs include physical, occupational, speech, respiratory and other therapies, including sub-acute clinical protocols such as wound care and intravenous drug treatment. Charges for these services are generally paid from a combination of government reimbursement and private sources. As of December 31, 2013, our initial portfolio includes 82 SNFs, ten of which include assisted or independent living operations. All of these SNFs will be operated by Ensign under the Master Leases.

 

   

Assisted living facilities (“ALFs”) are licensed healthcare facilities that provide personal care services, support and housing for those who need help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating and dressing, yet require limited medical care. The programs and services may include transportation, social activities, exercise and fitness programs, beauty or barber shop access, hobby and craft activities, community excursions, meals in a dining room setting and other activities sought by residents. These facilities are often in apartment-like buildings with private residences ranging from single rooms to large apartments. Certain ALFs may offer higher levels of personal assistance for residents requiring memory care as a result of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Levels of personal assistance are based in part on local regulations. As of

 

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December 31, 2013, our initial portfolio includes 11 ALFs, some of which also contain independent living units. All of these ALFs will be operated by Ensign under the Master Leases.

 

    Independent living facilities (“ILFs”), also known as retirement communities or senior apartments, are not healthcare facilities. The facilities typically consist of entirely self-contained apartments, complete with their own kitchens, baths and individual living spaces, as well as parking for tenant vehicles. They are most often rented unfurnished, and generally can be personalized by the tenants, typically an individual or a couple over the age of 55. These facilities offer various services and amenities such as laundry, housekeeping, dining options/meal plans, exercise and wellness programs, transportation, social, cultural and recreational activities, on-site security and emergency response programs. Our initial portfolio of four ILFs includes one that will be operated by Ensign and three that will be operated by us.

Our portfolio of SNFs, ALFs and ILFs is broadly diversified by geographic location throughout the western United States, with concentrations in Texas and California. The following tables display the geographic distribution of our properties, and the related operational beds and units by asset class, as of December 31, 2013 after giving pro forma effect to the separation of the healthcare operations from the independent living operations at two locations. Revenue and income information in the following tables is based on the historical financial information of Ensign Properties for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our properties are grouped into four categories: (i) Skilled Nursing Facilities—these are properties that are comprised exclusively of skilled nursing facilities; (ii) Skilled Nursing Campuses—these are properties that include a combination of skilled nursing facilities and assisted living or independent living facilities or both; (iii) Assisted Living and Independent Living Facilities—these are properties that include assisted living or independent living facilities, or a combination of the two; and (iv) Independent Living Facilities Operated by CareTrust—these are independent living facilities operated by CareTrust, unlike the other properties which are leased to a third party operator. The tables show the number of operational beds and units, which is the number available for occupancy as of the specified date. The number of beds or units that are operational may be less than the official licensed capacity.

Occupancy by Property Type:

 

Property Type

   2013     2012     2011  

Facilities Leased to Ensign:

      

Skilled Nursing Facilities

     75     78     78

Skilled Nursing Campuses

     76     77     78

Assisted Living and Independent Living Facilities

     83     78     82

Facilities Operated by CareTrust:

      

Independent Living Facilities

     73     77     83 %

Skilled Nursing Facilities:

 

State

   Facilities      Beds  

CA

                 14        1,465   

TX

     22        2,699   

AZ

     7        799  

UT

     9        907  

CO

     3        210  

ID

     5        408  

WA

     5        453  

NV

     1        92  

NE

     3        220  

IA

     3        185  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     72         7,438   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Skilled Nursing Campuses:

 

State

   Campuses      SNF
Beds
     ALF
Units
     ILF
Units
 

CA

                 2         158        121        24  

TX

     1         123        77        20  

AZ

     1         162        100          

UT

     1         235        37          

ID

     1         45        24          

NE

     2         105        41          

IA

     2         109        62          
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     10         937         462         44   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Assisted Living and Independent Living Facilities:

 

State

   Facilities      Units  

CA

                 2         223  

TX

     2         115  

AZ

     2         266  

UT

     1         69  

CO

     2         253  

WA

     1         102  

NV

     2         212  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     12         1,240   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property Type - Rental Income:

 

Property Type

   Annual
Rental
Income

(000s)
     Percent
of Total
    Total
Beds/
Units
     Average
Monthly
Rental
Income Per
Bed/Unit(1)
 

Skilled Nursing Facilities

   $ 31,005         75     7,438      $ 357   

Skilled Nursing Campuses

     6,192        15     1,443        358  

Assisted Living and Independent Living Facilities

     4,045        10     1,240        304  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total

   $ 41,242         100     10,121        351  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

  (1) Average monthly rental income per bed/unit is equivalent to average effective rent per bed/unit.

 

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Geographic Concentration - Rental Income:

(dollars in thousands)

 

State

   Annual
Rental
Income
     Percent
of Total
 

CA

   $ 9,022         22

TX

     11,108        26

AZ

     5,262        13

UT

     5,942        14

CO

     1,512        4

ID

     1,837        4

WA

     1,903        5

NV

     1,540        4

NE

     1,492        4

IA

     1,624        4
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 41,242         100 %
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Independent Living Facilities Operated by CareTrust:

 

State

   Facilities      Units      Average Monthly
Revenue Per
Occupied Unit(1)
 

TX

                 2         207       $ 1,187   

UT

     1         57         1,204   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     3         264         1,192   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

(1)    Average monthly revenue per occupied unit is equivalent to average effective rent per unit, as the operator does not offer tenants free rent or other concessions.

        

Although Ensign or its subsidiaries have operated ILF units since 1999, ILFs are not generally healthcare facilities per se , and historically have neither been a focus, nor a significant part, of Ensign’s healthcare businesses. Over time, Ensign has acquired a relatively small number of ILFs and ILF units, either as part of larger transactions that included desirable SNF and/or ALF operations, or because Ensign believed that the target ILF assets could be economically converted to ALF operations. In structuring the Spin-Off, Ensign determined that its ILF businesses more closely match CareTrust’s real estate business and, to the extent they are economically separable from existing healthcare operations, are more appropriately included with the assets contributed to CareTrust in the Spin-Off. The ILF units which are not being contributed to CareTrust are part of larger campuses operated by Ensign subsidiaries, which are principally SNF or ALF operations with an ILF component that cannot be economically decoupled from the neighboring healthcare operations.

We view our ownership and operation of the three ILFs included in the Spin-Off as complementary to our real estate business. Our goal is to provide enhanced focus on their operations to improve their financial and operating performance. The three ILFs that we will own and operate are:

 

    Lakeland Hills Independent Living, located in Dallas, Texas with 168 units;

 

    The Cottages at Golden Acres, located in Dallas, Texas with 39 units; and

 

    The Apartments at St. Joseph Villa, located in Salt Lake City, Utah with 57 units.

Ten of our properties will be subject to existing mortgage indebtedness to GECC, which we will assume in connection with the Spin-Off. This mortgage indebtedness currently bears interest at rates of 6.95% to 7.50% and matures in June 2016. The amount outstanding as of December 31, 2013 was approximately $48.9 million. Based on the 25 year amortization, the principal amount due at maturity will be $45.4 million. At the time of the Spin-Off, we intend to increase the amount of mortgage indebtedness on these same 10 properties

 

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with an additional advance from GECC in an amount of approximately $50.4 million. The additional advance is expected to bear interest at a floating rate equal to the 90 day LIBOR plus 3.35%, reset monthly and subject to a LIBOR floor of 0.50%, with monthly principal and interest payments based on a 25 year amortization. The existing mortgage indebtedness will continue to bear interest at the existing interest rates until June 29, 2016, and then will convert to the floating rate described above. The GECC loan, as modified, is expected to have a term of 36 months from the date of the new advance, plus two 12-month extension options, the exercise of which will be conditioned, in each case, on the absence of any then-existing default and the payment of an extension fee equal to 0.25% of the then-outstanding principal balance of the GECC loan. The GECC loan will be prepayable without penalty, in whole or in part, after January 31, 2016.

Master Leases with Ensign

At the time of the Spin-Off, all of our properties (except for three ILFs) will be leased to Ensign pursuant to the Master Leases, which consist of multiple triple-net leases, each with its own pool of properties, that will have varying maturities and diversity in property geography. The Master Leases will provide for initial terms in excess of ten years with staggered expiration dates and no purchase options. At the option of Ensign, each Master Lease may be extended for up to either two or three five-year renewal terms beyond the initial term and, if elected, the renewal will be effective for all of the leased property then subject to the Master Lease. The rent will be a fixed component that will be initially set near the time of the Spin-Off. We currently anticipate that the annual revenues from the Master Leases will be approximately $56.0 million during each of the first two years of the Master Leases, which result in a lease coverage ratio of approximately 1.85 based on the trailing 12 months of ANOI from the leased properties. Commencing in the third year, under the Master Leases, there is an annual rent escalator equal to the product of (1) the lesser of the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (but not less than zero) or 2.5%, and (2) the prior year’s rent. The Master Leases will be guaranteed by Ensign. See “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off” for further description of the Master Leases.

Because we will lease substantially all of our properties to Ensign under the Master Leases, Ensign initially will be the source of substantially all of our revenues, and Ensign’s financial condition and ability and willingness to satisfy its obligations under the Master Leases and its willingness to renew those leases upon expiration of the initial base terms thereof will significantly impact our revenues and our ability to service our indebtedness and to make distributions to our stockholders. There can be no assurance that Ensign will have sufficient assets, income and access to financing to enable it to satisfy its obligations under the Master Leases, and any inability or unwillingness on its part to do so would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity, on our ability to service our indebtedness and other obligations and on our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders, as required for us to qualify, and maintain our status, as a REIT. We also cannot assure you that Ensign will elect to renew its lease arrangements with us upon expiration of the initial base terms or any renewal terms thereof or, if such leases are not renewed, that we can reposition the affected properties on the same or better terms. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We will be dependent on Ensign to make payments to us under the Master Leases, and an event that materially and adversely affects Ensign’s business, financial position or results of operations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.”

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe that our ability to acquire, integrate and improve the facilities we will own will be a direct result of the following key competitive strengths:

Geographically Diverse Property Portfolio. Our properties are located in ten different states, with concentrations in Texas and California. The properties in any one state do not account for more than 31% of our total operational beds and units as of December 31, 2013. We believe this geographic diversification will limit the effect of changes in any one market on our overall performance.

Long-Term, Triple-Net Lease Structure. At the time of the Spin-Off, all of our properties (except for three ILFs) will be leased to Ensign under the Master Leases, pursuant to which Ensign is responsible for all

 

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facility maintenance and repair, insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties and all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties. The Master Leases consist of multiple leases, each with its own pool of properties, with initial terms in excess of ten years with staggered expiration dates and no purchase options. At the option of Ensign, each Master Lease may be extended for up to either two or three five-year renewal terms beyond the initial term and, if elected, the renewal will be effective for all of the leased property then subject to the Master Lease. We retain substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of the leased real estate assets.

Financially Secure Tenant. Ensign is an established provider of healthcare services with strong financial performance. For more information about Ensign, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Ability to Identify Talented Operators . As a result of our management team’s operating experience and network of relationships and insight, we anticipate that we will be able to identify and pursue working relationships with qualified local, regional and national healthcare providers and seniors housing operators. We expect to continue our disciplined focus on pursuing investment opportunities, primarily with respect to stabilized assets but also some strategic investment in improving properties, while seeking dedicated and engaged operators who possess local market knowledge, have solid operating records and emphasize quality services and outcomes. We intend to support these operators by providing strategic capital for facility acquisition, upkeep and modernization. Our management team’s experience gives us a key competitive advantage in objectively evaluating an operator’s financial position, care and service programs, operating efficiencies and likely business prospects.

Experienced Management Team. Gregory K. Stapley, our President and Chief Executive Officer, has extensive experience in the real estate and healthcare industries. Mr. Stapley has more than 27 years of experience in the acquisition, development and disposition of real estate including healthcare facilities and office, retail and industrial properties, including 14 years at Ensign. Our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Mr. William M. Wagner, has more than 22 years of accounting and finance experience, primarily in real estate, including 11 years of experience working extensively for REITs. Most notably he worked for both Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., a healthcare REIT, and Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc., a lodging REIT, serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of each company. David M. Sedgwick, our Vice President of Operations, is a licensed nursing home administrator with more than 12 years of experience in skilled nursing operations, including turnaround operations, and trained over 100 Ensign nursing home administrators while he was Ensign’s Chief Human Capital Officer. Our executives have years of public company experience, including experience accessing both debt and equity capital markets to fund growth and maintain a flexible capital structure.

Flexible UPREIT Structure. We intend to operate through an umbrella partnership, commonly referred to as an UPREIT structure, in which substantially all of our properties and assets will be held through the Operating Partnership. Conducting business through the Operating Partnership will allow us flexibility in the manner in which we structure and acquire properties. In particular, an UPREIT structure will enable us to acquire additional properties from sellers in exchange for limited partnership units, which provides property owners the opportunity to defer the tax consequences that would otherwise arise from a sale of their real properties and other assets to us. As a result, this structure will allow us to acquire assets in a more efficient manner and may allow us to acquire assets that the owner would otherwise be unwilling to sell because of tax considerations.

Investment and Financing Policies

Our investment objectives will be to increase cash flow, provide quarterly cash dividends, maximize the value of our properties and acquire properties with cash flow growth potential. We intend to invest primarily in SNFs and senior housing, including ALFs and ILFs, as well as medical office buildings, long-term acute care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Our current properties are located in ten western states, but we intend to acquire properties in other geographic areas throughout the United States. Although our initial portfolio consists of owned real property, future investments may include first mortgages, mezzanine debt and other securities issued by, or joint ventures with, REITs or other entities that own real estate consistent with our investment objectives.

 

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There are no limitations on the percentage of total assets that may be invested in any particular type of property or investment. We expect that future investments in properties, including any improvements or renovations of current or newly-acquired properties, will be financed, in whole or in part, with cash flow from our operations, borrowings under our revolving credit facility, mortgage indebtedness or the proceeds from issuances of common stock, preferred stock, debt or other securities. There are no limitations on the number or amount of mortgages that may be placed on any property. At the time of the Spin-Off, all of our properties will be leased to Ensign pursuant to the Master Leases (except for three ILFs). As we acquire additional healthcare properties, we expect to enter into triple-net leases with other healthcare operators. We will be responsible for the management and operation of our ILFs. Our investment and financing policies and objectives are subject to change from time to time at the discretion of our board of directors without a vote of stockholders.

Business Strategies

Our primary goal is to create long-term stockholder value through the payment of consistent cash dividends and the growth of our asset base. To achieve this goal, we intend to pursue a business strategy focused on opportunistic acquisitions and property diversification. We intend to pursue acquisitions and strategic opportunities that meet our investing and financing strategy and that are attractively priced, including funding development of properties through construction loans and thereafter entering into sale and leaseback arrangements with such developers as well as other secured term financing and mezzanine lending. We also intend to further develop our relationships with tenants and healthcare providers with a goal to progressively expand the mixture of tenants managing and operating our properties.

The key components of our business strategies include:

Diversify Asset Portfolio . We expect to diversify through the acquisition of new and existing facilities from third parties and the expansion and upgrade of current facilities. We will employ what we believe to be a disciplined, opportunistic acquisition strategy with a focus on the acquisition of skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living properties, as well as medical office buildings, long-term acute care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities. As we acquire additional properties, we expect to further diversify by geography, asset class and tenant within the healthcare and healthcare-related sectors.

Maintain Balance Sheet Strength and Liquidity. We plan to maintain a capital structure that provides the resources and flexibility to support the growth of our business. We intend to maintain a mix of credit facility debt, mortgage debt and unsecured debt which, together with our anticipated ability to complete future equity financings, we expect will fund the growth of our operations.

Develop New Tenant Relationships. We plan to cultivate new relationships with tenants and healthcare providers in order to expand the mix of tenants operating our properties and, in doing so, to reduce our dependence on Ensign. We expect that this objective will be achieved over time as part of our overall strategy to acquire new properties and further diversify our overall portfolio of healthcare properties.

Capital Source to Underserved Operators. We believe that there is a significant opportunity to be a capital source to healthcare operators through the acquisition and leasing of healthcare properties that are consistent with our investment and financing strategy at appropriate risk-adjusted rates of returns, but that, due to size and other considerations, are not a focus for larger healthcare REITs. We may also elect to offer secured term financing and mezzanine financing in appropriate circumstances. We will utilize our management team’s operating experience, network of relationships and industry insight to identify both large and small quality operators in need of capital funding for future growth. In appropriate circumstances, we may negotiate with operators to acquire individual healthcare properties from those operators and then lease those properties back to the operators pursuant to long-term triple-net leases.

Strategic Capital Improvements . We intend to support operators by providing capital to them for a variety of purposes, including capital expenditures and facility modernization. We expect to structure these

 

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investments as either lease amendments that produce additional rents or as loans that are repaid by operators during the applicable lease term.

Pursue Strategic Development Opportunities. We intend to work with operators and developers to identify strategic development opportunities. These opportunities may involve replacing or renovating facilities in our portfolio that may have become less competitive. We also intend to identify new development opportunities that present attractive risk-adjusted returns. We may provide funding to the developer of a property in conjunction with entering into a sale and leaseback transaction or an option to enter into a sale leaseback transaction for the property.

Government Regulation, Licensing and Enforcement

Overview

As operators of healthcare facilities, Ensign and any future tenants of our healthcare properties are typically subject to extensive and complex federal, state and local healthcare laws and regulations relating to fraud and abuse practices, government reimbursement, licensure and certificate of need and similar laws governing the operation of healthcare facilities, and we expect that the healthcare industry, in general, will continue to face increased regulation and pressure in the areas of fraud, waste and abuse, cost control, healthcare management and provision of services, among others. These regulations are wide-ranging and can subject our tenants to civil, criminal and administrative sanctions. Affected tenants may find it increasingly difficult to comply with this complex and evolving regulatory environment because of a relative lack of guidance in many areas as certain of our healthcare properties are subject to oversight from several government agencies and the laws may vary from one jurisdiction to another. Changes in laws and regulations and reimbursement enforcement activity and regulatory non-compliance by our tenants could have a significant effect on their operations and financial condition, which in turn may adversely affect us, as detailed below and set forth under “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business.”

The following is a discussion of certain laws and regulations generally applicable to operators of our healthcare facilities, and in certain cases, to us.

Fraud and Abuse Enforcement

There are various extremely complex federal and state laws and regulations governing healthcare providers’ relationships and arrangements and prohibiting fraudulent and abusive practices by such providers. These laws include, but are not limited to, (i) federal and state false claims acts, which, among other things, prohibit providers from filing false claims or making false statements to receive payment from Medicare, Medicaid or other federal or state healthcare programs, (ii) federal and state anti-kickback and fee-splitting statutes, including the Medicare and Medicaid anti-kickback statute, which prohibit the payment or receipt of remuneration to induce referrals or recommendations of healthcare items or services, (iii) federal and state physician self-referral laws (commonly referred to as the “Stark Law”), which generally prohibit referrals by physicians to entities with which the physician or an immediate family member has a financial relationship, (iv) the federal Civil Monetary Penalties Law, which prohibits, among other things, the knowing presentation of a false or fraudulent claim for certain healthcare services and (v) federal and state privacy laws, including the privacy and security rules contained in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which provide for the privacy and security of personal health information. Violations of healthcare fraud and abuse laws carry civil, criminal and administrative sanctions, including punitive sanctions, monetary penalties, imprisonment, denial of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and potential exclusion from Medicare, Medicaid or other federal or state healthcare programs. These laws are enforced by a variety of federal, state and local agencies and can also be enforced by private litigants through, among other things, federal and state false claims acts, which allow private litigants to bring qui tam or “whistleblower” actions. Ensign is, and many of our future tenants are expected to be, subject to these laws, and some of them may in the future become the subject of governmental enforcement actions if they fail to comply with applicable laws.

Reimbursement

Sources of revenue for Ensign include (and for our future tenants is expected to include), among other sources, governmental healthcare programs, such as the federal Medicare program and state Medicaid programs,

 

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and non-governmental payors, such as insurance carriers and health maintenance organizations. For the year ended December 31, 2013, Ensign derived 72.2% of its revenues from governmental payors. As federal and state governments focus on healthcare reform initiatives, and as the federal government and many states face significant budget deficits, efforts to reduce costs by these payors will likely continue, which may result in reduced or slower growth in reimbursement for certain services provided by Ensign and some of our other future tenants.

Healthcare Licensure and Certificate of Need

Our healthcare facilities are subject to extensive federal, state and local licensure, certification and inspection laws and regulations. In addition, various licenses and permits are required to dispense narcotics, operate pharmacies, handle radioactive materials and operate equipment. Many states require certain healthcare providers to obtain a certificate of need, which requires prior approval for the construction, expansion and closure of certain healthcare facilities. The approval process related to state certificate of need laws may impact some of our tenants’ abilities to expand or change their businesses.

Americans with Disabilities Act (the “ADA”)

Although most of our properties are not required to comply with the ADA because of certain “grandfather” provisions in the law, some of our properties must comply with the ADA and similar state or local laws to the extent that such properties are “public accommodations,” as defined in those statutes. These laws may require removal of barriers to access by persons with disabilities in certain public areas of our properties where such removal is readily achievable. Under our triple-net lease structure, our tenants would generally be responsible for additional costs that may be required to make our facilities ADA-compliant. Noncompliance with the ADA could result in the imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants.

Environmental Matters

A wide variety of federal, state and local environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations affect healthcare facility operations. These complex federal and state statutes, and their enforcement, involve a myriad of regulations, many of which involve strict liability on the part of the potential offender. Some of these federal and state statutes may directly impact us. Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, an owner of real property, such as us, may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances at, under or disposed of in connection with such property, as well as other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic substances (including government fines and damages for injuries to persons and adjacent property). The cost of any required remediation, removal, fines or personal or property damages and the owner’s liability therefore could exceed or impair the value of the property and/or the assets of the owner. In addition, the presence of such substances, or the failure to properly dispose of or remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner’s ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow using such property as collateral which, in turn, could reduce our revenues. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Environmental compliance costs and liabilities associated with real estate properties owned by us may materially impair the value of those investments.”

Compliance Process

As an operator of healthcare facilities, Ensign has a program to help it comply with various requirements of federal and private healthcare programs. In October 2013, Ensign entered into a corporate integrity agreement, or CIA, with the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The CIA requires, among other things, that Ensign and its subsidiaries maintain a corporate compliance program to help comply with various requirements of federal and private healthcare programs. After the Spin-Off, we have agreed to certain continuing obligations under Ensign’s compliance program, including certain training in Medicare and Medicaid laws for our employees as required by the CIA.

 

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REIT Qualification

We intend to elect to be taxed and intend to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2014. Our qualification as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various complex requirements under the Code relating to, among other things, the sources of our gross income, the composition and values of our assets, our distribution levels to our stockholders and the concentration of ownership of our capital stock. We believe that, commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2014, we will be organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and that our intended manner of operation will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

Competition

We will compete for real property investments with other REITs, investment companies, private equity and hedge fund investors, sovereign funds, pension funds, healthcare operators, lenders and other institutional investors. Some of these competitors are significantly larger and have greater financial resources and lower costs of capital than us. Increased competition will make it more challenging to identify and successfully capitalize on acquisition opportunities that meet our investment objectives. Our ability to compete is also impacted by national and local economic trends, availability of investment alternatives, availability and cost of capital, construction and renovation costs, existing laws and regulations, new legislation and population trends.

In addition, revenues from our properties will be dependent on the ability of our tenants and operators to compete with other healthcare operators. These operators compete on a local and regional basis for residents and patients and their ability to successfully attract and retain residents and patients depends on key factors such as the number of facilities in the local market, the types of services available, the quality of care, reputation, age and appearance of each facility and the cost of care in each locality. Private, federal and state payment programs and the effect of other laws and regulations may also have a significant impact on the ability of our tenants and operators to compete successfully for residents and patients at the properties.

Employees

Following the Spin-Off, we expect to employ approximately 42 employees (including our executive officers), none of whom is expected to be subject to a collective bargaining agreement. None of our employees will continue to be employees of Ensign or an affiliate of Ensign. However, immediately following the Spin-Off, we will rely on Ensign to provide certain services to us under the Transition Services Agreement. Within 12 months following the Spin-Off, we plan to hire additional employees in the areas of accounting, finance and asset management, as we intend to reduce our reliance on Ensign for these services under the Transition Services Agreement.

Legal Proceedings

It is expected that, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any liability arising from or relating to legal proceedings involving the assets to be owned by us will be assumed by us and that we will indemnify Ensign (and its subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees and agents and certain other related parties) against any losses arising from or relating to such legal proceedings. In addition, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Ensign has agreed to indemnify us (including our subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees and agents and certain other related parties) for any liability arising from or relating to legal proceedings involving Ensign’s healthcare business prior to the Spin-Off, and, pursuant to the Master Leases, Ensign or its subsidiaries will agree to indemnify us for any liability arising from operations at the real property leased from us. Ensign is currently a party to various legal actions and administrative proceedings, including various claims arising in the ordinary course of its healthcare business, which will be subject to the indemnities to be provided by Ensign to us. While these actions and proceedings are not believed by Ensign to be material, individually or in the aggregate, the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be predicted. The resolution of any such legal proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on Ensign’s business, financial position

 

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or results of operations, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations if Ensign or its subsidiaries are unable to meet their indemnification obligations.

The Operating Partnership

We intend to own substantially all of our assets and properties and conduct our operations through our Operating Partnership. We believe that conducting business through the Operating Partnership will provide flexibility with respect to the manner in which we structure and acquire properties. In particular, an UPREIT structure could enable us to acquire additional properties from sellers in tax deferred transactions. In these transactions, the seller would typically contribute its assets to the Operating Partnership in exchange for units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”). Holders of OP Units will have the right, after a 12 month holding period, to require the Operating Partnership to redeem any or all of such OP Units for cash based upon the fair market value of an equivalent number of shares of our common stock at the time of the redemption. Alternatively, we may elect to acquire those OP Units in exchange for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis. The number of shares of common stock used to determine the redemption value of OP Units, and the number of shares issuable in exchange for OP Units, is subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, distributions of warrants or stock rights, specified extraordinary distributions and similar events. The Operating Partnership is managed by our wholly owned subsidiary, CareTrust GP, LLC, which is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership.

The benefits of our UPREIT structure include the following:

 

    Access to capital. We believe the UPREIT structure will provide us with access to capital for refinancing and growth. Because an UPREIT structure includes a partnership as well as a corporation, we can access the markets through the Operating Partnership issuing equity or debt as well as the corporation issuing capital stock or debt securities. Sources of capital include possible future issuances of debt or equity through public offerings or private placements.

 

    Growth. The UPREIT structure will allow stockholders, through their ownership of common stock, and the limited partners, through their ownership of OP Units, an opportunity to participate in the growth of the real estate market through an ongoing business enterprise. In addition to the initial real property portfolio, we will provide stockholders an interest in all future investments in additional properties.

 

    Tax deferral. The UPREIT structure will provide property owners who transfer their real properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units the opportunity to defer the tax consequences that otherwise would arise from a sale of their real properties and other assets to us or to a third party. As a result, this structure will allow us to acquire assets in a more efficient manner and may allow it to acquire assets that the owner would otherwise be unwilling to sell because of tax considerations.

Insurance

We will maintain, or require in our leases, including the Master Leases, that our tenants maintain, all applicable lines of insurance on our properties and their operations. We anticipate that the amount and scope of insurance coverage provided by our policies and the policies maintained by our tenants will be customary for similarly situated companies in our industry. However, we cannot assure you that our tenants will maintain the required insurance coverages, and the failure by any of them to do so could have a material adverse effect on us. We also cannot assure you that we will continue to require the same levels of insurance coverage under our leases, including the Master Leases, that such insurance will be available at a reasonable cost in the future or that the insurance coverage provided will fully cover all losses on our properties upon the occurrence of a catastrophic event, nor can we assure you of the future financial viability of the insurers.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Directors

Set forth below is certain biographical information and ages, as of December 31, 2013, for individuals who are expected to serve as our directors following the Spin-Off. Additional directors will be selected prior to the Spin-Off and information concerning those directors will be included in an amendment to this information statement. Each director will hold office until his or her successor is duly elected or appointed and qualified or until his or her earlier death, retirement, disqualification, resignation or removal. Upon completion of the Spin-Off, our board of directors will consist of five members, a majority of whom will be “independent,” as defined under the NASDAQ listing requirements.

Our bylaws will provide that our board of directors shall consist of not less than three and not more than nine directors as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Our board of directors will initially consist of five directors, and will be divided into three classes that are, as nearly as possible, of equal size. Each class of directors will be elected for a three-year term of office, but the terms will be staggered so that the term of only one class of directors expires at each annual meeting. The initial terms of the Class I, Class II and Class III directors will expire in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Following the Spin-Off, Christopher R. Christensen will serve as a Class I director,                      and                      will each serve as a Class II director, and Gregory K. Stapley and                      will each serve as a Class III director. All officers will serve at the discretion of the board of directors.

Upon completion of the Spin-Off, we will have five directors, three of whom we believe will be determined to be independent, as defined under the NASDAQ listing requirements. We believe our board of directors will determine that David G. Lindahl, Gary B. Sabin and                      are independent directors.

Our charter will not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock will be able to elect all of the directors standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Gregory K. Stapley

     54       Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Christopher R. Christensen

     44       Director

David G. Lindahl

     54       Director

Gary B. Sabin

     59       Director

Gregory K. Stapley. Mr. Stapley is the President and Chief Executive Officer of CareTrust. He has served in this position since our inception in 2013. Prior to joining CareTrust, he served as Executive Vice President and Secretary of Ensign, where he was instrumental in assembling the real estate portfolio that will be transferred to CareTrust in the Spin-Off. A co-founder of Ensign, he also served as Ensign’s Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary beginning shortly after Ensign’s founding in 1999. Mr. Stapley previously served as General Counsel for the Sedgwick Companies, an Orange County-based manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer with 192 retail outlets across the United States. Prior to that, Mr. Stapley was a member of the Phoenix law firm of Jennings, Strouss & Salmon PLC, where his practice emphasized real estate and business transactions and government relations. Having served as Executive Vice President of Ensign since 2009 and as Vice President and General Counsel of Ensign from 1999 to 2009, Mr. Stapley brings to our board of directors extensive management experience, critical knowledge of our properties and knowledge and understanding of the healthcare business in general.

Christopher R. Christensen. Mr. Christensen is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ensign. He has served as Ensign’s President since 1999 and its Chief Executive Officer since 2006. A co-founder of Ensign, Mr. Christensen has overseen Ensign’s growth since Ensign’s founding in 1999. Mr. Christensen has

 

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concurrently served as a member of Ensign’s Board of Directors since 1999, and currently sits on the quality assurance and compliance committee of Ensign’s Board of Directors. Mr. Christensen previously served as acting Chief Operating Officer of Covenant Care, Inc., a California-based provider of long-term care. Mr. Christensen will bring to our board of directors significant experience as a chief executive officer and proven ability to manage multiple properties and businesses.

David G. Lindahl. Mr. Lindahl is a partner and Managing Director of HPSI, Inc., a nationwide Group Purchasing Organization with operations serving over 10,000 hospitals, post-acute care providers, educational, hospitality and institutional clients, which collectively purchase over $1 billion of goods and services through HPSI each year. He has been affiliated with HPSI in various capacities since 1981. During a portion of that time, he also served as President of HPSI affiliate The Home Place, an operating pediatric sub-acute facility. We invited Mr. Lindahl to serve on the board based on his executive leadership experience in the healthcare industry, his entrepreneurship and creativity, and his network of relationships with healthcare operators and their trade associations across the United States, particularly the many smaller hospital systems and post-acute providers which will constitute much of our initial target client base.

Gary B. Sabin. Mr. Sabin is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Excel Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EXL), a retail-focused real estate investment trust that primarily targets value-oriented community and power centers, grocery-anchored neighborhood centers and freestanding retail properties. He previously served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Excel Realty Holdings, as Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Price Legacy Corporation, as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Excel Legacy Corporation, as a Director and President of New Plan Excel Realty Trust and as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Excel Realty Trust. In addition, Mr. Sabin has served as Chief Executive Officer of various companies since his founding of Excel Realty Trust Inc.’s predecessor company and its affiliates beginning in 1978. He has been active for over 30 years in diverse aspects of the real estate industry, including the evaluation and negotiation of real estate acquisitions, management, financing, development and dispositions. Mr. Sabin also currently serves as Chairman of The Sabin Children’s Foundation and Vice Chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Mr. Sabin received a Master’s Degree in Management from Stanford University as a Sloan Fellow, and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Brigham Young University. We invited Mr. Sabin to serve on the board based on his executive leadership experience in public real estate investment trusts and other real estate companies, his entrepreneurship and creativity, his network of relationships with real estate professionals across the United States and his experience in finance.

Executive Officers

Unless otherwise indicated, the following table shows the names and ages as of December 31, 2013 for executive officers who are not expected to serve as directors and the positions they will hold following the completion of the Spin-Off. A description of the business experience of each for at least the past five years follows the table. Additional executive officers may be selected prior to the Spin-Off and information concerning those executive officers will be included in an amendment to this information statement.

 

Name

   Age     

Position

William M. Wagner

     48       Chief Financial Officer

David M. Sedgwick

     38       Vice President of Operations

William M. Wagner. Mr. Wagner has served as our Chief Financial Officer since December 2013 and also serves as our principal accounting officer. Mr. Wagner served as Chief Financial Officer of First Team Real Estate, a private real estate brokerage company, from 2012 to 2013. From 2008 to 2012, Mr. Wagner served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., a healthcare REIT. From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Wagner served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc., a lodging REIT. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Wagner served as Vice President, Financial Reporting of The TriZetto Group, Inc. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Wagner worked for two internet start-up ventures. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Wagner served as Director, Financial Reporting of Irvine Apartment Communities, Inc., a multifamily REIT. From 1990 to 1997, Mr. Wagner worked for EY Kenneth Leventhal Real Estate Group and served real estate clients

 

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including several REITs. Mr. Wagner received a B.A. degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in the State of California.

David M. Sedgwick . Mr. Sedgwick is currently employed by The Ensign Group, Inc., and is joining CareTrust as its Vice President of Operations effective as of the Spin-Off. He is a licensed nursing home administrator and has served in several key leadership roles at Ensign since 2001. During 2013, he operated Ensign’s newly-built Medicare-only skilled nursing facility in Denver, Colorado, and simultaneously supported all of Ensign’s skilled nursing operations in Colorado. During 2012, he served as President of Ensign’s Maryland-based urgent care franchise venture, Doctors Express. From 2007 to 2012, Mr. Sedgwick served as Ensign’s Chief Human Capital Officer, with responsibility for recruiting and training more than 100 newly licensed nursing home administrators and directing Ensign University, which included Ensign’s administrator training program. From 2002 to 2007, he operated three Ensign skilled nursing facilities in two states. Mr. Sedgwick holds a B.S. in Accounting from Brigham Young University and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California. Mr. Sedgwick is Mr. Stapley’s brother-in-law.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Upon completion of the Spin-Off, our board of directors will establish the following committees, each of which will operate under a written charter that will be posted to our website at www.CareTrustREIT.com prior to the Spin-Off:

Audit Committee

The audit committee will be established in accordance with Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and the NASDAQ listing requirements. The primary duties of the audit committee will be to, among other things:

 

    determine the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

    review and approve in advance all permitted non-audit engagements and relationships between us and our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

    evaluate our independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance;

 

    review and discuss with our independent registered public accounting firm their audit plan, including the timing and scope of audit activities;

 

    review our combined financial statements;

 

    review our critical accounting policies and practices;

 

    review the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures;

 

    review with our management all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design and operation of our internal controls;

 

    review with our management any fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in our internal controls;

 

    establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

    review on an ongoing basis and approve or disapprove related party transactions;

 

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    prepare the reports required by the rules of the SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement, if we are subject to the proxy rules under the Exchange Act; and

 

    discuss with our management and our independent registered public accounting firm the results of our annual audit and the review of our quarterly combined financial statements.

The audit committee will provide an avenue of communication among management, the independent registered public accounting firm, the corporate auditors and the board of directors.

The audit committee will be comprised of members that meet the independence requirements set forth by the SEC, in the NASDAQ listing requirements and the audit committee charter. Each member of the audit committee will be financially literate in accordance with the NASDAQ listing requirements. The audit committee will also have at least one member who meets the definition of an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules and regulations. The initial members of the audit committee will be determined prior to the effective date.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The primary responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee will be to, among other things:

 

    assist in identifying, recruiting and evaluating individuals qualified to become members of our board of directors, consistent with criteria approved by our board of directors and the nomination and corporate governance committee;

 

    recommend to our board of directors individuals qualified to serve as directors and on committees of our board of directors;

 

    advise our board of directors with respect to board composition, procedures and committees;

 

    recommend to our board of directors certain corporate governance matters and practices; and

 

    conduct an annual self-evaluation for our board of directors.

The nominating and corporate governance committee will be comprised of members that meet the independence requirements set forth by the SEC and in the NASDAQ listing requirements and the nominating and corporate governance committee charter. The initial members of the nominating and corporate governance committee will be determined prior to the effective date.

Compensation Committee

The primary responsibilities of the compensation committee will be to, among other things:

 

    review executive compensation plans and their goals and objectives, and make recommendations to our board of directors, as appropriate;

 

    evaluate the performance of our executive officers;

 

    review and approve the compensation of our executive officers and directors, including salary and bonus awards;

 

    establish overall employee compensation policies and recommend to our board of directors major compensation programs;

 

    administer our various employee benefit, pension and equity incentive programs;

 

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    review and discuss with management our compensation discussion and analysis (the “CD&A”) and recommend to our board of directors that the CD&A be included in the annual proxy statement or annual report; and

 

    prepare an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our proxy statement.

The compensation committee will be comprised of members that meet the independence requirements set forth by the SEC and in the NASDAQ listing requirements and the compensation committee charter. The members of the compensation committee will be “non-employee directors” (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act) and “outside directors” (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code). The initial members of the compensation committee will be determined prior to the effective date.

Other Committees

Our board of directors may establish other committees as it deems necessary or appropriate from time to time.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of our directors will have interlocking or other relationships with other boards of directors, compensation committees or our executive officers that would require disclosure under Item 407(e)(4) of Regulation S-K.

Compensation of Directors

We are currently reviewing the compensation that we will pay to our non-employee directors following the Spin-Off, but we anticipate that non-employee directors will be compensated for their service under a non-employee director fee plan, which has not yet been established, and the CareTrust REIT, Inc. and CareTrust Partnership, L.P. Incentive Award Plan, which we expect to adopt prior to the Spin-Off. We will provide information regarding director compensation and the decision-making process for determining director compensation in our future filings with the SEC.

Executive Officer Compensation

Executive Compensation

The following table provides certain summary information concerning the compensation paid by Ensign for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 to our principal executive officer, Mr. Stapley, and Mr. Wagner and Mr. Sedgwick, whom we expect will be our two other most highly compensated executive officers following the Spin-Off (collectively, the “named executive officers”). The amounts and forms of compensation reported below are not necessarily indicative of the compensation that our executive officers will receive following the Spin-Off.

 

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and Principal Position   Year     Salary
($)
    Bonus ($)(1)     Stock
Awards ($)(2)
    Stock
Option
Awards ($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation ($)
    All Other
Compensation ($)
    Total ($)  

Gregory K. Stapley

    2013        364,928        100,000                             2,655 (3)       467,583   

Executive Vice

    2012        354,299        488,140        72,649                      2,612 (4)       917,700   

President and Secretary of Ensign,

President and Chief Executive Officer of CareTrust

                 

William M. Wagner

    2013        8,324                                           8,324   

Chief Financial

    2012                                                    

Officer of CareTrust  (5)

                 

David M. Sedgwick

    2013        110,417        25,000               28,683               617 (7)       164,717   

Operations Resource of Ensign (6)

    2012        116,307                      29,821               3,705 (8)       149,833   

 

 

(1) The amounts shown in this column constitute the cash bonuses made by Ensign to certain named executive officers. Mr. Stapley participated in Ensign’s executive incentive program.
(2) The amounts shown are the amounts of compensation cost to be recognized by Ensign related to restricted stock awards which were granted during fiscal year 2012, as a result of the adoption of ASC 718. These amounts disregard the estimated forfeiture rate which is considered when recognizing the ASC 718 expense in the combined financial statements of Ensign. In addition, a portion of the bonuses paid by Ensign to Mr. Stapley in 2012 and 2011 was in the form of stock awards.
(3) Consists of term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance payments of $862 and a matching contribution to The Ensign Group, Inc. 401(k) retirement program of $1,793.
(4) Consists of term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance payments of $840 and a matching contribution to The Ensign Group, Inc. 401(k) retirement program of $1,772.
(5) Mr. Wagner began his employment with CareTrust on December 12, 2013.
(6) Mr. Sedgwick will be Vice President of Operations of CareTrust at the time of the Spin-Off.
(7) Consists of term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance payments of $64 and a matching contribution to The Ensign Group, Inc. 401(k) retirement program of $553.
(8) Consists of term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance payments of $93, a matching contribution to The Ensign Group, Inc. 401(k) retirement program of $612 and automobile allowance of $3,000.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

The following table provides certain summary information concerning outstanding Ensign equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2013.

 

       Option Awards      Stock Awards  
Name   

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(#)
Exercisable

    

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(#)
Unexercisable

    Option
Exercise
Price ($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
    

Number of
Shares or Units of
Stock

That Have

Not Vested (#)

    Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
($)(1)
 

Gregory K. Stapley

                                    —            

William M. Wagner

                                    —            

David M. Sedgwick

             2,000 (2)    $     17.47         3/11/2020         900   (2)    $ 39,843   

 

(1)         The market value of unvested restricted equity awards was calculated using the closing stock price of Ensign common stock of $44.27 per share on December 31, 2013.

 

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(2)         The unexercised options held by Mr. Sedgwick were granted on March 11, 2010; 1,000 stock options vest on March 11, 2014, and 1,000 stock options vest on March 11, 2015. The unvested restricted stock awards held by Mr. Sedgwick were granted on February 2, 2011 and vest in equal installments of 300 shares on each anniversary of the grant date over a five year period.

Potential Payments Upon Termination Or Change In Control

There are no benefits guaranteed to be paid to the named executive officers upon termination or a change in control.

Incentive Award Plan

Introduction

Prior to the Spin-Off, we expect to adopt the CareTrust REIT, Inc. and CareTrust Partnership, L.P. Incentive Award Plan (the “Incentive Award Plan”), under which             shares of our common stock and             units of the Operating Partnership (such units, “LTIP Units”) will initially be reserved for issuance. The Incentive Award Plan will become effective upon the completion of the Spin-Off.

Section 162(m) of the Code

Generally, Section 162(m) of the Code does not permit a tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million paid in any calendar year by a publicly traded company to its chief executive officer or any of the three other most highly-compensated executive officers (other than the principal financial officers). However, certain compensation, including compensation based on the attainment of performance goals, is excluded from this deduction limit if certain criteria are satisfied, including that the material terms pursuant to which the compensation is to be paid are disclosed to and approved by the company’s stockholders. Accordingly, if the Incentive Award Plan, including the list of performance criteria applicable under the Incentive Award Plan for awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, is approved by stockholders, and other conditions of Section 162(m) of the Code are satisfied, certain compensation paid to the above individuals pursuant to the Incentive Awards Plan should not be subject to the deduction limit of Section 162(m) of the Code.

Description of the Incentive Award Plan

The following is a description of the material provisions of the Incentive Award Plan.

Plan Administration . The compensation committee of our board of directors will be the administrator of the Incentive Award Plan. The compensation committee is composed solely of non-employee directors, as defined under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, and “outside directors,” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

The compensation committee has the authority to, among other things:

 

    construe and interpret the Incentive Award Plan;

 

    make rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Incentive Award Plan;

 

    designate eligible persons to receive awards;

 

    establish the terms and conditions of awards; and

 

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    determine whether the awards or any portion thereof will contain time-based restrictions and/or performance-based restrictions, and, with respect to performance-based awards, the criteria for achievement of performance goals, as set forth in more detail below.

Eligibility. The compensation committee will designate those employees, consultants and non-employee directors who are to receive awards under the Incentive Award Plan.

Shares Authorized. Subject to adjustment in the event of a merger, recapitalization, stock split, reorganization or similar transaction, the maximum aggregate number of shares available for issuance under the Incentive Award Plan will be                , the maximum aggregate number of LTIP Units available for issuance under the Incentive Award Plan will be                 and the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the Incentive Award Plan with respect to incentive stock options will be                  Shares or LTIP Units that are subject to or underlie awards which expire or for any reason are cancelled, terminated, forfeited, fail to vest, or for any other reason are not paid or delivered under the Incentive Award Plan will again be available for issuance in connection with future awards granted under the Incentive Award Plan. Shares or LTIP Units surrendered or withheld as payment of either the exercise price of an Award and/or withholding taxes in respect of such an Award will be counted against the Incentive Award Plan limits and will not again be available for issuance in connection with future awards.

Individual Limits. The number of shares of stock subject to options and stock appreciation rights awarded to any one participant during any calendar year may not exceed                 shares. The number of shares and LTIP Units subject to awards other than options and stock appreciation rights awarded to any one participant during any calendar year may not exceed                 shares and                 LTIP Units, respectively. The amount of compensation to be paid to any one participant with respect to all cash-based awards that are intended to constitute performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code is $                 . Each of these limits is subject to adjustment in the event of a merger, recapitalization, stock split, reorganization or similar transaction.

Types of Awards. The Incentive Award Plan provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards (which include, but are not limited to, cash bonuses), dividend equivalent awards, deferred stock awards, stock payment awards, stock appreciation rights, other incentive awards (which include, but are not limited to, LTIP Unit awards), and performance share awards.

Options . Options to purchase shares of common stock may be granted alone or in tandem with stock appreciation rights. A stock option may be granted in the form of a non-qualified stock option or an incentive stock option. No incentive stock options will be granted to any person who is not an employee of the company. The price at which a share may be purchased under an option (the exercise price) will be determined by the compensation committee, but may not be less than the fair market value of CareTrust’s common stock on the date the option is granted. The compensation committee may establish the term of each option, but no option may be exercisable after 10 years from the grant date. The amount of incentive stock options that become exercisable for the first time in a particular year cannot exceed a value of $100,000 per participant, determined using the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant.

SAR s . Stock appreciation rights (or SARs) may be granted either alone or in tandem with stock options. The exercise price of a SAR must be equal to or greater than the fair market value of CareTrust’s common stock on the date of grant. The compensation committee may establish the term of each SAR, but no SAR will be exercisable after 10 years from the grant date.

Restricted Stock/Restricted Stock Units . Restricted stock and restricted stock units may be issued to eligible participants, as determined by the compensation committee. The restrictions on such awards are determined by the compensation committee, and may include time based, performance-based, and

 

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service-based restrictions. Restricted stock units may be settled in cash, shares of common stock or a combination thereof. Except as otherwise determined by the compensation committee, holders of restricted stock will have the right to receive dividends and will have voting rights during the restriction period.

Performance Awards . Performance awards may be issued to any eligible individual, as deemed by the compensation committee. The value of performance awards may be linked to performance criteria, or to other specific criteria determined by the compensation committee. Performance awards may be paid in cash, shares, or a combination of both, as determined by the compensation committee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, performance awards may be granted in the form of a cash bonus payable upon the attainment of objective performance goals or such other criteria as are established by the compensation committee.

Dividend Equivalent Awards . Dividend equivalent awards may be granted either alone or in tandem with other awards, as determined by the compensation committee. Dividend equivalent awards are based on the dividends that are declared on the common stock, to be credited as of the dividend payment dates during the period between the date that the dividend equivalent awards are granted and such dates that the dividend equivalent awards terminate or expire. If dividend equivalents are granted with respect to shares covered by another award, the dividend equivalent may be paid out at the time and to the extent that vesting conditions of the award shares are satisfied. Dividend equivalent awards can be converted to cash or shares by a formula determined by the compensation committee. Unless otherwise determined by the compensation committee, dividend equivalents are not payable with respect to stock options or stock appreciation rights.

Stock Payment Awards . Stock payments may be issued to eligible participants, as determined by the compensation committee. The number of shares of any stock payment may be based upon performance criteria or any other specific criteria. Stock payment awards may be made in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees, or other cash compensation otherwise payable to such eligible individual.

Deferred Stock Awards . Deferred stock awards may be issued to eligible participants, as determined by the compensation committee. The number of shares of deferred stock will be determined by the compensation committee and may be based on performance criteria or other specific criteria. Shares underlying a deferred stock award which is subject to a vesting schedule or other conditions or criteria set up by the administrator will not be issued until such vesting requirements or other conditions or criteria, as applicable, have been satisfied. Unless otherwise provided by the compensation committee, a holder of a deferred stock award will have no rights as a shareholder until the award has vested and the shares have been issued.

Performance Share Awards . Performance share awards may be granted to any eligible individual who is selected by the compensation committee. Vesting of performance share awards may be linked to any one or more performance criteria, other specific performance criteria, and/or time-vesting or other criteria, as determined by the compensation committee.

Other Incentive Awards . Other incentive awards may be issued to eligible participants, as determined by the compensation committee. Such other incentive awards may cover shares or the right to purchase shares or have a value derived from the value of, or an exercise or conversion privilege at a price related to, or otherwise payable in or based on shares, shareholder value, or shareholder return. Other incentive awards may be linked to any one or more of the performance criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the compensation committee and may be paid in cash or shares. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, LTIP Units may be granted in such amount and subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by the compensation committee; provided, however, that LTIP Units may only be issued to an eligible individual for the performance of

 

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services to or for the benefit of the Operating Partnership (i) in the eligible individual’s capacity as a partner of the Operating Partnership, (ii) in anticipation of the eligible individual becoming a partner of the Operating Partnership, or (iii) as otherwise determined by the compensation committee, provided that the LTIP Units are intended to constitute “profits interests” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as applicable revenue procedures. The compensation committee will specify the conditions and dates upon which the LTIP Units will vest and become nonforfeitable. LTIP Units will be subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement governing the Operating Partnership and such other restrictions, including restrictions on transferability, as the compensation committee may impose. These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the compensation committee determines at the time of the grant of the award or thereafter.

Performance-Based Awards . Awards may be structured to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. In order to qualify as “performance-based compensation,” the grant, payment, or vesting schedule of the award must be contingent upon the achievement of pre-established performance goals over a performance period for CareTrust.

Performance Criteria . The performance goals may be based upon one or more of the following performance criteria: (i) net earnings (either before or after one or more of the following: (A) interest, (B) taxes, (C) depreciation, (D) amortization and (E) non-cash equity-based compensation expense); (ii) gross or net sales or revenue; (iii) net income (either before or after taxes); (iv) adjusted net income; (v) operating earnings or profit; (vi) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow); (vii) return on assets; (viii) return on capital; (ix) return on shareholders’ equity; (x) total shareholder return; (xi) return on sales; (xii) gross or net profit or operating margin; (xiii) costs; (xiv) funds from operations; (xv) expenses; (xvi) working capital; (xvii) earnings per share; (xviii) adjusted earnings per Share; (xix) price per Share; (xx) regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product; (xxi) implementation or completion of critical projects; (xxii) market share; (xxiii) economic value; (xxiv) debt levels or reduction; (xxv) customer retention; (xxvi) sales-related goals; (xxvii) comparisons with other stock market indices; (xxviii) operating efficiency; (xxix) customer satisfaction and/or growth; (xxx) employee satisfaction; (xxxi) research and development achievements; (xxxii) financing and other capital raising transactions; (xxxiii) recruiting and maintaining personnel; (xxxiv) year-end cash, (xxxv) inventory, (xxxvi) inventory turns, (xxxvii) net inventory turns, (xxxviii) new store openings, (xxxix) new store performance, (xl) average transaction size, (xli) customer traffic, (xlii) accounts payable to inventory ratio, (xliii) employee retention, (xliv) comparable store sales; (xlv) capital expenditures; (xlvi) average occupancy; (xlvii) year-end occupancy; (xlviii) property operating expense savings; and (xlix) leasing goals.

Adjustments to Performance Criteria . Performance criteria may be measured either in absolute terms for the Company or any operating unit of the Company or as compared to results of a peer group or to market performance indicators. Further, the compensation committee may provide objectively determinable adjustments be made to one or more of the performance goals. Such adjustments may include: (i) items related to a change in accounting principle; (ii) items relating to financing activities; (iii) expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives; (iv) other non-operating items; (v) items related to acquisitions; (vi) items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the performance period; (vii) items related to the disposal or sale of a business or segment of a business; (viii) items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under applicable accounting standards; (ix) items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of stock occurring during the performance period; (x) any other items of significant income or expense

 

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which are determined to be appropriate adjustments; (xi) items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments, (xii) items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets; (xiii) items that are outside the scope of the Company’s core, on-going business activities; (xiv) items related to acquired in-process research and development; (xv) items relating to changes in tax laws; (xvi) items relating to major licensing or partnership arrangements; (xvii) items relating to asset impairment charges; (xviii) items relating to gains or losses for litigation, arbitration and contractual settlements; or (xix) items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in applicable laws, accounting principles or business conditions.

To the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code (including, without limitation, compliance with any requirements for shareholder approval), the compensation committee may designate additional performance criteria on which performance goals may be based, and may adjust, modify or amend the aforementioned performance criteria. Approval of the Incentive Award Plan will also constitute approval of these performance metrics for purposes of Section 162(m).

Change in Control . In the event of a change in control of the Company, all outstanding and unvested options and stock appreciation rights under the Incentive Award Plan will become vested and exercisable. Other awards will vest immediately and generally be distributed effective as of the date of change in control. Awards granted which are subject to the achievement of performance goals will immediately vest as if 100% of the performance goals had been achieved.

Amendment and Termination . Our board of directors may at any time terminate, suspend or discontinue the Incentive Award Plan. Our board of directors may amend the Incentive Award Plan at any time, provided that any increase in the number of shares available for issuance under the plan must be approved by the Company’s shareholders. In addition, our board of directors may not, without shareholder approval, amend any outstanding award to increase or reduce the price per share or to cancel and replace an award with cash and/or another award, including another option or stock appreciation right having a price per share that is less than, greater than or equal to the price per share of the original award.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Prior to the Spin-Off, we intend to adopt a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, effective as of the time of our listing on NASDAQ. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will confirm our commitment to conduct our affairs in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and observe the highest standards of business ethics, and will seek to identify and mitigate conflicts of interest between our directors, officers and employees, on the one hand, and us on the other hand. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will also apply to ensure compliance with stock exchange requirements and to ensure accountability at a senior management level for that compliance. We intend that the spirit, as well as the letter, of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics be followed by all of our directors, officers, employees and subsidiaries. This will be communicated to each new director, officer and employee. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be available on our website.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

As of the date hereof, all of the outstanding shares of our common stock are owned by Ensign. After the Spin-Off, Ensign will own none of our common stock. The following table provides information with respect to the expected beneficial ownership of our common stock immediately following the completion of the Spin-Off by (1) each person who we believe will be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (2) each of our directors and named executive officers, and (3) all directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group. We based the share amounts on each person’s beneficial ownership of Ensign common stock as of April 11, 2014, unless we indicate some other basis for the share amounts, and assuming a distribution ratio of one share of our common stock for every share of Ensign common stock.

To the extent our directors and officers own Ensign common stock at the time of the Spin-Off, they will participate in the Spin-Off on the same terms as other holders of Ensign common stock.

Except as otherwise noted in the footnotes below, each person or entity identified below has sole voting and investment power with respect to such securities. Following the Spin-Off, we will have outstanding an aggregate of 22,426,008 shares of common stock based upon 22,426,008 shares of Ensign common stock outstanding on April 11, 2014, assuming no exercise of Ensign options and applying the distribution ratio of one share of our common stock for every share of Ensign common stock held as of the record date.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)

  Amount and Nature 
of
Beneficial Ownership
    Percent of 
Class(2)
 

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

   

Christopher R. Christensen (3)

    1,060,919        4.7

Gregory K. Stapley (4)

    341,940        1.5

William M. Wagner

             

David M. Sedgwick (5)

    17,202        *   

David G. Lindahl

             

Gary B. Sabin

             

All directors, nominees and executive
officers as a group (6 persons)

    1,420,061        6.3
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Five Percent Stockholders:

   

FMR LLC (6)

    1,983,700        8.8

Wasatch Advisors, Inc. (7)

    1,551,556        6.9

Blackrock, Inc. (8)

    1,738,979        7.8

The Vanguard Group (9)

    1,279,222        5.7

 

 

* Denotes less than 1%.
(1) The address of all of the officers and directors listed above are in the care of CareTrust, 27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450, Mission Viejo, CA 92691.
(2) Percentages shown assume the exercise by such persons of all options to acquire shares of our common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of April 11, 2014 and no exercise by any other person.
(3) Represents 1,060,919 shares held by Hobble Creek Investments, of which Christopher Christensen is the sole member, 2,171 shares held by Mr. Christensen’s spouse, and 4,000 shares held by Mr. Christensen’s former spouse as custodian for their minor children under the California Uniform Transfers to Minors Act. Mr. Christensen’s former spouse holds voting and investment power over the shares held for their children.
(4)

Represents 272,850 shares held by the Stapley Family Trust dated April 25, 2006, 26,700 shares held by Deborah Stapley as custodian for the minor children of Gregory K. Stapley and Deborah Stapley under the

 

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  California Uniform Transfers to Minor Act, and 42,390 shares held by the Marian K. Stapley Revocable Trust dated April 29, 1965, of which Mr. Stapley is trustee. Mr. Stapley and his spouse share voting and investment power over the shares held by the Stapley Family Trust, Mr. Stapley’s spouse holds voting and investment power over the shares held for their minor children and Mr. Stapley holds, as trustee, voting and investment power over the shares held by the Marian K. Stapley Revocable Trust.
(5) Represents 17,202 shares held by Mr. Sedgwick directly and does not include 600 unvested restricted shares held by Mr. Sedgwick that will be terminated at the time of the Spin-Off.
(6) Represents beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2013 as reported on Schedule 13G filed by FMR LLC on February 14, 2013, which indicates that FMR LLC held 1,983,700 shares and held sole voting power over 100 shares. The business address of FMR LLC is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
(7) Represents beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2013 as reported on Schedule 13G filed by Wasatch Advisors, Inc. on February 13, 2013, which indicates that Wasatch Advisors, Inc. held 1,551,556 shares. The business address of Wasatch Advisors, Inc. is 150 Social Hall Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111.
(8) Represents beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2013 as reported on Schedule 13G filed by Blackrock, Inc. on January 29, 2014, which indicates that Blackrock, Inc. held 1,738,979 shares and held sole voting power over 1,690,531 shares. The business address of Blackrock, Inc. is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022.
(9) Represents beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2013 as reported on Schedule 13G filed by The Vanguard Group on February 12 , 2014, which indicates that The Vanguard Group held 1,279,222 shares and held sole voting power over 25,581 shares, sole investment power over 1,254,641 shares, and shared voting power over 24,581 shares. The business address of The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions

We expect our board of directors to adopt a policy regarding the approval of any “related person transaction,” which is any transaction or series of transactions in which we or any of our subsidiaries is or are to be a participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and a “related person” (as defined under SEC rules) has a direct or indirect material interest. Under the policy, a related person would need to promptly disclose to our Chief Financial Officer any proposed related person transaction and all material facts about the proposed transaction. Our Chief Financial Officer would then assess and promptly communicate that information to our audit committee. Based on our audit committee’s consideration of all of the relevant facts and circumstances, our audit committee will decide whether or not to approve such transaction and will generally approve only those transactions that are in, or are not inconsistent with, the best interests of CareTrust. If we become aware of an existing related person transaction that has not been pre-approved under this policy, the transaction will be referred to our audit committee, which will evaluate all options available, including ratification, revision or termination of such transaction. Our policy will require any director who may be interested in a related person transaction to recuse himself or herself from any consideration of such related person transaction. As a result of Mr. Christensen’s service on our board of directors, transactions between Ensign and CareTrust that exceed the $120,000 threshold will be subject to our policy regarding related party transactions, and will require that Mr. Christensen recuse himself from consideration of such transactions.

Relationship between Ensign and CareTrust

To govern their relationship after the Spin-Off, Ensign and CareTrust will enter into: the Separation and Distribution Agreement; the Master Leases; the Opportunities Agreement; the Tax Matters Agreement; the Transition Services Agreement; and the Employee Matters Agreement. See “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off.” Transactions pursuant to these agreements will be pre-approved under our policy regarding related party transactions. However, any new transactions between Ensign and CareTrust, or material changes to these agreements, will be subject to approval under the policy.

 

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OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ENSIGN FOLLOWING THE SPIN-OFF

After the Spin-Off, we and Ensign will operate separately, each as an independent publicly traded company. To govern our relationship after the Spin-Off, we will enter into the following agreements with Ensign: the Separation and Distribution Agreement; the Master Leases; the Opportunities Agreement; the Tax Matters Agreement; the Transition Services Agreement; and the Employee Matters Agreement. The following is a summary of the material terms of those agreements.

The material agreements described below have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement on Form 10, and the summaries of each of these agreements set forth the terms of the agreements that we believe are material. These summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the applicable agreements, which are incorporated by reference into this information statement. The terms of the agreements described below that will be in effect at the time of and following the Spin-Off have not yet been finalized; changes to these agreements, some of which may be material, may be made prior to the Spin-Off.

Separation and Distribution Agreement

The Separation and Distribution Agreement contains the key provisions relating to the separation of our real estate business from Ensign. It also contains other agreements that govern certain aspects of our relationship with Ensign that will continue after the Spin-Off.

Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities

The Separation and Distribution Agreement divides and allocates the assets and liabilities of Ensign prior to the Spin-Off between us and Ensign, and describes when and how any required transfers and assumptions of assets and liabilities will occur.

Termination of Intercompany Agreements

Effective as of the distribution date, all agreements between Ensign, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, existing prior to the Spin-Off (excluding the Separation and Distribution Agreement, each ancillary agreement and the other agreements specified in the Separation and Distribution Agreement) will be terminated.

Settlement of Intercompany Accounts

Any receivables, payables or loans between Ensign, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, existing prior to the Spin-Off (excluding any receivables, payables or loans that arise pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any ancillary agreement) will be satisfied or settled in cash or otherwise canceled.

Replacement of Guarantees

The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides that the parties cooperate and use their reasonable best efforts to arrange, at our cost and expense, effective at or prior to the Spin-Off, the replacement of all guarantees by Ensign of any of our obligations with alternative arrangements that do not require credit support from Ensign. We will indemnify Ensign from and against any losses incurred after the Spin-Off with respect to any such guarantees that the parties are unable to replace prior to the Spin-Off.

The Spin-Off

The Separation and Distribution Agreement governs the rights and obligations of the parties regarding the Spin-Off. On the distribution date, Ensign will cause its agents to distribute, on a pro rata basis, all of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock to Ensign’s stockholders as of the record date.

 

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Conditions

The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides that the Spin-Off is subject to several conditions that must be satisfied or waived by Ensign, in its sole discretion. For further information regarding these conditions, see “The Spin-Off—Conditions to the Spin-Off.” Even if all of the conditions have been satisfied, Ensign may, in its sole and absolute discretion, terminate and abandon the Spin-Off or any related transaction at any time prior to the distribution date.

No Representations or Warranties

Except as expressly set forth in any ancillary agreement, neither we nor Ensign will provide any representations or warranties in connection with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, and all transfers of assets will be “as is, where is.”

Access to Information

The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides that the parties will exchange for a period of three years certain information required to comply with requirements imposed on the requesting party by a government authority for use in any proceeding or to satisfy audit, accounting, claims defense, regulatory filings, litigation, tax or similar requirements, for use in compensation, benefit or welfare plan administration or other bona fide business purposes, or to comply with its obligations under the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any ancillary agreement. In addition, the parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to each other directors, officers, other employees and agents as witnesses in any legal, administrative or other proceeding in which the other party may become involved to the extent reasonably required.

Releases, Allocation of Liabilities and Indemnification

The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides for a full and complete release and discharge of all liabilities existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed at or before the separation, between Ensign and us, except as expressly set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides that (i) we will indemnify Ensign and its affiliates and each of their respective current and former directors, officers, agents and employees against any and all losses relating to (a) liabilities arising out of our real estate business, (b) any breach by us of any provision of the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any ancillary agreement, and (c) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained or incorporated by reference in our registration statement on Form 10, this information statement or the offering memorandum related to the offering of the notes (other than information regarding Ensign provided to us by Ensign for inclusion therein), and (ii) that Ensign will indemnify us and our affiliates and each of our respective current and former directors, officers, agents and employees against any and all losses relating to (a) liabilities arising out of the Ensign healthcare business, (b) any breach by Ensign of any provision of the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any ancillary agreement, and (c) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to information contained or incorporated by reference in our registration statement on Form 10, this information statement or the offering memorandum related to the offering of the notes (solely with respect to information regarding Ensign provided to us by Ensign for inclusion therein).

The Separation and Distribution Agreement also establishes dispute resolution procedures with respect to claims subject to indemnification and related matters.

Indemnification with respect to taxes and employee benefits is governed by the Tax Matters Agreement and the Employee Matters Agreement, respectively.

 

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Termination

The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides that it may be terminated and the Spin-Off may be abandoned at any time prior to the distribution date by Ensign, in its sole discretion.

Expenses

Except as expressly set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement or in any ancillary agreement, we and Ensign will pay for our respective expenses in connection with the separation.

Master Leases

We will enter into Master Leases with Ensign, pursuant to which Ensign will lease substantially all of the properties that we will own following the Spin-Off. The Master Leases will consist of multiple leases, each with its own pool of properties, that will have varying maturities and diversity in property geography. Under each Master Lease, our individual subsidiaries that own the properties subject to such Master Lease will be the landlords, and the individual subsidiaries of Ensign that operate those properties will be the tenants (collectively, the “Ensign Tenants”). Ensign will guarantee the obligations of the Ensign Tenants under the Master Leases. A default by an Ensign Tenant under a Master Lease with respect to any property will entitle us to exercise our remedies under such Master Lease as to all properties covered by such Master Lease as though all such properties were in default. In addition, each Master Lease with the Ensign Tenants will contain cross-default provisions that will result in a default under all of the Master Leases if a default occurs under any Master Lease.

The following table sets forth the anticipated property type and geographic location of the properties subject to each Master Lease:

 

     Master
Lease 1
   Master
Lease 2
   Master
Lease 3
   Master
Lease 4
   Master
Lease 5
   Master
Lease 6
   Master
Lease 7
   Master
Lease 8

Property Type:

                       

Skilled Nursing Facilities

   9    9    7    12    11    9    10    9

Skilled Nursing Campuses

   1    1    1    —      —      1    —      1

Assisted Living and Independent Living Facilities

   3    2    2    1    2    1    2    —  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total:

   13    12    10    13    13    11    12    10
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Geographic Location

                       

CA

   2    2    2    2    2    1    4    3

TX

   4    3    3    4    3    3    5    —  

AZ

   —      1    1    —      1    1    —      6

UT

   1    2    1    2    2    2    1    —  

CO

   1    1    1    —      1    1    —      —  

ID

   1    1    —      1    —      1    2    —  

WA

   1    1    1    1    1    —      —      1

NV

   1    —      —      1    1    —      —      —  

NE

   1    —      —      1    2    1    —      —  

IA

   1    1    1    1    —      1    —      —  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total:

   13    12    10    13    13    11    12    10
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

The following description of the Master Leases does not purport to be complete, but contains a summary of certain material provisions of the Master Leases.

Term and Renewals

The Master Leases will provide for the lease of land, buildings, structures and other improvements on the land, easements and similar appurtenances to the land and improvements relating to the operation of the leased properties, and certain personal property owned by us and used in the operation of the leased properties.

The Master Leases will provide for initial terms in excess of ten years with staggered expiration dates and no purchase options. At the option of the Ensign Tenants and subject to certain conditions being satisfied,

 

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each Master Lease may be extended for up to either two or three five-year renewal terms beyond the initial term, on the same terms and conditions. If the Ensign Tenants elect to renew the term of a Master Lease, the renewal will be effective as to all, but not less than all, of the leased property then subject to the Master Lease.

The following table sets forth the anticipated expiration date for each Master Lease:

 

     Master
Lease 1
   Master
Lease 2
   Master
Lease 3
   Master
Lease 4
   Master
Lease 5
   Master
Lease 6
   Master
Lease 7
   Master
Lease 8

Year of Expiration

   2026    2027    2028    2029    2030    2031    2032    2033

We anticipate that Master Leases 1-5 will have 3 extension options of 5 years each and Master Leases 6-8 will have 2 extension options of 5 years each. Extension of the term of any of the Master Leases will be subject to the following conditions: (1) no event of default under any of the Master Leases having occurred and being continuing, and (2) the Ensign Tenants providing timely notice of their intent to renew. The term of the Master Leases will be subject to termination prior to the expiration of the then current term upon default by the Ensign Tenants in their obligations, if not cured within any applicable cure periods set forth in the Master Leases.

The Ensign Tenants will not have the ability to terminate their obligations under a Master Lease prior to its expiration without our consent. If a Master Lease is terminated prior to its expiration other than with our consent, the Ensign Tenants may be liable for damages and incur charges such as continued payment of rent through the end of the lease term and maintenance and repair costs for the leased property. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business.”

Rental Amounts and Escalators

Each Master Lease is a triple-net lease. Accordingly, in addition to rent, the Ensign Tenants will be required to pay the following:

 

    all impositions and taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on our income);

 

    all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted thereon;

 

    all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties;

 

    all facility maintenance and repair costs; and

 

    all fees in connection with any licenses or authorizations necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted thereon.

The rent will be a fixed component that will be initially set near the time of the Spin-Off. We currently anticipate that the annual revenues from the Master Leases will be approximately $56.0 million during each of the first two years of the Master Leases, which result in a lease coverage ratio of approximately 1.85 based on the trailing 12 months of ANOI from the leased properties. The annual rent amount for each Master Lease pool was based initially on ANOI for the year ended December 31, 2013. Commencing in the third year under the Master Leases, we anticipate that the annual revenues from the Master Leases will be escalated annually by an amount equal to the product of (1) the lesser of the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (but not less than zero) or 2.5%, and (2) the prior year’s rent.

 

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The initial annualized rent for each Master Lease is as follows:

 

Master
Lease 1

   Master
Lease 2
     Master
Lease 3
     Master
Lease 4
     Master
Lease 5
     Master
Lease 6
     Master
Lease 7
     Master
Lease 8
 

$ 6,257,808

   $ 5,424,712       $ 7,278,611       $ 5,317,982       $ 5,680,413       $ 6,475,985       $ 8,664,488       $ 10,900,000   

Maintenance, Capital Expenditures and Alterations

The Ensign Tenants will be required to make all expenditures reasonably necessary to maintain the leased property in good appearance, repair and condition. The Ensign Tenants will be required to maintain all personal property located at the leased properties in good repair and condition as is necessary to operate all the leased property in compliance with applicable legal, insurance and licensing requirements. If the Ensign Tenants elect to make additional improvements to a leased property above and beyond the maintenance expenditures, we will finance such additional capital expenditures upon the Ensign Tenants’ request, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, up to an aggregate amount of 20% of our initial investment in such property, and the rent will increase based on the amount financed.

Alterations (other than certain pre-approved alterations, which include non-structural alterations costing $250,000 or less that (a) do not decrease the value of the property, (b) do not adversely affect the exterior appearance of the property, and (c) are consistent in terms of style, quality and workmanship to the property) will be permitted only with our consent. Prior to commencing any alterations, the Ensign Tenants will be required to provide us with copies of detailed plans, specifications, permits, licenses and other information as we shall request.

Use of the Leased Property

Each Master Lease will require that the Ensign Tenants utilize the leased property solely for the operation of a healthcare facility and related uses as specified in the Master Leases. The Ensign Tenants will be responsible for maintaining or causing to be maintained all licenses, certificates and permits necessary for the leased properties to comply with various regulations.

Events of Default

Under each Master Lease, an “Event of Default” will be deemed to occur upon certain events, including:

 

    the failure by the Ensign Tenants to pay rent or other amounts when due or within certain grace or cure periods of the due date;

 

    the revocation or termination of any license or other authorization that would have a material adverse effect on the operation of any property, the voluntary cessation of operations at any property, the sale or transfer of any portion of a license or other authorization, or the use of any property other than for the operation of a healthcare facility;

 

    any material suspension, limitation or restriction placed upon the Ensign Tenants, any license or other authorization, any property or the operations at any property, which is not cured within any applicable grace period;

 

    the occurrence of a default under another agreement between us and the Ensign Tenants or our respective subsidiaries, which is not cured within any applicable grace period;

 

    the occurrence of a default under any other lease, guaranty, loan or financing agreement by Ensign or its subsidiaries, which is not cured within any applicable grace period;

 

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    certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation with respect to Ensign or its subsidiaries or any levy upon or attachment of an Ensign Tenant’s interest in the premises;

 

    the breach by the Ensign Tenants or Ensign of a representation or warranty in the Master Leases or any guaranty in a manner which would impair the Ensign Tenants’ ability to perform their obligations under the Master Leases; and

 

    the failure by the Ensign Tenants to maintain the premises and insurance coverage thereon or otherwise to comply with the covenants set forth in the Master Lease when due or within any applicable cure period.

Remedies for an Event of Default

Upon an Event of Default under a Master Lease, we may (at our option) exercise certain remedies, including:

 

    sue for specific performance of any covenant;

 

    enter any property, terminate such Master Lease, dispossess the Ensign Tenant from any property and/or collect monetary damages by reason of the Ensign Tenant’s breach (including the acceleration of all rent which would have accrued after such termination);

 

    elect to leave such Master Lease in place and sue for rent and any other monetary damages;

 

    relet any property to any tenant for such term, rent, conditions and uses as we may determine;

 

    exercise available remedies under related Master Leases in accordance with the cross-default provisions of each Master Lease; and

 

    seek any and all other rights and remedies available under law or in equity.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, under certain circumstances our remedies may be limited by contractual provisions designed to procure classification of the Master Lease as operating leases under Accounting Standards Codification 840, Leases .

Assignment and Subletting

Except as noted below, each Master Lease will provide that the Ensign Tenants may not sublease, assign, encumber or otherwise transfer or dispose of the Master Leases or any leased property, including by virtue of a change of control of Ensign or the Ensign Tenants, or engage a management company without our consent.

Each Master Lease will also provide that the Ensign Tenants may assign the Master Lease or sublease any leased property to an affiliate, subject to our reasonable approval of the transfer documents and the satisfaction of certain conditions. Upon any such assignment or transfer to an affiliate of the Ensign Tenants, Ensign must guarantee the affiliate’s obligations under the Master Lease and the prior Ensign Tenant will not be released from its obligations under the applicable Master Lease.

New Opportunities

Generally, neither we nor Ensign or the Ensign Tenants will be prohibited from developing, redeveloping, expanding, purchasing, building or operating facilities. However, Ensign, the Ensign Tenants and

 

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their respective affiliates will not be able to move any patients or staff from any property in our portfolio to any property outside of our portfolio to the detriment of any of the properties in our portfolio (except as required for medically appropriate reasons) during the term of the Master Lease and for one year thereafter.

Licenses/Successor Lessee Provisions

Licenses and all other authorizations necessary to operate the facilities that will be subject to a Master Lease will be procured and maintained by the Ensign Tenants pursuant to the terms of the Master Lease. Each Master Lease will require the Ensign Tenants to transfer, to the extent permitted by law, licenses and all other authorizations at the expiration or earlier termination of the Master Lease to a successor lessee at no material cost to us or the transferee.

Opportunities Agreement

We will enter into an Opportunities Agreement with Ensign (the “Opportunities Agreement”). Under the Opportunities Agreement, for a period of one year following the Spin-Off, Ensign and its affiliates, including the Ensign Tenants, will provide us with, subject to certain exceptions, the right to match any offer from a third party to finance the acquisition or development of any healthcare or senior-living facility by Ensign or any of its affiliates, including the Ensign Tenants. In addition, Ensign will have, subject to certain exceptions, a right to either purchase and operate, or lease and operate, the facilities included in any portfolio of five or fewer healthcare or senior living facilities presented to us during the first year following the Spin-Off; provided that the portfolio is not subject to an existing lease with an operator or manager that has a remaining term of more than one year, and is not presented to us by or on behalf of another operator seeking lease or other financing. If Ensign elects to lease and operate such a property or portfolio, the lease would be on substantially the same terms as the Master Lease.

Tax Matters Agreement

The Tax Matters Agreement will govern our and Ensign’s respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes (including taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and taxes, if any, incurred as a result of any failure of the Spin-Off and certain related transactions to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes), tax attributes, tax returns, tax contests and certain other tax matters.

In addition, the Tax Matters Agreement will impose certain restrictions on us and our subsidiaries (including restrictions on share issuances, business combinations, sales of assets and similar transactions) that will be designed to preserve the tax-free status of the Spin-Off and certain related transactions. The Tax Matters Agreement will provide special rules allocating tax liabilities in the event the Spin-Off, together with certain related transactions, was not tax-free. In general, under the Tax Matters Agreement, each party is expected to be responsible for any taxes imposed on Ensign that arise from the failure of the Spin-Off and certain related transactions to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code and certain other relevant provisions of the Code to the extent that the failure to qualify is attributable to actions, events, or transactions relating to such party’s respective stock, assets or business, or a breach of the relevant representations or covenants made by that party in the Tax Matters Agreement.

The Tax Matters Agreement will also set forth our and Ensign’s obligations as to the filing of tax returns, the administration of tax contests and assistance and cooperation on tax matters.

Transition Services Agreement

Ensign will agree to provide us with certain administrative and support services on a transitional basis pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement for a period of up to one year (subject to an option, at our election,

 

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to extend certain services for up to one additional year). The transition services may include accounting services, financial systems and support, human resources support, tax and transfer pricing services, legal and corporate secretary services, internal audit services, information systems services and various other support services. We expect that the fees charged to us for transition services furnished pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement will approximate the actual cost incurred by Ensign in providing the transition services to us for the relevant period. The Transition Services Agreement will provide that we have the right to terminate a transition service after an agreed notice period, generally thirty days. The Transition Services Agreement also will contain provisions under which Ensign will generally agree to indemnify us for all losses incurred by us resulting from Ensign’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of the Transition Services Agreement, but Ensign’s aggregate indemnification obligation may not exceed the total amount paid by us for services under the Transition Services Agreement.

Employee Matters Agreement

The Employee Matters Agreement will govern Ensign’s and CareTrust’s respective compensation and employee benefit obligations with respect to the current and former employees of each company, and generally will allocate liabilities and responsibilities relating to employee compensation and benefit plans and programs.

Ensign equity awards at the time of the Spin-Off will be treated in accordance with the existing Ensign equity plans as follows:

 

    Restricted Stock . Awards of restricted Ensign common stock will be treated in the same manner as other shares of Ensign common stock. Holders of restricted Ensign common stock awards will be entitled to an additional share of restricted stock with respect to CareTrust common stock for each share of restricted Ensign common stock held.

 

    Stock Options . No changes will be made with respect to Ensign options, other than equitable adjustments required by the terms of Ensign’s existing equity plans.

In addition, the Employee Matters Agreement will set forth the general principles relating to employee matters, including with respect to the assignment of employees and the transfer of employees from Ensign to CareTrust, the assumption and retention of liabilities and related assets, the provision of benefits following the Spin-Off, employee service credit and related matters.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

Our charter and bylaws will be amended and restated prior to the Spin-Off. The following is a summary description of the material terms of our capital stock as will be set forth in our charter and bylaws that will govern the rights of holders of our common stock upon the consummation of the Spin-Off.

While the following attempts to describe the material terms of our capital stock, the description may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You are encouraged to read the full text of our charter and bylaws, the forms of which are included as exhibits to CareTrust’s registration statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC, as well as the provisions of applicable Maryland law.

General

Following the Spin-Off, our authorized stock will consist of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.

Based on the 22,426,008 shares of Ensign common stock outstanding as of April 11, 2014, it is expected that we will have 22,426,008 shares of common stock issued and outstanding upon completion of the Spin-Off. No shares of our preferred stock will be issued and outstanding at the time of the Spin-Off.

Common Stock

All of the shares of our common stock distributed in the Spin-Off will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock and the provisions of our charter that will restrict transfer and ownership of stock, the holders of shares of our common stock generally will be entitled to receive dividends on such stock out of assets legally available for distribution to the stockholders when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us. The holders of shares of our common stock will also be entitled to share ratably in our net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of or adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities.

Subject to the rights of any other class or series of our stock and the provisions of our charter that will restrict transfer and ownership of stock, each outstanding share of our common stock will entitle the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Under our charter there will be no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our bylaws will require that each director be elected by a plurality of votes cast with respect to such director.

Holders of shares of our common stock will generally have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights and will have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Subject to the provisions of our charter that will restrict transfer and ownership of stock, all shares of our common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.

Preferred Stock

Under our charter, our board of directors may from time to time establish and cause us to issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock and set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of such classes or series. Accordingly, our board of directors, without stockholder approval, may issue preferred stock with voting, conversion or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of common stock. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change of control or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock

 

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may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock, may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock, and could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of our company or other corporate action. No shares of preferred stock are expected to be outstanding immediately following the Spin-Off and we have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Power to Reclassify Our Unissued Shares

Our board of directors will have the power, without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of authorized shares of stock of any class or series, to authorize us to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common stock or preferred stock and to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock into other classes or series of stock, including one or more classes or series of common stock or preferred stock that have priority with respect to voting rights, dividends or upon liquidation over shares of our common stock. Prior to the issuance of shares of each new class or series, our board of directors will be required by the MGCL and our charter to set, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on transfer and ownership of stock, the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series of stock.

Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of CareTrust Stock

In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than our first taxable year as a REIT) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, beneficially or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as qualified pension plans) during the last half of a taxable year (other than our first taxable year as a REIT). In addition, rent from related party tenants (generally, a tenant of a REIT owned, beneficially or constructively, 10% or more by the REIT, or a 10% owner of the REIT) is not qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests under the Code. To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy other requirements as well. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of REITs in General.”

Our charter will contain restrictions on the transfer and ownership of our stock. The relevant sections of our charter will provide that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or more than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock. These limits are collectively referred to herein as the “ownership limits.” The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned beneficially or constructively by a group of related individuals or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of our outstanding common stock or less than 9.8% of our outstanding capital stock, or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that beneficially or constructively owns our stock, could, nevertheless, cause the acquiror, or another individual or entity, to own constructively shares of our outstanding stock in excess of the ownership limits.

Upon receipt of certain representations and agreements and in its sole and absolute discretion, our board of directors will be able to, prospectively or retroactively, exempt a person from the ownership limits or establish a different limit on ownership, or an excepted holder limit, for a particular stockholder if the stockholder’s ownership in excess of the ownership limits would not result in us being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT. As a condition of granting a waiver of the ownership limits or creating an excepted holder limit, our board of directors will be able to, but is not required to, require an IRS ruling or opinion of counsel satisfactory to our board of directors (in its sole discretion) as it may deem necessary or advisable to determine or ensure our status as a REIT.

 

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Our board of directors will also be able to, from time to time, increase or decrease the ownership limits unless, after giving effect to the increased or decreased ownership limits, five or fewer persons could beneficially own or constructively own, in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of our outstanding stock or we would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT. Decreased ownership limits will not apply to any person or entity whose ownership of our stock is in excess of the decreased ownership limits until the person or entity’s ownership of our stock equals or falls below the decreased ownership limits, but any further acquisition of our stock will be in violation of the decreased ownership limits.

Our charter will also prohibit:

 

    any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock to the extent such beneficial or constructive ownership would result in us being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT;

 

    any person from transferring shares of our stock if the transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons;

 

    any person from beneficially owning or constructively owning shares of our stock to the extent such ownership would result in our facility to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity,” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code;

 

    any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock to the extent such beneficial or constructive ownership would cause us to own, beneficially or constructively, 9.9% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant (other than a “taxable REIT subsidiary” of ours (as such term is defined in Section 856(l) of the Code)) of our real property within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code; and

 

    any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock to the extent such beneficial or constructive ownership would cause any “Eligible independent contractor” that operates a “qualified health care property” on behalf of a “taxable REIT subsidiary” of ours (as such terms are defined in Sections 856(d)(9)(A), 856(e)(6)(D)(i) and 856(l) of the Code, respectively) to fail to qualify as such.

Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limits, or any of the other restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock, and any person who is the intended transferee of shares of our stock that are transferred to the charitable trust described below, will be required to give immediate written notice and, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, at least 15 days prior written notice, to us and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of the transfer on our status as a REIT. The provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

Any attempted transfer of our stock which, if effective, would result in our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons will be null and void and the proposed transferee will acquire no rights in such shares of our stock. Any attempted transfer of our stock which, if effective, would violate any of the other restrictions described above will cause the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares. The trustee of the trust will be appointed by us and will be unaffiliated with us and any proposed transferee of the shares. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock, then the transfer of the shares will be null and void and the proposed transferee will acquire no rights in such shares.

Shares of our stock held in trust will continue to be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of our stock held in the trust, will have no

 

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rights to dividends and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will exercise all voting rights and receive all dividends and other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares have been transferred to a trust as described above must be repaid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority, at the trustee’s sole discretion, to rescind as void any vote cast by a proposed transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.

If our board of directors or a committee thereof determines in good faith that a proposed transfer or other event has taken place that violates the restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock set forth in our charter, our board of directors or such committee may take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer, including, but not limited to, causing us to redeem shares of stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on our books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer; provided that any transfer or other event in violation of the above restrictions shall automatically result in the transfer to the trust described above, and, where applicable, such transfer or other event shall be null and void as provided above irrespective of any action or non-action by our board of directors or any committee or designee thereof.

Shares of stock transferred to the trustee will be deemed offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the charitable trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price of such stock at the time of such devise or gift) and (2) the market price of such stock on the date we, or our designee, accept such offer. We may reduce the amount so payable to the proposed transferee by the amount of any dividend or other distribution that we made to the proposed transferee before we discovered that the shares had been automatically transferred to the trust and that are then owed by the proposed transferee to the trustee as described above, and we may pay the amount of any such reduction to the trustee for distribution to the charitable beneficiary. We will have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares held in the charitable trust, as discussed below. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will be required to distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee, and any distributions held by the trustee with respect to such shares shall be paid to the charitable beneficiary.

If we do not buy the shares, the trustee will be required, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of a transfer of shares to the trust, to sell the shares to a person or entity designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits, or the other restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock. After selling the shares, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares transferred to the trust will terminate and the trustee will be required to distribute to the proposed transferee an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the proposed transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held by the trust ( e.g. , in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the market price of such stock on the day of the event causing the shares to be held by the trust and (2) the sales proceeds (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares. The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the proposed transferee by the amount of any dividends or other distributions that we paid to the proposed transferee before we discovered that the shares had been automatically transferred to the trust and that are then owed by the proposed transferee to the trustee as described above. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the proposed transferee will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary, together with any distributions thereon. If the proposed transferee sells such shares prior to the discovery that such shares have been transferred to the trustee, then (a) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and (b) to the extent that the proposed transferee received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such proposed transferee was entitled to receive pursuant to this paragraph, such excess shall be paid to the trustee upon demand. The proposed transferee will have no rights in the shares held by the trustee.

 

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Any certificates representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions on transfer and ownership described above.

Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, will be required to give us written notice stating the person’s name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the person beneficially owns, a description of the manner in which the shares are held and any additional information that we request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the person’s beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits. In addition, any beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who holds shares of our stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner will be required to, on request, disclose to us in writing such information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the stockholder’s beneficial and constructive ownership of our stock on our status as a REIT and to comply, or determine our compliance with, the requirements of any governmental or taxing authority.

The restrictions on transfer and ownership described above could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control in which holders of shares of our stock might receive a premium for their shares over the then prevailing price.

Amendments to Our Charter and Bylaws and Approval of Extraordinary Actions

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter, merge, consolidate, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a statutory share exchange or dissolve unless the action is advised by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these actions by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter will provide that the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter will be required to approve all charter amendments or extraordinary actions. However, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of the stockholders of the corporation to one or more persons if all of the equity interests of the person or persons are owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation.

Our board of directors will have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to adopt new bylaws.

Removal of Directors; Vacancies on Our Board of Directors

Our charter will provide that, subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of preferred stock separately entitled to elect one or more directors, a director may be removed only with cause, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as a single class. We have elected to be subject to certain provisions of the MGCL, as a result of which our board of directors will have the exclusive power to fill vacancies on the board of directors.

Business Combinations

Under the MGCL, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

 

    any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock; or

 

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    an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which such person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, a board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board of directors.

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

 

    80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and

 

    two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, voting together as a single class.

These supermajority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under the MGCL, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our board of directors has not opted out of the business combination provisions of the MGCL and, consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will apply to business combinations between us and any interested stockholder of ours.

We will be subject to the business combination provisions described above. However, our board of directors may elect to opt out of the business combination provisions at any time in the future.

Control Share Acquisitions

Maryland law provides that issued and outstanding shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers, or by employees who are directors of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to, directly or indirectly, exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

 

    one-tenth or more but less than one-third;

 

    one-third or more but less than a majority; or

 

    more than 50%.

Control shares do not include shares the acquiror is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to

 

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consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the special meeting. If no request for a special meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholder meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the special meeting or if the acquiror does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may, subject to certain conditions and limitations, redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholder meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

The control share acquisition statute does not apply (1) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction, or (2) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

Our bylaws will contain a provision that will exempt from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. There can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

Subtitle 8

Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or by a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:

 

    a classified board;

 

    a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director;

 

    a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors;

 

    a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office and such director shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualified; and

 

    a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.

Our charter will provide that, at such time as we are eligible to make a Subtitle 8 election, we will elect to be subject to the provisions of Subtitle 8 that vests in the board the exclusive power to fix the number of directors and requires that vacancies on the board may be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the directors in which the vacancy occurred. Our charter will also provide for a classified board and two-thirds requirement for removing a director. Through provisions in our bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we will require, unless called by our chairman, chief executive officer, president or the board of directors, the request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting to call a special meeting of stockholders.

 

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Special Meetings of the Stockholders

Our chairman, chief executive officer, president or board of directors will have the power to call a special meeting of stockholders. A special meeting of our stockholders to act on any matter that may properly be brought before a meeting of stockholders will also be called by the secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting and containing the information required by our bylaws. The secretary will be required to inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing the notice of meeting (including its proxy materials), and the requesting stockholder will be required to pay such estimated cost to the secretary prior to the preparation and mailing of any notice for such special meeting.

Transactions Outside the Ordinary Course of Business

Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally may not dissolve, merge or consolidate with another entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless the action is declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is specified in the corporation’s charter. Our charter provides that these actions must be approved by a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Dissolution of Our Company

The dissolution of our company must be declared advisable by a majority of our entire board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Advance Notice of Director Nomination and New Business

Our charter and bylaws will provide that, at any annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors and proposals of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (3) by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the time of provision of notice and at the time of the meeting, is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of directors or on such other proposed business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of our bylaws. The stockholder generally must provide notice to the secretary not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of our proxy statement for the solicitation of proxies for election of directors at the preceding year’s annual meeting.

Only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before any special meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws will provide that nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors at a special meeting of stockholders may be made only (1) by or at the direction of its board of directors or (2) if the special meeting has been called for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of record at the time of provision of the notice and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws. Such stockholder will be entitled to nominate one or more individuals, as the case may be, for election as a director if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by our bylaws, is delivered to the secretary not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such special meeting or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the board of directors to be elected at such meeting.

The purpose of requiring stockholders to give advance notice of nominations and other proposals is to afford our board of directors the opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees or the

 

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advisability of the other proposals and, to the extent considered necessary by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations regarding the nominations or other proposals. The advance notice procedures also permit a more orderly procedure for conducting stockholder meetings.

Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws

The restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock will prohibit any person from acquiring more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or more than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock, without the prior consent of our board of directors. The business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire more than 10% of our stock without the advance approval of our board of directors, and may substantially delay or increase the difficulty of consummating any transaction with or change in control of us. Because our board of directors will be able to approve exceptions to the ownership limits and exempt transactions from the business combination statute, the ownership limits and the business combination statute will not interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by our board of directors. The power of our board of directors to classify and reclassify unissued common stock or preferred stock, and authorize us to issue classified or reclassified shares, also could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or other transaction.

Our charter will provide for a staggered board of directors consisting of three classes of directors. Directors of each class will be chosen for three-year terms upon the expiration of their current terms and each year one class of our directors will be elected by our stockholders. The terms of the first, second and third classes will expire in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. We believe that classification of our board of directors will help to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors. Additionally, there will be no cumulative voting in the election of directors. This classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors. Thus, the classified board provision could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. The staggered terms of directors may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer, an attempt to change control of us, even though a tender offer or change in control might be believed by our stockholders to be in their best interest.

The provisions described above, along with other provisions of the MGCL and our charter and bylaws discussed above, including provisions relating to the removal of directors and the filling of vacancies, the supermajority vote that will be required to amend certain provisions of our charter, the advance notice provisions and the procedures that stockholders will be required to follow to request a special meeting, alone or in combination, could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or other change in control of us that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stockholders or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders, and could increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

After the Spin-Off, the registrar and transfer agent for our common stock will be Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc.

Listing

We have applied to list our common stock on NASDAQ under the symbol “CTRE.”

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers

Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision that limits the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or

 

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(2) active or deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and that is material to the cause of action. Our charter will contain a provision that will limit, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland statutory or decisional law, the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for money damages.

Maryland law requires a Maryland corporation (unless otherwise provided in its charter, which our charter will not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in that capacity unless it is established that:

 

    the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

 

    the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

 

    in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

Under the MGCL, we may not indemnify a director or officer in a suit by us or in our right in which the director or officer was adjudged liable to us or in a suit in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by the corporation or in its right, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, will be limited to expenses.

In addition, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon receipt of (1) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification and (2) a written undertaking by him or her, or on his or her behalf, to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

Our bylaws will require, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, that we indemnify and pay or reimburse the reasonable expenses in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding of (1) any present or former director or officer and (2) any individual who, while a director or officer and, at our request, serves or has served another corporation, REIT, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager from and against any claim or liability to which he or she may become subject or which he or she may incur by reason of his or her service in any of the foregoing capacities.

In addition, our bylaws permit us, with the approval of our board of directors, to provide such indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses in advance to any individual who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described in the paragraph above and to any employee or agent of ours or a predecessor of ours.

We will enter into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors providing for the indemnification of, and advancement of expenses to, each such person in connection with claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of such person’s service as an officer or director of ours. We also will maintain insurance on behalf of our directors and officers, insuring them against liabilities that they may incur in such capacities or arising from this status.

 

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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our common stock. For purposes of this section, references to “CareTrust,” “we,” “our” and “us” generally mean only CareTrust REIT, Inc. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is based on the Code, the regulations promulgated by the Treasury, rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we and our subsidiaries and affiliated entities will operate in accordance with our and their applicable organizational documents. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. It does not discuss any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences relevant to us or an investment in our common stock, and it does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:

 

    financial institutions;

 

    insurance companies;

 

    broker-dealers;

 

    regulated investment companies;

 

    partnerships, other pass-through entities and trusts;

 

    persons who hold our stock on behalf of other persons as nominees;

 

    persons who receive our stock as compensation;

 

    persons holding our stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;

 

    persons who are subject to alternative minimum tax;

and, except to the extent discussed below:

 

    tax-exempt organizations; and

 

    foreign investors.

This summary assumes that investors will hold their common stock as a capital asset, which generally means property held for investment.

The U.S. federal income tax treatment of holders of our common stock depends, in some instances, on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular stockholder of holding our common stock will depend on the stockholder’s particular tax circumstances. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor as to the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences to you in light of your particular investment or tax circumstances of acquiring, holding, exchanging, or otherwise disposing of our common stock.

TAXATION OF CARETRUST

Following the Spin-Off, we intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT commencing with our taxable year beginning the day after the effective date of the Spin-Off and ending December 31, 2014, upon the filing of our

 

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U.S. federal income tax return for such period. We believe that we will be organized, and we expect to operate, in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code.

The law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has acted as our tax counsel (“Tax Counsel”) in connection with our intended election to be taxed as a REIT. We intend to operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we expect that we will receive an opinion of Tax Counsel with respect to our qualification to be taxed as a REIT in connection with our election to be taxed as a REIT. Investors should be aware, however, that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS or any court. The opinion of Tax Counsel represents only the view of Tax Counsel, based on its review and analysis of existing law and on certain representations as to factual matters and covenants made by Ensign and us, including representations relating to the values of our assets and the sources of our income. The opinion will be expressed as of the date issued. Tax Counsel will have no obligation to advise Ensign, us or the holders of our common stock of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed or of any subsequent change in applicable law. Furthermore, both the validity of the opinion of Tax Counsel and our qualification to be taxed as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis, the results of which will not be monitored by Tax Counsel. Our ability to satisfy the asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals.

TAXATION OF REITS IN GENERAL

As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under “—Requirements for Qualification—General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “—Failure to Qualify.”

Provided that we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net REIT taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from an investment in a C corporation. A “C corporation” is a corporation that generally is required to pay tax at the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon a distribution of dividends to our stockholders.

U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate dividends at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% (the same as long-term capital gains). With limited exceptions, however, dividends from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are generally not eligible for this rate and will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income. The highest marginal noncorporate U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income is 39.6%. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions.”

Any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions.”

If we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:

 

    We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed net taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.

 

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    We may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference, including any deductions of net operating losses.

 

    If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “—Prohibited Transactions” and “—Foreclosure Property.”

 

    If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 35%).

 

    If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification to be taxed as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income.

 

    If we violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification to be taxed as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to a penalty tax. In that case, the amount of the penalty tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the non-qualifying assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%) if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.

 

    If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts that we actually distributed and (b) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.

 

    We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders, as described below in “—Requirements for Qualification—General.”

 

    A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a TRS that do not reflect arm’s-length terms.

 

    If we recognize gain on the disposition of any asset held by us on the day after the effective date of the Spin-Off (when our election to be subject to tax as a REIT is expected to become effective) during a specified period (generally, ten years) thereafter, then we will owe tax at the highest corporate tax rate on the lesser of (1) the excess of the fair market value of the asset on the effective date of our election to be subject to tax as a REIT over its basis in the asset at such time, and (2) the gain recognized upon the disposition of such asset.

 

    If after the effective date of our election to be subject to tax as REIT, we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT ( i.e ., a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the ten-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation.

 

    The earnings of our TRSs will generally be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

 

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In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property, gross receipts and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

Requirements for Qualification—General

The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

 

  (1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

 

  (2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

 

  (3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;

 

  (4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;

 

  (5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;

 

  (6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code to include specified tax-exempt entities); and

 

  (7) that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.

The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporation’s initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, is expected to be 2014). Our charter will provide restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of shares of our stock, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the stock ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above, among other purposes. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement.

To monitor compliance with the stock ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our stock. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the stock ( i.e ., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If such record holder fails or refuses to comply with the demands, such record holder will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with such record holder’s tax return disclosing such record holder’s actual ownership of our stock and other information.

In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We intend to adopt December 31 as our year-end, and thereby satisfy this requirement.

 

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Effect of Subsidiary Entities

Ownership of Partnership Interests

If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership’s income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership’s assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test, described below, our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.

If we become a limited partner or non-managing member in any partnership or limited liability company and such entity takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below under “—Income Tests—Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests.”

Disregarded Subsidiaries

If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is generally disregarded as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary’s assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), that is directly or indirectly wholly owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”

In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned—for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours—the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See “—Asset Tests” and “—Income Tests.”

Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat such subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation generally is subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

 

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We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary corporation to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary corporation, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations on a look-through basis in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to perform services or conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.

A TRS may not directly or indirectly operate or manage a healthcare facility. The Code defines a “healthcare facility” generally to mean a hospital, nursing facility, assisted living facility, congregate care facility, qualified continuing care facility, or other licensed facility which extends medical or nursing or ancillary services to patients. If the IRS were to treat a subsidiary corporation of ours as directly or indirectly operating or managing a healthcare facility, such subsidiary would not qualify as a TRS, which could jeopardize our REIT qualification under the REIT 5% and 10% gross asset tests.

Although a TRS may not operate or manage a healthcare facility, rent received by a REIT from the lease of a healthcare facility to a TRS may qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided that the facility is operated by an “eligible independent contractor.” Qualification as an eligible independent contractor, however, involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which only limited authorities exist.

The TRS rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise tax on transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the REIT’s tenants that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. We intend that all of our transactions with our TRSs, if any, will be conducted on an arm’s-length basis.

Income Tests

In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions,” discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, generally must be derived from “rents from real property,” gains from the sale of real estate assets, interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), dividends received from other REITs and specified income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. Income and gain from certain hedging transactions will be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.

Rents from Real Property

Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as “rents from real property” for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the conditions described below are met.

 

    The amount of rent is not based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount we receive or accrue will generally not be excluded from the term “rents from real property” solely because it is based on a fixed-percentage or percentages of receipts or sales;

 

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    Neither we nor an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our stock actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the interests in the assets or net profits of a noncorporate tenant, or, if the tenant is a corporation (but excluding any TRS), 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of stock of the tenant. Rents we receive from such a tenant that is a TRS of ours, however, will not be excluded from the definition of “rents from real property” as a result of this condition if at least 90% of the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to third parties, and the rents paid by the TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by our other tenants for comparable space. Whether rents paid by a TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the TRS is entered into, extended, and modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if a lease with a “controlled TRS” is modified and such modification results in an increase in the rents payable by such TRS, any such increase will not qualify as “rents from real property.” For purposes of this rule, a “controlled TRS” is a TRS in which the parent REIT owns stock possessing more than 50% of the voting power or more than 50% of the total value of the outstanding stock of such TRS. In addition, rents we receive from a tenant that also is our TRS will not be excluded from the definition of “rents from real property” as a result of our ownership interest in the TRS if the property to which the rents relate is a qualified lodging facility or a qualified health care property, and such property is operated on behalf of the TRS by a person who is an independent contractor and certain other requirements are met. Our TRSs will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their income from the operations of these properties;

 

    Rent attributable to personal property that is leased in connection with a lease of real property is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. If this condition is not met, then the portion of the rent attributable to personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property”; and

 

    We generally do not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis and except as provided below. We are permitted, however, to perform directly certain services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered “rendered to the occupant” of the property. Examples of these permitted services include the provision of light, heat or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of common areas. In addition, we are permitted to employ an independent contractor from whom we derive no revenues, or a TRS, which may be wholly or partially owned by us, to provide non-customary services to our tenants without causing the rent that we receive from those tenants to fail to qualify as “rents from real property.”

Interest Income

Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test. For these purposes, the term “interest” generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued will generally not be excluded from the term “interest” solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.

 

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Dividend Income

We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from another REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.

Fee Income

Any fee income that we earn will generally not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by a TRS, however, will not be included for purposes of our gross income tests.

Hedging Transactions

Any income or gain that we or our pass-through subsidiaries derive from instruments that hedge certain risks, such as the risk of changes in interest rates, will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided that specified requirements are met, including the requirement that the instrument is entered into during the ordinary course of our business, the instrument hedges risks associated with indebtedness issued by us or our pass-through subsidiary that is incurred or to be incurred to acquire or carry “real estate assets” (as described below under “—Asset Tests”), and the instrument is properly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods. Most likely, income and gain from all other hedging transactions will not be qualifying income for either the 95% or 75% gross income test.

Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests

If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, including as a result of rents received by us from Ensign failing to qualify as “rents from real property,” we may still qualify to be taxed as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (1) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (2) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations, which have not yet been issued. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify to be taxed as a REIT. Even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.

Asset Tests

At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property and stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs, as well as some kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.

Second, the value of any one issuer’s securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.

 

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Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries, and the 10% asset test does not apply to “straight debt” having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code.

Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold, together with other non-qualified assets (such as furniture and equipment or other tangible personal property, or non-real estate securities) may not, in the aggregate, exceed 25% of the value of our total assets.

Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by another REIT may not so qualify (although such debt will not be treated as “securities” for purposes of the 10% asset test, as explained below).

Certain securities will not cause a violation of the 10% asset test described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute “straight debt,” which term generally excludes, among other things, securities having contingency features. A security does not qualify as “straight debt” where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuer’s outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% asset test. Such securities include (1) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (2) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (3) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (4) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a nongovernmental entity, (5) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT and (6) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnership’s income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under “—Income Tests.” In applying the 10% asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REIT’s proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership.

No independent appraisals have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, the values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. For example, if we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if (a) we satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (b) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the relative market values of our assets. If the condition described in (b) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of the relief provisions described above.

 

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In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT’s total assets and $10,000,000 and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.

Even if we did not qualify for the foregoing relief provisions, one additional provision allows a REIT that fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (1) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (2) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (3) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 35%) and (4) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.

Annual Distribution Requirements

In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:

 

  (1) the sum of

 

  (a) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid; and

 

  (b) 90% of our after tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property (as described below); minus

 

  (2) the excess of the sum of specified items of noncash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gain and the deduction for dividends paid.

We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. These distributions will be treated as received by our stockholders in the year in which paid. In order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITs, and to provide us with a REIT-level tax deduction, the distributions must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (i)  pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class and (ii) in accordance with any preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents.

To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, some or all of our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (1) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (2) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.

To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the tax treatment to our stockholders of any distributions that are actually made. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions.”

 

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If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts actually distributed, plus (b) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.

We expect that our REIT taxable income will be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other noncash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we will generally have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt, acquire assets, or for other reasons. If these timing differences occur, we may borrow funds to pay dividends or pay dividends through the distribution of other property (including shares of our stock) in order to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash. Alternatively, we may declare a taxable dividend payable in cash or stock at the election of each stockholder, where the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed in such dividend may be subject to limitation. In such case, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

If our taxable income for a particular year is subsequently determined to have been understated, we may be able to rectify a resultant failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described above. We will be required to pay interest based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

For purposes of the 90% distribution requirement and excise tax described above, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before January 31 of the following calendar year.

Earnings and Profits Distribution Requirement

In connection with the Spin-Off, Ensign will allocate its earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for periods prior to the consummation of the Spin-Off between Ensign and us in accordance with provisions of the Code. A REIT is not permitted to have accumulated earnings and profits attributable to non-REIT years. A REIT has until the close of its first taxable year in which it has non-REIT earnings and profits to distribute all such earnings and profits.

In order to comply with this requirement, we will pay the Purging Distribution(s) by declaring a dividend to our stockholders to distribute our accumulated earnings and profits attributable to any non-REIT years, including any earnings and profits allocated to us by Ensign in connection with the Spin-Off. We expect to pay the Purging Distribution(s) in a combination of cash and our common stock. The portion that will be paid in cash will be determined at the time the dividend is declared, but will be at least 20% and not more than 25% of the total amount distributed to all stockholders. Ensign has received the IRS Ruling, which addresses, in addition to the treatment of the Spin-Off, certain tax issues relevant to our payment of the Purging Distribution in a combination of cash and our stock. In general, the IRS Ruling provides, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, that (1) any and all of the cash and stock distributed by us to our stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be treated as a distribution of property with respect to our stock, and as a dividend to

 

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the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and (2) the amount of any distribution of stock received by any of our stockholders as part of the Purging Distribution will be considered to equal the amount of the money which could have been received instead. A holder of our common stock will be required to report dividend income as a result of the Purging Distribution even if such stockholder received no cash or only nominal amounts of cash in the distribution. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions.”

Prohibited Transactions

Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held as inventory or for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held as inventory or “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as inventory or property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.

Like-Kind Exchanges

We may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require us to pay federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.

Derivatives and Hedging Transactions

We may enter into hedging transactions, including with respect to foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as swap contracts, cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts and options. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into (1) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as specified in Treasury regulations before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of a position in such a transaction and (2) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests, which is clearly identified as such before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Moreover, to the extent that a position in a hedging transaction has positive value at any particular point in time, it may be treated as an asset that does not qualify for purposes of the REIT asset tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification to be taxed as a REIT. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency risk) through a TRS or other corporate entity,

 

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the income from which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income or assets that do not qualify for purposes of the REIT tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.

Foreclosure Property

Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that we acquire as the result of having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. Foreclosure property also includes certain qualified healthcare property acquired by a REIT as the result of the termination or expiration of a lease of such property (other than by reason of a default, or the imminence of a default, on the lease). In general, we may operate a qualified healthcare facility acquired in this manner through, and in certain circumstances may derive income from, an independent contractor for two years (or up to six years if extensions are granted). For purposes of this rule, a “qualified healthcare property” means a hospital, nursing facility, assisted living facility, congregate care facility, qualified continuing care facility, or other licensed facility which extends medical or nursing or ancillary services to patients and which is operated by a provider which is eligible for participation in the Medicare program with respect to such facility, along with any real property or personal property necessary or incidental to the use of any such facility.

We will generally be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. We do not anticipate receiving any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test.

Penalty Tax

Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions or excess interest we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished to any of our tenants by a TRS, and redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a TRS for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s-length negotiations or if the interest payments were at a commercially reasonable rate. Rents that we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code.

From time to time, our TRS may provide services to our tenants. We intend to set the fees paid to our TRS for such services at arm’s-length rates, although the fees paid may not satisfy the safe-harbor provisions described above. These determinations are inherently factual, and the IRS has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to clearly reflect their respective incomes. If the IRS successfully made such an assertion, we would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on the excess of an arm’s-length fee for tenant services over the amount actually paid.

Failure to Qualify

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and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are also available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in “—Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests.”

If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we will be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), distributions to stockholders will be taxable as regular corporate dividends. Such dividends paid to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates may be taxable at the preferential income tax rates (i.e., the 20% maximum U.S. federal rate) for qualified dividends. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lose our qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we will be entitled to this statutory relief.

TAXATION OF STOCKHOLDERS

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to taxable U.S. stockholders. A “U.S. stockholder” is any holder of our common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

    an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

    a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 

    an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

    a trust if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership are urged to consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

Distributions

For such time as we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable U.S. stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that we do not designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taken into account by such stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. With limited exceptions, our dividends are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates ( i.e ., the 20% maximum U.S. federal rate) for qualified dividends received by most U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates from taxable C corporations. Such stockholders, however, are taxed at the preferential rates on dividends designated by and received from REITs to the extent that the dividends are attributable to:

 

    income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax) (i.e., the Purging Distribution(s));

 

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    dividends received by the REIT from TRSs or other taxable C corporations; or

 

    income in the prior taxable year from sales of “built-in gain” property acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income).

We expect to pay the Purging Distribution(s) in a combination of cash and our common stock. The portion that will be paid in cash will be determined at the time the dividend is declared, but will be at least 20% and not more than 25% of the total amount distributed to all stockholders. Ensign has received the IRS Ruling, which addresses, in addition to the treatment of the Spin-Off, certain tax issues relevant to our payment of the Purging Distribution in a combination of cash and our stock. In general, the IRS Ruling provides, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, that (1) the Purging Distribution will be treated as a dividend to the extent of our earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and (2) the amount of our stock received by any of our stockholders as part of a Purging Distribution will be considered to equal the amount of cash that could have been received instead. Each of our taxable U.S. stockholders will be required to report dividend income as a result of the Purging Distribution even if such stockholder received no cash or only nominal amounts of cash in the distribution. Similarly, if in the future we declare a taxable dividend payable in cash or stock at the election of each stockholder, where the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed in such dividend may be subject to limitation, taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxed to our U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the stockholder that receives such distribution has held its stock. We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gains, in which case we may elect to apply provisions of the Code that treat our U.S. stockholders as having received, solely for tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains, and the stockholders as receiving a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gains. See “—Taxation of REITs in General—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Corporate stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum U.S. federal rates of 20% in the case of U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates, and 35% in the case of U.S. stockholders that are corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than twelve months are subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for taxpayers who are taxed as individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will generally represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that the amount of such distributions does not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholder’s shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the stockholder’s shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a stockholder’s shares, the stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before January 31 of the following calendar year.

To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “—Taxation of REITs in General —Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.

 

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Dispositions of Our Stock

If a U.S. stockholder sells or disposes of shares of our stock, it will generally recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares of stock. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts or estates upon the sale or disposition of our stock will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% if the stock is held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of up to 39.6%) if the stock is held for one year or less. Gains recognized by stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 35%, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. Capital losses recognized by a stockholder upon the disposition of our stock that was held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may also offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of actual or deemed distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the stockholder as long-term capital gain.

If an investor recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our stock or other securities in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury regulations involving “reportable transactions” could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards “tax shelters,” are broadly written and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our stock or securities or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations

Distributions that we make and gains arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. stockholder of our stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, stockholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our stock. To the extent that distributions we make do not constitute a return of capital, they will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.

TAXATION OF NON-U.S. STOCKHOLDERS

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to non-U.S. stockholders. A “non-U.S. stockholder” is any holder of our common stock other than a partnership or U.S. stockholder.

Ordinary Dividends

The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. stockholders that (1) is payable out of our earnings and profits (including the Purging Distribution), (2) is not attributable to capital gains that we recognize and (3) is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder, will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by treaty.

In general, non-U.S. stockholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S.

 

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stockholder’s investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such effectively connected income must generally be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. stockholder. The income may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the case of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation.

Non-Dividend Distributions

Unless our stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (“USRPI”), distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. The non-U.S. stockholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If our stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (1) the stockholder’s proportionate share of our earnings and profits, plus (2) the stockholder’s basis in its stock, will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”), at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. stockholder of the same type ( i.e. , an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a withholding at a rate of 10% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholder’s share of our earnings and profits.

Capital Gain Dividends

Under FIRPTA, a distribution that we make to a non-U.S. stockholder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, or USRPI capital gains, will, except as described below, be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and will be subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations, without regard to whether we designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend. See “—Ordinary Dividends,” for a discussion of the consequences of income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of the maximum amount that could have been designated as USRPI capital gain dividends. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the hands of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation. A distribution is not attributable to USRPI capital gain if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. stockholder that are attributable to dispositions of our assets other than USRPIs are not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless (1) the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) or (2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will incur a 30% tax on his capital gains. We expect that a significant portion of our assets will be USRPIs.

A capital gain dividend that would otherwise have been treated as a USRPI capital gain will not be so treated or be subject to FIRPTA, and will generally not be treated as income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, but instead will be treated in the same manner as an ordinary dividend (see “—Ordinary Dividends”), if (1) the capital gain dividend is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States and (2) the recipient non-U.S. stockholder does not own more than 5% of that class of stock at any time during the year ending on the date on which the capital gain dividend is received. We anticipate that our common stock will be “regularly traded” on an established securities exchange.

 

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Dispositions of Our Stock

Unless our stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of our stock by a non-U.S. stockholder will generally not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, our stock will be treated as a USRPI if 50% or more of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the United States, excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor. We expect that 50% or more of our assets will consist of USRPIs.

Even if the foregoing 50% test is met, however, our stock will not constitute a USRPI if we are a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of value of which is held, directly or indirectly, by non-U.S. stockholders at all times during a specified testing period. As described above, our charter will contain restrictions designed to protect our status as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity,” and we believe that we will be and will remain, a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, and that a sale of our stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, no assurance can be given that we will be or will remain a domestically controlled qualified investment entity.

In the event that we are not a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, but our stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market, a non-U.S. stockholder’s sale of our common stock nonetheless also would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that the selling non-U.S. stockholder held 5% or less of our outstanding common stock at any time during a prescribed testing period. We expect that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market.

If gain on the sale of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. Moreover, in order to enforce the collection of the tax, the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.

Gain from the sale of our stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. stockholder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder, the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) or (2) if the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s capital gain. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our stock (subject to the 5% exception applicable to “regularly traded” stock described above), a non-U.S. stockholder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI if the non-U.S. stockholder (a) disposes of our common stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (b) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our common stock within 30 days after such ex-dividend date.

Non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our stock.

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders

Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they may be subject to

 

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taxation on their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt stockholder has not held our stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Code ( i.e. , where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder) and (2) our stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions that we make and income from the sale of our stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt stockholder.

Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to characterize distributions that we make as UBTI.

In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of any dividends received from us as UBTI if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) we are required to “look through” one or more of our pension trust stockholders in order to satisfy the REIT “closely held” test and (2) either (a) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock or (b) one or more pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively own more than 50% of the value of our stock. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of shares of our stock generally should prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock and generally should prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.

Tax-exempt stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our stock.

OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the Treasury, which review may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our common stock.

Medicare 3.8% Tax on Investment Income

Certain U.S. stockholders who are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax on dividends and certain other investment income, including capital gains from the sale or other disposition of our common stock.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

Legislation enacted in 2010 and existing guidance issued thereunder will require, after June 30, 2014, withholding at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of, and, after December 31, 2016, gross proceeds from the sale of, our common stock held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to shares in the institution held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance may modify these requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which our common stock is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of, and gross proceeds

 

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from the sale of, our common stock held by an investor that is a nonfinancial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (1) certifies to us that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (2) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which we will in turn provide to the IRS. We will not pay any additional amounts to stockholders in respect of any amounts withheld. Non-U.S. stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of the legislation on their investment in our common stock.

State, Local and Foreign Taxes

We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Any foreign taxes that we incur do not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our stock.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form 10 with the SEC relating to our shares of common stock. For further information with respect to us and our common stock, please refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits. Statements made in this information statement relating to any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract or document. You may review a copy of the registration statement, including its exhibits, at the SEC’s public reference room, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 as well as on the Internet website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov . Information contained on any website referenced in this information statement is not incorporated by reference in this information statement.

As a result of the Spin-Off, we will become subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, we will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC, which will be available on the Internet website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov .

We intend to furnish holders of our common stock with annual reports containing combined financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and audited and reported on, with an opinion expressed, by an independent registered public accounting firm.

You should rely only on the information contained in this information statement or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information or to make any representation not contained in this information statement.

Ensign is subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC and is required to file with the SEC annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information. Ensign’s publicly available filings can be found on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov .

We incorporate by reference in this information statement the following documents, which Ensign has filed or will file with the SEC; provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference, in each case, any documents, portion of documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules:

 

    Ensign’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013;

 

    Portions of Ensign’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 17, 2013, that are incorporated by reference into Part III of Ensign’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012; and

 

    Each periodic report on Form 10-Q filed by Ensign with the SEC prior to the Spin-Off.

The documents incorporated by reference contain important information about Ensign and its financial condition and results of operations. You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this information statement from the SEC as provided above. You also may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this information statement (excluding any exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in this document), at no cost, by writing or calling Ensign at the following address: 27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, telephone: (949) 487-9500.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Audited Annual Combined Financial Statements of Ensign Properties:

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Combined Financial Statements:

  

Combined Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

     F-3   

Combined Statements of Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

     F-4   

Combined Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

     F-5   

Combined Statements of Invested Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

     F-6   

Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

     F-7   

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

     F-8   

Financial Statement Schedules:

  

III – Schedule of Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation

     F-24   

CareTrust REIT, Inc.:

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-30   

Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and October 29, 2013

     F-31   

Note to Balance Sheet s

     F-31   


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

The Ensign Group, Inc.

Mission Viejo, California

We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Ensign Properties (the “Company”), as defined in the notes to the combined financial statements, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related combined statements of income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), invested equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index. These combined financial statements and the financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these combined financial statements and the financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such combined financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ensign Properties as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic combined financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As described in Note 1 and Note 2, the accompanying combined financial statements of the Company are comprised of the real property interests and independent living facility businesses of The Ensign Group, Inc., and contain related party transactions that may not be reflective of the actual amounts which would have been incurred had the Company operated as a separate entity apart from The Ensign Group, Inc. Included in Note 5 to the combined financial statements is a summary of related party transactions.

 

/s/ 

  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Costa Mesa, California

March 14, 2014

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

Assets:

     

Real estate investments, net of accumulated depreciation of $97,981 and $75,035 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively

    $ 425,003          $ 393,895     

Cash and cash equivalents

     895           735     

Accounts receivable

     20           25     

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     888           1,154     

Deferred tax assets

     859           399     

Deferred financing costs, net

     2,801           2,770     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    $ 430,466          $ 398,978     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Invested Equity:

     

Mortgage notes payable

    $ 114,982          $ 118,317     

Senior secured revolving credit facility

     78,701           20,000     

Senior secured term loan

     65,624           69,375     

Fair value of interest rate swap

     1,828           2,866     

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     5,783           3,473     

Deferred tax liabilities

     859           399     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     267,777           214,430     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

     

Invested Equity:

     

Invested capital

     164,517           187,414     

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,828)          (2,866)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     162,689           184,548     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and invested equity

    $ 430,466          $         398,978     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012      2011  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Revenues:

       

Rental income from Parent (Note 5)

    $ 41,242         $ 35,048          $ 26,213     

Tenant reimbursement from Parent

     5,168          4,470           3,912     

Other revenue

     2,386          2,545           1,816     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

     48,796          42,063           31,941     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses:

       

Depreciation and amortization

     23,418          21,103           16,618     

Interest expense

     11,948          11,502           10,505     

Interest – amortization of deferred financing costs

     699          705           601     

Property taxes

     5,168          4,470           3,912     

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     -          -           2,542     

Acquisition costs

     255          189           467     

Operating expenses

     2,138          2,074           1,433     

General and administrative

     5,442          1,788           2,377     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     49,068          41,831           38,455     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

(Loss) income before provision for income taxes

     (272)         232           (6,514)    

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     123          122           (1,173)    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

    $ (395)        $           110          $         (5,341)    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unaudited pro forma earnings per share data (Note 10)

       

Net income (loss) per common share, basic

    $ (0.02     
  

 

 

      

Net income (loss) per common share, diluted

    $ (0.02     
  

 

 

      

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, basic

     21,900        
  

 

 

      

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, diluted

     21,955        
  

 

 

      

See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2013      2012      2011  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (In thousands)  

Net (loss) income

    $ (395)         $         110          $ (5,341)    

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Net unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap

       1,038           (723)            (2,143)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

    $ 643          $ (613)         $ (7,484)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INVESTED EQUITY

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2013     2012     2011  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (In thousands)  

Invested capital:

     

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 187,414         $         181,752         $         98,400     

Net (loss) income

    (395)         110          (5,341)    

Net (distribution)/contribution to/from Parent (Note 5)

    (22,502)         5,552          88,693     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

    164,517          187,414          181,752     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

     

Balance, beginning of year

    (2,866)         (2,143)         -     

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    1,038          (723)         (2,143)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

    (1,828)         (2,866)         (2,143)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Invested Equity

   $ 162,689         $ 184,548         $ 179,609     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2013      2012      2011  
     (In thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

        

Net (loss) income

    $ (395)         $ 110          $ (5,341)    

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:

        

Depreciation and amortization

     23,418           21,103           16,618     

Amortization of deferred financing fees and debt discount

     821           826           717     

Deferred income taxes

     -           -           (1,239)    

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     -           -           2,542     

Loss on disposition of equipment, furniture and fixtures

     206           127           70     

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

        

Accounts receivable

     5           (4)          (19)    

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     266           2,911           52     

Accounts payable

     1,857           110           35     

Accrued wages

     79           (1,141)          72     

Other accrued liabilities

     375           94           505     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     26,632           24,136           14,012     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

        

Acquisition of real estate businesses

     (35,656)          (29,997)          (110,056)    

Purchases of equipment, furniture, and fixtures

     (19,931)          (19,757)          (34,460)    

Cash proceeds from the sale of equipment, furniture and fixtures

     854           249           759     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (54,733)          (49,505)          (143,757)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

        

Proceeds from issuance of debt

     58,700           36,525           90,000     

Principal payments on long-term debt

     (7,207)          (16,825)          (44,758)    

Cash paid for extinguishment of debt

     -           -           (1,501)    

Payments of deferred financing costs

     (730)          (244)          (2,571)    

Net (distribution)/contribution to/from Parent (Note 5)

     (22,502)          5,552           88,693     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     28,261           25,008           129,863     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     160           (361)          118     

Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period

     735           1,096           978     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents end of period

    $ 895          $             735          $             1,096     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

        

Cash paid during the period for:

        

Interest

    $ 12,657          $ 12,275          $ 13,603     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income taxes

    $ 100          $ 111          $ 48     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands)

1. OVERVIEW

Separation from Ensign - The Board of Directors of The Ensign Group, Inc. (collectively with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Ensign” or “Parent”) has authorized management to pursue a plan to separate its real estate business (“Ensign Properties” or the “Company”) into an independent publicly traded company. Prior to the separation, this business consists of all of Ensign’s real property interests, the entities that own its three independent living facilities and the related assets and liabilities. The proposed separation is intended to take the form of a tax-free spin-off to Parent’s stockholders of 100% of the shares of the Company.

The separation is conditioned on, among other things, final approval of the transaction by Parent’s Board of Directors, the receipt of both a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that the separation, as disclosed, will not result in the recognition, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of income, gain or loss to Parent or its stockholders (except to the extent of cash received by stockholders in lieu of fractional shares), opinions of tax advisors as to the satisfaction of certain requirements for such tax-free treatment and that, commencing with the Company’s taxable year ending on December 31, 2014, the Company has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (“Code”).

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 505-60, Equity—Spinoffs and Reverse Spinoffs, the accounting for the separation of the Company follows its legal form, with Ensign as the legal and accounting spinnor and the Company as the legal and accounting spinnee, due to the relative significance of Ensign’s healthcare business, the relative fair values of the respective companies, the retention of all senior management except Mr. Stapley by Ensign, and other relevant indicators.

Description of Business - The Company’s primary business consists of acquiring, financing and owning real property to be leased to third party tenants in the healthcare sector. As of December 31, 2013, the 94 skilled nursing, assisted and independent living facilities owned by the Company and leased to Parent, and the three independent living facilities owned and operated by the Company, had a total of 10,121 operational beds located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington. The three independent living facilities operated by the Company had a total of 264 units located in Texas and Utah.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation —The accompanying combined financial statements of the Company are presented on a “carve-out” basis from Ensign’s consolidated financial statements based on the historical results of operations, cash flows, assets and liabilities attributable to its real estate business and were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). All intercompany transactions and account balances within the Company have been eliminated.

The combined balance sheets of the Company include Parent assets and liabilities that are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company. The combined statements of income (loss) reflect allocations of general corporate expenses from Parent including, but not limited to, executive management, finance, legal, information technology, human resources, employee benefits administration, treasury, risk management, procurement, and other shared services. See further discussion in Note 5, Related Party Transactions.

Management believes that the assumptions and estimates used in preparation of the underlying combined financial statements are reasonable. However, the combined financial statements herein do not necessarily reflect what the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows would have been if the Company had been a stand-alone company during the periods presented. As a result, historical financial information is not necessarily indicative of the Company’s future results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Invested Capital – Invested capital in the combined balance sheets represents Parent’s historical investment in the Company, the net effect of cost allocations from transactions with Parent, net transfers of cash and assets to Parent and the Company’s accumulated earnings. See further discussion of transactions with Parent in Note 5, Related Party Transactions.

Estimates and Assumptions — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Real Estate Properties — Real estate properties consist of land, buildings and improvements, integral equipment, furniture and fixtures, and are stated at historical cost. Real estate costs related to the acquisition and improvement of properties are capitalized over the expected useful life of the asset. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred and significant replacements and betterments are capitalized.

In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations , the Company estimates as part of our allocation of the purchase price of acquisitions to the various components of the acquisition based upon the relative fair value of each component. In determining fair value, the Company uses current appraisals or other third party opinions of value. The most significant components of our allocations are typically the allocation of value to land and buildings. In the case of the value of buildings and the allocation of value to land and other intangibles, the estimates of the value of these components will affect the depreciation and amortization the Company records over the estimated useful life of the property acquired. Transaction costs related to acquisitions are expensed as incurred.

The Company considers the period of future benefit of an asset to determine its appropriate useful life. Depreciation on the Company’s buildings and improvements is computed using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 5 to 40 years. If the Company uses a shorter or longer estimated useful life, it could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations. The Company believes that 5 to 40 years is an appropriate estimate of useful life. The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amount of our property and equipment may not be recoverable or realized.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - Management periodically evaluates the Company’s real estate investments for impairment indicators, including the evaluation of the Company’s assets’ useful lives. Management also assesses the carrying value of the Company’s real estate investments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The judgment regarding the existence of impairment indicators is based on factors such as, but not limited to, market conditions, operator performance and legal structure. If indicators of impairment are present, management evaluates the carrying value of the related real estate investments in relation to the future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying facilities. Provisions for impairment losses related to long-lived assets are recognized when expected future undiscounted cash flows are determined to be less than the carrying values of the assets. An adjustment is made to the net carrying value of the real estate investments for the excess of carrying value over fair value. All impairments are taken as a period cost at that time, and depreciation is adjusted going forward to reflect the new value assigned to the asset.

If the Company decides to sell real estate properties, we evaluate the recoverability of the carrying amounts of the assets. If the evaluation indicates that the carrying value is not recoverable from estimated net sales proceeds, the property is written down to estimated fair value less costs to sell.

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

In the event of impairment, the fair value of the real estate investment is determined by market research, which includes valuing the property in its current use as well as other alternative uses, and involves significant judgment. The Company’s estimates of cash flows and fair values of the properties are based on current market conditions and consider matters such as rental rates and occupancies for comparable properties, recent sales data for comparable properties, and, where applicable, contracts or the results of negotiations with purchasers or prospective purchasers. The Company’s ability to accurately estimate future cash flows and estimate and allocate fair values impacts the timing and recognition of impairments. While the Company believes its assumptions are reasonable, changes in these assumptions may have a material impact on financial results.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, interest rate swap agreement, accounts receivable and borrowings. The Company believes all of the financial instruments’ recorded values approximate fair values because of their nature or respective short durations. The interest rate swap is carried at fair value on the balance sheet. See further discussion in Note 4, Fair Value Measurements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank term deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less at time of purchase and therefore approximate fair value. The fair value of these investments is determined based on “Level 1” inputs, which consist of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets. The Company places its cash and short-term investments with high credit quality financial institutions.

Deferred Financing Costs — External costs incurred from placement of our debt is capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related borrowings, which approximates the effective interest method. Amortization of financing costs is classified as “interest - amortization of deferred financing costs” in our combined statements of operations. Accumulated amortization of deferred financing costs was $2,413 and $1,714 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

When financings are terminated, unamortized deferred financing costs, as well as charges incurred for the termination, are expensed at the time the termination is made. Gains and losses from the extinguishment of debt are presented within our combined financial statements.

Revenue Recognition — The Company recognizes rental revenue, including rental abatements, lease incentives and contractual fixed increases attributable to operating leases, if any, from tenants under lease arrangements with minimum fixed and determinable increases on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the related leases when collectability is reasonably assured. Tenant recoveries related to the reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance, and other operating expenses are recognized as revenue in the period the expenses are incurred and presented gross if the Company is the primary obligor and, with respect to purchasing goods and services from third-party suppliers, has discretion in selecting the supplier and bears the associated credit risk. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, such tenant reimbursement revenues consist of real estate taxes. Contingent revenue, if any, is not recognized until all possible contingencies have been eliminated.

Income Taxes —The Company’s operations have historically been included in Parent’s U.S. federal and state income tax returns and all income taxes have been paid by Parent. Income tax expense and other income tax related information contained in these combined financial statements are presented on a separate tax return basis as if the Company filed its own tax returns. Management believes that the assumptions and estimates used to determine these tax amounts are reasonable. However, the combined financial statements herein may not necessarily reflect the Company’s income tax expense or tax payments in the future, or what its tax amounts would have been if the Company had been a stand-alone company during the periods presented.

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at tax rates in effect when such temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Company generally expects to fully utilize its deferred tax assets; however, when necessary, the Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its net deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

When the Company takes uncertain income tax positions that do not meet the recognition criteria, it records a liability for underpayment of income taxes and related interest and penalties, if any. In considering the need for and magnitude of a liability for such positions, the Company must consider the potential outcomes from a review of the positions by the taxing authorities.

In determining the need for a valuation allowance or the need for and magnitude of liabilities for uncertain tax positions, the Company makes certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are based on, among other things, knowledge of operations, markets, historical trends and likely future changes and, when appropriate, the opinions of advisors with knowledge and expertise in certain fields. Due to certain risks associated with the Company’s estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities — The Company evaluates variable and fixed interest rate risk exposure on a routine basis and to the extent the Company believes that it is appropriate, it will offset most of its variable risk exposure by entering into interest rate swap agreements. It is the Company’s policy to only utilize derivative instruments for hedging purposes (i.e. not for speculation). The Company formally designates its interest rate swap agreements as hedges and documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items. The Company formally assesses effectiveness of its hedging relationships, both at the hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, then measures and records ineffectiveness. The Company would discontinue hedge accounting prospectively (i) if it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting change in the cash flows of a hedged item, (ii) when the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, (iii) if it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur, or (iv) if management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedge instrument is no longer appropriate. The Company’s derivative is recorded on the balance sheet at its fair value.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Accumulated other comprehensive loss refers to revenue, expenses, gains, and losses that are recorded as an element of invested equity but are excluded from net income (loss). The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) consists of net deferred gains and losses on certain derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, accumulated other comprehensive losses were $1,828 and $2,866, respectively, in invested equity.

Concentration of Credit Risk — Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of operating leases on our owned properties. See Note 9, Concentration of Risk for a discussion of major operator concentration.

Segment Disclosures — The FASB accounting guidance regarding disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information establishes standards for the manner in which public business enterprises report information about operating segments. The Company has one reportable segment consisting of investments in healthcare related real estate properties.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements — Except for rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws and a limited number of grandfathered standards, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (ASC) is the sole source of authoritative GAAP literature recognized by the FASB and

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

applicable to the Company. The Company has reviewed the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) accounting pronouncements and interpretations thereof that have effectiveness dates during the periods reported and in future periods. The Company has carefully considered the new pronouncements that alter previous generally accepted accounting principles and does not believe that any new or modified principles will have a material impact on the Company’s reported financial position or operations in the near term. The applicability of any standard is subject to the formal review of the Company’s financial management and certain standards are under consideration.

3. REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES

The following tables summarize our investment in owned properties at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively:

 

                                                                                                                                                         

Type of property

  Gross
Investments
    Percentage of
Investments
    Number of
Properties
   

Number of

    Average  
        SNF     ALF     IND     Investment per  
        Beds     Units     Units     Bed/Unit  

Skilled nursing

   $ 339,115        74.4%        72        7,438                    $ 46   

Skilled nursing campus

    57,032        12.5%        10        937        462        44        40   

Assisted living & Independent living

    49,207        10.8%        12               1,032        208        40   

Independent living operated by the Company

    10,698        2.3%        3                      264        41   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total at December 31, 2013

   $ 456,052        100.0%        97        8,375        1,494        516        44   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Type of property

  Gross
Investments
    Percentage of
Investments
    Number of
Properties
   

Number of

    Average  
        SNF     ALF     IND     Investment per  
        Beds     Units     Units     Bed/Unit  

Skilled nursing

   $ 307,894         75.1%         65         6,759                      $ 46       

Skilled nursing campus

    56,329         13.7%         10         937         462         44         39       

Assisted living & Independent living

    35,116         8.6%                       751         208         37       

Independent living operated by the Company

    10,670         2.6%                              264         40       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total at December 31, 2012

   $  410,009         100.0%               87           7,696           1,213               516           44       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

     December 31,  
             2013                      2012          

Land

    $ 75,112            $ 68,174       

Buildings and improvements

     380,940             341,835       

Integral equipment, furniture and fixtures

     66,932             58,921       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Real estate properties

     522,984             468,930       

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (97,981)             (75,035)       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Real estate properties, net

    $ 425,003            $     393,895       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Owned properties are leased pursuant to non-cancelable operating leases generally with an initial term of 10 to 15 years. Each triple net lease requires the lessee to pay all taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs, capital and non-capital expenditures and other costs necessary in the operations of the facilities. All of the leases contain renewal options. The leases provide for minimum base rent during the initial and renewal periods and do not contain specified rent increases.

Acquisitions – Parent has historically purchased operations to complement its existing portfolio. The historical business acquisitions have been attributed to the Company.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Parent acquired seven stand-alone skilled nursing facilities, and three stand-alone assisted living facilities. These acquisitions added a total of 692 operational skilled nursing beds and 281 operational assisted living units to the Company’s operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Parent acquired four stand-alone skilled nursing facilities, one skilled nursing campus facility, one stand-alone assisted living facility, and acquired the assets of three previously leased facilities. These acquisitions added a total of 692 operational skilled nursing beds and 84 operational assisted living units to the Company’s operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Parent acquired eight stand-alone skilled nursing facilities, six skilled nursing campus facilities, three stand- alone assisted living facilities, three stand-alone independent living facilities, and acquired the assets of five previously leased facilities. These acquisitions added a total of 1,780 operational skilled nursing beds, 522 operational assisted living units and 369 independent living units to the Company’s operations.

The table below presents the purchase price for the real property acquired by the Parent during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and 2011 that has been attributed to the Company:

 

         December 31,  
     2013              2012                      2011          

Land

    $ 9,312        $ 3,703        $ 16,070   

Buildings and improvements

     26,344         26,847         94,023   

Integral equipment, furniture and fixtures

     1,291         1,143         3,112   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total acquisitions

    $ 36,947        $   31,693        $ 113,205   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements are based on a three-tier hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3, defined as observable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The following table summarizes the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

    December 31,  
    2013     2012  
        Level 1             Level 2             Level 3             Level 1             Level 2             Level 3      

Cash and cash equivalents

  $   895      $  —       $   —       $   735      $ —       $   —    

Fair value of interest rate swap

  $  —       $ 1,828      $ —       $ —       $   2,866      $ —    

 

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Table of Contents

ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The Company’s non-financial assets, which include long-lived assets, including real estate properties, are reported at carrying value and are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. However, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable, the Company assesses our long-lived assets for impairment. When impairment has occurred, such long-lived assets are written down to fair value. However, no impairment charges have been recorded in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011. This fair value determination is categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 2 for further discussion of the Company’s significant accounting policies.

Interest Rate Swap Agreement

In connection with the senior credit facility with a six-bank lending consortium arranged by SunTrust and Wells Fargo (the Senior Credit Facility), in July 2011, the Parent entered into an interest rate swap agreement to reduce risk from volatility in the combined statement of income (loss) due to changes in the LIBOR interest rate. In conjunction with the separation, the Parent has attributed its debt (including the Senior Credit Facility) to the Company. In addition, the corresponding interest rate swap agreement on the Senior Credit Facility has also been attributed to the Company. See further discussion in Note 7, Debt.

The swap agreement, with a notional amount of $75,000, amortizing concurrently with the related term loan portion of the Senior Credit Facility, was five years in length and is set to mature on July 15, 2016. The interest rate swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge and, as such, changes in fair value are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with hedge accounting. Under the terms of this swap agreement, the net effect of the hedge was to record swap interest expense at a fixed rate of approximately 4.3%, exclusive of fees. Net interest paid under the swap was $1,047, $951, and $471 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011. In addition, based on the December 31, 2013 interest rate swap valuation, the Company expects to record swap interest expense of approximately $1,100 during the year ended December 31, 2014.

The Company assesses hedge effectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis by performing a regression analysis. The regression analysis compares to the historical monthly changes in fair value of the interest rate swap to the historical monthly changes in the fair value of a hypothetically perfect interest rate swap over the trailing 30 months. The change in fair value of the hypothetical derivative is regarded as a proxy for the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future cash flows on the hedged transaction. The regression analysis serves as the Company’s prospective and retrospective assessment of hedge effectiveness. Assuming the hedging relationship qualifies as highly effective, the actual swap will be recorded at fair value on the balance sheet and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be adjusted to reflect the lesser of either the cumulative change in the fair value of the actual swap or the cumulative change in the fair value of the hypothetical derivative.

The interest rate swap agreement is recorded at fair value based upon valuation models which utilize relevant factors such as the contractual terms of the interest rate swap agreements, credit spreads for the contracting parties and interest rate curves. Based on this valuation method, the Company categorized the interest rate swap as Level 2 and recorded accumulated other comprehensive losses as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, of $1,828 and $2,866. There are no amounts attributable to hedge ineffectiveness that were required to be recognized in earnings.

5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Allocation of corporate expenses - The combined balance sheets and statements of income (loss) of the Company include Parent assets and liabilities that are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company. The specific identification methodology was utilized for all of the items on statements of income

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

(loss) excluding general corporate expenses. For each of the periods presented, Ensign Properties’ operations were fully integrated with the Parent, including executive management, finance, treasury, corporate income tax, human resources, legal services and other shared services. These costs are allocated to the Company on a systematic basis utilizing a direct usage basis when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on time study or percentage of the total revenues. The primary allocation method was a time study based on time devoted to Ensign Properties’ activities.

Allocation of expenses for these general and administrative services of $5,442, $1,788 and $2,377 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, are reflected in general and administrative expenses, in addition to direct expenses which are included in total expenses. The Company’s financial statements may not be indicative of the future performance and do not necessarily reflect what the results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had the Company operated as an independent publicly traded company during the periods presented.

Rental income from Parent - The Company has one operator, its Parent, from which it derives rental income through operating lease agreements, as well as reimbursement of certain costs. The Parent is a holding company with no direct operating assets, employees, or revenue. All of the Parent’s operations are operated by separate independent subsidiaries, each of which has its own management, employees and assets. The rental income and reimbursement generated from the operating lease agreements is presented separately in the combined statements of income (loss). See Note 9, Concentration of Risk for a discussion of major operator concentration.

The future minimum rental payments that the Company is due to receive from the Parent for the remainder of the lease terms are as follows as of December 31, 2013:

 

Year            Amount          

2014

    $ 43,453     

2015

     43,114     

2016

     40,147     

2017

     36,656     

2018

     36,266     

Thereafter

     204,389     
  

 

 

 
    $ 404,025     
  

 

 

 

Centralized cash management system - The Company participates in Parent’s centralized cash management system. In conjunction therewith, the intercompany transactions between the Company and Parent have been considered to be effectively settled in cash in these financial statements. The net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions, in addition to cash transfers to and from Parent, are reflected in “Net (distribution)/contribution to/from Parent” on the combined statements of cash flows and the combined statements of invested equity. The “Net (distributions)/contributions to/from Parent” were $(22,502), $5,552, and $88,693 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

6. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s operations have historically been included in Parent’s U.S. combined federal and state income tax returns and all income taxes have been paid by Parent. Income taxes are presented in these combined financial statements on a separate tax return basis as if the Company filed its own tax returns. These combined financial statements may not reflect tax positions taken or to be taken by Parent, tax positions available for use by Parent and tax positions which may remain with Parent after the separation.

The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is summarized as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2013      2012      2011  

Current:

        

Federal

    $ 8          $ 43          $ -     

State

     115           79           67     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     123           122           67     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred:

        

Federal

     -           -           (1,240)     

State

     -           -           -     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     -           -           (1,240)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

    $           123          $           122          $       (1,173)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, is comprised as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2013      2012      2011  

Income tax expense at statutory rate

     35.0%         35.0%         35.0%   

State income taxes - net of federal benefit

     (51.9)          36.3           2.8      

Other adjustments

     0.1           0.0           0.0      

Deferred tax adjustments

     30.4           0.0           0.0      

Change in valuation allowance

     (58.8)           (18.3)           (19.8)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income tax provision

                  (45.2%)                      53.0%                     18.0%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are summarized as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2013      2012  

Deferred tax assets (liabilities):

     

Accrued expenses

    $           2,131          $           1,060     

Tax credits

     55           45     

Net operating loss carryforwards

     8,358           8,962     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     10,544           10,067     

Less: valuation allowance

     (2,225)           (2,454)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     8,319           7,613     

State taxes

     (105)           (167)     

Depreciation and amortization

     (7,988)           (7,099)     

Prepaid expenses

     (226)           (347)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (8,319)           (7,613)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

    $ -          $ -     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

On a separate tax return basis, the Company had Federal net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 of $23,554 and $24,452, respectively. The Company also had state net operating losses as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 of $3,061 and $7,947, respectively. Because these losses were utilized in the Parent’s combined federal and state income tax returns, they will not be available to the Company if it leaves the Parent’s federal or state combined groups. In each of the years, the Company is required to pay state minimum income taxes in selected states.

Despite the Company’s income in 2013, the operating losses the Company incurred on a separate tax return basis in recent years result in the Company’s belief that it is more likely than not that the Company would not be able to realize the tax benefit associated with its deferred tax assets as of December 30, 2013 and 2012. Therefore, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against its state net deferred tax assets in 2010. Beginning in 2011, the Company recorded a valuation allowance for all of its net deferred tax assets. A portion of the Company’s valuation allowance relates to deferred tax assets for items in other comprehensive loss. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company reduced the valuation allowance by $388 for these specific items. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $277 for these specific items.

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the Company’s effective tax rate.

The Federal statute of limitations on the Parent’s 2007, 2008, and 2009 income tax years lapsed during the third quarter of 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. During the fourth quarter of each year, various state statutes of limitations also lapsed. These lapses did not have any impact on the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits.

During the first quarter of 2012, the State of California initiated an examination of the Parent’s income tax returns for the 2008 and 2009 income tax years. The examination is primarily focused on the Parent’s captive insurance subsidiary and the treatment of related insurance matters. To date, California has not proposed any adjustments. The Parent is not currently under examination by any other major income tax jurisdiction. At this

 

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Table of Contents

ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

time, the Company is not aware of any events that might significantly impact the balance of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.

The Company classifies interest and/or penalties on income tax liabilities or refunds as additional income tax expense or income. Such amounts are not material.

7. DEBT

Debt, net of discount, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 of $259,307 and $207,692, respectively, represents the balance from the Parent that is directly attributable to the Company. In addition to the attribution of debt, the Parent has also attributed the corresponding interest rate swap agreement on the Senior Credit Facility to the Company.

Debt consists of the following:

 

     December 31,  
     2013      2012  

Mortgage notes payable

     
Promissory note with RBS, principal and interest payable monthly and continuing through March 2019, interest at a fixed rate, collateralized by real property, assignment of rents and Company guaranty.     $ 20,347          $ 21,032     
Ten Project Note with GECC, principal and interest payable monthly; interest is fixed, balance due June 2016, collateralized by deeds of trust on real property, assignment of rents, security agreements and fixture financing statements.      48,865           50,072     
Promissory note with RBS, principal and interest payable monthly and continuing through January 2018, interest at a fixed rate, collateralized by real property, assignment of rents and Company guaranty.      32,122           33,167     
Promissory notes, principal, and interest payable monthly and continuing through October 2019, interest at fixed rate, collateralized by deed of trust on real property, assignment of rents and security agreement      8,919           9,203     
Mortgage note, principal, and interest payable monthly and continuing through February 2027, interest at fixed rate, collateralized by deed of trust on real property, assignment of rents and security agreement      5,429           5,665     

Senior secured revolving credit facility

     
Senior secured revolving credit facility, with SunTrust and Wells Fargo, principal and interest payable quarterly, balance due at February 1, 2018, secured by substantially all of the Company’s personal property      78,701           20,000     

Senior secured term loan

     
Senior secured term loan, with SunTrust and Wells Fargo, principal and interest payable quarterly, balance due at February 1, 2018, secured by substantially all of the Company’s personal property      65,624           69,375     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Debt      260,007           208,514     
Less debt discount on mortgage notes payable      (700)           (822)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Debt, net of discount      259,307           207,692     
Less current maturities      (7,411)           (7,187)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $         251,896          $         200,505     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Senior Credit Facility with Six-Bank Lending Consortium Arranged by SunTrust and Wells Fargo (the Senior Credit Facility)

On February 1, 2013, the Parent entered into the third amendment to the Senior Credit Facility (the Third Amendment), which amends the Company’s existing Senior Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011. The Third Amendment revises the Senior Credit Facility Agreement to, among other things, (i) increase the revolving credit portion of the Senior Credit Facility by $75,000 to an aggregate principal amount of $150,000, of which $20,000 was drawn as of December 31, 2012 and the date of the Third Amendment, and (ii) extend the maturity date of the Senior Credit Facility from July 15, 2016 to February 1, 2018. Except as set forth in the Third Amendment, all other terms and conditions of the Senior Credit Facility remain in full force and effect as described below.

On July 15, 2011, the Parent entered into the Senior Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150,000 comprised of a $75,000 revolving credit facility and a $75,000 term loan advanced in one drawing on July 15, 2011. Borrowings under the term loan portion of the Senior Credit Facility amortize in equal quarterly installments commencing on September 30, 2011, in an aggregate annual amount equal to 5% per annum of the original principal amount. Interest rates per annum applicable to the Senior Credit Facility are, at the option of the Company, (i) LIBOR plus an initial margin of 2.5% or (ii) the Base Rate (as defined by the agreement) plus an initial margin of 1.5%. Under the terms of the Senior Credit Facility, the applicable margin adjusts based on the Parent’s leverage ratio. In connection with the Senior Credit Facility, the Parent incurred financing costs of approximately $2,500. Further, the Company incurred a charge of $2,542 in termination and early extinguishment fees in connection with exiting the Six Project Loan which was recognized in the third quarter of 2011. In addition, the Parent has a commitment fee on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility that ranges from 0.3% to 0.5% based on the Parent’s leverage ratio for the applicable period. Amounts borrowed pursuant to the Senior Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain of the Parent’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, including certain of the subsidiaries combined in Ensign Properties, and secured by substantially all of their personal property. To reduce the risk related to interest rate fluctuations, the Parent, on behalf of the subsidiaries, entered into an interest rate swap agreement to effectively fix the interest rate on the term loan portion of the Senior Credit Facility. As noted above, the Senior Credit Facility and the corresponding interest rate swap have been attributed by the Parent to the Company.

Among other things, under the Senior Credit Facility, the Parent must maintain compliance with specified financial covenants measured on a quarterly basis, including a maximum net leverage ratio, minimum interest coverage ratio and minimum asset coverage ratio. The loan documents also include certain additional reporting, affirmative and negative covenants including limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, liens, investments in other businesses, dividends declared in excess of 20% of combined net income (loss) and repurchases and capital expenditures. As of December 31, 2013, the Parent was in compliance with all loan covenants.

Promissory Note with RBS Asset Finance, Inc.

On February 17, 2012, two of the Parent’s real estate holding subsidiaries, the RBS Borrowers, executed a promissory note in favor of RBS Asset Finance, Inc. (RBS) as lender for an aggregate of $21,525 (the “2012 RBS Loan”). The 2012 RBS Loan is secured by Commercial Deed of Trust, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Filings on the properties owned by the RBS Borrowers, and other related instruments and agreements, including without limitation a promissory note and a Parent guaranty. The 2012 RBS Loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.75%. Amounts borrowed under the 2012 RBS Loan may be prepaid starting after the second anniversary of the note subject to certain prepayment fees. The term of the RBS Loan is for seven years, with monthly principal and interest payments commencing on April 1, 2012 and the balance due on March 1, 2019.

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Among other things, under the 2012 RBS Loan the Company must maintain compliance with specified financial covenants measured on a quarterly basis, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio, an average occupancy rate and a minimum project yield. The loan documents also include certain additional affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on the disposition of the Borrowers and the collateral and minimum average cash balance requirements. As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all loan covenants.

Promissory Notes with RBS Asset Finance, Inc.

On December 31, 2010, four of the Parent’s real estate holding subsidiaries executed a promissory note with RBS Asset Finance, Inc. (RBS) as lender for an aggregate of $35,000 (the 2010 RBS Loan). The 2010 RBS Loan is secured by Commercial Deeds of Trust, Security Agreements, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Filings on the four properties and other related instruments and agreements, including without limitation a promissory note and a Parent guaranty. The 2010 RBS Loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.04%. Amounts borrowed under the 2010 RBS Loan may be prepaid subject to prepayment fees of 9.0% of the principal balance on the date of prepayment. These prepayment fees are reduced by 1.0% a year in each of years 2014, 2015, and 2016. The term of the 2010 RBS Loan is for seven years, with monthly principal and interest payments commencing on February 1, 2011 and the balance due on January 1, 2018.

Among other things, under the 2010 RBS Loan, the Company must maintain compliance with specified financial covenants measured on a quarterly basis, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio, an average occupancy rate and a minimum project yield. The loan documents also include certain additional affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on the disposition of the Borrowers and the collateral. As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all loan covenants.

Term Loan with General Electric Capital Corporation

On December 29, 2006, a number of the Parent’s independent real estate holding subsidiaries jointly entered into the Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, with General Electric Capital Corporation (GECC), which consists of an approximately $55,700 multiple-advance term loan, further referred to as the Ten Project Note. The Ten Project Note matures in June 2016, and is currently secured by the real and personal property comprising the ten facilities owned by these subsidiaries. The Ten Project Note was funded in advances, with each advance bearing interest at a separate rate. The interest rates range from 6.95% to 7.50% per annum.

Under the Ten Project Note, the Company is subject to standard reporting requirements and other typical covenants for a loan of this type. Effective October 1, 2006 and continuing each calendar quarter thereafter, we are subject to restrictive financial covenants, including average occupancy, Debt Service (as defined in the agreement) and Project Yield (as defined in the agreement). As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all loan covenants.

Promissory Notes with Johnson Land Enterprises, L.L.C

On October 1, 2009, four subsidiaries of the Parent entered into four separate promissory notes with Johnson Land Enterprises, L.L.C., for an aggregate of $10,000, as a part of the Parent’s acquisition of three skilled nursing facilities in Utah. The unpaid balance of principal and accrued interest from these notes is due on September 30, 2019. The notes bear interest at a rate of 6.0% per annum. As a part of this transaction, the Company recorded a discount to the debt balance in the form of imputed interest of $1,218. This amount is amortized over the term of the promissory notes, or 10 years.

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Mortgage Loan with Walker and Dunlop, LLC

Ensign Southland LLC, a subsidiary of the Parent, entered into a mortgage loan on January 30, 2001 with Continental Wingate Associates, Inc. The mortgage loan is insured with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, which subjects the Company’s Southland facility to HUD oversight and periodic inspections. As of December 31, 2013, the balance outstanding on this mortgage loan was approximately $5,429. The unpaid balance of principal and accrued interest from this mortgage loan is due on February 1, 2027. The mortgage loan bears interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum.

This mortgage loan is secured by the real property comprising the Southland Care Center facility and the rents, issues and profits thereof, as well as all personal property used in the operation of the facility.

Based on Level 2, the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt is considered to approximate the fair value of such debt for all periods presented based upon the interest rates that the Company believes it can currently obtain for similar debt.

The debt matures in fiscal years ending after December 31, 2013 as follows:

 

Years Ending
December 31,
   Amount  

2014

    $ 7,411     

2015

     7,673     

2016

     52,589     

2017

     6,584     

2018

     157,790     

Thereafter

     27,960     
  

 

 

 
    $       260,007     
  

 

 

 

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation — The Company is subject to various legal proceedings, claims and other actions arising out of the normal course of business. While any legal proceeding or claim has an element of uncertainty, the defense of these lawsuits may result in significant legal costs, regardless of the outcome, and can result in large settlement amounts or damage awards.

The Company cannot predict or provide any assurance as to the possible outcome of the investigations or any possible related proceedings, or as to the possible outcome of any litigation. If any litigation were to proceed, and the Company is subjected to, alleged to be liable for, or agrees to a settlement of, claims or obligations under state and federal statutes and related regulations, its business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected and its stock price could be adversely impacted. Among other things, any settlement or litigation could involve the payment of substantial sums to settle any alleged civil violations, and may also include the Company’s assumption of specific procedural and financial obligations going forward under a corporate integrity agreement and/or other arrangement with the government.

U.S. Government Inquiry — In late 2006, Ensign learned that it might be the subject of an on-going criminal and civil investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice or “DOJ”. This was confirmed in March 2007. The investigation was prompted by a whistleblower complaint, and related primarily to claims submitted to the

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Medicare program for rehabilitation services provided at skilled nursing facilities in Southern California. Ensign, through its outside counsel and a special committee of independent directors established by its board, worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s office to produce information requested by the government as part of an ongoing dialogue designed to resolve the issue.

In December 2011, the DOJ notified Ensign that it had closed its criminal investigation without action although, as is typical, it reserved the right to reopen the criminal case if new facts came to light. This left only the civil investigation to resolve, and Ensign continued to supply requested information to the DOJ and the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including specific patient records and documents from 2007 to 2011 from six Southern California skilled nursing facilities that had been the subject of previous requests.

In early 2013, discussions between government representatives and Ensign’s special committee, its outside counsel and their experts had advanced sufficiently that Ensign recorded an initial estimated liability in the amount of $15,000 in the fourth quarter of 2012 for the resolution of claims connected to the investigation. In April 2013, Ensign and government representatives reached an agreement in principle to resolve the allegations and close the investigation. Based on these discussions, Ensign recorded and announced an additional charge in the amount of $33,000 in the first quarter of 2013, increasing the total reserve to resolve the matter to $48,000 (the Reserve Amount).

In October 2013, Ensign completed and executed a settlement agreement (the Settlement Agreement) with the DOJ and received the final approval of the Office of Inspector General-HHS and the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The settlement agreement fully and finally resolves the previously disclosed DOJ investigation and any ancillary claims which have been pending since 2006. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Ensign made a single lump-sum remittance to the government in the amount of $48,000 in October 2013. Ensign has denied engaging in any illegal conduct, and has agreed to the settlement amount without any admission of wrongdoing in order to resolve the allegations and to avoid the uncertainty and expense of protracted litigation.

In connection with the settlement and effective as of October 1, 2013, Ensign entered into a five-year corporate integrity agreement with the Office of Inspector General-HHS (the CIA). The CIA acknowledges the existence of Ensign’s current compliance program, and requires that Ensign continue during the term of the CIA to maintain a compliance program designed to promote compliance with the statutes, regulations, and written directives of Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs. Ensign is also required to maintain several elements of its existing program during the term of the CIA, including maintaining a compliance officer, a compliance committee of the board of directors, and a code of conduct. The CIA requires that Ensign conduct certain additional compliance-related activities during the term of the CIA, including various training and monitoring procedures, and maintaining a disciplinary process for compliance obligations. Pursuant to the CIA, Ensign is required to notify the Office of Inspector General-HHS in writing of, among other things: (i) any ongoing government investigation or legal proceeding involving an allegation that Ensign has committed a crime or has engaged in fraudulent activities; (ii) any other matter that a reasonable person would consider a probable violation of applicable criminal, civil, or administrative laws related to compliance with federal healthcare programs; and (iii) any change in location, sale, closing, purchase, or establishment of a new business unit or location related to items or services that may be reimbursed by Federal health care programs. Ensign is also subject to periodic reporting and certification requirements attesting that the provisions of the CIA are being implemented and followed, as well as certain document and record retention mandates.

Participation in federal healthcare programs by Ensign is not affected by the Settlement Agreement or the CIA. In the event of an uncured material breach of the CIA, Ensign could be excluded from participation in

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

federal healthcare programs and/or subject to prosecution. After the spin-off, the Company will remain subject to certain continuing obligations as part of Ensign’s compliance program pursuant to the CIA, but otherwise has no liability related to the U.S. Government inquiry of Ensign.

Indemnities —  From time to time, the Parent enters into certain types of contracts that contingently require the Parent to indemnify parties against third-party claims. These contracts primarily include (i) certain real estate leases, under which the Parent may be required to indemnify property owners or prior facility operators for post-transfer environmental or other liabilities and other claims arising from the Parent’s use of the applicable premises, (ii) operations transfer agreements, in which the Parent agrees to indemnify past operators of facilities the Parent acquires against certain liabilities arising from the transfer of the operation and/or the operation thereof after the transfer, (iii) certain lending agreements, under which the Parent may be required to indemnify the lender against various claims and liabilities, (iv) agreements with certain lenders under which the Parent may be required to indemnify such lenders against various claims and liabilities, and (v) certain agreements with the Parent’s officers, directors and employees, under which the Parent may be required to indemnify such persons for liabilities arising out of their employment relationships. The terms of such obligations vary by contract and, in most instances, a specific or maximum dollar amount is not explicitly stated therein. Generally, amounts under these contracts cannot be reasonably estimated until a specific claim is asserted. Consequently, because no claims have been asserted, no liabilities have been recorded for these obligations on the Parent’s balance sheets for any of the periods presented.

9. CONCENTRATION OF RISK

Major operator concentration – The Company has one operator, Parent, from which the Company has derived a significant portion of its overall revenue during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s 94 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities had a total of 10,121 licensed beds and are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington, and the three independent living facilities have a total of 264 units and are located in Texas and Utah. The three states in which the Company had its highest concentration of properties were California, Texas and Arizona.

10. UNAUDITED PRO FORMA DISCLOSURES

In connection with the spin-off described in Note 1, common stock of Ensign Properties is assumed to be distributed to Ensign shareholders based on a distribution ratio of one for one. The accompanying unaudited historical pro forma earnings per share data included on the combined 2013 statement of income (loss) reflects the pro forma distribution of Ensign Properties’ common stock and is provided for informational purposes. The pro forma basic weighted average number of shares outstanding equal the Ensign basic weighted average number of shares outstanding based on the distribution ratio of one share of Ensign Properties’ common stock for every share of Ensign common stock. The pro forma diluted weighted average shares outstanding take into account the dilutive effect of restricted stock awards.

11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company evaluates subsequent events in accordance with ASC 855, Subsequent Events . Subsequent events were evaluated through March 14, 2014, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.

 

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ENSIGN PROPERTIES

SCHEDULE III

SCHEDULE OF REAL ESTATE ASSETS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

December 31, 2013

(dollars in thousands)

 

              Initial Cost to
Company
          Gross Carrying Value                    

Description

 

Location

  Encumbrances     Land     Building and
Improvements
    Costs
Capitalized
Since
Acquisition
    Land     Building
Improvements
    Total     Accumulated
Depreciation
    Construction/
Renovation
Date
  Acquisition
Date
  Life on which
Depreciation
in Latest
Income

Statement is
Computed

Skilled Nursing Properties:

                       

Ensign Highland LLC

  Phoenix, AZ   $ 2,999      $ 257      $ 976      $ 807      $ 257      $ 1,783      $ 2,040      $ 650      2013   2000   30

Meadowbrook Health Associates LLC

  Tucson, AZ     3,947        425        3,716        1,958        425        5,674        6,099        1,446      2012   2000   32

Terrace Holdings AZ LLC

  Phoenix, AZ     3,642        113        504        477        113        981        1,094        283      2004   2002   30

Rillito Holdings LLC

  Tucson, AZ     3,902        471        2,041        2,921        471        4,962        5,433        1,104      2013   2003   30

Valley Health Holdings LLC

  Phoenix, AZ     5,758        629        5,154        703        629        5,857        6,486        1,705      2009   2004   30

Cedar Avenue Holdings LLC

  Upland, CA     6,518        2,812        3,919        1,983        2,812        5,902        8,714        1,975      2011   2005   30

Granada Investments LLC

  Camarillo, CA     7,590        3,526        2,827        1,520        3,526        4,347        7,873        1,270      2010   2005   30

Plaza Health Holdings LLC

  Walla Walla, WA     3,413        450        5,566        1,055        450        6,621        7,071        1,945      2009   2006   25

Mountainview Community Care LLC

  Santa Rosa, CA     3,494        931        2,612        587        931        3,199        4,130        1,179      1963   2006   25

CM Health Holdings LLC

  San Diego, CA     9,391        3,028        3,119        1,735        3,028        4,854        7,882        1,280      2012   2006   32

Polk Health Holdings LLC

  Livingston, TX     6,629        60        4,391        1,156        60        5,547        5,607        1,629      2009   2006   30

Snohomish Health Holdings LLC

  Lynnwood, WA            741        1,663        1,998        741        3,661        4,402        1,337      2009   2006   25

Cherry Health Holdings, Inc.

  Hoquiam, WA            171        1,828        1,753        171        3,581        3,752        1,015      2010   2006   25

Golfview Holdings LLC

  Richmond, TX     11,191        1,105        3,110        699        1,105        3,809        4,914        1,073      2007   2006   30

Tenth East Holdings LLC

  Salt Lake City, UT     654        332        2,426        2,346        332        4,772        5,104        1,044      2013   2006   22

Trinity Mill Holdings LLC

  Carrollton, TX            664        2,294        902        664        3,196        3,860        1,116      2007   2006   22

Cottonwood Health Holdings LLC

  Salt Lake City, UT            965        2,070        897        965        2,967        3,932        1,162      2008   2007   20

Verde Villa Holdings LLC

  Lewisville, TX            600        1,890        401        600        2,291        2,891        662      2011   2007   25

 

F-24


Table of Contents
              Initial Cost to
Company
          Gross Carrying Value                    

Description

 

Location

  Encumbrances     Land     Building and
Improvements
    Costs
Capitalized
Since
Acquisition
    Land     Building
Improvements
    Total     Accumulated
Depreciation
    Construction/
Renovation
Date
  Acquisition
Date
  Life on which
Depreciation
in Latest
Income

Statement is
Computed

Mesquite Health Holdings LLC

  Mesquite, TX            470        1,715        8,657        470        10,372        10,842        2,527      2012   2007   20

Arrow Tree Health Holdings LLC

  Glendora, CA            2,165        1,105        304        2,165        1,409        3,574        480      1965   2007   20

Fort Street Health Holdings LLC

  Draper, UT            443        2,394        746        443        3,140        3,583        713      2008   2007   30

Trousdale Health Holdings LLC

  Downey, CA     9,156        1,415        1,841        1,858        1,415        3,699        5,114        752      2013   2007   30

Ensign Bellflower LLC

  Bellflower, CA            937        1,168        357        937        1,525        2,462        431      2009   2007   25

RB Heights Health Holdings LLC

  Scottsdale, AZ            2,007        2,793        1,750        2,007        4,543        6,550        1,103      2009   2008   30

San Corrine Health Holdings LLC

  San Antonio, TX            310        2,090        705        310        2,795        3,105        720      2005   2008   35

Temple Health Holdings LLC

  Temple, TX            529        2,207        1,131        529        3,338        3,867        757      2008   2008   30

Anson Health Holdings LLC

  Abilene, TX            369        3,220        1,553        369        4,773        5,142        1,002      2012   2008   30

Willits Health Holdings LLC

  Willits, CA            490        1,231        461        490        1,692        2,182        331      2011   2008   30

Lufkin Health Holdings LLC

  Lufkin, TX     5,607        467        4,644        298        467        4,942        5,409        543      1988   2009   50

Lowell Health Holdings LLC

  Littleton, CO            217        856        1,735        217        2,591        2,808        370      2012   2009   35

Jefferson Ralston Holdings LLC

  Arvada, CO            280        1,230        829        280        2,059        2,339        286      2012   2009   40

Lafayette Health Holdings LLC

  Englewood, CO            1,607        4,222        6,131        1,607        10,353        11,960        1,426      2012   2009   45

Hillendahl Health Holdings LLC

  Dallas, TX            2,133        11,977        618        2,133        12,595        14,728        1,865      1984   2009   30

Price Health Holdings LLC

  Price, UT     1,013        193        2,209        850        193        3,059        3,252        345      2012   2009   45

Silver Lake Health Holdings LLC

  Provo, UT     4,359        2,051        8,362        1,373        2,051        9,735        11,786        1,014      2011   2009   50

Jordan Health Properties LLC

  West Jordan, UT     2,893        2,671        4,244        1,123        2,671        5,367        8,038        461      2013   2009   50

Regal Road Health Holdings LLC

  Youngstown, AZ            767        4,648        341        767        4,989        5,756        621      2012   2009   35

Paredes Health Holdings LLC

  Brownsville, TX            373        1,354        190        373        1,544        1,917        162      1969   2009   45

Expressway Health Holdings LLC

  Harlingen, TX            90        675        262        90        937        1,027        110      2011   2009   45

 

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Table of Contents
              Initial Cost to
Company
          Gross Carrying Value                    

Description

 

Location

  Encumbrances     Land     Building and
Improvements
    Costs
Capitalized
Since
Acquisition
    Land     Building
Improvements
    Total     Accumulated
Depreciation
    Construction/
Renovation
Date
  Acquisition
Date
  Life on which
Depreciation
in Latest
Income

Statement is
Computed

Rio Grande Health Holdings LLC

  McAllen, TX            642        1,085        632        642        1,717        2,359        185      2012   2009   45

Fifth East Holdings LLC

  Salt Lake City, UT            345        2,464        1,066        345        3,530        3,875        453      2011   2009   45

Emmett Healthcare Holdings LLC

  Emmet, ID            591        2,383        39        591        2,422        3,013        276      1972   2010   35

Burley Healthcare Holdings LLC

  Burley, ID            250        4,004        424        250        4,428        4,678        555      2011   2010   35

Northshore Healthcare Holdings LLC

  Houston, TX            486        2,349        1,041        486        3,390        3,876        425      2012   2010   43

Josey Ranch Healthcare Holdings LLC

  Carrollton, TX            1,382        2,293        201        1,382        2,494        3,876        231      1996   2010   40

Everglades Health Holdings LLC

  Ventura, CA            1,847        5,377        662        1,847        6,039        7,886        763      1990   2011   50

Irving Health Holdings LLC

  Beatrice, NE            60        2,931        237        60        3,168        3,228        262      2011   2011   32

Falls City Health Holdings LLC

  Falls City, NE            170        2,141        11        170        2,152        2,322        168      1972   2011   32

Gillette Park Health Holdings LLC

  Cherokee, IA            163        1,491        8        163        1,499        1,662        150      1967   2011   25

Gazebo Park Health Holdings LLC

  Clarion, IA            80        2,541        93        80        2,634        2,714        273      1978   2011   25

Oleson Park Health Holdings LLC

  Ft. Dodge, IA            90        2,341        573        90        2,914        3,004        341      2012   2011   20

Arapahoe Health Holdings LLC

  Texas City, TX            158        4,810        602        158        5,412        5,570        460      2012   2011   30

Dixie Health Holdings LLC

  Hurricane, UT            487        1,978        71        487        2,049        2,536        125      1978   2011   40

Memorial Health Holdings LLC

  Pocatello, ID            537        2,138        260        537        2,398        2,935        296      2007   2011   30

Bogardus Health Holdings LLC

  Whittier, CA            1,425        5,307        728        1,425        6,035        7,460        699      2011   2011   35

South Dora Health Holdings LLC

  Ukiah, CA            297        2,087        1,622        297        3,709        4,006        1,005      2013   2011   35

Silverada Health Holdings LLC

  Reno, NV            1,012        3,282        103        1,012        3,385        4,397        181      1970   2011   40

Orem Health Holdings LLC

  Orem, UT            1,689        3,896        3,235        1,689        7,131        8,820        924      2011   2011   50

Renne Avenue Health Holdings LLC

  Pocatello, ID            180        2,481        711        180        3,192        3,372        171      2013   2012   30

Stillhouse Health Holdings LLC

  Paris, TX            129        7,139               129        7,139        7,268        198      2009   2012   57

 

F-26


Table of Contents
              Initial Cost to
Company
          Gross Carrying Value                          

Description

 

Location

  Encumbrances     Land     Building and
Improvements
    Costs
Capitalized
Since
Acquisition
    Land     Building
Improvements
    Total     Accumulated
Depreciation
    Construction/
Renovation
Date
    Acquisition
Date
    Life onwhich
Depreciation
in Latest
Income

Statement is
Computed
 

Fig Street Health Holdings LLC

  Escondido, CA            329        2,653        875        329        3,528        3,857        931        2007        2012        35   

Lowell Lake Health Holdings LLC

  Owyhee, ID            49        1,554        26        49        1,580        1,629        50        1990        2012        45   

Queensway Health Holdings LLC

  Long Beach, CA            999        4,237        2,331        999        6,568        7,567        1,458        2008        2012        50   

Long Beach Health Associates LLC

  Long Beach, CA            1,285        2,343        1,665        1,285        4,008        5,293        452        2013        2012        40   

Kings Court Health Holdings LLC

  Ft. Worth, TX            193        2,311        100        193        2,411        2,604        64        1965        2012        40   

51st Avenue Health Holdings LLC

  Amarillo, TX            340        3,925        32        340        3,957        4,297        94        1970        2013        35   

Ives Health Holdings LLC

  San Macros, TX            371        2,951        52        371        3,003        3,374        56        1972        2013        40   

Guadalupe Health Holdings LLC

  Victoria, TX            80        2,391               80        2,391        2,471        40        2013        2013        45   

Queens City Health Holdings LLC

  Victoria, TX            212        732        8        212        740        952        19        1960        2013        30   

49th Street Health Holdings LLC

  Omaha, NE            129        2,418        3        129        2,421        2,550        54        1970        2013        30   

Willows Health Holdings LLC

  Redmond, WA            1,388        2,982        205        1,388        3,187        4,575        72        1966        2013        30   

Tulalip Bay Holdings

  Marysville, WA            1,722        2,642               1,722        2,642        4,364        45        1989        2013        30   
         
      92,156        56,381        209,948        72,786        56,381        282,734        339,115        49,370         

Skilled Nursing Campus Properties:

                       

Ensign Southland LLC

  Norwalk, CA     5,429        966        5,082        2,135        966        7,217        8,183        3,077        2011        1999        30   

Sky Holdings AZ LLC

  Glendale, AZ     7,602        289        1,428        1,404        289        2,832        3,121        912        2004        2002        30   

Lemon River Holdings LLC

  Riverside, CA            494        1,159        4,793        494        5,952        6,446        964        2012        2009        30   

Wisteria Health Holdings LLC

  Abilene, TX            746        9,903        300        746        10,203        10,949        867        2008        2011        40   

Mission CCRC LLC

  Salt Lake City, UT            1,962        11,035        461        1,962        11,496        13,458        1,135        1994        2011        45   

Wayne Health Holdings LLC

  Wayne, NE            130        3,061        115        130        3,176        3,306        250        1978        2011        32   

4th Street Health Holdings LLC

  West Bend, IA            180        3,352               180        3,352        3,532        261        2006        2011        45   

Big Sioux River Health Holdings LLC

  Hawarden, IA            110        3,522        24        110        3,546        3,656        253        1974        2011        35   

 

F-27


Table of Contents
              Initial Cost to
Company
          Gross Carrying Value                          

Description

 

Location

  Encumbrances     Land     Building and
Improvements
    Costs
Capitalized
Since
Acquisition
    Land     Building
Improvements
    Total     Accumulated
Depreciation
    Construction/
Renovation
Date
    Acquisition
Date
    Life on which
Depreciation
in Latest
Income

Statement is
Computed
 

Prairie Health Holdings LLC

  Randolph, NE            130        1,571        16        130        1,587        1,717        198        2011        2011        20   

Salmon River Health Holdings LLC

  Salmon, ID            168        2,496               168        2,496        2,664        88        2012        2012        40   
   

 

 

       
      13,031        5,175        42,609        9,248        5,175        51,857        57,032        8,005         

Assisted Living Properties:

                       

Avenue N Holdings LLC

  Rosenburg, TX            124        2,301        319        124        2,620        2,744        717        2007        2006        32   

Moenium Holdings LLC

  Mesa, AZ     10,496        1,893        5,268        1,013        1,893        6,281        8,174        1,615        1986        2007        29   

Lafayette Health Holdings LLC

  Englewood, CO            420        1,160        117        420        1,277        1,697        147        2011        2009        45   

Expo Park Health Holdings LLC

  Aurora, CO            570        1,692        230        570        1,922        2,492        254        1986        2010        25   

Wisteria Health Holdings LLC

  Abilene, TX            244        3,241        81        244        3,322        3,566        222        2008        2011        35   

Everglades Health Holdings LLC

  Ventura, CA            1,542        4,012        77        1,542        4,089        5,631        239        1990        2011        50   

Flamingo Health Holdings LLC

  Las Vegas, NV            908        4,767        166        908        4,933        5,841        644        1986        2011        20   

18th Place Health Holdings LLC

  Phoenix, AZ            1,011        2,053        186        1,011        2,239        3,250        167        1974        2011        30   

Boardwalk Health Holdings LLC

  Reno, NV            367        1,633        42        367        1,675        2,042        106        1993        2012        31   

Willows Health Holdings LLC

  Redmond, WA            2,835        3,784        201        2,835        3,985        6,820        93        2013        2013        30   

Lockwood Health Holdings LLC

  Santa Maria, CA            1,792        2,253        116        1,792        2,369        4,161        68        1967        2013        20   

Saratoga Health Holdings LLC

  Orem, UT            444        2,265        80        444        2,345        2,789        27        1995        2013        50   
   

 

 

       
      10,496        12,150        34,429        2,628        12,150        37,057        49,207        4,299         

Independent Living Properties:

                       

Hillendahl Health Holdings LLC

  Dallas, TX            315        1,769        84        315        1,853        2,168        238        1984        2009        30   

Mission CCRC LLC

  Salt Lake City, UT            411        2,312        51        411        2,363        2,774        188        1994        2011        45   

Hillview Health Holdings LLC

  Dallas, TX            680        4,872        204        680        5,076        5,756        473        1996        2011        26   
   

 

 

       
             1,406        8,953        339        1,406        9,292        10,698        899         
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

Total

    $ 115,683      $ 75,112      $ 295,939      $ 85,001      $ 75,112      $ 380,940      $ 456,052      $ 62,573         
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

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Table of Contents

SCHEDULE III

REAL ESTATE ASSETS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

(dollars in thousands)

 

     Year Ended
        December 31, 2013        
     Year Ended
        December 31, 2012        
 

Carrying Cost:

     

Balance at beginning of period

     $         410,009                  $         358,707            

Acquisitions

     35,656                  30,549            

Improvements

     10,387                  20,753            
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at close of period

     $ 456,052                  $ 410,009            
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated Depreciation:

     

Balance at beginning of period

     $ (47,877)                 $ (32,900)           

Depreciation expense

     (14,695)                 (14,977)           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at close of period

     $ (62,572)                 $ (47,877)           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

The Ensign Group, Inc.

Mission Viejo, California

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of CareTrust REIT, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013 and October 29, 2013. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such balance sheets present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CareTrust REIT, Inc. as of December 31, 2013 and October 29, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Costa Mesa, California

March 14, 2014

 

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Table of Contents

CARETRUST REIT, INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,
2013
     October 29,
2013
 

Assets

     

Cash

           $ 10                 $ 10     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

           $ 10                 $ 10     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     

Shareholder’s Equity

     

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and October 29, 2013

           $ 10                 $ 10     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Shareholder’s Equity

           $         10                 $         10     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

NOTE TO BALANCE SHEETS

Background and Spin-Off. In connection with a plan to separate the healthcare business of The Ensign Group, Inc. (“Ensign”) and the real estate business of Ensign into two separate, publicly traded companies, CareTrust REIT, Inc. (“CareTrust”) was formed on October 29, 2013 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign. CareTrust has issued 1,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

Ensign will accomplish the separation by contributing to CareTrust the entities that own substantially all of Ensign’s real property interests, the entities that operate three independent living facilities, and related assets and liabilities, and then distributing all of the outstanding shares of CareTrust to Ensign’s stockholders (the (“Spin-Off”). Prior to the Spin-Off, CareTrust and Ensign will enter into Master Leases, under which Ensign will lease CareTrust’s healthcare facilities on a triple-net basis. Ensign and CareTrust will also enter into a number of other agreements to govern the relationship between them following the Spin-Off. The Spin-Off is intended to be tax-free to Ensign stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for cash paid in lieu of fractional shares. After the distribution, CareTrust will operate as a separate, publicly traded company.

There are no commitments or contingencies as of December 31, 2013.

Statements of operations, equity and cash flows have not been presented as there has been no activity since formation, other than the issuance of common stock for cash in connection with the formation of CareTrust.

Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated subsequent events through March 14, 2014, the date the balance sheets were available to be issued. There were no subsequent events that have occurred which would require disclosure in the financial statements.

 

F-31