UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 30, 2014

 

 

The Ensign Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-33757   33-0861263

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS 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) 487-9500

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Completion of Spin-Off

The Ensign Group, Inc. (“Ensign” or the “Company”) has completed its previously announced plan to separate its healthcare business and its real estate business into two separate and independent publicly traded companies through the distribution of shares of common stock of CareTrust REIT, Inc. (“CareTrust”) to Ensign stockholders (the “Spin-Off”). Ensign effected the Spin-Off by distributing all of the outstanding shares of CareTrust common stock to Ensign stockholders on a pro rata basis, as more fully described in the preliminary information statement (the “Information Statement”) included as Exhibit 99.1 to CareTrust’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36181) (the “CareTrust Form 10”) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). As a result, Ensign stockholders received one share of CareTrust common stock for each share of Ensign common stock held at the close of business on May 22, 2014, the record date for the Spin-Off. The Spin-Off is effective from and after June 1, 2014, with shares of CareTrust common stock distributed by Ensign on June 2, 2014.

As previously disclosed, Ensign and CareTrust entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2014, which contains the key provisions relating to the separation of CareTrust’s real estate business from Ensign, and other provisions that govern the relationship between Ensign and CareTrust after the Spin-Off. A copy of the agreement is included as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. On May 30, 2014, Ensign and CareTrust entered into the following additional agreements to implement the Spin-Off and govern their relationship after the Spin-Off: eight Master Leases; eight Guaranties of Master Leases; an Opportunities Agreement; a Tax Matters Agreement; a Transition Services Agreement; an Employee Matters Agreement; and a Contribution Agreement. The Contribution Agreement provides for the contribution by Ensign to CareTrust of the entities that own the properties that comprise CareTrust’s initial portfolio, in exchange for shares of CareTrust common stock and $221.4 million in cash, as contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement. A summary of the material terms of the other agreements is set forth in the Information Statement under “Our Relationship with Ensign Following the Spin-Off,” and is incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions of all such agreements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the copies of the agreements, or forms thereof, included as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.7 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Credit Agreement

On May 30, 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto. The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility (the “New Credit Facility”) with commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million from a syndicate of banks and other financial institutions. The Company expects to use borrowings under the Credit Agreement after the consummation of the Spin-Off for working capital purposes, to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

The New Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the personal property of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and a pledge of the capital stock of certain of its subsidiaries.

The Credit Agreement provides that, subject to customary conditions, including obtaining commitments and pro forma compliance with the financial maintenance covenants, the Company may seek to obtain incremental revolving or term loans under the New Credit Facility in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75.0 million. The Company does not currently have any commitments for such incremental loans.

The interest rates applicable to loans under the New Credit Facility are, at the Company’s option, equal to either a base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.25% per annum or LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.25% to 3.25% per annum, based on the debt to Consolidated EBITDA ratio of the Company and its subsidiaries. In addition, the Company will pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the commitments under the New Credit Facility that will range from 0.30% to 0.50% per annum, depending on the debt to Consolidated EBITDA ratio of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Loans made under the New Credit Facility are not subject to interim amortization. The Company is not required to repay any loans under the New Credit Facility prior to maturity, other than to the extent the outstanding borrowings exceed the aggregate commitments under the New Credit Facility. The Company is permitted to prepay all or any portion of the loans under the New Credit Facility prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any LIBOR breakage costs of the lenders.


The New Credit Facility is guaranteed, jointly and severally, by certain of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement and related documents contain customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, amend certain material agreements and pay certain dividends and other restricted payments. The Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with financial maintenance covenants to be tested quarterly, consisting of a maximum debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio, and a minimum interest/rent coverage ratio. The majority of lenders can require that the Company and its subsidiaries mortgage certain of their real property assets to secure the New Credit Facility if an event of default occurs, the debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio is above 2.50:1.00 for two consecutive fiscal quarters, or the Company’s liquidity falls below a certain amount for ten consecutive business days, provided that such mortgages will no longer be required if the event of default is cured, the debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio is below 2.50:1.00 for two consecutive fiscal quarters, or the Company’s liquidity is above a certain amount for ninety consecutive days, as applicable. The Credit Agreement also contains certain customary events of default.

The foregoing description of the New Credit Facility and the Credit Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.8 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

The parties to the Credit Agreement described above and certain of their respective affiliates have performed investment banking, commercial lending and advisory services for the Company, from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses. These parties may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company and its affiliates in the ordinary course of their business.

 

Item 1.02. Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

In connection with the Spin-Off, on May 30, 2014, Ensign’s rights and obligations under the following agreements were terminated:

 

    a Senior Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011 (the “Prior Credit Agreement”), with a six-bank lending consortium arranged by SunTrust and Wells Fargo;

 

    a term loan with General Electric Capital Corporation (the “GECC Loan”);

 

    a mortgage loan with Continental Wingate Associates, Inc. that was insured with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (the “HUD Loan”);

 

    two loans from RBS Asset Finance, Inc. (the “RBS Loans”); and

 

    four separate promissory notes with Johnson Land Enterprises, LLC (the “Johnson Notes”).

The outstanding obligations with respect to all of the foregoing were paid on May 30, 2014, except for the GECC Loan and one of the Johnson Notes, both of which were assumed by CareTrust. The Prior Credit Agreement, the GECC Loan, the HUD Loan, the RBS Loans and the Johnson Notes are all described in Ensign’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Principal Debt Obligations and Capital Expenditures,” which descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.


Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

The information included in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K under “Completion of Spin-Off” is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

The information included in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b) In connection with the Spin-Off, Gregory K. Stapley resigned as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Secretary, effective June 1, 2014, and he is no longer an executive officer of the Company. Mr. Stapley is now the President and Chief Executive Officer of CareTrust.

(c) Chad A. Keetch has been appointed as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Secretary, effective June 1, 2014. Mr. Keetch, age 36, has served at the Company since March 2010 as the Company’s Vice President of Acquisitions and Business Legal Affairs and Assistant Secretary, where he was responsible for the Company’s acquisitions, real estate matters, securities transactions and investor relations. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Keetch was an attorney at Stoel Rives LLP from September 2008 to March 2010 and Kirkland & Ellis LLP from September 2005 through September 2008, where his practice emphasized mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, capital markets transactions and general governance issues. Mr. Keetch will participate in the Company’s executive incentive program and continue to be eligible for stock-based compensation awards under the Company’s long-term incentive plan. Mr. Keetch will also be eligible for other employee benefit plans made generally available to executive officers of the Company. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Brigham Young University and a J.D. and M.B.A. from The Ohio State University.

 

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

Pursuant to a Rights Agreement entered into by the Company on November 7, 2013 (as subsequently amended, the “Rights Agreement”), a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right (collectively, the “Rights”) for each outstanding share of Ensign common stock was paid to Ensign stockholders of record at the close of business on November 18, 2013. Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, the Rights expire upon the earlier of (i) 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on November 6, 2014, and (ii) 5:00 P.M. New York City time, on the first business day after the Spin-Off. Accordingly, as a result of the completion of the Spin-Off on June 2, 2014, the Rights expired by their terms at 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on June 3, 2014 and are no longer exercisable.

In connection with the adoption of the Rights Agreement, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Privileges of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware setting forth the rights, powers and preferences of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights (the “Preferred Shares”). Promptly following the expiration of the Rights, the Company filed with the Delaware Secretary of State a Certificate of Elimination of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Elimination”), which effectively eliminated the Preferred Shares and returned them to the status of authorized but unissued shares of the preferred stock of the Company, without designation as to series.

The foregoing summary description of the Certificate of Elimination is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the Certificate of Elimination filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 3.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 8.01 Other Events.

On June 3, 2014, the Company issued a press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements of Ensign giving effect to the Spin-Off required by Article 11 of Regulation S-X, and the related notes thereto, are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

 

(d) Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed with this report:

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  2.1    Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2014, by and between The Ensign Group, Inc. and CareTrust REIT, Inc.
  3.1    Certificate of Elimination of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
10.1    Form of Master Lease by and among certain subsidiaries of The Ensign Group, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of CareTrust REIT, Inc.
10.2    Form of Guaranty of Master Lease by The Ensign Group, Inc. in favor of certain subsidiaries of CareTrust REIT, Inc., as landlords under the Master Leases.
10.3    Opportunities Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and between The Ensign Group, Inc. and CareTrust REIT, Inc.
10.4    Transition Services Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and between The Ensign Group, Inc. and CareTrust REIT, Inc.
10.5    Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and between The Ensign Group, Inc. and CareTrust REIT, Inc.
10.6    Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and between The Ensign Group, Inc. and CareTrust REIT, Inc.
10.7    Contribution Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and among CTR Partnership L.P., CareTrust GP, LLC, CareTrust REIT, Inc. and The Ensign Group, Inc.
10.8    Credit Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and among The Ensign Group, Inc., SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.
99.1    Press Release, dated June 3, 2014.
99.2    The Ensign Group, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: June 4, 2014     THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
    By:   /s/ Suzanne D. Snapper
     

Suzanne D. Snapper

Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  2.1    Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2014, by and between The Ensign Group, Inc. and CareTrust REIT, Inc.
  3.1    Certificate of Elimination of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
10.1    Form of Master Lease by and among certain subsidiaries of The Ensign Group, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of CareTrust REIT, Inc.
10.2    Form of Guaranty of Master Lease by The Ensign Group, Inc. in favor of certain subsidiaries of CareTrust REIT, Inc., as landlords under the Master Leases.
10.3    Opportunities Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and between The Ensign Group, Inc. and CareTrust REIT, Inc.
10.4    Transition Services Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and between The Ensign Group, Inc. and CareTrust REIT, Inc.
10.5    Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and between The Ensign Group, Inc. and CareTrust REIT, Inc.
10.6    Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and between The Ensign Group, Inc. and CareTrust REIT, Inc.
10.7    Contribution Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and among CTR Partnership L.P., CareTrust GP, LLC, CareTrust REIT, Inc. and The Ensign Group, Inc.
10.8    Credit Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, by and among The Ensign Group, Inc., SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.
99.1    Press Release, dated June 3, 2014.
99.2    The Ensign Group, Inc. Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements.
Table of Contents

Exhibit 2.1

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

by and between

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

and

CARETRUST REIT, INC.

dated as of

May 23, 2014


Table of Contents

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      16   

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      17   

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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Table of Contents
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   

 

ii


Table of Contents
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


Table of Contents

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

This SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of May 23, 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 the Ensign Business; and (ii) CareTrust which, following consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, will own and conduct the CareTrust 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 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


Table of Contents

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.

 

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Table of Contents

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

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

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).

 

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Table of Contents

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

CareTrust Revolver ” means the revolving credit facility to be entered into by CTR 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.

 

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Contribution Agreement ” means the Contribution Agreement to be entered into by CTR Partnership, L.P., CareTrust GP, LLC, CareTrust and Ensign prior to the Effective Time.

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 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) on May 31, 2014, or such other time agreed to by the Parties from time to time.

Employee Matters Agreement ” means the Employee Matters Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit 10.7 to the Registration Statement, to be entered into by Ensign and CareTrust prior to the Effective Time.

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.

 

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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

 

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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, a preliminary version of which is filed as Exhibit 99.1 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 Effective Time, but excluding any Contract to which a Person other than any member of the Ensign Group or the CareTrust Group is also a party.

 

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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 the Master Leases, each substantially in the form of Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement, to be entered into by members of the Ensign Group and members of the CareTrust Group prior to the Effective Time.

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 the Opportunities Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement, to be entered into by Ensign and CareTrust prior to the Effective Time.

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.

 

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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.

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 the Tax Matters Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit 10.6 to the Registration Statement, to be entered into by Ensign and CareTrust prior to the Effective Time.

 

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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.

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 the Transition Services Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement, to be entered into by Ensign and CareTrust prior to the Effective Time.

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;

 

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(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 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 Effective Time, 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

 

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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;

(iii) CareTrust shall transfer, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, 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 $221,449,256 (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

 

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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 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 at the Effective Time and ending on the date of the actual transfer).

 

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(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 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.

 

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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 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 Effective Time 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 Effective Time, 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 Effective Time, 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 caused the Registration Statement to become effective on May 15, 2014.

(c) As soon as practicable after the date hereof, 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) Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Parties have caused the NASDAQ Listing Application to be approved, subject to official notice of issuance.

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

Section 3.3 Distribution Agent . At or prior to the Effective Time, 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.

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 ”):

 

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(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 . CareTrust has adopted the articles of amendment and restatement and the amended and restated bylaws of CareTrust, each substantially in the form filed by CareTrust with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and CareTrust shall not take any action to modify its charter or bylaws prior to the Effective Time.

(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 Effective Time, Ensign shall maintain its currently existing Insurance Policies related to director and officer liability (the “ Ensign D&O Policies ”). Prior to the Effective Time, 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.

 

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(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 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 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

 

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(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 Effective Time 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 Effective Time. 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 Effective Time 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 Effective Time. 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 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-

 

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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 Effective Time 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.

 

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(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:

(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 be paid by the Party to which such cost or expense is properly allocable.

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, including without limitation that certain letter agreement, dated as of February 26, 2014, by and between Ensign and CareTrust.

 

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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) 540-1968

 

  (b) If to CareTrust:

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 400

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Attention: William M. Wagner

E-mail: wwagner@caretrustreit.com

Facsimile: (949) 540-3002

 

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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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Table of Contents

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:   /s/ Christopher R. Christensen
  Name:    Christopher R. Christensen
  Title:      President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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


Table of Contents

Exhibit A

CareTrust Subsidiaries

 

1.    Paredes Health Holdings LLC
2.    Arrow Tree Health Holdings LLC
3.    Tenth East Holdings LLC
4.    Mesquite Health Holdings LLC
5.    Jefferson Ralston Holdings LLC
6.    Queensway Health Holdings LLC
7.    Irving Health Holdings LLC
8.    Sky Holdings AZ LLC
9.    Trousdale Health Holdings LLC
10.    Granada Investments LLC
11.    Golfview Holdings LLC
12.    Avenue N Holdings LLC
13.    Expo Park Health Holdings LLC
14.    Falls City Health Holdings LLC
15.    Gillette Park Health Holdings LLC
16.    Wayne Health Holdings LLC
17.    CM Health Holdings LLC
18.    Trinity Mill Holdings LLC
19.    Rillito Holdings LLC
20.    Lafayette Health Holdings LLC
21.    Gazebo Park Health Holdings LLC
22.    Prairie Health Holdings LLC
23.    Jordan Health Properties LLC
24.    Flamingo Health Holdings LLC
25.    Terrace Holdings AZ LLC
26.    Salmon River Health Holdings LLC
27.    Fort Street Health Holdings LLC
28.    Snohomish Health Holdings LLC
29.    Oleson Park Health Holdings LLC
30.    Hillendahl Health Holdings LLC
31.    Moenium Holdings LLC
32.    Rio Grande Health Holdings LLC
33.    Josey Ranch Healthcare Holdings LLC
34.    Ensign Highland LLC
35.    Big Sioux River Health Holdings LLC
36.    Cottonwood Health Holdings LLC
37.    Dixie Health Holdings LLC
38.    Queen City Health Holdings LLC
39.    Saratoga Health Holdings LLC
40.    Verde Villa Holdings LLC
41.    Hillview Health Holdings LLC
42.    51st Avenue Health Holdings LLC
43.    Wisteria Health Holdings LLC
44.    Lowell Health Holdings LLC
45.    Renee Avenue Health Holdings LLC
46.    Northshore Healthcare Holdings LLC
47.    Valley Health Holdings LLC
48.    Willits Health Holdings LLC
49.    Anson Health Holdings LLC
50.    Arapahoe Health Holdings LLC
51.    49th Street Health Holdings LLC
52.    Orem Health Holdings LLC
53.    RB Heights Health Holdings LLC
54.    Lowell Lake Health Holdings LLC
55.    Cherry Health Holdings LLC
(formerly Cherry Health Holdings, Inc.)
56.    Fig Street Health Holdings LLC
57.    Fifth East Holdings LLC
58.    Plaza Health Holdings LLC
59.    Boardwalk Health Holdings LLC
60.    Mountainview Communitycare LLC
61.    Burley Healthcare Holdings LLC
62.    Price Health Holdings LLC
63.    Lemon River Holdings LLC
64.    Memorial Health Holdings LLC
65.    Silver Lake Health Holdings LLC
66.    Willows Health Holdings LLC
67.    Kings Court Health Holdings LLC
68.    Emmett Healthcare Holdings LLC
69.    18th Place Health Holdings LLC
70.    Ensign Bellflower LLC
71.    Silverada Health Holdings LLC
72.    Meadowbrook Health Associates LLC
73.    San Corrine Health Holdings LLC
74.    Ives Health Holdings LLC
75.    Lockwood Health Holdings LLC
76.    Long Beach Health Associates LLC
77.    Ensign Southland LLC
78.    Lufkin Health Holdings LLC
79.    Mission CCRC LLC
80.    Stillhouse Health Holdings LLC
81.    Regal Road Health Holdings LLC
82.    Guadalupe Health Holdings LLC
83.    Polk Health Holdings LLC
84.    South Dora Health Holdings LLC
85.    Cedar Avenue Holdings LLC
86.    Expressway Health Holdings LLC
87.    Everglades Health Holdings LLC
88.    Temple Health Holdings LLC
89.    4th Street Holdings LLC
 


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90.    Bogardus Health Holdings LLC
91.    Tulalip Bay Health Holdings LLC
92.    Casa Linda Retirement LLC
93.    Salt Lake Independence LLC
94.    Dallas Independence LLC
 


Table of Contents

Schedule 2.2(a)

Certain CareTrust Assets

None.


Table of Contents

Schedule 2.3(a)

Certain CareTrust Liabilities

None.

Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF ELIMINATION OF

SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

OF

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

Pursuant to Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

The Ensign Group, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), does hereby certify as follows:

FIRST: Pursuant to the authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) by the provisions of the Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, and pursuant to the provisions of Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the Board created and authorized the issuance of a series of 100,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, designated as “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock” (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “Series A Certificate of Designation”), as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 7, 2013.

SECOND: None of the designated shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding and none will be issued subject to the Series A Certificate of Designation.

THIRD: The Board of Directors duly adopted the following resolutions approving the proposed elimination of the Series A Preferred Stock:

RESOLVED, that none of the designated shares of the Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding and none shall be issued pursuant to the Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that any Authorized Officer and any other officers of the Company designated by any of the Authorized Officers are, and each of them acting singly hereby is, authorized and directed, jointly and severally, in the name and on behalf of this Company, to prepare, execute personally or by attorney-in fact, deliver to and file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, a Certificate of Elimination of the Series A Preferred Stock in order to effect the elimination of the Series A Preferred Stock.

FOURTH: The “Authorized Officers” include the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

SIXTH: In accordance with Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the shares that were designated as Series A Preferred Stock hereby are returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of the preferred stock of the Company, without designation as to series.

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Elimination to be signed on its behalf by its duly authorized officer on this 3 rd day of June, 2014.

 

  THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

By:

  /s/ Chad A. Keetch

Name:

  Chad A. Keetch

Title:

  Executive Vice President and Secretary

 

2

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

MASTER LEASE

Between

THE ENTITIES IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE 1 HERETO,

collectively, as “Landlord”

and

THE ENTITIES IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE 2 HERETO,

collectively, as “Tenant”

May 30, 2014

 

 

[                           ]


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

(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

   Capital Expenditures      12   

6.7

   Additional Improvement Funds      13   

6.8

   Encroachments      15   
Article VII PERMITTED CONTESTS      15   
Article VIII INSURANCE      15   

8.1

   Required Policies      15   

8.2

   General Insurance Requirements      17   

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

(continued)

 

          Page No.  
Article XV LANDLORD’S FINANCING      31   

15.1

   Grant Lien      31   

15.2

   Attornment      31   

15.3

   Cooperation; Modifications      32   

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.      35   
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      36   
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 RESERVED      38   
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   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page No.  

24.7

   Severability      38   

24.8

   Non-Recourse      38   

24.9

   Successors and Assigns      39   

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      40   

24.17

   Further Assurances      40   

24.18

   California Specific Provisions      40   

EXHIBITS/SCHEDULES

 

Exhibit A Defined Terms

Exhibit B Description of the Land

Exhibit C The Landlord Personal Property

Exhibit D Financial, Management and Regulatory Reports

Exhibit E Fair Market Value

Schedule 1 LANDLORD ENTITIES

Schedule 2 TENANT ENTITIES; FACILITY INFORMATION

Schedule 3 TENANT OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE

Schedule 4 FORM OF REQUEST FOR ADVANCE

 

(iv)


MASTER LEASE

THIS MASTER LEASE (this “ Lease ”) is entered into as of May 30, 2014, 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 ”). Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, Landlord and Tenant hereby agree that this Lease shall not be effective until 11:59 p.m. on May 31, 2014.

R E C I T A L S

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,

 

1


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

(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 June 1, 2014 (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.

 

2


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

 

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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).

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

 

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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) 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).

 

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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, 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.

 

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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 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

 

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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 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 six percent (6%) 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 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;

 

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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;

 

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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;

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

 

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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.

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 this 12.2.6, 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.

 

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(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 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 six percent (6%) 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

 

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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.

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.

 

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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 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

 

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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.

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,

 

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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, 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.

 

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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 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

 

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(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.

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 6.6. 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

 

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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.

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.

 

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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 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.

 

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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 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

 

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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 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.

 

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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.

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.

 

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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.

24.10 Governing Law; Jury Waiver . This Lease shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of New York, 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.

 

39


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.

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.

 

40


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.

 

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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.

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]

 

42


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Lease has been executed by Landlord and Tenant as of the date first written above.

TENANT :

[                          ] ,

a [                                               ]

 

By:    
Name:    
Title:    

[Signatures continue on next page]

 

S-1


LANDLORD :

[                          ] ,

a [                                                   ]

 

By:    
Name:    
Title:    

[Signatures continue on next page]

 

S-2


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:    

 

S-3


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.

 

Exhibit A-1


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.

 

Exhibit A-2


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


“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


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


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


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


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.

 

Exhibit A-8


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 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 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.

 

Exhibit A-9


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 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


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


EXHIBIT B

DESCRIPTION OF THE LAND

 

Exhibit B-1


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


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 Landlord from time to time, provided , however , that, (a) if no Event of Default exists, Landlord

 

Exhibit D-1


 

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-2


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


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


SCHEDULE 1

LANDLORD ENTITIES

 

Schedule 1


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


SCHEDULE 3

TENANT OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE

 

Schedule 3


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 4-1


(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 4-2

Exhibit 10.2

GUARANTY OF MASTER LEASE

GUARANTY OF MASTER LEASE (this “ Guaranty ”) made as of May 30, 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 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.

 

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(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 taking by Landlord of any additional guarantees, or the receipt by Landlord of any collateral, from Tenant or any

 

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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; THE LEASE; ANY LIABILITY OR OBLIGATION OF TENANT IN ANY MANNER RELATED TO THE

 

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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

 

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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 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.

 

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(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.

(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: Chad Keetch

  

c/o CareTrust REIT, Inc.

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 400

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Attn: William M. Wagner

  

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 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.

 

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(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 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.

 

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(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:    

 

S-1


SCHEDULE 1

LANDLORD ENTITIES; TENANT ENTITIES; FACILITY INFORMATION

 

Landlord   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 1-1

Exhibit 10.3

OPPORTUNITIES AGREEMENT

This OPPORTUNITIES AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of May 30, 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 May 23, 2014 (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 and conduct 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:

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.

 

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(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.

(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

 

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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 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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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 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.

 

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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.

Section 4.13 Effective Time . This Agreement shall be effective as of 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) on May 31, 2014.

[ 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:   /s/ Christopher R. Christensen
  Name:   Christopher R. Christensen
  Title:     President and Chief Executive Officer
CARETRUST REIT, INC.
By:   /s/ Gregory K. Stapley
  Name:   Gregory K. Stapley
  Title:     President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.4

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

by and between

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

and

CARETRUST REIT, INC.

dated as of

May 30, 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   

Section 9.14

   Effective Time      14   
Exhibit A – Ensign Transitional Services      A-1   

 

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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 May 30, 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 May 23, 2014 (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 and conduct 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, 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:

Additional Interest ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b).

 

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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 1.10.

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.

Effective Time ” means 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) on May 31, 2014.

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 Effective Time 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).

 

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Third-Party Providers ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).

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 Effective Time by Ensign (or such other applicable member of the Ensign Group) and (ii) are provided after the Effective Time 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 Effective Time, 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 Effective Time; 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 Effective Time, 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 Effective Time, 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 Effective Time, 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 category of Services may only be terminated as a whole, and partial termination of any Services shall not be permitted without the prior approval of Ensign, such approval not to be unreasonably

 

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withheld or 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 Effective Time; provided that CareTrust shall have the one-time right to extend the provision of Services under this Agreement until the second anniversary of the Effective Time by providing Ensign with written notice thereof at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Time. 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.

Section 9.14 Effective Time . This Agreement shall be effective as of 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) on May 31, 2014.

[ 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:   /s/ Christopher R. Christensen
  Name:  Christopher R. Christensen
  Title:    President and Chief Executive Officer

 

CARETRUST REIT, INC.
By:   /s/ Gregory K. Stapley
  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 Effective Time 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.

 

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  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 Effective Time 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;

 

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  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 Effective Time. 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 400, 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.

 

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Exhibit 10.5

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

This TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT is dated as of May 30, 2014, by and among THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Ensign”), 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.

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 by the Separation Agreement, will own and conduct the Ensign Business; and (ii) PropCo which, following consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, will own and conduct the CareTrust Business;

WHEREAS, promptly after the Effective Time, 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.

“Affiliate” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity directly or indirectly Controlled by the entity in question.

 

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“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.

“Effective Time” means 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) on May 31, 2014.

“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.

“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.

 

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“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 at the Effective Time.

“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.

“Post-Distribution Period” means any tax year or other taxable period beginning after the Effective Time 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 date of the Effective Time.

 

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“Pre-Distribution Period” means any tax year or other taxable period that ends at or before the Effective Time and, in the case of any Straddle Period, that part of the tax year or other taxable period through the end of the day of the Effective Time.

“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 the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2014, by and between Ensign and PropCo.

“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 Effective Time and ending after the Effective Time.

“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.

“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).

 

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“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 Effective Time, 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 . 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

 

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(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 Effective Time 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 at or prior to the Effective Time 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 Effective Time,

(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 Effective Time, 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 . 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 at or prior to the Effective Time 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 Effective Time,

 

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(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 Effective Time, 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 date of the Effective Time 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.

(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 date of the Effective Time, 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 Effective Time shall be made by means of a closing of the books and records of the PropCo Group as of the Effective Time; 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

 

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series of transactions shall be allocated to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Effective Time and the portion of the Straddle Period beginning after the Effective Time 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 Effective Time, 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 Effective Time, 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.

(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.

 

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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, 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).

 

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(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.

(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.

 

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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 2014, 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.

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.

 

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(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 Effective Time, 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 Effective Time, 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 Effective Time 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 Effective Time.

(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 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.

 

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(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 Effective Time.

(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

 

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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 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

 

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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 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.

 

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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 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 Effective Time 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.

 

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(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.

(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 5.03(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 5.03(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 5.03(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.

 

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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 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 Effective Time.

(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 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) on May 31, 2014.

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 400

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.

 

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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.

 

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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:    /s/ Christopher R. Christensen
  Name: Christopher R. Christensen
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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

Exhibit 10.6

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 May 30, 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, Ensign and CareTrust have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2014 (the “ Separation Agreement ”), pursuant to which Ensign will reorganize its assets and liabilities into two companies: (i) Ensign which, following consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Separation Agreement, will own and conduct the Ensign Business; and (ii) CareTrust which, following consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Separation Agreement, will own and conduct the CareTrust Business; 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 respective meanings 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.

 

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1.4 “ CareTrust Incentive Award Plan ” means the CareTrust REIT, Inc. and CTR Partnership, L.P. Incentive Award Plan adopted or to be adopted by CareTrust and CTR 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 ” means 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time), on May 31, 2014.

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.

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.

 

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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.

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.

 

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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.

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.

 

11


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.

8.14 Effective Time . This Agreement shall be effective as of 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) on May 31, 2014.

 

12


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:   /s/ Christopher R. Christensen
  Name: Christopher R. Christensen
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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

 

13


Schedule 1.2

 

First Name

  

Last Name

  

Business Title

  

Location

  

City

  

State

Gregory

   Stapley    President and Chief Executive Officer    CareTrust REIT-HQ    San Juan Capistrano    CA

William

   Wagner    Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary    CareTrust REIT-HQ    San Juan Capistrano    CA

David

   Sedgwick    Vice President Operations    CareTrust REIT-HQ    Hunt Valley    MD

Barbara

   Adds    Receptionist    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Rockwall    TX

Bobbie

   Burnett    Dietary Aide    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Lorisa

   Cogan    Cook    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Keith

   Collins    Receptionist    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Marvisha

   Davis    Dietary Aide    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Shewhate

   Genretensai    Dietary Aide    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Stacy

   Glover    Receptionist    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Desoto    TX

Juan

   Gonzalez    Cook    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Candi

   Grimwood    Dietary Aide    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Mesquite    TX

Glen

   Hawkins    Driver    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Mesquite    TX

Michael

   Hubbard    Cook    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Jermaine

   Kennedy    Maintenance Staff    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Vickie

   Malone    Housekeeping Staff    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Courtney

   Perez    Receptionist    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Mary

   Potter    Housekeeping Staff    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Guadencia

   Rodriguez    Dietary Aide    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Mesquite    TX

Irene

   Romero    Housekeeping Staff    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Rosalina

   Rubio    Cook    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Stephanie

   Simpson    Activities Supervisor    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Red Oak    TX

Maria

   Umanzor    Dietary Aide    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Jane

   Villarreal    Receptionist    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Pamela

   Walker    Property Manager    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Irving    TX

Benny

   Wilson    Maintenance Staff    Lakeland Hills Senior Living    Dallas    TX

Barbara

   Cruz    Receptionist    St. Joseph Senior Living    Salt Lake City    UT

Doreen

   Echeverria    Property Manager    St. Joseph Senior Living    Kearns    UT

Chrissy

   Hayes    Receptionist    St. Joseph Senior Living    Wvc    UT

Erica

   Kornman    Administrative Support    St. Joseph Senior Living    Sandy    UT

Bobby

   Martinez    Maintenance Staff    St. Joseph Senior Living    Ogden    UT

Gladys

   Medina    Receptionist    St. Joseph Senior Living    Magna    UT

Hortensia

   Vergara    Housekeeping Staff    St. Joseph Senior Living    Salt Lake City    UT

Donna

   Plemons    Property Manager    The Cottages At Golden Acres    Dallas    TX

Guadalupe

   Rivas    Administrative Support    The Cottages At Golden Acres    Mesquite    TX

Russell Mark

   Wade    Maintenance Staff    The Cottages At Golden Acres    dallas    TX

 

14

Exhibit 10.7

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF MAY 30, 2014

BY AND AMONG

CTR PARTNERSHIP, L.P.,

CARETRUST GP, LLC,

CARETRUST REIT, INC.

AND

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
Article I CONTRIBUTION      2   

Section 1.01

  Contribution of Interests      2   

Section 1.02

  Consideration to CareTrust and the General Partner      2   

Section 1.03

  Consideration to Ensign      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      7   

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      8   

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      9   

Section 5.01

  Definitions      9   
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      12   

Section 6.05

  Notices      12   

Section 6.06

  Counterparts; Electronic Delivery      13   

Section 6.07

  Severability      13   

Section 6.08

  Assignability; Binding Effect      13   

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   

Section 6.14

  Effective Time      14   

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A:      Property Companies and Properties

Exhibit B:      Operating Companies and Facilities

Exhibit C:      Permitted Liens

APPENDIX A – DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE

 

ii


CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

THIS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of May 30, 2014 (this “ Agreement ”), by and among The Ensign Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Ensign ”), CTR 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 May 23, 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) 22,442,878 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ CareTrust Common Stock ”), of CareTrust, (ii) the assumption of certain liabilities of Ensign and (iii) $221,449,256.00 in cash;

WHEREAS, CareTrust desires to contribute (i) 1% of the Interests to the General Partner, which the General Partner desires to contribute to the Operating Partnership in exchange for units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (“ OP Units ”) and $2,214,492.56 in cash (which cash would be distributed to CareTrust), and (ii) 99% of the Interests to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units, and $219,234,763.44 in cash; and

WHEREAS, to avoid the inconvenience and expense of multiple transfers, the Parties desire that (i) Ensign contribute all of the Interests directly to the Operating Partnership (the “ Contribution ”), and (ii) the Operating Partnership transfer $221,449,256.00 in cash directly to Ensign, in each case, 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:

 

1


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) (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 CareTrust and the General Partner . In consideration of the foregoing contribution, the Operating Partnership shall promptly issue to CareTrust 22,218,449.22 OP Units and $219,234,763.44 in cash, and to the General Partner 224,428.78 OP Units and $2,214,492.56 in cash, which cash the General Partner shall distribute to CareTrust. 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).

Section 1.03 Consideration to Ensign . In consideration of the foregoing contribution, CareTrust shall promptly issue to Ensign 22,442,878 shares of CareTrust Common Stock and $221,449,256.00 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.

 

2


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.

 

3


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.

 

4


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 may be described in the Information Statement, 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 may be described in the Information Statement, 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 . 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.

 

5


Section 2.19 Real Property . 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. 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 described in the Information Statement or any environmental reports in Ensign’s possession and made available to CareTrust (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 may be described in the Information Statement 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 may be described in the Information Statement, 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 may be described in the Information Statement; 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 may be described in the Information Statement or the rent roll delivered to CareTrust, 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. 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, Permitted Liens and Liens that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on CareTrust.

Section 2.25 Service Contracts . There are no 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 . The 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, after giving effect to the financing transactions contemplated to occur on or about May 30, 2014, as described in the Information Statement (the “ Existing Loans ”), and the documents entered into in connection therewith (collectively, the “ Loan Documents ”) are, to Ensign’s knowledge, 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.

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. 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.

 

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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.

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.

 

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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.

ARTICLE V

DEFINITIONS

Section 5.01 Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings.

 

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(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.

(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.

 

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(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.

(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.

 

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(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.

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,

 

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(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 400

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.

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.

 

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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.

Section 6.14 Effective Time . This Agreement shall be effective as of 3:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on May 30, 2014.

[ 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:   /s/ Christopher R. Christensen
 

Name: Christopher R. Christensen

Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

CARETRUST REIT, INC.
By:   /s/ Gregory K. Stapley
 

Name: Gregory K. Stapley

Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

CARETRUST GP, LLC
By:   CareTrust REIT, Inc., its sole member
By:   /s/ Gregory K. Stapley
 

Name: Gregory K. Stapley

Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

CTR PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
By:   CareTrust GP, LLC, its general partner
By:   CareTrust REIT, Inc., its sole member
By:   /s/ Gregory K. Stapley
 

Name: Gregory K. Stapley

Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer


Exhibit A

Property Companies and Properties

 

    

Property Company

  

Property

1.    Paredes Health Holdings LLC   

1.      Alta Vista Rehabilitation and Healthcare

2.    Arrow Tree Health Holdings LLC   

2.      Arbor Glen Care Center

3.    Tenth East Holdings LLC   

3.      City Creek Post-Acute (fka Arlington Hills Healthcare Center)

4.    Mesquite Health Holdings LLC   

4.      Willowbend Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

5.    Jefferson Ralston Holdings LLC   

5.      Arvada Care and Rehabilitation Center

6.    Queensway Health Holdings LLC   

6.      Atlantic Memorial Healthcare Center

7.    Irving Health Holdings LLC   

7.      Beatrice Health & Rehabilitation

8.    Sky Holdings AZ LLC   

8.      Bella Vita Health and Rehabilitation Center & Desert Sky Assisted Living

9.    Trousdale Health Holdings LLC   

9.      Brookfield Healthcare Center

10.    Granada Investments LLC   

10.    Camarillo Healthcare Center

11.    Golfview Holdings LLC   

11.    Cambridge Health & Rehabilitation Center

12.    Avenue N Holdings LLC   

12.    Cambridge Square Retirement Center

13.    Expo Park Health Holdings LLC   

13.    Canterbury Gardens Independent & Assisted Living Community

14.    Falls City Health Holdings LLC   

14.    Falls City Nursing & Rehabilitation (fka Careage Estates of Falls City)

15.    Gillette Park Health Holdings LLC   

15.    Careage Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare

16.    Wayne Health Holdings LLC   

16.    Careage Campus of Care & County View Assisted Living (fka Careage of Wayne)

17.    CM Health Holdings LLC   

17.    Carmel Mountain Rehab & Healthcare Center

18.    Trinity Mill Holdings LLC   

18.    Carrollton Health & Rehabilitation Center

19.    Rillito Holdings LLC   

19.    Catalina Post-Acute & Rehabilitation

20.    Lafayette Health Holdings LLC   

20.    Chateau Des Mons Care and Assisted Living

21.    Julia Temple Healthcare Center

21.    Gazebo Park Health Holdings LLC   

22.    Clarion Wellness & Rehabilitation Center (fka Careage of Clarion)

22.    Prairie Health Holdings LLC   

23.    Colonial Manor of Randolph

23.    Jordan Health Properties LLC   

24.    Copper Ridge Health Care

24.    Flamingo Health Holdings LLC   

25.    Desert Springs Senior Living

25.    Terrace Holdings AZ LLC   

26.    Desert Terrace Healthcare Center

26.    Salmon River Health Holdings LLC   

27.    Discovery Care Center

27.    Fort Street Health Holdings LLC   

28.    Draper Rehabilitation and Care Center

28.    Snohomish Health Holdings LLC   

29.    Emerald Hills Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing

29.    Oleson Park Health Holdings LLC   

30.    Fort Dodge Health & Rehabilitation (fka Careage of Fort Dodge)

30.    Hillendahl Health Holdings LLC   

31.    Golden Acres Living and Rehabilitation Center

31.    Moenium Holdings LLC   

32.    Grand Court of Mesa

32.    Rio Grande Health Holdings LLC   

33.    Grand Terrace Rehabilitation and Healthcare

33.    Josey Ranch Healthcare Holdings LLC   

34.    Heritage Gardens Rehabilitation & Healthcare

34.    Ensign Highland LLC   

35.    Camelback Post-Acute Care & Rehabilitation (fka Highland Manor Health & Rehabilitation Center)

35.    Big Sioux River Health Holdings LLC   

36.    Hillcrest Healthcare Center & Mica Hill Estates Assisted Living

36.    Cottonwood Health Holdings LLC   

37.    Holladay Healthcare Center

37.    Dixie Health Holdings LLC   

38.    Hurricane Health and Rehabilitation

38.    Queen City Health Holdings LLC   

39.    La Villa Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center

39.    Saratoga Health Holdings LLC   

40.    Lake Ridge Senior Living

40.    Verde Villa Holdings LLC   

41.    Lake Village Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

41.    Hillview Health Holdings LLC   

42.    Lakeland Hills Assisted Living


    

Property Company

  

Property

42.    51st Avenue Health Holdings LLC   

43.    Legacy Rehabilitation and Living

43.    Wisteria Health Holdings LLC   

44.    Wisteria Place

44.    Lowell Health Holdings LLC   

45.    Littleton Care and Rehabilitation Center

45.    Renee Avenue Health Holdings LLC   

46.    Monte Vista Hills Healthcare Center

46.    Northshore Healthcare Holdings LLC   

47.    Montebello Wellness Center

47.    Valley Health Holdings LLC   

48.    North Mountain Medical & Rehabilitation Center

48.    Willits Health Holdings LLC   

49.    Northbrook Healthcare Center

49.    Anson Health Holdings LLC   

50.    Northern Oaks Living & Rehabilitation Center

50.    Arapahoe Health Holdings LLC   

51.    Oceanview Healthcare and Rehabilitation

51.    49th Street Health Holdings LLC   

52.    Omaha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

52.    Orem Health Holdings LLC   

53.    Orem Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

53.    RB Heights Health Holdings LLC   

54.    Osborn Health & Rehabilitation

54.    Lowell Lake Health Holdings LLC   

55.    Owyhee Health and Rehabilitation Center

55.    Cherry Health Holdings LLC (formerly Cherry Health Holdings, Inc.)   

56.    Pacific Care & Rehabilitation

56.    Fig Street Health Holdings LLC   

57.    Palomar Vista Healthcare Center

57.    Fifth East Holdings LLC   

58.    Paramount Health and Rehabilitation

58.    Plaza Health Holdings LLC   

59.    Park Manor Rehabilitation Center

59.    Boardwalk Health Holdings LLC   

60.    Park Place Assisted Living

60.    Mountainview Communitycare LLC   

61.    Park View Post-Acute (fka Park View Gardens at Montgomery)

61.    Burley Healthcare Holdings LLC   

62.    Parke View Rehabilitation and Care Center

62.    Price Health Holdings LLC   

63.    Pinnacle Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

63.    Lemon River Holdings LLC   

64.    The Grove Care & Wellness (fka Plymouth Tower Care and Living Center)

64.    Memorial Health Holdings LLC   

65.    Gateway Transitional Care Center (fka Pocatello Care and Rehabilitation Center)

65.    Silver Lake Health Holdings LLC   

66.    Provo Rehabilitation and Nursing

66.    Willows Health Holdings LLC   

67.    Redmond Care and Rehabilitation Center

68.    Redmond Heights Senior Living

67.    Kings Court Health Holdings LLC   

69.    Richland Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center

68.    Emmett Healthcare Holdings LLC   

70.    River’s Edge Rehabilitation and Living Center

69.    18th Place Health Holdings LLC   

71.    Rose Court Senior Living

70.    Ensign Bellflower LLC   

72.    Rose Villa Healthcare Center

71.    Silverada Health Holdings LLC   

73.    Rosewood Rehabilitation Center

72.    Meadowbrook Health Associates LLC   

74.    Sabino Canyon Rehabilitation and Care Center

73.    San Corrine Health Holdings LLC   

75.    Northeast Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center (fka Salado Creek Living & Rehabilitation Center)

74.    Ives Health Holdings LLC   

76.    San Marcos Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center

75.    Lockwood Health Holdings LLC   

77.    Santa Maria Terrace

76.    Long Beach Health Associates LLC   

78.    Shoreline Healthcare Center

77.    Ensign Southland LLC   

79.    Southland Care Center & Southland Living

78.    Lufkin Health Holdings LLC   

80.    Southland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center

79.    Mission CCRC LLC   

81.    St. Joseph Villa, St. Joseph Villa Assisted Living & The Marian Center

80.    Stillhouse Health Holdings LLC   

82.    Stillhouse Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center

81.    Regal Road Health Holdings LLC   

83.    Sunview Health and Rehabilitation Center

82.    Guadalupe Health Holdings LLC   

84.    The Courtyard Rehab and Healthcare Center

83.    Polk Health Holdings LLC   

85.    Timberwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

84.    South Dora Health Holdings LLC   

86.    Ukiah Post-Acute (fka Ukiah Healthcare Center)


    

Property Company

  

Property

85.    Cedar Avenue Holdings LLC   

87.    Upland Rehabilitation and Care Center

86.    Expressway Health Holdings LLC   

88.    Veranda Rehabilitation and Healthcare

87.    Everglades Health Holdings LLC   

89.    Victoria Care Center

90.    Lexington Assisted Living

88.    Temple Health Holdings LLC   

91.    Wellington Place Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center

89.    4th Street Holdings LLC   

92.    West Bend Care Center & Prairie Creek Assisted Living

90.    Bogardus Health Holdings LLC   

93.    Whittier Hills Health Care Center

91.    Tulalip Bay Health Holdings LLC   

94.    Mountain View Rehabilitation and Care Center


Exhibit B

Operating Companies and Facilities

 

    

Operating Company

  

Facility

1.

   Casa Linda Retirement LLC    Lakeland Hills Independent Living

2.

   Salt Lake Independence LLC    The Apartments at St. Joseph Villa

3.

   Dallas Independence LLC    The Cottages at Golden Acres


Exhibit C

Permitted Liens

 

1. Liens arising under or imposed by (i) the Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of November 10, 2009 with General Electric Capital Corporation, as agent and lender, or (ii) the Fifth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of May 30, 2014 with General Electric Capital Corporation, as agent and lender.

 

2. Liens that secure indebtedness that will be repaid on or about May 30, 2014.

 

3. Liens that secure indebtedness that will be incurred on or about May 30, 2014, as described in the Information Statement.

 

4. Liens that secure indebtedness under that certain Promissory Note, dated as of October 1, 2009, by and between Tenth East Holdings LLC and Johnson Land Enterprises, L.L.C.

Exhibit 10.8

CUSIP: 29358XAA2

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of May 30, 2014

among

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

as Borrower

THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

and

SUNTRUST BANK

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.

as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Book Manager

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Book Manager

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Syndication Agent

BBVA COMPASS

as Co-Documentation Agent

and

FIFTH THIRD BANK

as Co-Documentation Agent


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I

  
DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION      1   

Section 1.1.

   Definitions      1   

Section 1.2.

   Classifications of Loans and Borrowings      38   

Section 1.3.

   Accounting Terms and Determination      38   

Section 1.4.

   Terms Generally      39   

ARTICLE II

  
AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE COMMITMENTS      40   

Section 2.1.

   General Description of Facilities      40   

Section 2.2.

   Revolving Loans      40   

Section 2.3.

   Procedure for Revolving Borrowings      40   

Section 2.4.

   Swingline Commitment      40   

Section 2.5.

   [Reserved]      42   

Section 2.6.

   Funding of Borrowings      42   

Section 2.7.

   Interest Elections      43   

Section 2.8.

   Optional Reduction and Termination of Commitments      43   

Section 2.9.

   Repayment of Loans      44   

Section 2.10.

   Evidence of Indebtedness      44   

Section 2.11.

   Optional Prepayments      45   

Section 2.12.

   Mandatory Prepayments      45   

Section 2.13.

   Interest on Loans      46   

Section 2.14.

   Fees      46   

Section 2.15.

   Computation of Interest and Fees      47   

Section 2.16.

   Inability to Determine Interest Rates      48   

Section 2.17.

   Illegality      48   

Section 2.18.

   Increased Costs      48   

Section 2.19.

   Funding Indemnity      49   

Section 2.20.

   Taxes      50   

Section 2.21.

   Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs      53   

Section 2.22.

   Letters of Credit      54   

Section 2.23.

   Increase of Commitments; Additional Lenders      58   

Section 2.24.

   Mitigation of Obligations      61   

Section 2.25.

   Replacement of Lenders      61   

Section 2.26.

   Defaulting Lenders      62   

Section 2.27.

   Request for Extended Facilities      65   

Section 2.28.

   Refinancing Amendment      67   
ARTICLE III   
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT      68   

Section 3.1.

   Conditions to Effectiveness      68   

Section 3.2.

   Conditions to Each Credit Event      71   

Section 3.3.

   Delivery of Documents      72   

Section 3.4.

   Termination of Existing Credit Facility      72   


ARTICLE IV

  

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     72   

Section 4.1.

   Existence; Power      72   

Section 4.2.

   Organizational Power; Authorization      72   

Section 4.3.

   Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts      72   

Section 4.4.

   Financial Statements      73   

Section 4.5.

   Litigation and Environmental Matters      73   

Section 4.6.

   Compliance with Laws and Agreements      73   

Section 4.7.

   Investment Company Act      73   

Section 4.8.

   Taxes      74   

Section 4.9.

   Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations      74   

Section 4.10.

   ERISA      74   

Section 4.11.

   Ownership of Property; Insurance      75   

Section 4.12.

   Disclosure      75   

Section 4.13.

   Labor Relations      76   

Section 4.14.

   Subsidiaries      76   

Section 4.15.

   Solvency      76   

Section 4.16.

   [Reserved]      76   

Section 4.17.

   Collateral Documents      76   

Section 4.18.

   [Reserved]      77   

Section 4.19.

   Healthcare Matters      77   

Section 4.20.

   OFAC      79   

Section 4.21.

   Patriot Act      80   
ARTICLE V   
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS      80   

Section 5.1.

   Financial Statements and Other Information      80   

Section 5.2.

   Notices of Material Events      81   

Section 5.3.

   Existence; Conduct of Business      84   

Section 5.4.

   Compliance with Laws      84   

Section 5.5.

   Payment of Obligations      84   

Section 5.6.

   Books and Records      84   

Section 5.7.

   Visitation and Inspection      84   

Section 5.8.

   Maintenance of Properties; Insurance      85   

Section 5.9.

   Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations      85   

Section 5.10.

   [Reserved]      85   

Section 5.11.

   Cash Management      85   

Section 5.12.

   Additional Subsidiaries and Collateral      86   

Section 5.13.

   Additional Negative Pledges; Leased Locations; Mortgages      88   

Section 5.14.

   Further Assurances      89   

Section 5.15.

   Health Care Matters      89   

Section 5.16.

   Post-Closing Matters      90   

Section 5.17.

   Limitations on Designation of Immaterial Subsidiaries      90   

Section 5.18.

   Limitations on Designation of Excluded Subsidiaries      91   

Section 5.19.

   Spin-Off Transaction      92   

 

ii


ARTICLE VI   
FINANCIAL COVENANTS      93   

Section 6.1.

   Leverage Ratio      93   

Section 6.2.

   Interest/Rent Coverage Ratio      93   
ARTICLE VII   
NEGATIVE COVENANTS      93   

Section 7.1.

   Indebtedness and Preferred Equity      93   

Section 7.2.

   Liens      95   

Section 7.3.

   Fundamental Changes      97   

Section 7.4.

   Investments, Loans      97   

Section 7.5.

   Restricted Payments      99   

Section 7.6.

   Sale of Assets      101   

Section 7.7.

   Transactions with Affiliates      102   

Section 7.8.

   Restrictive Agreements      102   

Section 7.9.

   Sale and Leaseback Transactions      103   

Section 7.10.

   Hedging Transactions      103   

Section 7.11.

   Amendment to Material Documents      103   

Section 7.12.

   PropCo Master Leases      103   

Section 7.13.

   Accounting Changes      104   

Section 7.14.

   Government Regulation      104   

Section 7.15.

   Spin-Off      104   
ARTICLE VIII   
EVENTS OF DEFAULT      104   

Section 8.1.

   Events of Default      104   

Section 8.2.

   Application of Proceeds from Collateral      107   
ARTICLE IX   
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT      108   

Section 9.1.

   Appointment of the Administrative Agent      108   

Section 9.2.

   Nature of Duties of the Administrative Agent      109   

Section 9.3.

   Lack of Reliance on the Administrative Agent      109   

Section 9.4.

   Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent      110   

Section 9.5.

   Reliance by the Administrative Agent      110   

Section 9.6.

   The Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity      110   

Section 9.7.

   Successor Administrative Agent      110   

Section 9.8.

   Withholding Tax      111   

Section 9.9.

   The Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim      112   

Section 9.10.

   Authorization to Execute Other Loan Documents      112   

Section 9.11.

   Collateral and Guaranty Matters      112   

Section 9.12.

   Co-Documentation Agents; Syndication Agent      112   

Section 9.13.

   Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantee      112   

Section 9.14.

   Secured Bank Product Obligations and Hedging Obligations      113   
ARTICLE X   
MISCELLANEOUS      113   

Section 10.1.

   Notices      113   

Section 10.2.

   Waiver; Amendments      116   

 

iii


Section 10.3.

   Expenses; Indemnification      118   

Section 10.4.

   Successors and Assigns      120   

Section 10.5.

   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process      123   

Section 10.6.

   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      124   

Section 10.7.

   Right of Set-off      124   

Section 10.8.

   Counterparts; Integration      124   

Section 10.9.

   Survival      125   

Section 10.10.

   Severability      125   

Section 10.11.

   Confidentiality      125   

Section 10.12.

   Interest Rate Limitation      126   

Section 10.13.

   Waiver of Effect of Corporate Seal      126   

Section 10.14.

   Patriot Act      126   

Section 10.15.

   No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility      126   

Section 10.16.

   Location of Closing      127   

Section 10.17.

   Releases of Collateral      127   

Schedules

 

Schedule I

      Commitment Amounts

Schedule II

      Existing Letters of Credit

Schedule 1.1

      Subsidiary Agreements

Schedule 4.11

      Real Estate

Schedule 4.14

      Subsidiaries

Schedule 4.19

      Healthcare Matters

Schedule 5.16

      Post-Closing Matters

Schedule 7.1

      Existing Indebtedness

Schedule 7.2

      Existing Liens

Schedule 7.4

      Existing Investments

Schedule 7.8

      Existing Leases with Restrictive Agreements

Exhibits

 

Exhibit A

      Form of Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit B

      Form of Guaranty and Security Agreement

Exhibit 2.3

      Form of Notice of Revolving Borrowing

Exhibit 2.4

      Form of Notice of Swingline Borrowing

Exhibit 2.7

      Form of Notice of Continuation/Conversion

Exhibit 3.1(b)(ii)

      Form of Secretary’s Certificate

Exhibit 3.1(b)(iv)

      Form of Officer’s Certificate

Exhibit 5.1(c)

      Form of Compliance Certificate

 

iv


CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified, this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of May 30, 2014, by and among THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the several banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party hereto (the “ Lenders ”) and SUNTRUST BANK, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), as issuing bank (in such capacity, an “ Issuing Bank ”) and as swingline lender (in such capacity, the “ Swingline Lender ”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders establish a $150,000,000 revolving credit facility in favor of the Borrower; and

WHEREAS , subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender, to the extent of their respective Commitments as defined herein, are willing severally to establish the requested revolving credit facility, letter of credit subfacility and swingline subfacility in favor of the Borrower;

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

Section 1.1. Definitions . In addition to the other terms defined herein, the following terms used herein shall have the meanings herein specified (to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

Accounts Collateral ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(i) .

Acquisition ” shall mean (a) any Investment by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any other Person organized in the United States (with all or substantially all of the assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries located in the United States), pursuant to which such Person shall become a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or shall be merged or otherwise consolidated or combined with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (b) any acquisition by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of the assets of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower) that constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person or a division or business unit of such Person, whether through purchase, capital lease, exercise of an option to purchase, merger or other business combination or transaction (and all or substantially all of such assets, division or business unit are located in the United States). With respect to a determination of the amount of an Acquisition, such amount shall include all consideration (including any deferred payments) set forth in the applicable agreements governing such Acquisition as well as the assumption of any Indebtedness in connection therewith.

Acquisition Consideration ” shall mean purchase consideration for a Permitted Acquisition of an Excluded Subsidiary and all other payments (but excluding any related acquisition fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with any Permitted Acquisition of an Excluded Subsidiary), directly or indirectly, by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in exchange for, or as part of, or in connection with, a Permitted Acquisition of an Excluded Subsidiary, whether paid in cash or cash


equivalents or by exchange of equity interests or of any property or by the assumption of debt of the Person or business unit or asset group of any Person acquired or proposed to be acquired in any such Acquisition or otherwise and whether payable at or prior to the consummation of a Permitted Acquisition of an Excluded Subsidiary or deferred for payment at any future time (including earn-outs); provided , that any such future payment that is subject to a contingency shall be considered Acquisition Consideration only to the extent of the reserve, if any, required under GAAP at the time of such sale to be established in respect thereof by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided , further , that Acquisition Consideration shall not include (a) any consideration or payment paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) with the net cash proceeds of Capital Stock of the Borrower to its shareholders and/or (ii) in the form of Capital Stock of the Borrower and (b) cash and cash equivalents acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as part of the applicable Permitted Acquisition of an Excluded Subsidiary.

Acquisition Consideration Available Amount ” shall mean 50% of the Available Amount; provided that (i) the total Acquisition Consideration paid in connection with the Acquisition of Excluded Subsidiaries and the aggregate amount of Investments in Excluded Subsidiaries made for the purpose of financing the construction, development, refurbishment or expansion of any health care facility pursuant to Section 7.4(h) in reliance on the “Acquisition Consideration Available Amount” shall not exceed $100,000,000 in the aggregate during the term of this Agreement and (ii) the total Acquisition Consideration paid in connection with the Acquisition of Excluded Subsidiaries and the aggregate amount of Investments in Excluded Subsidiaries made for the purpose of financing the construction, development, refurbishment or expansion of any health care facility pursuant to Section 7.4(h) in reliance on the “Acquisition Consideration Available Amount” shall not exceed 50% of the aggregate sum of all amounts added to the Available Amount pursuant to clauses (a) through (c) of the definition thereof.

Additional Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23 .

Adjusted LIBOR ” shall mean, with respect to each Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan, (i) the rate per annum equal to the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. Dollars appearing on Reuters screen page LIBOR 01 (or on any successor or substitute page of such service or any successor to such service, or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period, divided by (ii) a percentage equal to 100% minus the then stated maximum rate of all reserve requirements (including any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserves and without benefit of credits for proration, exceptions or offsets that may be available from time to time) applicable to any member bank of the Federal Reserve System in respect of Eurocurrency liabilities as defined in Regulation D (or any successor category of liabilities under Regulation D); provided, that if the rate referred to in clause (i) above is not available at any such time for any reason, then the rate referred to in clause (i) shall instead be the interest rate per annum, as determined by the Administrative Agent, to be the arithmetic average of the rates per annum at which deposits in U. S. Dollars in an amount equal to the amount of such Eurodollar Loan are offered by major banks in the London interbank market to the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time), two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

Administrative Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereof.

Administrative Questionnaire ” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, an administrative questionnaire in the form provided by the Administrative Agent and submitted to the Administrative Agent duly completed by such Lender.

 

2


Affiliate ” shall mean, as to any Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such Person; provided , however , that, from and after the consummation of the Spin-Off Transaction, none of the Spin-Off Subsidiaries shall constitute an Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “Control” shall mean the power, directly or indirectly, either to (i) vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of a Person or (ii) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by control or otherwise. The terms “Controlled by” and “under common Control with” have the meanings correlative thereto.

Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount ” shall mean the aggregate principal amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments from time to time. On the Closing Date, the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount is $150,000,000.

Aggregate Revolving Commitments ” shall mean, collectively, all Revolving Commitments of all Lenders at any time outstanding.

Anti-Terrorism Order ” shall mean Executive Order 13224, signed by President George W. Bush on September 23, 2001.

Applicable Lending Office ” shall mean, for each Lender and for each Type of Loan, the “Lending Office” of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) designated for such Type of Loan in the Administrative Questionnaire submitted by such Lender or such other office of such Lender (or such Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the office by which its Loans of such Type are to be made and maintained.

Applicable Margin ” shall mean, as of any date, with respect to all Loans outstanding on such date or the letter of credit fee, as the case may be, the percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Leverage Ratio in effect on such date as set forth in the pricing grid below (the “ Pricing Grid ”); provided that a change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall be effective on the second Business Day after the Borrower delivers each of the financial statements required by Section 5.1(a ) and ( b ) and the Compliance Certificate required by Section 5.1(c ); provided , further , that if at any time the Borrower shall have failed to deliver such financial statements and such Compliance Certificate when so required, the Applicable Margin shall be at Level I as set forth in the Pricing Grid until such time as such financial statements and Compliance Certificate are delivered, at which time the Applicable Margin shall be determined as provided above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Margin from the Closing Date until the date by which the financial statements and Compliance Certificate for the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2014 are required to be delivered shall be at Level V as set forth in the Pricing Grid. In the event that any financial statement or Compliance Certificate delivered hereunder is shown to be inaccurate (regardless of whether this Agreement or the Commitments are in effect when such inaccuracy is discovered), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin based upon the Pricing Grid (the “ Accurate Applicable Margin ”) for any period that such financial statement or Compliance Certificate covered, then (i) the Borrower shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent a correct financial statement or Compliance Certificate, as the case may be, for such period, (ii) the Applicable Margin shall be adjusted such that after giving effect to the corrected financial statement or Compliance Certificate, as the case may be, the Applicable Margin shall be reset to the Accurate Applicable Margin based upon the Pricing Grid for such period and (iii) the Borrower shall promptly pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, the accrued additional interest owing as a result of such Accurate Applicable Margin for such period. The provisions of this definition shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to Section 2.13(c) or Article VIII .

 

3


Pricing Grid

 

Pricing

Level

  

Leverage Ratio

  

Applicable

Margin for

Eurodollar

Loans

  

Applicable

Margin for

Base Rate

Loans

  

Applicable

Margin for

Letter of

Credit Fees

  

Applicable

Percentage for

Commitment

Fee

I    Greater than or equal to 2.50:1.00    3.25%  per annum    2.25%  per annum    3.25%  per annum    0.50%  per annum
II    Less than 2.50:1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.00:1.00    3.00%  per annum    2.00%  per annum    3.00%  per annum    0.45%  per annum
III    Less than 2.00:1.00 but greater than or equal to 1.50:1.00    2.75%  per annum    1.75%  per annum    2.75%  per annum    0.40%  per annum
IV    Less than 1.50:1.00 but greater than or equal to 1.00:1.00    2.50%  per annum    1.50%  per annum    2.50%  per annum    0.35%  per annum
V    Less than 1.00:1.00    2.25%  per annum    1.25%  per annum    2.25%  per annum    0.30%  per annum

Applicable Percentage ” shall mean, as of any date, with respect to the commitment fee as of such date, the percentage per annum determined by reference to the Leverage Ratio in effect on such date as set forth in the Pricing Grid; provided that a change in the Applicable Percentage resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall be effective on the second Business Day after which the Borrower delivers each of the financial statements required by Section 5.1(a ) and ( b ) and the Compliance Certificate required by Section 5.1(c ); provided , further , that if at any time the Borrower shall have failed to deliver such financial statements and such Compliance Certificate when so required, the Applicable Percentage shall be at Level I as set forth in the Pricing Grid until such time as such financial statements and Compliance Certificate are delivered, at which time the Applicable Percentage shall be determined as provided above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Percentage for the commitment fee from the Closing Date until the date by which the financial statements and Compliance Certificate for the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2014 are required to be delivered shall be at Level V as set forth in the Pricing Grid. In the event that any financial statement or Compliance Certificate delivered hereunder is shown to be inaccurate (regardless of whether this Agreement or the Commitments are in effect when such inaccuracy is discovered), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Percentage based upon the Pricing Grid (the “ Accurate Applicable Percentage ”) for any period that such financial statement or Compliance Certificate covered, then (i) the Borrower shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent a correct financial statement or Compliance Certificate, as the case may be, for such period, (ii) the Applicable Percentage shall be adjusted such that after giving effect to the corrected financial statement or Compliance Certificate, as the case may be, the Applicable Percentage shall be reset to the Accurate Applicable Percentage based upon the Pricing Grid for such period and (iii) the Borrower shall promptly pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, the accrued additional commitment fee owing as a result of such Accurate Applicable Percentage for such period. The provisions of this definition shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to Section 2.13(c) or Article VIII .

 

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Approved Fund ” shall mean any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender or (iii) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Assignment and Acceptance ” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.4(b) ) and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Available Amount ” shall mean, on any date, an amount not less than zero, equal to:

(a) the aggregate amount of Equity Issuance Proceeds (including upon conversion or exchange of a debt instrument into or for any Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock)) received by Borrower from or in exchange for the issuance of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock and any issuance or distribution of Capital Stock in connection with the Spin-Off Transaction) after the Closing Date and on or prior to such date; plus

(b) the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date of purchase and/or acquisition) of the Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of any Person that is acquired by the Borrower in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition permitted hereunder (the “ Target Capital Stock ”) in exchange for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Borrower that is issued by the Borrower to the seller(s) or issuer(s) of such Target Capital Stock after the Closing Date and on or prior to such date; plus

(c) the aggregate fair market value of assets or Real Estate (determined as of the date of purchase and/or acquisition) acquired in exchange for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Borrower after the Closing Date and on or prior to such date; minus

(d) the aggregate amount of any (i) Acquisition Consideration for all Permitted Acquisitions of Excluded Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7.4(h) and (ii) Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 7.5(ix) (in each case, in reliance on the then-outstanding Available Amount) made since the Closing Date and on or prior to such date.

Availability Period ” shall mean the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the applicable Revolving Commitment Termination Date.

Bank Product Obligations ” shall mean, collectively, all obligations and other liabilities of any Loan Party to any Bank Product Provider arising with respect to any Bank Products.

Bank Product Provider ” shall mean any Person that (i) is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender that provides a Bank Product to a Loan Party and (ii) except when the Bank Product Provider is either (A) Wells Fargo Bank, National Association with respect to Bank Products in existence on the Closing Date or (B) SunTrust Bank and its Affiliates, has provided prior written notice to the Administrative Agent which has been acknowledged by the Borrower of (x) the existence of such Bank Product, (y) the maximum dollar amount of obligations arising thereunder (the “ Bank Product Amount ”) and (z) the methodology to be used by such parties in determining the obligations under such Bank Product from time to time; provided, the term “Bank Product Provider” shall include any Person that is the Administrative Agent, an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Closing Date or as of the date that such Person provides any Bank Product to any Loan Party, but subsequently ceases to be the Administrative Agent, an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, as the case may be. In no event shall any Bank Product Provider acting in such capacity be deemed a Lender for purposes hereof to the extent of and as to Bank Products

 

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except that each reference to the term “Lender” in Article IX and Section 10.3(b) shall be deemed to include such Bank Product Provider and in no event shall the approval of any such person in its capacity as Bank Product Provider be required in connection with the release or termination of any security interest or Lien of the Administrative Agent. The Bank Product Amount may be changed from time to time upon written notice to the Administrative Agent by the applicable Bank Product Provider. No Bank Product Amount may be established at any time that a Default or Event of Default exists.

Bank Products ” shall mean any of the following services provided to any Loan Party by any Bank Product Provider: (a) any treasury or other cash management services, including deposit accounts, automated clearing house (ACH) origination and other funds transfer, depository (including cash vault and check deposit), zero balance accounts and sweeps, return items processing, controlled disbursement accounts, positive pay, lockboxes and lockbox accounts, account reconciliation and information reporting, payables outsourcing, payroll processing, trade finance services, investment accounts and securities accounts, and (b) card services, including credit cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), prepaid cards, including payroll, stored value and gift cards, merchant services processing, and debit card services.

Base Rate ” shall mean the highest of (i) the rate which the Wall Street Journal reports from time to time as the prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate, as in effect from time to time, plus one-half of one percent (0.50%) per annum and (iii) Adjusted LIBOR determined on a daily basis for an Interest Period of one (1) month, plus one percent (1.00%)  per annum (any changes in such rates to be effective as of the date of any change in such rate).

Borrower ” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereof.

Borrowing ” shall mean a borrowing consisting of (i) Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, or (ii) a Swingline Loan.

Business Day ” shall mean any day other than (i) a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Atlanta, Georgia are authorized or required by law to close and (ii) if such day relates to a Borrowing of, a payment or prepayment of principal or interest on, a conversion of or into, or an Interest Period for, a Eurodollar Loan or a notice with respect to any of the foregoing, any day on which banks are not open for dealings in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

Capital Lease Obligations ” of any Person shall mean all obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) of real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that, (i) for the avoidance of doubt, any lease of a property operated as a healthcare facility shall be accounted for as an operating lease and not as a Capital Lease Obligation, and (ii) any lease that is accounted for by any Person as an operating lease as of the Closing Date and any lease entered into in the future that would have been accounted for as an operating lease if such lease had been in effect on the Closing Date shall be accounted for as an operating lease and not as a Capital Lease Obligation; provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing clause (ii) , any lease with annual lease payments no greater than $2,500,000 individually or in the aggregate for all such leases shall be treated as either an operating lease or a capital lease, at the sole discretion of the Borrower.

Capital Stock ” shall mean all shares, options, warrants, general or limited partnership interests, membership interests or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or equivalent entity whether voting or nonvoting, including common stock, preferred stock or any other “equity security” (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act).

 

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Cash Collateralize ” shall mean, in respect of any obligations, to provide and pledge (as a first priority perfected security interest) cash collateral for such obligations in Dollars with the Administrative Agent pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and “ Cash Collateralized ” and “ Cash Collateralization ” have the corresponding meanings).

CFC ” shall mean any Subsidiary that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

CHAMPVA ” shall mean, collectively, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a program of medical benefits covering retirees and dependents of former members of the armed services administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and all laws, rules, regulations, manuals, orders or requirements pertaining to such program.

Change in Control ” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower to any Person or “group” (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder in effect on the date hereof), (ii) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or “group” (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) of 35% or more of the outstanding shares of the voting equity interests of the Borrower, or (iii) during any period of 24 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Borrower cease to be composed of individuals who are Continuing Directors. It being understood and agreed that (i) the Spin-Off Transactions shall not constitute a Change in Control and (ii) a Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of Capital Stock subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement so long as Payment in Full of the Obligations is a condition to the effectiveness of the acquisition contemplated by such stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement.

Change in Law ” shall mean (i) the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (ii) any change in any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change in the interpretation, implementation or application thereof, by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement, or (iii) compliance by any Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) or any Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.18(b ), by the Parent Company of such Lender or such Issuing Bank, if applicable) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that for purposes of this Agreement, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, implemented or issued.

Class ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or each of the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is a Revolving Loan, a Swingline Loan, an Incremental Term Loan, an Extended Term Loan or an Other Refinancing Term Loan and, when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment, a Swingline Commitment, an Incremental Term Loan Commitment, an Extended Term Loan Commitment or an Other Refinancing Term Loan Commitment.

 

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Closing Date ” shall mean the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.2 .

Closing Date Refinancing ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9 .

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time.

Collateral ” shall mean all tangible and intangible property, real and personal, of any Loan Party that is or purports to be the subject of a Lien to the Administrative Agent to secure the whole or any part of the Obligations or any Guarantee thereof, and shall include, without limitation, all casualty insurance proceeds and condemnation awards with respect to any of the foregoing.

Collateral Access Agreement ” shall mean each landlord waiver or bailee agreement granted to, and in form and substance reasonably acceptable to, the Administrative Agent.

Collateral Documents ” shall mean, collectively, the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Control Account Agreements, the Sweep Agreements, all Copyright Security Agreements, all Patent Security Agreements, all Trademark Security Agreements, all Collateral Access Agreements, all Real Estate Documents (if any), all loss payee endorsements required by Section 5.8 , and all other instruments and agreements now or hereafter securing or perfecting the Liens securing the whole or any part of the Obligations or any Guarantee thereof, all UCC financing statements and stock powers, and all other documents, instruments, agreements and certificates executed and delivered by any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the foregoing.

Commitment ” shall mean a Revolving Commitment, a Swingline Commitment or a Term Loan Commitment or any combination thereof (as the context shall permit or require).

Compliance Certificate ” shall mean a certificate from the principal executive officer or the principal financial officer of the Borrower in the form of, and containing the certifications set forth in, the certificate attached hereto as Exhibit 5.1(c) .

Consolidated EBITDA ” shall mean, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (i) Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (ii) to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, and without duplication, (A) Consolidated Interest Expense, amortization or write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs and commissions and discounts, premiums and other fees, expenses and charges associated with Indebtedness including underwriting, arrangement and commitment fees, letter of credit fees, and Bank Product fees and prepayment or related premiums, (B) income tax expense determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (C) depreciation and amortization determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (D) unusual, extraordinary or non-recurring charges or losses determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that the amount added back in the determination of Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period pursuant to this clause (D) shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA (after giving effect to such addbacks) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, (E) severance, business integration, restructuring or optimization costs determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (F) costs and expenses in connection with equity or stock option plans or other employee benefit plans or stock subscriptions to the extent funded directly or indirectly with proceeds of an equity issuance by, or capital contribution to, the Borrower or constituting

 

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non-cash charges determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (G) any non-cash charges or expenses determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that to the extent any such non-cash charge or expense represents an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item in any future period, the Borrower may elect to either not add such item pursuant to this clause (G) (or to add such item in part), or to have the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period (to the extent previously added pursuant to this clause (G)) subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA to such extent in such future period in which such cash payment occurs, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period, (H) expenses related to Permitted Acquisitions and other Acquisitions permitted hereunder or approved in writing by the Required Lenders (or attempted Permitted Acquisitions and attempted Acquisitions permitted hereunder or approved in writing by the Required Lenders), equity issuances (whether or not consummated) and the Related Transactions, in each case for such period, (I) costs, fees, expenses or charges related to the Spin-Off Transaction, this Agreement, and the transactions related thereto, and (J) charges, costs, losses and expenses relating to any Development Facility solely during the first twelve (12) months following the opening of such Development Facility; provided that the amount added back in the determination of Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period pursuant to this clause (J) shall not exceed 5.0% of Consolidated EBITDA (after giving effect to such addbacks) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, minus (iii)(A) unusual, extraordinary or non-recurring gains determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and (B) non-cash gains (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it (x) represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period, (y) is in respect of cash received in a prior period and not included in Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA in a prior period or (z) represents an accrual in the ordinary course); provided that if any non-cash gain represents an accrual or asset outside the ordinary course for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof shall in such future period be added to Consolidated EBITDA for such period to the extent such non-cash gain was excluded from Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period; plus (iv) to the extent not included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income or not added back to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (ii) above, proceeds of business interruption insurance (to the extent actually received in cash); provided that for purposes of calculating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Article VI , to the extent that during such period any Loan Party shall have consummated a Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition permitted hereunder or approved in writing by the Required Lenders, or any sale, transfer or other disposition of any Person, business, property or assets (excluding the Spin-Off Transaction), Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis with respect to such Person, business, property or assets so acquired or disposed of. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the total amount of Consolidated EBITDA that is attributable to Excluded Subsidiaries (and their respective Subsidiaries) shall not exceed 25% of Consolidated EBITDA (prior to inclusion of Consolidated EBITDA of any Excluded Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in any Test Period (determined on a consolidated basis, inclusive of intercompany transactions). Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) Consolidated EBITDA for each of the Fiscal Quarters ended June 30, 2013, September 30, 2013, December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014 shall be deemed to be $20,510,000, $18,824,000, $23,702,000 and $23,632,000, respectively, and (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2014 shall be determined in accordance with the foregoing definition as if the Spin-Off Transaction had been consummated as of the first day of such Fiscal Quarter.

Consolidated EBITDAR ” shall mean, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any Test Period, an amount equal to the sum of (i) Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period plus the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA attributable to Excluded Subsidiaries (and their respective Subsidiaries) for such Test Period, if any, that was excluded from the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period as a result of the provision in the definition of Consolidated EBITDA limiting Consolidated EBITDA attributable to Excluded Subsidiaries (and their respective Subsidiaries) for such Test Period to 25% of Consolidated EBITDA (prior to inclusion of Consolidated EBITDA of any Excluded Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in such Test Period and (ii) Consolidated Lease Expense for such Test Period.

 

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Consolidated Interest Expense ” shall mean, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the sum of (i) total interest expense, including, without limitation, the interest component of any payments in respect of Capital Lease Obligations, expensed during such period (whether or not actually paid during such period) plus (ii) the net amount payable or expensed or deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income (or minus the net amount receivable) with respect to Hedging Transactions during such period (whether or not actually paid or received during such period).

Consolidated Lease Expense ” shall mean, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the aggregate amount of fixed and contingent rentals expensed with respect to leases of real and personal property (excluding Capital Lease Obligations) for such period (whether or not actually paid during such period) determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Income ” shall mean, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income (to the extent otherwise included therein) (i) any extraordinary gains or losses, (ii) any gains attributable to write-ups of assets or the sale of assets (other than the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business), (iii) any equity interest of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in the unremitted earnings of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, and (iv) any income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the date that such Person’s assets are acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

Consolidated Total Debt ” shall mean, as of any date, all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries measured on a consolidated basis as of such date, but excluding Hedging Obligations.

Consolidated Total Net Debt ” shall mean, as of any date, (i) Consolidated Total Debt minus (ii) all cash and Permitted Investments held on such date by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in Controlled Accounts in excess of $20,000,000; provided that the aggregate amount of cash and Permitted Investments deducted from Consolidated Total Debt at any time pursuant to this clause (ii) shall not exceed $150,000,000.

Continuing Director ” shall mean, with respect to any period, any individuals (A) who were members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Borrower on the first day of such period, (B) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (A) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body, or (C) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (A) and (B) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body (excluding, in the case of both clauses (B) and (C), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board or equivalent governing body occurs as a result of an actual or threatened (in writing) solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors).

Contractual Obligation ” of any Person shall mean any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or undertaking under which such Person is obligated or by which it or any of the property in which it has an interest is bound.

 

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Control Account Agreement ” shall mean any tri-party agreement by and among a Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and a depositary bank or securities intermediary at which such Loan Party maintains a Controlled Account, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Controlled Account ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.11 .

Copyright ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

Copyright Security Agreement ” shall mean any Copyright Security Agreement executed by a Loan Party owning registered Copyrights or applications for Copyrights in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, both on the Closing Date and thereafter.

Corporate Integrity Agreement ” shall mean that certain Corporate Integrity Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2013, between the Borrower and the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, as amended in accordance with the terms hereof.

Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness ” shall mean any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, existing Loans or Commitments (including any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness) (“ Refinanced Debt ”); provided that (a) such exchanging, extending, renewing, replacing or refinancing Indebtedness (including, if such Indebtedness includes any Other Refinancing Revolving Commitments, the unused portion of such Other Refinancing Revolving Commitments) is in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt (and, in the case of Refinanced Debt consisting, in whole or in part, of unused Revolving Commitments, Extended Revolving Commitments or Other Refinancing Revolving Commitments, the amount thereof) except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus reasonable upfront fees and original issue discount on such exchanging, extending, renewing, replacing or refinancing Indebtedness, plus other reasonable and customary fees and expenses in connection with such exchange, modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension, (b) such Indebtedness has a maturity equal to or later than, and, except in the case of Other Refinancing Revolving Commitments, a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than, the Refinanced Debt, (c) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (except as otherwise provided in clause (b) above and with respect to pricing, premiums and optional prepayment or redemption terms) are substantially identical to, or (taken as a whole) are no more favorable to the lenders or holders providing such Indebtedness, than those applicable to the Loans or Commitments being refinanced (except for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the latest Maturity Date at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness) (provided that satisfaction of this clause (c)  shall be evidenced by a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent at least three (3) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, providing a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, and a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirement of this clause (c) which shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower within such three (3) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a description of the basis upon which it disagrees)) and (d) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid, or satisfied and discharged, and all accrued interest, fees and premiums (if any) in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained.

 

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CTRI ” shall mean CareTrust REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation.

Debtor Relief Laws ” shall mean the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

Default ” shall mean any condition or event that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Default Interest ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(c ).

Defaulting Lender ” shall mean, subject to Section 2.26(c) , any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good-faith determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s good-faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal or foreign regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.26(b) ) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, each Issuing Bank, each Swingline Lender and each Lender.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration ” shall mean the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with a sale or other disposition of assets that is so designated as “Designated Non-Cash Consideration” pursuant to a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth the basis of such valuation, minus the amount of cash or Permitted Investments received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

 

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Development Facility ” means any newly constructed, rehabilitated or developed healthcare facility of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

Disqualified Capital Stock ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures (excluding any maturity as the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable or redeemable at the sole option of the holder thereof (other than solely (x) for Qualified Capital Stock or upon a sale of assets, casualty event or a change of control, in each case, subject to the prior payment in full of the Obligations or (y) as a result of a redemption that by the terms of such Capital Stock is contingent upon such redemption not being prohibited by this Agreement), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than solely for Qualified Capital Stock) or exchangeable or convertible into debt securities of the issuer thereof at the sole option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 181 days after the latest Maturity Date then in effect at the time of issuance thereof.

Disqualified Institution ” shall mean those Persons who are competitors of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any affiliate of such competitors that are, in each case, identified in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower from time to time (the writings described herein, collectively, the “ Disqualified Institutions List ”); provided that any update or supplement to the Disqualified Institutions List shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or a participation in any Commitment or Loan.

Disqualified Institutions List ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Disqualified Institution.

DOJ Settlement Agreement ” shall mean that certain Settlement Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2013, among the Borrower, certain of its Affiliates and the United States of America, acting through the United States Department of Justice and on behalf of the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services.

DOJ Settlement Documents ” mean the Corporate Integrity Agreement, the DOJ Settlement Agreement and any other document or agreement executed in connection therewith.

Dollar(s) ” and the sign “ $ ” shall mean lawful money of the United States.

Domestic Subsidiary ” shall mean each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is organized under the laws of the United States or any state or district thereof.

Earlier LC Maturity Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.22(a) .

Earlier Swingline Maturity Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(f) .

Employee Matters Agreement ” shall mean the Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and between the Borrower and CTRI.

Ensign Guaranty ” shall mean certain Guarantees of PropCo Master Leases entered into by the Borrower in favor of the PropCo Landlords, in each case in the form of such Guarantees in effect on the Closing Date or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

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Environmental Laws ” shall mean all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

Environmental Liability ” shall mean any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental investigation and remediation, costs of administrative oversight, fines, natural resource damages, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (i) any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (ii) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (iii) any actual or alleged exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (iv) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (v) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Issuance ” shall mean (a) any issuance or sale after the Closing Date by the Borrower of any Capital Stock, or (b) the receipt by the Borrower after the Closing Date of any capital contribution (whether or not evidenced by any Capital Stock issued by the recipient of such contribution).

Equity Issuance Proceeds ” shall mean, with respect to any Equity Issuance, the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect thereof by the Person consummating such Equity Issuance net of all investment banking fees, discounts and commissions, legal fees, consulting fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith.

ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and in effect from time to time, and any successor statute thereto and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

ERISA Affiliate ” shall mean any person that for purposes of Title I or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code would be deemed at any relevant time to be a “single employer” or otherwise aggregated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

ERISA Event ” shall mean (i) any “reportable event” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA with respect to a Plan (other than an event as to which the PBGC has waived under subsection .22, .23, .25, .27 or .28 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043 the requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified of such event); (ii) any failure to make a required contribution to any Plan that would result in the imposition of a lien or other encumbrance or the provision of security under Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 or 4068 of ERISA, or the arising of such a lien or encumbrance, there being or arising any “unpaid minimum required contribution” or “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined or otherwise set forth in Section 4971 of the Code or Part 3 of Subtitle B of Title 1 of ERISA), whether or not waived, or any filing of any request for or receipt of a minimum funding waiver under Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, or that such filing may be made, or any determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in at-risk status under Title IV of ERISA; (iii) any incurrence by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan (other than for premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv) any institution of proceedings, or the occurrence of an event or condition which would reasonably be expected to constitute grounds for the institution of proceedings by the PBGC, under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan; (v) any incurrence by the Borrower, any of its

 

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Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, or the receipt by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any notice that a Multiemployer Plan is in endangered or critical status under Section 305 of ERISA; (vi) any receipt by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any notice, or any receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; (vii) engaging in a non-exempt prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA; or (viii) any filing of a notice of intent to terminate any Plan if such termination would require material additional contributions in order to be considered a standard termination within the meaning of Section 4041(b) of ERISA, any filing under Section 4041(c) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate any Plan, or the termination of any Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA.

Eurodollar ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to Adjusted LIBOR.

Event of Default ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1 .

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect from time to time.

Excluded Subsidiary ” shall mean (i) Ensign Whittier West LLC, (ii) Claremont Foothills Health Associates LLC, (iii) City Heights Health Associates LLC, (iv) Vista Woods Health Associates LLC, (v) Permunitum LLC, (vi) each Insurance Subsidiary and (vii) each other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is designated by the Borrower by written notice to the Administrative Agent as an “Excluded Subsidiary” pursuant to Section 5.18 subsequent to the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any tenant under any PropCo Master Lease be an Excluded Subsidiary.

Excluded Subsidiary Designation ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.18 .

Excluded Subsidiary Designation Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.18 .

Excluded Subsidiary Revocation ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.18 .

Excluded Taxes ” shall mean, with respect to any Recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) the Recipient’s net income by the United States, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its Applicable Lending Office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which such Recipient is located, and (c) any withholding taxes that (i) are imposed on amounts payable to such Recipient pursuant to a law in effect at the time such Recipient becomes a Recipient under this Agreement or designates a new lending office, except in each case to the extent that amounts with respect to such taxes were payable either (A) to such Recipient’s assignor immediately before such Recipient became a Recipient under this Agreement, or (B) to such Recipient immediately before it designated a new lending office, (ii) are attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.20(e) , or (iii) are imposed under FATCA.

 

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Existing Credit Agreement ” shall mean that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011, by and among the Borrower, the several banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto, and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders, as issuing bank, and as swingline lender, as amended or modified from time to time.

Existing HUD Note ” shall mean that certain Deed of Trust Note, dated as of January 30, 2001, executed by Ensign Southland LLC, a Subsidiary of the Borrower, for the benefit of Continental Wingate Associates, Inc.

Existing Lenders ” shall mean (i) all lenders party to the Existing Credit Agreement, (ii) all lenders who are beneficiaries of the RBS Note Due 2018, (iii) all lenders who are beneficiaries of the RBS Note Due 2019 and (iv) all lenders who are beneficiaries of the Existing HUD Note.

Existing Letters of Credit ” shall mean those letters of credit issued under the Existing Credit Agreement which remain outstanding as of the Closing Date that are listed on Schedule II.

Extended Commitments ” shall mean the Extended Term Loan Commitments and the Extended Revolving Commitments.

Extended Facility ” shall mean any additional tranche established pursuant to Section 2.27 reflecting an extension of the maturity date and, if applicable, amortization schedule of any existing tranche.

Extended Facility Agreement ” shall mean an Extended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement or an Extended Term Facility Agreement, as the context may require.

Extended Facility Closing Date ” shall mean, with regard to an Extended Facility, the first date all the conditions precedent set forth in the respective Extended Facility Agreement are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.2 .

Extended Facility Lender ” shall mean, at any time, with regard to an Extended Facility, any Lender that holds Loans or Commitments under such Extended Facility at such time.

Extended Revolving Commitments ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27 .

Extended Revolving Credit Facility ” shall mean an Extended Facility designated as an “Extended Revolving Credit Facility” by the Borrower and established pursuant to an Extended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement.

Extended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement ” shall mean an agreement setting forth the terms and conditions relating to an Extended Revolving Credit Facility.

Extended Term Facility ” shall mean an Extended Facility designated as an “Extended Term Facility” by the Borrower and established pursuant to an Extended Term Facility Agreement.

Extended Term Facility Agreement ” shall mean an agreement setting forth the terms and conditions relating to an Extended Term Facility.

Extended Term Loan Commitment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27 .

Extended Term Loans ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27 .

Extending Revolving Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27 .

 

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Extending Term Loan Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27 .

Extension ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27 .

Extension Offer ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27 .

FATCA ” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code or any intergovernmental agreements entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code.

Federal Funds Rate ” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with member banks of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the next succeeding Business Day or, if such rate is not so published for any Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.

Fee Letter ” shall mean that certain fee letter, dated as of April 4, 2014, executed by SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and accepted by the Borrower.

Fiscal Quarter ” shall mean any fiscal quarter of the Borrower.

Fiscal Year ” shall mean any fiscal year of the Borrower.

Foreign Person ” shall mean any Person that is not a U.S. Person.

Foreign Subsidiary ” shall mean each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than one of the fifty states of the United States or the District of Columbia.

GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms of Section 1.3 .

GE Term Loan Agreement ” shall mean that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2009, by and among certain Subsidiaries of CTRI, as borrowers, and General Electric Capital Corporation, as agent and lender, as amended or modified from time to time on or prior to the date of this Agreement.

Governmental Authority ” shall mean the government of the United States, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government. “Governmental Authority” shall include any agency, branch or other governmental body charged with the responsibility, or vested with the authority to administer or enforce, any Health Care Laws, including any Medicare or Medicaid contractors, intermediaries or carriers.

Governmental Deposit Account ” shall mean a deposit account of a Loan Party maintained in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.11 , into which direct proceeds of Medicare and Medicaid payments made by Governmental Payors are deposited.

 

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Governmental Payor ” shall mean Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, CHAMPVA, any state health plan adopted pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, any other state or federal health care program and any other Governmental Authority which presently or in the future maintains a Third Party Payor Program.

Guarantee ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly and including any obligation, direct or indirect, of the guarantor (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or (iv) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued in support of such Indebtedness; provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not so stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantor ” shall mean each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

Guaranty and Security Agreement ” shall mean the Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof and substantially in the form of Exhibit B , made by the Loan Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Hazardous Materials ” shall mean all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Health Care Law ” shall mean any Requirement of Law relating to (a) fraud and abuse (including, without limitation, the following statutes, as amended and in effect from time to time, and any successor statutes thereto and the regulations promulgated thereunder: the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b)); the Stark Law (42 U.S.C. § 1395nn and §1395(q)); the civil False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq.); Sections 1320a-7 and 1320a-7a and 1320a-7b of Title 42 of the United States Code; and the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Pub. L. No. 108-173)); (b) Medicare, Medicaid, CHAMPVA, TRICARE or other Third Party Payor Programs; (c) the licensure or regulation of healthcare providers, suppliers, professionals, facilities or payors; (d) the provision of, or payment for, health care services, items or supplies; (e) patient health care; (f) quality, safety certification and accreditation standards and requirements; (g) the billing, coding or submission of claims or collection of accounts receivable or refund of overpayments; (h) HIPAA; (i) fee-splitting prohibitions; (j) health planning or rate-setting laws, including laws regarding certificates of need and certificates of exemption; (k) certificates of operations and authority; (l) laws regulating the provision of free or discounted care or services; and (m) any and all other applicable federal, state or local health care laws, rules, codes, statutes, regulations, manuals, orders, ordinances, statutes, policies, professional or ethical rules, administrative guidance and requirements, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

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Health Care Permits ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any permit, approval, consent, authorization, license, provisional license, registration, accreditation, certificate, certification, certificate of need, qualification, operating authority, concession, grant, franchise, variance or permission from any Governmental Authority issued or required under applicable Health Care Laws.

Hedging Obligations ” of any Person shall mean any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired under (i) any and all Hedging Transactions, (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Hedging Transactions and (iii) any and all renewals, extensions and modifications of any Hedging Transactions and any and all substitutions for any Hedging Transactions.

Hedging Transaction ” of any Person shall mean (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect to any such transaction) now existing or hereafter entered into by such Person that is a rate swap transaction, swap option, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap or option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option, spot transaction, credit protection transaction, credit swap, credit default swap, credit default option, total return swap, credit spread transaction, repurchase transaction, reverse repurchase transaction, buy/sell-back transaction, securities lending transaction, or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or any combination thereof, whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

HIPAA ” shall mean the (a) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; (b) the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (Title XIII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009); and (c) any state and local laws regulating the privacy and/or security of individually identifiable information, including state laws providing for notification of breach of privacy or security of individually identifiable information, in each case, with respect to the laws described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this definition, as amended and in effect from time to time, and any successor statutes thereto and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Immaterial Subsidiary ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower that is formed or acquired after the Closing Date having, when taken together with all other then-existing Immaterial Subsidiaries (the “ Immaterial Subsidiary Threshold Amount ”): (a) assets in an amount not in excess of 10.0% of the total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis as of such date; or (b) revenues in an amount not in excess of 5.0% of the total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently ended Test Period.

Immaterial Subsidiary Redesignation ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.17 .

Included Immaterial Subsidiary ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.17 .

Inclusion Designation ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.17 .

Increasing Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23 .

 

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Incremental Commitment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23 .

Incremental Commitment Joinder ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23 .

Incremental Revolving Commitment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23 .

Incremental Term Loan ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23 .

Incremental Term Loan Commitment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23 .

Indebtedness ” of any Person shall mean, without duplication, (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and excluding earn-outs except to the extent required under GAAP to be reflected as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person), (iv) all obligations of such Person under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement(s) relating to property acquired by such Person, (v) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (vi) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of letters of credit, acceptances or similar extensions of credit, (vii) all Guarantees of such Person of the type of Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (vi) above, (viii) all Indebtedness of a third party secured by any Lien on property owned by such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person, (ix) all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Capital Stock, (x) all Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities and (xi) all Hedging Obligations. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include (1) the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such Person is a general partner, except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness or the terms of the partnership agreement of such partnership provide that such Person is not liable therefor and (2) the Indebtedness of any joint venture (other than to the extent covered by clause (1) above) in which such Person is joint venturer, solely to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness or the terms of the operating agreement of such joint venture expressly provide that such Person is liable therefor, or such Person is otherwise liable therefor.

Indemnified Taxes ” shall mean Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

Information Memorandum ” shall mean the Confidential Information Memorandum dated April 2014 relating to the Borrower and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Insurance Subsidiary ” shall mean (i) Standardbearer Insurance Company, Inc., an Arizona corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, and (ii) Cornet Limited, Inc., an Arizona corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

Interest/Rent Coverage Ratio ” shall mean, as of the last day of any Test Period, the ratio of (i) Consolidated EBITDAR for such Test Period to (ii) the sum of Consolidated Interest Expense and Consolidated Lease Expense for such Test Period.

Interest Period shall mean with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, a period of one, two, three or six months, or such other period that is twelve months or less than one month that is agreed to by all relevant Lenders; provided that:

(i) the initial Interest Period for such Borrowing shall commence on the date of such Borrowing (including the date of any conversion from a Borrowing of another Type), and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;

 

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(ii) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period would end on the next preceding Business Day;

(iii) any Interest Period which begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar month;

(iv) each principal installment of the Term Loans shall have an Interest Period ending on or prior to each installment payment date and the remaining principal balance (if any) of the Term Loans shall have an Interest Period determined as set forth above; and

(v) no Interest Period may extend beyond the applicable Revolving Commitment Termination Date, unless on such Revolving Commitment Termination Date the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loans is equal to or greater than the aggregate principal amount of Eurodollar Loans with Interest Periods expiring after such date, and no Interest Period may extend beyond the final Maturity Date.

Investments ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4 .

Issuing Bank ” shall mean (a) SunTrust Bank in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit and (b) each other Lender with a Revolving Commitment selected by the Borrower and approved by the Administrative Agent that agrees to act as an issuer of Letters of Credit (it being understood that any other Lender that becomes an Issuing Bank may condition its agreement to act in such capacity on a lesser sublimit within the LC Commitment but that the Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility for monitoring the usage of such lesser sublimit), in each case pursuant to Section 2.22 .

Johnson Notes ” shall mean, collectively, those certain Promissory Notes, each dated as of October 1, 2009, executed by certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower for the benefit of Johnson Land Enterprises, L.L.C.

Joining Guarantor ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(a) .

LC Commitment ” shall mean that portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments that may be used by the Borrower for the issuance of Letters of Credit in an aggregate face amount not to exceed $15,000,000.

LC Disbursement ” shall mean a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

LC Documents ” shall mean all applications, agreements and instruments relating to the Letters of Credit but excluding the Letters of Credit.

LC Exposure ” shall mean, at any time, the sum of (i) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender shall be its Pro Rata Share of the total LC Exposure at such time.

 

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Lead Arrangers ” shall mean SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, each in its capacity as joint lead arranger in connection with this Agreement.

Lender Insolvency Event ” shall mean that (i) a Lender or its Parent Company is insolvent, or is generally unable to pay its debts as they become due, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (ii) a Lender or its Parent Company is the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation or similar proceeding, or a receiver, trustee, conservator, custodian or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such capacity, has been appointed for such Lender or its Parent Company, or such Lender or its Parent Company has taken any action in furtherance of or indicating its consent to or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment, or (iii) a Lender or its Parent Company has been adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Person or its assets to be, insolvent; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a Lender Insolvency Event shall not be deemed to have occurred solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in or control of a Lender or a Parent Company thereof by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof so long as such ownership or acquisition does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

Lender-Related Hedge Provider ” shall mean any Person that, at the time it enters into a Hedging Transaction with any Loan Party, (i) is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender and (ii) except when the Lender-Related Hedge Provider is SunTrust Bank or any of its Affiliates, has provided prior written notice to the Administrative Agent which has been acknowledged by the Borrower of (x) the existence of such Hedging Transaction and (y) the methodology to be used by such parties in determining the obligations under such Hedging Transaction from time to time. In no event shall any Lender-Related Hedge Provider acting in such capacity be deemed a Lender for purposes hereof to the extent of and as to Hedging Obligations except that each reference to the term “Lender” in Article IX and Section 10.3(b) shall be deemed to include such Lender-Related Hedge Provider. In no event shall the approval of any such Person in its capacity as Lender-Related Hedge Provider be required in connection with the release or termination of any security interest or Lien of the Administrative Agent.

Lenders ” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereof and shall include, where appropriate, the Swingline Lender, each Increasing Lender, each Additional Lender that joins this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.23 , each Extended Facility Lender and each Refinancing Lender.

Letter of Credit ” shall mean any stand-by letter of credit issued pursuant to Section 2.22 by an Issuing Bank for the account of the Borrower pursuant to the LC Commitment. For the avoidance of doubt, each Existing Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a Letter of Credit issued pursuant to Section 2.22 by an Issuing Bank for the account of the Borrower pursuant to the LC Commitment effective from and after the Closing Date.

Leverage Ratio ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Net Debt as of such date to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period.

Licensed Personnel ” shall mean any Person (including any physician) involved in the delivery of health care or medical items, services or supplies, employed or retained by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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Lien ” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, encumbrance, hypothecation, assignment, or other arrangement having the practical effect of any of the foregoing or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement for security of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

Liquidity ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the sum of (i) an amount equal to (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount minus (y) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders plus (ii) all cash and Permitted Investments held on such date by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in Controlled Accounts in excess of $20,000,000.

Loan Documents ” shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, the Collateral Documents, the LC Documents, the Fee Letter, all Notices of Borrowing, all Notices of Conversion/Continuation, all Compliance Certificates, any promissory notes issued hereunder and each other instrument, agreement, document and writing executed in connection with any of the foregoing that is identified by its terms as a “Loan Document”.

Loan Parties ” shall mean the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

Loans ” shall mean all Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and Term Loans in the aggregate or any of them, as the context shall require, and shall include, where appropriate, any loan made pursuant to Section 2.23 , 2.27 or 2.28 .

Master Leases ” shall mean the PropCo Master Leases and each other Material Master Lease.

Material Adverse Effect ” shall mean, with respect to any event, act, condition or occurrence of whatever nature, whether singularly or in conjunction with any other event or events, act or acts, condition or conditions, occurrence or occurrences whether or not related, resulting in a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on, (i) the business, results of operations, financial condition, assets, liabilities or properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and after giving effect to the Related Transactions (including, without limitation, the Spin-Off Transaction), (ii) the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their respective obligations under the Loan Documents, (iii) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents or (iv) the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents.

Material Agreements ” shall mean (i) all agreements, indentures or notes governing the terms of any Material Indebtedness, (ii) each Master Lease and (iii) all other agreements, documents, contracts, indentures and instruments pursuant to which a default, breach or termination thereof could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Material Indebtedness ” shall mean any Indebtedness (other than the Loans and the Letters of Credit) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries individually or in an aggregate committed or outstanding principal amount exceeding $10,000,000. For purposes of determining the amount of attributed Indebtedness from Hedging Obligations, the “principal amount” of any Hedging Obligations at any time shall be the Net Mark-to-Market Exposure of such Hedging Obligations.

Material Master Lease ” shall mean a master lease of multiple properties to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries concerning properties from which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, when taken together, derived in excess of 10% of their consolidated revenues for any Test Period.

 

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Material Real Estate ” shall mean Real Estate with a fair market value in excess of $2,500,000.

Material Subsidiary ” shall mean, as of any date, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Immaterial Subsidiary.

Maturity Date ” shall mean, (a) with respect to any tranche of Term Loans (including any Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans or Other Refinancing Term Loans), the maturity dates specified therefor in the applicable Incremental Commitment Joinder, Extended Facility Agreement or Refinancing Amendment, as applicable and (b) with respect to the Revolving Commitments, the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.

Medicaid ” shall mean, collectively, the health care assistance program established by Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and any statutes succeeding thereto, and all laws, rules, regulations, manuals, orders or requirements pertaining to such program, including (a) all federal statutes affecting such program; (b) all state statutes and plans for medical assistance enacted in connection with such program and federal rules and regulations promulgated in connection with such program; and (c) all applicable provisions of all rules, regulations, manuals, orders and administrative, reimbursement, and requirements of all Government Authorities promulgated in connection with such program (whether or not having the force of law), in each case as the same may be amended and in effect from time to time.

Medicare ” shall mean, collectively, the health insurance program for the aged and disabled established by Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) and any statutes succeeding thereto, and all laws, rules, regulations, manuals, orders or requirements pertaining to such program including (a) all federal statutes (whether set forth in Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) or elsewhere) affecting such program; and (b) all applicable provisions of all rules, regulations, manuals, orders and administrative and reimbursement requirements of all Governmental Authorities promulgated in connection with such program (whether or not having the force of law), in each case as the same may be amended and in effect from time to time.

Moody’s ” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Mortgaged Property ” shall mean, collectively, the Real Estate in which the Administrative Agent has been granted Liens pursuant to Mortgages.

Mortgage Release Event ” shall mean, on any date of determination, as applicable, that:

(i) if a Mortgage Trigger Event resulted pursuant to clause (i)(A) of the definition of Mortgage Trigger Event, (x) the Event of Default that resulted in such Mortgage Trigger Event shall no longer exist as of such date, (y) no other Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing as of such date and (z) no other Mortgage Trigger Event shall have occurred for which the relevant Mortgage Release Event pursuant to clauses (ii) and/or (iii) below has not occurred as of such date;

(ii) if a Mortgage Trigger Event resulted pursuant to clause (i)(B) of the definition of Mortgage Trigger Event, (x) the Leverage Ratio of the Borrower shall have been less than 2.50:1.00 for two (2) consecutive Fiscal Quarters following the date of such Mortgage Trigger Event and (y) no other Mortgage Trigger Event shall have occurred for which the relevant Mortgage Release Event pursuant to clause (i) above and/or clause (iii) below has not occurred as of such date; and/or

 

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(iii) if a Mortgage Trigger Event resulted pursuant to clause (i)(C) of the definition of Mortgage Trigger Event, (x) Liquidity shall have been greater than 10% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days and (y) no other Mortgage Trigger Event shall have occurred for which the relevant Mortgage Release Event pursuant to clauses (i) and/or (ii) above has not occurred as of such date.

Mortgage Trigger Event ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, that (i) (A) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (B) the Leverage Ratio of the Borrower is equal to or greater than 2.50:1.00 for two consecutive Fiscal Quarters, or (C) Liquidity is equal to or less than 10% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount for a period of ten (10) consecutive Business Days, and (ii) the Required Lenders (or the Administrative Agent acting at the direction of the Required Lenders) shall have delivered a written notice to the Borrower indicating their election to require the Borrower to provide Mortgage(s) under Section 5.13 .

Mortgages ” shall mean each mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt or other real estate security documents delivered by any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent from time to time, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Multiemployer Plan ” shall mean any “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, which is contributed to by (or to which there is or may be an obligation to contribute of) the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or an ERISA Affiliate, and each such plan for the five-year period immediately following the latest date on which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or an ERISA Affiliate contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to such plan.

Net Mark-to-Market Exposure ” of any Person shall mean, as of any date of determination with respect to any Hedging Obligation, the excess (if any) of all unrealized losses over all unrealized profits of such Person arising from such Hedging Obligation. “Unrealized losses” shall mean the fair market value of the cost to such Person of replacing the Hedging Transaction giving rise to such Hedging Obligation as of the date of determination (assuming such Hedging Transaction were to be terminated as of that date), and “unrealized profits” shall mean the fair market value of the gain to such Person of replacing such Hedging Transaction as of the date of determination (assuming such Hedging Transaction were to be terminated as of that date).

Non-Defaulting Lender ” shall mean, at any time, a Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender.

Non-Public Information ” shall mean any material non-public information (within the meaning of United States federal and state securities laws) with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities.

Non-U.S. Plan ” shall mean any plan, fund (including, without limitation, any superannuation fund) or other similar program established, contributed to (regardless of whether through direct contributions or through employee withholding) or maintained outside the United States by the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries primarily for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or such Subsidiaries residing outside the United States, which plan, fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement, or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and which plan is not subject to ERISA or the Code.

Notice of Conversion/Continuation ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b) .

Notice of Revolving Borrowing ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 .

 

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Notice of Swingline Borrowing ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4 .

Notices of Borrowing ” shall mean, collectively, the Notices of Revolving Borrowing and the Notices of Swingline Borrowing.

Obligations ” shall mean (a) all amounts owing by the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender (including the Swingline Lender) or any Lead Arranger pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, including, without limitation, all principal, interest (including any interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), reimbursement obligations, fees, expenses, indemnification and reimbursement payments, costs and expenses, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, now existing or hereafter arising hereunder or thereunder, (b) all Hedging Obligations owed by any Loan Party to any Lender-Related Hedge Provider, and (c) all Bank Product Obligations, together with all renewals, extensions, modifications or refinancings of any of the foregoing.

OFAC ” shall mean the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities ” of any Person shall mean (i) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person, (ii) any Synthetic Lease Obligation or (iii) any obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the balance sheet of such Person other than, in the case of this clause (iii) , any operating lease, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any other lease referred to in the provisos of the definition of “Capital Lease Obligations”.

Opportunities Agreement ” shall mean the Opportunities Agreement dated as of the Closing Date by and between the Borrower and CTRI.

OSHA ” shall mean the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended and in effect from time to time, and any successor statute thereto.

Other Refinancing Commitments ” shall mean the Other Refinancing Revolving Commitments and the Other Refinancing Term Loan Commitments.

Other Refinancing Loans ” shall mean the Other Refinancing Revolving Loans and the Other Refinancing Term Loans.

Other Refinancing Revolving Commitments ” shall mean one or more classes of revolving commitments hereunder or extended Revolving Commitments that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Refinancing Revolving Loans ” shall mean the Revolving Loans made pursuant to any Other Refinancing Revolving Commitment.

Other Refinancing Term Loan Commitments ” shall mean one or more classes of term loan commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Refinancing Term Loans ” shall mean one or more classes of Term Loans that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

 

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Other Taxes ” shall mean any and all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Parent Company ” shall mean, with respect to a Lender, the “bank holding company” as defined in Regulation Y, if any, of such Lender, and/or any Person owning, beneficially or of record, directly or indirectly, a majority of the shares of such Lender.

Participant ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(d ).

Pass-Through Foreign Holdco ” shall mean (i) any Domestic Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower and (ii) any Domestic Subsidiary for which all or substantially all of its assets consist (directly or through Subsidiaries) of Capital Stock of one or more CFCs.

Patent ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

Patent Security Agreement ” shall mean any Patent Security Agreement executed by a Loan Party owning Patents or licenses of Patents in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, both on the Closing Date and thereafter.

Patriot Act ” shall mean the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-177 (signed into law March 9, 2006)), as amended and in effect from time to time.

Payment in Full ” and “ Paid in Full ” shall mean the termination of all Revolving Commitments and all other commitments of the Lenders to lend funds or extend financial accommodations to the Borrower under the Loan Documents and the payment in full, in immediately available funds, of all of the Obligations (other than (a) contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement Obligations, in each case, to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted, (b) Hedging Obligations and Bank Product Obligations to the extent arrangements satisfactory to the Lender-Related Hedge Provider or Bank Product Provider, as applicable, shall have been made and (c) contingent Obligations with respect to which the deposit of cash collateral (in the case of LC Exposure, which shall not exceed 103% of the face amount of the relevant Letters of Credit and in the case of other Obligations, which shall not exceed 100% of the amount thereof) (or, as an alternative to cash collateral in the case of any LC Exposure, receipt by the Administrative Agent of a back-up letter of credit reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank), in amounts and on terms and conditions and with parties reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each Indemnitee that is, or may be, owed such Obligations has been provided).

Payment Office ” shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent located at 303 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30308, or such other location as to which the Administrative Agent shall have given written notice to the Borrower and the other Lenders.

PBGC ” shall mean the U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA, and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Perfection Certificate ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

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Permitted Acquisition ” shall mean any Acquisition by a Loan Party that occurs when the following conditions have been satisfied:

(i) before and after giving effect to such Acquisition, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, provided that this clause (i)  shall be limited to Events of Default referenced in Section 2.23(a)(iii) if an Incremental Commitment is being funded in connection with any such Permitted Acquisition);

(ii) before and after giving effect to such Acquisition, on a Pro Forma Basis (giving effect to such Acquisition and any related debt incurrences), the Borrower is in compliance with each of the covenants set forth in Article VI , measuring Consolidated Total Debt for purposes of Section 6.1 as of the date of such Acquisition and otherwise recomputing the covenants set forth in Article VI as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period as if such Acquisition (and any other Acquisitions that have been consummated since the last day of such Test Period and on or prior to the date of such Acquisition) had occurred, and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith was incurred, on the first day of the relevant period for testing compliance;

(iii) at least five (5) days (or such shorter period of time as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) prior to the date of the consummation of any such Acquisition for which the aggregate consideration to be paid is at least $20,000,000, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent notice of such Acquisition, together with, to the extent available and received by the Borrower in connection with such Acquisition (including after request by the Borrower to the applicable seller), historical financial information with respect to the Person whose stock or assets are being acquired, the acquisition agreement and such other information in the possession of the Borrower that is reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, and which is not subject to confidentiality agreements restricting the Borrower from providing such information;

(iv) such Acquisition is not opposed by the board of directors (or the equivalent thereof) of the Person whose stock or assets are being acquired;

(v) the Person or assets being acquired is in the same type of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof or any business reasonably related thereto or ancillary or complementary thereto;

(vi) such Acquisition is consummated in compliance in all material respects with all Requirements of Law, and all material consents and approvals from any Governmental Authority and all material consents and approvals from any other Person in each case required in connection with such Acquisition have been obtained; and

(vii) at least five (5) days (or such shorter period of time as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) prior to the date of the consummation of any such Acquisition for which the aggregate consideration to be paid is at least $20,000,000, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer certifying that each of the conditions set forth above has been satisfied (or, with respect to the condition set forth in clause (iv), that such condition will be satisfied by the date of the consummation of such Acquisition).

 

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Permitted Alternative Investments ” shall mean any of the following, but excluding any Permitted Investment:

(i) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States);

(ii) commercial paper having the highest rating, at the time of acquisition thereof, of S&P or Moody’s and in either case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(iii) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000 (determined at the time of such investment);

(iv) other securities, including, without limitation, corporate debt, having the highest rating, at the time of acquisition thereof, of S&P or Moody’s and in either case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof; and

(v) mutual funds investing primarily in any one or more of the Permitted Alternative Investments described in clauses (i) through (iv) above (determined at the time of such investment).

Permitted Encumbrances ” shall mean:

(i) Liens imposed by law for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;

(ii) Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and other Liens imposed by law which arise in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;

(iii) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

(iv) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(v) judgment and attachment liens not giving rise to an Event of Default or Liens created by or existing from any litigation or legal proceeding that are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;

(vi) customary rights of set-off, revocation, refund or chargeback under deposit agreements or under the Uniform Commercial Code or common law of banks or other financial institutions where the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries maintains deposits (other than deposits intended as cash collateral) in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(vii) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(viii) (x) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (y) restrictions on transfers of assets that are subject to sale or transfer pursuant to purchase and sale arrangements, in each case, in connection with any letter of intent or purchase and sale agreement permitted hereunder;

(ix) in the case of any non-wholly owned Subsidiary or joint venture, any put and call arrangements or restrictions on disposition related to its Capital Stock set forth in its organizational documents or any related joint venture or similar agreement; and

(x) licenses and sublicenses of intellectual property granted by any Loan Party in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Loan Parties;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.

Permitted Investments ” shall mean:

(i) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(ii) commercial paper having the highest rating, at the time of acquisition thereof, of S&P or Moody’s and in either case maturing within six months from the date of acquisition thereof;

(iii) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000 (determined at the time of such investment);

(iv) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (i) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (iii) above (determined at the time of such investment); and

(v) mutual funds investing primarily in any one or more of the Permitted Investments described in clauses (i) through (iv) above (determined at the time of such investment).

Person ” shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity, or any Governmental Authority.

 

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Plan ” shall mean any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3 of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has or may have an obligation to contribute, and each such plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA for the five-year period immediately following the latest date on which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate maintained, contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to (or is deemed under Section 4069 of ERISA to have maintained or contributed to or to have had an obligation to contribute to, or otherwise to have liability with respect to) such plan.

Proceeding ” shall mean any investigation, inquiry, litigation, review, hearing, suit, claim, audit, arbitration, proceeding or action (in each case, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or informal) commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any Governmental Authority or arbitrator.

Pro Forma Basis ” shall mean, (i) with respect to any Person, business, property or asset acquired in a Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition permitted hereunder or approved in writing by the Required Lenders, the inclusion as “Consolidated EBITDA” of the Consolidated EBITDA (determined by reference to such Person, business, property or asset) for such Person, business, property or asset as if such Acquisition had been consummated on the first day of the applicable period, based on historical results accounted for in accordance with GAAP, adjusted by (A) any credit received for acquisition-related costs and savings to the extent expressly permitted pursuant to Article 11 of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X and (B) other reasonable adjustments consistent with the operation by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of comparable businesses, properties or assets that are in the same or reasonably related line of business in the same or similar geographies for (1) insurance expense savings, (2) bad debt expense savings, (3) any other non-recurring or non-cash charges that have been deducted from the EBITDA of or attributable to such Person, business, property or asset prior to such Acquisition and (4) cost savings and synergies reasonably expected to be achieved by the Borrower relating to such Acquisition; provided that in each case (x) the cost savings or synergies associated with such adjustments are reasonably expected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized within twelve (12) months of the consummation of such Acquisition and (y) for any such adjustments included twelve (12) months after the consummation of such Acquisition, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have achieved annualized run-rate savings consistent with such adjustments; and (ii) with respect to any Person, business, property or asset sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, the exclusion from “Consolidated EBITDA” of the portion of Consolidated EBITDA for such Person, business, property or asset so disposed of during such period as if such disposition had been consummated on the first day of the applicable period, in accordance with GAAP.

PropCo Landlord ” shall mean CTRI and any Subsidiary of CTRI.

PropCo Master Leases ” shall mean the master leases entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with one or more PropCo Landlords, in each case, in substantially the form of such master leases delivered to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Closing Date and any other master lease entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with a PropCo Landlord.

Pro Rata Share ” shall mean (i) with respect to any Class of Commitment or Loan of any Lender at any time, a percentage, the numerator of which shall be such Lender’s Commitment of such Class (or, if such Commitment has been terminated or expired or the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure or Term Loan, as applicable), and the denominator of which shall be the sum of all Commitments of such Class of all Lenders (or, if such Commitments have been terminated or expired or the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, all Revolving Credit Exposure or Term Loans, as applicable, of all Lenders) and (ii) with respect to all Classes of Commitments and Loans of any Lender at any time, the numerator of which shall be the sum of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment (or, if such Revolving Commitment has been terminated or expired or the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, such Lender’s Revolving Credit

 

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Exposure) and Term Loan and the denominator of which shall be the sum of all Lenders’ Revolving Commitments (or, if such Revolving Commitments have been terminated or expired or the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, all Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders funded under such Commitments) and Term Loans.

Public Lender ” shall mean any Lender who does not wish to receive Non-Public Information and who may be engaged in investment and other market related activities with respect to the Borrower, its Affiliates or any of their securities or loans.

Qualified Capital Stock ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person that is not Disqualified Capital Stock.

RBS Note Due 2018 ” shall mean that certain Note, dated as of December 31, 2010, executed by certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower for the benefit of RBS Asset Finance, Inc.

RBS Note Due 2019 ” shall mean that certain Note, dated as of February 17, 2012, executed by certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower for the benefit of RBS Asset Finance, Inc.

Real Estate ” shall mean all real property owned or leased by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

Real Estate Documents ” shall mean, collectively, all Mortgages, all environmental indemnity agreements, and all other documents, instruments, agreements and certificates executed and delivered by any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the foregoing.

Recipient ” shall mean, as applicable, (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank.

Refinancing Amendment ” shall mean an amendment to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower executed by each of (a) the Borrower, (b) the Administrative Agent, (c) each Issuing Bank (in the case of Other Refinancing Revolving Commitments or Other Refinancing Revolving Loans) and (d) each Refinancing Lender and Lender that agrees to provide any portion of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness being incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Section 2.28 .

Refinancing Lender ” shall mean, at any time, any bank, other financial institution or institutional investor that agrees to provide any portion of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Section 2.28 ; provided that each Refinancing Lender (other than any Person that is a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund of a Lender at such time) shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank (in the case of Other Refinancing Revolving Commitments or Other Refinancing Revolving Loans) (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), in each case to the extent any such consent would be required from the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank (in the case of Other Refinancing Revolving Commitments or Other Refinancing Revolving Loans) under Section 10.4(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments to such Refinancing Lender.

Regulation D ” shall mean Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and any successor regulations.

Regulation T ” shall mean Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and any successor regulations.

 

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Regulation U ” shall mean Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and any successor regulations.

Regulation X ” shall mean Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and any successor regulations.

Regulation Y ” shall mean Regulation Y of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and any successor regulations.

Related Parties ” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective managers, administrators, trustees, partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors or other representatives of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

Related Transaction Documents ” shall mean the Loan Documents, the Spin-Off Documents, and all other agreements or instruments executed in connection with the Related Transactions.

Related Transactions ” shall mean, collectively, the Closing Date Refinancing, the making of the initial Revolving Loans on the Closing Date, the consummation of the Spin-Off Transaction, the payment of all fees, costs and expenses associated with all of the foregoing and the execution and delivery of all Related Transaction Documents.

Release ” shall mean any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or within any building, structure, facility or fixture.

Required Lenders ” shall mean, at any time, Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Commitments and Term Loans at such time or, if the Lenders have no Commitments outstanding, then Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Exposure and Term Loans of the Lenders at such time; provided that to the extent that any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender and all of its Revolving Commitments, Revolving Credit Exposure and Term Loans shall be excluded for purposes of determining Required Lenders.

Required Revolving Lenders ” shall mean, at any time, Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Commitments at such time or, if the Lenders have no Revolving Commitments outstanding, then Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Exposure at such time; provided that to the extent that any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender and all of its Revolving Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure shall be excluded for purposes of determining Required Revolving Lenders.

Requirement of Law ” for any Person shall mean the articles or certificate of incorporation, bylaws, partnership certificate and agreement, or limited liability company certificate of organization and agreement, as the case may be, and other organizational and governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation, or determination of a Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject, including, without limitation, all Health Care Laws.

Responsible Officer ” shall mean (x) with respect to certifying compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Article VI , the chief financial officer or the treasurer of the Borrower and (y) with respect to all other provisions, any of the president, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the treasurer or a vice president of the Borrower or such other representative of the Borrower as may be designated in writing by any one of the foregoing with the consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

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Restricted Payment ” shall mean, for any Person, any dividend or distribution on any class of its Capital Stock, or any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any shares of its Capital Stock, any Indebtedness subordinated to the Obligations or any Guarantee thereof or any options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Capital Stock or such Indebtedness, whether now or hereafter outstanding.

Revolving Commitment ” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the amount set forth with respect to such Lender on Schedule I , as such schedule may be amended pursuant to Section 2.23 or Section 2.28 , or, in the case of a Person becoming a Lender after the Closing Date, the amount of the assigned “Revolving Commitment” as provided in the Assignment and Acceptance executed by such Person as an assignee, or the Incremental Commitment Joinder executed by such Person, in each case as such commitment may subsequently be increased or decreased pursuant to the terms hereof. Unless the context shall otherwise require, the term “Revolving Commitment” shall include any Extended Revolving Commitment.

Revolving Commitment Termination Date ” shall mean the earliest of (a) (i) with respect to the Revolving Commitments (including any Incremental Revolving Commitments) of the Revolving Lenders (other than any portion constituting Extended Revolving Commitments or Other Refinancing Revolving Commitments), May 30, 2019, (ii) with respect to any Extended Revolving Commitments, the maturity date specified therefor in the applicable Extended Facility Agreement and (iii) with respect to any Other Refinancing Revolving Commitments, the maturity date specified therefor in the applicable Refinancing Amendment, (b) the date on which the Revolving Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section 2.8 and (c) the date on which all amounts outstanding under this Agreement have been declared or have automatically become due and payable (whether by acceleration or otherwise).

Revolving Credit Exposure ” shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans, LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure.

Revolving Loan ” shall mean a loan made by a Lender (other than the Swingline Lender) to the Borrower under its Revolving Commitment, which may either be a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

S&P ” shall mean Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Sanctioned Country ” shall mean a country subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/ default.aspx , or as otherwise published from time to time.

Sanctioned Person ” shall mean (i) a Person named on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” maintained by OFAC available at http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/SDN-List/Pages/default.aspx , or as otherwise published from time to time, or (ii) (A) an agency of the government of a Sanctioned Country, (B) an organization controlled by a Sanctioned Country, or (C) a person resident in a Sanctioned Country, to the extent subject to a sanctions program administered by OFAC.

 

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Secured Parties ” shall mean the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks, the Lender-Related Hedge Providers and the Bank Product Providers.

Separation and Distribution Agreement ” shall mean the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between the Borrower and CTRI.

Solvent ” shall mean, with respect to any Person on a particular date, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including subordinated and contingent liabilities, of such Person; (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts and liabilities, including subordinated and contingent liabilities as they become absolute and matured; (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature; and (d) such Person is not engaged in a business or transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital. The amount of contingent liabilities (such as litigation, guaranties and pension plan liabilities) at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, represents the amount that would reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

Specified Representations ” shall mean the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.1(i) and (ii) , 4.2 , 4.3(a) , 4.3 ( b) , 4.7 , 4.9 , 4.15 , 4.17(a) , 4.20 , and 4.21 .

Specified Subsidiary ” shall mean (i) any Pass-Through Foreign Holdco and (ii) any Subsidiary that is prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation or by agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound from guaranteeing the Obligations; provided that any such agreement, instrument or other undertaking (x) is in existence on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 1.1 (or, with respect to a Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date, as of the date of such acquisition) and (y) in the case of a Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date, was not entered into in connection with or in anticipation of such acquisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any tenant under any PropCo Master Lease be a Specified Subsidiary.

Specified Target Representations ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23(a)(iii) .

Spin-Off Documents ” shall mean the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Ensign Guaranty, the PropCo Master Leases, the Opportunities Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement.

Spin-Off Subsidiary ” shall mean CTRI and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower identified on Schedule 4.4 as a “Spin-Off Subsidiary”, the equity interests of which will be distributed to the Borrower’s shareholders in connection with the Spin-Off Transaction.

Spin-Off Transaction ” shall mean (a) the transfer by the Borrower of (x) substantially all of the existing Real Estate assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the fee owned Real Estate assets described on Schedule 4.11) and (y) the Transferred IL Facilities to CTRI, (b) the spin-off of CTRI and its Subsidiaries to the Borrower’s shareholders and (c) the series of corporate and other restructurings and other transactions entered into in connection with the foregoing, in each case within the first three (3) Business Days following the Closing Date.

 

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Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to any Person (the “ parent ”) at any date, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity (i) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (ii) that is, as of such date, otherwise controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “Subsidiary” hereunder shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any Spin-Off Subsidiary be a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Loan Party for any purposes hereof or any other Loan Document.

Subsidiary Loan Party ” shall mean any Subsidiary that executes or becomes a party to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, unless and until any such Subsidiary is released pursuant to Section 9.11 .

Sweep Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.11 .

Swingline Commitment ” shall mean the commitment of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $10,000,000.

Swingline Exposure ” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the principal amount of the Swingline Loans in which such Lender is legally obligated either to make a Base Rate Loan or to purchase a participation in accordance with Section 2.4 , which shall equal such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of all outstanding Swingline Loans.

Swingline Lender ” shall mean SunTrust Bank in its capacity as such, together with any successor in such capacity.

Swingline Loan ” shall mean a loan made to the Borrower by the Swingline Lender under the Swingline Commitment.

Synthetic Lease ” shall mean a lease transaction under which the parties intend that (i) the lease will be treated as an “operating lease” by the lessee pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification Sections 840-10 and 840-20, as amended, and (ii) the lessee will be entitled to various tax and other benefits ordinarily available to owners (as opposed to lessees) of like property.

Synthetic Lease Obligations ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the sum of (i) all remaining rental obligations of such Person as lessee under Synthetic Leases which are attributable to principal and, without duplication, plus (ii) all rental and purchase price payment obligations of such Person under such Synthetic Leases assuming such Person exercises the option to purchase the lease property at the end of the lease term.

Taxes ” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, assessments, fees, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Tax Matters Agreement ” shall mean the Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and between the Borrower and CTRI.

 

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Ten Project Note ” shall mean, collectively, (i) that certain Consolidated Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated as of December 29, 2006, executed by certain Subsidiaries of CTRI and (ii) that certain Additional Ten Project Promissory Note, dated as of the Closing Date, executed by certain Subsidiaries of CTRI, in order to evidence the Loan under as and as defined in the GE Term Loan Agreement.

Term Loan ” shall mean a term loan made by a Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.23 , Section 2.27 , or Section 2.28 .

Term Loan Commitment ” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s Incremental Term Loan Commitment, Extended Term Loan Commitment or Other Refinancing Term Loan Commitment.

Test Period ” shall mean, for any date of determination under this Agreement, the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters most recently ended as of such date of determination for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b), provided , that for Test Periods prior to the first such required delivery after the Closing Date, “Test Period” shall refer to the most recently ended period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements are available; provided , further , that for the purposes of determining quarterly compliance with Sections 6.1 and 6.2 , Test Period shall mean the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on the applicable date of determination.

Third Party Payor ” shall mean any Governmental Payor, private insurers, managed care plans, and any other person or entity which presently or in the future maintains Third Party Payor Programs.

Third Party Payor Authorizations ” shall mean all participation agreements, provider or supplier agreements, enrollments, accreditations and billing numbers necessary to participate in and receive reimbursement from a Third Party Payor Program, including all Medicare and Medicaid participation agreements.

Third Party Payor Programs ” shall mean all payment or reimbursement programs, sponsored or maintained by any Third Party Payor, in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries participates.

Trademark ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

Trademark Security Agreement ” shall mean any Trademark Security Agreement executed by a Loan Party owning registered Trademarks or applications for Trademarks in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, both on the Closing Date and thereafter.

Trading with the Enemy Act ” shall mean the Trading with the Enemy Act of the United States of America (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), as amended and in effect from time to time.

Transferred IL Facilities ” shall mean, collectively, (i) Lakeland Hills Independent Living, located in Dallas, Texas, (ii) The Cottages at Golden Acres, located in Dallas, Texas and (iii) The Apartments at St. Joseph Villa, located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Transition Services Agreement ” shall mean the Transition Services Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and between the Borrower and CTRI.

 

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TRICARE ” shall mean, collectively, a program of medical benefits covering former and active members of the uniformed services and certain of their dependents, financed and administered by the United States Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services and Transportation, and all laws applicable to such programs.

Type ”, when used in reference to a Loan or a Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to Adjusted LIBOR or the Base Rate.

Unfunded Pension Liability ” of any Plan shall mean the amount, if any, by which the value of the accumulated plan benefits under the Plan, determined on a plan termination basis in accordance with actuarial assumptions at such time consistent with those prescribed by the PBGC for purposes of Section 4044 of ERISA, exceeds the fair market value of all Plan assets allocable to such liabilities under Title IV of ERISA (excluding any accrued but unpaid contributions).

Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as amended and in effect from time to time in the State of New York.

United States ” or “ U.S. ” shall mean the United States of America.

U.S. Person ” shall mean any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.20(e)(ii) .

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” shall mean, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (x) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (y) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment by (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Withdrawal Liability ” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Withholding Agent ” shall mean the Borrower, any other Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, as applicable.

Section 1.2. Classifications of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g. “Revolving Loan” or “Term Loan”) or by Type (e.g. “Eurodollar Loan” or “Base Rate Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g. “Revolving Eurodollar Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g. “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g. “Eurodollar Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g. “Revolving Eurodollar Borrowing”).

Section 1.3. Accounting Terms and Determination . Unless otherwise defined or specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time, applied, except as otherwise indicated therein, on a basis consistent with the most recent audited consolidated financial statement of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a ); provided that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower wishes to amend any covenant in Article VI to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP on the operation of such covenant (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders wish to amend Article VI for such purpose), then the Borrower’s compliance with such covenant

 

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shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant is amended in a manner satisfactory to the Borrower and the Required Lenders (and each party hereto agrees to negotiate in good faith with respect to such amendment). Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, (i) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification Section 825-10 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party at “fair value”, as defined therein; and (ii) for purposes of this Agreement, any change in GAAP requiring leases which were previously classified as operating leases (or which, had they been entered into prior to the Closing Date, would have been treated as an operating lease on the Closing Date) to be treated as capitalized leases shall be disregarded and such leases shall (unless otherwise elected by the Borrower with respect to any lease with annual lease payments no greater than $2,500,000 individually or in the aggregate for all such leases, which shall be treated as either an operating lease or a capital lease, at the sole discretion of the Borrower) continue to be, or shall be, treated as operating leases consistent with GAAP as in effect immediately before such change in GAAP became effective.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all financial ratios and tests contained in this Agreement that are calculated with respect to any Test Period during which any Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition permitted hereunder occurs shall be calculated with respect to such Test Period and such Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition permitted hereunder on a Pro Forma Basis. Further, if since the beginning of any such Test Period and on or prior to the date of any required calculation of any financial ratio or test (other than for compliance with the definition of “Permitted Acquisition”) any Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition permitted hereunder shall have occurred then any applicable financial ratio or test shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for such Test Period as if such Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition permitted hereunder had occurred at the beginning of the applicable Test Period (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that solely for purposes of calculating quarterly compliance with Sections 6.1 and 6.2 , the date of the required calculation shall be the last day of the Test Period, and no Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition permitted hereunder occurring thereafter shall be taken into account).

Section 1.4. Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “to” means “to but excluding”. Unless the context requires otherwise (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as it was originally executed or as it may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns, (iii) the words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import shall be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement and (v) all references to a specific time shall be construed to refer to the time in Atlanta, Georgia, unless otherwise indicated.

 

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ARTICLE II

AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE COMMITMENTS

Section 2.1. General Description of Facilities . Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, (i) the Lenders hereby establish in favor of the Borrower a revolving credit facility pursuant to which each Lender severally agrees (to the extent of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment) to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.2 ; (ii) each Issuing Bank may issue Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 2.22 ; (iii) the Swingline Lender may make Swingline Loans in accordance with Section 2.4 ; and (iv) each Lender agrees to purchase a participation interest in the Letters of Credit and the Swingline Loans pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof; provided that in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and outstanding LC Exposure exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount in effect from time to time.

Section 2.2. Revolving Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Loans, ratably in proportion to its Pro Rata Share of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, to the Borrower, from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time that will not result in (a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or (b) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders exceeding the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount. During the Availability Period, the Borrower shall be entitled to borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; provided that the Borrower may not borrow or reborrow should there exist a Default or Event of Default.

Section 2.3. Procedure for Revolving Borrowings . The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Revolving Borrowing, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.3 attached hereto (a “ Notice of Revolving Borrowing ”), (x) prior to 1:00 p.m. one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of each Base Rate Borrowing and (y) prior to 1:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of each Eurodollar Borrowing. Each Notice of Revolving Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Borrowing, (ii) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the Type of such Revolving Loan comprising such Borrowing and (iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the duration of the initial Interest Period applicable thereto (subject to the provisions of the definition of Interest Period). Each Revolving Borrowing shall consist entirely of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, as the Borrower may request. The aggregate principal amount of each Eurodollar Borrowing shall not be less than $5,000,000 or a larger multiple of $250,000, and the aggregate principal amount of each Base Rate Borrowing shall not be less than $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000; provided that Base Rate Loans made pursuant to Section 2.4 or Section 2.22(d ) may be made in lesser amounts as provided therein. At no time shall the total number of Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding at any time exceed eight (8). Promptly following the receipt of a Notice of Revolving Borrowing in accordance herewith, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loan to be made as part of the requested Revolving Borrowing.

Section 2.4. Swingline Commitment .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender may, in its sole discretion, make Swingline Loans to the Borrower, from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time not to exceed the lesser of (i) the Swingline Commitment then in effect and (ii) the difference between the Aggregate Revolving

 

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Commitment Amount and the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders; provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. The Borrower shall be entitled to borrow, repay and reborrow Swingline Loans in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

(b) The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Swingline Borrowing, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.4 attached hereto (a “ Notice of Swingline Borrowing ”), prior to 1:00 p.m. on the requested date of each Swingline Borrowing. Each Notice of Swingline Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the principal amount of such Swingline Borrowing, (ii) the date of such Swingline Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) and (iii) the account of the Borrower to which the proceeds of such Swingline Borrowing should be credited. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of each Notice of Swingline Borrowing. The aggregate principal amount of each Swingline Loan shall not be less than $100,000 or a larger multiple of $50,000, or such other minimum amounts agreed to by the Swingline Lender and the Borrower. The Swingline Lender will make the proceeds of each Swingline Loan available to the Borrower in Dollars in immediately available funds at the account specified by the Borrower in the applicable Notice of Swingline Borrowing not later than 3:00 p.m. on the requested date of such Swingline Borrowing.

(c) The Swingline Lender, at any time and from time to time in its sole discretion, may, but in no event no less frequently than once each calendar week shall, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Swingline Lender to act on its behalf), give a Notice of Revolving Borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender) to make Base Rate Loans in an amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of any Swingline Loan. Each Lender will make the proceeds of its Base Rate Loan included in such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender in accordance with Section 2.6 , which will be used solely for the repayment of such Swingline Loan.

(d) If for any reason a Base Rate Borrowing may not be (as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), or is not, made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, then each Lender (other than the Swingline Lender) shall purchase an undivided participating interest in such Swingline Loan in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share thereof on the date that such Base Rate Borrowing should have occurred. On the date of such required purchase, each Lender shall promptly transfer, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participating interest to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender.

(e) Each Lender’s obligation to make a Base Rate Loan pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section or to purchase participating interests pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including, without limitation, (i) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender or any other Person may have or claim against the Swingline Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default or the termination of any Lender’s Revolving Commitment, (iii) the existence (or alleged existence) of any event or condition which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any Lender or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. If such amount is not in fact made available to the Swingline Lender by any Lender, the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender, together with accrued interest thereon for each day from the date of demand thereof (x) at the Federal Funds Rate until the second Business Day after such demand and (y) at the Base Rate at all times thereafter. Until such time as such Lender makes its required payment, the Swingline Lender shall be deemed to continue to have outstanding Swingline

 

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Loans in the amount of the unpaid participation for all purposes of the Loan Documents. In addition, such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments made of principal and interest on its Loans and any other amounts due to it hereunder to the Swingline Lender to fund the amount of such Lender’s participation interest in such Swingline Loans that such Lender failed to fund pursuant to this Section, until such amount has been purchased in full.

(f) If a Revolving Credit Termination Date (the “ Earlier Swingline Maturity Date ”) shall have occurred at a time when another tranche or tranches of Revolving Commitments is or are in effect with a longer Maturity Date, then, on the Earlier Swingline Maturity Date, all then outstanding Swingline Loans shall be repaid in full (and there shall be no adjustment to the participations in such Swingline Loans as a result of the occurrence of the Earlier Swingline Maturity Date); provided , however , that if on the occurrence of the Earlier Swingline Maturity Date (after giving effect to any repayments of Revolving Loans and any reallocation of Letter of Credit participations as contemplated in Section 2.22(a) ), there shall exist sufficient unutilized Extended Revolving Commitments which will remain in effect after the occurrence of the Earlier Swingline Maturity Date so that the respective outstanding Swingline Loans could be incurred pursuant to such Extended Revolving Commitments, then (1) there shall be an automatic adjustment on the Earlier Swingline Maturity Date of the risk participations of the Revolving Lenders under such Extended Revolving Commitments pro rata according to such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the existing Extended Revolving Commitments and such outstanding Swingline Loans shall be deemed to have been incurred solely pursuant to such Extended Revolving Commitments and (2) such Swingline Loans shall not be required to be repaid in full on the Earlier Swingline Maturity Date.

Section 2.5. [Reserved] .

Section 2.6. Funding of Borrowings .

(a) Each Lender will make available each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer in immediately available funds by 11:00 a.m. to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office; provided that the Swingline Loans will be made as set forth in Section 2.4 . The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts that it receives, in like funds by the close of business on such proposed date, to an account maintained by the Borrower with the Administrative Agent or, at the Borrower’s option, by effecting a wire transfer of such amounts to an account designated by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to 5:00 p.m. one (1) Business Day prior to the date of a Borrowing in which such Lender is to participate that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such date, and the Administrative Agent, in reliance on such assumption, may make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender on the date of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest (x) at the Federal Funds Rate until the second Business Day after such demand and (y) at the Base Rate at all times thereafter. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent together with interest at the rate specified for such Borrowing. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Borrowing hereunder or to prejudice any rights which the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

 

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(c) All Revolving Borrowings shall be made by the Lenders on the basis of their respective Pro Rata Shares. No Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in its obligations hereunder, and each Lender shall be obligated to make its Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to make its Loans hereunder.

Section 2.7. Interest Elections .

(a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing into a different Type or to continue such Borrowing, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing that is to be converted or continued, as the case may be, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.7 attached hereto (a “ Notice of Conversion/Continuation ”) (x) prior to 1:00 p.m. one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of a conversion into a Base Rate Borrowing and (y) prior to 1:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days prior to a continuation of or conversion into a Eurodollar Borrowing. Each such Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the Borrowing to which such Notice of Conversion/Continuation applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof that are to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing), (ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Notice of Conversion/Continuation, which shall be a Business Day, (iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be a Base Rate Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing, and (iv) if the resulting Borrowing is to be a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of “Interest Period”. If any such Notice of Conversion/ Continuation requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month. The principal amount of any resulting Borrowing shall satisfy the minimum borrowing amount for Eurodollar Borrowings and Base Rate Borrowings set forth in Section 2.3 .

(c) If, on the expiration of any Interest Period in respect of any Eurodollar Borrowing, the Borrower shall have failed to deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Borrowing to a Base Rate Borrowing. No Borrowing may be converted into, or continued as, a Eurodollar Borrowing if a Default or an Event of Default exists, unless the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall have otherwise consented in writing. No conversion of any Eurodollar Loan shall be permitted except on the last day of the Interest Period in respect thereof.

(d) Upon receipt of any Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

Section 2.8. Optional Reduction and Termination of Commitments .

(a) Unless previously terminated, all Revolving Commitments, Swingline Commitments and LC Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.

 

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(b) Upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be irrevocable unless the Borrower provides in such notice (in connection with a termination in whole) that it is conditional on the occurrence of another financing or transaction, in which case such notice may be revoked if such financing or transaction does not occur on a timely basis; provided that the Borrower shall pay all amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.19 as a result of such revocation), the Borrower may reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in part or terminate the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in whole; provided that (i) any partial reduction shall apply to reduce proportionately and permanently the Revolving Commitment of each Lender, (ii) any partial reduction pursuant to this Section shall be in an amount of at least $5,000,000 and any larger multiple of $1,000,000, and (iii) no such reduction shall be permitted which would reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount to an amount less than the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders. Any such reduction in the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount below the principal amount of the Swingline Commitment and the LC Commitment shall result in a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the Swingline Commitment and the LC Commitment, as applicable.

(c) With the written approval of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower may terminate (on a non-ratable basis) the unused amount of the Revolving Commitment of a Defaulting Lender, and in such event the provisions of Section 2.26 will apply to all amounts thereafter paid by the Borrower for the account of any such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement (whether on account of principal, interest, fees, indemnity or other amounts); provided that such termination will not be deemed to be a waiver or release of any claim that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender.

Section 2.9. Repayment of Loans .

(a) The outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans shall be due and payable (together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon) on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.

(b) The Borrower unconditionally promises to repay any Incremental Term Loan on the applicable Maturity Date and on the applicable dates scheduled for the repayment of principal of any Incremental Term Loan and in the amounts set forth in the applicable Incremental Commitment Joinder. The Borrower promises to repay any Other Refinancing Term Loans on the applicable Maturity Date and on the applicable dates scheduled for the repayment of principal of any Other Refinancing Term Loan and in the amounts set forth in the applicable Refinancing Amendment.

Section 2.10. Evidence of Indebtedness .

(a) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice appropriate records evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable thereon and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall maintain appropriate records in which shall be recorded (i) the Revolving Commitment and the Term Loan Commitment of each Lender, (ii) the amount of each Loan made hereunder by each Lender, the Class and Type thereof and, in the case of each Eurodollar Loan, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (iii) the date of any continuation of any Loan pursuant to Section 2.7 , (iv) the date of any conversion of all or a portion of any Loan to another Type pursuant to Section 2.7 , (v) the date and amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder in respect of the Loans and (vi) both the date and amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower in respect of the Loans and each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof. The entries made in

 

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such records shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided that the failure or delay of any Lender or the Administrative Agent in maintaining or making entries into any such record or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans (both principal and unpaid accrued interest) of such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b) This Agreement evidences the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans and is being executed as a “noteless” credit agreement. However, at the request of any Lender (including the Swingline Lender) at any time, the Borrower agrees that it will prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment permitted hereunder) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

Section 2.11. Optional Prepayments . The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, by giving written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent no later than (i) in the case of any prepayment of any Eurodollar Borrowing, 1:00 p.m. not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment, (ii) in the case of any prepayment of any Base Rate Borrowing, 1:00 p.m. not less than one (1) Business Day prior to the date of such prepayment, and (iii) in the case of any prepayment of any Swingline Borrowing, prior to 1:00 p.m. on the date of such prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable (provided that (x) any such notice in connection with the repayment of all Loans may be conditioned on the occurrence of another financing or transaction, in which case such notice may be revoked if such financing or transaction does not occur on a timely basis and (y) the Borrower shall pay all amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.19 as a result of such revocation) and shall specify the proposed date of such prepayment and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender of the contents thereof and of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any such prepayment. If such notice is given, the aggregate amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date designated in such notice (unless revoked as provided above), together with accrued interest to such date on the amount so prepaid in accordance with Section 2.13(d ); provided that if a Eurodollar Borrowing is prepaid on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also pay all amounts required pursuant to Section 2.19 . Each partial prepayment of any Loan shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Revolving Borrowing of the same Type pursuant to Section 2.2 or, in the case of a Swingline Loan, pursuant to Section 2.4 . Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans comprising such Borrowing.

Section 2.12. Mandatory Prepayments .

(a) If at any time the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders exceeds the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount, as reduced pursuant to Section 2.8 or otherwise increased pursuant to Section 2.23 , the Borrower shall immediately repay the Swingline Loans and the Revolving Loans in an amount equal to such excess, together with all accrued and unpaid interest on such excess amount and any amounts due under Section 2.19 . Each prepayment shall be applied as follows: first , to the Swingline Loans to the full extent thereof; second , to the Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof; and third , to the Eurodollar Loans to the full extent thereof. If, after giving effect to prepayment of all Swingline Loans and Revolving Loans, the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders exceeds the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount, the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize its reimbursement obligations with respect to all Letters of Credit in an amount equal to such excess plus any accrued and unpaid fees thereon.

 

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Section 2.13. Interest on Loans .

(a) The Borrower shall pay interest on (i) each Base Rate Loan at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time and (ii) each Eurodollar Loan at Adjusted LIBOR for the applicable Interest Period in effect for such Loan plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time.

(b) The Borrower shall pay interest on each Swingline Loan at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time.

(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, automatically upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Borrower shall pay interest (“ Default Interest ”) with respect to all overdue principal and interest and all other Obligations not paid when due at the rate per annum equal to 200 basis points above the otherwise applicable interest rate with respect thereto (i.e., for Eurodollar Loans at the rate per annum equal to 200 basis points above the otherwise applicable interest rate for such Eurodollar Loans for the then-current Interest Period until the last day of such Interest Period, and thereafter, and with respect to all Base Rate Loans and all other Obligations hereunder (other than Loans), at the rate per annum equal to 200 basis points above the otherwise applicable interest rate for Base Rate Loans). Notwithstanding the foregoing, automatically upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under Sections 8.1(g), (h)  or (i)  with respect to the Borrower, the Borrower shall pay Default Interest in accordance with the preceding sentence with respect to all Obligations whether or not overdue.

(d) Interest on the principal amount of all Loans shall accrue from and including the date such Loans are made to but excluding the date of any repayment thereof. Interest on all outstanding Base Rate Loans and Swingline Loans shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date. Interest on all outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be payable on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto, and, in the case of any Eurodollar Loans having an Interest Period in excess of three months, on each day which occurs every three months after the initial date of such Interest Period, and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date. Interest on any Loan which is converted into a Loan of another Type or which is repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such conversion or on the date of any such repayment or prepayment (on the amount repaid or prepaid) thereof. All Default Interest shall be payable on demand.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall determine each interest rate applicable to the Loans hereunder and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of such rate in writing (or by telephone, promptly confirmed in writing). Any such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Section 2.14. Fees .

(a) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account fees in the amounts and at the times previously agreed upon in writing by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Percentage per annum (determined daily in accordance with the Pricing Grid) on the daily amount of the unused Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the Availability Period. For purposes of computing the commitment fee, the Revolving Commitment of each Lender shall be deemed used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure, but not Swingline Exposure, of such Lender.

 

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(c) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, a letter of credit fee with respect to its participation in each Letter of Credit, which shall accrue at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans then in effect on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure attributable to such Letter of Credit during the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to but excluding the date on which such Letter of Credit expires or is drawn in full (including, without limitation, any LC Exposure that remains outstanding after the Revolving Commitment Termination Date) and (ii) to each Issuing Bank for its own account a facing fee, which shall accrue at the rate separately agreed to by the Borrower and such Issuing Bank on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the Availability Period (or until the date that such Letter of Credit is irrevocably cancelled, whichever is later), as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Borrower, in accordance with Section 2.13(c) , is obligated to pay Default Interest with respect to the Obligations whether or not overdue, the fee payable pursuant to this subsection (c)  shall increase by two percent (2.00%) per annum.

(d) The Borrower shall pay on the Closing Date to the Administrative Agent and its affiliates all fees in the Fee Letter that are due and payable on the Closing Date. The Borrower shall pay on the Closing Date to the Lenders all upfront fees previously agreed in writing.

(e) Accrued fees under subsections (b) and (c) of this Section shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on June 30, 2014, and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date (and, if later, the date the Loans and LC Exposure shall be repaid in their entirety); provided that any such fees accruing after the Revolving Commitment Termination Date shall be payable on demand.

(f) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, during such period as a Lender is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender will not be entitled to commitment fees accruing with respect to its Revolving Commitment during such period pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section or letter of credit fees accruing during such period pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section (without prejudice to the rights of the Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders in respect of such fees), provided that (x) to the extent that a portion of the LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender is reallocated to the Non-Defaulting Lenders pursuant to Section 2.26 , such fees that would have accrued for the benefit of such Defaulting Lender will instead accrue for the benefit of and be payable to such Non-Defaulting Lenders, pro rata in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments, and (y) to the extent any portion of such LC Exposure cannot be so reallocated, such fees will instead accrue for the benefit of and be payable to the applicable Issuing Bank (unless such LC exposure has been Cash Collateralized). The pro rata payment provisions of Section 2.21 shall automatically be deemed adjusted to reflect the provisions of this subsection.

Section 2.15. Computation of Interest and Fees .

Interest hereunder based on the prime lending rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year) and paid for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). All other interest and all fees hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and paid for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be made in good faith and, except for manifest error, shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

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Section 2.16. Inability to Determine Interest Rates . If, prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing:

(i) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant interbank market, adequate means do not exist for ascertaining Adjusted LIBOR for such Interest Period, or

(ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that Adjusted LIBOR does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making, funding or maintaining their Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period,

the Administrative Agent shall give written notice (or telephonic notice, promptly confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and to the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. Until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) the obligations of the Lenders to make Eurodollar Loans or to continue or convert outstanding Loans as or into Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended and (ii) all such affected Loans shall be converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto unless the Borrower prepays such Loans in accordance with this Agreement. Unless the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent at least one (1) Business Day before the date of any Eurodollar Borrowing for which a Notice of Revolving Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/ Continuation has previously been given that it elects not to borrow, continue or convert to a Eurodollar Borrowing on such date, then such Borrowing shall be made as, continued as or converted into a Base Rate Borrowing.

Section 2.17. Illegality . If any Change in Law shall make it unlawful or impossible for any Lender to make, maintain or fund any Eurodollar Loan and such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Borrower and the other Lenders, whereupon until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, the obligation of such Lender to make Eurodollar Loans, or to continue or convert outstanding Loans as or into Eurodollar Loans, shall be suspended. In the case of the making of a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Lender’s Loan shall be made as a Base Rate Loan as part of the same Borrowing for the same Interest Period and, if the affected Eurodollar Loan is then outstanding, such Loan shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan either (i) on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Loan to such date or (ii) immediately if such Lender shall determine that it may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loan to such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the affected Lender shall, prior to giving such notice to the Administrative Agent, designate a different Applicable Lending Office if such designation would avoid the need for giving such notice and if such designation would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in the good faith exercise of its discretion.

Section 2.18. Increased Costs .

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement that is not otherwise included in the determination of Adjusted LIBOR hereunder against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in Adjusted LIBOR) or any Issuing Bank;

 

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(ii) impose on any Lender, any Issuing Bank or the eurodollar interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or any Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or any participation therein; or

(iii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than Indemnified Taxes and Excluded Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining a Eurodollar Loan or to increase the cost to such Lender or such Issuing Bank of participating in or issuing any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount received or receivable by such Lender or such Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount), then, from time to time, such Lender or such Issuing Bank may provide the Borrower (with a copy thereof to the Administrative Agent) with written notice and demand with respect to such increased costs or reduced amounts and within five (5) Business Days after receipt of the certificate required under subsection (c) below, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank for any such increased costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) If any Lender or any Issuing Bank shall have determined that on or after the date of this Agreement any Change in Law regarding capital and liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s capital or assets (or on the capital or assets of the Parent Company of such Lender or such Issuing Bank) as a consequence of its obligations hereunder or under or in respect of any Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Parent Company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies or the policies of such Parent Company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then, from time to time, such Lender or such Issuing Bank may provide the Borrower (with a copy thereof to the Administrative Agent) with written notice and demand with respect to such reduced amounts, and within five (5) Business Days after receipt of the certificate required under subsection (c) below, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Parent Company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) A certificate of such Lender or such Issuing Bank setting forth (x) the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender, such Issuing Bank or the Parent Company of such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and (y) a reasonably detailed explanation of the applicable Change in Law, shall be delivered to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six months prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

Section 2.19. Funding Indemnity . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of a Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion or continuation of a Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day

 

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of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (c) the failure by the Borrower to borrow, prepay, convert or continue any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any applicable notice (regardless of whether such notice is withdrawn or revoked), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender, within five (5) Business Days after written demand from such Lender, for any loss, cost or expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (A) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan if such event had not occurred at Adjusted LIBOR applicable to such Eurodollar Loan for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan) over (B) the amount of interest that would accrue on the principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan for the same period if Adjusted LIBOR were set on the date such Eurodollar Loan was prepaid or converted or the date on which the Borrower failed to borrow, convert or continue such Eurodollar Loan. A certificate as to any additional amount payable under this Section submitted to the Borrower by any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

Section 2.20. Taxes .

(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any other Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if any applicable law requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall make such deduction and timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower or other Loan Party, as applicable, shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions and withholdings (including deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient shall receive an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made.

(b) In addition, without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) The Borrower shall indemnify each Recipient, within five (5) Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid or payable by such Recipient (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by the applicable Recipient shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower or any other Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower or other Loan Party, as applicable, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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(e) Tax Forms .

(i) Any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), duly executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying, to the extent such Lender is legally entitled to do so, that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax.

(ii) Any Lender that is a Foreign Person and that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the Code or any treaty to which the United States is a party with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Lender that is a Foreign Person shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, (w) on or prior to the date such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement, (x) on or prior to the date on which any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete, (y) after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered by it pursuant to this subsection, and (z) from time to time upon the reasonable request by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(A) if such Lender is claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, duly executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN, or any successor form thereto, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty, and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, duly executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN, or any successor form thereto, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(B) duly executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI, or any successor form thereto, certifying that the payments received by such Lender are effectively connected with such Lender’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States;

(C) if such Lender is claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code, duly executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN, or any successor form thereto, together with a certificate (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) upon which such Lender certifies that (1) such Lender is not a bank for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, or the obligation of the Borrower hereunder is not, with respect to such Lender, a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business, within the meaning of that Section, (2) such Lender is not a 10% shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3) or Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, (3) such Lender is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (4) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such Lender; or

 

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(D) if such Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, a partnership or a participating Lender granting a typical participation), duly executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, or any successor form thereto, accompanied by IRS Form W-9, IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable.

(iii) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered under this Section expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect and such Lender is not legally entitled to provide an updated form or certification, it shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of its inability to update such form or certification.

(f) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.

(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds . If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.20 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.20 ), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.20 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g) in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

(h) Survival . Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.20 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

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Section 2.21. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs .

(a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.18 , 2.19 or 2.20 , or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon on the date when due, in immediately available funds, free and clear of any defenses, rights of set-off, counterclaim, or withholding or deduction of taxes. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office, except payments to be made directly to the applicable Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.18 , 2.19 , 2.20 and 10.3 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be made payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied as follows: first , to all fees and reimbursable expenses of the Administrative Agent then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents; second , to all reimbursable expenses of the Lenders and all fees and reimbursable expenses of the Issuing Banks then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, pro rata to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks based on their respective pro rata shares of such fees and expenses; third , to all interest and fees then due and payable hereunder, pro rata to the Lenders based on their respective pro rata shares of such interest and fees; and fourth , to all principal of the Loans and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due and payable hereunder, pro rata to the parties entitled thereto based on their respective pro rata shares of such principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans then due that would result in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Credit Exposure, Term Loans and accrued interest and fees thereon (as applicable) than the proportion received by any other Lender with respect to its Revolving Credit Exposure or Term Loans (as applicable), then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Credit Exposure and Term Loans (as applicable) of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Credit Exposure and Term Loans (as applicable); provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Revolving Credit Exposure or Term Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this subsection shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent

 

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may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount or amounts due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

Section 2.22. Letters of Credit .

(a) During the Availability Period, each Issuing Bank, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders pursuant to subsections (d) and (e) of this Section, shall issue, at the request of the Borrower, Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; provided that (i) each Letter of Credit shall expire on the earlier of (A) the date one year after the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof (which may be an automatically renewing or extending Letter of Credit), one year after such renewal or extension) and (B) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the latest Revolving Commitment Termination Date; (ii) each Letter of Credit shall be in a stated amount of at least $50,000; and (iii) the Borrower may not request any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (A) the aggregate LC Exposure would exceed the LC Commitment or (B) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount. Each Lender with a Revolving Commitment shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the applicable Issuing Bank without recourse a participation in each Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on the date of issuance. Each issuance of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to utilize the Revolving Commitment of each Lender by an amount equal to the amount of such participation. If the Maturity Date in respect of any tranche of Revolving Commitments occurs prior to the expiration of any Letter of Credit (such maturity date, the “ Earlier LC Maturity Date ”), then (i) on such Earlier LC Maturity Date, if one or more other tranches of Revolving Commitments in respect of which the Maturity Date shall not have occurred are then in effect, such Letters of Credit shall automatically be deemed to have been issued (including for purposes of the obligations of the Revolving Lenders to purchase participations therein and to make Revolving Loans and payments in respect thereof pursuant to this Section) under (and ratably participated in by Revolving Lenders pursuant to) the Revolving Commitments in respect of such non-terminating tranches up to an aggregate amount not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of the unutilized Revolving Commitments thereunder at such time (it being understood that no partial face amount of any Letter of Credit may be so reallocated) and (ii) to the extent not reallocated pursuant to the immediately preceding clause (i), the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize any such Letter of Credit. Except to the extent of reallocations of participations pursuant to clause (i) of the immediately preceding sentence, the occurrence of a Maturity Date with respect to a given tranche of Revolving Commitments shall have no effect upon (and shall not diminish) the percentage participations of the Revolving Lenders in any Letter of Credit issued before such Maturity Date.

(b) To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or any amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall give the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent irrevocable written notice prior to 1:00 p.m. at least three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of such issuance specifying the date (which shall be a Business Day) such Letter of Credit is to be issued (or amended, renewed or extended, as the case may be), the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. In addition to the satisfaction of the conditions in Section 3.2 , the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or any

 

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amendment which increases the amount of such Letter of Credit) will be subject to the further conditions that such Letter of Credit shall be in such form and contain such terms as the applicable Issuing Bank shall approve and that the Borrower shall have executed and delivered any additional applications, agreements and instruments relating to such Letter of Credit as such Issuing Bank shall reasonably require; provided that in the event of any conflict between such applications, agreements or instruments and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

(c) At least two (2) Business Days prior to the issuance of any Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received such notice, and, if not, such Issuing Bank will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless such Issuing Bank has received notice from the Administrative Agent, on or before the Business Day immediately preceding the date such Issuing Bank is to issue the requested Letter of Credit, directing such Issuing Bank not to issue the Letter of Credit because such issuance is not then permitted hereunder because of the limitations set forth in subsection (a)  of this Section or that one or more conditions specified in Section 3.2 are not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, such Issuing Bank shall, on the requested date, issue such Letter of Credit in accordance with such Issuing Bank’s usual and customary business practices.

(d) Each Issuing Bank shall examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit promptly following its receipt thereof. The applicable Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make a LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to such LC Disbursement. The Borrower shall be irrevocably and unconditionally obligated to reimburse such Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursements paid by such Issuing Bank in respect of such drawing, without presentment, demand or other formalities of any kind. Unless the Borrower shall have notified the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day immediately following the date on which such drawing is honored that the Borrower intends to reimburse such Issuing Bank for the amount of such drawing in funds other than from the proceeds of Revolving Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a Notice of Revolving Borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting the Lenders to make a Base Rate Borrowing on such date in an exact amount due to such Issuing Bank; provided that for purposes solely of such Borrowing, the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.2 hereof shall not be applicable. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of such Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.3 , and each Lender shall make the proceeds of its Base Rate Loan included in such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank in accordance with Section 2.6 . The proceeds of such Borrowing shall be applied directly by the Administrative Agent to reimburse such Issuing Bank for such LC Disbursement.

(e) If for any reason a Base Rate Borrowing may not be (as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), or is not, made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, then each Lender (other than the applicable Issuing Bank) shall be obligated to fund the participation that such Lender purchased pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of such LC Disbursement on and as of the date which such Base Rate Borrowing should have occurred. Each Lender’s obligation to fund its participation shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including, without limitation, (i) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender or any other Person may have against the applicable Issuing Bank or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default or the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) any breach of this Agreement by the Borrower or any other Lender, (v) any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or

 

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(vi) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. On the date that such participation is required to be funded, each Lender shall promptly transfer, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank. Whenever, at any time after the applicable Issuing Bank has received from any such Lender the funds for its participation in a LC Disbursement, such Issuing Bank (or the Administrative Agent on its behalf) receives any payment on account thereof, the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, will distribute to such Lender its Pro Rata Share of such payment; provided that if such payment is required to be returned for any reason to the Borrower or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or similar official in any bankruptcy proceeding, such Lender will return to the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank any portion thereof previously distributed by the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank to it.

(f) To the extent that any Lender shall fail to pay any amount required to be paid pursuant to subsection (d) or (e) of this Section on the due date therefor, such Lender shall pay interest to the applicable Issuing Bank (through the Administrative Agent) on such amount from such due date to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate; provided that if such Lender shall fail to make such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank within three (3) Business Days of such due date, then, retroactively to the due date, such Lender shall be obligated to pay interest on such amount at the rate set forth in Section 2.13(c) .

(g) If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders demanding that its reimbursement obligations with respect to the Letters of Credit be Cash Collateralized pursuant to this subsection, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of each Issuing Bank and the Lenders, an amount in cash equal to 103% of the aggregate LC Exposure of all Lenders as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid fees thereon; provided that such obligation to Cash Collateralize the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower with respect to the Letters of Credit shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in Section 8.1(h) or (i) . Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. The Borrower agrees to execute any documents and/or certificates to effectuate the intent of this subsection. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest and profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it had not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, with the consent of the Required Lenders, be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. If the Borrower is required to Cash Collateralize its reimbursement obligations with respect to the Letters of Credit as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such cash collateral so posted (to the extent not so applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

(h) Upon the request of any Lender, but no more frequently than quarterly, each Issuing Bank shall deliver (through the Administrative Agent) to each Lender and the Borrower a report describing the aggregate Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank and then outstanding. Upon the request of any Lender from time to time, each Issuing Bank shall deliver to such Lender any other information reasonably requested by such Lender with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank and then outstanding.

 

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(i) The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements hereunder shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of any of the following circumstances:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement;

(ii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Borrower may have at any time against a beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons or entities for whom any such beneficiary or transferee may be acting), any Lender (including any Issuing Bank) or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement or the Letter of Credit or any document related hereto or thereto or any unrelated transaction;

(iii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

(iv) payment by any Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document to such Issuing Bank that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

(v) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of set-off against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder; or

(vi) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default.

Neither the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender nor any Related Party of any of the foregoing shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to above), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the applicable Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any actual direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect (including claims for lost profits or other consequential damages), or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise due care when determining whether drafts or other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of any Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised due care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

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(j) Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the applicable Issuing Bank and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued and subject to applicable laws, (i) each standby Letter of Credit shall be governed by the “International Standby Practices 1998” (ISP98) (or such later revision as may be published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice on any date any Letter of Credit may be issued), (ii) each documentary Letter of Credit shall be governed by the Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 (or such later revision as may be published by the International Chamber of Commerce on any date any Letter of Credit may be issued) and (iii) the Borrower shall specify the foregoing in each letter of credit application submitted for the issuance of a Letter of Credit.

(k) The parties hereto agree that the Existing Letters of Credit shall constitute Letters of Credit for all purposes hereunder as if such letters of credit were issued by an Issuing Bank under this Agreement.

Section 2.23. Increase of Commitments; Additional Lenders .

(a) From time to time after the Closing Date and in accordance with this Section, the Borrower and one or more Increasing Lenders or Additional Lenders (each as defined below) may enter into an agreement to (i) increase the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Commitments and/or (ii) establish one or more new tranches of Incremental Term Loan Commitments hereunder (each such increase or additional tranche, an “ Incremental Commitment ”) so long as the following conditions are satisfied:

(i) the aggregate principal amount of all such Incremental Commitments made pursuant to this Section shall not exceed $75,000,000 (the principal amount of each such Incremental Commitment, the “ Incremental Commitment Amount ”);

(ii) the Borrower shall execute and deliver such documents and instruments and take such other actions as may be reasonably required by the Administrative Agent in connection with and at the time of any such proposed increase;

(iii) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to any such Incremental Commitment, (x) no Event of Default shall exist; provided that in the case of any Incremental Commitment obtained for the purposes of financing an Acquisition not prohibited by this Agreement, the Lenders providing such Incremental Commitment and the Administrative Agent may agree that such condition shall be limited to an absence of an Event of Default under Section 8.1(a) , (b) , (g) , (h)  or (i) , and (y) all representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than those representations and warranties that are expressly qualified by Material Adverse Effect or other materiality, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) as of the date of the establishment of such Incremental Commitment (or, if such representation or warranty relates to an earlier date, as of such earlier date); provided that in the case of any Incremental Commitment obtained for the purposes of financing an Acquisition or other Investment not prohibited by this Agreement, the Lenders providing such Incremental Commitment may agree that the only representations and warranties the accuracy of which shall be a condition to such Incremental Commitment (and the Incremental Term Loans or Revolving Loans provided thereunder) shall be (I) the Specified Representations and (II) the representations and warranties made by or on behalf of the applicable target in the purchase, acquisition or

 

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similar agreement governing such Acquisition or other Investment as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that the Borrower (or the Borrower’s applicable Affiliates or Subsidiaries) has the right (determined without regard to any notice requirement) not to consummate or the right to terminate (or cause the termination of) the Borrower’s (or such Affiliates’ or Subsidiaries’) obligations under such purchase, acquisition or other agreement as a result of a breach of such representations or warranties in such purchase, acquisition or other agreement (or the failure of such representations or warranties to be accurate or to satisfy the closing conditions in such purchase, acquisition or other agreement applicable to such representations or warranties) (such representations and warranties, the “ Specified Target Representations ”);

(iv) (x) any incremental Term Loans made pursuant to this Section (the “ Incremental Term Loans ” and, the commitments with respect thereto, the “ Incremental Term Loan Commitments ”) shall have a maturity date no earlier than the Revolving Commitment Termination Date in effect at the time such Incremental Term Loans are incurred and shall have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than that of any previously established Incremental Term Loans (without giving effect to previous reductions in and previously made amortization payments on such previously established Incremental Term Loans), and (y) any incremental Revolving Commitments provided pursuant to this Section (the “ Incremental Revolving Commitments ”) shall have identical terms (including pricing and termination date; provided that upfront fees for any Incremental Revolving Commitments will be permitted and shall be determined by the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Incremental Revolving Commitments) to the Revolving Commitments and be treated as the same Class as the Revolving Commitments and the Borrower shall, after the establishment of any Incremental Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section, repay and incur Revolving Loans ratably as between the Incremental Revolving Commitments and the Revolving Commitments outstanding immediately prior to such increase (provided that such repayment and incurrence may, with the Administrative Agent’s consent, be effectuated through assignments among Lenders with Revolving Commitments, which shall not require an Assignment and Acceptance and may be effectuated by the Administrative Agent through changes in the Register and fundings from such Lenders providing Incremental Commitments); provided , further , that Interest Periods applicable to Incremental Term Loans or Revolving Loans advanced pursuant to Incremental Revolving Commitments may, at the election of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, be made with Interest Period(s) identical to the then remaining Interest Period(s) applicable to existing Term Loans of the relevant Class or existing Revolving Loans of the applicable Class (and allocated to such Interest Period(s) on a proportional basis);

(v) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in pro forma compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Article VI as of the most recently ended Test Period, calculated as if all such Incremental Term Loans had been made and all such Incremental Revolving Commitments had been established (and fully funded) as of the first day of the relevant period for testing compliance (including giving effect to any Acquisitions on a Pro Forma Basis that are contemplated to be funded with such Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Commitments); and

(vi) any collateral securing any such Incremental Commitments shall also secure all other Obligations on a pari passu basis.

(b) The Borrower shall provide at least ten (10) days’ (or such shorter period of time as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) written notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall promptly provide a copy of such notice to each Lender) of any proposal

 

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to establish an Incremental Commitment. The Borrower may also, but is not required to, specify any fees offered to those Lenders (the “ Increasing Lenders ”) that agree to increase the principal amount of their Revolving Commitments and/or provide Incremental Term Loan Commitments, which fees may be variable based upon the amount by which any such Lender is willing to increase the principal amount of its Revolving Commitment and/or the principal amount of the Incremental Term Loan Commitment such Lender is willing to provide, as applicable. No Lender (or any successor thereto) shall have any obligation, express or implied, to offer to increase the aggregate principal amount of its Revolving Commitment and/or provide an Incremental Term Loan Commitment, and any decision by a Lender to increase its Revolving Commitment and/or provide an Incremental Term Loan Commitment shall be made in its sole discretion independently from any other Lender. Only the consent of each Increasing Lender shall be required for an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Commitments and/or the establishment of a tranche of Incremental Term Loan Commitments, as applicable, pursuant to this Section. No Lender which declines to increase the principal amount of its Revolving Commitment and/or provide an Incremental Term Loan Commitment may be replaced with respect to its existing Revolving Commitment and/or its Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, as a result thereof without such Lender’s consent. The Borrower may accept some or all of the offered amounts from existing Lenders or designate new lenders that are acceptable to the Administrative Agent (any such consent to be required only to the extent required under Section 10.4(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments of such Type to such new lender), the Borrower and, in the case of any Incremental Revolving Commitments, each Issuing Bank (such approvals of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Issuing Banks not to be unreasonably withheld) as additional Lenders hereunder in accordance with this Section (the “ Additional Lenders ”), which Additional Lenders may assume all or a portion of such Incremental Commitment. The Borrower shall have discretion to adjust the allocation of such Incremental Revolving Commitments and/or such Incremental Term Loans among the then-existing Lenders and the Additional Lenders (as it may elect). The sum of the increase in the principal amount of the Revolving Commitments and the aggregate principal amount of the Incremental Term Loan Commitments of the Increasing Lenders plus the principal amount of the Revolving Commitments and the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan Commitments of the Additional Lenders shall not in the aggregate exceed the unsubscribed amount of the Incremental Commitment Amount.

(c) Subject to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, any increase requested by the Borrower shall be effective upon delivery to the Administrative Agent of each of the following documents:

(i) an originally executed copy of an instrument of joinder (each, an “ Incremental Commitment Joinder ”), in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, executed by the Administrative Agent, by the Borrower, by each Additional Lender and by each Increasing Lender, setting forth the Incremental Revolving Commitments and/or Incremental Term Loan Commitments, as applicable, of such Lenders and setting forth the agreement of each Additional Lender to become a party to this Agreement and to be bound by all of the terms and provisions hereof;

(ii) such evidence of appropriate corporate authorization on the part of the Borrower with respect to such Incremental Commitment and such opinions of counsel for the Borrower with respect to such Incremental Commitment as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

(iii) a certificate of the Borrower signed by a Responsible Officer, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, certifying that each of the conditions in subsection (a) of this Section has been satisfied;

 

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(iv) to the extent requested by any Additional Lender or any Increasing Lender, executed promissory notes evidencing such Incremental Revolving Commitments and/or such Incremental Term Loans, issued by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.10 ; and

(v) any other certificates or documents that the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Upon the effectiveness of any such Incremental Commitment, the Commitments and Pro Rata Share of each Lender will be adjusted to give effect to the Incremental Revolving Commitments and/or the Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, and Schedule I shall automatically be deemed amended accordingly.

(d) If any Incremental Term Loan Commitments are to be established pursuant to this Section, other than as set forth herein, all terms with respect thereto shall be as set forth in the applicable Incremental Commitment Joinder, the execution and delivery of which agreement shall be a condition to the effectiveness of the establishment of the Incremental Term Loan Commitments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 10.2 , the Administrative Agent is expressly permitted to amend the Loan Documents to the extent necessary to give effect to any increase in Revolving Commitments and/or establishment of a new Incremental Term Loan Commitment pursuant to this Section and mechanical changes necessary or advisable in connection therewith (including amendments to implement the requirements in the preceding sentence or the foregoing clause (a)(iv)(y) of this Section, amendments to ensure pro rata allocations of Eurodollar Loans and Base Rate Loans between Loans incurred pursuant to this Section and Loans outstanding immediately prior to any such incurrence and amendments to implement ratable participation in Letters of Credit between the Incremental Revolving Commitments and the Revolving Commitments outstanding immediately prior to any such incurrence).

(e) This Section 2.23 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.21 or 10.2 to the contrary.

Section 2.24. Mitigation of Obligations . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.18 , or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.20 , then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the sole judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable under Section 2.18 or Section 2.20 , as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with such designation or assignment.

Section 2.25. Replacement of Lenders . If (a) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.18 , or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.20 or any Lender has failed to approve an amendment or waiver that requires the consent of all Lenders or all Lenders of a particular Class or all affected Lenders (and such amendment or waiver has been approved by Requisite Lenders or Lenders with a majority of the Commitments or Loans of a particular Class or a majority of affected Lenders), or (b) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 10.4(b )), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.20 , as applicable) and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee

 

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may be another Lender) (a “ Replacement Lender ”); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of all Loans owed to it, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee (in the case of such outstanding principal and accrued interest) and from the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), and (iii) in the case of a claim for compensation under Section 2.18 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.20 , such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. If a Lender fails to execute an Assignment and Assumption Acceptance giving effect to the assignment contemplated under this Section 2.25 , such Assignment and Acceptance may be executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and any Replacement Lender and become effective without the consent of such replaced Lender.

Section 2.26. Defaulting Lenders .

(a) Cash Collateral

(i) At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize each Issuing Bank’s LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 2.26(b)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than 103% of such Issuing Bank’s LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender.

(ii) The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Banks, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lenders’ obligation to fund participations in respect of Letters of Credit, to be applied pursuant to clause (iii) below. If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the minimum amount required pursuant to clause (i) above, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Section 2.26(a) or Section 2.26(b) in respect of Letters of Credit shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of Letters of Credit or LC Disbursements (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.

(iv) Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce any Issuing Bank’s LC Exposure shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.26(a) following (A) the elimination of the applicable LC Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender), or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided that, subject to Section 2.26(b) through (d) , the Person providing Cash

 

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Collateral and each Issuing Bank may agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated LC Exposure or other obligations and provided further that to the extent that such Cash Collateral was provided by the Borrower, such Cash Collateral shall remain subject to the security interest granted pursuant to the Loan Documents.

(b) Defaulting Lender Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i) Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Required Lenders and in Section 10.2 .

(ii) Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.7 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to each Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder; third , to Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.26(a) ; fourth , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ future LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.26(a) ; sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in respect of Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments without giving effect to sub-section (iv)  below. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.26(b)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

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(iii) (A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any Commitment Fee pursuant to Section 2.14(b) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).

(B) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive letter of credit fees pursuant to Section 2.14(c) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to that portion of its LC Exposure for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.26(a) .

(C) With respect to any letter of credit fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Bank’s LC Exposure or Swingline Lender’s Swingline Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender that has not been Cash Collateralized, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

(iv) All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares of the Revolving Commitments (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrower shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

(v) If the reallocation described in clause (iv)  above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, (x) first, prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lender’s Swingline Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.26(a) .

(c) Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Banks agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the applicable Commitments (without giving effect to Section 2.26(b)(iv) ), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments

 

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made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

(d) New Swingline Loans/Letters of Credit . So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Swingline Exposure after giving effect to such Swingline Loan and (ii) no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no LC Exposure after giving effect thereto.

Section 2.27. Request for Extended Facilities . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, pursuant to one or more offers (each, an “ Extension Offer ”) made from time to time by the Borrower to all Lenders of Incremental Term Loans with a like Maturity Date (as specified in the applicable Incremental Commitment Joinder therefor) or all Lenders with Revolving Commitments of the same Class, in each case on a pro rata basis (based on the outstanding amount of the respective Loans or the aggregate amount of the Commitments, as the case may be, with the same Maturity Date) and on the same terms to each such Lender, the Borrower may from time to time offer (but no Lender is obligated to accept such offer) to extend the maturity date, increase the interest rate or fees payable in respect of such Loans and/or Commitments (and related outstandings) and/or modify the amortization schedule in respect of such Lender’s Incremental Term Loans for any Incremental Term Loans (each, an “ Extension ”, and each group of Loans or Commitments, as applicable, in each case as so extended, as well as the original Loans and Commitments (in each case not so extended), being a tranche; any Extended Term Loans shall constitute a separate tranche of Term Loans from the tranche of Term Loans from which they were converted, and any Extended Revolving Commitments shall constitute a separate tranche of Revolving Commitments from the tranche of Revolving Commitments from which they were converted), all as set forth in greater detail in an Extended Facility Agreement so long as the terms set forth below are satisfied:

(i) (A) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time an Extension Offer is delivered to the Lenders or at the time of the Extended Facility Closing Date and (B) all representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than those representations and warranties that are expressly qualified by Material Adverse Effect or other materiality, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) as of the Extended Facility Closing Date (or, if such representation or warranty relates to an earlier date, as of such earlier date);

(ii) except as to interest rates, fees and final maturity, the Revolving Commitment of any Lender (an “ Extending Revolving Lender ”) extended pursuant to an Extension (an “ Extended Revolving Commitment ”), and the related outstandings, shall be a Revolving Commitment (or related Revolving Loan outstandings, as the case may be) with the same terms as the original Revolving Commitments (and related Revolving Loan outstandings); provided that (x) subject to the provisions of Sections 2.22(a) and 2.4(f) to the extent dealing with Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans which mature or expire after a Maturity Date when there exist Extended Revolving Commitments with a longer Maturity Date, all Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall be participated in on a pro rata basis by all Lenders with Revolving Commitments in accordance with their Pro Rata Share of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount (and except as provided in Sections 2.22(a) and 2.4(f) , without giving effect to changes thereto on an earlier Maturity Date with respect to Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit theretofore incurred or issued) and all Borrowings under Revolving Commitments and repayments thereunder shall be made on a pro rata basis (except for (A) payments of interest and

 

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fees at different rates on Extended Revolving Commitments (and related outstandings) and (B) repayments required upon the Maturity Date for the non-extending Revolving Commitments) and (y) at no time shall there be Revolving Commitments hereunder (including Extended Revolving Commitments and any original Revolving Commitments) which have more than five (5) different Maturity Dates;

(iii) except as to interest rates, fees, amortization, final maturity date, premium, required prepayment dates and participation in prepayments, the Term Loans of any Lender (an “ Extending Term Loan Lender ”) extended pursuant to any Extension (“ Extended Term Loans ”) shall have the same terms as the tranche of Term Loans subject to such Extension Offer except to the extent that such terms are less favorable to the Extending Term Loan Lenders than to the Lenders of the non-extended Term Loans or apply solely to periods after the Maturity Date of the non-extended Term Loans;

(iv) the final maturity date for any Extended Term Loans shall be no earlier than the then latest Maturity Date hereunder or under any existing Extended Facility Agreement and the amortization schedule applicable to such Extended Term Loans for periods prior to the maturity date of the Term Loans extended thereby may not be increased from any then existing amortization schedule applicable to Term Loans;

(v) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any Extended Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term Loans extended thereby;

(vi) any Extended Term Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory repayments or prepayments hereunder, in each case as specified in the respective Extended Facility Agreement;

(vii) if the aggregate principal amount of applicable Term Loans (calculated on the face amount thereof) or Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, in respect of which applicable Lenders holding Term Loans or Lenders holding Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, shall have accepted the relevant Extension Offer shall exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount of applicable Term Loans or Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, offered to be extended by Borrower pursuant to such Extension Offer, then the applicable Incremental Term Loans or Revolving Loans, as the case may be, of the applicable Lenders holding Term Loans or Lenders holding Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, shall be extended ratably up to such maximum amount based on the respective principal amounts (but not to exceed actual holdings of record) with respect to which such Lenders holding Term Loans or Lenders holding Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, have accepted such Extension Offer;

(viii) all documentation in respect of such Extension shall be consistent with the foregoing;

(ix) any Extended Facility requested by the Borrower shall be in a minimum amount of $20,000,000; and

(x) the Administrative Agent and the lenders party thereto shall enter into an Extended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement or an Extended Term Facility Agreement, as the case may be, and the conditions precedent set forth therein shall have been satisfied or waived in accordance with its terms.

 

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Subject to compliance with the terms of this Section 2.27 , the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereby consent to the Extensions and the other transactions contemplated by this Section 2.27 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, payment of any interest, fees or premium in respect of any Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Commitments on such terms as may be set forth in the relevant Extended Facility Agreement) and hereby waive the requirements of any provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections 2.21 , 10.2 , or any other provisions regarding the sharing of payments) or any other Loan Document that may otherwise prohibit any such Extension or any other transaction contemplated by this Section 2.27 . The Lenders hereto agree that the Extended Facility Lenders party to any Extended Facility Agreement may, from time to time, make amendments to such Extended Facility Agreement or to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to give effect to the Extended Facility Agreement without the consent of any other Lenders so long as such Extended Facility Agreement, as amended, complies with the terms set forth in this Section 2.27 .

Section 2.28. Refinancing Amendment . At any time after the Closing Date, the Borrower may obtain, from any Lender or any Refinancing Lender, Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of all or any portion of the Loans or Commitments then outstanding under this Agreement (which for purposes of this Section 2.28 will be deemed to include any then outstanding Other Refinancing Loans, Other Refinancing Commitments, Incremental Term Loans, Incremental Term Loan Commitments, Extended Loans or Extended Commitments), in the form of Other Refinancing Loans or Other Refinancing Commitments in each case pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (i) will rank pari passu or junior in right of payment and of security with the other Loans and Commitments hereunder and (ii) will have such pricing, premiums and optional prepayment or redemption terms as may be agreed by the Borrower and the Lenders thereof. Any Other Refinancing Loans or Other Refinancing Commitments, as applicable, may participate on a pro rata basis or on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory prepayments hereunder, as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment. The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of (a) board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date under Section 3.1 and (b) customary legal opinions reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. Each issuance of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred under this Section 2.28 shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $25,000,000. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary or advisable to reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans and Commitments subject thereto as Other Refinancing Loans and/or Other Refinancing Commitments). Any Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.28 . This Section 2.28 shall supersede any provisions in Sections 2.21 or 10.2 to the contrary.

 

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ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

Section 3.1. Conditions to Effectiveness . The obligations of the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender) to make Loans and the obligation of each Issuing Bank to issue any Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.2 or otherwise permitted to be satisfied after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.16 ):

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received payment of all fees, expenses and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including, without limitation, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arrangers and their Affiliates (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel to the Administrative Agent, one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction and any special regulatory counsel) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder, under any other Loan Document and under any agreement with the Administrative Agent or the Lead Arrangers.

(b) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received the following, each to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

(i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed by or on behalf of each party hereto or written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement;

(ii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party in the form of Exhibit 3.1(b)(ii) , attaching and certifying copies of (i) such Loan Party’s articles or certificate of incorporation, formation, organization or limited partnership, or other registered organizational documents, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party, (ii) such Loan Party’s bylaws, limited liability company agreement or partnership agreement, as applicable, (iii) the resolutions of such Loan Party’s board of directors, managers, members, general partner or other equivalent governing body, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (iv) certificates of good standing or existence, as applicable, from the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of such Loan Party and each other jurisdiction where the failure of such Loan Party to be qualified to do business as a foreign company would have a Material Adverse Effect, in each case as of a recent date, and (v) a certificate of incumbency containing the name, title and true signature of each officer of such Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party;

(iii) favorable written opinions of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, and Albright, Stoddard, Warnick & Albright, Nevada counsel to the Loan Parties, in each case, addressed to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each of the Lenders, and covering such matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall reasonably request;

(iv) a certificate in the form of Exhibit 3.1(b)(iv) , dated the Closing Date and signed by a Responsible Officer, certifying that after giving effect to the Related Transactions, (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the Closing Date, (B) all representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents are true and

 

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correct in all material respects (other than those representations and warranties that are expressly qualified by Material Adverse Effect or other materiality, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects), (C) since the date of the financial statements of the Borrower described in Section 4.4(i) , there has been no change which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (D) the conditions set forth in clauses (b)(vii), (b)(xix), (c) and (d) below have been satisfied;

(v) a duly executed Notice of Borrowing for any initial Revolving Borrowing;

(vi) a duly executed funds disbursement agreement, together with a report setting forth the sources and uses of the proceeds hereof;

(vii) all consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations and filings and orders required to be made or obtained under any Requirement of Law, or by any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity and enforceability of the Loan Documents, the other Related Transaction Documents or any of the transactions contemplated thereby, and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations, filings and orders shall be in full force and effect and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired, and no investigation or inquiry by any governmental authority regarding the Commitments or any transaction being financed with the proceeds thereof shall be ongoing;

(viii) copies of (A) the quarterly financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2014, including the related statements of income and cash flows, (B) the audited consolidated financial statements for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2013, including in each case the related statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows, and (C) financial projections on a quarterly basis for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2014 and annually thereafter through December 31, 2017;

(ix) a duly completed and executed Compliance Certificate, including calculations of the financial covenants set forth in Article VI hereof as of March 31, 2014, calculated on a pro forma basis as if any initial Revolving Borrowing had been funded, and the Spin-Off Transaction and the other Related Transactions had occurred, as of the first day of the relevant period for testing compliance (and setting forth in reasonable detail such calculations);

(x) a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower, confirming that the Borrower is, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are, Solvent before and after giving effect to the funding of any initial Revolving Borrowing and the consummation of the Spin-Off Transaction and the other Related Transactions contemplated to occur on or within three (3) Business Days of the Closing Date;

(xi) the Guaranty and Security Agreement, duly executed by the Borrower and each of its Domestic Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Subsidiaries), together with (A) UCC financing statements and other applicable documents under the laws of all necessary or appropriate jurisdictions with respect to the perfection of the Liens granted under the Guaranty and Security Agreement, as requested by the Administrative Agent in order to perfect such Liens, duly authorized by the Loan Parties, (B) copies of favorable UCC, tax and judgment lien search reports in all necessary or appropriate jurisdictions and under all legal and trade names of the Loan Parties, as requested by the Administrative Agent, indicating that there are no prior Liens on any of the Collateral other than Permitted Encumbrances and Liens to be released on the Closing

 

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Date, (C) a Perfection Certificate, duly completed and executed by the Borrower, (D) duly executed Patent Security Agreements, Trademark Security Agreements and Copyright Security Agreements, (E) original certificates evidencing all issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of all Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Subsidiaries) owned directly by any Loan Party; provided that, in the case of Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary that is a CFC and Capital Stock of any Pass-Through Foreign Holdco, such original certificates shall be limited to 65% of the issued and outstanding voting Capital Stock and 100% of the issued and outstanding non-voting Capital Stock of such Foreign Subsidiary or such Pass-Through Foreign Holdco, as applicable, (F) stock or membership interest powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed in blank and (G) a master intercompany promissory note duly executed by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(xii) evidence that not less than $260,000,000 of senior unsecured notes have been, or on the Closing Date will be, issued by CareTrust Partnership, L.P. and CareTrust Capital Corp.;

(xiii) evidence that CTRI and certain of its Subsidiaries have entered into that certain Credit Agreement, to be dated as of the Closing Date, by and among CareTrust Partnership, L.P., as the borrower, the guarantors party thereto and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, providing for commitments thereunder on the Closing Date of not less than $150,000,000;

(xiv) with respect to (i) the Real Estate leased for the corporate headquarters of the Loan Parties, a copy of the underlying lease and a Collateral Access Agreement and (ii) any other Real Estate that is leased by the Loan Parties from any PropCo Landlord pursuant to a PropCo Master Lease, a copy of the underlying lease and a Collateral Access Agreement, in each case which Collateral Access Agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent; provided that, with respect to the foregoing clause (i)  only, this condition shall be deemed to be satisfied if the Borrower uses its commercially reasonable efforts to deliver such Collateral Access Agreement on the Closing Date (whether or not any such Collateral Access Agreement is delivered on the Closing Date) and the Borrower shall use its commercially reasonable efforts (but not be under any requirement) to deliver such Collateral Access Agreement within thirty (30) days after the Closing Date;

(xv) copies of duly executed payoff letters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed by each of the Existing Lenders or the administrative agent or other representative under the applicable financing documents, together with (a) UCC-3 or other appropriate termination statements, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, releasing all liens of the Existing Lenders upon any of the personal property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries granted pursuant to such financing documents, (b) cancellations and releases, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, releasing all liens of the Existing Lenders upon any of the Real Estate of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries granted pursuant to such financing documents, and (c) any other releases, terminations or other documents reasonably required by the Administrative Agent to evidence the payoff of Indebtedness owed to the Existing Lenders issued or incurred pursuant to such financing documents;

(xvi) certified copies of all Material Agreements and Spin-Off Documents, in each case, that are in effect on the Closing Date;

 

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(xvii) evidence that after giving effect to the Spin-Off Transaction neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (other than one or more Spin-Off Subsidiaries) will be liable for or have any further obligations with respect to, and that no assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than one or more Spin-Off Subsidiaries) will be subject to a Lien to secure or otherwise provide credit support for, any Indebtedness evidenced by the Ten Project Note, the GE Term Loan Agreement and/or the Johnson Notes;

(xviii) certificates of insurance, in form and detail acceptable to the Administrative Agent, describing the types and amounts of insurance (property and liability) maintained by any of the Loan Parties, in each case naming the Administrative Agent as loss payee or additional insured, as the case may be, together with a lender’s loss payable endorsement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(xix) evidence that the Borrower has declared the dividend or distribution constituting the Spin-Off Transaction, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

(xx) at least three (3) days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information with respect to the Borrower and each other Loan Party that the Administrative Agent or any Lender reasonably determines is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Patriot Act, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent at least ten (10) days before the Closing Date.

(c) The Leverage Ratio as of the Closing Date is not greater than 0.50:1.00 (calculating Consolidated Total Net Debt on a pro forma basis giving effect to any initial Revolving Borrowing and Consolidated EBITDA with respect to the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on March 31, 2014).

(d) The Revolving Credit Exposure will not exceed $50,000,000 after giving effect to any initial Revolving Borrowing.

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of this Section, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section, each Lender that has signed this Credit Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved of, accepted or been satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to, approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

Section 3.2. Conditions to Each Credit Event . The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing and of each Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit is subject to Section 2.26(c) and the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default or Event of Default shall exist;

(b) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, all representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects, unless such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date (other than those representations and warranties that are expressly qualified by a Material Adverse Effect or other materiality, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects); and

 

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(c) the Borrower shall have delivered the required Notice of Borrowing.

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section.

Section 3.3. Delivery of Documents . All of the Loan Documents, certificates, legal opinions and other documents and papers referred to in Section 3.1 , unless otherwise specified, shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent for the account of each of the Lenders and, if requested by a Lender, in sufficient counterparts or copies for each such Lender.

Section 3.4. Termination of Existing Credit Facility . Upon this Agreement becoming effective, the Existing Credit Agreement shall automatically terminate (other than those provisions that by their terms survive termination of the Existing Credit Agreement), all commitments of the lenders thereunder to fund additional advances shall terminate automatically, and all amounts outstanding thereunder, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, fees and other amounts shall be automatically paid in full by the initial Borrowing hereunder (other than with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit which shall, from and after the Closing Date, be deemed to be Letters of Credit issued pursuant to this Agreement).

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants, both before and after giving effect to the Related Transactions, to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Bank as follows:

Section 4.1. Existence; Power . The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted, and (iii) is duly qualified to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where a failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.2. Organizational Power; Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents and the other Related Transaction Documents to which it is a party are within such Loan Party’s organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational and, if required, shareholder, partner or member action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document and Related Transaction Document to which any Loan Party is a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party (as the case may be), enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.

Section 4.3. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents and the other Related Transaction Documents to which it is a party (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any action

 

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by, any Governmental Authority, except those as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except for filings necessary to perfect or maintain perfection of the Liens created under the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate any Requirement of Law applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any judgment, order or ruling of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its assets or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except Liens (if any) created under the Loan Documents, and (e) do not affect the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s right to receive, or reduce the amount of, payments and reimbursements from Third Party Payors, or materially adversely affect any Health Care Permit.

Section 4.4. Financial Statements . The Borrower has furnished to each Lender (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (and the Spin-Off Subsidiaries) as of December 31, 2013, and the related audited consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended, audited by Deloitte & Touche, LLP and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (and the Spin-Off Subsidiaries) as of March 31, 2014, and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the Fiscal Quarter and year-to-date period then ended, certified by a Responsible Officer. Such financial statements fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (and the Spin-Off Subsidiaries) as of such dates and the consolidated results of operations for such periods in conformity with GAAP consistently applied, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii). Since December 31, 2013, there have been no changes with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which have had or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.5. Litigation and Environmental Matters .

(a) No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrators or Governmental Authorities is pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) which could reasonably be expected to result in the invalidity or unenforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other Related Transaction Document.

(b) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) which have had or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.6. Compliance with Laws and Agreements . The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with (a) all Requirements of Law and all judgments, decrees and orders of any Governmental Authority and (b) all indentures, agreements or other instruments binding upon it or its properties, except where non-compliance, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.7. Investment Company Act . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is (a) an “investment company” or is “controlled” by an “investment company”, as such terms are defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and in effect from time to time, or (b) otherwise subject to any other regulatory scheme limiting its ability to incur debt or requiring any approval or consent from, or registration or filing with, any Governmental Authority in connection therewith.

 

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Section 4.8. Taxes and Tax Treatment of the Spin-Off Transaction . (a) The Borrower and its Subsidiaries and each other Person for whose taxes the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries could become liable have timely filed or caused to be filed all Federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns that are required to be filed by them, and have paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns or on any assessments made against it or its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority, except where the same are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.

(b) The Spin-Off Transaction will constitute a distribution under Section 355 of the Code and a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code in which no gain or loss recognized by the Borrower.

Section 4.9. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . None of the proceeds of any of the Loans or Letters of Credit will be used, directly or indirectly, for “purchasing” or “carrying” any “margin stock” within the respective meanings of each of such terms under Regulation U or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying “margin stock”. The Borrower will use the Revolving Loans for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, distributions and Permitted Acquisitions not prohibited by this Agreement, for other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and for any other purpose not prohibited by this Agreement. The Borrower will use the proceeds of any Term Loans for the purposes set forth in any Incremental Commitment Joinder or Refinancing Amendment.

Section 4.10. ERISA . Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is in substantial compliance in form and operation with its terms and with ERISA and the Code (including, without limitation, the Code provisions compliance with which is necessary for any intended favorable tax treatment) and all other applicable laws and regulations. Each Plan (and each related trust, if any) which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that it meets the requirements of Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code covering all applicable tax law changes, or is comprised of a master or prototype plan that has received a favorable opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service, and, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nothing has occurred since the date of such determination that would adversely affect such determination (or, in the case of a Plan with no determination, nothing has occurred that would adversely affect the issuance of a favorable determination letter or otherwise adversely affect such qualification). No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur. There exists no Unfunded Pension Liability with respect to any Plan. None of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has, within any of the five calendar years immediately preceding the date this assurance is given or deemed given, made, or accrued an obligation to make, contributions to any Multiemployer Plan. There are no actions, suits or claims pending against or involving a Plan (other than routine claims for benefits) or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate, threatened in writing, which would reasonably be expected to be asserted successfully against any Plan and, if so asserted successfully, would reasonably be expected either singly or in the aggregate to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not reasonably be expected either individually or in the aggregate to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower, each of its Subsidiaries and each ERISA Affiliate have made all contributions to or under each Plan and

 

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Multiemployer Plan required by law within the applicable time limits prescribed thereby, by the terms of such Plan or Multiemployer Plan, respectively, or by any contract or agreement requiring contributions to a Plan or Multiemployer Plan. No Plan which is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA has applied for or received an extension of any amortization period within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 or 304 of ERISA. None of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate have ceased operations at a facility so as to become subject to the provisions of Section 4068(a) of ERISA, withdrawn as a substantial employer so as to become subject to the provisions of Section 4063 of ERISA or ceased making contributions to any Plan subject to Section 4064(a) of ERISA to which it made contributions. None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has established, contributes to or maintains any Non-U.S. Plan.

Section 4.11. Ownership of Property; Insurance .

(a) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in or other right to occupy, all of its real and personal property material to the operation of its business, including all such properties reflected in the most recent audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower referred to in Section 4.4 or purported to have been acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after said date (except as sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business), in each case free and clear of Liens prohibited by this Agreement. All leases that individually or in the aggregate are material to the business or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole are valid and subsisting and are in full force. The Borrower has delivered to Administrative Agent a true, complete and correct copy of each Master Lease, which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, will enter into promptly following the consummation of the Spin-Off Transaction.

(b) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed or otherwise has the right to use, all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe on the rights of any other Person, except in any manner to the extent that such failure to do so or such infringement would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured (i) with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Borrower or any applicable Subsidiary operates or (ii) as determined in the Borrower’s reasonable business judgment, through the Borrower’s self-insured retention program maintained through the Insurance Subsidiaries.

(d) Set forth on Schedule 4.11 are all the locations where the Borrower or any other Loan Party (i) maintains fee-owned Real Estate or (ii) maintains leased Real Estate that is leased under any PropCo Master Lease or any other lease pursuant to which annual payments are in excess of $2,000,000 (after giving effect to the Spin-Off Transaction).

Section 4.12. Disclosure . Neither the Information Memorandum nor any of the reports (including, without limitation, all reports that the Borrower is required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission), financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation or syndication of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by any other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, taken as a whole in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such projected information was

 

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prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time, it being understood and agreed that such projected information is subject to contingencies and assumptions, many of which are not within the control of the Borrower, and no assurances can be given that any projections will be realized, and any divergences from projected results may be material.

Section 4.13. Labor Relations . There are no strikes, lockouts or other labor disputes or grievances against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened in writing against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and no unfair labor practice charges or grievances are pending against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened in writing against any of them before any Governmental Authority, in each case, that would, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All payments due from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.14. Subsidiaries . As of the Closing Date and as of each date on which such schedule is subsequently updated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Schedule 4.14 sets forth the name of, the ownership interest of the applicable Loan Party in, the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of, and the type of each Subsidiary of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties and identifies each Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Loan Party, each Subsidiary that is an Immaterial Subsidiary, each Subsidiary that is an Excluded Subsidiary and each Subsidiary that is a Spin-Off Subsidiary.

Section 4.15. Solvency . After giving effect to the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the other Related Transaction Documents and the making of the Loans under this Agreement and the consummation of the other Related Transactions, the Borrower is, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are, Solvent.

Section 4.16. [Reserved] .

Section 4.17. Collateral Documents .

(a) The Guaranty and Security Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined therein), and when UCC financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3 to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien (to the extent that such Lien may be perfected by the filing of a UCC financing statement) on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the grantors thereunder in such Collateral, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 7.2 . When the certificates evidencing all Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement are delivered to the Administrative Agent, together with appropriate stock powers or other similar instruments of transfer duly executed in blank, the Liens in such Capital Stock shall be fully perfected first priority security interests, perfected by “control” as defined in the UCC.

(b) When the filings in subsection (a) of this Section are made and when, if applicable, the Patent Security Agreements and the Trademark Security Agreements are filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Copyright Security Agreements are filed in the United States Copyright Office, the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights, if any, in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registering a security agreement, financing statement or analogous document in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, subject to inchoate Liens permitted hereunder that do not secure Indebtedness.

 

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Section 4.18. [Reserved] .

Section 4.19. Healthcare Matters .

(a) Compliance with Health Care Laws . The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is, and at all times during the four calendar years immediately preceding the Closing Date has been, in compliance with all Health Care Laws and requirements of Third Party Payor Programs applicable to it, its assets, business or operations, except where the failure to do so has not had or could not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. No circumstance exists or event has occurred which could result in a violation of any Health Care Law or any requirement of any Third Party Payor Program that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Health Care Permits . The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries holds, and at all times during the four calendar years immediately preceding the Closing Date has held, all Health Care Permits necessary for it to own, lease, sublease or operate its assets or to conduct its business or operations for the period covered by such Health Care Permit. All such Health Care Permits are, and at all times during the four calendar years immediately preceding the Closing Date have been, in full force and effect and there is and has been no material default under, violation of, or other noncompliance with the terms and conditions of any such Health Care Permit. No condition exists or event has occurred which, in itself or with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, has resulted or would result in the suspension, revocation, termination, restriction, limitation, modification or non-renewal of any Health Care Permit that could reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. No Governmental Authority has taken, or to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries intends to take, action to suspend, revoke, terminate, place on probation, restrict, limit, modify or not renew any Health Care Permit of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, Schedule 4.19 sets forth an accurate, complete and current list of all material Health Care Permits, and all Third Party Payor Authorizations for Third Party Payor Programs in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries participates.

(c) Third Party Payor Authorizations . The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries holds, and at all times during the four calendar years immediately preceding the Closing Date has held, in full force and effect, all Third Party Payor Authorizations necessary to participate in and be reimbursed by all Third Party Payor Programs in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries participates, except where the failure to do so has not had or could not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. There is no investigation, audit, claim review, or other action pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened in writing, which could result in a suspension, revocation, termination, restriction, limitation, modification or non-renewal of any Third Party Payor Authorization or result in the exclusion of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from any Third Party Payor Program that could reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Licensed Personnel . The Licensed Personnel have complied and currently are in compliance with all applicable Health Care Laws and hold, and, at all times that such Persons have been Licensed Personnel of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, have held, all professional licenses and other Health Care Permits and all Third Party Payor Authorizations required in the performance of such Licensed Personnel’s duties for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and each such Health Care Permit and Third Party Payor Authorization is in full force and effect and, to the knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, no suspension, revocation, termination, impairment, modification or non-renewal of any such Health Care Permit or Third Party Payor Authorization is pending or threatened in writing, except where the failure to do so has not had or could not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(e) Accreditation . The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has obtained and maintains accreditation in good standing and without limitation or impairment by all applicable accrediting organizations, to the extent prudent and customary in the industry in which it is engaged or required by law (including any foreign law or equivalent regulation), except where the failure to have or maintain such accreditation in good standing or imposition of limitation or impairment would not have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Proceedings; Audits . There are no pending (or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened) Proceedings against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any Licensed Personnel, relating to any actual or alleged non-compliance with any Health Care Law or requirement of any Third Party Payor Program, in each case, that could reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. There are no facts, circumstances or conditions that would reasonably be expected to form the basis for any such Proceeding against or affecting any Group Member or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any Licensed Personnel that could reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. There currently exist no restrictions, deficiencies, required plans of correction or other such remedial measures with respect to any Health Care Permit of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or the participation by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any Third Party Payor Program, in each case, that could reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the foregoing, no validation review, program integrity review, audit or other investigation related to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or its operations, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Loan Documents or related to the Collateral, (i) has been conducted by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority, or (ii) is scheduled, pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened in writing, in each case that could reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(g) Overpayments . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has knowingly retained an overpayment received from, or failed to refund any amount due to, any Third Party Payor in material violation of any Health Care Law or contract; or (ii) except as set forth on Schedule 4.19 , has received written notice of, or has knowledge of, any material overpayment or refunds due to any Third Party Payor.

(h) Material Statements . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any officer, affiliate, employee or agent of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, has made an untrue statement of a material fact or fraudulent statement to any Governmental Authority, failed to disclose a material fact that must be disclosed to any Governmental Authority, or committed an act, made a statement or failed to make a statement that, at the time such statement, disclosure or failure to disclose occurred, in each case, that could reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(i) Prohibited Transactions . Except as where any of the following could not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any officer, affiliate or managing employee of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, has (i) offered or paid or solicited or received any remuneration, in cash or in kind, or made any financial arrangements, in violation of any Health Care Law; (ii) given or agreed to give, or is aware that there has been made or that there is any agreement to make, any gift or gratuitous payment of any kind, nature or description (whether in money, property or services) in violation of any Health

 

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Care Law; (iii) made or agreed to make, or is aware that there has been made or that there is any agreement to make, any contribution, payment or gift of funds or property to, or for the private use of, any governmental official, employee or agent where either the contribution, payment or gift or the purpose of such contribution, payment or gift is or was illegal under the laws of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such payment, contribution or gift; (iv) established or maintained any unrecorded fund or asset for any purpose or made any misleading, false or artificial entries on any of its books or records for any reason; or (v) made, or agreed to make, or is aware that there has been made or that there is any agreement to make, any payment to any person with the intention or understanding that any part of such payment would be in violation of any Health Care Law or used or was given for any purpose other than that described in the documents supporting such payment. To the knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, no Person has filed or has threatened in writing to file against the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates an action under any federal or state whistleblower statute, including, without limitation, under the False Claims Act of 1863 (31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq.), to the extent such a filing, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(j) Exclusion . Except as where any of the following could not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any owner, officer, director, partner, agent, managing employee or Person with a “direct or indirect ownership interest” (as that phrase is defined in 42 C.F.R. § 420.201) in the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, nor any Licensed Personnel of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, has been (or has been threatened to be) (i) excluded from any Third Party Payor Program pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7 and related regulations, (ii) “suspended” or “debarred” from selling products to the U.S. government or its agencies pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation, relating to debarment and suspension applicable to federal government agencies generally (42 C.F.R. Subpart 9.4), or other applicable laws or regulations, (iii) debarred, disqualified, suspended or excluded from participation in any Third Party Payor Program or is listed on the General Services Administration list of excluded parties, nor is any such debarment, disqualification, suspension or exclusion threatened or pending, or (iv) made a party to any other action by any Governmental Authority that may prohibit it from selling products or providing services to any governmental or other purchaser pursuant to any federal, state or local laws or regulations.

(k) Corporate Integrity Agreement . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any owner, officer, director, partner, agent, managing employee or Person with a “direct or indirect ownership interest” (as that phrase is defined in 42 C.F.R. §1001.1001) in the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or bound by, any material order, individual integrity agreement, corporate integrity agreement, corporate compliance agreement or deferred prosecution agreement, other than the Corporate Integrity Agreement.

(l) DOJ Settlement Documents . The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have not (i) failed to make any payments under any DOJ Settlement Document when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) or (ii) failed to perform or observe any other condition or covenant under any DOJ Settlement Document in any material respect. No material provision of the DOJ Settlement Agreement is invalid or has ceased for any reason to be valid and binding on or enforceable against any party thereto and the DOJ Settlement Agreement is in full force and effect other than as such DOJ Settlement Documents may terminate or be amended in accordance with their terms.

Section 4.20. OFAC . Neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) has more than 10% of its assets in Sanctioned Countries, or (iii) derives more than 10% of its operating income from investments in, or transactions with, Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Countries. No part of the proceeds of any Loans hereunder will be used directly or indirectly to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in or make any payments to a Sanctioned Person or a

 

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Sanctioned Country or for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended and in effect from time to time.

Section 4.21. Patriot Act . Neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “enemy” or an “ally of the enemy” within the meaning of Section 2 of the Trading with the Enemy Act or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto. Neither any Loan Party nor any or its Subsidiaries is in violation of (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, (b) any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto or (c) the Patriot Act. None of the Loan Parties (i) is a blocked person described in Section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order or (ii) to the best of its knowledge, engages in any dealings or transactions, or is otherwise associated, with any such blocked person.

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower covenants and agrees that until Payment in Full of the Obligations:

Section 5.1. Financial Statements and Other Information . The Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent:

(a) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (or if the Borrower is no longer required to file periodic reports under Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, then 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year), a copy of the annual audited report for such Fiscal Year for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, containing a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows (together with all footnotes thereto) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and reported on by Deloitte & Touche, LLP or other independent public accountants of nationally recognized standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification, exception or explanation and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit (other than any “going concern” or similar qualification or exception related to the maturity or refinancing of the Obligations)) to the effect that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and the results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, and that the examination by such accountants in connection with such consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;

(b) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower (or if the Borrower is no longer required to file periodic reports under Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, then 60 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter), an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and the then elapsed portion of such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter and the corresponding portion of the Borrower’s previous Fiscal Year;

(c) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, a Compliance Certificate signed by the principal executive officer or the principal financial officer of the Borrower (i) certifying that such financial statements fairly present

 

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the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, in the case of quarterly financial statements subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, (ii) certifying as to whether there exists a Default or Event of Default on the date of such certificate and, if a Default or an Event of Default then exists, specifying the details thereof and the action which the Borrower has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto, (iii) setting forth in reasonable detail calculations demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Article VI (beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2014), (iv) specifying any change in the identity of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year or Fiscal Quarter from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries identified to the Lenders on the Closing Date or as of the most recent Fiscal Year or Fiscal Quarter, as the case may be, (v) stating whether any change in GAAP or the application thereof has occurred since the date of the mostly recently delivered audited financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and, if any change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such Compliance Certificate, (vi) setting forth a list of all Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date and setting forth in reasonable detail calculations of total assets of such Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date and the total revenue of such Immaterial Subsidiaries for the Test Period then ended and (vii) setting forth a list of all Excluded Subsidiaries as of such date and setting forth in reasonable detail calculations of Indebtedness of such Excluded Subsidiaries incurred pursuant to Section 7.1(h) that remains outstanding as of such date and the total amount of Investments made in Excluded Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7.4(h) as of such date;

(d) as soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of the calendar year, a budget for the succeeding Fiscal Year, containing an income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flow;

(e) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be; and

(f) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the results of operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (provided that no such information shall be required to be provided if providing such information would violate confidentiality agreements or result in a loss of attorney-client privilege or a claim of attorney work product with respect to such information so long as the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that such information is being withheld and the reason therefor).

So long as the Borrower is required to file periodic reports under Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligation to deliver the financial statements referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (e) upon the filing of such reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Section 5.2. Notices of Material Events . The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to each Lender) prompt written notice of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of, or any material development in, any action, suit, proceeding, audit, claim, demand, order or dispute with, by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries

 

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that (i) seeks injunctive or similar relief, (ii) alleges potential or actual violations of any Health Care Law by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Licensed Personnel and (iii) would, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) the occurrence of any event or any other development by which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) fails to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) becomes subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) receives notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability, or (iv) becomes aware of any basis for any Environmental Liability, in each case which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) promptly and in any event within 15 days after (i) the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know that any ERISA Event has occurred, a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Borrower describing such ERISA Event and the action, if any, proposed to be taken with respect to such ERISA Event and a copy of any notice filed with the PBGC or the IRS pertaining to such ERISA Event and any notices received by the Borrower, such Subsidiary or such ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or any other governmental agency with respect thereto, and (ii) becoming aware (1) that there has been a material increase in Unfunded Pension Liabilities (not taking into account Plans with negative Unfunded Pension Liabilities) since the date the representations hereunder are given or deemed given, or from any prior notice, as applicable, (2) of the existence of any material Withdrawal Liability, (3) of the adoption of, or the commencement of contributions to, any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate, or (4) of the adoption of any amendment to a Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code which results in a material increase in contribution obligations of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate, a detailed written description thereof from the chief financial officer of the Borrower;

(e) the occurrence of any event of default, or the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any written notice of an alleged event of default, with respect to any Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(f) any material amendment or modification to any Material Agreement (together with a copy thereof), and prompt notice of any termination, expiration or loss of any Material Agreement that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a reduction in Consolidated EBITDA of 10% or more on a consolidated basis from the prior Fiscal Year; and

(g) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender the following:

(x) promptly and in any event at least fifteen (15) days prior thereto (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may agree to), notice of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s legal name (but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any trade names), (ii) in any Loan Party’s chief executive office, (iii) in any Loan Party’s organizational existence or (iv) in any Loan Party’s federal taxpayer identification number or organizational number or jurisdiction of organization; and

 

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(y) promptly and in any event no later than three (3) Business Days after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has actual knowledge of:

(i) the voluntary disclosure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, or any Third Party Payor Program (including to any intermediary, carrier or contractor of such Program), of an actual overpayment matter involving the submission of claims to a Third Party Payor in an amount greater than $1,000,000;

(ii) that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or an owner, officer, manager, employee or Person with a “direct or indirect ownership interest” (as that phrase is defined in 42 C.F.R. §420.201) in the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (i) has had a civil monetary penalty assessed against him or her pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7a or is the subject of a proceeding seeking to assess such penalty; (ii) has been excluded from participation in a Federal Health Care Program (as that term is defined in 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7b) or is the subject of a proceeding seeking to assess such penalty; (iii) has been convicted (as that term is defined in 42 C.F.R. §1001.2) of any of those offenses described in 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7b or 18 U.S.C. §§669, 1035, 1347, 1518 or is the subject of a proceeding seeking to assess such penalty; or (iv) has been involved or named in a U.S. Attorney complaint made or any other action taken pursuant to the False Claims Act under 31 U.S.C. §§3729-3731 or in any qui tam action brought pursuant to 31 U.S.C. §3729 et seq.;

(iii) any claim to recover any alleged overpayments (other than any such claim made against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that relates to a period during which the Borrower or such Subsidiary did not operate the respective facility) with respect to any receivables in excess of $500,000;

(iv) notice of any final and documented material reduction in the level of reimbursement expected to be received with respect to receivables;

(v) any allegations of licensure violations or fraudulent acts or omissions involving the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any Licensed Personnel that would, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

(vi) the pending or threatened imposition of any material fine or penalty by any Governmental Authority under any Health Care Law against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any Licensed Personnel;

(vii) any changes in any Health Care Law (including the adoption of a new Health Care Law) known to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

(viii) any pending or threatened (in writing) revocation, suspension, termination, probation, restriction, limitation, denial, or non-renewal with respect to any Health Care Permit or Third Party Payor Authorization;

(ix) any non-routine and material inspection of any facility of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by any Governmental Authority;

(x) notice of the occurrence of any material reportable event or similar term as defined in the Corporate Integrity Agreement, any other corporate integrity agreement, corporate compliance agreement or deferred prosecution agreement pursuant to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has to make a submission to any Governmental Authority or other Person under the terms of such agreement, if any;

(xi) notice of (A) any amendment, modification or waiver to any DOJ Settlement Document, with a copy of such amendment, modification or waiver thereof, and (B) the occurrence of any material breach or default under any DOJ Settlement Document, or the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates of any written notice of any failure by the Borrower or its Affiliates to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any DOJ Settlement Document;

 

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(xii) concurrently with the due date therefor under any DOJ Settlement Document, copies of all material documents and other information required to be provided to any Person pursuant to any DOJ Settlement Document; and

(xiii) without duplication, any failure of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to comply with the covenants and conditions of Section 5.15 .

Each notice or other document delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice or other document and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

Section 5.3. Existence; Conduct of Business . The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to (i) maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and (ii) preserve, renew and maintain its respective rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business (except, in the case of this clause (ii), as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect); provided that nothing in this Section shall prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 7.3 .

Section 5.4. Compliance with Laws . The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and requirements of any Governmental Authority applicable to its business and properties, including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws, ERISA and OSHA, except where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply in all material respects with the laws, rules, regulations and requirements referenced in Sections 4.20 and 4.21 .

Section 5.5. Payment of Obligations . The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge at or before maturity all of its obligations and liabilities (including, without limitation, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, levies and all other claims that could result in a statutory Lien) before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP or (c) the failure to make any such payment could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.6. Books and Records . The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities to the extent necessary to prepare the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower in conformity with GAAP.

Section 5.7. Visitation and Inspection . The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representative of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to visit and inspect its properties, to examine its books and records and to make copies and take extracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with any of its officers and with its independent certified public accountants, all at such reasonable times as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request after reasonable prior notice to the Borrower; provided that (a) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not make more than two such visits and inspections in any Fiscal Year; (b) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no prior notice shall be required and the limitation on the number of visits and inspections

 

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shall no longer apply; (c) any such inspection and examination, copies and discussions shall not be permitted to the extent it would violate confidentiality agreements or result in a loss of attorney-client privilege or claim of attorney work product so long as the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent of such limitation and the reason therefor; and (d) any such inspection and examination, copies and discussions shall be subject to the terms of any applicable Master Lease and the accompanying Collateral Access Agreement.

Section 5.8. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance . The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear, force majeure, casualty and condemnation events excepted, (b) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, or with Affiliates of the Borrower (as permitted in Section 4.11(c)(ii) ), (i) insurance with respect to its properties and business, and the properties and business of its Subsidiaries, against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (ii) all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Collateral Documents, and will, upon request of the Administrative Agent, furnish to each Lender a certificate of a Responsible Officer setting forth the nature and extent of all insurance maintained by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with this Section, and (c) at all times shall name the Administrative Agent as additional insured on all liability policies of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties and as loss payee (pursuant to a loss payee endorsement approved by the Administrative Agent) on all casualty and property insurance policies of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties; provided that, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Administrative Agent shall not make more than two requests for a certificate pursuant to clause (b)(ii) of this Section in any Fiscal Year; provided , further , that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the limitation on the number of requests for such a certificate shall no longer apply.

Section 5.9. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . The Borrower will use the proceeds of any initial Revolving Borrowing to refinance in full all Indebtedness owed to the Existing Lenders (the “ Closing Date Refinancing ”), to consummate the Spin-Off Transaction and the other Related Transactions and to pay transaction costs and expenses arising in connection herewith, and, after the Closing Date, will use the proceeds of the Revolving Loans for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, distributions and Permitted Acquisitions not prohibited by this Agreement, for other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and for any other purpose not prohibited by this Agreement. The Borrower will use the proceeds of any Term Loans for the purposes set forth in any Incremental Commitment Joinder or Refinancing Amendment. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that would violate any rule or regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, including Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X. All Letters of Credit will be used for general corporate purposes.

Section 5.10. [Reserved] .

Section 5.11. Cash Management .

(a) The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, and thereafter maintain in effect, Control Account Agreements with respect to all deposit accounts and securities accounts (other than any (i) such accounts that are used solely to fund payroll and payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments in the ordinary course of business on a current basis, (ii) escrow accounts (to the extent maintained exclusively by any Loan Party for the purpose of establishing or maintaining escrow amounts for third parties), (iii) trust accounts (to the extent maintained exclusively by any Loan Party for the purpose of establishing or maintaining trust amounts for third parties), (iv) such accounts not located in the United States or any of its states or

 

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territories, (v) zero-balance accounts for the purpose of managing local disbursements, payroll, withholding and other fiduciary accounts, (vi) such accounts (other than such accounts referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (v)) that have an average daily account balance of less than $100,000 individually and less than $1,000,000 in the aggregate for all such accounts, (vii) any deposit or securities account established by a Subsidiary of the Borrower, and into which amounts are deposited, in the ordinary course of business the balance of which is swept at the end of each Business Day into a Controlled Account and (viii) Governmental Deposit Accounts) (each, a “ Controlled Account ”); each Controlled Account shall be a cash collateral account, with all cash, checks and other similar items of payment in such account securing payment of the Obligations, and in which the Borrower and each other Loan Party shall have granted a first priority Lien to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, pursuant to such Control Account Agreements.

(b) The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, and thereafter maintain in effect, “sweep” agreement (each, a “ Sweep Agreement ”) with respect to each Governmental Deposit Account pursuant to which the applicable depository bank will agree to sweep amounts deposited therein on a daily basis to a Controlled Account as and when funds clear and become available in accordance with such depository bank’s customary procedures, each with such financial institution and each in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; no Loan Party will change any sweep instruction set forth in such Sweep Agreement without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent agrees and confirms that the Loan Parties will have sole dominion and “control” (within the meaning of Section 9-104 of the UCC and the common law) over each Governmental Deposit Account and all funds therein and the Administrative Agent disclaims any right of any nature whatsoever to control or otherwise direct or make any claim against the funds held in any Governmental Deposit Account from time to time.

(c) The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, deposit promptly, and in any event no later than 10 Business Days after the date of receipt thereof, all cash, checks, drafts or other similar items of payment relating to or constituting payments made in respect of any and all accounts and other Collateral into Controlled Accounts or Governmental Deposit Accounts, in each case except for cash and Permitted Investments the aggregate value of which does not exceed $250,000 at any time.

(d) At any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, at the request of the Required Lenders, the Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, cause all payments constituting proceeds of accounts or other Collateral to be directed into lockbox accounts under agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Section 5.12. Additional Subsidiaries and Collateral .

(a) Within 75 days after the end of the second Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower, commencing with the 2015 Fiscal Year, the Borrower will (i) cause each Domestic Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary (excluding any Excluded Subsidiary, any Specified Subsidiary and any Subsidiary that is already a Guarantor) (a “ Joining Guarantor ”) (A) to become a new Guarantor and to grant Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent in all of its personal property subject to the Guaranty and Security Agreement by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a supplement to the Guaranty and Security Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executing and delivering a Copyright Security Agreement, Patent Security Agreement and Trademark Security Agreement, as and to the extent applicable, and authorizing and delivering, at the request of the Administrative Agent, such UCC financing statements or similar instruments required by the Administrative Agent to perfect the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent and granted under any of the Loan Documents, (B) to deliver all such other documentation (including, without limitation, certified organizational documents, resolutions, lien searches and legal

 

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opinions, provided , that legal opinions shall only be required for a Joining Guarantor having a fair market value in excess of $7,500,000) and to take all such other actions as such Joining Guarantor would have been required to deliver and take pursuant to Section 3.1 if such Joining Guarantor had been a Loan Party on the Closing Date, (C) to comply with Section 5.11 , and (D) to deliver Real Estate Documents with respect to owned Material Real Estate and Collateral Access Agreements with respect to leased Real Estate (to the extent the landlord of any such leased Real Estate is a PropCo Landlord or a landlord under a Material Master Lease), in each case, of the type required under Section 5.13 , (ii) pledge, or cause the applicable Loan Party to pledge, all of the Capital Stock of such Joining Guarantor to the Administrative Agent as security for the Obligations by executing and delivering a supplement to the Guaranty and Security Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (iii) deliver the original certificates (if any and to the extent not prohibited under applicable law) evidencing such pledged Capital Stock to the Administrative Agent, together with appropriate powers executed in blank.

(b) Within 75 days after the end of the second Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower, commencing with the 2015 Fiscal Year (or, if the Administrative Agent determines in its sole discretion that the Borrower is working in good faith, such longer period as the Administrative Agent shall permit not to exceed 60 additional days), the Borrower shall cause the applicable Loan Parties to pledge all of the Capital Stock of each Foreign Subsidiary and each Pass-Through Foreign Holdco that is a Material Subsidiary (excluding any Excluded Subsidiaries) to the extent such Capital Stock is owned directly by a Loan Party to the Administrative Agent as security for the Obligations pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement; provided that, in the case of any such Foreign Subsidiary that is a CFC and any such Pass-Through Foreign Holdco, such pledge shall be limited to 65% of the issued and outstanding voting Capital Stock and 100% of the issued and outstanding non-voting Capital Stock of such Foreign Subsidiary or such Pass-Through Foreign Holdco, as applicable, (ii) deliver the original certificates (if any and to the extent not prohibited under applicable law) evidencing such pledged Capital Stock to the Administrative Agent, together with appropriate powers executed in blank and (iii) deliver all such other documentation (including, without limitation, certified organizational documents, resolutions, lien searches and legal opinions) and to take all such other actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

(c) To the extent that either (x) the aggregate assets or (y) the aggregate revenue, in each case, of Immaterial Subsidiaries, is greater than the Immaterial Subsidiary Threshold Amount, in each case for the four consecutive Fiscal Quarter period ending on the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending on or about June 30, 2015, then within 75 days after the end of such Fiscal Quarter (or with respect to the fourth Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year, then within 120 days after the end of such Fiscal Quarter), the Borrower shall cause one or more other Domestic Subsidiaries to become additional Guarantors to the extent necessary to cause the aggregate assets and the aggregate revenue of Immaterial Subsidiaries to be no greater than the Immaterial Subsidiary Threshold Amount, by executing and delivering the documents and taking the actions described in subsection (a) above as if such Domestic Subsidiaries were Joining Guarantors.

(d) Within 75 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter (or with respect to the fourth Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year, then within 120 days after the end of such Fiscal Quarter), commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending on or about June 30, 2015, the Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate executed by a Responsible Officer, certifying (A) an updated Schedule 4.14 (after giving effect to compliance with clauses (a) and (c) above) attached to such officer’s certificate, (B) the aggregate assets (on a non-consolidated basis) of Domestic Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (excluding Excluded Subsidiaries) as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter (after giving effect to compliance with clauses (a) and (c) above), (C) the aggregate revenue (on a non-consolidated basis) of Domestic Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (excluding Excluded Subsidiaries) for the four

 

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consecutive Fiscal Quarter period ending on the last day of such Fiscal Quarter, and (D) that the requirements of this Section 5.12 have been satisfied for such Fiscal Quarter (other than with respect to subsection (b) to the extent the Administrative Agent has extended the deadline for compliance as contemplated thereby).

(e) The Borrower agrees that, following the delivery of any Collateral Documents required to be executed and delivered by this Section, the Administrative Agent shall have a valid and enforceable, first priority perfected Lien on the property required to be pledged pursuant to subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section (to the extent that such Lien can be perfected by execution, delivery and/or recording of the Collateral Documents or UCC financing statements, or possession of such Collateral), free and clear of all Liens other than Liens expressly permitted by Section 7.2 . All actions to be taken pursuant to this Section shall be at the expense of the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, and shall be taken to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

Section 5.13. Additional Negative Pledges; Leased Locations; Mortgages .

(a) If any Loan Party acquires a fee ownership interest in any Material Real Estate (or if any owned Real Estate becomes Material Real Estate) after the Closing Date, then, unless such Material Real Estate is being encumbered with a Lien permitted under Section 7.2(f) on a contemporaneous basis, such Loan Party shall provide to the Administrative Agent, no later than sixty (60) days following the acquisition thereof (or the date such Real Estate becomes Material Real Estate) a negative pledge in recordable form and otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(b) If the Mortgage Trigger Event occurs, the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent (i) within thirty (30) days after the Mortgage Trigger Event occurring (or such later date to which the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), (i) a Mortgage on such Material Real Estate, duly executed by such Loan Party, together with such evidence of corporate authority, legal opinions ( provided , that legal opinions shall only be required for Material Real Estate having a fair market value in excess of $7,500,000), fixture filings and environmental indemnity agreements as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection therewith and (ii) within ninety (90) days after the Mortgage Trigger Event occurring (or such later date to which the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) (A) title insurance policies, surveys, flood zone certification, zoning letters, building permits and certificates of occupancy, in each case relating to such Material Real Estate and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (B) if required to be obtained under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and requested by the Administrative Agent, (x) a policy of flood insurance that (1) covers any Mortgaged Property, (2) is written in an amount not less than the outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Mortgage reasonably allocable to such Material Real Estate or the maximum limit of coverage made available with respect to the particular type of property under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, whichever is less, and (3) has a term ending not later than the maturity of the Indebtedness secured by such Mortgage, (y) confirmation that the Loan Parties have received the notice required pursuant to Section 208(e)(3) of Regulation H of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve with respect to such Material Real Estate, and (z) such other Real Estate Documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(c) To the extent that the Borrower demonstrates to the Administrative Agent, by delivery of a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower that a Mortgage Release Event has occurred, then the Administrative Agent shall promptly release any Mortgages (at the expense of the Borrower and without recourse or warranty to the Secured Parties) on Mortgaged Properties.

 

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(d) To the extent otherwise permitted hereunder, if any Loan Party proposes to lease any Real Estate from a PropCo Landlord under a Master Lease or any landlord that is party to a Material Master Lease, it shall first provide to the Administrative Agent a copy of such lease (if the Administrative Agent has not previously received a copy of such lease) and a Collateral Access Agreement from the landlord of such leased property; provided that with regard to landlords other than PropCo Landlords, no such Collateral Access Agreement shall be required if the Borrower is unable to obtain such Collateral Access Agreement following use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so.

Section 5.14. Further Assurances . The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements and other documents), which may be required under any applicable law, or which the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, to effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or to grant, preserve, protect or perfect the Liens created by the Collateral Documents or the validity or priority of any such Lien, all at the expense of the Loan Parties. The Borrower also agrees to provide to the Administrative Agent, from time to time upon reasonable request, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to the perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents.

Section 5.15. Health Care Matters .

(a) Without limiting or qualifying Section 5.4 , or any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries will be in material compliance with all applicable Health Care Laws relating to the operation of such Person’s business.

(b) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall:

(i) obtain, maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to obtain, maintain and preserve, and take all necessary action to timely renew, all material Health Care Permits (including, as applicable, Health Care Permits necessary for it to be eligible to receive payment and compensation from and to participate in Medicare, Medicaid or any other Third Party Payor programs) which are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business;

(ii) be and remain in material compliance with all requirements for participation in, and for licensure required to provide the goods or services that are reimbursable under, Medicare, Medicaid and other Third Party Payor Programs;

(iii) cause all Licensed Personnel to be in material compliance with all applicable Health Care Laws in the performance of their duties to or for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and to maintain in full force and effect all professional licenses and other Health Care Permits required to perform such duties; and

(iv) keep and maintain all records required to be maintained by any Governmental Authority or otherwise under any Health Care Law.

(c) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall maintain a corporate and health care regulatory compliance program (“ CCP ”) which addresses the requirements of Health Care Laws, including, without limitation, HIPAA and includes at least the following components and allows the Administrative Agent (and/or its consultants) from time to time to review such CCP: (i) standards of conduct and procedures that describe compliance policies regarding laws with an emphasis on prevention of fraud and abuse; (ii) a specific officer within high-level personnel identified as having overall responsibility for compliance with such standards and procedures; (iii) training and education programs

 

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which effectively communicate the compliance standards and procedures to employees and agents, including, without limitation, fraud and abuse laws and illegal billing practices; (iv) auditing and monitoring systems and reasonable steps for achieving compliance with such standards and procedures, including, without limitation, publicizing a report system to allow employees and other agents to anonymously report criminal or suspect conduct and potential compliance problems; (v) disciplinary guidelines and consistent enforcement of compliance policies, including, without limitation, discipline of individuals responsible for the failure to detect violations of the CCP; and (vi) mechanisms to immediately respond to detected violations of the CCP. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall modify such CCPs from time to time, as may be necessary to ensure continuing compliance with all applicable Health Care Laws. Upon request, the Administrative Agent (and/or its consultants) shall be permitted to review such CCPs.

(d) The Borrower and its Affiliates shall comply in all material respects with the DOJ Settlement Documents at all times from and after the Closing Date.

Section 5.16. Post-Closing Matters . The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, satisfy the requirements set forth on Schedule 5.16 on or before the date specified for such requirement or such later date as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

Section 5.17. Limitations on Designation of Immaterial Subsidiaries .

(a) If for any reason the total assets or revenues of the Immaterial Subsidiaries exceeds the Immaterial Subsidiary Threshold Amount, then, promptly after the occurrence of such event that causes the Immaterial Subsidiary Threshold Amount to be exceeded, the Borrower shall designate (an “ Inclusion Designation ”) one or more Immaterial Subsidiaries as no longer constituting Immaterial Subsidiaries for all purposes of this Agreement (an “ Included Immaterial Subsidiary ”) as may be necessary to ensure that the Immaterial Subsidiary Threshold is satisfied (including by executing and delivering the documents and taking the actions described in Section 5.12(a) as if such Subsidiaries were Joining Guarantors). The Borrower may redesignate (an “ Immaterial Subsidiary Redesignation ”) an Included Immaterial Subsidiary as constituting an Immaterial Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement so long as such redesignated Included Immaterial Subsidiary is in compliance with the requirements of the definition of Immaterial Subsidiary and such Immaterial Subsidiary Redesignation does not cause or otherwise result in the total assets or revenues of the Immaterial Subsidiaries (after giving effect to the Immaterial Subsidiary Redesignation of the Included Immaterial Subsidiary as an Immaterial Subsidiary) to exceed the Immaterial Subsidiary Threshold Amount.

(b) Any such Inclusion Designation or Immaterial Subsidiary Redesignation must be evidenced by a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions of Section 5.17(a) . If the Borrower redesignates an Included Immaterial Subsidiary as an Immaterial Subsidiary in accordance with this Section 5.17 , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, the Obligations of such Included Immaterial Subsidiary (as a Guarantor) under the Loan Documents shall terminate and be of no further force and all Liens granted by such Included Immaterial Subsidiary (as a Guarantor) under the applicable Collateral Documents shall terminate and be released and be of no further force and effect, in each case, without any action required by the Administrative Agent.

(c) At the Borrower’s request, the Administrative Agent will execute and deliver any instrument evidencing such termination and the Administrative Agent shall take all actions appropriate in order to effect the termination and release of such Lien and without recourse or warranty by the Administrative Agent (including the execution and delivery of appropriate UCC termination statements and such other instruments and releases as may be necessary and appropriate to effect such release). Any such foregoing actions taken by the Administrative Agent shall be at the sole cost and expense of the Borrower.

 

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Section 5.18. Limitations on Designation of Excluded Subsidiaries .

(a) The Borrower may, on or after the Closing Date, designate any Subsidiary of the Borrower as an “Excluded Subsidiary” under this Agreement (an “ Excluded Subsidiary Designation ”) only if:

(i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or immediately after giving effect to such Excluded Subsidiary Designation;

(ii) the Borrower would be permitted under this Agreement to make an Investment at the time of such Excluded Subsidiary Designation (assuming the effectiveness of such Excluded Subsidiary Designation) in an amount (the “ Excluded Subsidiary Designation Amount ”) equal to the sum of the book value (or, in the case of cash, the amount of cash invested) (without duplication) of Investments held by the Borrower or other Loan Parties in such Subsidiary determined net of any payments received with respect to such Investment from the date that such Investment was made through the date of such Excluded Subsidiary Designation (to be determined without duplication of other Investments permitted under Section 7.4 );

(iii) after giving effect to such Excluded Subsidiary Designation and any Acquisition permitted by this Agreement consummated since the most recently ended Test Period, the Borrower shall be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the covenants set forth in Article VI as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period as if such Excluded Subsidiary Designation had occurred, and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith was incurred, on the first day of such Test Period;

(iv) substantially concurrent with such Excluded Subsidiary Designation, either (x) such Subsidiary incurs Indebtedness that is permitted pursuant to Section 7.1(h) that is secured by Liens that are permitted pursuant to Section 7.2(f) , (y) such Subsidiary enters into a lease with respect to Real Estate to be operated or otherwise used by such Subsidiary, which lease requires such Subsidiary to grant a first priority Lien in favor of such landlord on such Subsidiary’s accounts receivable and/or the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary or otherwise prohibits such Subsidiary from granting a first priority Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent on such Subsidiary’s accounts receivable and/or the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary (or results in a lease default if such Lien is granted), provided , that the Borrower shall not be required to designate such Subsidiary as an Excluded Subsidiary to the extent such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Loan Party and the Liens and security interests in favor of the landlord on the assets of such Subsidiary Loan Party are permitted pursuant to, and subject to an intercreditor agreement contemplated by, Section 7.2(i) or (z) with respect to a lease that was previously entered into by such Subsidiary with respect to Real Estate to be operated or otherwise used by such Subsidiary and in connection with such lease the landlord under such lease was granted a Lien on and security interest in the assets of such Subsidiary that were permitted immediately prior to such Excluded Subsidiary Designation pursuant to, and subject to an intercreditor agreement contemplated by, Section 7.2(i) , the date occurs that is 75 days prior to the date provided in the applicable intercreditor agreement whereupon any of the Liens on and security interests in favor of such landlord on the assets of such Subsidiary will cease to have the relative lien priority necessary for such Liens and security interests to be permitted pursuant to Section 7.2(i) ; and

(v) such Subsidiary is not a tenant under any PropCo Master Lease.

 

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(b) Upon any such Excluded Subsidiary Designation after the Closing Date, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have made an Investment in such Excluded Subsidiary in an amount equal to the Excluded Subsidiary Designation Amount.

(c) Borrower may revoke any Excluded Subsidiary Designation of a Subsidiary as an Excluded Subsidiary (an “ Excluded Subsidiary Revocation ”), whereupon such Subsidiary shall cease to be an Excluded Subsidiary, if:

(i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time and immediately after giving effect to such Excluded Subsidiary Revocation;

(ii) all Liens and Indebtedness of such Excluded Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries outstanding immediately following such Excluded Subsidiary Revocation would, if incurred at the time of such Excluded Subsidiary Revocation, have been permitted to be incurred for all purposes of this Agreement; and

(iii) such Subsidiary (and any other applicable Loan Party) executes and delivers the documents and takes the actions described in Section 5.12(a) as if such Subsidiary was a Joining Guarantor.

(d) All Excluded Subsidiary Designations and Excluded Subsidiary Revocations occurring after the Closing Date must be evidenced by a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.18(a) (in the case of any such Excluded Subsidiary Designations) and of Section 5.18(c) (in the case of any such Excluded Subsidiary Revocations).

(e) If the Borrower designates a Guarantor as an Excluded Subsidiary in accordance with this Section 5.18 , the Obligations of such Guarantor under the Loan Documents shall terminate and be of no further force and effect and all Liens granted by such Guarantor under the applicable Collateral Documents shall terminate and be released and be of no further force and effect, and all Liens on the Capital Stock and debt obligations of such Guarantor shall be terminated and released and of no further force and effect, in each case, without any action required by the Administrative Agent. At the Borrower’s request, the Administrative Agent will execute and deliver any instrument evidencing such termination and the Administrative Agent shall take all actions appropriate in order to effect such termination and release of such Liens and without recourse or warranty by the Administrative Agent (including the execution and delivery of appropriate UCC termination statements and such other instruments and releases as may be necessary and appropriate to effect such release). Any such foregoing actions taken by the Administrative Agent shall be at the sole cost and expense of the Borrower.

Section 5.19. Spin-Off Transaction .

(a) Within three (3) Business Days following the Closing Date, the Borrower shall have effected the Spin-Off Transaction.

(b) Within three (3) Business Days following the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of each PropCo Master Lease duly executed by the parties thereto and an officer’s certificate of the Borrower certifying that (i) the Spin-Off Transaction has been effected and (ii) each PropCo Master Lease is in full force and effect as of such date of delivery.

 

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ARTICLE VI

FINANCIAL COVENANTS

The Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any Lender has a Commitment hereunder or any Obligation remains unpaid or outstanding:

Section 6.1. Leverage Ratio . The Borrower will maintain, as of the last day of each Test Period, commencing with the Test Period ending on September 30, 2014, a Leverage Ratio of not greater than 2.75:1.00 (the “ Maximum Leverage Threshold ”); provided that if the aggregate consideration paid in connection with all Permitted Acquisitions or other Acquisitions permitted hereunder consummated during any six (6) consecutive month period exceeds $50,000,000, then, at the election of the Borrower by written notice to the Administrative Agent (with a description in reasonable detail of the Permitted Acquisitions or other Acquisitions permitted hereunder consummated during such period and the consideration paid), the Maximum Leverage Threshold shall be increased to 3.00:1.00 for the current Fiscal Quarter and the immediately following three Fiscal Quarters; provided , further , that the Maximum Leverage Threshold shall not be increased pursuant to the preceding proviso (i) more than four times (or with respect to more than twelve Fiscal Quarters) during the term of this Agreement and (ii) unless in the most recently ended four consecutive Fiscal Quarter period there shall be at least one Fiscal Quarter in respect of which the Maximum Leverage Threshold has not been increased.

Section 6.2. Interest/Rent Coverage Ratio . The Borrower will maintain, as of the last day of each Test Period, commencing with the Test Period ending on September 30, 2014, an Interest/Rent Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.50:1.00.

ARTICLE VII

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower covenants and agrees that until Payment in Full of the Obligations:

Section 7.1. Indebtedness and Preferred Equity . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness created pursuant to the Loan Documents;

(b) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 7.1 and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (immediately prior to giving effect to such extension, renewal or replacement) or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof;

(c) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations (it being understood that the completion of the construction or development of additional beds at existing facilities or new facilities shall constitute the acquisition of property), and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets ( provided that such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvements), and extensions, renewals, refinancings or replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (immediately prior to giving effect to such extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement, other than in an amount not to exceed unpaid interest and fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith) or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof; provided that the aggregate principal amount of

 

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such Indebtedness does not exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided , further , that the aggregate principal amount of Capital Lease Obligations that are permitted under subsection (j) of this Section shall not be included in calculating the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness for purposes of the limitation set forth in this subsection;

(d) Indebtedness of the Borrower owing to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary owing to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness that is owed by a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party shall be subject to Section 7.4 ;

(e) Guarantees by the Borrower of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that Guarantees by any Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party shall be subject to Section 7.4 ; provided , further , that the Borrower may Guarantee on an unsecured basis all Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.1(h) ;

(f) Indebtedness of any Person which becomes a Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) after the date of this Agreement and Indebtedness secured by assets acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) after the date of this Agreement; provided that in each case (i) such Indebtedness exists at the time that such Person becomes a Subsidiary or such asset is acquired and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such asset being acquired, and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness permitted hereunder shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(g) Hedging Obligations permitted by Section 7.10 ;

(h) Indebtedness of an Excluded Subsidiary secured by Liens permitted by Section 7.2(f) in an aggregate principal amount, when taken together with the aggregate amount of Investments in any Excluded Subsidiaries made pursuant to Section 7.4(h) that remain outstanding at such time (other than any portion of such Investment made in reliance on the Acquisition Consideration Available Amount), for all such Indebtedness not to exceed at any time outstanding the greater of (x) $150,000,000 and (y) an amount equal to (I) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period multiplied by (II) two; provided that, at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence or assumption of any such Indebtedness, (A) no Default or Event of Default shall exist and (B) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in pro forma compliance with Sections 6.1 and 6.2 as of the most recently ended Test Period, calculated as if all such Indebtedness had been incurred as of the first day of the relevant period for testing compliance;

(i) other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries; provided that, at the time of and immediately after giving effect to any such Indebtedness, (A) no Default or Event of Default shall exist and (B) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in pro forma compliance with Sections 6.1 and 6.2 as of the most recently ended Test Period, calculated as if all such Indebtedness had been incurred as of the first day of the relevant period for testing compliance;

(j) Capital Lease Obligations incurred in connection with any Permitted Acquisition structured as a capital lease;

(k) unsecured Indebtedness of a Subsidiary Loan Party owing to its landlord or Affiliates of such landlord under a lease of Real Estate for loans advanced by such landlord or its Affiliates for the purpose of funding capital expenditures with respect to healthcare facilities located on such Real Estate, provided that, at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Indebtedness, (A) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, (B) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in pro forma compliance with Sections 6.1 and 6.2 as of the most recently ended Test Period, calculated as if all such Indebtedness had been incurred as of the first day of the relevant period for testing compliance, and (C) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 7.1(k) shall not exceed $10,000,000;

 

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(l) Indebtedness in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, performance bonds, surety appeal or similar bonds, completion guarantees and letters of credit arising in the ordinary course of its business;

(m) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided , however , that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five (5) Business Days of its incurrence;

(n) Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business; and

(o) Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business.

The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, issue any preferred stock or other preferred equity interest that (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (ii) is or may become redeemable or repurchaseable by the Borrower or such Subsidiary at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or (iii) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof for Indebtedness or preferred stock or any other preferred equity interest described in this paragraph, on or prior to, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii), the date that is 180 days after the later of the Revolving Commitment Termination Date and the then latest Maturity Date.

Section 7.2. Liens . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its assets or property now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

(a) Liens securing the Obligations; provided that no Liens may secure Hedging Obligations or Bank Product Obligations without securing all other Obligations on a basis at least pari passu with such Hedging Obligations or Bank Product Obligations and subject to the priority of payments set forth in Section 2.21 and Section 8.2 ;

(b) Permitted Encumbrances;

(c) Liens on any property or asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 7.2 ; provided that such Liens shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(d) purchase money Liens upon or in any fixed or capital assets to secure the purchase price or the cost of construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets or to secure Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets (including Liens securing any Capital Lease Obligations); provided that (i) any such Lien secures Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1(c ), (ii) any such Lien attaches to such asset concurrently or within 90 days after the acquisition or the completion of the construction or improvements thereof (or, in the case of an extension, refinancing, replacement or renewal, at the time of such extension, refinancing, replacement or renewal), (iii) any such Lien does not extend to any other asset other than accessions and reasonable extensions thereof, and (iv) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost (including interest costs) of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets;

 

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(e) any Lien (x) existing on any asset of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower, (y) existing on any asset of any Person at the time such Person is merged with or into the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (z) existing on any asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that (i) any such Lien was not created in the contemplation of any of the foregoing and (ii) any such Lien secures only those obligations which it secures on the date that such Person becomes a Subsidiary or the date of such merger or the date of such acquisition;

(f) Liens on the assets of, and Capital Stock in, any Excluded Subsidiary; provided that (i) to the extent any such Lien secures Indebtedness, any such Lien secures only Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1(h) , (ii) no such Lien is prohibited by any other Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to any such Lien (which for Liens on the assets of, and Capital Stock in, any Excluded Subsidiary that is designated pursuant to Section 5.18(a)(iv)(z) shall be the date of such designation), (A) no Default or Event of Default shall exist and (B) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in pro forma compliance with Sections 6.1 and 6.2 as of the most recently ended Test Period, calculated as if all Indebtedness secured by such Lien had been incurred as of the first day of the relevant period for testing compliance and all Acquisitions permitted hereunder since the end of such Test Period had been consummated as of the first day of the relevant period for testing compliance;

(g) [Reserved];

(h) extensions, renewals, or replacements of any Lien referred to in subsections (b)  through (g)  of this Section; provided that the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased (other than in an amount not to exceed unpaid interest and fees, and expenses incurred in connection therewith) and that any such extension, renewal or replacement is limited to the assets originally encumbered thereby; and

(i) to the extent required by the landlord under a lease of Real Estate entered into by a Subsidiary Loan Party with a landlord that is not (x) an Affiliate of the Borrower or (y) a PropCo Landlord, Liens on the assets of a Subsidiary Loan Party or such Subsidiary Loan Party’s Subsidiaries (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, on the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Loan Party or such Subsidiary Loan Party’s Subsidiaries) to secure the obligations of such Subsidiary Loan Party under such lease; provided that such Subsidiary Loan Party and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to become Excluded Subsidiaries on account of such lease and shall instead be Subsidiary Loan Parties to the extent any such lien granted to or in favor of such landlord is subject to a customary intercreditor agreement between the Administrative Agent and the landlord under such lease that provides that any such Liens of such landlord on accounts receivable (and proceeds thereof, books and records related thereto and accounts into which the same are deposited) of such Subsidiary Loan Party or such Subsidiary Loan Party’s Subsidiary (collectively, “ Accounts Collateral ”) shall be junior to the Lien of the Administrative Agent on such Accounts Collateral; provided further that, to the extent any such intercreditor agreement provides that the Liens of such landlord on Accounts Collateral that are initially junior to the Lien of the Administrative Agent on such Accounts Collateral are to become senior to the Lien of the Administrative Agent on such Accounts Collateral, such Liens of such landlord on Accounts Collateral shall cease to be permitted pursuant to this clause (i) on the date that is 75 days prior to the date provided in such intercreditor agreement whereupon the Liens of such landlord on Accounts Collateral will cease to be junior to the Liens of the Administrative Agent on such Accounts Collateral.

 

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Section 7.3. Fundamental Changes .

(a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, merge into or consolidate into any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of (in a single transaction or a series of transactions) all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired) or liquidate or dissolve; provided that if, at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (i) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may merge with a Person if the Borrower (or such Subsidiary if the Borrower is not a party to such merger) is the surviving Person, (ii) any Subsidiary may merge into another Subsidiary, provided that if any party to such merger is a Subsidiary Loan Party, the Subsidiary Loan Party shall be the surviving Person, (iii) any Subsidiary may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to the Borrower or to a Subsidiary Loan Party, (iv) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders, (v) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may effect the Spin-Off Transaction pursuant to the Spin-Off Documents, including the distribution of all of the Capital Stock of CTRI and its Subsidiaries to the shareholders of the Borrower; provided , further , that any such merger involving a Person that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 7.4 , (vi) any Subsidiary may merge, dissolve or consolidate in connection with the consummation of any Permitted Acquisition, and (vii) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower.

(b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof and businesses ancillary or reasonably related to, or extensions of, the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

Section 7.4. Investments, Loans . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any Capital Stock, evidence of Indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant, or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person (all of the foregoing being collectively called “ Investments ”), or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any other Person that constitute a business unit, or create or form any Subsidiary, except:

(a) (x) Investments existing on the date hereof in Excluded Subsidiaries that are set forth on Schedule 7.4 and (y) other Investments (other than Permitted Investments) existing on the date hereof (including Investments in Subsidiaries but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Investments in Spin-Off Subsidiaries from and after consummation of the Spin-Off Transaction);

(b) Permitted Investments;

(c) Permitted Alternative Investments; provided that the aggregate amount of all such Permitted Alternative Investments held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than any Insurance Subsidiary) does not exceed $20,000,000 at any time;

(d) Guarantees by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1 ; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties that is Guaranteed by any Loan Party shall be subject to the limitation set forth in subsection (e) of this Section;

 

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(e) Investments made by the Borrower in or to any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or in or to another Subsidiary; provided that the aggregate outstanding amount of Investments by the Loan Parties in or to, and Guarantees by the Loan Parties of Indebtedness of, (x) Excluded Subsidiaries shall not exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate and (y) any Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) (including all such Investments and Guarantees existing on the Closing Date) shall not exceed $10,000,000 (in each case, excluding Investment permitted under the succeeding proviso); provided , further , (i) Guarantees of Indebtedness of Excluded Subsidiaries shall not be permitted except (x) Excluded Subsidiaries may Guarantee Indebtedness of other Excluded Subsidiaries and (y) the Borrower may Guarantee on an unsecured basis all Indebtedness of Excluded Subsidiaries permitted under Section 7.1(h) (and make payments thereunder), (ii) additional Investments in Excluded Subsidiaries pursuant to clause (h) below shall be permitted subject to the limitations set forth therein and (iii) in the case of Investments in Excluded Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause (e) , at the time of and immediately after giving effect to any such Investment, (A) no Default or Event of Default shall exist and (B) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in pro forma compliance with Sections 6.1 and 6.2 as of the most recently ended Test Period, calculated as if such Investment had been made as of the first day of the relevant period for testing compliance;

(f) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business for travel, relocation and related expenses; provided that the aggregate amount of all such loans and advances does not exceed $3,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(g) Hedging Transactions permitted by Section 7.10 ;

(h) (x) Permitted Acquisitions, (y) Investments in Excluded Subsidiaries made for the purpose of financing the construction, development, refurbishment or expansion of any health care facility and (z) Investments constituting Excluded Subsidiary Designation Amounts (other than, in the case of this clause (z), cash or cash equivalents funded by any Loan Party into an Excluded Subsidiary prior to such Subsidiary being designated as an Excluded Subsidiary, except to the extent of cash or cash equivalents funded for the purpose of financing the Permitted Acquisition of such Subsidiary or the construction, development, refurbishment or expansion of any health care facility); provided that the aggregate amount of Acquisition Consideration payable in connection with a Permitted Acquisition of an Excluded Subsidiary (determined at the time of such Permitted Acquisition) and Investments in Excluded Subsidiaries made for the purpose of financing the construction, development, refurbishment or expansion of any health care facility and Excluded Subsidiary Designation Amounts, together with the amount of any then outstanding Indebtedness that was incurred or assumed pursuant to Section 7.1(h) and any other then outstanding Investment in any Excluded Subsidiary arising pursuant to this Section 7.4(h) (in each case, without duplication), shall not exceed at any time the sum of (A) the greater of (x) $150,000,000 and (y) an amount equal to (I) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended four consecutive Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements were required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b)  multiplied by (II) two plus (B) the Acquisition Consideration Available Amount; provided , that, (i) for the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a Permitted Acquisition consisting of the purchase or acquisition of both Excluded Subsidiaries and entities that become or will become Subsidiary Loan Parties, the aggregate amount of Acquisition Consideration attributable to the Excluded Subsidiaries for purposes of this clause (h) , shall be determined by the Borrower in good faith and be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) the amount of Investments made (or Acquisition Consideration payable) under this Section 7.4(h) in connection with a Permitted Acquisition of an Excluded Subsidiary shall be determined without duplication of any Indebtedness incurred or assumed under Section 7.1(h) in connection therewith to the extent such Indebtedness is included in the determination of Acquisition Consideration for such Permitted Acquisition;

 

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(i) with respect to the Insurance Subsidiaries only, (A) commercial paper having, at the time of acquisition thereof, a short-term rating from S&P or Moody’s of at least A-1/P-1; (B) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any commercial bank or other financial institution that has total assets of not less than $500,000,000 or the equivalent thereof at the time of acquisition thereof; (C) other securities, including, without limitation, corporate debt, having, at the time of acquisition thereof, a long-term rating from S&P or Moody’s of at least A-/A3; and (D) mutual funds investing primarily in any one or more of the foregoing;

(j) other Investments that in the aggregate do not exceed $10,000,000 in any Fiscal Year or (B) $50,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; and

(k) Investments held by a Subsidiary Loan Party that is acquired after the Closing Date, or of a Person merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation (such Investments, “ Acquired Investments ”); provided , however , that the aggregate amount of Acquired Investments that would not otherwise be permitted as an Investment pursuant to clauses (a) through (i) of this Section 7.4 shall not exceed 10% of the book value of such Subsidiary Loan Party (and its Subsidiaries) that is acquired after the Closing Date or such Person (and its Subsidiaries) that is merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party, as of the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation.

The amount of any Investment (other than Investments made using the Acquisition Consideration Available Amount) shall be deemed to be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment but determined net of all payments received with respect to such Investment whether constituting sale proceeds thereof, dividends, distributions, interest, return of capital or otherwise, and the amount of any Investment constituting a Guarantee shall be reflective of the principal amount subject to such Guarantee from time to time.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Excluded Subsidiary make, purchase, hold or acquire any Investments in the Capital Stock of any Loan Party.

Section 7.5. Restricted Payments . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

(i) dividends payable by the Borrower solely in interests of any class of its common equity;

(ii) Restricted Payments made by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary, on at least a pro rata basis with any other shareholders if such Subsidiary is not wholly owned by the Borrower and other wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower;

(iii) Restricted Payments necessary to effect the Spin-Off Transaction pursuant to the Spin-Off Documents, including the distribution of all of the Capital Stock of CTRI and its Subsidiaries to the shareholders of the Borrower;

(iv) other Restricted Payments so long as (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time such Restricted Payment is paid, and (y) the aggregate amount of all such Restricted Payments made by the Borrower in any Fiscal Year does not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Income (if greater than $0) earned during the immediately preceding Fiscal Year;

 

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(v) the Borrower may repurchase common stock or common stock options from present or former officers, directors or employees (or heirs of, estates of or trusts formed by such Persons) or the Borrower or any Subsidiary upon the death, disability, retirement or termination of employment or position of such officer, director or employee or pursuant to the terms of any stock option plan or like agreement; provided , however , that the aggregate amount of payments under this clause shall not exceed the lesser of (i) $1,000,000 in any Fiscal Year or (ii) $5,000,000 during the term of this Agreement;

(vi) other Restricted Payments (including, for the avoidance of doubt, payments with respect to subordinated Indebtedness) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in any Fiscal Year;

(vii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may (x) repurchase Capital Stock to the extent deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options, warrants or rights in respect thereof to the extent such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price of such options, warrants or rights in respect thereof and (y) make payments in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable or expected to be payable by any present or former member of management, director, officer, employee, or consultant of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or family members, spouses or former spouses, heirs of, estates of or trusts formed by such Persons in connection with the exercise of stock options or grant, vesting or delivery of Capital Stock; provided , however , that the aggregate amount of payments under this clause (y)  shall not exceed the lesser of (i) $1,000,000 in any Fiscal Year or (ii) $5,000,000 during the term of this Agreement;

(viii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon the exercise of options or, warrants or rights or upon the conversion or exchange of or into Capital Stock, or payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law;

(ix) in addition to the other Restricted Payments otherwise permitted under this Section 7.5 , the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make additional Restricted Payments in an amount not to exceed the Available Amount;

(x) in addition to the other Restricted Payments otherwise permitted under this Section 7.5 , the Borrower may make additional Restricted Payments in an amount equal to the cash received by it from CTRI in connection with the Spin-Off Transaction, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; and

(xi) the refinancing of any Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Obligations; provided that (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; (B) any such refinancing Indebtedness shall (x) not have a stated maturity or, other than in the case of a revolving credit facility, a Weighted Average Life to Maturity that is shorter than that of the Indebtedness being refinanced, (y) if the Indebtedness being refinanced is subordinated to the Obligations by its terms or by the terms of any agreement or instrument relating to such Indebtedness, be at least as subordinate to the Obligations as the Indebtedness being refinanced (and unsecured if the refinanced Indebtedness is unsecured) and (z) be in a principal amount that does not exceed the principal amount so refinanced, plus , accrued interest, plus , any premium or other payment required to be paid in connection with such refinancing, plus , the amount of fees and expenses of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries

 

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incurred in connection with such refinancing, plus , any unutilized commitments thereunder; and (C) the obligors on such refinancing Indebtedness shall be the obligors on such Indebtedness being refinanced; provided , further , however, that (i) the borrower of the refinancing indebtedness shall be the Borrower or the borrower of the Indebtedness being refinanced, (ii) any Loan Party shall be permitted to guarantee any such refinancing Indebtedness of any other Loan Party and (iii) any non-Loan Party shall be permitted to guarantee any such refinancing Indebtedness of any other non-Loan Party.

Section 7.6. Sale of Assets . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets, business or property or, in the case of any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary), any shares of such Subsidiary’s Capital Stock, in each case whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to any Person other than the Borrower or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower (or to qualify directors if required by applicable law), except:

(a) the sale or other disposition of obsolete or worn out property or other property not necessary for operations or no longer useful in the business disposed of in the ordinary course of business;

(b) the sale of inventory and Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business;

(c) dispositions of cash and cash equivalents;

(d) dispositions of equipment to the extent that (i) such equipment is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement equipment and (ii) the proceeds of such disposition are applied in whole or in part to purchases of such replacement equipment;

(e) assets sold in connection with condemnation, eminent domain or insurance claims; and

(f) asset sales or other dispositions in an aggregate amount not to exceed the lesser of (i) in any Fiscal Year, 10% of the total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on consolidated basis as of the date of any such asset sale or other disposition and (ii) $100,000,000 in the aggregate during the term of this Agreement; provided that (i) at the time of such sale or other disposition, no Event of Default then exists or would arise therefrom, and (ii) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall receive not less than 75% of such consideration in the form of (x) cash or Permitted Investments or (y) real property (and improvements thereon related to one or more healthcare facilities) acquired in an exchange pursuant to or intended to qualify under Section 1031 (or any successor section) of the Code (it being understood that for the purposes of clause (f)(ii)(x), the following shall be deemed to be cash: (A) any liabilities (as shown on the Borrower’s most recent balance sheet provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the payment in cash of the Obligations, that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable sale or disposition and for which all of its Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, (B) any securities received by such Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by such Subsidiary into cash or Permitted Investments (to the extent of the cash or Permitted Investments received) within one hundred and eighty (180) days following the closing of the applicable disposition and (C) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received in respect of such disposition having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not in excess of $1,000,000, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at such date of receipt or such agreement, as applicable, and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).

 

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Section 7.7. Transactions with Affiliates . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except:

(a) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties;

(b) transactions between or among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 7.5 and Investments permitted by Section 7.4 ; and

(d) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may enter into the Spin-Off Documents (in each case, including any amendment, restatement, replacement or other modification thereto so long as such amendment, restatement, replacement or other modification is not adverse to the interests of the Lenders in any material respect, taken as a whole) and the transactions contemplated thereby.

Section 7.8. Restrictive Agreements . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement (including any lease of Real Estate) that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur or permit any Lien as security for the Obligations upon any of its assets or properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or (b) the ability of any of its Subsidiaries to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to its Capital Stock, to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary thereof, to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary thereof or to transfer any of its property or assets to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary thereof; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by law or by this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any Spin-Off Document, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions contained in the leases of Real Estate listed on Schedule 7.8 as in effect as of the Closing Date, (iv) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions and conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (v) the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases restricting the assignment thereof, (vi) the foregoing shall not apply to Excluded Subsidiaries or the Capital Stock of Excluded Subsidiaries, (vii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions in Indebtedness described in Section 7.1(f) to the extent relating solely to the applicable assets or Persons acquired after the Closing Date in connection with the assumption of such Indebtedness, (viii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions in leases of Real Estate binding upon the tenants thereunder (or guarantors thereof), (ix) the foregoing shall not apply to Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.1(i) to the extent the restrictions thereunder are no more restrictive, in any material respect, taken as a whole, than such restrictions contained herein, (x) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions in joint venture arrangements, provided that such restrictions are limited to the assets of such joint ventures and the Capital Stock of the Persons party to such joint venture arrangements and (xi) the foregoing shall not apply to customary non-assignment provisions in contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, provided that such restrictions are limited to the assets subject to such contracts and the Capital Stock of the Persons party to such contracts.

 

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Section 7.9. Sale and Leaseback Transactions . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereinafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred (each, a “ Sale/Leaseback Transaction ”), unless at the time such Sale/Leaseback Transaction is entered into (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) after giving pro forma effect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Article VI and (c) the Borrower has delivered a certificate to the Lenders certifying the conditions set forth in clauses (a) and (b) and setting forth in reasonable detail calculations demonstrating pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Article VI .

Section 7.10. Hedging Transactions . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Hedging Transaction, other than Hedging Transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities, including, without limitation, any Hedging Transaction entered into in order to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates or currency values that arise in connection with any Borrowing or any other Indebtedness. Solely for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower acknowledges that a Hedging Transaction entered into for speculative purposes or of a speculative nature (which shall be deemed to include any Hedging Transaction under which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become obliged to make any payment (i) in connection with the purchase by any third party of any Capital Stock or any Indebtedness or (ii) as a result of changes in the market value of any Capital Stock or any Indebtedness) is not a Hedging Transaction entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks.

Section 7.11. Amendment to Material Documents . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a) its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents or (b) any Material Agreements, in each case in any manner that is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent.

Section 7.12. PropCo Master Leases . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, terminate or allow or consent to the termination of any PropCo Master Lease or enter into any amendment, waiver or modification to any PropCo Master Lease if (i) such amendment, waiver or modification could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) after giving pro forma effect to such amendment, waiver or modification, the Borrower will not be in compliance with the provisions of Article VI ; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, allow any amendment, waiver or modification of any PropCo Master Lease that (i) shortens the term of such PropCo Master Lease to less than twelve (12) years (including extension or renewal options) from the date of such amendment, waiver or modification, (ii) amends, waives or modifies Articles 10, 11, or 16 of such PropCo Master Lease (including by amendment of the defined terms used therein) in a manner adverse in any material respects to the interests of the Secured Parties or (iii) amends, waives or modifies Section 5.13 of such PropCo Master Lease to the extent adversely impacting the ability of the Secured Parties to obtain or maintain a Lien on any assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the leasehold interests in such PropCo Master Lease), in each case, without the consent of the Required Lenders. No tenant under any PropCo Master Lease shall transfer its rights or obligations under such PropCo Master Lease to any Person other than to the Borrower or any other Loan Party; provided , however, that no such transfer shall be permitted hereunder unless expressly permitted under such PropCo Master Lease or consented to in writing by landlord under such PropCo Master Lease.

 

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Section 7.13. Accounting Changes . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change the fiscal year of the Borrower or of any of its Subsidiaries, except to change the fiscal year of a Subsidiary to conform its fiscal year to that of the Borrower.

Section 7.14. Government Regulation . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, be or become subject at any time to any law, regulation or list of any Governmental Authority of the United States (including, without limitation, the OFAC list) that prohibits or limits the Lenders or the Administrative Agent from making any advance or extension of credit to the Borrower or from otherwise conducting business with the Loan Parties.

Section 7.15. Spin-Off . Notwithstanding anything in this Article VII or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall this Agreement prohibit or otherwise restrict the consummation of the Spin-Off Transaction, in each case, solely to the extent the Spin-Off Transaction occurs no later than three (3) Business Days following the Closing Date.

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Section 8.1. Events of Default . If any of the following events (each, an “ Event of Default ”) shall occur:

(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or of any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment or otherwise; or

(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount payable under subsection (a) of this Section or an amount related to a Bank Product Obligation) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) days; or

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including the Schedules attached hereto and thereto), or in any amendments or modifications hereof or waivers hereunder, or in any certificate, report, financial statement or other document submitted to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders by any Loan Party or any representative of any Loan Party pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove to be incorrect in any material respect (other than any representation or warranty that is expressly qualified by a Material Adverse Effect or other materiality, in which case such representation or warranty shall prove to be incorrect in any respect) when made or deemed made or submitted; or

(d) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.3 (with respect to the Borrower’s legal existence), Section 5.17 , Section 5.18 , Section 5.19 or Article VI or VII ; or

(e) (i) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.1 or 5.2 , and such failure shall remain unremedied for fifteen (15) days after the earlier of (x) any Responsible Officer of the Borrower becomes aware of such failure, or (y) notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or (ii) any

 

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Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those referred to in subsections (a), (b), (d) and (e)(i) of this Section) or any other Loan Document or related to any Bank Product Obligation, and such failure shall remain unremedied for 30 days after the earlier of (x) any Responsible Officer of the Borrower becomes aware of such failure, or (y) notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or

(f) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (whether as primary obligor or as guarantor or other surety) shall fail to pay any principal of, or premium or interest on, any Material Indebtedness that is outstanding, when and as the same shall become due and payable (whether at scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument evidencing or governing such Indebtedness; or any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to any Material Indebtedness and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate, or permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Indebtedness; or any Material Indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid or redeemed (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or redemption), purchased or defeased, or any offer to prepay, redeem, purchase or defease such Indebtedness shall be required to be made, in each case prior to the stated maturity thereof (excluding (i) any prepayment or redemption requirements in connection with a sale of assets that secures Material Indebtedness to the extent such Material Indebtedness is repaid in connection with such sale and (ii) any offer to prepay or redeem Indebtedness of any Person or securing any assets acquired in a Permitted Acquisition); or

(g) the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall (i) commence a voluntary case or other proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (i) of this subsection, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official for the Borrower or any such Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries or its debts, or any substantial part of its assets, under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official for the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of its assets, and in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall remain undismissed for a period of 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered; or

(i) the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall become unable to pay, shall admit in writing its inability to pay, or shall fail to pay, its debts as they become due; or

(j) (i) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $15,000,000, (ii) there is or arises an Unfunded Pension Liability (not taking into account Plans with negative Unfunded Pension Liability) in an aggregate amount exceeding $15,000,000, or (iii) there is or arises any potential Withdrawal Liability in an aggregate amount exceeding $15,000,000; or

 

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(k) any judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of $15,000,000 in the aggregate, to the extent not adequately covered by insurance as to which a solvent insurance company has not contested or denied coverage, shall be rendered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and there shall be a period of 60 consecutive days during which (i) a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect or (ii) such judgment or order shall remain undischarged, unvacated or unbonded; or

(l) any non-monetary judgment or order shall be rendered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate for all such events, to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be a period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or

(m) a Change in Control shall occur or exist; or

(n) (i) there shall occur any revocation, suspension, termination, recission, non-renewal or forfeiture or any similar final administrative action with respect to one or more Health Care Permits, Third Party Payor Programs or Third Party Payor Authorizations that could reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) (x) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be named in any action, fully or partially unsealed, in which the United States has affirmatively intervened, alleging violation of the federal False Claims Act or any other applicable law and (y) the Borrower shall have offered, agreed or paid to, or received a final judgment requiring payment to, any Governmental Authority for payment of any fine, penalty or overpayment in excess of $50,000,000, (iii) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party (A) fails to make any payment required under the DOJ Settlement Documents when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) or (B) fails to perform or observe any other condition or covenant under any DOJ Settlement Document in any material respect, or (iv) any material provision of the DOJ Settlement Agreement shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against any party thereto, or the DOJ Settlement Agreement shall cease to be in full force and effect; or

(o) any material provision of the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any other Collateral Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on, or enforceable against, any Loan Party, or any Loan Party shall so state in writing, or any Loan Party shall seek to terminate its obligation under the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any other Collateral Document (other than the release of any guaranty or collateral to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 9.11 ); or

(p) any Lien purported to be created under any Collateral Document (with respect to a material portion of the Collateral) shall fail or cease to be, or shall be asserted by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and perfected Lien on any Collateral, with the priority required by the applicable Collateral Documents (other than as a result of the failure by the Administrative Agent to take any action within its control); or

(q) (i) any PropCo Master Lease shall terminate or otherwise cease to be effective, other than upon the expiration or termination thereof with respect to any particular property or properties pursuant to Section 10.4 or Article XI of such PropCo Master Lease or pursuant to an amendment, waiver or modification of such PropCo Master Lease not prohibited by Section 7.12 of this Agreement, or an “Event of Default” (as defined in such PropCo Master Lease) shall have occurred and is continuing under

 

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Section 12.1.1, Section 12.1.2, Section 12.1.3 (for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of Sections 12.1.2 and 12.1.3, after the expiration of the applicable cure period set forth therein), Section 12.1.15, Section 12.1.16 (other than with respect to Section 5.11 and 5.12.3 thereof), or Section 16.1 of such PropCo Master Lease, or the landlord under such PropCo Master Lease shall have given the tenant under such PropCo Master Lease notice of termination of such PropCo Master Lease following an “Event of Default” (as defined in such PropCo Master Lease) or the landlord has issued a “Termination Notice” pursuant to Section 12.2.6 of the PropCo Master Lease or (ii) any event of the type described in the foregoing clause (i)  shall have occurred with respect to any Material Master Lease;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in subsection (g), (h) or (i) of this Section) and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and upon the written request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, whereupon the Commitment of each Lender shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the principal of and any accrued interest on the Loans, and all other Obligations owing hereunder, to be, whereupon the same shall become, due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower, (iii) exercise all remedies contained in any other Loan Document and (iv) exercise any other remedies available at law or in equity; provided that, if an Event of Default with respect to the Borrower specified in either subsection (g), (h) or (i) shall occur, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon, and all fees and all other Obligations shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

Section 8.2. Application of Proceeds from Collateral . All proceeds from each sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral by any Secured Party after an Event of Default arises shall be applied as follows:

(a) first , to the reimbursable expenses of the Administrative Agent incurred in connection with such sale or other realization upon the Collateral, until the same shall have been paid in full;

(b) second , to the fees and other reimbursable expenses of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, until the same shall have been paid in full;

(c) third , to all reimbursable expenses, if any, of the Lenders then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, until the same shall have been paid in full;

(d) fourth , to the fees and interest then due and payable under the terms of this Agreement, until the same shall have been paid in full;

(e) fifth , to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans, the LC Exposure, the Bank Product Obligations and the Net Mark-to-Market Exposure of the Hedging Obligations that constitute Obligations, until the same shall have been paid in full, allocated pro rata among the Secured Parties based on their respective pro rata shares of the aggregate amount of such Loans, LC Exposure, Bank Product Obligations and Net Mark-to-Market Exposure of such Hedging Obligations;

(f) sixth , to additional cash collateral for the aggregate amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit until the aggregate amount of all cash collateral held by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement is at least 103% of the LC Exposure after giving effect to the foregoing clause fifth ; and

 

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(g) seventh , to the extent any proceeds remain, to the Borrower or as otherwise provided by a court of competent jurisdiction.

All amounts allocated pursuant to the foregoing clauses third through fifth to the Lenders as a result of amounts owed to the Lenders under the Loan Documents shall be allocated among, and distributed to, the Lenders pro rata based on their respective Pro Rata Shares; provided that all amounts allocated to that portion of the LC Exposure comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit pursuant to clauses fifth and sixth shall be distributed to the Administrative Agent, rather than to the Lenders, and held by the Administrative Agent in an account in the name of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of each Issuing Bank and the Lenders as cash collateral for the LC Exposure, such account to be administered in accordance with Section 2.22(g) . All cash collateral for LC Exposure shall be applied to satisfy drawings under the Letters of Credit as they occur; if any amount remains on deposit on cash collateral after all letters of credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Bank Product Obligations and Hedging Obligations shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the Bank Product Provider or the Lender-Related Hedge Provider, as the case may be. Each Bank Product Provider or Lender-Related Hedge Provider that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Article IX hereof for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

ARTICLE IX

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Section 9.1. Appointment of the Administrative Agent .

(a) Each Lender irrevocably appoints SunTrust Bank as the Administrative Agent and authorizes it to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with all such actions and powers that are reasonably incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder or under the other Loan Documents by or through any one or more sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent or attorney-in-fact may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions set forth in this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent, attorney-in-fact or Related Party and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as the Administrative Agent.

(b) Each Issuing Bank shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith until such time and except for so long as the Administrative Agent may agree at the request of the Required Lenders to act for such Issuing Bank with respect thereto; provided that each Issuing Bank shall have all the benefits and immunities (i) provided to the Administrative Agent in this Article with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by such Issuing Bank in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and the

 

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application and agreements for letters of credit pertaining to the Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in this Article included such Issuing Bank with respect to such acts or omissions and (ii) as additionally provided in this Agreement with respect to such Issuing Bank.

Section 9.2. Nature of Duties of the Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except those discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.2 ), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law, and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it, its sub-agents or its attorneys-in-fact with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.2 ) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof (which notice shall include an express reference to such event being a “Default” or “Event of Default” hereunder) is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or any Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements, or other terms and conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article III or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrower) concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.

Section 9.3. Lack of Reliance on the Administrative Agent . Each of the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Issuing Bank or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each of the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Issuing Bank or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking any action under or based on this Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

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Section 9.4. Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent . If the Administrative Agent shall request instructions from the Required Lenders with respect to any action or actions (including the failure to act) in connection with this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such act unless and until it shall have received instructions from such Lenders, and the Administrative Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Administrative Agent as a result of the Administrative Agent acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders where required by the terms of this Agreement.

Section 9.5. Reliance by the Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent may also rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrower), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.

Section 9.6. The Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity . The bank serving as the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and any other Loan Document in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise or refrain from exercising the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent; and the terms “Lenders”, “Required Lenders”, “Required Revolving Lenders”, or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity. The bank acting as the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Borrower as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

Section 9.7. Successor Administrative Agent .

(a) The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent, subject to approval by the Borrower provided that no Default or Event of Default shall exist at such time. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed, and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or a bank which maintains an office in the United States, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000.

(b) Upon the acceptance of its appointment as the Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. If, within 45 days after written notice is given of the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation under this Section, no successor Administrative Agent shall have been appointed and shall have accepted such appointment, then on such 45 th day (i) the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall become effective, (ii) the retiring Administrative Agent shall thereupon be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents and (iii) the Required Lenders shall thereafter perform all duties of the retiring Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents until such time as the

 

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Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent and its representatives and agents in respect of any actions taken or not taken by any of them while it was serving as the Administrative Agent.

(c) In addition to the foregoing, if a Lender becomes, and during the period it remains, a Defaulting Lender, and if any Default has arisen from a failure of the Borrower to comply with Section 2.26(a) , then each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender may, upon prior written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, resign as an Issuing Bank or as Swingline Lender, as the case may be, effective at the close of business Atlanta, Georgia time on a date specified in such notice (which date may not be less than five (5) Business Days after the date of such notice).

Section 9.8. Withholding Tax .

(a) To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. If the Internal Revenue Service or any authority of the United States or any other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender (because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason), such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses, allocated staff costs and any out of pocket expenses.

(b) Without duplication of any indemnity provided under subsection (a) of this Section, each Lender shall also indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.4(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this subsection.

 

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Section 9.9. The Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim .

(a) In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any Revolving Credit Exposure shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans or Revolving Credit Exposure and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent under Section 10.3 ) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same.

(b) Any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and each Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and each Issuing Bank, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 10.3 .

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or any Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

Section 9.10. Authorization to Execute Other Loan Documents . Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute on behalf of all Lenders all Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Collateral Documents and any subordination agreements) other than this Agreement.

Section 9.11. Collateral and Guaranty Matters . The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and discretion to effectuate the releases and subordination agreements contemplated by Section 10.17 . Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release its interest in particular types or items of property or to release any Loan Party from its obligations under the applicable Collateral Documents pursuant to Section 10.17 .

Section 9.12. Co-Documentation Agents; Syndication Agent . Each Lender hereby designates BBVA Compass and Fifth Third Bank as Co-Documentation Agents and agrees that the Co-Documentation Agents shall have no duties or obligations under any Loan Documents to any Lender or any Loan Party. Each Lender hereby designates Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Syndication Agent and agrees that the Syndication Agent shall have no duties or obligations under any Loan Documents to any Lender or any Loan Party.

Section 9.13. Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantee . Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby agree that (i) no Lender shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Collateral Documents, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder and under the Collateral Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent, and (ii) in the event of a foreclosure by the Administrative Agent on any of the

 

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Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition and the Administrative Agent, as agent for and representative of the Lenders (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing), shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Administrative Agent at such sale or other disposition.

Section 9.14. Secured Bank Product Obligations and Hedging Obligations . No Bank Product Provider or Lender-Related Hedge Provider that obtains the benefits of Section 8.2 , the Collateral Documents or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any other Loan Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Bank Product Obligations and Hedging Obligations unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Bank Product Provider or Lender-Related Hedge Provider, as the case may be.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1. Notices .

(a) Written Notices .

(i) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications to any party herein to be effective shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

 

To the Borrower:    The Ensign Group, Inc.
   27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450
   Mission Viejo, CA 92691
   Attention: Suzanne D. Snapper, Chief Financial Officer
   Telecopy Number: (949) 540-3003
  
With a copy to:                           Ensign Facility Services, Inc.
   27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450
   Mission Viejo, CA 92691
   Attention: General Counsel
   Telecopy Number: (949) 540-3007

 

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To the Administrative Agent:    SunTrust Bank
   3333 Peachtree Road, N.E. / 7th Floor
   Atlanta, GA 30326
   Attention: Ensign Group Account Manager
   Telecopy Number: (404) 439-6700
With a copy to:    SunTrust Bank
   Agency Services
   303 Peachtree Street, N.E. / 25 th Floor
   Atlanta, Georgia 30308
   Attention: Doug Weltz
   Telecopy Number: (404) 221-2001
   and
   Latham & Watkins LLP
   355 South Grand Avenue
   Los Angeles, CA 90071-1560
   Attention: Jason Bosworth
   Telecopy Number: (213) 891-8291
   Email: jason.bosworth@lw.com
To the Issuing Bank:    SunTrust Bank
   25 Park Place, N.E. / Mail Code 3706 / 16 th Floor
   Atlanta, Georgia 30303
   Attention: Standby Letter of Credit Dept.
   Telecopy Number: (404) 588-8129
To the Swingline Lender:    SunTrust Bank
   Agency Services
   303 Peachtree Street, N.E. / 25 th Floor
   Atlanta, Georgia 30308
   Attention: Doug Weltz
   Telecopy Number: (404) 221-2001
To any other Lender:    the address set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire or the Assignment and Acceptance executed by such Lender

Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All such notices and other communications shall be effective upon actual receipt by the relevant Person or, if delivered by overnight courier service, upon the first Business Day after the date deposited with such courier service for overnight (next-day) delivery or, if sent by telecopy, upon transmittal in legible form by facsimile machine or, if mailed, upon the third Business Day after the date deposited into the mail or, if delivered by hand, upon delivery; provided that notices delivered to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender shall not be effective until actually received by such Person at its address specified in this Section.

(ii) Any agreement of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender herein to receive certain notices by telephone or facsimile is solely for the convenience and at the request of the Borrower. The Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender shall be entitled to rely on the authority of any Person purporting to be a Person authorized by the Borrower to give such notice and the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank

 

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and the Lenders shall not have any liability to the Borrower or other Person on account of any action taken or not taken by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in reliance upon such telephonic or facsimile notice. The obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans and all other Obligations hereunder shall not be affected in any way or to any extent by any failure of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to receive written confirmation of any telephonic or facsimile notice or the receipt by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender of a confirmation which is at variance with the terms understood by the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank and such Lender to be contained in any such telephonic or facsimile notice.

(b) Electronic Communications .

(i) Notices and other communications to the Lenders and each Issuing Bank hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or any Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II unless such Lender, such Issuing Bank, as applicable, and the Administrative Agent have agreed to receive notices under any Section thereof by electronic communication and have agreed to the procedures governing such communications. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

(ii) Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(c) Certification of Public Information . The Borrower and each Lender acknowledge that certain of the Lenders may be Public Lenders and, if documents or notices required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 otherwise are being distributed through Syndtrak, Intralinks or any other Internet or intranet website or other information platform (the “ Platform ”), any document or notice that the Borrower has indicated contains Non-Public Information shall not be posted on that portion of the Platform designated for such Public Lenders. The Borrower agrees to clearly designate all information provided to the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower which is suitable to make available to Public Lenders. If the Borrower has not indicated whether a document or notice delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 contains Non-Public Information, the Administrative Agent reserves the right to post such document or notice solely on that portion of the Platform designated for Lenders who wish to receive Non-Public Information.

(d) Private Side Information Contacts . Each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable law, including Unites States federal and state securities laws, to make reference to information

 

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that is not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain Non-Public Information with respect to the Borrower, its Affiliates or any of their securities or loans for purposes of United States federal or state securities laws. In the event that any Public Lender has determined for itself not to access any information disclosed through the Platform or otherwise, such Public Lender acknowledges that (i) other Lenders may have availed themselves of such information and (ii) neither the Borrower nor the Administrative Agent has any responsibility for such Public Lender’s decision to limit the scope of the information it has obtained in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Section 10.2. Waiver; Amendments .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document, and no course of dealing between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent or any Lender, shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power hereunder or thereunder. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or of any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by subsection (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time.

(b) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or of the other Loan Documents (other than the Fee Letter), nor consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders, or the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders, and then such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that, in addition to the consent of the Required Lenders, no amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender;

(ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (provided that any change to the calculation of the Leverage Ratio or the component definitions used therein shall not require consent of each Lender directly affected thereby and shall only be subject to Required Lender approval);

(iii) postpone the date fixed for any payment (other than any mandatory prepayment) of any principal of, or interest on, any Loan or LC Disbursement or any fees hereunder or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date for the termination or reduction of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (provided that any change to the calculation of the Leverage Ratio or the component definitions used therein shall not require consent of each Lender directly affected thereby and shall only be subject to Required Lender approval);

 

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(iv) change Section 2.21(b) or (c)  or Section 8.2 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

(v) change any of the provisions of this subsection (b) or the percentage set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the consent of each Lender;

(vi) release all or substantially all of the guarantors, or limit the liability of all or substantially all of the guarantors, under any guaranty agreement guaranteeing any of the Obligations, without the written consent of each Lender; or

(vii) release all or substantially all collateral (if any) securing any of the Obligations, without the written consent of each Lender;

provided , further , that (x) no such amendment, waiver or consent shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights, duties or obligations of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank without the prior written consent of such Person, and (y) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless signed by the Borrower and the Required Revolving Lenders, or the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Revolving Lenders:

(1) amend or waive compliance with the conditions precedent to the obligations of the Revolving Lenders to make any Revolving Loan or LC Disbursement;

(2) amend or waive non-compliance with any provision of Section 2.12(a) ;

(3) waive any Default or Event of Default for the purpose of satisfying the conditions precedent to the obligations of the Revolving Lenders to make any Revolving Loan or LC Disbursement; or

(4) change any of the provisions of this clause (y);

provided , further , that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall change the number or percentage contained in the definition of “Required Revolving Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Revolving Lenders which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the consent of each Revolving Lender.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended, and amounts payable to such Lender hereunder may not be permanently reduced, without the consent of such Lender (other than reductions in fees and interest in which such reduction does not disproportionately affect such Lender). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated (but such Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.18 , 2.19 , 2.20 and 10.3 ), such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and such Lender shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, Administrative Agent and Borrower (a) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Term Loans and the Revolving Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (b) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any Loan Document may be waived, amended, supplemented or modified pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (without the consent of any Lender) solely to effect administrative changes that are not adverse to any Lender or to correct administrative errors or omissions or to cure an ambiguity, defect or error (including, without limitation, to revise the legal description of any Collateral), or to grant a new Lien for the benefit of the Secured Parties or extend an existing Lien over additional property. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (A) additional extensions of credit consented to by the Required Lenders shall be permitted hereunder on a ratable basis with the existing Loans (including as to proceeds of, and sharing in the benefits of, Collateral and sharing of prepayments), and (B) the Administrative Agent shall enter into the intercreditor agreement upon the request of the Borrower as contemplated by Section 7.2(i) solely to the extent such intercreditor agreement is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Section 10.3. Expenses; Indemnification .

(a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arrangers and their Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one outside counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arrangers and their Affiliates, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses which shall be limited, in the case of outside counsel, to the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one outside counsel to the Secured Parties, taken as a whole, any applicable local counsel required for the Secured Parties in any applicable jurisdiction and any special regulatory counsel (and, solely in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional of each such counsel for each group of similarly situated Secured Parties)) incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or any Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and each Issuing Bank, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, penalties, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel for the Indemnitees, taken as a whole, any local counsel for the Indemnitees in any applicable jurisdiction and any special regulatory counsel (and, solely in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional of each such counsel for each group of similarly situated Indemnitees)) incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a

 

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result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, penalties, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from (x) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) a material breach of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through Syndtrak, Intralinks or any other Internet or intranet website, except as a result of such Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment.

(c) The Borrower shall pay, and hold the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each of the Lenders harmless from and against, any and all present and future stamp, documentary, and other similar taxes with respect to this Agreement and any other Loan Documents, any collateral described therein or any payments due thereunder, and save the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay or omission to pay such taxes.

(d) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under subsection (a), (b) or (c) hereof, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (in accordance with its respective Revolving Commitment (or Revolving Credit Exposure, as applicable) and Term Loan determined as of the time that the unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified payment, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such.

(e) To the extent permitted by applicable law, each party hereto waives, and agrees not to assert, any claim against any other party hereto, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to actual or direct damages) arising out of, in connection with or as a result of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated therein, any Loan or any Letter of Credit or the use of proceeds thereof.

(f) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.

 

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Section 10.4. Successors and Assigns .

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments, Loans and other Revolving Credit Exposure at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts .

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments, Loans and other Revolving Credit Exposure at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Acceptance, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $1,000,000 with respect to Term Loans and $5,000,000 with respect to Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments and in minimum increments of $1,000,000, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(ii) Proportionate Amounts . Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans, other Revolving Credit Exposure or the Commitments assigned, except that this subsection (b)(ii) shall not prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate Commitments or Classes on a non- pro rata basis.

(iii) Required Consents . No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

(A) the consent of the Borrower shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) (1) in the case of Term Loans such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund of such Lender, or (2) in the case of Revolving Commitments or Revolving Loans, such assignment is to a Lender holding Revolving Commitments or an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund of such Lender;

 

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(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless such assignment is of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund of such Lender; and

(C) the consent of each Issuing Bank (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding), and the consent of the Swingline Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Commitments unless such assignment is to a Lender holding Revolving Commitments or Revolving Loans, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund of such Lender.

(iv) Assignment and Acceptance . The parties to each assignment shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (A) a duly executed Assignment and Acceptance, (B) a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (except with respect to any assignment by a Lender to one of its Affiliates), (C) an Administrative Questionnaire unless the assignee is already a Lender and (D) the documents required under Section 2.20(e) .

(v) No Assignment to the Borrower . No such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons, Defaulting Lenders or Disqualified Institutions . No such assignment shall be made to a natural person, a Defaulting Lender or a Disqualified Institution.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.18 , 2.19 , 2.20 and 10.3 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided that, except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from such Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section. If the consent of the Borrower to an assignment is required hereunder (including a consent to an assignment which does not meet the minimum assignment thresholds specified above), the Borrower shall be deemed to have given its consent unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after notice thereof has actually been delivered by the assigning Lender (through the Administrative Agent) to the Borrower.

(c) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in Atlanta, Georgia a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders,

 

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and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). Information contained in the Register with respect to any Lender shall be available for inspection by such Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice; information contained in the Register shall also be available for inspection by the Borrower at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In establishing and maintaining the Register, the Administrative Agent shall serve as the Borrower’s agent solely for tax purposes and solely with respect to the actions described in this Section, and the Borrower hereby agrees that, to the extent SunTrust Bank serves in such capacity, SunTrust Bank and its officers, directors, employees, agents, sub-agents and affiliates shall constitute “Indemnitees”.

(d) Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, a Disqualified Institution, the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver with respect to the following to the extent affecting such Participant: (i) increase the Commitment of such Lender; (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder (excluding the right of any Participant to consent to changes in the calculation of the Leverage Ratio or the component definitions thereof); (iii) postpone the date fixed for any payment of any principal of, or interest on, any Loan or LC Disbursement or any fees hereunder or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date for the termination or reduction of any Commitment (excluding the right of any Participant to consent to changes in the calculation of the Leverage Ratio or the component definitions thereof); (iv) change Section 2.21(b) or (c)  in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby; (v) change any of the provisions of Section 10.2(b) or the definition of “Required Lenders” or “Required Revolving Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder; (vi) release all or substantially all of the guarantors, or limit the liability of all or substantially all of the guarantors, under any guaranty agreement guaranteeing any of the Obligations; or (vii) release all or substantially all collateral (if any) securing any of the Obligations. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.18 , 2.19 , and 2.20 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.24 as though it were a Lender. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.7 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.21 as though it were a Lender.

Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register in the United States on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no

 

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Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or other obligations under any Loan Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

(e) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.18 and 2.20 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.20 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.20(e) and (f)  as though it were a Lender.

(f) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including, without limitation, any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(g) The Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility for ensuring that an assignee of, or a participant in, a Loan or Revolving Commitment is not a Disqualified Institution, and shall not have any liability in the event that Loans or Revolving Commitments, or a participation therein, are transferred to any Disqualified Institution.

(h) For the avoidance of doubt, the addition of any Person to the Disqualified Institution List shall solely apply prospectively and shall have no effect with respect to any assignment or participation that occurs or any Loans, Commitments or Revolving Credit Exposure acquired by such Person, in each case prior to the date such Person is added to the Disqualified Institution List.

Section 10.5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

(a) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except, as to any other Loan Document, as expressly set forth therein) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York county, and of any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such District Court or New York state court or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such appellate court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

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(c) The Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding described in subsection (b) of this Section and brought in any court referred to in subsection (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to the service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.1 . Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

Section 10.6. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

Section 10.7. Right of Set-off . In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, each Lender and each Issuing Bank shall have the right, at any time or from time to time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply against all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) of the Borrower at any time held or other obligations at any time owing by such Lender and such Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all Obligations held by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, irrespective of whether such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall have made demand hereunder and although such Obligations may be unmatured. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees promptly to notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower after any such set-off and any application made by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees to apply all amounts collected from any such set-off to the Obligations before applying such amounts to any other Indebtedness or other obligations owed by the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries to such Lender or such Issuing Bank.

Section 10.8. Counterparts; Integration . This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement, the Fee Letter, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements relating to any fees payable to the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto and thereto and their affiliates regarding the subject matters hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, regarding such subject matters. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement or any other Loan Document by facsimile transmission or by electronic mail in pdf format shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

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Section 10.9. Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates, reports, notices or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.18 , 2.19 , 2.20 , and 10.3 and Article IX shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

Section 10.10. Severability . Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability without affecting the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof; and the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 10.11. Confidentiality . Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, to the extent designated in writing as confidential and provided to it by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except that such information may be disclosed (i) to any Related Party of the Administrative Agent, any such Issuing Bank or any such Lender including, without limitation, accountants, legal counsel and other advisors who need to know such information in connection with the Related Transactions and are informed of the confidential nature of such information, (ii) pursuant to the order of any court or administrative agency or in any pending legal or administrative proceeding, or otherwise as required by applicable law or regulation or compulsory legal process (in which case such disclosing party agrees to inform the Borrower reasonably promptly thereof prior to such disclosure to the extent not prohibited by law, rule or regulation), (iii) to the extent requested by any regulatory agency or authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such disclosing party or its Affiliates (including any self-regulatory authority such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) (in which case such disclosing party agrees to inform the Borrower reasonably promptly thereof prior to such disclosure to the extent not prohibited by law, rule or regulation), (iv) to the extent that such information becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section, or which becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is not, to such disclosing party’s knowledge, subject to confidentiality obligations to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Documents or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to execution by such Person of an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section (or language substantially similar to this paragraph, including provisions customary in the syndicated loan market), to (A) any

 

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assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of such disclosing party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement, or (B) any direct or indirect actual or prospective contractual counterparty (and its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or similar product that is to be secured by the Collateral, (vii) to the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar organization, (viii) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense, (ix) to the extent that such information is independently developed by such disclosing party (other than with confidential information provided to such disclosing party by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries), (x) to industry trade organizations, general information with respect to this Agreement that is customary for inclusion in league table measurements or (xi) with the consent of the Borrower. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of any information as provided for in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such information as such Person would accord its own confidential information. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section and those of any other Contractual Obligation entered into with any Loan Party (whether or not a Loan Document), the terms of this Section shall govern.

Section 10.12. Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which may be treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively, the “ Charges ”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate of interest (the “ Maximum Rate ”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by a Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate to the date of repayment (to the extent permitted by applicable law), shall have been received by such Lender.

Section 10.13. Waiver of Effect of Corporate Seal . The Borrower represents and warrants that neither it nor any other Loan Party is required to affix its corporate seal to this Agreement or any other Loan Document pursuant to any Requirement of Law, agrees that this Agreement is delivered by the Borrower under seal and waives any shortening of the statute of limitations that may result from not affixing the corporate seal to this Agreement or such other Loan Documents.

Section 10.14. Patriot Act . The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby notifies the Loan Parties that, pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act. The Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, provide documentary and other evidence of the identity of the Loan Parties as may be requested by the Lenders or the Administrative Agent at any time to enable the Lenders or the Administrative Agent to verify the identity of the Loan Parties or to comply with any applicable law or regulation, including, without limitation, Section 326 of the Patriot Act at 31 U.S.C. Section 5318.

Section 10.15. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower and each other Loan Party acknowledges and agrees and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding that (i) (A) the services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, each other Loan Party and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) each of the Borrower

 

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and the other Loan Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower and each other Loan Party is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person, and (B) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their Affiliates with respect to the credit facilities contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders has no obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

Section 10.16. Location of Closing . Each Lender and each Issuing Bank acknowledges and agrees that it has delivered, with the intent to be bound, its executed counterparts of this Agreement to the Administrative Agent, c/o Latham & Watkins LLP, 885 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that it has delivered, with the intent to be bound, its executed counterparts of this Agreement and each other Loan Document, together with all other documents, instruments, opinions, certificates and other items required under Section 3.1 , to the Administrative Agent, c/o Latham & Watkins LLP, 885 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022. All parties agree that the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement has occurred in New York.

Section 10.17. Releases of Collateral . The Administrative Agent agrees with the Borrower that the Administrative Agent shall:

(a) release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon Payment in Full of all Obligations, (ii) when such property is sold as part of or in connection with any sale permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (iii) if such release is approved, authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section 10.2 or (iv) when such property is subject to Liens permitted under Section 7.2(d) (solely to the extent required by the holder of such Lien), (e) , (f) , and, to the extent relating to extensions, renewals or replacements of such Liens, Section 7.2(h) ;

(b) release any Lien on any Mortgaged Properties upon the occurrence of the Mortgage Release Event;

(c) release any Loan Party from its obligations under the applicable Collateral Documents (i) if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder, (ii) if such Subsidiary becomes an Immaterial Subsidiary in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 5.17 or (iii) if such Subsidiary becomes an Excluded Subsidiary in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 5.18 ;

(d) release any Lien on any Capital Stock of any Subsidiary that (i) ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of any transaction permitted hereunder or (ii) is an Excluded Subsidiary; and

 

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(e) subordinate the Liens and security interests of the Administrative Agent on any Collateral (other than Capital Stock and accounts receivable) to the extent contemplated by, and in accordance with the requirements of (including, without limitation, that any intercreditor agreement entered into in connection therewith be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), Section 7.2(i) ;

in each case, upon delivery by the Borrower of a certificate of a Responsible Officer to the Administrative Agent requesting and certifying as to the grounds for such release or subordination pursuant to this Section 10.17 , as applicable,

In each case as specified in this Section 10.17 , the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Secured Parties and the Borrower and shall, at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the Liens granted under the applicable Collateral Documents, or release such Loan Party from its obligations under the applicable Collateral Documents, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section.

(remainder of page left intentionally blank)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

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


SUNTRUST BANK

as the Administrative Agent, as an Issuing Bank, as the Swingline Lender and as a Lender

By:   /s/ David M. Felty
Name:   David M. Felty
Title:   Director

 


CALIFORNIA BANK & TRUST

as a Lender

By:   /s/ Brian Knapp
Name:   Brian Knapp
Title:   Vice President

 


COMPASS BANK

as a Lender

By:   /s/ James Ligman
Name:   James Ligman
Title:   Senior Vice President

 


FIFTH THIRD BANK, an Ohio Banking Corporation

as a Lender

By:   /s/ Thomas Avery
Name:   Thomas Avery
Title:   Relationship Manager

 


FIRST BANK

as a Lender

By:   /s/ Richard A. Sutton
Name:   Richard A. Sutton
Title:   Senior Vice President

 


REGIONS BANK

as a Lender

By:   /s/ Jessica A. Smith
Name:   Jessica A. Smith
Title:   Vice President

 


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as a Lender

By:   /s/ Tim Bernier
Name:   Tim Bernier
Title:   Duly Authorized Signatory

 


SCHEDULE I

Commitment Amounts

 

Lender

   Revolving
Commitment Amount
 

SunTrust Bank

   $ 30,000,000.00   

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

   $ 30,000,000.00   

Compass Bank

   $ 22,500,000.00   

Fifth Third Bank

   $ 22,500,000.00   

California Bank & Trust

   $ 20,000,000.00   

Regions Bank

   $ 15,000,000.00   

First Bank

   $ 10,000,000.00   
  

 

 

 

Total:

   $ 150,000,000.00   
  

 

 

 

 


SCHEDULE 1.1

Subsidiary Agreements

 


SCHEDULE 4.11

Real Estate

 


SCHEDULE 4.14

Subsidiaries

 


SCHEDULE 4.19

Healthcare Matters

 


SCHEDULE 5.16

Post-Closing Matters

 


SCHEDULE 7.1

Existing Indebtedness

 


SCHEDULE 7.2

Existing Liens

 


SCHEDULE 7.4

Existing Investments

 


SCHEDULE 7.8

Existing Leases with Restrictive Agreements

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

The Ensign Group, Inc. Announces Completion of Spin-Off of CareTrust REIT, Inc.

MISSION VIEJO, Calif., June 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Ensign Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENSG), the parent company of the Ensign™ group of skilled nursing, rehabilitative care services, home health, hospice care, assisted living and urgent care companies, announced today the successful completion of its spin-off of CareTrust REIT, Inc. In the spin-off, Ensign stockholders received one share of CareTrust common stock for each share of Ensign common stock held at the close of business on May 22, 2014. The spin-off is effective from and after June 1, 2014, with CareTrust shares distributed on June 2, 2014. Starting today, shares of CareTrust common stock will commence trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on a “regular-way” market (Nasdaq: CTRE).

“With the completion of the spin-off, we look forward to continuing our pursuit of a new standard for quality healthcare services in the post-acute care industry,” said Christopher Christensen, Ensign’s Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Christensen also emphasized that Ensign will continue executing its existing business model and growth strategy, which will include acquiring and retaining the real estate assets for both well-performing and struggling skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across the United States. As a result of the spin-off, CareTrust is now a separate and independent publicly traded, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”) primarily engaged in the ownership, acquisition and leasing of healthcare-related properties. Mr. Christensen also added, “The health of our balance sheet, our strong cash flow, favorable market conditions and the tax-free nature of the transaction have allowed us to establish capital structures for both companies that leave each not only quite healthy, but with plenty of potential for both near-term and long-term growth.” Since May 20, 2014, there were two markets in Ensign common stock: a “regular-way” or “due-bills” market (Nasdaq: ENSG) in which shares of Ensign common stock traded with an entitlement to receive shares of CareTrust common stock on the distribution date; and an “ex-distribution” market (Nasdaq: ENSGV) in which shares of Ensign common stock traded without an entitlement to receive shares of CareTrust common stock on the distribution date. Starting today, all shares of Ensign common stock will trade only on a “regular-way” market without any entitlement to receive shares of CareTrust common stock.

In addition, as a result of the completion of the spin-off, Ensign’s stockholder rights plan will expire by its terms at 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on June 3, 2014. Stockholders are not required to take any action as a result of this expiration. In connection with the expiration of the rights plan, Ensign will take routine actions to voluntarily deregister the related preferred stock purchase rights under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and to delist the preferred stock purchase rights from NASDAQ. These actions are administrative in nature and will have no effect on Ensign’s common stock, which continues to be listed on NASDAQ.


Wells Fargo Securities, LLC served as lead financial advisor to Ensign in connection with the spin-off, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. also served as a financial advisor. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as legal advisor to Ensign.

About Ensign

The Ensign Group, Inc.’s independent operating subsidiaries provide a broad spectrum of skilled nursing and assisted living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies, home health and hospice services, urgent care services and other rehabilitative and healthcare services at 126 facilities, eight hospice companies, ten home health businesses and eleven urgent care clinics in California, Arizona, Texas, Washington, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon and Wisconsin. Each of these operations is operated by a separate, independent operating subsidiary that has its own management, employees and assets. References herein to the consolidated “company” and “its” assets and activities, as well as the use of the terms “we,” “us,” “its” and similar verbiage, are not meant to imply that The Ensign Group, Inc. has direct operating assets, employees or revenue, or that any of the facilities, the home health and hospice businesses, the Service Center or the captive insurance subsidiary are operated by the same entity. More information about Ensign is available at http://www.ensigngroup.net.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations, assumptions and beliefs about its business, financial performance, operating results, the industry in which it operates and other future events. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding growth prospects and operating and financial performance. They are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

Risks and uncertainties related to the company’s business, its industry and its common stock and include: reduced prices and reimbursement rates for its services; its ability to acquire, develop, manage or improve facilities; its ability to manage its increasing borrowing costs as it incurs additional indebtedness to fund the acquisition and development of facilities; its ability to access capital on a cost-effective basis to continue to successfully implement its growth strategy; its operating margins and profitability could suffer if it is unable to grow and manage effectively its increasing number of facilities; competition from other companies in the acquisition, development and operation of facilities; and the application of existing or proposed government regulations, or the adoption of new laws and regulations, that could limit its business operations or require it to incur significant expenditures. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements and are encouraged to review the company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K filed on February 13, 2014 and its Form 10-Q filed on May 8, 2014, for a more complete discussion of the risks and other factors that could affect Ensign’s business, prospects and any forward-looking statements. Except as required by the federal securities laws, Ensign does not undertake any obligation to

 

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publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changing circumstances or any other reason after the date of this press release.

CONTACT: The Ensign Group, Inc., (949) 487-9500, ir@ensigngroup.net

 

LOGO

SOURCE: The Ensign Group, Inc.

 

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Exhibit 99.2

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Effective from and after June 1, 2014, The Ensign Group, Inc. (“Ensign”) completed the separation of its healthcare business and its real estate business into two separate and independent publicly traded companies through the pro rata distribution of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of CareTrust REIT, Inc. (“CareTrust”) to Ensign stockholders (the “Spin-Off”).

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements present Ensign’s unaudited pro forma consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 and the three months ended March 31, 2014, and Ensign’s unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014, which have been derived from Ensign’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 and Ensign’s unaudited financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements give effect to the Spin-Off and the related transactions, including: (i) the transfer to CareTrust of Ensign’s assets and liabilities that are specifically identifiable or otherwise allocable to CareTrust; (ii) the elimination of Ensign’s equity interest in CareTrust; and (iii) the removal of certain non-recurring transaction expenses directly related to the Spin-Off. The unaudited pro forma consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013 assume 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 March 31, 2014.

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 March 31, 2014, 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 included in Ensign’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission.

As used herein, the term “Ensign Properties” refers to the carve-out business of the entities that own the skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities that CareTrust owns following the Spin-Off, and the operations of the three independent living facilities that CareTrust operates following the Spin-Off. Ensign Properties is the predecessor of CareTrust. “CareTrust Properties” refers to the 97 skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities transferred to CareTrust in connection with the Spin-Off.


THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

     March 31, 2014  
     Historical     Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Note    Pro Forma
Consolidated
 
     (in thousands)  

Assets:

         

Current assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

    $ 57,469      $ (927   (1)   
       7,391      (4)    $ 63,933   

Accounts receivable

     120,569        (13   (1)      120,556   

Investments – current

     4,521             4,521   

Prepaid income taxes

     2,665             2,665   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     9,023        (1,069   (1)      7,954   

Deferred tax assets – current

     9,221        (1,173   (1)      8,048   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total current assets

     203,468        4,209           207,677   

Property and equipment, net

     496,618        (420,168   (1)      76,450   

Insurance subsidiary deposits and investment

     17,728             17,728   

Escrow deposits

     3,252             3,252   

Deferred tax asset

     4,380        (10   (1)      4,370   

Restricted and other assets

     8,676        (2,626   (1)   
       825      (5)      6,875   

Intangible assets, net

     5,650             5,650   

Goodwill

     23,966             23,966   

Other indefinite-lived intangibles

     7,740             7,740   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

    $ 771,478       $ (417,770       $ 353,708   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity:

         

Current liabilities

         

Accounts payable

    $ 26,722      $ (2,004   (1)    $ 24,718   

Accrued wages and related liabilities

     40,744        (247   (1)      40,497   

Accrued self-insurance liabilities – current

     13,335             13,335   

Other accrued liabilities

     23,584        (2,036   (1)      21,548   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     7,469        (7,469   (1)      —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     111,854        (11,756        100,098   

Long-term debt – less current maturities

     250,019        (250,019   (1)      —     

Accrued self insurance liabilities – less current portion

     32,944             32,944   

Fair value of interest rate swap

     1,631        (1,631   (1)      —     

Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities

     3,222        (1,174   (1)      2,048   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     399,670        (264,580        135,090   

Equity:

         

Common stock

     22             22   

Additional paid-in capital

     104,229             104,229   

Retained earnings

     269,459        (154,183   (2)      115,276   

Treasury stock

     (1,585          (1,585

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (993     993      (3)      —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Ensign stockholders’ equity

     371,132        (153,190        217,942   

Noncontrolling interests

     676             676   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total equity

     371,808        (153,190        218,618   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

    $ 771,478       $ (417,770       $ 353,708   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.


THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2014  
         Historical         Pro Forma
    Adjustments    
    Note    Pro Forma
    Consolidated    
 
     (in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Revenue

    $ 239,653       $ (587   (11)     $ 239,066   

Expense:

         

Cost of services

     189,738        (543   (11)      189,195   

Facility rent – cost of services

     3,549        14,000      (6)      17,549   

General and administrative expense

     13,157        (1,590   (7)      11,567   

Depreciation and amortization

     8,862        (5,247   (8)      3,615   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     215,306        6,620           221,926   

Income from operations

     24,347        (7,207        17,140   

Other income (expense):

         

Interest expense

     (3,363     3,098      (9)      (265

Interest income

     159             159   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Other expense, net

     (3,204 )       3,098           (106
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income from operations before provision for income taxes

     21,143        (4,109        17,034   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     8,102        (1,635   (10)      6,467   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     13,041        (2,474        10,567   

Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (485          (485
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations attributable to Ensign

    $ 13,526       $ (2,474       $ 11,052   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Basic earnings from continuing operations attributable to Ensign per share:

    $ 0.61            $ 0.50   
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

Diluted earnings from continuing operations attributable to Ensign per share:

    $ 0.60            $ 0.49   
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

         

Basic

     22,168             22,168   
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

Diluted

     22,582             22,582   
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.


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        28,047           874,661   

Income from operations

     57,942        (30,433        27,509   

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        (18,701        26,960   

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.

 


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

   $ 420,168   

Cash

     927   

Accounts receivable

     13   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,069   

Deferred tax assets – current

     1,173   

Deferred tax assets

     10   

Restricted and other assets

     2,626   

Liabilities :

  

Accounts payable

     2,004   

Accrued wages and related liabilities

     247   

Other accrued liabilities

     2,036   

Current maturities of long-term, debt

     7,469   

Debt, net of debt discount

     250,019   

Interest rate swap liability

     1,631   

Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities

     1,174   

 

(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 related to the interest rate swap 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 $1,590 incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and $4,049 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.

 


THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

(9) Represents the adjustments to interest expense due to the following:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,

2014
    Year Ended
December 31,

2013
 

Indebtedness attributed to the Ensign Properties

   $ (3,327   $ (12,647

New revolving credit facility

     229        915   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease to interest expense

   $ (3,098   $ (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.