UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): February 11, 2015
ZILLOW GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington | 47-1645716 | |||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
1301 Second Avenue, Floor 31, Seattle, Washington | 98101 | |||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(206) 470-7000
https://twitter.com/zillowgroup
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
ZEBRA HOLDCO, INC.
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | 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)) |
Introductory Note
Effective February 17, 2015, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July 28, 2014 (the Merger Agreement) by and among Zillow, Inc. (Zillow), Zillow Group, Inc., f/k/a Zebra Holdco, Inc. (the Company), and Trulia, Inc. (Trulia), following the consummation of the mergers contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the Mergers), each of Zillow and Trulia became wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.
Upon completion of the Mergers, each share of Class A common stock of Zillow (other than shares held by Zillow, the Company, Trulia, or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Zillow or Trulia) was converted into the right to receive one share of fully paid and nonassessable Class A common stock of the Company (Company Class A Common Stock), each share of Class B common stock of Zillow was converted into the right to receive one share of fully paid and nonassessable Class B common stock of the Company, and each share of Trulia common stock was converted into the right to receive 0.444 of a share of fully paid and nonassessable Company Class A Common Stock.
Item 5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
On February 11, 2015, in connection with the Mergers, the Company amended and restated its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to change its name from Zebra Holdco, Inc. to Zillow Group, Inc. Effective that same date, the Company amended and restated its bylaws to reflect the name change. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company are attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.05 | Amendments to the Registrants Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics. |
Effective as of the closing of the Mergers, the Board adopted the Companys Code of Ethics that applies to the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, principal accounting officer, and controller and persons performing similar functions. A copy of the Code of Ethics is available on the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at http://investors.zillowgroup.com/corporate-governance.cfm. Information on the Companys website does not constitute part of this document.
Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
The Companys 2015 annual meeting of shareholders has been set for June 11, 2015.
Investors and others should note that the Company announces material financial information to its investors using its investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. The Company intends to also use the following social media channels as a means of disclosing information about the Company, its services and other matters and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD:
| Zillow Group Investor Relations Webpage (https://investors.zillowgroup.com) |
| Zillow Group Investor Relations Blog (https://www.zillowgroup.com/ir-blog) |
| Zillow Group Twitter Account (https://twitter.com/zillowgroup) |
The information the Company posts through these social media channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these accounts and the blog, in addition to following the Companys press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. This list may be updated from time to time.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit Number |
Description |
|
3.1 | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Zillow Group, Inc. | |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Zillow Group, Inc. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: February 17, 2015 | ZILLOW GROUP, INC. | |||||
By: |
/s/ Spencer M. Rascoff |
|||||
Name: | Spencer M. Rascoff | |||||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number |
Description |
|
3.1 | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Zillow Group, Inc. | |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Zillow Group, Inc. |
Exhibit 3.1
FILED
FEB 11 2015
WA SECRETARY OF STATE
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
of
ZILLOW GROUP, INC.
ARTICLE 1. NAME
The name of this corporation is Zillow Group, Inc.
ARTICLE 2. SHARES
2.1 | Authorized Capital Stock |
The total number of shares which this corporation is authorized to issue is 1,890,000,000, consisting of four classes of shares of capital stock to be designated, respectively, Class A Common Stock , Class B Common Stock (collectively the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock are referred to herein as the Common Stock ), Class C Capital Stock , and Preferred Stock . The total number of shares of Class A Common Stock that this corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,245,000,000, each with a par value of $0.0001. The total number of shares of Class B Common Stock that this corporation shall have authority to issue is 15,000,000, each with a par value of $0.0001. The total number of shares of Class C Capital Stock that this corporation shall have authority to issue is 600,000,000, each with a par value of $0.0001. The total number of shares of Preferred Stock that this corporation shall have authority to issue is 30,000,000 shares, each with a par value of $0.0001.
2.2 | Preferred Stock |
This corporations board of directors (the Board of Directors ) shall have the full authority permitted by law to divide the authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock into series, and to provide for the issuance of such shares (in an aggregate amount not exceeding the aggregate number of shares of Preferred Stock authorized by this corporations articles of incorporation (as amended or restated from time to time) (the or these Articles )), as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated, before the issuance of any shares thereof, in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance thereof. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix and determine and to amend the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock that is wholly unissued or to be established and to fix and determine and to amend the designation, preferences, voting powers and limitations, and the relative, participating, optional or other rights, of any series of shares of Preferred Stock that is wholly unissued or to be established, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the voting rights relating to shares of such series of Preferred Stock, the rate of dividend to which holders of shares of such series of Preferred Stock may be entitled, the
rights of holders of shares of such series of Preferred Stock in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of this corporation, the rights of holders of shares of such series of Preferred Stock to convert or exchange shares of such series of Preferred Stock for shares of any other capital stock or for any other securities, property or assets of this corporation, and whether or not the shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be redeemable and, if so, the term and conditions of such redemption.
Before this corporation shall initially issue shares of a series of Preferred Stock created under RCW 23B.06.020 (or any successor provision thereto) of the Washington Business Corporation Act, articles of amendment setting forth the terms of such series in a form meeting the requirements of RCW 23B.06.020 shall be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington in the manner prescribed by the Washington Business Corporation Act, and shall be effective without shareholder approval. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the resolution establishing any series of Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors shall further have the authority, after the issuance of shares of a series whose number it has designated, to amend the resolution establishing such series to decrease the number of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.2, prior to the Threshold Date, this corporation shall not, without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, considered as a separate voting group, or the written agreement of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock: (i) initially issue any series of Preferred Stock, or any other security convertible into or exercisable for any such series of Preferred Stock, including by merger or otherwise, or (ii) amend the designation, preferences, voting powers and limitations, or rights, of any series of Preferred Stock, or any other security convertible into or exercisable for any such series of Preferred Stock, unless, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) above, such action is approved by the Board of Directors including at least one of the Founders (as defined in Section 2.3(g) of these Articles) acting in his capacity as a director of this corporation.
2.3 | Common Stock |
The preferences, limitations, voting powers and relative rights of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock (subject to the preferences and rights of the Preferred Stock as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 2.2 of these Articles) are as follows:
(a) Voting Rights .
(i) Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, or except as required by applicable law (subject to Article 11 of these Articles), the holders of Class A Common Stock and the holders of Class B Common Stock shall vote together as a single voting group on all matters submitted to a vote of this corporations shareholders.
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(ii) Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Articles or required pursuant to RCW 23B.07.210(2), each holder of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Class A Common Stock held as of the applicable record date on any matter that is submitted to a vote of the shareholders of this corporation (including, without limitation, any matter voted on at a shareholders meeting), and
(iii) Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Articles or required pursuant to RCW 23B.07.210(2), each holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to ten (10) votes for each share of Class B Common Stock held as of the applicable record date on any matter that is submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the corporation (including, without limitation, any matter voted on at a shareholders meeting).
(b) Dividends and Distributions . Subject to the preferences applicable to any series of Preferred Stock, if any, outstanding at any time, shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any Distribution as may be declared by the Board of Directors from time to time with respect to the Common Stock, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group; provided , however , that in the event any such Distribution declared by the Board of Directors with respect to the Common Stock is paid in the form of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such class of stock), then holders of Class A Common Stock shall receive Class A Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock, as the case may be) and holders of Class B Common Stock shall receive Class B Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock, as the case may be). Subject to the preferences applicable to any series of Preferred Stock, the shares of Class A Common Stock and the shares of Class B Common Stock are entitled to the net assets of this corporation upon dissolution in accordance with Chapter 23B.14 of the RCW.
(c) Subdivision or Combination . If this corporation in any manner subdivides or combines the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, the outstanding shares of the other such class will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group.
(d) Equal Status . Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Articles or required by applicable law, shares of Class A Common Stock and shares of Class B Common
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Stock shall have the same rights and privileges and rank equally, share ratably and be identical in all respects as to all matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, in connection with a Change of Control Transaction, shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any consideration into which such shares are converted or any consideration paid or otherwise distributed in respect of such shares to shareholders of this corporation, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group.
(e) Conversion of Class B Common Stock .
(i) Voluntary Conversion . Each share of the Class B Common Stock shall be convertible into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder thereof at any time upon either (A) written notice to the Secretary and compliance with the procedures for voluntary conversion as set forth in Section 2.3(e)(v) of Article 2, or (B) if the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and the corporation have entered into a written agreement to amend the procedures, or adopt other procedures, governing the voluntary conversion of the Class B Common Stock, upon compliance with such procedures as amended or adopted in such written agreement.
(ii) Automatic Conversion . Each share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically, without any further action, convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon a Transfer of such share, other than a Transfer:
(A) from a Founder, or any Permitted Entity of such Founder, to the other Founder, or any Permitted Entity of such other Founder.
(B) by a Founder to any of the entities, accounts, plans or trusts listed in clauses (1) through (6) below (each, a Permitted Entity and, collectively, Permitted Entities ), and from any such Permitted Entity back to such Founder and/or any other Permitted Entity established by or for such Founder:
(1) a trust for the benefit of such Founder or persons other than such Founder so long as such Founder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust; provided such Transfer does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration (other than an interest in such trust) to such Founder, and provided , further , that in the event such Founder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such trust shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;
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(2) a trust under the terms of which such Founder has retained a qualified interest within the meaning of Section 2702(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and/or a reversionary interest so long as such Founder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust; provided , however , that in the event such Founder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such trust shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;
(3) an Individual Retirement Account, as defined in Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a pension, profit sharing, stock bonus or other type of plan or trust of which such Founder is a participant or beneficiary and which satisfies the requirements for qualification under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code; provided that in each case such Founder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held in such account, plan or trust, and provided , further , that in the event such Founder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such account, plan or trust, each of such Founders shares of Class B Common Stock then held by such account, plan or trust shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;
(4) a corporation in which such Founder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns shares with sufficient Voting Control in the corporation, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that such Founder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such corporation; provided that in the event such Founder no longer owns sufficient shares or no longer has sufficient legally enforceable rights to enable such Founder to retain sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such corporation, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such corporation shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;
(5) a partnership in which such Founder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns partnership interests with sufficient Voting Control in the partnership, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that such Founder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting
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Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such partnership; provided that in the event such Founder no longer owns sufficient partnership interests or no longer has sufficient legally enforceable rights to enable such Founder to retain sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such partnership, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such partnership shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock; or
(6) a limited liability company in which such Founder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns membership interests with sufficient Voting Control in the limited liability company, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that such Founder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such limited liability company; provided that in the event such Founder no longer owns sufficient membership interests or no longer has sufficient legally enforceable rights to enable such Founder to retain sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such limited liability company, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such limited liability company shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock.
(iii) Conversion Upon Death or Mental Disability . Each share of Class B Common Stock held of record by a Founder, or by any of such Founders Permitted Entities, shall automatically, without any further action, convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon the death or Mental Disability of such Founder; provided, however, that:
(A) If a Founder or such Founders Permitted Entity (in either case, the Transferring Founder ) transfers exclusive Voting Control (but not ownership) of shares of Class B Common Stock to the other Founder (the Transferee Founder ) which transfer of Voting Control is contingent or effective upon the death or Mental Disability of the Transferring Founder, then each share of Class B Common Stock that is the subject of such transfer shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon that date which is the earlier of: (a) nine months after the earlier of the date upon which the Transferring Founder died or the date upon which Mental Disability in respect of such Transferring Founder occurred, as the case be, or (b) the date upon which the Transferee Founder ceases to hold exclusive Voting Control over such shares of Class B Common Stock; provided , further , that if the Transferee Founder shall die or suffer Mental Disability within nine months following the death or Mental Disability, as the case may be, of the Transferring Founder, then a trustee designated by the Transferee Founder and approved by the Board of Directors
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may exercise Voting Control over: (x) such shares of Class B Common Stock of the Transferring Founder or the Transferring Founders Permitted Entity and, in such instance, each such share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon that date which is the earlier of (1) nine months after the earlier of the date upon which the Transferring Founder died or the date upon which Mental Disability in respect of such Transferring Founder occurred, as the case be, or (2) the date upon which such trustee ceases to hold exclusive Voting Control over such shares of Class B Common Stock; and (y) the Transferee Founders shares of Class B Common Stock (or shares of Class B Common Stock held of record by any Permitted Entity of the Transferee Founder) and, in such instance, each such share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon that date which is the earlier of: (1) nine months after the earlier of the date upon which the Transferee Founder died or the date upon which Mental Disability in respect of such Transferee Founder occurred, as the case be, or (2) the date upon which such trustee ceases to hold exclusive Voting Control over such shares of Class B Common Stock; and
(B) If one Founder dies or Mental Disability in respect of such Founder occurs simultaneously with when the other Founder dies or Mental Disability in respect of such other Founder occurs (such simultaneous occurrence, a Simultaneous Event ), a trustee designated by the Founders and approved by the Board of Directors may exercise Voting Control over the Founders shares of Class B Common Stock (or shares of Class B Common Stock held of record by any of the Permitted Entities of either of the Founders) and, in such instance, each such share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon that date which is the earlier of (a) nine months after the date of the Simultaneous Event or (b) the date upon which such trustee ceases to hold exclusive Voting Control over such shares of Class B Common Stock.
(iv) Procedures . This corporation may, from time to time, establish such policies and procedures relating to the administration of the dual class structure, including, without limitation, the issuance of stock certificates or procedures with respect to book entry systems, as it deems necessary or advisable. This corporation may request that holders of shares of Class B Common Stock furnish affidavits, certificates or other proof to this corporation as it deems necessary to verify the ownership of Class B Common Stock and to confirm that a conversion to Class A Common Stock has not occurred. A determination by the Secretary of this corporation (the Secretary ) with respect to whether a Transfer results in a conversion to Class A Common Stock shall be conclusive and binding.
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(v) Mechanics of Conversion . Before any holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to convert voluntarily some or all shares of such holders Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.3(e)(i) of this Article 2, such holder shall give signed written notice (the Conversion Notice ) to the Secretary at the office of this corporation that such holder elects to convert the same, shall state therein the number of shares to be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, and shall surrender the certificate or certificates evidencing the shares of Class B Common Stock of which all or a portion are to be converted, at the office of this corporation (and accompanied by all transfer taxes (or proof of payment thereof), if any); provided , however , that if the certificate or certificates evidencing the shares to be converted have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, the holder may, in lieu of delivering such certificate or certificates, notify the Secretary that such certificate or certificates have been lost, stolen, or destroyed and execute and deliver an agreement satisfactory to this corporation (the lost certificate agreement ) to indemnify this corporation from any loss incurred by it in connection with such certificate or certificates. If requested by such holder, this corporation shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, provide for the issuance and delivery to such holder, at the address for delivery indicated in the Conversion Notice, of a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which such holder has elected to convert the applicable shares of Class B Common Stock and to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately before the close of business on the later of (A) the date of receipt by the Secretary of the Conversion Notice and (B) the date of either (i) the surrender to the Secretary of the certificate or certificates evidencing the shares of Class B Common Stock to be converted or (ii) the delivery of the lost certificate agreement, as the case may be (the later of the dates under clause (A) or clause (B), the Voluntary Conversion Date ), and the holder entitled to receive the shares of Class A Common Stock upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such shares of Class A Common Stock on such Voluntary Conversion Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.3, upon the written agreement of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and the corporation, this corporation may amend the procedures, or adopt other procedures, governing the voluntary conversion of the Class B Common Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.3, automatic conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.3(e)(ii) or Section 2.3(e)(iii) of this Article 2 shall be effective without any further action on the part of the holder of such shares and shall be effective whether or not the certificates for such shares are surrendered to this corporation. Upon any conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock, all rights of the holder (as of immediately prior to such conversion) of such shares of Class B Common Stock shall cease and the person, persons, entity or entities entitled to receive the shares of Class A Common Stock upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder or record holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock. Shares of Class B Common Stock that are converted into shares of Class A Common Stock as provided in this Section 2.3(e) shall be retired and may not be reissued.
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(f) Reservation of Stock . This corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock, such number of its shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock.
(g) Definitions .
As used in these Articles, including this Article 2, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Change of Control Transaction means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition (other than liens, encumbrances and the grant of security interests in the ordinary course of business and non-exclusive licenses in the ordinary course of business) by this corporation of all or substantially all of this corporations property and assets (which shall for such purpose include the property and assets of any direct or indirect subsidiary of this corporation); provided that any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of property or assets exclusively between or among this corporation and any direct or indirect subsidiary or subsidiaries of this corporation shall not be deemed a Change of Control Transaction; or
(b) the merger or consolidation of this corporation with or into any other corporation or entity, or the acquisition of this corporation by means of a share exchange, other than a merger, consolidation or share exchange that would result in the voting securities of this corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent, or being converted into, cancelled in consideration of obtaining the right to receive, or exchanged for, voting securities that represent, immediately following such merger, consolidation or share exchange, more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the capital stock of (i) this corporation or the surviving entity or (ii) if this corporation or the surviving entity is a subsidiary of another entity immediately following such merger, consolidation or share exchange, the parent entity of this corporation or the surviving entity.
Conversion Notice has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(e)(v) of Article 2.
Distribution means (i) any dividend or distribution of cash, property or shares of this corporations capital stock; and (ii) any distribution following or in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of this corporation, either voluntary or involuntary.
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Fifth Trading Day has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 9.2 of Article 9.
Founder means either Richard Barton or Lloyd Frink, each as a natural living person, and Founders means both of them.
Mental Disability means, with respect to a Founder, permanent and total disability such that such Founder is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months as determined by a licensed medical practitioner. In the event of a dispute as to whether a Founder has suffered a Mental Disability, no Mental Disability of the Founder shall be deemed to have occurred unless and until an affirmative ruling regarding such Mental Disability has been made by a court of competent jurisdiction, and such ruling has become final and non-appealable.
Permitted Entity and Permitted Entities have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Section 2.3(e)(ii)(B) of Article 2.
RCW means the Revised Code of Washington and RCW 23B means Title 23B of the Revised Code of Washington (also known as the Washington Business Corporation Act).
Rights means any option, warrant, conversion right or contractual right of any kind to acquire shares of this corporations authorized but unissued capital stock.
Secretary has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(e)(iv) of Article 2, except that such meaning does not apply to the use of the term Secretary in Section 2.2 of Article 2.
Securities Exchange means, at any time, the registered national securities exchange on which this corporations equity securities are then principally listed or traded, which shall be either the New York Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq Global Market (or similar national quotation system of The Nasdaq Stock Market) ( Nasdaq ) or any successor exchange of either the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq.
Threshold Date means 5:00 p.m. in New York City, New York on the first Trading Day falling on or after the first date after the Initial Effective Time (as defined in Section 9.2 of Article 9) on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than seven percent (7%) of the aggregate number of shares of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
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Trading Day means any day on which the Securities Exchange is open for trading.
Transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock shall mean any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law. A Transfer shall also include, without limitation, (i) a transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock to a broker or other nominee, regardless of whether or not there is a corresponding change in beneficial ownership (provided however that any such transfer to a broker or other nominee that is determined by the Secretary to have been unintended by the transferor shall not be considered a Transfer if no shareholder vote has occurred since such unintended transfer to the broker or nominee and such transfer to the broker or nominee is rescinded, revoked or reversed within 15 days after the transferor first becomes aware of such unintentional transfer) or (ii) the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to, Voting Control over a share of Class B Common Stock by proxy or otherwise; provided , however , that the following shall not be considered a Transfer:
(a) the grant of a proxy to officers or directors of this corporation at the request of the Board of Directors of this corporation in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders;
(b) the entering into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy) solely with shareholders who are Founders or one or more Permitted Entities of Founders, that (1) is disclosed either in a Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in writing to the Secretary, (2) either has a term not exceeding one (1) year or is terminable by the Founders or one or more Permitted Entities of Founders at any time, and (3) does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration to a Founder or any Permitted Entity of a Founder other than the mutual promise to vote shares in a designated manner;
(c) the transfer of exclusive Voting Control with respect to shares of Class B Common Stock of one or more of the Founders or one or more Permitted Entities of a Founder permitted in Section 2.3(e)(iii) of Article 2;
(d) the entering by any of a Founder or one or more Permitted Entities of a Founder into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without
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granting a proxy) with any of the other Founder, one or more Permitted Entities of a Founder or a trustee that is entered into to provide for transfer of Voting Control contingent upon the death or Mental Disability of a Founder in accordance with Section 2.3(e)(iii) of Article 2; provided that (i) the parties to such voting trust, agreement or arrangement shall agree that the provisions of Section 2.3(e)(iii) of Article 2 apply in respect of such voting trust, agreement or arrangement, and (ii) if a voting trust, (A) the transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock by a Transferring Founder or such Transferring Founders Permitted Entities to the Transferee Founder in his capacity as trustee of such voting trust shall be deemed not to be a transfer of ownership for purposes of the second parenthetical of Section 2.3(e)(iii)(A) of Article 2, and (B) the transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock to the trustee of such voting trust in such trustees capacity as trustee of the voting trust shall be deemed not to be a Transfer;
(e) the pledge of shares of Class B Common Stock by a Founder or a Permitted Entity of a Founder that creates a mere security interest in such shares pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction so long as the Founder continues to exercise exclusive Voting Control over such pledged shares; provided , however , that a foreclosure on such shares of Class B Common Stock or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a Transfer; or
(f) the fact that the spouse of any Founder possesses or obtains a community property interest in such Founders shares of Class B Common Stock arising solely by reason of the application of the community property laws of any jurisdiction, so long as no other event or circumstance shall exist or have occurred that constitutes a Transfer of such shares of Class B Common Stock.
Transferee Founder has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(e)(iii)(A) of Article 2.
Transferring Founder has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(e)(iii)(A) of Article 2.
Voluntary Conversion Date has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(e)(v) of Article 2.
Voting Control with respect to a share of Class B Common Stock means the power (whether exclusive or shared) to vote or direct the voting of such share of Class B Common Stock by proxy, voting agreement, or otherwise.
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2.4 | No Further Issuance |
Except for the issuance or payment of Class B Common Stock pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2.3(b) of Article 2, this corporation shall not issue any additional shares of Class B Common Stock, unless such issuance is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group.
2.5 | Class C Capital Stock |
The preferences, limitations, voting powers and rights of the Class C Capital Stock (subject to the preferences and rights of the Preferred Stock as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 2.2 of these Articles) are as follows:
(a) Voting . Except with respect to the separate voting group rights under the circumstances described in Section 2.5(b) and (d) and the last sentence of Section 2.5(e), or except as required by applicable law, shares of Class C Capital Stock shall have no voting power and the holders thereof, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any matter that is submitted to a vote or for the consent of the shareholders of the corporation.
(b) Dividends and Distributions . Subject to the preferences applicable to any series of Preferred Stock, if any, outstanding at any time, shares of Class C Capital Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any Distribution (which may include, without limitation, a Distribution of Class C Capital Stock with respect to shares of the Common Stock) as may be declared by the Board of Directors from time to time with respect to shares of the Common Stock, unless different treatment of the Class C Capital Stock is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class C Capital Stock, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group; provided , however , that in the event any such Distribution declared by the Board of Directors with respect to shares of the Common Stock is paid in the form of Common Stock (or Rights to acquire any such stock, as the case may be), then holders of Class C Capital Stock shall receive Class C Capital Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock, as the case may be). Except for any Distribution declared with respect to the Class C Capital Stock in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the corporation shall not declare any Distribution with respect to the Class C Capital Stock, unless any such Distribution is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group.
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(c) Conversion upon Dissolution . Immediately prior to the earlier of (i) the dissolution of the corporation pursuant to RCW 23B.14 or (ii) any record date established to determine the holders of capital stock of the corporation entitled to receive the net assets of the corporation in a dissolution of the corporation pursuant to RCW 23B.14, each outstanding share of the Class C Capital Stock shall automatically, without any further action, convert into and become one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Class C Capital Stock pursuant to this Section 2.5(c), such number of its shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class C Capital Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock.
(d) Subdivision or Combination . If this corporation in any manner subdivides or combines the outstanding shares of any class of Common Stock, the outstanding shares of the Class C Capital Stock will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner, unless different treatment of the Class C Capital Stock is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class C Capital Stock, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group. Except for any subdivision or combination of Class C Capital Stock in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the corporation shall not subdivide or combine the outstanding shares of Class C Capital Stock unless such subdivision or combination is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group.
(e) Equal Status . Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Articles or required by applicable law, shares of Class C Capital Stock shall have the same rights and privileges and rank equally, share ratably and be identical to the Common Stock in all respects as to all matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, in connection with a Change of Control Transaction, shares of Class C Capital Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to any consideration into which such shares are converted or any consideration paid or otherwise distributed in respect of such shares to shareholders of this corporation, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class C Capital Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group.
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ARTICLE 3. REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT
The name of the initial registered agent of this corporation and the address of its initial registered office are as follows:
National Registered Agents Inc.
505 Union Avenue Southeast, Suite 120
Olympia, WA 98501
ARTICLE 4. PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
No preemptive rights shall exist with respect to shares of stock or securities convertible into shares of stock of this corporation, except to the extent provided by written agreement with this corporation.
ARTICLE 5. CUMULATIVE VOTING
The right to cumulate votes in the election of directors shall not exist with respect to shares of stock of this corporation.
ARTICLE 6. DIRECTORS
6.1 | Board Size |
Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, the total number of authorized directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time solely by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors.
6.2 | Classified Board Structure |
From and after the Fifth Trading Day, the directors, other than any who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock under specified circumstances, shall be divided into three (3) classes as nearly equal in size as is practicable, hereby designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The Board of Directors may assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to such classes at the time such classification becomes effective. The term of office of the initial Class I directors shall expire at the first regularly-scheduled annual meeting of the shareholders following the Fifth Trading Day, the term of office of the initial Class II directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of the shareholders following the Fifth Trading Day, and the term of office of the initial Class III directors shall expire at the third annual meeting of the shareholders following the Fifth Trading Day. At each annual meeting of shareholders, commencing with the first regularly-scheduled annual meeting of shareholders following the Fifth Trading Day, each of the persons elected as a director of the Class of directors whose term shall have expired at such annual meeting shall be elected to hold office until the third annual meeting next succeeding his or her election.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 6, despite the expiration of a directors term, a director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the size of the Board of Directors. If the number of directors is hereafter changed, any newly created directorships or decrease in directorships shall be so apportioned among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as is practicable, provided that no decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
6.3 | Removal |
(a) Prior to Threshold Date . Prior to the Threshold Date, at a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose, one or more directors, including the entire Board of Directors, may be removed with or without cause by the holders of the shares entitled to elect the director or directors whose removal is sought if, with respect to a particular director, the number of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number of votes cast to not remove the director.
(b) After Threshold Date . After the Threshold Date, at a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose, one or more directors, including the entire Board of Directors, may be removed only for cause by the holders of the shares entitled to elect the director or directors whose removal is sought if, with respect to a particular director, the number of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number of votes cast to not remove the director.
6.4 | Vacancies |
Any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors may be filled as follows:
(a) prior to the Threshold Date, by the shareholders, by the Board of Directors or, if the directors in office constitute less than a quorum, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors or the sole remaining director; and
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(b) after the Threshold Date, only by the Board of Directors or, if the directors in office constitute less than a quorum, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors or the sole remaining director.
The term of a director elected to fill a vacancy expires at the next election of directors by the shareholders.
ARTICLE 7. LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
(a) To the full extent that the Washington Business Corporation Act, as it exists on the date hereof or may hereafter be amended, permits the limitation or elimination of the liability of directors, a director of this corporation shall not be liable to this corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for conduct as a director.
(b) This corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify any individual made a party to a proceeding because that individual is or was a director of this corporation and shall advance or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by such individual in advance of final disposition of the proceeding, without regard to the limitations in RCW 23B.08.510 through 23B.08.550 of the Washington Business Corporation Act, or any other limitation which may hereafter be enacted to the extent such limitation may be disregarded if authorized by these Articles.
(c) Any amendments to or repeal of this Article 7 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of this corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring before such amendment or repeal.
ARTICLE 8. SHAREHOLDER ACTIONS
Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting or a vote if the action is taken by written consent of all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.
ARTICLE 9. AUTHORITY TO AMEND ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
This corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any of the provisions contained in these Articles in any manner now or hereafter permitted by the Washington Business Corporation Act or by these Articles and the rights of the shareholders of this corporation are granted subject to this reservation.
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9.1 | Supermajority Voting |
Except as provided in Section 9.2, the amendment or repeal of provisions in any of the following Articles or sections listed in this Section 9.1 shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the shareholders of this corporation, voting together as a single voting group:
Article 6 (Directors)
Article 7 (Limitation of Director Liability and Indemnification)
Sections 9.1 and 9.2 of Article 9 (Authority to Amend Articles of Incorporation)
Article 12 (Special Meeting of Shareholders)
Article 14 (Bylaws)
9.2 | Majority Voting |
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.1, an amendment or repeal of provisions in an Article or section identified in Section 9.1 that is approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors (as defined below), voting separately and as a subclass of directors, shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the shareholders of this corporation, voting together as a single voting group.
As used in this Article 9, Continuing Director means any member of the Board of Directors who was a member of the Board of Directors on the fifth Trading Day after the Initial Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.02 of the Agreement and Plan of Merger among Zillow, Inc., Zebra Holdco, Inc. and Trulia, Inc. dated as of July 28, 2014) (the Fifth Trading Day ) or who is elected to the Board of Directors after the Fifth Trading Day upon the recommendation of a majority of the Continuing Directors.
9.3 | Other Special Voting Requirements |
The provisions in the following sections or Articles listed in this Section 9.3 may be amended or repealed only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group:
Sections 2.3 and 2.4 of Article 2 (Shares)
Section 9.3 of Article 9 (Authority to Amend Articles of Incorporation)
Article 13 (No Reliance on Controlled Company Exemption)
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9.4 | Amendments to Section 2.5 |
Section 2.5 and this Section 9.4 of these Articles may be amended or repealed only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, and a majority of the outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group.
ARTICLE 10. SHAREHOLDER VOTE REQUIRED ON CERTAIN MATTERS
With respect to any proposal or matter presented to shareholders for approval under RCW 23B.11.030, RCW 23B.12.020 or RCW 23.B.14.020, in accordance with RCW 23B.07.270, this corporations shareholders may approve the proposal or matter by a majority of the voting group comprising all the votes entitled to be cast on such proposal or matter. This Article 10 is intended to reduce the voting requirements otherwise prescribed by the Washington Business Corporation Act with respect to the foregoing matters.
ARTICLE 11. LIMITATION OF SEPARATE CLASS VOTING TO EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW
Except (a) to the extent otherwise expressly provided in these Articles with respect to voting or approval rights of a particular class or series of capital stock, (b) as may be fixed or determined with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, or (c) to the extent otherwise provided pursuant to RCW 23B.10.030(3) or RCW 23.B.11.030(3), the holders of each outstanding class or series of shares of this corporation shall not be entitled to vote as a separate voting group (1) on any amendment to these Articles with respect to which such class or series would otherwise be entitled under RCW 23B.10.040(1)(a), (e), or (f) to vote as a separate voting group, or (2) on any plan of merger or share exchange with respect to which such class or series would otherwise be entitled under RCW 23B.11.035 to vote as a separate voting group.
ARTICLE 12. SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer of this corporation, the President of this corporation or the Board of Directors may call special meetings of the shareholders. Further, prior to the Threshold Date, a special meeting of the shareholders may be called upon request by holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of all the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at such special meeting, provided the request is in proper form as prescribed by the Bylaws of this corporation and as otherwise required by applicable laws. After the Threshold Date, special meetings of the shareholders may not be called by the shareholders or any other person or persons, other than as set forth in the first sentence of this Article 12.
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ARTICLE 13. NO RELIANCE ON CONTROLLED COMPANY EXEMPTION
At any time during which shares of capital stock of this corporation are listed for trading on the Securities Exchange, this corporation shall not rely upon the exemptions from the corporate governance rules and requirements of the Securities Exchange available to any company that constitutes a controlled company within the meaning of the corporate governance rules and requirements of the Securities Exchange.
ARTICLE 14. BYLAWS
The Bylaws of this corporation may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the Board of Directors, except that the Board of Directors may not amend or repeal any Bylaw that the shareholders have expressly provided, in amending or repealing the Bylaw, may not be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors. The shareholders may also alter, amend and repeal the Bylaws of this corporation or adopt new Bylaws; provided , however , that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast by the shareholders of this corporation generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single voting group, shall be required for the shareholders of this corporation to alter, amend or repeal any provision of the Bylaws of this corporation or adopt new Bylaws.
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ARTICLE 15. SAVINGS CLAUSE
If any provision of these Articles is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable or contrary to applicable law, the remainder of these Articles shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
Dated: February 10, 2015
/s/ Kathleen Philips |
Kathleen Philips, Corporate Secretary |
Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
ZILLOW GROUP, INC.
CONTENTS
SECTION 1. |
DEFINITIONS |
1 | ||||||||
SECTION 2. |
SHAREHOLDERS |
2 | ||||||||
2.1 |
Annual Meetings |
2 | ||||||||
2.2 |
Special Meetings |
2 | ||||||||
2.3 |
Meetings by Communications Equipment |
3 | ||||||||
2.4 |
Date, Time and Place of Meetings |
3 | ||||||||
2.5 |
Notice to Shareholders |
3 | ||||||||
2.5.1 |
Type of Notice |
3 | ||||||||
2.5.2 |
Effectiveness of Notice |
4 | ||||||||
2.5.3 |
Notice of Meetings |
5 | ||||||||
2.5.3.1 |
Number of Days Notice |
5 | ||||||||
2.5.3.2 |
Adjourned Meetings |
5 | ||||||||
2.5.4 |
Waiver of Notice |
5 | ||||||||
2.5.4.1 |
Waiver by Delivery of a Record |
5 | ||||||||
2.5.4.2 |
Waiver by Attendance |
6 | ||||||||
2.5.4.3 |
Waiver of Objection |
6 | ||||||||
2.6 |
Notice of Nominations and Shareholder Business |
6 | ||||||||
2.6.1 |
Annual Meetings |
6 | ||||||||
2.6.2 |
Special Meetings |
8 | ||||||||
2.6.3 |
General |
9 | ||||||||
2.6.4 |
Notice or Request to Corporation |
10 |
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2.7 |
Fixing of Record Date for Determining Shareholders Entitled to Notice of or to Vote at a Meeting or to Receive Payment of a Dividend |
10 | ||||||||
2.7.1 |
Record Date for Meeting of Shareholders |
10 | ||||||||
2.7.2 |
Record Date to Receive Payment of Dividend or Distribution |
10 | ||||||||
2.8 |
Voting Record |
10 | ||||||||
2.9 |
Quorum |
11 | ||||||||
2.10 |
Manner of Acting |
11 | ||||||||
2.10.1 |
Matters Other Than the Election of Directors |
11 | ||||||||
2.10.2 |
Election of Directors |
11 | ||||||||
2.11 |
Proxies |
11 | ||||||||
2.11.1 |
Written Authorization |
11 | ||||||||
2.11.2 |
Recorded Telephone Call, Voice Mail or Other Electronic Transmission |
12 | ||||||||
2.11.3 |
Effectiveness of Appointment of Proxy |
12 | ||||||||
2.11.4 |
Revocability of Proxy |
12 | ||||||||
2.11.5 |
Death or Incapacity of Shareholder Appointing a Proxy |
13 | ||||||||
2.11.6 |
Acceptance of Proxys Vote or Action |
13 | ||||||||
2.11.7 |
Meaning of Sign or Signature |
13 | ||||||||
2.12 |
Voting of Shares |
13 | ||||||||
2.13 |
Voting for Directors |
13 | ||||||||
2.14 |
Action by Shareholders Without a Meeting |
13 | ||||||||
2.14.1 |
Unanimous Written Consent |
13 |
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3.11 |
Action by Board or Committees Without a Meeting |
19 | ||||||||
3.12 |
Resignation of Directors and Committee Members |
20 | ||||||||
3.13 |
Removal of Directors and Committee Members |
20 | ||||||||
3.13.1 |
Removal of Directors |
20 | ||||||||
3.13.2 |
Removal of Committee Members |
20 | ||||||||
3.14 |
Vacancies |
20 | ||||||||
3.15 |
Executive and Other Committees |
21 | ||||||||
3.15.1 |
Creation of Committees |
21 | ||||||||
3.15.2 |
Authority of Committees |
21 | ||||||||
3.15.3 |
Minutes of Meetings |
21 | ||||||||
3.16 |
Compensation of Directors and Committee Members |
22 | ||||||||
SECTION 4. |
OFFICERS |
22 | ||||||||
4.1 |
Appointment and Term |
22 | ||||||||
4.2 |
Resignation of Officers |
22 | ||||||||
4.3 |
Removal of Officers |
22 | ||||||||
4.4 |
Contract Rights of Officers |
22 | ||||||||
4.5 |
Chairperson of the Board |
23 | ||||||||
4.6 |
Chief Executive Officer |
23 | ||||||||
4.7 |
President |
23 | ||||||||
4.8 |
Vice President |
23 | ||||||||
4.9 |
Secretary |
24 | ||||||||
4.10 |
Treasurer |
24 | ||||||||
4.11 |
Salaries |
24 |
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SECTION 5. |
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER |
24 | ||||||||
5.1 |
Issuance of Shares |
24 | ||||||||
5.2 |
Certificates for Shares |
24 | ||||||||
5.3 |
Issuance of Shares Without Certificates |
25 | ||||||||
5.4 |
Stock Records |
25 | ||||||||
5.5 |
Restriction on Transfer |
25 | ||||||||
5.6 |
Transfer of Shares |
26 | ||||||||
5.7 |
Lost, Destroyed or Damaged Certificates |
26 | ||||||||
SECTION 6. |
INDEMNIFICATION |
26 | ||||||||
6.1 |
Right to Indemnification |
26 | ||||||||
6.2 |
Restrictions on Indemnification |
27 | ||||||||
6.3 |
Advancement of Expenses |
27 | ||||||||
6.4 |
Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit |
27 | ||||||||
6.5 |
Procedures Exclusive |
27 | ||||||||
6.6 |
Nonexclusivity of Rights |
28 | ||||||||
6.7 |
Insurance, Contracts and Funding |
28 | ||||||||
6.8 |
Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation |
28 | ||||||||
6.9 |
Persons Serving Other Entities |
28 | ||||||||
SECTION 7. |
GENERAL MATTERS |
29 | ||||||||
7.1 |
Accounting Year |
29 | ||||||||
7.2 |
Amendment or Repeal of Bylaws |
29 | ||||||||
7.3 |
Books and Records |
29 |
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7.4 |
Contracts, Loans, Checks and Deposits |
30 | ||||||||
7.4.1 |
Contracts |
30 | ||||||||
7.4.2 |
Loans to the Corporation |
30 | ||||||||
7.4.3 |
Checks, Drafts, etc. |
30 | ||||||||
7.4.4 |
Deposits |
30 | ||||||||
7.5 |
Corporate Seal |
30 |
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Amended and Restated Bylaws
of
Zillow Group, Inc.
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
As used in these Bylaws, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Articles of Incorporation means the corporations Articles of Incorporation and all amendments as filed with the Washington Secretary of State.
Board means the Board of Directors of the corporation.
Electronic transmission means an electronic communication not directly involving the physical transfer of a record in a tangible medium that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by the sender and the recipient and that may be directly reproduced in a tangible medium by the sender and recipient.
Execute , executes or executed means signed with respect to a written record or electronically transmitted along with sufficient information to determine the senders identity with respect to an electronic transmission.
RCW means the Revised Code of Washington and RCW 23B means Title 23B of the Revised Code of Washington (also known as the Washington Business Corporation Act).
Record means information inscribed on a tangible medium or contained in an electronic transmission.
Tangible medium means a writing, copy of a writing or facsimile, or a physical reproduction, each on paper or on other tangible material.
Threshold Date has the meaning given such term in the Articles of Incorporation.
Washington Business Corporation Act means the Washington Business Corporation Act, as it exists now or may be amended.
Writing or written means embodied in a tangible medium, and excludes an electronic transmission.
SECTION 2. SHAREHOLDERS
2.1 | Annual Meetings |
The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held at such place and time and on such date as determined by the Board for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
2.2 | Special Meetings |
2.2.1 | General |
A special meeting of shareholders may be called at any time by the Board, or by any of the following persons: the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
2.2.2 | Shareholder Requested Special Meetings |
(a) Prior to the Threshold Date, a special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the Board upon request to the Secretary, in accordance with Section 2.6.4, of one or more record holders of shares of the corporation representing in the aggregate not less than 25% of all the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at such special meeting. A request to the Secretary shall be executed by each shareholder, or a duly authorized agent of such shareholder, requesting the special meeting and shall set forth: (i) a brief description of each matter of business desired to be brought before the special meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the special meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the corporations books, of each shareholder requesting the special meeting, (iii) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are owned by each shareholder requesting the special meeting, including shares beneficially owned and shares held of record, (iv) any material interest of each shareholder in the business desired to be brought before the special meeting, and (v) any other information that is required to be set forth in a shareholders notice required pursuant to Section 2.6.1.
(b) A special meeting requested by shareholders shall be held at such date, time and place within or without the State of Washington as may be fixed by the Board and the record date for shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting shall be determined in accordance with Section 2.7.1; provided, however, that the date of any such special meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the request to call the special meeting that complies with Section 2.2.2(a) is delivered to and received by the Secretary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a special meeting requested by shareholders shall not be held if (i) the special meeting request relates to an item of business that is not a proper subject for shareholder action under applicable law or (ii) the Board has called or calls for an annual meeting of shareholders to be held within 90 days after the Secretary receives the request for the special meeting and the Board determines in good faith that the business of such annual meeting includes (among any other matters properly brought before the annual meeting) the business specified in the request. A shareholder may revoke a request for a special meeting
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at any time by notice delivered to and received by the Secretary, and if, following such revocation, there are unrevoked requests from shareholders holding shares of the corporation representing in the aggregate less than the requisite number of votes entitling the shareholders to request a special meeting, the Board, in its discretion, may cancel the special meeting.
(c) Business transacted at a special meeting requested by shareholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the request for the special meeting; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the Board from submitting additional matters to shareholders at any such special meeting.
(d) After the Threshold Date, a special meeting of shareholders may not be called by the shareholders or any other person or persons, other than as set forth in Section 2.2.1.
2.3 | Meetings by Communications Equipment |
Shareholders may participate in any meeting of the shareholders by any means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other during the meeting, and participation in this manner shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
2.4 | Date, Time and Place of Meetings |
Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, all meetings of shareholders, including those held pursuant to request by shareholders as provided herein, shall be held on a date and at a time and place, within or without the State of Washington, designated by or at the direction of the Board.
2.5 | Notice to Shareholders |
Any notice to shareholders required or permitted under these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act shall be provided in accordance with this Section 2.5.
2.5.1 | Type of Notice |
(a) Notice Provided in a Tangible Medium. Notice may be provided in a tangible medium and may be transmitted by mail, private carrier, personal delivery, telegraph, teletype, telephone or wire or wireless equipment that transmits a facsimile of the notice.
(b) Notice Provided in an Electronic Transmission. Notice may be provided in an electronic transmission and be electronically transmitted.
(1) Consent to Receive Notice by Electronic Transmission. Notice to shareholders in an electronic transmission is effective only with respect to shareholders
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that have consented, in the form of a record, to receive electronically transmitted notices and designated in the consent the address, location or system to which these notices may be electronically transmitted. Notice provided in an electronic transmission includes material required or permitted to accompany the notice by the Washington Business Corporation Act or other applicable statute or regulation.
(2) Revocation of Consent to Receive Notice by Electronic Transmission. A shareholder that has consented to receipt of electronically transmitted notices may revoke the consent by delivering a revocation to the corporation in the form of a record. The consent of a shareholder to receive notice by electronic transmission is revoked if the corporation is unable to electronically transmit two consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with the consent, and this inability becomes known to the Secretary, the transfer agent or any other person responsible for giving the notice. The inadvertent failure by the corporation to treat this inability as a revocation does not invalidate any meeting or other action.
(3) Posting Notice on an Electronic Network. Notice to shareholders that have consented to receipt of electronically transmitted notices may be provided by posting the notice on an electronic network and delivering to the shareholder a separate record of the posting, together with comprehensible instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.
2.5.2 | Effectiveness of Notice |
(a) Notice by Mail. Notice given by mail is effective when deposited in the United States mail, first-class postage prepaid, properly addressed to the shareholder at the shareholders address as it appears in the corporations current record of shareholders.
(b) Notice by Telegraph, Teletype or Facsimile Equipment. Notice given by telegraph, teletype or facsimile equipment that transmits a facsimile of the notice is effective when dispatched to the shareholders address, telephone number or other number appearing on the records of the corporation.
(c) Notice by Air Courier. Notice given by air courier is effective when dispatched, if prepaid and properly addressed to the shareholder at the shareholders address as it appears in the corporations current record of shareholders.
(d) Notice by Ground Courier or Other Personal Delivery. Notice given by ground courier or other personal delivery is effective when received by a shareholder.
(e) Notice by Electronic Transmission. Notice provided in an electronic transmission, if in comprehensible form, is effective when it (i) is electronically transmitted to an address, location or system designated by the recipient for that purpose or (ii) has been posted on an electronic network and a separate record of the posting has been delivered to the recipient together with comprehensible instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.
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(f) Notice by Publication. Notice given by publication is effective five days after first publication.
2.5.3 | Notice of Meetings |
Notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be provided in the form of a record by or at the direction of the Board, the Chairperson of the Board, the President or the Secretary to each shareholder entitled to notice of or to vote at the meeting, as provided below.
2.5.3.1 | Number of Days Notice |
(a) Normal Business. Except as provided in Section 2.5.3.1(b), notice of the meeting shall be provided not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the meeting.
(b) Amendment to Articles of Incorporation; Merger or Share Exchange; Sale of Assets or Dissolution. Notice of a meeting held for the purpose of considering an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, a plan of merger or share exchange, the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the corporations assets other than in the regular course of business or the dissolution of the corporation shall be provided not less than 20 or more than 60 days before the meeting.
2.5.3.2 | Adjourned Meetings |
If an annual or special meeting of shareholders is adjourned to a different date, time or place, no notice of the new date, time or place is required if this information is announced at the meeting before adjournment. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is or must be fixed, notice of the adjourned meeting must be provided to shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote as of the new record date.
2.5.4 | Waiver of Notice |
2.5.4.1 | Waiver by Delivery of a Record |
A shareholder may waive any notice required by these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act before or after the date and time of the meeting that is the subject of the notice. The waiver must be (a) delivered by the shareholder entitled to notice to the corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records, and (b) set forth either in an executed and dated written record or, if the corporation has designated an address, location or system to which the waiver may be electronically transmitted and the waiver is electronically transmitted to the designated address, location or system, in an executed and dated electronically transmitted record.
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2.5.4.2 | Waiver by Attendance |
Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting will be waived by any shareholder by attendance in person or by proxy, unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting.
2.5.4.3 | Waiver of Objection |
A shareholder waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at a meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the notice of the meeting unless the shareholder objects to considering the matter when it is presented.
2.6 | Notice of Nominations and Shareholder Business |
2.6.1 | Annual Meetings |
(a) Nominations of persons for election to the Board or the proposal of other business to be transacted by the shareholders at an annual meeting of shareholders may be made only (i) pursuant to the corporations notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board or any authorized committee thereof or (iii) by any shareholder of the corporation who is a shareholder of record both at the time the notice required by Section 2.6.1(b) is delivered to the Secretary and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.6.1. Except for proposals properly made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations, the Exchange Act ), and included in the corporations notice of meeting, the foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a shareholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders.
(b) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting of shareholders by a shareholder pursuant to Section 2.6.1(a)(iii), the shareholder must have delivered timely notice thereof, in accordance with Section 2.6.4, to the Secretary and any such proposed business (other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board) must constitute a proper matter for shareholder action. Without qualification, to be timely, a shareholders notice must be delivered to and received by the Secretary not less than 90 days or more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to such anniversary date or delayed more than 70 days after such anniversary date, then to be timely such notice must be delivered to and received by the Secretary no earlier than 120 days prior to such annual meeting and no later than the later of 70 days prior to the date of the meeting or the 10th day following the day on which a Public Announcement of the date of the meeting was first made. In no event shall the Public Announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a shareholders notice as described above. Public Announcement shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
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(c) A shareholders notice to the Secretary shall set forth
(i) as to each person (a nominee ) whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the nominee and any derivatives positions held or beneficially held by the nominee, (D) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including, regardless of the form of settlement, any derivative, long or short positions, profit interests, forwards, futures, swaps, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding that has been made, the effect or intent of which is to create or mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, any such nominee with respect to the corporations securities, (E) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the shareholder, and (F) any other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed about such nominee if proxies were being solicited for the election or re-election of the nominee as a director, or that is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including, without limitation, the nominees written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected or re-elected, as the case may be);
(ii) as to any other business that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the text of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business and any material interest in such business of such shareholder and the Shareholder Associated Person (as defined below), if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and
(iii) as to the shareholder giving the notice and the Shareholder Associated Person, if any, on whose behalf the proposal or nomination is made: (A) the name and address, as they appear on the corporations books, of the shareholder proposing such business and any Shareholder Associated Person, (B) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person, (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including, regardless of the form of settlement, any derivatives, long or short positions, profit interests, forwards, futures, swaps, options,
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warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding that has been made, the effect or intent of which is to create or mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such shareholder or any such Shareholder Associated Person with respect to the corporations securities, (D) any material interest of the shareholder or a Shareholder Associated Person in such business, and (E) a statement whether either such shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the votes entitled to be cast on the proposal or nomination required under applicable law to carry the proposal or to elect the director.
In addition, to be in proper form under this Section 2.6.1, a shareholders notice to the Secretary must be supplemented not later than 10 days following the record date for notice of the meeting to disclose the information contained in Sections 2.6.1(c)(i)(C), (D) and (E) and 2.6.1(c)(iii)(B) and (C) as of the record date for notice of the meeting.
(iv) For purposes of this Section 2.6, the term Shareholder Associated Person of any shareholder shall mean (A) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such shareholder, (B) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the corporation owned of record or beneficially by such shareholder and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, and (C) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Shareholder Associated Person.
2.6.2 | Special Meetings |
Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders as shall have been specified in the corporations notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of shareholders (a) by or at the direction of the Board or any authorized committee thereof (or, prior to the Threshold Date, upon the request of shareholders pursuant to Section 2.2.2) or (b) provided that the Board (or, prior to the Threshold Date, shareholders pursuant to Section 2.2.2) has determined that directors shall be elected at such special meeting, by any shareholder of the corporation who is a shareholder of record both at the time the notice required by Section 2.6.1 is delivered to and received by the Secretary and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the special meeting and in such election of directors, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Section 2.6.1 as to such nomination. In the event the corporation calls a special meeting for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such shareholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as are specified in the corporations notice of meeting, if the shareholders notice required by Section 2.6.1 is delivered to and received by the Secretary no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and no later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting and the 10th day following the day on which a Public Announcement of the date of the special meeting was first made and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such special meeting. In no event shall the Public Announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting as to which notice has been sent to shareholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a shareholders notice as described above.
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2.6.3 | General |
(a) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.6 shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.6. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the power and duty (i) to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.6 (including whether the shareholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group that solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such shareholders nominee or proposal in compliance with such shareholders statement as required by Section 2.6.1(c)(iii)(E)) and (ii) if any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 2.6, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6, unless otherwise required by law, if the shareholder (or a qualified representative of the shareholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of shareholders of the corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.6, to be considered a qualified representative of the shareholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such shareholder or must be authorized by a written record executed by such shareholder or an electronically transmitted record executed by such shareholder to act for such shareholder as proxy at the annual or special meeting and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the annual or special meeting.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.6; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or such rules and regulations are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 2.6, and compliance with Sections 2.6.1 and 2.6.2 shall be the exclusive means for a shareholder to make nominations or submit other business. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights (i) of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act or (ii) of the corporation to omit a proposal from the corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, or (iii) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, if any, to the extent provided for under law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
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2.6.4 | Notice or Request to Corporation |
Any notice or request required to be delivered by a shareholder to the corporation pursuant to Section 2.2 or this Section 2.6 must be either (a) set forth in an executed written record given, either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary at the corporations principal executive offices or (b) set forth in an executed electronically transmitted record, if the corporation has designated an address, location or system to which such notice or request may be electronically transmitted and the notice or request is electronically transmitted to that designated address, location or system.
2.7 | Fixing of Record Date for Determining Shareholders Entitled to Notice of or to Vote at a Meeting or to Receive Payment of a Dividend |
2.7.1 | Record Date for Meeting of Shareholders |
For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment of a meeting, the Board may fix a future date as the record date for the determination. The record date shall be not less than 10 or more than 70 days prior to the date of the meeting. If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting, the record date shall be the day immediately preceding the date on which notice of the meeting is first given to shareholders. The determination of the record date shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board fixes a new record date, which it shall do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than 120 days after the date fixed for the original meeting.
2.7.2 | Record Date to Receive Payment of Dividend or Distribution |
For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or distribution (including a dividend or distribution in connection with a stock split), the Board may fix a future date as the record date for the dividend or distribution. The record date shall be not more than 70 days prior to the date on which the dividend or distribution is payable. If no record date is set for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive payment of any stock dividend or distribution (other than one involving a purchase, redemption or other acquisition of the corporations shares), the record date shall be the date the Board authorizes the stock dividend or distribution.
2.8 | Voting Record |
At least 10 days before each meeting of shareholders, an alphabetical list of the shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting shall be made, arranged by voting group and by each class or series of shares, with the address of and number of shares held by each shareholder. This record shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation or at a place identified in the meeting notice in the city where the meeting will be held for 10 days prior to the meeting, and shall be kept open at the meeting, for the inspection of any shareholder or any shareholders agent or attorney-in-fact.
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2.9 | Quorum |
A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter by the holders of shares that, pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act, are entitled to vote on the matter, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum of those shares at a meeting of shareholders, including a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of any class or series of shares entitled to vote as a separate voting group. If less than a quorum of votes is represented at a meeting, a majority of the votes so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice if the new date, time and place are announced at the meeting before adjournment. Any business may be transacted at a reconvened meeting that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called, if a quorum is present or represented at the meeting. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting other than solely to object to holding the meeting or transacting business, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and any adjournment (unless a new record date is or must be set for the adjourned meeting) notwithstanding the withdrawal of holders of shares representing enough votes entitled to be cast to leave less than a quorum.
2.10 | Manner of Acting |
2.10.1 | Matters Other Than the Election of Directors |
If a quorum is present, action on a matter other than the election of directors shall be approved if the votes cast in favor of the action by shares entitled to vote on the matter exceed the votes cast against the action by shares entitled to vote thereon, unless the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act requires a greater number of affirmative votes or approval by separate voting groups.
2.10.2 | Election of Directors |
Directors shall be elected in the manner set forth in Section 2.13.
2.11 | Proxies |
A shareholder or the shareholders agent or attorney-in-fact may appoint a proxy to vote or otherwise act for the shareholder by an executed writing or by a recorded telephone call, voice mail or other electronic transmission.
2.11.1 | Written Authorization |
Execution of a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for the shareholder as proxy may be accomplished by the shareholder or the shareholders authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing the writing or causing his or her signature to be affixed to the writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.
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2.11.2 | Recorded Telephone Call, Voice Mail or Other Electronic Transmission |
Authorizing another person or persons to act for the shareholder as proxy may be accomplished by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a recorded telephone call, voice mail or other electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive the transmission, provided that the transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information, including any security or validation controls used, from which it can reasonably be determined that the transmission was authorized by the shareholder. If it is determined that the transmission is valid, the inspectors of election or, if there are no inspectors, any officer or agent of the corporation making that determination on behalf of the corporation shall specify the information upon which he or she relied. The corporation shall require the holders of proxies received by transmission to provide to the corporation copies of the transmission, and the corporation shall retain copies of the transmission for a reasonable period of time after the election, provided that they are retained for at least 60 days.
2.11.3 | Effectiveness of Appointment of Proxy |
An appointment of a proxy is effective when a signed appointment form or telegram, cablegram, recorded telephone call, voice mail or other transmission of the appointment is received by the inspectors of election or the officer or agent of the corporation authorized to tabulate votes. An appointment is valid for 11 months unless a longer period is expressly provided in the appointment. A proxy with respect to a specified meeting shall entitle its holder to vote at any reconvened meeting following adjournment of the meeting but shall not be valid after the final adjournment.
2.11.4 | Revocability of Proxy |
An appointment of a proxy is revocable by the shareholder unless the appointment indicates that it is irrevocable and the appointment is coupled with an interest. Appointments coupled with an interest include the appointment of a pledgee, a person who purchased or agreed to purchase the shares, a creditor of the corporation who extended it credit under terms requiring the appointment, an employee of the corporation whose employment contract requires the appointment or a party to a voting agreement created under RCW 23B.07.310. An appointment made irrevocable is revoked when the interest with which it is coupled is extinguished. A transferee for value of shares subject to an irrevocable appointment may revoke the appointment if the transferee did not know of its existence when the transferee acquired the shares and the existence of the irrevocable appointment was not noted conspicuously on the certificate representing the shares or on the information statement for shares without certificates.
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2.11.5 | Death or Incapacity of Shareholder Appointing a Proxy |
The death or incapacity of the shareholder appointing a proxy does not affect the right of the corporation to accept the proxys authority unless notice of the death or incapacity is received by the officer or agent of the corporation authorized to tabulate votes before the proxy exercises the proxys authority under the appointment.
2.11.6 | Acceptance of Proxys Vote or Action |
Subject to RCW 23B.07.240 and to any express limitation on the proxys authority stated in the appointment form or recorded telephone call, voice mail or other electronic transmission, the corporation is entitled to accept the proxys vote or other action as that of the shareholder making the appointment.
2.11.7 | Meaning of Sign or Signature |
For the purposes of this Section 2.11, signing or signature includes any manual, facsimile, conformed or electronic signature.
2.12 | Voting of Shares |
Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, each outstanding share entitled to vote with respect to a matter submitted to a meeting of shareholders shall be entitled to one vote upon the matter.
2.13 | Voting for Directors |
Each shareholder entitled to vote at an election of directors may vote, in person or by proxy, the number of shares owned by the shareholder for as many persons as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the shareholder has a right to vote. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, the candidates elected shall be those receiving the largest number of votes cast, up to the number of directors to be elected. Directors may be elected by consent in lieu of an annual or special meeting in accordance with Section 2.14.
2.14 | Action by Shareholders Without a Meeting |
Any action that may or is required to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting or a vote, pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.14.
2.14.1 | Unanimous Written Consent |
Action may be taken by unanimous consent if (a) one or more consents, each in the form of a record, describing the action taken are executed by all the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the matter and (b) the executed consents are delivered to the corporation for filing with the corporate records.
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2.14.2 | General Provisions |
(a) Form of Consent. The consent shall be set forth either in an executed written record or, if the corporation has designated an address, location or system to which the consent may be electronically transmitted and the consent is electronically transmitted to the designated address, location or system, in an executed electronically transmitted record.
(b) Record Date. If not otherwise fixed by the Board, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to take action without a meeting is the date the first shareholder consent is executed.
(c) Withdrawal of Consent. A shareholder may withdraw a consent only by delivering a notice of withdrawal in the form of a record to the corporation prior to the time that consents sufficient to authorize taking the action have been delivered to the corporation.
(d) Date of Signature. Every consent shall bear the date of execution of each shareholder that executes the consent.
(e) Time Allowed to Complete Execution of Consents. A consent is not effective to take the action referred to in the consent unless, within 60 days of the date of the earliest dated consent that is delivered to the corporation, consents executed by a sufficient number of shareholders to take action are delivered to the corporation.
(f) Effective Date of Consent Action. Unless the consent specifies a later effective date, actions taken by consent of the shareholders are effective when consents sufficient to authorize taking the action are in possession of the corporation.
(g) Inclusion in Corporate Records. The consent shall be inserted in the minute book as if it were the minutes of a meeting of the shareholders.
2.15 | Inspectors of Election |
2.15.1 | Appointment |
In advance of any meeting of shareholders, the Board shall appoint one or more persons to act as inspectors of election at such meeting and to make a written report thereof. The Board may designate one or more persons to serve as alternate inspectors to serve in place of any inspector who is unable or fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of shareholders, the chairperson of such meeting shall appoint one or more persons to act as inspectors of election at such meeting.
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2.15.2 | Duties |
The inspectors of election shall
(a) ascertain the number of shares of the corporation outstanding and the voting power of each such share;
(b) determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots;
(c) count all votes and ballots;
(d) determine and retain for a reasonable period of time a record of the disposition of any challenges to any determination made by them; and
(e) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of the votes and ballots.
The validity of any proxy or ballot shall be determined by the inspectors of election in accordance with the applicable provisions of these Bylaws and the Washington Business Corporation Act as then in effect. In determining the validity of any proxy transmitted by telephone call, voice mail or other electronic transmission, the inspectors shall record in writing the information upon which they relied in making such determination. Each inspector of elections shall, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, take and sign an oath to faithfully execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors of election may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist them in the performance of their duties.
SECTION 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
3.1 | General Powers |
All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed under the direction of, the Board, except as may be otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act.
3.2 | Number and Tenure |
The Board shall be composed of not less than two directors, the specific number to be set from time to time solely by resolution of the Board in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation. No decrease in the number of authorized directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. Unless a director dies, resigns or is removed, such director shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such directors successor is elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the authorized number of directors. In accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, the directors of the corporation shall be divided into three classes. Directors need not be shareholders of the corporation or residents of the State of Washington.
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3.3 | Regular Meetings |
By resolution, the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may specify the time and place, within or without the State of Washington, for holding regular meetings without notice other than the resolution.
3.4 | Special Meetings |
Special meetings of the Board or any committee designated by the Board may be called by or at the request of the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or, in the case of special Board meetings, any director and, in the case of any special meeting of any committee designated by the Board, by the committees chairperson. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings may fix any place, within or without the State of Washington, for holding any special Board or committee meeting called by such person or persons.
3.5 | Meetings by Communications Equipment |
Members of the Board or any committee designated by the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all directors participating in the meeting can hear one another during the meeting, and participation in this manner shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
3.6 | Notice of Special Meetings |
Notice of a special Board or committee meeting stating the place, day and hour of the meeting shall be provided to each director on the Board or committee, as applicable, in the form of a record or orally, as provided below. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any special meeting need be specified in the notice of the meeting.
3.6.1 | Number of Days Notice |
Notice of the meeting shall be given at least two days before the meeting.
3.6.2 | Type of Notice |
(a) Oral Notice. Oral notice may be communicated in person, by telephone, wire or wireless equipment that does not transmit a facsimile of the notice, or by any electronic means that does not create a record.
(b) Notice Provided in a Tangible Medium. Notice may be provided in a tangible medium and may be transmitted by mail, private carrier, personal delivery, telegraph, teletype, telephone or wire or wireless equipment that transmits a facsimile of the notice.
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(c) Notice Provided in an Electronic Transmission. Notice may be provided in an electronic transmission and be electronically transmitted.
(1) Consent to Receive Notice by Electronic Transmission. Notice to directors in an electronic transmission is effective only with respect to directors who have consented, in the form of a record, to receive electronically transmitted notices and designated in the consent the address, location or system to which these notices may be electronically transmitted. Notice provided in an electronic transmission includes material required or permitted to accompany the notice by the Washington Business Corporation Act or other applicable statute or regulation.
(2) Revocation of Consent to Receive Notice by Electronic Transmission. A director who has consented to receipt of electronically transmitted notices may revoke the consent by delivering a revocation to the corporation in the form of a record. The consent of a director to receive notice by electronic transmission is revoked if the corporation is unable to electronically transmit two consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with the consent, and this inability becomes known to the Secretary or any other person responsible for giving the notice. The inadvertent failure by the corporation to treat this inability as a revocation does not invalidate any meeting or other action.
(3) Posting Notice on an Electronic Network. Notice to directors who have consented to receipt of electronically transmitted notices may be provided by posting the notice on an electronic network and delivering to the director a separate record of the posting, together with comprehensible instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.
3.6.3 | Effectiveness of Written Notice |
(a) Notice by Mail. Notice given by mail is effective five days after its deposit in the United States mail, as evidenced by the postmark, if mailed with first-class postage prepaid and correctly addressed to the director at his or her address shown on the records of the corporation.
(b) Notice by Registered or Certified Mail. Notice is effective on the date shown on the return receipt, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and the receipt is signed by or on behalf of the addressee.
(c) Notice by Telegraph, Teletype or Facsimile Equipment. Notice sent to the directors address, telephone number or other number appearing on the records of the corporation is effective when dispatched by telegraph, teletype or wire or wireless equipment that transmits a facsimile of the notice.
(d) Notice by Private Carrier. Notice given by private carrier is effective when received by the director.
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(e) Personal Notice. Notice given by personal delivery is effective when received by the director.
(f) Notice by Electronic Transmission. Notice provided by electronic transmission, if in comprehensible form, is effective when it (i) is electronically transmitted to an address, location or system designated by the recipient for that purpose or (ii) has been posted on an electronic network and a separate record of the posting has been delivered to the recipient together with comprehensible instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.
3.6.4 | Effectiveness of Oral Notice |
(a) Notice in Person or by Telephone. Oral notice is effective when received by the director.
(b) Notice by Wire or Wireless Equipment. Notice given by wire or wireless equipment that does not transmit a facsimile of the notice or by any electronic means that does not create a record is effective when communicated to the director.
3.7 | Waiver of Notice |
3.7.1 | Waiver by Delivery of a Record |
A director may waive any notice required to be given to any director under the provisions of these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act, before or after the date and time stated in the notice, and the waiver shall be equivalent to the giving of notice. The waiver must be delivered to the corporation by the director entitled to the notice for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. The waiver shall be set forth either in an executed written record or, if the corporation has designated an address, location or system to which the waiver may be electronically transmitted and the waiver has been electronically transmitted to the designated address, location or system, in an executed electronically transmitted record. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the Board or any committee designated by the Board need be specified in the waiver of notice of the meeting.
3.7.2 | Waiver by Attendance |
A directors attendance at or participation in a Board or committee meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, unless the director at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon his or her arrival, objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and does not vote for or assent to action taken at the meeting.
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3.8 | Quorum |
3.8.1 | Board |
A majority of the number of directors fixed by or in the manner provided in these Bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Board meeting but, if less than a quorum is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
3.8.2 | Committees |
A majority of the number of directors composing any committee of the Board, as established and fixed by resolution of the Board, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee but, if less than a quorum is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
3.9 | Manner of Acting |
If a quorum is present when the vote is taken, the act of the majority of the directors present at a Board or committee meeting shall be the act of the Board or the committee, unless the vote of a greater number is required by these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act.
3.10 | Presumption of Assent |
A director of the corporation who is present at a Board or committee meeting at which any action is taken shall be deemed to have assented to the action taken unless (a) the director objects at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon his or her arrival, to holding the meeting or transacting any business at the meeting, (b) the directors dissent or abstention from the action taken is entered in the minutes of the meeting, or (c) the director delivers notice of the directors dissent or abstention to the presiding officer of the meeting before its adjournment or to the corporation within a reasonable time after adjournment of the meeting. The right of dissent or abstention is not available to a director who votes in favor of the action taken.
3.11 | Action by Board or Committees Without a Meeting |
Any action that could be taken at a meeting of the Board or of any committee created by the Board may be taken without a meeting if one or more consents setting forth the action so taken are executed by all the directors or by all the members of the committee either before or after the action is taken and delivered to the corporation, each of which shall be set forth in an executed written record or, if the corporation has designated an address, location or system to which the consent may be electronically transmitted and the consent is electronically transmitted to the designated address, location or system, in an executed electronically transmitted record. Action taken by consent of directors without a meeting is effective when the last director executes the consent, unless the consent specifies a later effective date. The consent shall be inserted in the minute book as if it were the minutes of a Board or a committee meeting.
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3.12 | Resignation of Directors and Committee Members |
Any director may resign from the Board or any committee of the Board at any time by delivering an executed notice to the Chairperson of the Board, the President, the Secretary or the Board. The resignation is effective upon delivery unless the notice of resignation specifies a later effective date, and unless otherwise specified, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
3.13 | Removal of Directors and Committee Members |
3.13.1 | Removal of Directors |
(a) Prior to Threshold Date. Prior to the Threshold Date, at a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.6), one or more directors, including the entire Board, may be removed with or without cause by the holders of the shares entitled to elect the director or directors whose removal is sought if, with respect to a particular director, the number of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number of votes cast to not remove the director.
(b) After Threshold Date. After the Threshold Date, at a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.6), one or more directors, including the entire Board, may be removed only for cause by the holders of the shares entitled to elect the director or directors whose removal is sought if, with respect to a particular director, the number of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number of votes cast to not remove the director.
3.13.2 | Removal of Committee Members |
The Board may remove any member of any committee elected or appointed by it by the affirmative vote of the greater of a majority of the directors then in office and the number of directors required to take action in accordance with these Bylaws.
3.14 | Vacancies |
Unless the Articles of Incorporation provide otherwise, any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors may be filled as follows:
(a) prior to the Threshold Date, by the shareholders (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.6), by the Board or, if the directors in office constitute less than a quorum, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors or the sole remaining director; and
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(b) after the Threshold Date, only by the Board or, if the directors in office constitute less than a quorum, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors or the sole remaining director.
The term of a director elected to fill a vacancy expires at the next election of directors by the shareholders.
3.15 | Executive and Other Committees |
3.15.1 | Creation of Committees |
The Board, by resolution, may create standing or temporary committees, including an Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee, and appoint members from its own number and invest the committees with powers as it may see fit, subject to conditions as may be prescribed by the Board, the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws and applicable law. The resolution must be adopted by the greater of a majority of all the directors then in office or the number of directors required to take action in accordance with these Bylaws. Each committee must have two or more members, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
3.15.2 | Authority of Committees |
Each committee shall have and may exercise all the authority of the Board to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board creating the committee and any subsequent resolutions adopted in like manner, except that no committee shall have the authority to: (a) authorize or approve a distribution, except according to a general formula or method prescribed by the Board, (b) approve or propose to shareholders actions or proposals required by the Washington Business Corporation Act to be approved by shareholders, (c) fill vacancies on the Board or any committee of the Board, (d) amend the Articles of Incorporation pursuant to RCW 23B.10.020, (e) adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws, (f) approve a plan of merger not requiring shareholder approval, or (g) authorize or approve the issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares, except that the Board may authorize a committee or a senior executive officer of the corporation to do so within limits specifically prescribed by the Board.
3.15.3 | Minutes of Meetings |
All committees shall keep regular minutes of their meetings and shall cause them to be recorded in books kept for that purpose.
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3.16 | Compensation of Directors and Committee Members |
By Board resolution, directors and committee members may be paid for their service as directors and committee members in such amounts and form as specified in such resolution, which may include, without limitation, their expenses, if any, of attendance at each Board or committee meeting, a fixed sum for attendance at each Board or committee meeting or a stated salary as director or a committee member, and such other compensation as the Board may determine (including, without limitation, stock options or other equity compensation). No payment for expenses or compensation as a director or committee member shall preclude any director or committee member from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation for his or her services.
SECTION 4. OFFICERS
4.1 | Appointment and Term |
The officers of the corporation shall be those officers appointed from time to time by the Board or by any other officer empowered to do so. The Board shall have sole power and authority to appoint any executive officer and shall have the authority to appoint any other officers and to prescribe the respective terms of office, authority and duties of the executive officers or other officers. As used in these Bylaws, the term executive officer shall mean the President, any Vice President in charge of a principal business unit, division or function or any other officer who performs a policymaking function. The Board may delegate to any executive officer the power to appoint any subordinate officers and to prescribe their respective terms of office, authority and duties. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. Unless an officer dies, resigns or is removed from office, he or she shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed.
4.2 | Resignation of Officers |
Any officer may resign at any time by delivering a notice to the corporation either in an executed written record or in an executed electronically transmitted record. The resignation is effective upon delivery unless the notice of resignation specifies a later effective date, and unless otherwise specified, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
4.3 | Removal of Officers |
Any officer may be removed by the Board at any time, with or without cause. An officer or assistant officer, if appointed by another officer, may be removed by any officer authorized to appoint officers or assistant officers.
4.4 | Contract Rights of Officers |
The appointment of an officer does not itself create contract rights.
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4.5 | Chairperson of the Board |
If appointed, the Chairperson of the Board shall perform the duties assigned to him or her by the Board from time to time, and shall preside over meetings of the Board and shareholders unless another officer is appointed or designated by the Board as chairperson of the meetings.
4.6 | Chief Executive Officer |
If appointed, the Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation, shall preside over meetings of the Board and shareholders in the absence of a Chairperson of the Board, and, subject to the Boards control, shall supervise and control all of the assets, business and affairs of the corporation. The Chief Executive Officer may sign, with the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or with the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, certificates for shares of the corporation, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments, except when the signing and execution thereof have been expressly delegated by the Board or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the corporation or are required by law to be otherwise signed or executed by some other officer or in some other manner. In general, the Chief Executive Officer shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer and such other duties as are prescribed by the Board from time to time.
4.7 | President |
In the event of the death of the Chief Executive Officer or a vacancy in the office of the Chief Executive Officer, or his or her inability to act, the President, if appointed, shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, except as may be limited by resolution of the Board, with all the powers of and subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer. The President may sign, with the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or with the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, certificates for shares of the corporation. In general, the President shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and other duties prescribed by the Board from time to time.
4.8 | Vice President |
In the event of the death of the President or a vacancy in the office of the President, or his or her inability to act, the Vice President shall, if appointed, perform the duties of the President, except as may be limited by resolution of the Board, with all the powers of and subject to all the restrictions upon the President. If there is more than one Vice President, the Vice President who was designated by the Board as the successor to the President, or if no Vice President is so designated, the Vice President first elected to the office of Vice President, shall perform the duties of the President, except as may be limited by resolution of the Board, with all the powers of and subject to all the restrictions upon the President. Any Vice President may sign, with the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or with the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, certificates for shares of the corporation. Vice Presidents shall perform other duties as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Chief Executive Officer or the President or by or at the direction of the Board.
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4.9 | Secretary |
If appointed, the Secretary shall be responsible for preparation of minutes of the meetings of the Board and shareholders, maintenance of the corporation records and stock registers, and authentication of the corporations records and shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the President or by or at the direction of the Board. In the absence of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary may perform the duties of the Secretary.
4.10 | Treasurer |
If appointed, the Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation, receive and give receipts for funds due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever, and deposit funds in the name of the corporation in banks, trust companies or other depositories selected in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws, and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the President or by or at the direction of the Board. In the absence of the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer may perform the duties of the Treasurer.
4.11 | Salaries |
The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board or by any person or persons to whom the Board has delegated authority to set salaries of officers. No officer shall be prevented from receiving a salary by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director of the corporation.
SECTION 5. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER
5.1 | Issuance of Shares |
No shares of the corporation shall be issued unless authorized by the Board or by a committee designated by the Board to the extent the committee is empowered to do so.
5.2 | Certificates for Shares |
Certificates representing shares of the corporation shall be signed, either manually or in facsimile, (a) by any two officers designated by the Board or (b) if no specific designation is made, by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary and shall include on their face written notice of any restrictions that may be imposed on the transferability of the shares. All certificates shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified.
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5.3 | Issuance of Shares Without Certificates |
The Board may authorize the issuance of some or all of the shares of any or all of the corporations classes or series without certificates. The authorization does not affect shares already represented by certificates until they are surrendered to the corporation. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of shares without certificates, the corporation shall send the shareholder a complete record containing the information required on certificates by applicable Washington law.
5.4 | Stock Records |
The stock transfer books shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation or at the office of the corporations transfer agent or registrar. The name and address of each person to whom certificates for shares are issued, together with the class and number of shares represented by the certificate and the date of issuance of the certificate, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the corporation. The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the corporation shall be deemed by the corporation to be the owner for all purposes.
5.5 | Restriction on Transfer |
Except to the extent that the corporation has obtained an opinion of counsel acceptable to the corporation that transfer restrictions are not required under applicable securities laws, or has otherwise satisfied itself that transfer restrictions are not required, all certificates representing shares of the corporation shall bear a legend on the face of the certificate, or on the reverse of the certificate if a reference to the legend is contained on the face, that reads substantially as follows or that substantially effects the same purpose:
The securities evidenced by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), or applicable state securities laws, and no interest may be sold, distributed, assigned, offered, pledged or otherwise transferred unless (a) there is an effective registration statement under the Act and applicable state securities laws covering the transaction involving these securities, (b) the corporation receives an opinion of legal counsel for the holder of these securities satisfactory to the corporation stating that the transaction is exempt from registration, or (c) the corporation otherwise satisfies itself that the transaction is exempt from registration.
If any securities of the corporation are issued pursuant to Regulation S ( Regulation S ) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act ), the corporation will refuse to register any subsequent transfer of such securities if such transfer is not made in accordance with Regulation S, pursuant to registration under the 1933 Act or pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the 1933 Act.
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5.6 | Transfer of Shares |
The transfer of shares of the corporation shall be made only on the stock transfer books of the corporation pursuant to authorization or document of transfer made by the holder of record or by the holders legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or by the holders attorney-in-fact authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary. All certificates surrendered to the corporation for transfer shall be canceled and no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificates for a like number of shares have been surrendered and canceled.
5.7 | Lost, Destroyed or Damaged Certificates |
In the case of a lost, destroyed or damaged certificate, a new certificate may be issued in its place upon terms and indemnity to the corporation as the Board may prescribe.
SECTION 6. INDEMNIFICATION
6.1 | Right to Indemnification |
Each person who was, is or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal (a proceeding ), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation or, that being or having been a director or officer of the corporation, he or she is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (an indemnitee ), whether the basis of a proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation against all losses, claims, damages (compensatory, exemplary, punitive or otherwise), liabilities and expenses (including attorneys fees, costs, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, amounts to be paid in settlement and any other expenses) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by the indemnitee in connection with the proceeding, and the indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer of the corporation or a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitees heirs, executors and administrators. Except as provided in Section 6.4 with respect to proceedings seeking to enforce rights to indemnification, the corporation shall indemnify the indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part of a proceeding) initiated by the indemnitee only if a proceeding (or part of a proceeding) was authorized or ratified by the Board. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 6 shall be a contract right.
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6.2 | Restrictions on Indemnification |
No indemnification shall be provided to any indemnitee for acts or omissions of the indemnitee finally adjudged to be intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, for conduct of the indemnitee finally adjudged to be in violation of RCW 23B.08.310, for any transaction with respect to which it was finally adjudged that the indemnitee personally received a benefit in money, property or services to which the indemnitee was not legally entitled or if the corporation is otherwise prohibited by applicable law from paying indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if RCW 23B.08.560 is amended, the restrictions on indemnification set forth in this Section 6.2 shall be as set forth in the amended statutory provision.
6.3 | Advancement of Expenses |
The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 6 shall include the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an advancement of expenses ). An advancement of expenses shall be made upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking (an undertaking ), by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified.
6.4 | Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit |
If a claim under Section 6.1 or 6.3 is not paid in full by the corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part, in any such suit or in a suit brought by the corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of litigating the suit. The indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Section 6.4 upon submission of a written claim (and, in an action brought to enforce a claim for an advancement of expenses, when the required undertaking has been tendered to the corporation), and thereafter the corporation shall have the burden of proof to overcome the presumption that the indemnitee is so entitled.
6.5 | Procedures Exclusive |
Pursuant to RCW 23B.08.560(2) or any successor provision, the procedures for indemnification and the advancement of expenses set forth in this Section 6 are in lieu of the procedures required by RCW 23B.08.550 or any successor provision.
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6.6 | Nonexclusivity of Rights |
Except as set forth in Section 6.5, the right to indemnification and the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 6 shall not be exclusive of any other right that any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of, the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, general or specific action of the Board or shareholders, contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding any amendment or repeal of this Section 6, or of any amendment or repeal of any of the procedures that may be established by the Board pursuant to this Section 6, any indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and those procedures with respect to any acts or omissions of the indemnitee occurring prior to the amendment or repeal.
6.7 | Insurance, Contracts and Funding |
The corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of the corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the corporation would have the authority or right to indemnify the person against the expense, liability or loss under the Washington Business Corporation Act or other law. The corporation may enter into contracts with any director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of the corporation in furtherance of the provisions of this Section 6 and may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of the amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided in this Section 6.
6.8 | Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation |
In addition to the rights of indemnification set forth in Section 6.1, the corporation may, by action of the Board, grant rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents or any class or group of employees and agents of the corporation (a) with the same scope and effect as the provisions of this Section 6 with respect to indemnification and the advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the corporation, (b) pursuant to rights granted or provided by the Washington Business Corporation Act, or (c) as are otherwise consistent with law.
6.9 | Persons Serving Other Entities |
Any person who, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving (a) as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation of which a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of its directors is held by the corporation or (b) as a partner, trustee or otherwise in an executive or management capacity in a partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which the corporation or a majority owned subsidiary of the corporation is a general partner or has a majority ownership, shall conclusively be deemed to be so serving at the request of the corporation and entitled to indemnification and the advancement of expenses under Sections 6.1 and 6.3, respectively.
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SECTION 7. GENERAL MATTERS
7.1 | Accounting Year |
The accounting year of the corporation shall be the calendar year, but if a different accounting year is at any time selected by the Board for purposes of federal income taxes, or any other purpose, the accounting year shall be the year so selected.
7.2 | Amendment or Repeal of Bylaws |
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the Board, except that the Board may not amend or repeal any Bylaw that the shareholders have expressly provided, in amending or repealing the Bylaw, may not be amended or repealed by the Board. The shareholders may also alter, amend and repeal these Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.2, as applicable, and Section 2.6); provided, however, that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast by the shareholders of the corporation generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single voting group, shall be required for the shareholders of the corporation to alter, amend or repeal any provision of these Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws.
7.3 | Books and Records |
The corporation shall:
(a) keep as permanent records minutes of all meetings of its shareholders and the Board, a record of all actions taken by shareholders or the Board without a meeting, and a record of all actions taken by a committee of the Board exercising the authority of the Board on behalf of the corporation;
(b) maintain appropriate accounting records;
(c) maintain or hire an agent to maintain a record of its shareholders, in a form that permits preparation of a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders, in alphabetical order by class of shares showing the number and class of shares held by each;
(d) maintain its records in written form or in another form capable of conversion into written form within a reasonable time; and
(e) keep a copy of the following records at its principal office;
(i) the Articles of Incorporation and all amendments thereto as currently in effect;
(ii) these Bylaws and all amendments thereto as currently in effect;
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(iii) the minutes of all meetings of shareholders and records of all actions taken by shareholders without a meeting for the past three years;
(iv) the financial statements described in RCW 23B.16.200(1) for the past three years;
(v) all communications in the form of a record to shareholders generally within the past three years;
(vi) a list of the names and business addresses of the current directors and officers; and
(vii) the most recent annual report delivered to the Washington Secretary of State.
7.4 | Contracts, Loans, Checks and Deposits |
7.4.1 | Contracts |
The Board may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation. The authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
7.4.2 | Loans to the Corporation |
No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board. The authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
7.4.3 | Checks, Drafts, etc. |
All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by the officer or officers, or agent or agents, of the corporation and in the manner from time to time determined by resolution of the Board.
7.4.4 | Deposits |
All funds of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in banks, trust companies or other depositories selected by the Board.
7.5 | Corporate Seal |
The Board may provide for a corporate seal that shall consist of the name of the corporation, the state of its incorporation and the year of its incorporation.
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